Suffolk Atheletics Influenced by Rutgers Abuse Scandal

By Jonathan Delafuente

Rutgers Basketball Program latest allegations affect all NCAA athletics programs even at the Junior College Level.

Recent firing of Head Coach Mike Rice resignations of the Athletic Director Tim Pernetti and other members of the Basketball coaching staff has even the Suffolk Athletic Board in high alert on spotting aggressive and violent coaching techniques. Throughout the NCAA, all programs are now award of what is expected and what is tolerated in closed door practices. Student athletes must be treated like humans instead of performance artist.

On April 2, videos of Rutgers basketball practice show Coach Rice and assistant coaches violently pushing and throwing basketballs at the players. Homosexual slurs were also screamed by the coaches towards and targeting the players. Foul language intended to be motivational for the players; increasing the intensity of practice and they play in regular season games. Pernetti previously has suspended Rice for abusive actions against his players. He was suspended for three games without pay and was fined $50,000. The Rutgers Basketball staff has resigned on every position. It is said they is already several possible replacements for the job. Rutgers will be looked as a tainted program for years to come said and reported by Yahoo Sports and ESPN.

Starting Middle Fielder for the Suffolk Sharks, Kevin Parker has said “We are not allowed to say anything disrespectful to anyone. Players, coaches, friends, family, just avoid saying anything that might hurt someone’s feelings. We avoid using social media as well to prevent ourselves from getting into any altercations. Twitter, Facebook, Instagram; they’re all pretty much off limit. All I have to do his keep my mouth shut and I can play.” Parker has been informed this information a couple practices ago. Punishment consist of loss of playing time, suspensions for certain amount of games, and severe case of getting removed off the team. “I have gotten kicked out of practice already because of cursing, it’s unfair but it happens.” said Parker. It is a discrimination free zone. This goes on for all sports in Suffolk Community College; all basketball teams, baseball teams, are expected to act in a mature manner through practice, games, and post games.

The Suffolk Lacrosse Team has had high expectations throughout the year. The team is well balanced with new incoming talent from all parts of Long Island. They are disciplined enough to play in the next level and talented enough to compete with any team in the NCAA. With the recent events in Rutgers, the lacrosse team has been impacted by it. Profanity and discriminatory terms are trying to be fully prohibited during practices to create a friendly less targeted play field. Players have been reported to get in trouble for saying homosexual slurs. No suspensions have been given out but it is not tolerated. Playing time will be cut for players that disobey the rule.

St. John’s University in Queens, New York also is prohibiting social media with their athletes. Sam Sealy, sophomore Center for the Red Storm Basketball Team said, “I’m not allowed on Twitter. If the coaches catch us, we can easily be kicked off the team. It too much work to be wasted just from one little thing.” Sealy is going to his junior year in St. John’s. He completely avoids social media outside the season as well to be extreme cautious. Rutgers and St. John’s are highly recruited schools for basketball and have been for many years. They have played in the Big East Conference but Rutgers has spent millions of dollars to move to the Big Ten Conference to make them a bigger marketed team. The Big East Conference is slowly decreasing. Several teams have already transferred conferences and it will take effect in the 2013 season.

Athletes are expected to act professional as they prepare to play for a higher level in the future. Players are highly recruited to Division I, Division II, or Division III schools from Junior College. They are looked as prospects for potential schools. Acts of disrespect and disobedience is not tolerated in any level and older players are looked as influences to the community. Rutgers has defined and opened the eyes of many from the acts of the coaching staffed. Beating, pushing, kicking, throwing balls at players should not be a source of encouragement and increases the intensity of the players. Players are getting full scholarships to programs where they expect to get a proper education and the fullest capacities to expressing their talents and basketball skills.

Are college athletics helping or hurting?

By Andrew Donofrio

Every athlete knows that playing a sport is demanding physically and mentally. It takes commitment and hard work to succeed in the sport. Sacrifices are necessary when playing sports, but to what degree can a student athlete sacrifice? Most students are also working part time jobs. It is also said that for every hour of class students should study at least two hours out side of class, this meaning if you are taking 12 credits which is recognized by the college as being a full time student you should be studying 24 hours each week. Add that to the 8 hours of work, and then throw in sport practices and games then sleep as well, where do you sacrifice? Or do you have to sacrifice at all?

