Summer 2012 - Adelphi University

NEW AND NOTEWORTHY
Adelphi Places 11 on Northeast-10 Spring Academic
All-Conference Teams
Adelphi University saw 11 student-athletes named to the
Northeast-10 Conference Spring Academic All-Conference
teams, marking the second most honorees of any institution in
the conference. The Panthers had student-athletes recognized
in five different sports and trailed only Southern Connecticut
State University, which led the NE-10 with 13 Academic AllConference nods.
Standing among the 96 student-athletes from nine sports
recognized for academic excellence this spring were Craig
Matteo (baseball), Courtney Acker (women’s lacrosse), Meg
Brown (women’s lacrosse), Devan Crimi (women’s lacrosse),
Erica Devito (women’s lacrosse), Tara Gangarossa (women’s
lacrosse), Jacqueline Williams (women’s lacrosse), Emily
Dorko (softball), Samra Redzematovic (women’s tennis), Maria
Toft (women’s tennis) and David DeSalvo (men’s outdoor track
and field).
By sport, women’s lacrosse had the highest number of studentathletes with 20 named to the Academic All-Conference Team,
of which included six from Adelphi. Women’s outdoor track &
field came in second with 15 and softball came in third with 14.
Women’s Lacrosse and Softball Take Home NE-10 Team
Academic Excellence Awards
The Northeast-10 Conference announced its complete list of
Academic Team Excellence winners from the 2011-2012 school
year. Ten different schools had at least one team earn the award,
while two of Adelphi’s teams took home top honors.
The softball and women’s lacrosse teams topped their respective
sports with the highest team GPA. Softball, a repeat winner
from last year, posted a GPA of 3.505, the sixth highest out
of any sport. Meanwhile, the women’s lacrosse team posted a
3.389 team GPA.
Men’s Lacrosse and Softball Win 2012 Panther Club Challenge
In true athletic fashion, the competition for the second annual
Panther Club Online Challenge came was fierce. For the second
straight year the men’s lacrosse was top cat in the overall
donations portion of the challenge, while softball was a repeat
winner in the percentage based challenge.
This is the second year that the Panther Club has sponsored the
challenge, which has raised over $17,000 for Adelphi’s athletic
programs in the past two years. Men’s lacrosse out distanced
the field this year in total dollars raised, while the softball team
received plenty of alumni and friend support to take the percentage portion of the challenge.
Beginning February 16, the challenge pitted Panthers’ teams
against one another in a unique competition to determine which
programs could generate the most dollars and donors by April
1, 2012. In total, the challenge generated over $17,000 of new
donations through the Panther Club in the past two years.
Bringing the Panther Statue to Life
In 1946, Adelphi
officially dubbed
the Panther as the
University mascot
after a school-wide
contest was held. The
students, faculty and
alumni believed that
the Panther should
convey the qualities
of intelligence, humility, strength, success, tradition
and pride.
Adelphi University proudly launched a new era in
Panther Athletics with the official release of the
new athletic logo. In 2008, throughout that Fall,
Adelphi unveiled a series of athletic word marks
and logos. The final in the series of marks displays
the fully body Panther logo standing atop a mountain and incorporates the University’s official colors
of brown and gold.
The redesign had
been 60 years in
the making, dating
back to 1946 when a
school-wide contest
officially named
the Panther as the
University’s mascot.
While the Panther
has changed since then, the hallmarks of Adelphi
Athletics have remained the same. The new Panther
logos and marks, designed by Phoenix Design
Works, are intended to embody the intelligence
humility, strength, success, tradition and pride of
Adelphi Panther Athletics.
“I am extremely pleased with the new logos that
Phoenix Design has created,” said Director of
Athletics, Robert E. Hartwell. “They truly define
our mission and goals.”
