Whether they come out of public school or prep school, this year’s freshman class of athletes has had a major impact on Fairfield’s Division-I teams.
With more than 100 freshmen added to Fairfield’s varsity teams this year, coaches and players alike have seen the effects of a strong youthful presence and have experienced the challenges involved in training new players.
“Our freshmen have really stepped up and have been impact players for us so far this season,” said Julie Brzezinski, head coach of women’s softball. “They have played with confidence and intensity, and that aspect has been huge for us since they constitute more than a third of our team.”
The freshman players have not only contributed to team success, but had individual success as well.
Sabra Wrice, a women’s basketball player, was named to the MAAC All-Rookie team and felt her teammates and school contributed a lot to her success.
Several freshmen earned accolades this year, include Brian Rudolph of men’s baseball, Erin Frank of women’s softball and Amy Neville of women’s lacrosse who each earned MAAC Rookie of the Week distinctions. Laura Callahan, a freshman on the field hockey team also earned a weekly honor, garnering NEC Rookie of the Week, during the fall season.
So what can be attributed to Fairfield’s freshmen success?
“That’s a difficult question to answer,” said Gene Doris, Fairfield University’s athletic director. “In many ways, it is a credit to our coaches and the university. First, our coaches have done a very good job in recruiting this class.”
“I knew this freshmen class was going to have to jump in and contribute immediately,” said Brzezinski. “While recruiting, I focused on the level of confidence that they played with and the level of ball that they played.”
One of the youngest and most successful team’s on campus is men’s lacrosse, which is ranked No. 20 in the nation.
“We’re asking a lot of our freshmen this year because we have so many of them,” said Head Coach Ted Spencer. “They’ve done an unbelievable job, more than we’ve expected they would do.”
Men’s lacrosse currently has 23 freshmen on the roster, which is more than half of the team.
“It’s a rebuilding thing for us. We’re going to have to ask a lot of these kids,” Spencer said. “These kids will be defined by the next five games.”
One of the challenges of having so many freshmen is not only in the recruiting but in the transition and acclamation of freshmen to Fairfield as well.
“I picked Fairfield basketball because I like the coaching staff and the players,” said Wrice.
“The recruiting program was one of the best. Coaches didn’t bore you
by just telling about the campus and school. They found out about me as
a person, which made me listen more and respect their recruiting process,” she added.
Tyler Birrittella, a men’s baseball player, chose Fairfield not only to play competitively in the Division-I MAAC conference, but for the solid education the univeristy supplies its students.
Though Birrittella feels the university can do more to help freshmen athletes adjust to the new collegiate lifestyle, he acknowledges his team as being very influential in his transition to Fairfield.
“The team has helped tremendously in my acclamation to college life,” said Birrittella.
“The team was an instant group of good guys that made sure to look out for the freshman and give us a heads up on what to do,” he added
Freshman or not, Division I athletics is about winning. Despite this pressure, coaches and players will agree, it’s just better to jump in and get your feet wet.
“There’s no better practice for what’s ahead than the present,” said Spencer.
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