Joining the ranks: It’s unsusual for a school to add Division I men’s sports, but without football and hockey, Fairfield has room for more than most schools. The men’s crew team made the switch from a club team to a Division I team over the summer. Dr. David Patterson was hired as the director of rowing, heading both the men’s and women’s teams. Patterson spent the past two seasons in the same position at Iona.
Birth of a Rivalry: Fairfield has finally found its own rival, cross-town Sacred Heart University. In May the two schools finally announced a multi-year deal for men’s and women’s basketball games. The men’s teams will face-off for the first time ever and the women’s teams will play for the first time as Division I opponents in a doubleheader on Nov. 18. “I believe fans and alums of both schools will be proud when these programs take to the floor,” said Fairfield Athletic Director Gene Doris, “because they will see four teams playing to the best of their ability in an exciting college basketball atmosphere.”
Double team: The men’s tennis team started the season off with a bang as senior Balazs Szikla and junior Chip Palumbo won their flight at the Fairfield Doubles Tournament on Saturday, knocking off the favored UConn team with a come from behind 9-7 victory. Szilka and Palumbo defeated Rhode Island in the semifinals. Freshman George Laffey and junior Glen Gannon advanced to the semifinals in their flight, before falling to Quinnipiac. Freshman Rob Ferrante and sophomore Ryan Berthod also made it to the semifinals in their flight, but could not defeat UConn. The Stags head to the ECAC Championships, where they have performed well the past few years, on Sept. 22 and 23, in Bethlehem, Pa.
All-Star Status: Following one of the best seasons in Fairfield baseball history, designated hitter Peter Allen `08 was been rewarded with a spot in the New England All Star Game. The game included the top college players in New England and was played at Fenway Park in Boston on July 22. Allen is the first Stags player to receive the honor since 2001, when pitcher Ryan Holsten played in the game. “I am pleased to see him honored,” said Head Coach John Slosar. “It is great recognition for him and the team for a job well done.”
Top prospect: Fairfield baseball freshman Mike Bourdon, a graduate of Northwest Catholic High School in West Hartford, Conn., was drafted by the Boston Red Sox in the 41st round of the MLB draft. Bourdon is expected to be a top five round pick when he graduates from Fairfield in four years. He opted to attend Fairfield instead of signing with the Red Sox. Bourdon, a catcher, was a three-sport athlete in high school, playing quarterback and power forward also. He batted .390 and drove in 31 runs as a senior, while not allowing a passed ball behind the plate, earning him All-State honors.
Male Athlete of the Week
ATHLETE: Sam Bailey ’08
SPORT: Men’s Soccer
ACHIEVEMENT: Bailey became the first Fairfield soccer player in school history to be named the College Soccer News Player of the Week after scoring two game-winning goals in the Stags’ first two games, against St. John’s and Buffalo.
Female Athlete of the Week
ATHLETE: Nicole Cavallaro’11
SPORT: Women’s Soccer
ACHIEVEMENT: Cavallaro scored three points in the Stags’ win over Colgate on Friday and was named the MAAC Freshman of the Week. She assisted on the first two goals of the game and then scored her first career goal with two minutes left in the game to put the Stags up 3-0. Cavallaro’s four points is tied for the team lead and is also third in the MAAC in points.
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