The final look is a result of a long journey that began with the finding of a designer that could epitomize the values that the Athletic Department holds
most dear. Alumni, student-athletes and staff were
asked to provide their input on the qualities the new
panther should convey. Many expressed the importance of portraying strength and nobility. Adding
brown to the existing black and gold logo color
scheme was also a popular request. The Panther and
the accompanying trademarked logos allow Adelphi
to convey a consistent and identifiable brand for its
many stakeholders from athletes, coaches
and recruits to alumni,
benefactors and fans for years to come.
We are now asking for
your help to bring the
Adelphi University
Panther to life! The
Adelphi Athletic Department is undertaking an initiative to create a larger than life bronze
sculpture of the mascot that has defined Adelphi
Athletics for over 60 years.
With the support of our coaches, alumni, studentathletes and fans, we hope to proudly display our
bronze Panther statue out on the knoll in front
of the Center for Recreation and Sport for all to
admire.
For more information on this project, please contact
Carlo Acquista, Senior Assistant Athletic Director at (516) 877-4234 or via email at Acquista@
Adelphi.edu.
A Message
From The
Director of
Athletics
Volleyball Team Wins First
Ever Hartwell Cup
The Adelphi University StudentAthlete Advisory Committee
(SAAC), with support from the
Athletic Department administration
created an award during the 201112 season to honor team athletic
excellence, academic achievement,
and community service. The award
was named in honor of Adelphi’s
long time Director of Athletics Robert E. Hartwell and was
presented to the volleyball team at
the annual End of The Year Awards
Banquet.
Robert E. Hartwell
Greetings to All,
My best wishes to you all along with my thanks for your
support of your athletic program of which you should be
extremely proud.
It is the Department of Intercollegiate Athletics’ “dream” to
turn our Panther mascot into statue form, residing in front
of our athletic complex. With the help of the Panther Club,
this project would be the largest the Department has ever
attempted.
More and more, the branding of athletic programs has grown
in significance for colleges and universities. Our logo, the
Panther, is extremely popular across the board! So our next
step is to have a bronze Panther statue featured at the crossroads of the Center for Recreation and Sport, the University
Center, the Performing Arts Center and Motamed Field. We
need your support for this project that may be anywhere
between 75 and 100 thousand dollars.
The momentum of athletics at the University is tremendous.
As your school continues to gain national recognition and
prestige, so does athletics! What a fine spring season we had.
Please read all about it in the newsletter or on our website.
The good news abounds!
As we prepare for 2012-13, we remain very optimistic. As
the University’s reputation grows, so does athletics. Highly
qualified student-athletes are showing interest in us more than
ever. Two traits that tell us we are continuing to move in the
right direction are that these potential students are exceptionally strong in academics, have high SAT’s, ACT’s, class ranks
and challenging academic pursuits. They have proven their
athletic abilities by participating in some of the very best
scholastic programs in the country! Transfers to Adelphi from
other fine programs both nationally and internationally grows
every year. 2012-13 is no exception.
We remain dedicated to being the best. So I ask again; please
find a way to support your Athletic Department and your
sports! Please keep in mind the Panther Statue Project.
Thank You!
Robert E. Hartwell
Assistant VIce Presiden/Director of Athletics
Go Panthers!
“I am extremely excited that our student-athletes took an active role in promoting and honoring overall excellence of our teams, on and off the courts and fields,” Mr. Hartwell stated. “I
was surprised and honored that SAAC chose to name the award the Hartwell Cup and hope
that this drives our teams to be positive role models on and off the field of play.”
In addition to awarding points for positive contributions and achievements, a team can also
receive negative points for things including failing to have a representative at SAAC. Points
are also awarded for highest team GPA, community service and winning a Northeast-10 Championship to name a few categories.
The volleyball team captured the 2011 Northeast-10 Tournament title, the first in program history, after finishing second in the regular season. They also advanced to the NCAA Division II
East Regional semifinals for the second year in a row, had three players earn all-region honors,
two earn all-conference status and boasted a team GPA of 3.484.
The Hartwell Cup will become an annual award, given to the best overall team at Adelphi
every May at the End of The Year Banquet.
