Fall 2005

Volume 7 / Issue 1

Stags fans now closer to the action

Call it the New Red Sea. Stags fans will be even closer to the court action during men's and women's basketball home games this year, thanks to some reconfigured seating at the Arena at Harbor Yard in Bridgeport. The change models the configuration used at the 2005 Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) Tournament in Buffalo, and will also recreate the atmosphere alumni remember when basketball was played on campus.

"We want to provide fans with the best experience possible at each game," says Director of Athletics Gene Doris. "The new configuration will bring back the excitement and energy of the 'glory days' of games in Alumni Hall, but in a more modern setting."

Reconfigurations include:

• Moving the court 30 feet closer to the end zone nearest to the lobby (see graphic).
• Season ticket availability behind the Stag bench.
• Additional student seating behind the basket in the New Red Sea.
• More mid-court seating, closer to the action.

Looking ahead, Fairfield University and the Arena at Harbor Yard will host tournaments in five of the next six years, beginning with the 2006 NCAA Women's Basketball Championship Regional Tournament in March. The MAAC men's and women's basketball tournaments will come to Bridgeport in 2007. Fairfield will also host one of the eight first- and second-round tournaments for the 2008 NCAA Women's Basketball Championship. Additionally, the NCAA awarded the 2009 and 2011 Men's Ice Hockey Regionals to co-hosts Fairfield University and Yale University.

Be a part of the New Red Sea!
For information on purchasing season tickets, visit www.fairfieldstags.com. Current season ticket holders also have the opportunity to better their seating, if available.

Congratulations ...
to Carolyn Mueller '87, winner of a pair of season tickets. She entered a raffle for those who pre-registered for Winter Homecoming.

Alumni Return for Reunion Weekend 2005

From joining in the 5K Fun Run to dancing under the tent and everything in between, alumni brought their families and reunited with friends during June's Reunion Weekend 2005. See more photos at www.fairfield.edu/alumni, and click on Alumni Reunion 2005.

From the Class of 1960:
Philip Gallagher, Steve Habetz, Frank Corr, Ernest Garrity, and John Parsons.

Some alumni and their young families found a spot in the shade.

Nelson Novais '90 (right) caught up with Matt Antinoro '90 and his son at the Texas BBQ.

And...they're off!
Fun Run participants Jim Gillespie, John Opramolla, and Matt Atchue '00 were the top runners this year, together reaching the 5K finish line in 19:27.

Photos by B.K. Angeletti, Elizabeth Chatel, and Jean Santopatre.

Save The Date
Reunion 2006: June 10 & 11

Mark your calendars for Reunion 2006 when campus will welcome alumni from the classes of 1961, '66, '71, '76, '81, '86, '91, '96, and '01.

The Class of 1956 will celebrate its 50th reunion May 20 and 21.

Class Chair(s) as of August 2005
1956 tbd
1961 Robert A. Yoston
1966 Francis J. Zaino
1971 Michael P. Feighan and John R. O'Neill
1976 Philip M. Bonee and Elizabeth (Aldworth) Franks
1981 tbd
1986 Christine (Cahill) D'Ascenzo and Michael W. Hughes
1991 Patricia (Doyle) Reynolds and Jason H. Reynolds
1996 J. Ryan Kelly and Christine Kassab
2001 Kateri R. Lamb, John L. Hammond III, and Kevin C. Hayes

Tour Italy with the Glee Club

Glee Club aumni from all classes are invited to join the Fairfield University Glee Club and University President Jeffrey von Arx, S.J., in Italy for a nine-day cultural trip during Spring Break. From March 10 to 18, 2006, visit Rome, Vatican City, Assisi, and Florence. For complete details, contact World Cultural Tours at (877) 218-8687. Space is limited.

Alumni College: Nov. 5

Join alumni, Fairfield University faculty, and friends for a day of personal enrichment and interactive learning on Saturday, Nov. 5, at the annual Alumni College. Often described as a "homecoming of the mind," Alumni College is an opportunity to attend mini-courses taught by some of the best and brightest of Fairfield's superb faculty. The mini-course topics will focus on some of the most interesting and pressing issues facing us today. For a course schedule, call the Office of Alumni Relations at (203) 254-4280. See you in class!

Calendar of Events

For more information and additional events, visit www.fairfield.edu/alumni or call the Office of Alumni Relations at (203) 254-4280.

