Remembering the Magic of the 2012 Men's Volleyball Championship

By: Damon Markiewicz

It has been 14 years since the first-ever NCAA Division III Men’s Volleyball National Championship took over Blake Arena at Springfield College. For alumni Michael Morris, G'13, Jade Prickett Morris, G'13, and Adam Smith, G’12, they were at the core of a student-led team that helped make the inaugural event one to remember. 

For Adam, he was concluding his second year in the Athletic Administration master’s program. Being a part of the leadership team during the national championship event was his capstone project as a graduate student. The opportunity to help lead an NCAA event seemed like the perfect conclusion to a very rewarding two years on campus.

“I can’t say enough good things about my time at Springfield College and just how positive my educational experience was,” explained Adam. “Because it was the inaugural event, there was really no blueprint to rely on for the event. We worked with a point person from the NCAA for about a year to organize the planning. It was a lot of hard work, and a lot of great people made it possible. It was a total team effort.”

As part of this upper-level event, staffing included more than 20 undergraduate student workers, and they had responsibilities that ranged from team liaisons to ticket takers, to ushers. For Michael, Jade, and Adam, they helped lead the way to make sure they were giving the student workers experiential learning they could use forever.

“It was all hands on deck for sure,” explained Adam. “Overall, I think we were all very proud of the success of the event, and it certainly allowed for us to enjoy these lifetime memories. I have always appreciated the connections that were made during the event.”

For Michael and Jade, not only did the event provide them with real-life professional experiences they could use following graduation, but they also connected on a personal level that has led to a great marriage together. As they prepare to try to return to campus for the 2026 DIII men’s volleyball championship with three young children, they bring back fond memories of a special place that has led to a great life together.

“Mike and I were classmates together, and working that event was certainly a great experience for both of us,” explained Jade. “We were first-year students in the Athletic Administration program, so we followed Adam’s lead as a second-year. It was all about team work, and that’s something we all had in common; we just wanted to work hard together and support each other.”

The lessons learned working the 2012 event have stayed with Michael, Jade, and Adam for more than a decade. All three alumni have enjoyed successes away from Alden Street, but they all carry with them the special memories from 2012 that continue to help them to this day.

“I am currently working as an executive recruiter working for a search firm,” explained Michael. “My first job interview after graduation was for an event management role in college athletics. I remember using the example of what our plan was to prevent fans from storming the court at the 2012 event during the interview, and the individuals conducting the interview were very impressed. Something I have always taken with me from my time at Springfield College is knowing that it’s always about building strong relationships. I learned from my time at Springfield College that it’s not about what you do that is important, but it’s more about how you do what you do that matters even more.”

During the 2012 event, Jade was part of the team taking care of the hospitality work and assisting with the locker room setups. She also helped out with creating graphics for the video screens and designing flyers to promote the event.

“My time as a student at Springfield College is when I learned the true meaning of collaboration,” explained Jade. “We had to work with so many on-campus partners, and working those relationships as a young professional was so important. I have taken those lessons and used them throughout my career.”

As director of athletics at the Williston Northampton School, Jade is always thinking about how she can help enhance the student-athlete experience. It’s a mission that she learned from current Springfield College Executive Director of Athletics Craig Poisson, G’90, DPE’99.

“What people do for each other at Springfield College and what people do to assist the student-athletes is special,” explained Jade. “I think about what Springfield College taught me every day. What motivates me is something I learned from Dr. Poisson, and that is, I am always trying to make sure we are finding ways to enhance the student-athlete experience for our athletes. That is something I always appreciated from my time at Springfield College.”

For Michael, Jade, and Adam, the marathon hours working the 2012 event led them to connections that remain relevant to this day. They regularly keep in touch and share their Springfield College pride within the alumni network.

“A decade-plus later, we still have a strong affinity with the school and the people,” added Adam. “I am working in the Boston area in the real estate world. I help clients buy and sell homes throughout the greater Boston area. It was a personal fit that allowed me to stay close to home. The relationships I build with clients today always tie back to what I learned at Springfield College. Being at Springfield College allowed us all to make some life-long friends. Mike was in my wedding; Jade and my wife have run the Boston Marathon together. Mike and Jade’s daughter is my god child. I was lucky to find a great mentor in Dr. Poisson. Springfield College fostered these really special connections and we are all forever thankful.”