When asked the question how do you feel college and high school athletics affected your school work, student athletes had surprising answers.

“It decreased my grades somewhat with traveling every weekend, playing on two teams I played everyday but it also made me not slack off and get it done as well” Said Lou Seda hockey player at the college.

This now raises the question do sports teach discipline. When asked the same question the same response seemed to arise.

“It made it a little difficult at times, but it also made me want to try harder and be better just like the sport,” said David Cahn hockey player at the school. It seems as though the hard work and dedication of athletics teaches a positive message in that no matter what you do, school, work, or sports you must work your hardest to achieve success.

“Athletics taught me dedication, which helps with my school work” said Jake Costello, a high school athlete .

It appears that student athletes don’t sacrifice, they just work harder at achieving success. It’s not that athletics hurt school work but in a way increase athletes’ education. Even if the grades take a slight drop these athletes are taught that you are not going to be handed things in life, you need to go out and work your hardest.

“When you want to succeed as bad as you want to breathe then you will be successful” was said by Eric Thomas. This is one thing that students athletes seem to grasp pretty well. The hard work on the field, court, ice is needed in the classroom and most important in life.

Sharks swim to nationals

By Andy Ruvolo

After five months of rigorous practice, endless pool drills and countless hours of dedication, the sharks infested the waters of Erie Community College for the 2013 NJCAA Swimming and Diving Championships. With Coach Carlington Simms (often referred to as “Coach Sea”) leading the way.

In 2012, Suffolk’s Male swimmers placed 7th overall against 16 teams. This year however, things went differently, and the males received 9th place.
Last year, the lady sharks also had more success at the national tournament placing 10th, whereas this year they received dead last. “We simply don’t have enough team members to cover all of the events,” Says Simms. “If we had more swimmers to compete, our chances of winning would increase dramatically.” With only 9 swimmers competing, the sharks were simply outnumbered in the water. In the past, they have overcome this hindrance.

Also in 2012, team member Alberto Catano (21) found success in the Men’s 200 yard backstroke, winning 1st place overall in the 2012 NJCAA Championships. With a well deserved win under his belt, he felt confident that he could out swim his competition this year. Unfortunately, things took a turn in the wrong direction. In the 200 yard back stroke preliminaries, Catano received 4th place. Although it was enough to secure him a spot in the finals, he was disappointed with his performance. “I think it was really hard for him, and took a big toll on his ego” says Rebecca Durston (18,) a fellow swimmer on the team.

When finals came around Catano swam again, this one was for the big win! He was a champion once, but could lightning strike twice? With a new set of competition, and new schools being added to the roster, the odds were against him. He received 6th over all, with a time of six seconds more than his 2012 championship time. In the world of a swimming, six seconds might as well be 6 minutes. “Every second counts”, says Durston.

Despite his disappointment, Catano maintains a positive attitude. He perks up rather quickly when someone brings up the ladies competing from the other schools. “You should have seen the girls at IRSC! Their triceps were practically twice the size of mine! It was amazing! They were pretty hot too.” Unfortunately, Catano will not get the chance to redeem himself next year. “Sadly, students are only allowed to compete for two years because Suffolk is a two year college,” says Coach Sea. But, it’s not over for Catano, as he has plans to swim for SUNY Cortland next year.

Regardless of his standings in 2013, he has become a part of Suffolk history. A banner celebrating his success has been hung on the wall at the Grant Campus’ Health, Sports, and Education Center in his honor. Lightning may not have struck twice, but his 2012 success will go down in Suffolk History. That in itself, is quite the achievement!

Sharks Attack Competition!

By Ally Lashley & Kevin Clarkson

The men’s basketball team is already off to a tremendous start at the beginning of the fall 2012 season, posting a record of 4-1 and a winning margin of just over 28 points.

