Bean's Bearings: March 2023
From the Desk of Al Bean, Director of Athletics
 

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Bean's Bearings: An exciting winter sports season concludes as we get into spring

 
Amazing as it seems, it's mid-March and there's less than two months left in the academic year.  The 2022 – 2023 year has flown by, and as I write this chapter, the winter sports season has officially come to a close and our spring teams are already in action.  Baseball and softball, both picked first in a preseason poll of the Little East Conference coaches, are currently in Florida for their 10-game southern swing. Men and women's lacrosse teams are braving the elements in the early part of their schedules while men's tennis matches are being played inside the Costello Sports Complex.  A great deal of activity will take place in the next two months in the classroom, the competitive arena and the greater community that we serve.
 
While we turn our attention to spring sports, there was much to celebrate during the winter season.  As we planned for the 50^th Anniversary of Title IX and National Girls and Women in Sports Day/Week, I had the distinct honor of presenting on a Title IX/Gender Equity panel at the NCAA Convention, moderated by nationally recognized sports law attorney, Janet Judge.  Judge, who is considered one of the foremost authorities on Title IX in the nation, draws the attention of leadership at colleges and universities across the nation from all three Divisions.  I was proud to share the stage at the Convention with Vicky Chun from Yale (Division I) and Courtney Lovely (Division II) from Palm Beach Atlantic; it was a great experience.
 
Sophia Slovenski is an exceptional leader, the epitome of a Division III student-athlete and an NCAA National Champion in the javelin.  She has worked closely with Strong Girls United for the past two years to help raise the aspiration of many young girls in the surrounding area. Her mentorship and commitment to this organization has been extraordinary and has made a difference for the young girls involved.  Sophia's work was highlighted on January 28^th, as the students working with her made the trip to the Costello Sports Complex to take part in a celebratory lap around the track prior to the start of the Husky Invitational meet. 
 
February 1^st was designated as National Girls and Women in Sports Day, although activities and events carried throughout the entire week.  Several of our coaches and staff members organized an event to support young girls from the greater Gorham community.  Several sport activities were offered prior to the start of the women's basketball game vs. MIT later that night.  These young athletes heard from coaches and were treated to pizza at the game as part of their participation.
 
The cornerstone event for the celebration of the 50^th Anniversary of Title IX took place on February 3^rd before a great crowd of student-athletes, faculty, staff and professionals in the sports industry.   Dean and Interim Provost, Adam Tuchinsky, always a historian, made very thoughtful comments prior to the main event.  Janet Judge took to the podium as the keynote speaker to discuss her journey as a young girl and woman in sports, to her eventual place as a sports law attorney.
 
Along the way, she discussed being the first girl in Little League in her hometown, the journey that led her to Harvard University as a student-athlete, her work in the profession as an athletics administrator and to  her decision to become an attorney and specialize in sports law, Title IX and Gender Equity.  As always, Janet was impressive, raised awareness and clarified many questions related to the 1972 educational act that brought forward Title IX and its impact on opportunities for women in sports.  It was gift to have Janet with us and I thank her on behalf of the University, the Athletic Department and all of our student-athletes.
 
As we moved forward from the celebration, our winter sports teams were coming down the stretch of regular season competition.  Men's basketball and women's ice hockey had outstanding seasons and solidified third place finishes in the Little East Conference and New England Hockey Conference respectfully; both earned first-round home games.  The Huskies picked up a hard-fought 3-1 win over UMass Boston in the quarterfinal of the NEHC Championship then advances to the semi-finals at Norwich University.  The Cadets, the eventual winner of the NEHC Championship Tournament, defeated the Huskies 2-1.  It was a great season for Coach John Lauziere's team with plenty of exciting wins and several individual accolades for players, including back-to-back Goaltender of the Year honors from standout Hailey McKim.
 
Women's basketball had four players earn College Sports Communicators Academic All-District honors, and freshman Vanessa Vaughan was named to the Maine State All-Rookie team.  Men's ice hockey senior Curtis Judd, a Joe Concannon Award semifinalist (an award presented annually to the best American born Division III hockey player, earned All-New England Hockey Conference honors.
 
Men's basketball has officially turned the corner under Coach Rob Sanicola and has solidified itself as a formidable opponent in the LEC.  The Huskies took on UMass Dartmouth in the opening round, a team they had defeated twice during the regular season by the smallest of margins, 77-74 and 91-86.  Unfortunately, the Corsairs prevailed in the in the opening round of the LEC Tournament, 77-75.  It was truly an incredible game with Hill Gym rocking all the way to the finish.  Additionally, senior Cody Hawes and junior Chance Dixon were the first men's basketball players to earn All-LEC honors since 2019-2020.
 
The men and women's indoor track teams were both ranked in the top 10 in New England throughout the year.  Both teams featured many strong performers and eventual all New England finishers.  The Huskies showed their dominance on the women's side at the LEC Championship hosted by Plymouth State University.  With top performers and outstanding depth, the Huskies racked up 222.5 points while the second place team finished with just 89.  It was a great team victory and was the team's remarkable 22^nd conference championship.  The men finished third in the LEC Championship with 81 points, just 8 points out of second.  It was a solid performance by the Huskies and points to great things for the future as Coach Rob Whitten builds for the future.
 
The Huskies were selected to serve as host for the NCAA Division III Northeast Regional Wrestling Championship on February 25-26 at the Costello Sports Complex.  We were proud to serve the 19 teams and their student-athletes in Gorham and I want to thank our staff for their incredible work organizing and running the tournament, well done.  The multi-day event was amazing with 334 matches in two days and a very enthusiastic crowd on hand to support the 190 competitors from the Northeast Regional schools who were all competing for a spot in the NCAA National Championship.  To earn that spot, an individual had to finish in the top three of their respective weight class.
 
Several Huskies had exceptional days and wrestled well but two rose to the top.  Senior Jake Peavey (285 lb.) went undefeated and pinned his final opponent in just 18 seconds in the championship match to punch his ticket to the NCAA Nationals.  Freshman Jake Craig (125 lb.) went 3-1 in the tournament, losing a close match in the championship and finishing in 2^nd place.  Both Peavey and Craig earned the right to participate in the NCAA National Championship two weeks later in Roanoke, Virginia.
 
Both Peavey and Craig proved their mettle at the NCAA National Championship.  Peavey finished sixth overall and Craig finished fourth, both earned NCAA All-America honors.  The top eight place finishers in each of the 10 weight classes are named All-Americans.
 
Back on the track, Ben Drummey was the lone Husky to qualify for the NCAA National Championship, held this year in Birmingham, Alabama.  Drummey, who won the NCAA National Championship in pole vault last winter during the indoor season, would try to make it two in a row despite battling through injury in the spring.  Coming back to full strength this indoor season, his performance was incredible as he achieved each new height on his first try throughout the competition.  Drummey repeated as National Champion with a jump of 16-06.75. 
 
It was a great winter season preceded by an excellent fall campaign with many very special moments.  It's time to move forward with spring sports, key special events, celebrations of student-athlete achievements and hopefully many more memorable moments including championship runs.  Best of luck to all, Go Huskies!