Needed: New teddy bears

Now in its seventh year, the Teddy Bears with Love campaign has become a Fairfield University tradition! Thanks to the generosity of alumni and friends, 1,400 new bears brought smiles to the faces of needy area children last Christmas. Let's do it again. Bear donations will be sent to local organizations such as the Center for Women and Families, ABCD Nursery School, and Kids in Crisis.

Please bring or send new unwrapped bears, with your name and class year, by Dec. 10 to:
Office of Alumni Relations
Alumni House
1073 North Benson Road
Fairfield University Fairfield, CT 06824

Bears will also be collected at the Alumni Christmas Mass on Sunday, Dec. 4, at 11 a.m. in the Egan Chapel of St. Ignatius Loyola. For group donations and more information, call the Office of Alumni Relations at (203) 254-4280.

Athletic Hall of Fame to induct five alumni

The Alumni Association will celebrate excellence in athletics at the 24th Annual Athletic Hall of Fame awards ceremony on Oct. 15 at 11 a.m. All alumni are welcome to join in saluting the following inductees.

Elizabeth Bower '00 - Volleyball
Arguably the best setter in Fairfield University history, Bower holds the top three spots in the Stags' record book for single-season assists, setting the school-mark in 1996 with 1,439. She is also the career assist leader with 5,213 helpers, nearly 1,800 more than the second-place holder. In 1996, she set the school mark for assists in a match tallying 79 against Boston College, a record that would hold for over four years. She ranks third all-time in service aces (184), and places fifth in program history in career digs (1,072). She was an All-MAAC player four times, one of only two players in University history to be so named, and was named the MAAC Co-Player of the Year in 1996.

Matt Callaghan '98 - Lacrosse
Callaghan started in every game of his Fairfield career, assisting the team to 34 victories, three MAAC Championships, and one ECAC Tournament Championship in four years. He led the team in scoring in each of his four seasons at Fairfield, with his best performance in his junior year when he set the school record in single- season points with 75 - a mark that has been tied but not surpassed. He also holds the single-season mark in assists, tallying 33 as a senior co-captain. His 247 career points are the most in Fairfield history, as is his mark of 60 games played. He ranks second overall in career goals (146) and shots (237). Callaghan was named the MAAC Player of the Year in 1996 and 1998, and was selected to the All-MAAC Team in 1996, 1997, and 1998.

Jessica Grossarth '98 - Basketball
Grossarth finished her basketball career with 1,677 points, ranking her third on Fairfield's all-time list. She was the leading scorer her junior and senior years, starting every game during those campaigns and bringing the team to the MAAC Championship during her senior season. Grossarth received plenty of accolades during her career, including MAAC Rookie of the Year and the 1996-97 MAAC Co-Player of the Year. Grossarth earned two berths to the All-MAAC Team (1997, 1998), as well as the 1998 All-MAAC Tournament Team, the 1995 MAAC All-Rookie Team, and the 1997 All-Met Squad. Heading into the current basketball season, Grossarth still ranks among the top-20 all-time in eight career statistical categories. She is fourth overall in scoring, 12th in career rebounding, second in three-pointers made, and third in field goals and steals. She also ranks sixth overall in games played, helping her to finish first in Fairfield history in both field goals attempted and three-point field goals attempted.

Ian MacNeill '97 - Cross Country
MacNeill ended his career as one of the top cross country runners at Fairfield University. During his time with the Stags, he posted the top two times by any Fairfield runner at Van Cortlandt Park, both of which still stand today. He set the school mark with a time of 26:38.0 in the 1995 MAAC Championship, and beat his own time the following year (26:34.0). MacNeill, who served as team co-captain in 1996, also holds the 17th best time by a Stag at Van Cortlandt Park, a time of 27:25.0 accomplished twice (Iona Meet of Champions, Fordham Invitational).

Jen McLaughlin '00 - Volleyball
McLaughlin remains one of the top hitters in the history of the Fairfield University volleyball program. Upon graduation, she was the career leader in kills with 1,621, a mark that stood until 2001. McLaughlin still holds the single-season record for kills, tallying 577 during the 1996 campaign, as well as the single-match record, when she collected 37 kills in September 1996, versus Boston College. She is also the career leader in digs (1,486) and service aces (214), and holds the single-season record for service aces with 81 in 1996, a feat that established a school standard. She was named MAAC Rookie of the Year, was awarded the MAAC Tournament MVP in 1997 and 1998, and was an All-MAAC player four times, one of only two Fairfield volleyball players to accomplish that feat.