“This year is different from last year because we are hungry. Last season left a real bad taste in our mouths. We need to be more prepared and strong minded. We’ve been working long and hard to step our game and take it to that next level,” says sophomore standout, Cortrell King.

Last semester, the Sharks had a successful season holding a 13-11 overall record for the regular season. Their final game of the season was against a familiar opponent in Nassau Community College. The Sharks defeated Nassau twice during the season, a win on December 22 (83-75), and again on February 16 in overtime (92-90). Less than a month later, the two teams faced off again in the playoffs as the Sharks held the number four overall seed in their tournament. They were dominated in the game on March 2, with a final score of 90-45. This is the cause of much hunger for the newly equipped Sharks.

“Last season we had a good overall season, but it was extremely overwhelming. We had many first year players who were not use to the intensity of the college game. There is a big difference between the regular season and the playoffs. Nassau had a veteran team and took advantage,” said Head Coach Victor Correa.

Though, this season so far has been different for the team. They have defeated Kingsborough, Queens’s borough, Ulster, and Dutchess County Community Colleges by 28.5 points per game. Their defense has been impeccable so far this season, limiting their opponents to 48 points per game.

“One of our goals is to just keep it day by day and play our game. We need to let the game come to us, and we need play team ball and great defense,” said King.

The biggest task for the team so far this season has been the chemistry. The team only has two returning players which are eligible to play this semester. Point guard, Nick Gallina is the other returning player for the Sharks. This season, he has leaded the team in assists, and has had multiple games of double digits in assists.

“We need to just keep playing together. Eventually the chemistry will come to us. We don’t have as much chemistry, but I believe we have even more talent. We are a deep team and everyone just steps up their game to that next level. We are talented enough this season to accomplish any of our goals. If we can get it all together, play our basketball, play hard defense, and compete to the best of our ability we will do great,” said Gallina.

A bright spot so far on the season for the Sharks has been their bench play. Freshman Brandon Smith is one of rising stars on the team. Before the season officially started, Smith was in a car accident which set him back. However, with a double-double in two of the last three games, this young man has also stepped up his game.

“I had to get back into the flow of the game. It took me a little bit, but I am finally getting it back. The most important part is to play good defense and focus in on each one of our opponents,” said Smith.

Another aspect the team is especially grateful for is its size. They are able to play more one on one, or man defense. A direct correlation between the defense, and their size, is the rebounding which is another strong suit for the team so for this season. The Sharks have a lengthy team led by Cortrell King, Brandon Smith, and Chris Milender.

“We have size for the first time in a while. We have Brandon Smith, who is a hard working guard that has great potential. He is a great player to put in for Gallina, so he doesn’t have to run the team the entire game. Most teams have a rotation of seven or eight guys, where I have 11. We are very deep this season on the bench. When one guy comes out, we don’t miss a beat by putting in a bench player. This will help us later in the season, when most teams will be playing their starting five for most of the game,” Coach Correa said.

The team is on a quest for its first National title since the 2003-2004 seasons, where the Sharks stunned the nation in an 83-81 victory in overtime against Eastfield College (TX). Coach Correa is now entering his third season as Head Coach, after being promoted from Assistant Coach, which he held for five years.

The next couple of games will be tough for the Sharks as they play the Bronx, Sullivan, and common foe Nassau Community College. Their next game will be Thursday, December 6, at Bronx Community College. The next home game for the Sharks at the Grant campus will be played this upcoming Saturday, December 8, at 2 P.M. against Rockland Community College.

Passionate Dancers Come Together On Campus

By Julia Catalano

The Sharks dance team is a newly formed athletics team at the Ammerman Campus. In the fall of 2011, the dance team was born when students decided to collaborate with cheerleaders on campus to perform and showcase their spirit in a positive, uplifting way.

Alyssa Semken and a few other girls tried to direct the emphasis of highlighting the team name. Encouraging the college to get to know them not as a “dance club” but as the The Sharks. In the fall of 2011 the first flyers for tryouts were posted for a dance team. The cheerleading coach decided to coach a dance team as well and have the two teams perform together on some occasions. Gina Caputo is the cheerleading and dance team coach, who works with both teams on campus as well as working in the SCCC Ammerman athletic office.

