Fall 2003

Index for Fall 2003 Volume 5 / Issue 1

Fans and players get ready for season three at the Arena

Steve Nemergut '67 of West Haven, Conn., says basketball is in his blood. His parents each played for years on local teams, and he coached the University's summer camps, at St. Andrew Regional School in Bridgeport, and at Notre Dame High School in Fairfield.

To further prove his love for the sport, he's been a Fairfield University basketball season ticket holder since graduating in 1967. Both die-hard Stags fans, he and his wife, Mary Ann, joke that she married him for his season tickets. Whether or not that's true, he says with a chuckle, "After all these years, we still enjoy the games. And," he adds, referring to the Arena at Harbor Yard in Bridgeport with room for 9,500 fans, "there's not a bad seat in the house!"

Last season's thrill of the men's team taking on Boston College in March's NIT Tournament still has fans like Steve and Mary Ann Nemergut buzzing. The energy carries over into the third exciting season at the Arena as the Stags prepare for the schedule ahead.

Here's some of what's to come:

• Fairfield University has been selected as one of the hosts for the first and second rounds of the 2004 NCAA Division I Women's Basketball Championship to take place in March. The Arena will be the site for the initial step on the road to the Final Four in New Orleans. Fairfield has been invited to the NCAA Tournament four times, most recently in the 2001 season as an at-large selection. In 1988, 1991, and 1998 the Stags were Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Tournament Champions.

• This summer, Paige Sauer, a member of the 2000 University of Connecticut national championship team, joined the women's basketball staff as assistant coach. After playing basketball professionally in the WNBA and overseas, she says coaching makes sense at this point in her career. "I always wanted to know what life on the 'other side' was like," she says. Choosing Fairfield was easy. "I wanted to be at a big enough school where the team would make the NCAA tournament, that had good academics, and was in Connecticut," she adds. "And, after seven years of traveling around the world, I also wanted a stable environment, a place to make a home." Sauer loves being on the court, whether playing in a game, or at practice. "I'm excited to do what I love," she says. And fans are sure to reap the benefits.

• Head men's basketball coach Tim O'Toole '86 looks forward to another successful season. "The Boston College game had more than 6,000 fans," he says. "It gave the team fantastic feeling that we're hoping to build on for this campaign."

• During the games, alumni can stop by The Club Lounge on the Arena's third floor. Catch up with friends and other Stags fans before, during, and after the action.

Season tickets go on sale Sept. 1.
For information on season ticket packages, contact the Fairfield University ticket office at (203) 254-4103 or visit http://fairfieldstags.ocsn.com/tickets/fair-hoops-tickets.html. The women's home opener is Nov. 29 and 30 (Coke Classic); the men take on Fordham Dec. 2. Complete game schedules at www.fairfieldstags.com.

Reunion Weekend 2003

Having to use umbrellas and rain gear, dodge puddles, and "picnic" indoors didn't dampen the spirits of the members of the classes of 1958, '63, '68, '73, '78, '83, '88, '93, and '98 during Reunion 2003. In fact, despite the wet weather, alumni returned to campus this year in record numbers - proving that rain or shine, for Fairfield grads, there's no place like home.

Anne Dannaher, Tom Dannaher '73, Bob Tremaglio '73, Dick Metz '73, and Cathy (Weems) Tremaglio M.A.'81

Bill Hulseman '98 and Kerry (Barrett) Felice '98 at Saturday evening's dance.	Despite the rain, many alumni joined the campus tour with Rev. James Mayzik, S.J.
Tom Reidy '68, Christopher Grauert '68, and Jim Kielty '68.	Mary Ellen (Romano) Ciafardini '78 and Hannah (Sexton) Young '78.
Kathy and Tom Golder '78 took to the dance floor at Saturday night's event in Bellarmine Gardens.
In May, class of 1953 alumni celebrating their 50th reunion processed into commencement with this year's graduating seniors. Pictured left (l-r) are Lawrence Fagan, Albert Annunziata, Clement Naples, and Robert Murphy.

Reunion photos by Robin Fellows, Jean Santopatre, and Susan Warner.

And the award goes to...

Total given by all reunion classes: $1,970,211

Save The Date

Reunion 2004: June 12 & 13

Save the date for Reunion 2004, when Fairfield University welcomes alumni from the Classes of 1959, '64, '69, '74, '79, '84, '89, '94, and '99. The Class of 1954 will celebrate its 50th reunion May 22 and 23.

Alumni College Abroad: Italy '04

A Cultural, Artistic, and Spiritual Pilgrimage: Florence and Rome

March 12-21, 2004

Led by professors Dr. Philip and Yael Eliasoph and Rev. Charles Allen, S.J., this unique, all-inclusive land/air package tour includes stops in Florence and Rome with excursions to Assisi and Siena. Hosted at Fairfield's Florence Study Abroad Program. For registration details, call Debbie Matthews at (203) 254-4332.

