Springfield College Alumni News and Updates

In this section, you will find alumni updates from December 1, 2024 through January 31, 2025. Thanks for sharing your news! Please direct any future submissions to alumni@springfield.edu.

By: Maria D'Agostino Crawford '91 and Damon Markiewicz

On December 7, 2024, SC alumni, students, family and friends gathered for Springfield College Alumni Night at the Springfield Thunderbirds (AHL). A special shout out to Thunderbirds staff Joe Manning '24, James Lawless '23, and Lorenzo Stisser '26, who joined us for a post-game photo at center ice. Thanks to our guests who put together stuffed animals for Teddy Bear Toss night!

Many thanks to Brian Miller '90 and Liz Miller, G'12, who housed Springfield College student Emily Racana '23, DPT '25, this past fall while she completed a clinical rotation at Shriner's Children's Hospital in Springfield, Mass.

"Both Liz and Brian have been so welcoming. They have shared their favorite spots with me, included me in their plans, and have made me feel very welcome. It's been so nice to be able to share my day with them when I return from my clinical. I enjoy hanging out with Radley too!" says Emily of her stay with the MIllers.

It is because of alumni like Brian and Liz that Springfield College students are able to take advantage of opportunities they may not otherwise have. If you are interested in serving as a regional housing host for a Springfield College student or are a student in need of housing during a clinical rotation or internship, contact Maria D'Agostino Crawford '91, Interim Director, Alumni Relations at mcrawford@springfieldcollege.edu.

Springfield College cross country/track & field teammates Nicole Decristoforo '13, DPT '15, and Gabriella Gaudreault '14 coincidentally were both traveling to Argentina at the same time. Here they are after a run in Buenos Aires. We love seeing Springfield College represented all over the world! Gathering with fellow alumni in the new year? Send your photos to alumni@springfieldcollege.edu.

Congratulations to Yvonne Meeh Perry '92, ATC, who is the recipient of the Maine AHPERD Middle School Health Teacher of the Year Award.

Thank you to all of our alumni, family and friends that gathered to support the Springfield College Men's Volleyball team during their recent trip to Orange County, California.

It is always so heartwarming to see Springfield College represented throughout the country. A special shout out to Eileen Lohner-Turk '85 who organized this get together. If you are interested in hosting an initiative/program in your area, please email alumni@springfieldcollege.edu

January 11, 2025 was proclaimed Cassandra Grenier Day by Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont in honor of her tremendous perseverance, courage and achievements in the face of adversity. Cassie, a 2015 Springfield College graduate, is competing for a spot on the United States 2026 Winter Paralympic Ski Team.

A therapeutic recreation student and active member of the Outing Club during her student days, Grenier was hiking in Grand Teton National Park in 2017 when she was caught in a rock fall, sustaining life threatening and long lasting injuries, including impaired vision. As part of her rehabilitation to gain strength and independence, she began ski racing. Within her first year of ski racing, she became the women's visually impaired national champion in slalom.

Cassie currently lives in Colorado where she is a special education tutor and works part time while she trains for a spot on the Paralympic team. Cassie Grenier '15, we are sending you all the best from Alden Street as you train for a spot on the 2026 Paralympic Ski Team! For more on Cassie's incredible story: Cassie Grenier - Paralympic Hopeful

This past November, John Hedbavny '68, G'70, was in Spain and was visiting with Juan Simoes Iglesias, General Secretary for YMCA Europe.

Juan had arranged for John to visit Spain's Senate for a tour with two term Senator from Granada, Vicente Azpitarte. Azpitarte was a group leader for YMCA Spain, who brought campers to Camp Sloane YMCA in CT in the early 2000's when John was the Executive Director at Camp Sloane. While visiting El Senado (The Senate), Hedbavny was presented with a special recognition as "The Best Friend of Spain" and was truly surprised, overwhelmed and most appreciative.

In the words of Juan Simoes Iglesias, "It was a privilege to be meeting with our good friend John Hedbavny, an outstanding supporter of the YMCA movement in Europe during his career as an executive at different camps in the U.S. His passion for international work had a positive impact in the lives of thousands of young people and colleagues across Europe. Two of those were Vicente Azpitarte who now serves as Senator at the Spanish Senate and Juan Simoes Iglesias, Secretary General of YMCA Europe. We were delighted to recognize John today during a private visit to the Spanish Senate hosted by Vicente. We have always considered John Hedbavny as a wonderful representative of his country in Spain and also an outstanding ambassador of Spanish culture and traditions in the U.S."

Celebrating 48 years of friendship which began at Springfield College! Eileen Sears Bow '79, Lisa Raccaro Sacramone '80, Teresa Saletnick Mazik '79, G'90, CAS '96, Nancy Vitalone Raccaro '80 and Laurel Greco Vicidomino '79 recently got together in Florida. During their student days, Laurel and Nancy were roommates in Massasoit Hall room 403 for two years and Eileen and Teresa were roommates for two years in Massasoit room 408.

Dick Sproul '62 and his wife Ruth decided to visit South Africa for their anniversary. It was a special trip with a lot of great experiences. This photo was taken at Table Mountain, Cape Town, South Africa.

In December, college roommates Diane Cavaliere '85 and Karen Knight Foote '86 got together in Maryland for a visit. The pair lived in Abbey, room 154.

Greg Woods II '16, MBA '17, has been creating hand-cut artwork utilizing construction paper to recreate portraits, pictures and other images filled with detail, color and his own artistic twist.

