Athletic Profiles in Character - DeSales University Athletics

38 Pages·2011·2.03 MB·English

DeSales University Athletic Profiles in Character
Casey Opdyke ’08, field hockey ..................................................34
Gina Lucrezi ’05, women’s track and field ....................................36
Marian Karnas ’09, field hockey ..................................................38
Val Valach ’09, softball ..................................................................40
Courtney McClurkin ’08, women’s tennis ...................................42
Table of Contents
Transcendence...............................................................................44
Brian Manning ’97, baseball ........................................................45
Brett Vargo ’04, baseball ...............................................................46
Lori (Schwartz) Olivi ’00, women’s track and field.......................48
Dedication .........................................................................................4
by Dr. Gregg Amore Nathan Branosky ’99, men’s soccer ..............................................50
Harry Morra ’04, basketball .........................................................51
Foreword ............................................................................................8
by Dr. Gregg Amore Justice ..............................................................................................52
Ted Gladue ’94, men’s basketball ..................................................53
Temperance ....................................................................................10
Kelly Magrann ’10, women’s basketball ........................................54
Kim Rarick ’09, women’s basketball ............................................11
Danielle Jenson ’06, softball .........................................................56
Kelly Moran ’09, softball .............................................................12
LeighAnn Burke ’09, women’s basketball .....................................58
Jen Rautzhan ’04, women’s track and field ...................................14
Shannon Mascio ’09, field hockey ...............................................60
Ashley Sparango ’08, field hockey ................................................16
Humanity .........................................................................................64
Wisdom and Knowledge ..............................................................18
Gina Locke ’10, women’s soccer ..................................................65
Erin Lynn ’98, women’s basketball and soccer ..............................19
Kevin Hopkins ’03, men’s basketball ............................................66
Nolan Neiman ’05, baseball .........................................................20
Martin Brett ’98, men’s soccer .....................................................67
Amy Yencho ’04, women’s basketball ...........................................22
Randy Sturm ’07, men’s soccer ...................................................68
Sarah Lumi ’09, field hockey .......................................................24
Liz Kelly ’04, women’s basketball .................................................70
Erica Ecklund-Piantone ’08, field hockey ....................................72
Courage ............................................................................................28
Bill Neal ’05, men’s tennis ...........................................................29 The Legacy of a Man—A Lesson on Humility...........................74
Jeff Clifford ’04, men’s basketball .................................................30 by Kate Steiner ’11
Phil Yetter ’07, men’s soccer .........................................................32
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accompanying athletic fields. Compardo created weights from buckets of ce-
ment and broomsticks for the first exercise classes. Such vitality and persistence
is hard to imagine as we enjoy our current multi-million-dollar complex.
It would be hard to say that any one of the six character strengths
highlighted in this book was the most dominant for the coach. However,
the trait of humanity is most clear in my mind. First, Christian Humanism is
Dedication
the signature strength of Salesian teaching at DeSales University. Also Com-
pardo’s kindness and love of humanity is rarely surpassed.
I Nearly four decades have passed since my first encounter with Com-
n our efforts to help students develop character,
pardo. I was a young, fresh-out-of-grad-school new kid on the block my
we often suggest that they identify a positive
first year at Allentown College. That first year, I hatched a plan for a major in
role model—someone who exemplifies the
psychology with an accompanying child development center for preschool
virtue they are trying to grow. DeSales University,
children. Classroom space for psychology was not a problem, but a place to
and particularly the athletic department, has been
house a dozen preschool children with special needs was a greater challenge.
truly blessed with an incredible role model—Dr.
Someone suggested that Billera Hall might be a possibility. Imagine
John Compardo. Typically, we encourage students
the new kid going to the seasoned veteran who just spent a few years
to find a separate role model for each of the in-
picking rocks and teaching with broomsticks and cement blocks, asking to
dividual character strengths. Conventional wisdom
Coach John Compardo share his new gymnasium with special-needs preschoolers. I suspect most
would be that we can’t be all things to all people.
college athletic directors would have concluded that I was another nutcase
However, I submit that Coach Compardo, as he is affectionately called,
psychologist; but not John Compardo. Not only did he embrace the idea,
comes as close to this as anyone I know.
but he offered up prime real-estate in the front of the building with ceil-
First, wisdom and knowledge: the fact that Compardo had degrees from
ing to floor windows next to his office and an adjacent wrestling room for
Moravian College (B.A.), Springfield College (M.A.), and Lehigh Univer-
kid roughhousing. The most amazing thing is that Compardo enjoyed the
sity (Ed.D.), is more than sufficient to be a great role model. However,
children more than anyone on campus.