Thanks for the FaVoR

With undergraduate admission inquiries flooding Fairfield University, the Office of Undergraduate Admission staff relies on alumni volunteers to assist them in making personal contact with prospective and admitted students. The group - called FaVoR (Fairfield Volunteer Recruiters) - conducts applicant interviews, attends college fairs, hosts freshman send-offs, sponsors book awards, participates in alumni receptions, and telephones accepted students.

A sincere thank you to the 317 FaVoR members who donated their time and energy to help recruit prospective students during the 2002-03 year.

For more information, contact Laurie Conley, assistant director of admission and volunteer coordinator at (203) 254-4100, ext. 2438, or lconley@mail.fairfield.edu.

Calendar of Events

Follow a favorite Stags' team? For the latest scores, game schedules in your city, players' profiles, records, tickets, and more, visit www.fairfieldstags.com.

In May, Dr. Giorgio Corbelli (left), president of Olimpia Milano, bestowed Art Kenney '68 (right) with Il Premio Olimpia Milano, Italy's Hall of Fame award. Kenney played professional basketball in Milan from 1970 to 1973, and is also a member of Fairfield's Athletic Hall of Fame.

Club Happenings

Boston
Thanks to Brendan Downey '92 for organizing the sixth annual Greater Boston Club Golf Outing. Forty-five alumni and friends enjoyed the day at Juniper Hills Golf Course in Northborough, Mass.

Save the Date
Nov. 1 - The Fairfield University Glee Club will perform at the 4 p.m. liturgy at Saint Mary of the Hill church in Milton. Following Mass, the group will sing a mini concert. Gather with alumni after the concert at Common Market, 97 Willard Street, Quincy.

Nov. 20 - Join alumni at a reception with University President Aloysius P. Kelley, S.J., at the Westin at Copley Place. Details to come.

Nov. 21 - Cheer on the men's basketball team at the Lavietes Pavilion at 7 p.m. as the Stags take on Harvard for the season opener.

Nov. 26 - Don't miss the women's basketball team as the Stags take on Northeastern University.

Chicago
More than 50 alumni and friends joined a club social held at Stanley's Kitchen and Tap in May. A big thank you to Marjorie Vollmer '01 and Kelly Simon '01 for organizing this event.

Also in May, Chicago alumni and parents joined Fr. Kelley for a Presidential Reception and Dinner at the Chicago Athletic Association. Thank you to Kevin and Marilou McGirr P'03 for hosting the event.

Save the Date
This fall, the Chicago Club will host an Alumni Networking Night with Tom Hulseman '87. Details to come.

Hartford

Save the Date
Sept. 18 - Catch up with alumni at the Elbow Room in West Hartford. To attend, contact club president Paul Thompson '87 at PFT65@hotmail.com.

Nov. 8 - Help a Hartford-area family by volunteering at a Habitat for Humanity work day. For more information, contact Paul Thompson '87.

New Haven

Save the Date
Dec. 5 - Ring in the Christmas season with the Glee Club Christmas concert. Details to come.

New York

Save the Date
Sept. 13 - Habitat for Humanity work day, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., to help construct a home in Westchester County. To volunteer, contact Luis Rivera '95 at LaRivera@chubb.com.

Nov. 25 - Cheer the men's basketball team to victory at St. John's University in this non-conference match up.

Jan. 3 - Join alumni at Madison Square Garden as the men's basketball team takes on the University of Michigan. Details to come.

In March, Florida alumni, their families, and friends took in a spring training game between the Minnesota Twins and the Boston Red Sox. Thanks to Douglas Di Giorno '91 and his wife, Colleen (Burke '91) (pictured in the front row, with their children, Douglas and Daniel) for organizing this first event for the growing number of alumni in the Naples-Fort Meyers area. Plans for future get-togethers are already under way.

Photo by Douglas Di Giorno '91

London, England During the summer, Kevin Shea '87 (above) hosted a reception for Fr. Kelley and alumni living abroad.

Giants game and tailgate reception

Don't miss the New York Giants as they battle the Washington Redskins at Giants Stadium on Sunday, Dec. 7, at 1 p.m. Join alumni and guests at a private pregame Fairfield University tailgate reception, beginning at 11 a.m., hosted by Gary Marzolla '71 of Deutsche Bank Private Banking and his wife, Marie. Tickets are $65 each with a two-ticket maximum (non-refundable) per person. Tickets will go on sale Wednesday, Oct. 1, and must be purchased by credit card. To purchase, call Vic D'Ascenzo at (203) 254-4000, ext. 2024. Come and enjoy this popular annual event with Fairfield alumni, families, and friends!