For tickets, contact the Office of Alumni Relations at (203) 254-4280.

23rd Annual Alumni Golf Tournament raises funds for Student Athletes

Rick McEttrick '76, Josh Galiani, Phil Bonee '76, and Andy Bonee comprised the winning foursome at the Fairfield University Alumni Association's 23rd annual Alumni Golf Tournament at the Country Club of Fairfield on May 9. Tournament coordinator John Casper '91 helped organize 90 alumni and friends for a beautiful day of slices, hooks, mulligans, and the occasional straight drive. The event raised more than $17,500 for the Alumni Athletic Scholarship, which benefits students who participate in non-revenue-producing sports.

Thanks to our FaVoR(ite) volunteers

A sincere thank you to the 363 Fairfield Volunteer Recruiters (FaVoR) who donated their time and energy to help recruit prospective students during the 2004-05 year. A complete list of the dedicated FaVoR members is available at www.fairfield.edu/ar_favorrecruit.html

The Office of Undergraduate Admission staff relies on these alumni and parent volunteers to assist in making personal contact with prospective and admitted students. FaVoR volunteers conduct interviews, attend college fairs, host freshman send-offs, sponsor book awards, and call accepted students.

To participate in FaVoR, contact Keith Moran '03, admission counselor and volunteer coordinator, at (203) 254-4100, ext. 3398, or kmoran@mail.fairfield.edu.

Club Happenings

Atlanta

Atlanta alumni celebrated St. Patrick's Day a little later this year, gathering on April 14 at Limerick Junction Pub to feast on free food and enjoy Irish music.

Save the Date

Oct. 1 - "Hands on Atlanta." Approximately 16,000 volunteers will conduct a variety of service projects in and around the metro area. To participate, e-mail alumni@mail.fairfield.edu.

Baltimore/Washington D.C.

On May 21, Veronica O'Connor '99, Chris Maynard '95, Christine Carey '03, Christine Kohlmeyer '01, Mary Kusler '99, Lyndsey Ellis '02, and friend John Chamberlain, participated in the America Online/Greater D.C. Cares Servathon 2005, giving the Prince George's County Catholic Charities Emergency Men's Shelter a fresh coat of paint. The group raised $465.

Save the Date

Sept. 20 - D.C.-area alumni will gather at Porter's Dining Saloon, 1207 19th Street NW, Washington, D.C., from 6 to 8 p.m. For information, contact Christine Kohlmeyer '01 at (202) 441-2661 or ckohlmeyer@gmail.com.

Oct. 3 - Karen Pellegrino, Fairfield University's Director of Undergraduate Admission, will present "How to Get Your Child into College." The luncheon program begins at noon at 316 Pennsylvania Avenue Suite 501, Washington D.C. Reserve your space by Sept. 26 by calling the Office of Alumni Relations at (203) 254-4280.

Dec. 11 - Post-game reception at Fado's Irish Pub, 808 Seventh Street NW, Washington, D.C., after the men's basketball team challenges the Georgetown Hoyas at the MCI Center.

Boston

In May, 64 alumni and friends participated in the eighth annual Greater Boston Club Golf Outing at Juniper Hills Golf Course, in Northborough, Mass. Thanks to Brendan Downey '92 for organizing this successful tournament!

Save the Date

Nov. 12 & 13 - The Glee Club will perform in Boston. Details to come.

Dec. 1 - Fairfield University President's Reception. Check www.fairfield.edu for event updates.

Fairfield

Save the Date

Nov. 21 - The Stags take on the St. Joe's Hawks in the basketball home opener at the Arena at Harbor Yard in Bridgeport. Pre-game reception with the President begins at 6:30 p.m. in the Club Lounge.

Dec. 14 - Fairfield takes on Fordham at the Arena at Harbor Yard. Pre-game reception with the President begins at 6:30 p.m. in the Club Lounge.

Hartford

More than 50 alumni and guests, including (l-r) Luis Rivera '95, Robert Gallo '95, Claire (Wills) Gallo '96, and Jeffrey Thomen '95, gathered for an evening at the Governor's Residence on April 14. The Rev. Charles Allen, S.J., executive assistant to the president, provided a University update. Special thanks to the Alumni Club of Hartford planning committee.