Panther Club News:
Hall of Fame Recap
On Thursday, April 19, the Adelphi University Athletic Department celebrated its 42nd annual Hall of Fame Dinner. Six former Panther standouts were inducted along with special
recognition award recipients and the 1984 softball team as a Panther Legendary Team. In total,
approximately 250 guests were on hand for the prestigious event.
The evening began with a special pre-event reception for current and former Hall of Fame
honorees on the second floor of the Ruth S. Harley University Center. Upon arrival, guests
in attendance enjoyed a cocktail hour before moving into the Ballroom for dinner and the
beginning of the evening’s program. Assistant Vice President/Director of Athletics, Robert E.
Hartwell introduced the Frank Cassell Memorial Award winner, Gayle D. Insler, the Senior
Vice President for Academic Affaris and Provost while Jose L. Lopez, President of Long
Island Tri-Coach and Racing Unlimited, was honored with the Woodruff Award for his lifetime
achievement in athletics throughout Long Island and the Metropolitan New York areas.
Adam Siepiola, Assistant Athletic Director for External Affairs then took over for the introduction of the Hall of Fame inductees which consisted of (pictured left to right) Hubert Blue ‘82
(track and field), Melissa DeMasi ‘06 (women’s lacrosse), Katherine Hock ‘05 (women’s
lacrosse), Brian Tower ‘01 (men’s lacrosse), Gordon Hinds ‘83 (track and field) and Gary Reh
‘95 (men’s lacrosse).
Closing out the evening was
the presentation of the Panther
Legendary Team Award which
was presented to the 1984 softball team. The Division I squad
posted a 42-7 record, made a
monumental run to the College
World Seris and was coached
by Adelphi Hall of Famer and
iconic Panther figure, Janet L.
Ficke.
Student-Athlete Spotlight
Mychael Fabio
Fabio capped a tremendous four-year
career with numerous awards during his
final outdoor campaign which include
being named the Most Valuable Performer at the NE-10 Championships where
he won the 400m dash. Additionally, he
was named the USTFCCCA East Region
Male Athlete of the Year for posting the
fastest 400m time (46.69). At NCAA’s,
he set a personal best in the preliminary
round of the 400m in 46.63. Fabio went
on to place fifth to earn All-American
honors for the second time in his career.
Erica Devito
Devito started in all 19 games and lead
the team in goals (63), assists (39) and
points (102). During the 2012 season, she was selected as a First-Team
Northeast-10 All-Conference honoree, an
IWLCA First-Team All-Region and AllAmerican, an ECAC All-Star, CoSIDA
Capital One Academic All-District and
was selected to participate in the Division II North/South All-Star Game. She
closes out her four year career as the
All-Time leader in points with 379 and
goals with 270.
Joe Vitale
Vitale started in all 16 games and led
the team in goals (39), assists (27) and
points (66). He was fourth in the country
in points per game with 4.13 and moved
up to fifth All-Time in Adelphi’s record
books in career points with 199. He
was named a NE-0 First-Team AllConference selection, USLIA First-Team
All-American, ECAC Offensive Player
of the Year and USILA DI/II North/South
All-Star Participant. Additionally, he was
the first Division II athlete to be selected
in the Major League Lacrosse draft.
Emily Dorko
Dorko led the Panther softball team to
their first NCAA Tournament appearance
since 2008. Starting every game this year
in center field, she closed out a historical season at the plate, ranking among
the top-10 in single season records in
hits (2nd-75), stolen bases (3rd-34), runs
scored (5th-42) and batting average (7th.405). Additionally, she led the Northeast-10 in hits and stolen bases. She was
also a First-Team NE-10 All-Conference
honoree and a Second Team NFCA and
Daktronics All-Region selection.