Caputo coaches the girls in practice several days a week, while some days are separated between dances and cheering, and other practice meets combine the two.

“We are very lucky to have such talented girls on the team who help choreograph routines,” said Caputo.

Both the cheerleaders and dance team perform at women and men’s home basketball games (women’s games were at the Ammerman campus and men’s games at the Michael J Grant campus in Brentwood).

The dance team also did a combined performance around the holidays at the John J. Foley nursing home in Yaphank. The dance team attended both the LICCA cheer leading competition that was held at the Ammerman campus, and the Make A Wish foundation, which was also held in Selden.

The Sharks not only worked together, but they danced for a good cause.

“We helped raise a lot of money through raffles and tickets for the performance for a sick child’s trip to Disney World. Other dance teams and cheer teams from other colleges attended the Make A Wish foundation as well,” said Samantha Upshaw, dancer.

When the dance team performed they were not only competitive but, entertaining for onlookers as well. They traveled to nationals and performed at the men and women’s games for the weekend. The team performed hip-hop and jazz, but hip-hop prevailed as the crowd’s favorite.

“We had several routines with music that the crowd seemingly loved and appreciated. The crowd’s favorites were “Girls” by Beyoncé, and “Look At Me Now” by Busta Ryhmes and Chris Brown. Although the crowds were never too big at home games, we did get requests for certain dances from time to time. It made us very happy to know students enjoyed our dances and wanted to see more of us,” said Samantha Upshaw.”

At a commuter school not everyone is aware of all the sports teams and clubs the school has to offer, but joining them can really make a community college a great experience. Students who are passionate about a sport or subject can come together to create clubs and teams while showing their unity and spirit in a fun, beneficial way.

Women’s Volleyball Team Serves Another Successful Year

 

The women’s volleyball team has certainly created a name for themselves through their constant practices and games, committed members, impressive fundraising, and talented coach.

Kim Simpson has been coaching the volleyball team for the past five years and absolutely loves it. Getting introduced to volleyball at a young age, Simpson played through middle school and high school and later received a full scholarship to play volleyball at New York Institute of Technology. Along with teaching special education and social studies at a school in Kings Park, NY., Simpson combines her passion of teaching both in the classroom and on the volleyball court.

“I fell in love with teaching, whether it be volleyball or in the school.” Said Simpson. “Teaching both my students and the volleyball girls is great, and seeing them get a response from my teaching is amazing. Observing their improvement and knowing they ‘get it’ and left a better person; it’s just exactly what I want to do for the rest of my life.”

With 15 members making up the team this season and winning thirteen out of their fourteen games so far this season, woman’s volleyball gives true meaning to the word “team”. With 2 hour practices every weekday as well as additional games 3 days per-week, the team and coach are extremely close due to constant practices and traveling for scheduled games and tournaments.

College sophomore Sara Morci is on her second year as a member of the woman’s volleyball team and is extremely passionate about how close they are both on and off the court. As a commuter at our community college where students come and go it can be difficult to meet people on campus, and joining the volleyball team has helped her become close with not only the girls on the team, but people on other sports teams as well.

“This is my second year on the volleyball team and it has been amazing” says Morci. “Not only am I with my teammates everyday at practice, but we also have pasta parties, sleepovers, go out together, and travel together. We become more like family members during the season due to our similar schedules and planning ahead to make sure our school work is done.”

The volleyball team will be participating in their third annual breast cancer fundraiser, “Dig Pink” on Thursday, October 12th in the Brookhaven Gymnasium. They have raised over $8,000 the past two years and hope to add much more to it on Thursday. Along with the fundraiser, they will also be participating in finals with their first playoff game October 24th. So far this season the team has won all except three games and they hope to keep the streak going through playoffs and make it to nationals.

“This is the first time in my five years here that I’d say we have a golden shot at nationals” Simpson finishes with a smile. “I’m very proud of this team, they’re a great group of girls!”

Dig Pink 2012!

