Springfield College Alumni News and Notes

Celebrating 50 years of Springfield College Friendship! From left to right: Brian Barrett '79, G'86, Bill Klanke '78, Mike Harrison '79, G'81, Mike Gaeta '79, and Dennis Leighton '79. 

The group, who recently gathered in Boothbay Harbor, Maine, first met each other in Gulick Hall during the fall of 1975.

It has been an exciting year for Marco Tirillo '04 and his wife Jennifer Criniti Tirillo '04! Marco was named National Association of Secondary School Principals "Assistant Principal of the Year" for Connecticut.

Jennifer was named "Connecticut Athletic Trainer of the Year" by the Connecticut Athletic Training Association. Congratulations Marco and Jennifer on receiving these honors. Pictured with Marco and Jennifer are their children, Evelyn and Xander.

Baseball teammates from the classes of 1971 and 1970 recently reunited for the last doubleheader win of the season. From left to right:  Kurt Aschermann '71, George "Shorty" Dixon '70 and Joe Cervino '71.

Mark Cole '81, Amy Greer Cole '83 and Marty Rodweller, G'81, taking a break from cycling in Koblenz, Germany. The trio completed a bike and boat trip through the Netherlands from Amsterdam along the Rhine and Moselle Rivers to Cochem, Germany in August 2025.

Diane Welch Maillet '98, G'03, writes: 

At a time when I was hearing the heartbreaking news of losing a Springfield College classmate far too young to cancer, I was also reminded of the gift this school continues to give - the people. Springfield College recently brought together these amazing women and their families. At one point, one of the minis asked, "Why did that Springfield girl drive so far just to come to this cookout?" Because life is short. Because these moments matter and we're lucky for times like these.  

From left to right:  Meghan Duffey Dwyer '05, G'07, Kelly Quinn '05, Diane Welch Maillet '98, G'03, Beth Nunes Famiglietti '05, Lauren Doleva Paschenko '05, G'07, Kerryn O'Sullivan Perkins '05, G'07, Jordana Koffler Couture '05, G'07, and Kristen Rizzo Ahearn '05.  

The Boston Red Sox have named Lucas Yash '24 Employee of the Season. Congratulations Lucas on this honor!  Yash is part of the Day of Game Staff.  

Thank you to Ed Matteo '89 for sending in the following update regarding men's rugby and family weekend.

On Friday, October 3, the Springfield College Men’s Rugby team hosted Trinity College in an early-season matchup of two Division III powerhouses. Springfield entered the game ranked #16 in the nation, while Trinity, a former #20 nationally-ranked program, looks to climb back into the top tier.

This contest carried extra meaning for Springfield alumni. Both head coaches are proud Springfield College graduates. Springfield’s head coach, Luke Salls ’21, will face off against Trinity’s head coach, Ed Matteo ’89. The two share a unique connection: Matteo, who helped restart the Springfield Rugby program in 1986 and went on to win the 1988 New England Division II Championship as a player and program vice president, once coached a young Salls in high school. In fact, Salls captained Matteo’s 2017 Simsbury High School rugby team before going on to play and coach at Springfield.

The game was more than just a rugby match—it was a showcase of Springfield College’s legacy in building leaders, forging lifelong connections, and fueling the growth of the sport. With two of the top Division III programs in the Northeast squaring off under the lights.