Spring Sports Roundup
The softball squad surpassed the 30-win mark for the sixth time in the past seven
years and posted an impressive 22-8 record in conference play to earn the #2
seed in the Northeast-10 Tournament. Unexpectedly, they exited early with a loss
to New Haven, but still went on to earn the #7 seed in the NCAA East Regional
Tournament; their first appearance since 2008. They lost to Molloy in the first
game and the defeated C.W. Post only to lose to Molloy in their final game. Five
players earned All-Conference honors while three were named to the All-Rookie
team. Additionally, Emily Dorko was the lone Panther to earn NFCA and Daktronics Second-Team All-Region honors and moved into the top-10 in four categories
in the Adelphi record books.
The women’s tennis team captured a share of the NE-10 regular season title with
Southern New Hampshire and Stonehill. They made it to the semi-final round of
the conference tournament before being knocked out by the Penmen. However,
they earned their third consecutive bid to the NCAA Tournament as the #6 seed
but were bumped by the University of the District of Columbia, 5-4.
The men’s lacrosse team registered a 13-3, 8-2 NE-10 record and earned a #3 seed
in the NE-10 Tournament where they were defeated in the semifinal against Merrimack. Head Coach Gordon Purdie earned his 50th career win on the season. The
Panthers landed nine players on the All-Conference teams, the most out of any
institution while Joe Vitale, Kevin Kennedy and Jeff Melsop earned All-American
Status with Danny Blau and Greg Puskuldjian earning Honorable Mention status.
Vitale was also selected to play in the Division I-II North/South All-Star game.
Lastly, goalkeeper Eric Janssen earned Academic All-American accolades.
The women’s lacrosse team, defended their NE-10 Championship title for the
third year while making it back to the NCAA Touranment for the fifth straight
time. The Brown and Gold suffered just two losses during the regular season to
post a 16-3 overall record. An early round NCAA loss to C.W. Post, eventual
Champions, ended the Panther’s quest for their fourth straight Championship.
They had nine earn All-Conference honors while six took home All-Region accolades and three earning All-American honors.
The men’s and women’s track and field teams each improved two spots from a
year ago to finish fifth and seventh respectively at the Outdoor NE-10 Championship. For the women, Elizabeth Eickelberg was the only even winner, taking the
5k while freshman Larissa Melendez was the runner up in the steeple. A total of
six women’s records fell during the season. On the men’s side, Mychael Fabio was
a double event winner, taking top honors in the 200m and 400m dashes to earn
MVP of the meet. Additionally, the Panthers won the 10k and 5k courtesy of Connor Dolan and Andrew Coelho respectively. Fabio was named the USTFCCCA
East Region Male Athlete of the Year and went on to place 5th at the NCAA
Championships, earning his second All-American honor of his career.
Adelphi Places Fourth in
NE-10 President’s Cup
Adelphi posted 169.5 points to place fourth overall in the 2011-2012 Northeast-10
President’s Cup, Stonehill College registered 189.5 points to win the Presidents’
Cup for the third consecutive year, and the fourth time overall. The Panthers
finished third overall in 2009-2010 with 165.5 points and fourth in 2010-11 with
154.5 points.
Volleyball kicked things off in the fall with the program’s first Northeast-10
Tournament title, while men’s basketball followed with a regular season crown.
Women’s tennis and women’s lacrosse capped off the spring with championships,
as tennis won the regular season title and lacrosse earned the tournament championship for the third year in a row.
In total the Panthers placed 18 teams among the top-10 during regular season play
while 10 of them were among the top-five. In addition, women’s lacrosse, men’s
lacrosse and softball finished second in the regular season standings while golf
and volleyball placed third overall.
The Presidents’ Cup is presented annually to signify overall athletic excellence in
the Northeast-10 Conference, and is awarded to the institution that compiles the
most points based on the placement at the conclusion of the regular season of each
of its programs which compete in league championships.