Golf tournament raises $10,500 for athletic scholarships

The Fairfield University Alumni Association held its 21st annual alumni golf tournament at the Country Club of Fairfield on May 12. The event raised $10,500 for athletic scholarships. Committee chair John Casper '91 helped organize the 124 alumni and friends who turned out for a beautiful day of slices, hooks, mulligans, and the occasional straight drive. Phil Bonee '76, Andy Bonee, Rick McEttrick '76, and Josh Galiani made up the winning foursome of the tournament.

Alumni Association to induct three into Athletic Hall of Fame

Nominated for their athletic skill and/or dedication to the success of Fairfield University athletics, three individuals will be inducted into the Association's Athletic Hall of Fame on Oct. 31. For tickets, contact Alumni Relations at (203) 254-4280.

Paul Davis - Rugby Club Moderator. Since 1963, Paul Davis, assistant professor of history emeritus, has played an integral role in Fairfield athletics, by supporting teams as a faculty member. Part of the rugby club at its 1963 inception, he served as its moderator from 1968 to 1989. He established the game play selection process based on his "Three As" scoring system: attendance, attitude, and ability. Davis's induction coincides with the 40th anniversary of the rugby club.

Kelli Hurley '98 - Women's Soccer. A star athlete, Kelli Hurley was among the top scorers in each of her four years and earned multiple MAAC and NSCAA honors. She finished as the career leader for games played (81), goals scored (tied with 32), assists (40), and total points (104), and was the first player in the program's history to gain 100 career points. She was also the first to collect more than 10 assists in a season and had the top three single-season assist totals upon her graduation.

Greg Francis '97 - Men's Basketball. Greg Francis was a key member of the 1996-97 men's basketball team, which captured the MAAC tournament title as the number eight seed. Francis finished his career with 1,570 points, ranking him fifth all-time at Fairfield. He holds the school records for most three-point baskets made in a season (80) and in a career (230) and co-owns the school record for three-pointers in a game (8). Upon graduation, Francis went on to play with the Canadian National Team.

Honoring 50 years of baseball at Fairfield University

At the Athletic Hall of Fame Dinner, Fairfield University will also celebrate more than 50 years of intercollegiate baseball by honoring members of the 1952 founding team: Benjamin Ciola '53, James Doheny '52, John Doheny '53, Norbert Fahey '53, Rudolph Girandola '53, John Kulowiec '55, Richard Landy '52, Harry Marmion '53, John McLean '55, Walter McVety '53, Jack Murren '52, Max O'Meara '52, Elliot Pierson '52, Jim Roach '54, Mario Scrimenti '53, William Smith '54, and Skip Vegliante '55.

If you were a part of the '52 team (or know someone who was) and your name is not listed, please contact the Office of Alumni Relations at (203) 254-4280.

Event raises $16,500 for nursing scholarship

In February, more than 130 alumni and friends celebrated "A Night to Remember II" in support of the Sharon Ann Pollice '85 Memorial Nursing Scholarship. The event, which raised $16,500, included a reception, silent auction, and dancing at the Crowne Plaza Manhattan. In two events during the last three years, more than $100,000 has been raised for the scholarship.

This year's committee included (pictured above, l-r) Thomas Connors; Sharon's sister, Laura (Pollice) Connors; Sharon's parents, Joanne and Frank Pollice P'85; and alumni (not pictured) Carolyn Altieri '85, Helene Murtha Dooley '85, Barbara (Altieri) Lassandro '86, and Karen (Kristiansen) Sportini '85.

"As a result of the heartfelt efforts of the committee, Sharon's spirit will continue to live on through the nursing students who receive this scholarship," says Vic D'Ascenzo, major gifts officer.

Teddy bears collection through December 7

Since 1999, the Alumni Association's annual Teddy Bears with Love campaign has brought smiles to thousands of children at Christmastime thanks to your generosity. This year's donations will go to Phoebe's Phenomenal Toy Drive, ABCD Nursery School, and Kids in Crisis.

Help us surpass last year's total of 800 donations by bringing in or sending a new, unwrapped teddy bear to:

Please include your name and class year. Bears will also be collected at the Alumni Christmas Mass on Sunday, Dec. 7, at 11 a.m., in the Egan Chapel of St. Ignatius Loyola. For more information, contact the Office of Alumni Relations at (203) 254-4280.

1073 North Benson is published three times a year by Fairfield University for its alumni. Letters to the editor, address changes, and correspondence should be sent to the editorial office:

1073 North Benson
Bellarmine Hall Room 220
Fairfield University
Fairfield, CT 06824
(203)254-4000 ext. 2556
e-mail: jcaseria@mail.fairfield.edu
www.fairfield.edu

Editor
Jill Kasiewicz Caseria

Editorial Board
Barbara D. Kiernan MA '90
Director of University Publications

Janet Canepa '82
Director of Alumni Relations

Nicholas Segretario '99
Associate Director of Alumni Relations

Jeremy Nappi '00
Assistant Director of Alumni Relations

Jean Santopatre
University Photojournalist

Design: Nancy (Gelston) Dobos '91