Taken from http://www.sunysuffolkathletics.com

By Kevin Pannhurst

Cancer, the word people hate to hear. It can be frightening to learn that you have cancer or one of your loved ones. It’s enough to make any person feel mortal. Sadly enough too many people each year are diagnosed with cancer, and even more people die of various types of cancer. However there are groups out there in the world who collect money to go towards scientific research to fight cancer and one day find a cure. Some of these groups are: Breast Cancer Funds, Breast Friends, and The American Cancer Society.

Suffolk’s Women’s Volleyball Team will be hosting a special match in Nassau Community College called the “2012 Dig Pink Game” This will be the third year in which  our team will be hosting a game devoted to accepting donations toward breast cancer. Instead of admission fee’s donations are taking their place. For those who are generous to donate $20 or more, they will be given a “Dig Pink” T-shirt.

What more can there be you ask? Well there will be raffles and winners will be awarded gift card and various prizes. Plus you’ll get to see our wonderful women’s volleyball team play their way to victory.

“I went to the game last year and really enjoyed it, I’ll be trying to go again this year and try to get one of the shirts.” Katelynn, an enthusiastic student said.  Breast cancer is a risk in her very own family so she herself is at risk; this just goes to show how widespread the problem is. It also shows how many people could be helped.

This year there are hopes to have an even greater outcome then the previous year. According to the Suny Suffolk Athletics website

in 2011 the team had helped raise a marvelous $2,800 dollars donated by those attending the match (Suffolk Vs Queensborough Community College.) This money was raised for the Side Out Foundation. The Side Out Foundation is a group whose goal is to bring together volleyball players and coaches to help raise awareness about breast cancer.

With the combined total Suffolk’s volleyball team had helped raise $7,930 dollars. Hopefully this time around we can raise even more and bump the total up to $10,000. Perhaps we can even bump it up to $11,000 or more? There’s always a possibility.

With this in mind you should take the time to come see Suffolk Vs Nassau CC on October 11^th at 6pm and donate a couple dollars to the cause. Don’t forget to try and get the t-shirt if you’ve got the money to spare. It would be a souvenir for a lifetime knowing you helped ease the pain of others, and possibly a cure for cancer one day. Only time will tell. Until then go see a volleyball game, it will surely be entertaining as always. Even if you can’t make it to the event you can still make donations over at the athletics office. Every donation is appreciated. Hope to see you there, and lets go Suffolk’s volleyball team!

SCCC Soccer Wants Title Back

By Cody Prawicka

 Soccer is one of the fastest growing sports in America and with such passion it is no wonder why the college is home to the 2010 National Champions in men’s soccer.

So far for the 2012 season there have been four games, the first game started September 1, against Manchester Community College. The sharks shut out Manchester Community College with a score of 2-0. Both goals were scored by Cody Kaczetow with an assist by Tyrell Ippolitto. The next two games for the team resulted in losses, both with a score of 2-1 against Nassau Community College and Bunker Hill Community College. The latest game of the season which took place September 8, was against Queensborough Community College where the sharks showed a dominant performance and finished the game with a score of 4-1.

After the Queensborough game, student and soccer fan Thomas Arlotta gave some thoughts about the team, “I have been a fan of Suffolk’s soccer team since I started my first semester here in 2010. What a year that was for the team, too bad that year was clouded by the 2011 season. That was a real shame.” What Mr. Arlotta is talking about is the brutal scandal that the 2011 season for SCCC men’s soccer faced. It was noticed in the beginning of that season that one of the team’s players that was being used was “academically ineligible”. This caused the team to forfeit a total of nine games last season which essentially destroyed their chances of defending their rightfully earned national title.

It seemed that no one in the Athletic Commission wanted to talk about the accidental mishap of the 2011 season, which looking at it from a professional point of view it may be understandable. Unfortunately, our returning champions didn’t get the title defense that they deserved. The sharks finished off the 2011 season with a record of 5-8-0 and a total of nine forfeits. Of the games that were not forfeited, the sharks went 4-0 and outscored their opponents with an astounding number of 22 goals scored and only two goals against. The college’s athletic department has since handed out applications to all of the school’s employees for any persons that may be interested for a position as an “Athletic Compliance Counselor”. The positions purpose is to make sure that any player for any of the college’s teams is academically eligible. This position was created directly due to last season.