Adelphi University Athletics
Phone: (516) 877-4240
Fax: (516) 877-4237
Robert Hartwell - ext. 4231
Assistant Vice President
Director of Athletics
Adelphi University Athletics
1 South Ave. PO Box 701
Center for Recreation and Sports
Garden City, N.Y. 11530-0701
Nonprofit
Organization
U.S. Postage
PAID
Adelphi
University
Kate Whalen - ext. 4235
Associate Athletic Director
Compliance
Carlo Acquista x4234
Senior Asst. Athletic Director
Head Men’s Soccer Coach
Adam Siepiola - ext. 4293
Asst. Athletic Director
Director of External Relations
Gordon Purdie - ext. 4244
Asst. Athletic Director
Head Men’s Lacrosse Coach
Heather Jacobs - ext. 4246
Asst. Athletic Director
Head Women’s Basketball Coach
Chris Armas - ext. 4307
Asst. Athletic Director
Head Women’s Soccer Coach
The Panther Pride newsletter is published by the Adelphi University Athletic Department, 1 South Ave.
Garden City, N.Y. 11530. The newsletter is distributed to all Panther Club members. Questions regarding
contet should be directed to the Athletic Media Relations Office at the University (516) 877-4293.
Written and edited by Matt Dispensa, Coordinator of Athletic Media Relations and Adam Siepiola, Assistant Athletic Director/Director of Athletic Media Relations
Photography by Brian Ballweg unless otherwise noted.
Dom Savino - ext. 4239
Asst. Athletic Director
Head Men’s Basketball Coach
Alumni Spotlight - Matt Demeo
Danielle MacKnight - ext. 3780
Asst. Athletic Director
Head Volleyball Coach
Georgette Brown - ext. 4294
Asst. Athletic Director
Event Management
Dolly Gorman - ext. 4179
Executive Assistant
Gina Coscia - ext. 4240
Administrative Assistant
Garrett Chapman - ext. 4295
Athletic Business Manager
Matt Dispensa - ext. 4236
Sports Information Director
LaSheena Brown - ext. 3782
Equipment Room Manager
Former Adelphi golfer and ‘11 graduate, Matt Demeo, has continued to pursue
his passion for golf at a high level even after his days in a Panther uniform. The
Bohemia, N.Y. native and current Athletic Event Staff Graduate Assistant has had his
most recent success during the May and June months where he won the Havemeyer
Invitational and placed second at the Long Island Amateur Golf Championship.
On Thursday, May 10 at Southward Ho Country Club in Bay Shore, N.Y., Demeo
posted a score of 74 over 18 holes in the qualifying round to earn the 11th seed in the
16-man match play field in the 2012 Havemeyer Invitational. On Friday, during the
first pairing, he was one hole up on sixth seeded Paul Adimando to advance to the
quarterfinals. There, he advanced by a hole over third seeded Patrick Pierson to cap a
successful first day. On Saturday, he defeated 15th seeded Michael Blum, 5 and 4, to
earn a spot in the championship where he took down 12th ranked Gret Etimos, 3 and
1, courtesy of a 40 foot putt to win the tournament.
More recently, Demeo was invited to take part in the Long Island Amateur
Championships at Engineers Country Club in Roslyn, N.Y.. Out of the 133
participants, he shot a 75 in the qualifying round to be one of just 31 golfers
to advance to match play. In the opening two rounds, he beat Dennis Lynch
and Darin Goldsten respectively by a hole each. In the quarterfinals, he
defeated Russ Aue of the Nassau Player’s Club, 3 and 2. He continued to roll
through the semifinals with a 6 and 5 win over Joseph Saladino of Huntington to earn his place in the championship once again. However, he lost 4 and
2 to Tim Rosenhouse, earning runner up honors.
As a Panther, Demeo was a three-time PING All-Region and two-time Northeast-10 Second Team All-Conference selection. During his career, he helped
the Panthers win two NE-10 Championships and earn berths to the NCAA
Super-Regionals in each of his four years. In his senior year alone, he placed
in the top-25 in eight tournaments including a 22nd place finish at the NCAA
Super-Regionals to lead the Panthers.