By Claire Crittendon – Features Editor
Olivia Addington (‘19) now works as Lasell women’s volleyball coach as well as in the office of admissions.
Photo by Olivia Addington.
Since August, recent Lasell graduate Olivia Addington has been serving along- side Dana Jones as assistant coach to the women’s volleyball team. Graduating from Lasell in May 2019 with a degree in public relations, Addington was also hired this September as an admission counselor.
Members of Men’s Rugby Club celebrate after scoring a try. Lasers came together Sunday during Friends, Family and Alumni Weekend on
Grillier Field for the Rugby Club’s senior game. Defeating Mass College of Liberal Arts (MCLA), 36-14, students and visitors were treated to an exciting game. The team travels to Connecticut College to face off in a tri-match with them and Colby Sawyer to secure a home playoff game on Oct. 26.
Photo by: Katie Peters
By Adam Hallenbeck & Kaie Quigley – Sports Editor & 1851 Staff
For the first time since 2010, the women’s soccer team has not been the league voted team to beat. According to the GNAC preseason poll, six out of 13 league head coaches believe last year’s winning team— Saint Joseph’s of Maine, will repeat as champions in 2019. This vote comes in spite of the Lasers’ eight conference title wins since 2010.
By Adam Hallenbeck & Mike Maruk – Sports Editor & 1851 Staff
Photo by: Adam Hallenbeck A sample of the new athletic merchandise seen on campus with the brand new athletic logo.
Every year, the athletics department prepares for change. There is a change of roster, change of schedules and change of opponents. This year, they must prepare for a new type of change-the change of a school name.
On Aug. 15, the school announced that it had been granted university status by the State Board of Higher Education. In February 2018 however, momentum picked up heavily on the discussions held.
“The Board [of Trustees] asked us to look into it…we formed a University Status Study Group, 18 people led by Professor Nancy Waldren… doing research on a variety of areas. They came back last November with a recommendation to make the change,” said President Michael Alexander.
As soon as the change was announced, the school began their revamp. While the blue hues and Boomer aren’t going anywhere, there are other changes that need to happen in the two-year plan to redesign the campus. The new school logo was released on the athletics’ website, along with their new website design on Aug. 15 to coincide with the school’s announcement.
Since the logo has changed, that also means that some of the clothing and sports equipment have to be updated as well. Items such as sports bags, athletic apparel,eld hockey skirts, and select jerseys were on the x list.
“The two cross-country teams and volleyball uniforms actually said Lasell College. The rest of the uniforms just said Lasell,” said Cherrington. This was a step ahead of the game for the department. As for the older clothes, they are going to be used for the next few years until they decide to put money into buying new uniforms.
Coaches were one of the first considerations for obtaining Lasell University gear, since their work goes beyond the regular season. They need to travel and represent the Lasell name while participating in recruiting, league meetings, and showcases.The areas of play, such as the sports fields and the banners on them, have to be updated. Cherrington said, “a lot of our facilities, like the scoreboard out here, the soccer field says Lasell College. The scoreboard up at Grellier Field says Lasell College. The gym floor says Lasell College, I think they are going to do that over Christmas break.”
With the change of the name, there were discussions if other changes could be made in athletics, including the possibility of a football team. Unfortunately for football fans, changes won’t be made anytime soon. “When I first interviewed for the position [in 2007], the applicants were given the chance to meet the students. I asked what the community wanted and everybody in the community wanted us to look at football, so we entered an investigation…neither field we have is big enough for NCAA requirements, they aren’t wide enough,” said President Alexander.
He continued saying the only place a football team could play would be off-cam- pus. “Even if we had a way to practice and play football at Brandeis, we wouldn’t getthe school spirit benefit out of it. I don’tknow how many people would go, I don’t know what it would add,” said the President.
In the eyes of the school, it seems thatthe bene ts wouldn’t meet the costs of run- ning the program. The costs of having a football team would exceed $650,000 in expenses to create the group, plus the amount to get the equipment, uniforms, and proper protective gear. “It took months, but we reached the conclusion that football wasn’t for us,” said Alexander.
Besides the physical changes, the ethics and goals are still the same for Lasell athletics, according to Athletic Director Kristy Walters. “I don’t think we are doing things differently, we have always tried to be a competitive program and present a good product to the student athletes… the change itself has been something to hang on to in terms of getting our name out there… we still want to be a strong Division III program, that will not change,” said Walters.
By Kaie Quigley – 1851 Staff
Photo courtesy of Billy Uberti
Billy Uberti (‘14) returns to the Lasers a seasoned coach, as he anchored first base for the team.
A new yet familiar face is heading the baseball program for the 2019-2020 season— Lasell University alum Billy Uberti. Younger than most of his counterparts by a large margin, Uberti is only 28-years-old as he steps into his first head coaching role.
By Taylor Viles – 1851 Staff
Beauchemin began playing lacrosse at the age of 11, but didn’t transition to goalie until high school. Photo by: Taylor Viles
Coming into his sophomore season, starting lacrosse goalie Alex Beauchemin, 19, is ready to continue the work he began on the field last spring.
By Taylor Viles – 1851 staff
Jack Edwards has been the play-by-play announcer for the Boston Bruins since 2005.
Jack Edwards grew up in New Hampshire watching the Bruins on his TV. He heard the announcers through the screen, but never thought he’d be calling the game himself.
By Alex Balletto & Virginia Bry – Copy Editor & 1851 Staff
Photo Courtesy of Andrew Modugno
Women’s lacrosse honored their senior players (L-R) Vanessa Pino, Jordan McComb, Lily Delaney for their contributions on April 13.
During the women’s lacrosse senior game on April 13, the team honored captain Jordan McComb, Lily Delaney and Vanessa Pino, all seniors. The team matched the Blue Jays of the University of Saint Joseph (Connecticut).