Compardo also served in World War II, coached football, basketball, and
We could fill pages of examples of Compardo’s humanity, but permit
baseball at Allentown Central Catholic High School, and in 1965, became a
me just one more. In addition to his vast array of responsibilities, he gave
one-man show at Allentown College (now DeSales University)—serving as
freely of his time by doing physical therapy with people from the commu-
physical education professor, trainer, equipment manager, athletic director,
nity. He was a model for community service long before that term was ever
intramural director, and sports information director. In addition, he has a
used on campus.
wealth of wisdom pertaining to everyday life that is unequaled.
The science of positive psychology suggests that the character strength
Courage, our second character strength, is second nature to Compardo.
justice is made up of three virtues: fairness, active citizenship, and leadership.
Perhaps his bravery is the result of his service in the Navy during WWII. It
There is no greater evidence of Compardo’s outstanding qualities is this area
certainly took courage to leave a secure position at Allentown Central Catholic
than his having been recognized as the 1984 Teacher of the Year, having re-
High School to come to Center Valley’s “field of dreams” to help convert corn
ceived the 1987 Fr. J. Stuart Dooling Distinguished Award, and having been
fields into a vibrant athletic complex. Students in his early physical education
inducted into the Allentown College Athletic Hall of Fame in 1995.
classes removed rocks from fields—clearing the site for Billera Hall and its
4 5
The virtues of humility and gentleness are the cornerstone of Salesian
teaching. They are among the virtues that contribute to the character strength
temperance. Always a gentleman, always in control, prudent, kind, and humble,
Compardo always maintained his cool. In the arena of sport, where we see
daily displays of ill-mannered, bad-tempered, unprofessional behavior, Com-
pardo was the quintessential gentleman and humble servant leader.
Perhaps it is only fitting to end with the character strength transcen-
dence. To look at vast fields of corn filled with rocks and see athletic fields,
a new gymnasium, and thousands of students growing and developing into
young ladies and gentlemen in the Salesian tradition of humility and gentle-
ness is the true test—a test Compardo passed with flying colors. Perhaps this
poem says it all:
That Man is a Success
who has lived well,
laughed often and loved much;
who has gained the respect
of intelligent men
and the love of children;
who has filled his niche
And accomplished his task;
who leaves the world better
than he found it,
whether by an improved poppy,
a perfect poem
or a rescued soul;
who never lacked appreciation of earth’s beauty
or failed to express it;
who looked for the best in others
and gave the best he had.
—Robert Louis Stevenson
Dr. Gregg Amore
Associate Dean of Students for Student Development
6 7
ter strengths exhibited by the athletes. However, as you might suspect, you
will find many athletes exhibiting multiple character strengths and virtues.
I hope you will be moved and inspired by the words you are about to read.
This is a true team effort, combining the work of faculty, staff, and most
importantly, students writing about former students.
There are those that would say athletics builds character, and I believe
Foreword
this is true. Sometimes, when winning is the only thing, it builds bad char-
acter. Building good character is a challenge and a two-way street. Not only
I do athletics build character, but good character builds athletics and success-
sincerely hope you will enjoy this book—it is the epitome of team
ful teams.
work. What you are about to read is a series of stories about student
Please enjoy these stories of our character-exemplifying athletes.
athletes written by students in courses offered by Dr. Angie Corbo, a
former faculty member in the DeSales humanities department. (Contribut-
ing authors: Chelsey Armstrong, Mary Azzalina, Justin Carbonari, Bridget
Charity, Antonette Ciccone, Sabrina Englot, Susan Gatanis, Amy Herzog,
Nathaniel Jastrzemski, Jessica Kloss, Andrew Leidig, Ashley Matisak, Nicho-
las Mondi, Peter Paavola, Amy Pulcini, Paul Rakszawski, Andrew Ritter,
Kimberly Schultz, Caitlin Scott, and Jenna Turner) Dr. Gregg Amore
Each of the stories has been told to student writers by coaches who Associate Dean of Students for Student Development
had the privilege to coach the respective athletes. Stories are grouped ac- 2011
cording to six primary character strengths exhibited by each athlete: Wis-
dom and Knowledge, Courage, Humanity, Justice, Temperance, and Tran-
scendence. These six character strengths are all exemplary of both Salesian
teaching and positive psychology.