However a new season has begun and not much can be said so far but one thing is certain, this is the year that the men’s soccer team will rightfully defend their title as they should. They have also been ranked as the number one team in the nation coming into this season. If you are interested in going to one of the upcoming games, the next game is September 12, at 4 p.m. where the sharks will be taking on Borough of Manhattan Community College. This game will be a home game so don’t worry about going out of you way to watch the game. So come on down and support the men’s soccer team, and watch as they try to regain their title.

Sports Options Aplenty for Students

By Matthew DeBragga   

      Many students are unaware of the different benefits offered to them by being enrolled as a full time student here at Suffolk. One such benefit is the low cost of membership to the school’s health sports and education center. Full time students can get a full membership to this facility located on the Grant campus for only sixty dollars! Included in a membership to this fitness center are such programs and facilities as any public health club would offer such as free weights, cardiovascular machines, aerobics classes, tennis courts, locker rooms, saunas, even an eight lane pool!
    

       The school stresses physical fitness and education to all of its students by requiring two sports credits be earned no matter what degree the student is pursuing. Not everyone has to be an athlete in order to earn their sports credits, many low impact classes are offered like tennis, dance, and even a class that simply involves walking! Some students gripe about this mandatory physical exertion that is a requirement for a degree, “It’s annoying, I don’t want to have to work out” says Melissa Hall, nineteen, a liberal arts major freshman. “I don’t mind it but I wish it was not mandatory, I think school should just be about learning, physical stuff should be on your own time.” says twenty year old Kevin Kalberer. The mood appears to be split and it is certainly a hot button issue depending on who you ask, but one thing is certain, the facilities and options are abundant, so at least there is something for everyone

School’s Intramural Sports Comes to a Close

By Robert Frenke

The intramural sports program held on the Ammerman campus came to a close on March 4. The games included basketball, volleyball and occasionally flag football, badminton and ping pong, depending on the amount of willing participants. The intramurals are held every Monday, Wednesday and Friday in Gunners Gym from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Although not as popular nearing the end of the Spring-semester, according to Alyssa Kinney, the Intramural Supervisor and Assistant Coach of the Woman’s Basketball team, the intramurals provide students, who have no alternative but to stay on campus in between breaks. The intramurals are a fun way to meet new people and take advantage of the student activities fees fund charged to all students.
“I think it’s a good for students, who can’t leave campus,” said Kinney. “It gives them something to do while they’re waiting around for classes.”
Some student’s, looking to perhaps join the basketball team, such as Salvatore Manno, a freshman enrolled in the Liberal Arts program, find the intramurals helpful. Manno was cut from the basketball tryout, but uses the intramurals to both have fun and practice for tryouts next year. He says there’s usually a few players from the team who come down to play and he likes practicing with them.
“I come down every Monday and Wednesday and we usually play three on three or four on four basketball games while I’m waiting for class,” said Salvatore Manno, a freshman in the Liberal Arts program. “I’ve met a few people here when I first started, so it’s a good place to meet people for the students who have trouble just going up and talking to people.”
Intramurals have been held at the college for the past 15 years for on and off and are based student interests. The Athletic Director makes the final decision, based on how many students are willing to participate. The amount of students, who participate, changes every day, according to Kinney.
To participant in intramurals students must be full time, and has a valid student ID card. They must also where proper gym attire. The students must scan their ID cards so the coordinators will know if a student is a full time or not. Intramurals will return in the Fall-semester.
Students can go to http://www.sunysuffolkathletics.com/comingSoon to vote which sports they would like to participate in for Intramurals. Currently basketball is at 46 percent with 77 votes; badminton is at 13percent with 23 votes; ping pong is at 8 percent with 14 votes; and volleyball is at 32 percent with 55 votes, according to the website.

Gardy Jeanty, a sophomore in the Nursing program plays basketball in Gunner’s Gym during an intramural sports game on May 2, 20012.