Save the Date

Oct. 4 - Join alumni for a reception welcoming University President Jeffrey P. von Arx, S.J., at the Hartford Club, 6 to 8 p.m. To attend, call the Office of Alumni Relations at (203) 254-4280.

Nov. 5 - Help a Hartford-area family by volunteering for a Habitat for Humanity work day. For more information, contact Paul Thompson '87 at PFT65@hotmail.com.

Manhattan

Save the Date

More than 50 alumni, family, and friends gathered at Shea Stadium on Aug. 30 to watch the N.Y. Mets take on the Phillies.

Sept. 16 - Join alumni from Holy Cross, Boston College, Georgetown, Villanova, Providence, and Fordham for Habitat for Humanity's Raise the Roof Party, 8 p.m. to 12 a.m. at O'Neill's, 729 3rd Avenue between 45th and 46th.

Sept. 18 - Join alumni and friends for a fun round of golf at Tall Grass Country Club in Shoreham, N.Y. To register, call the Office of Alumni Relations at (203) 254-4280.

Sept. 18 - The Catholic Challenge (Habitat for Humanity) begins at 9 a.m. in Yonkers. For info, e-mail Rich Battikha '91 at rbattik@yahoo.com.

San Francisco

Several alumni in the area have expressed interest in reviving this club, however a leader is yet to emerge. If you live in the San Francisco area and would like to put the club on the map, call the Office of Alumni Relations at (203) 254-4280.

Southern California

A new club has been formed in southern California under the enthusiastic leadership of Christopher Cause '95. Thus far, the group has enjoyed a lovely inaugural brunch at the Castaway on May 15, and on Aug. 13, alumni and friends gathered at Dodgers Stadium to see the Dodgers play the Mets.

Dec. 31 - Ring in 2006 with Stags fans as the men's basketball team plays at California State University, Northridge. Game time TBD.

For more club activity info, e-mail Chris Cause '95 at ccause@sbcglobal.net.

Southern Florida

Lynn Nugent '95 is spearheading the revival of this area club. If you are interested in planning events for Fairfield alumni in southeast Florida, e-mail lnugent@travelzoo-inc.com.

If there is an event or service you would like to see happen in your club area,
call the Office of Alumni Relations at (203) 254-4280.

Cruising down the river

More than 100 Fairfield University Young Alumni (classes of 1997 to 2005) cruised on The Jewel around Manhattan on June 25, enjoying an evening of socializing and dancing under the stars. Pictured above are (l-r) Mike Drews, Priscilla Connors '03, Andrea Suriano '04, Christine Trainor '03, Alexis Loquercio '03, and guest Al Sevillano. More photos are posted on the Young Alumni Web page at www.fairfield.edu/youngalumni. Check back often for new photos and details about fall networking events for young alumni.

Photo by Elizabeth Chatel '02

Make plans to celebrate Homecoming and Stagtoberfest

Bring your friends, family, and Fairfield spirit for this year's Homecoming on Oct. 15! The fun starts at 10 a.m. with on-campus alumni games in rugby, field hockey, softball, soccer, basketball, baseball, ice hockey, swimming, and lacrosse. The Fairfield men's and women's basketball teams will celebrate their first day of the season with a red/white scrimmage in Alumni Hall, complete with performances by the dance team, pep band, and cheerleaders. And don't forget to bring your lederhosen and stein because the Levee - now home to Mike's Pizza - will feature the 3rd annual Stagtoberfest. Alumni bands to perform include Mistress to Queen, Fat Cows, Talking to Walls, and El Sugar.

So mark your calendar and call your former roommates to join you on campus this fall. Watch your mail for details, or visit www.fairfield.edu/alumni.

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 06824-5195
(203) 254-4000, ext. 2556
e-mail: jcaseria@mail.fairfield.edu
www.fairfield.edu

Editor
Jill Kasiewicz Caseria, M.A.'04

Editorial Board

Barbara D. Kiernan, M.A.'90, P'02, '04
Director of University Publications

Janet Canepa '82
Director of Alumni Relations

Nicholas Segretario '99
Associate Director of Alumni Relations

Elizabeth Chatel '02
Assistant Director of Alumni Relations

Jean Santopatre
University Photojournalist

Annie Forstrom, Designer