12

SPORTS

The Norwich Guidon
Dec. 11, 2003

Hockey players grapple with Thanksgiving schedule

By Brian Mullally
Norwich Guidon Staff Writer

Norwich's Michael Serba has some words with an Amerst player during their game Dec. 6, where the Cadets won 6-0. The next Cadet game is Tuesday, Dec. 9, against the Purple Knights of Saint Michael's College. (Plourde photo)

Thanksgiving is a special time of year when people get together with family and friends. It's an American tradition that on the night before Thanksgiving, friends go out and enjoy a few drinks and reminisce with their old classmates.

The following day is filled with football, turkey, and stuffed bellies. This is not so for the men's Norwich hockey team. They had to remain in Northfield for their Thanksgiving break, while the rest of the student body went home to be with family and friends.

"It is a bit sad knowing that all of your friends and family are back home, and you're stuck in Northfield, but we try and make the best of it," said Andrew Senasi, a junior physical education major from Arlington, Mass.

"I miss going home for Thanksgiving and going to my high school's football game," said Rob Himburg, a freshman business management major from Norwell, Mass.

The team had early morning skates all throughout the week, and also lifted down at the weight room. These workouts prepared them for their games on Thanksgiving weekend in Plattsburg, NY.

"The early morning skates were a little tough, but it's good to get up and get a workout in," said Phil Aucoin, a senior communications major from Chelmsford, Mass.

"I have them wake up at a reasonable time in the morning, then we skate for about an hour and a half, followed by a light lift," said Men's Hockey Coach Mike McShane. "I try and keep occupied all day long."

The team had afternoons full of fun-filled activities, including bowling, a trip to the movies, and dinner at J. Morgan's.

"We stay busy all day," Senasi said. "The bowling trip gets quite competitive; we are like little kids when we go there; it is definitely the team's favorite thing to do during the break."

"We watch a lot of movies at night, play video games," Aucoin said. "It was our first break since the beginning of the semester, so we took full advantage of the time we had to relax."

"The best part about Thanksgiving break is not having to worry about school work," said Scott Russell, a freshman, "and having the kind of teammates I have is awesome."

Thanksgiving day, the men are invited to have dinner with families in the community. Even though they are not their real families, they are still provided with a home-cooked meal and get to interact with members of the community.

"We are really big into the holidays, and didn't want the kids to be left alone over the holidays," said Megan Cicio, a Northfield resident who hosted a couple of the hockey players for Thanksgiving dinner. "The boys were wonderful with the kids, and we love having them here," Cicio said. "We are like their second family."

Having the team over for Thanksgiving dinner might not seem like a big deal to some, but it has made a lasting impression on both former and current players.

"One thing I am thankful for is that for the past four years people in the Northfield community have welcomed me into their homes during Thanksgiving," said Dominic Dawes, a senior business major.

"It's nice to know that people care enough about us that they would invite us over and treat us like we are one of their own."

"I will never forget the people in the Norwich hockey community," said Jon Bolkeman, a Norwich graduate who now resides in Barre. "I will probably never meet nicer people than those involved with the hockey program."

They took me in over the holiday breaks and made me feel like I was part of their family; it's just really special," Bolkeman said.

With the turkey and all the fixings, it is tough not to overeat, but Coach McShane tells the team to watch how much they eat so they are ready to go for the weekend games.

"With all that food in front of you, it's tough not to pig out, but I tell them, you don't want to have turkey legs when you step onto that ice Friday night," McShane said.

The players think otherwise. "Thanksgiving is the one time of year that I stuff my face," said Brad Powell, a senior Physical Education major from Cohasset, Mass. "The stuffing, gravy, the pumpkin pie, there's no way I am going to pass it up."

"I eat like it is going to be my last dinner," said Bob Jaggered, a senior from Ajax, Ontario. "But I always take a long walk afterwards and get it out of my system."

The team always sends a thank you card to the families that took care of them. And that means a lot to these people.

"I know what it's like to be away from home during the holidays," said Steve McCormick, another Northfield resident who took care of some of the players. "What the hockey program does for the town of Northfield, this is the least we could do."

"When you walk down the street, and the guys wave and say hi to you, that's something that you can look back on and say, those guys respect what you do for them and understand what it's all about," McCormick said.

The University and the team represent good ethics, and nothing else would be tolerated as far as coach McShane is concerned.

"This is what Norwich and the hockey program is all about," said McShane. "It's not about winning or losing, it's about becoming a better person, and I think over the years these young men have become better overall people as a result of what the community has done for them."

The Norwich Guidon is a twice-monthly student newspaper distributed at Norwich University. It provides laboratory experience for students in the Communications program. Claims asserted by letter writers, editorials and other articles do not represent the positions of Norwich University. The Norwich Guidon welcomes signed letters to the editor. They should be no longer than 300 words. Unsigned letters will not be printed, but names may be withheld upon worthy request. All letters are subject to editing for length and good taste. Mailing address: The Norwich Guidon, Communications Center, Norwich University, Northfield, VT 056632. www.norwich.edu/guidon. If you have any questions or comments about the paper, please contact Professor Ken Bush at kbush@norwich.edu.