Bobby Martinez – Sports Writer
NEW HAVEN — Over the past years Southern Connecticut has held series of events for students who at one time in their lifetime have attended Southern Connecticut State University. The Owls athletic departments in recent years have held alumni events for former athletes. Closing out the year, the ball is in the men’s basketballs hands for hosting this year’s event.
“As the Director of Alumni Relations,” said Michelle Rocheford Johnston, “I am pleased to serve our over 82,000 alumni in a variety of ways, from welcoming them back to campus with a variety of special events to cultivating future alumni — our students.”
With a hot start to the season, the men’s basketball team has managed to secure five wins and one loss in overtime against Pace University 80-78. As the year is approaching its end, the men’s basketball team has been selected to host this year’s alumni events from Dec. 21-22 at the Moore Field House.
An alumni basketball game will kick off the series of event Dec. 21 at 2 p.m. at Moore Field House. After the game, a reception will be held at Eli’s in Hamden, Conn. After the events, the Owls will lace up their shoes and hit the court against a University of Bridgeport team who lost to the Owls earlier in the season at the Bridgeport Tournament 77-73.
Over the years, Southern’s sports teams hosted numerous events for alumnis. To name a few, During the 2008-09 academic year the gymnastics team held a social event and the women’s basketball team held an alumni game. For the 2010-11 academic year, teams such as gymnastics, baseball, softball, field hockey, swimming, and track and field held events throughout the year as well.
In a release written by Johnston on the Southern Connecticut’s website, she said the alumni program is currently one of the best events held for alumni.
“In a combined effort between the Office of Alumni Relations and the Southern Connecticut State University Alumni Association,” said Johnston, “we are proud to bring to our alumni the most comprehensive programming ever offered.”
There are also other events held for alumni outside of sports as well. Johnston students who had attended Southern no matter what year, these events are for them as well.
“Maybe you were here to attend the Mary and Louis Fusco Distinguished Lecture,” said Johnston, “or to watch your favorite Owl team compete, or to participate in a workshop at the Michael J. Adanti Student Center. No matter the reason — we want you to know that the SCSU campus is your campus.”
Both Office of Alumni Relations and the Southern Connecticut State University Alumni Association hold numerous events that touch on a variety of topics. There are lectures that bring awareness which touch on social, economic, governmental, business, and educational issues that affect everyone in Connecticut.
For the 2011-12 school year, the Owls softball team kicked off the events by hosting their sixth annual alumni softball game followed by a picnic once the game was completed. As for the 2012-13 academic year, women’s lacrosse teams were the first team selected to host an alumni event with a lacrosse game held by former lacrosse Head Coach Kelley Frassinelli and current Head Coach Maureen Spellman.
Johnston said she hopes alumni take this opportunity and return for a weekend full of events and helpful information they can learn from and enjoy.
“Together, our faculty, students and alumni encourage and challenge each other to think in new ways and to approach difficult questions with creative solutions,” said Johnston. “Take advantage of what Southern has to offer from academics and athletics to arts and culture. The Office of Alumni Relations is here to welcome you.”
Participants who are interested in attending the men’s basketball alumni events Dec. 21-22 are required to contact men’s Head Coach Mike Donnelly to reserve a spot. For anyone who is interested can reach Donnelly through email at donnellym3@southernct.edu or through phone at (203) 392-6017 for more information.