It was great to see Kevin McLaughlin '90 and Mike Welnicki '99, who recently stopped by the Alumni House to say hello. Please stop in if you are in the area. We are located at 258 Middlesex Street and love visitors!

Congratulations to Jordan Wilcox '18 and Breanna Saloio '18, who were married on October 5, 2024. The happy couple were joined by many Springfield College family and friends on their special day. Wishing you a lifetime of love and happiness together!

If you have wedding photos or photos from another special occasion that you would like to share, please email photos to alumni@springfieldcollege.edu.

At left, Olympic Bronze Medalist Fred Richard posed for a photo with his youth coach, Tom Fontecchio '69, left, and longtime SC gymnastics coach Frank Wolcott '52, G'60, middle, prior to a recent men's gymnastics meet between Springfield College, Michigan and Army. Thank you to all of our alumni who attended this very exciting meet!

Carol Hinckley Deering '68 tells us that in August 2024, her second poetry book came out: This Passage: Poems. Over the years, Carol has won numerous poetry awards, and has won the Wyoming Arts Council Poetry Fellowship twice. Her books are available at Amazon and at Barnes & Noble, or from local bookstores which order for their customers. Carol has moved to Tennessee, and hopes to keep writing.

Rick Maynard '75 shared with us that on November 26, he was inducted into the Connecticut Recreation and Park Association Hall of Fame at the annual State CRPA Conference at Mohegan Sun. "It was quite an honor after serving several communities in Connecticut in the Parks and Recreation profession for 45 years, 32 1/2 of which were in Guilford, CT. Some of the Guilford accomplishments include the construction of a splash pad at Jacobs Beach, oversight of $900,000 in improvements to the beach park, improvements to numerous ballfields, oversight of the construction of the first synthetic turf field at Guilford High School, construction of pickleball courts, development of a dog park, and the development and installation of an 18 hole disc golf course in Bittner Park. That course was named the Rick B. Maynard Disc Golf Course in 2019 by the Parks and Recreation Commission. I also served CRPA on many committees and served as President of the association in 1986. I was a speaker at two of the conferences over the years. I am thankful for the training I received at SC in the Community and Outdoor Recreation major, graduating in 1975. I thank God for giving me the skills and talents to serve people in this great profession."

James Zachazewski '77 has been honored with the 2025 Ronald G. Peyton Award by the American Academy of Sports Physical Therapy.

Harvard Stadium Field has been renamed after longtime Football Head Coach Tim Murphy '78, G'79. Starting next year, the field will be called the Tim Murphy Field at Harvard Stadium. Murphy retired in January 2024 after 30 seasons with Harvard that saw him become the winningest coach in Ivy League history.

Christopher Baer '94 is thrilled to announce that as of December 2024, he has embraced a new opportunity as a Store Manager at Trek Bicycle at a Direct Owned Trek Store in San Marcos, Texas.

Bruce A. Michaels, G'95, recently retired from the Hartford Public Schools after 40 years as a teacher and athletics coach. Michaels currently remains as a soccer and tennis coach for Cromwell (CT) High School, while also assisting the Hartford Yard Goats as a customer service representative on game days.

Alison Blake D'Espinosa '96 is starting a new position as Northeast EP Fellows Manager at Boston Scientific.

Matthew Brennan '02 has been promoted to Managing Director at BlackRock in New York City.

The Los Angeles Rams have promoted Brendan Burger '08 to Senior Director of Equipment.

The New York Red Bulls have named Liz Martin, G'08, Senior Director of Corporate Sponsorships.

Scott Woodaman '09, G'12, is the new Senior Program Director at Hampshire Regional YMCA in Northampton, Mass.

Emil Occhiboi '11 is a Physician Assistant at Novant Health in North Carolina.

Aerial Machine & Tool Corp has named Elayna Roberts '12, G'14, Director of Human Resources in Meadows of Dan, Virginia.

Johnson & Johnson has named Ashley Day '14 Senior Manager Procurement, NA HR Services.

Congratulations to Stuart Sokoloff '17, who has been promoted to Senior Manager, Group & Season Ticket Sales at Athletes Unlimited.

Jordan Wilcox '18 shared he is now an Advanced Hemostasis & Wound Healing Account Executive at Johnson & Johnson MedTech/Surgery.

Waste Management in Connecticut has named Samantha Bastarache '19, MBA '20, Program Manager on the Food & Retail Team.

Samantha Mason '20 has started a new position as Business Development Representative at SS&C Blue Prism.

Morgan Adams '21 has been promoted to Human Resources Generalist at U.S. Tsubaki Automotive in Chicopee, Mass.

Daniel Heslin, G'21, recently became a Recruitment and Admissions Counselor at Central Connecticut State University.

Michael Sannella '21 is starting a new position as Regional Sales Director (West) at IANS in the Greater Boston area.

Isaiah Cashwell-Doe '22 recently became an Associate Manager at SS&C Technologies in Windsor, Conn.

Kyle Crandall '22, G'23, is an Occupational Therapist Site Lead at CCSN: The Center for Children with Special Needs in Connecticut.

Grace Moore '22, DPT '24, has accepted a position as a Physical Therapist with Encompass Health in Ludlow, Mass.

Luis Torres, G'22, has obtained a new certification: Certified Mental Performance Consultant (CMPC) for the Association for Applied Sport Psychology.

Bono Sidharta '23 has joined Runa as a Business Development Representative.

Jacob Maciaszek '24 is starting a new position as Centralized Billing Technician at HUB International.

Aidan Reilly '24 has accepted a position with the Milwaukee Brewers as part of their Player Development staff in Minor League Technology Operations.