I want to extend my deepest sympathy to the family of Steven Baginski ’77 who passed away several weeks ago. After being the athletic director for about a year, Steve contacted me to tell me how he enjoyed his time at RIC as a student and especially playing a little soccer. Every year or so, I would hear positive feedback on the athletic program from Steve as he read updates from his new home in Texas. On occasion, Steve even stopped by the campus on visits home. To his wife Kristen, and his sons John and Mark, I am sorry for your loss and will truly miss Steve’s annual contact.

Once again Rhode Island College will play host to all of the Rhode Island Interscholastic League’s softball championships, as well as, the finals in boys’ lacrosse, girls’ lacrosse and boys’ volleyball.

Congratulations to former Rhode Island College baseball coach Dave Stenhouse on his selection to the Rhode Island Heritage Hall of Fame. Coach Stenhouse is the only coach ever to take an Anchormen team to the College World Series.

Thanks to the generosity of our donors, work has begun on an addition to the Dayna A. Bazar Softball Field.  A new bullpen for the visiting teams, VIP seating, new fencing and lights will all be added over the course of the next month.

Congratulations to Professor Tom Randall, Crist Costa, and Peter Glanz who have been friends of the athletic program and just great faculty members. Best of luck and you have a lifetime ticket for all RIC athletic events!

Thank you to everyone who made the first year of our new CHOICES alcohol education program such a success. The culmination of an outstanding year came on Friday evening when the first Rhode Island College CHOICES Award was presented to Cathy Andreozzi on behalf of the Tori Lynn Andreozzi Foundation.  Since a drunk driver struck Tori Lynn, Cathy has been relentless in delivering her message on making the right choices and spent a recent evening with over 100 RIC students discussing the importance of their decisions.  Congratulations!

Thank you to all of the student-athletes who recently participated in the Little East Conference’s clothing and food drive. Thank you also for all of your effort throughout the year in community service projects especially those at the Rhode Island Community Food Bank.

Congratulations to Christie Lotti as the College’s nominee for the NCAA Woman of the Year.  Christie is one of the greatest softball players in school history, an outstanding student, and will be attending Springfield College as a graduate assistant in the fall.

Tickets are now available for the Endless Summer Party to be held on Friday, July 18^th in Narragansett.  Also, brochures and registration information are available for players and sponsorship in the Anchor Club’s Annual Golf Tournament.  For information visit our website or contact Tim McCabe at 401-456-8007.

Another great season for RIC athletic teams in the spring.  As of this writing, the softball team had just won their third straight Little East Conference Tournament and are off to the NCAAs.  Several track performers are poised to qualify for the national championships, and the baseball team was approaching 25 wins and is near the top in conference standings!

Congratulations go out to senior women’s soccer student-athletes Mallary and Michaela Bileau who received the Bertha Christina Andrews Emin Awards for outstanding achievements at the College’s Cap and Gown Day.