Each of the six is made-up of its own set of special virtues. Wisdom and
Knowledge is made up of love of learning, curiosity, creativity, perspective,
and open-mindedness. The virtues for courage include bravery, integrity, vi-
tality, and persistence. Humanity is made up of love, kindness, and social in-
telligence. Fairness, active citizenship and leadership are the virtues essential
to Justice. Temperance, one of the cornerstones of Salesian teachings, claims
the virtues of humanity, prudence, self-regulation, and forgiveness. One of
the most challenging character strength—Transcendence—lays claim to
the virtues of hope, humor/play, gratitude, spirituality, the appreciation of
beauty, and excellence.
The following stories are grouped on the basis of the primary charac-
8 9
“Have patience with all things, but first of all with Kim Rarick ’09, women’s basketball
yourself.”
St. FranciS de SaleS Temperance is needed in all as-
pects of the lives of DeSales athletes.
For some, it is not enough to simply
Temperance excel in their sport—they also work
hard to achieve in the classroom. It
takes dedication to excel as a student
and passion to become a top athlete. It
takes temperance to succeed in both.
I
Kim Rarick, a chemistry/pre-
n the world of collegiate athletics, natural, God-given talent can only
medicine major, was a Dean’s List stu-
take you so far. For athletes to truly reach their potential—both on and
dent and an honor society member
off the field—they must master temperance. But self-regulation and
while earning national accolades on
prudence in work is often hard. Young men and women face many distrac-
the court for the women’s basketball
tions and obstacles between them and their goals.
team. Rarick’s teammate and the oth-
St. Francis de Sales often preached about the value of temperance. He
er half of their dynamite combo, fel-
knew that to become a better person, you must first know yourself. DeSales
low all-star athlete LeighAnn Burke
University student athletes must learn and practice temperance on a daily
’09, said that during their four years playing together, Rarick proved she
basis to compete on the highest level and pursue knowledge and growth.
had an incredible ability to balance the many facets of her college career.
It would be easy to fill these pages with stories of athletes who trained
“She spent a lot of time in the library and had great time-management
very hard to achieve great things athletically. But being an exemplary
skills,” said Burke. “Her major required a lot of time and effort.”
DeSales athlete is about more than points on a scoreboard. Student-athletes
Rarick gave equal importance to her time on the court—she put as
learn and grow in very personal ways, and those who can connect their
much energy into practices as she did games. Before graduation, Rarick
personal growth with their athletic lives often have the greatest results.
earned 10th place in the women’s basketball program for average points
per game, and she tops the lists for 3-point goal and free throw percentages.
Rarick led by example and reached out to younger players to keep
them motivated. With humility and gratefulness, she won awards and rec-
ognition for her skills. As far as Rarick was concerned, the good of the
team was always more important than private issues, said Burke. She always
resolved conflicts with the team in mind.
10 11
Kelly Moran ’09, softball
As a college freshman, Kelly Moran ’09 never dreamed she would ac-
complish so much by the time she graduated. Before playing softball for the
University, Moran had always applied her talents to the outfield position,
where she was most comfortable. But as the 2006 season began, Coach
Rachel Turoscy challenged Moran to take on a different role within the
Bulldogs’ lineup.
A native of nearby Bethlehem, Pa., Moran found herself in a predica-
ment when she realized that she was one of four players vying for a starting
outfield position. Acknowledging that only three players could be chosen,
Turoscy viewed the dilemma as a major obstacle, finding it difficult to de-
cide which player would get the bad news. But Turoscy put a positive spin
on the situation when she saw the potential for Moran to fulfill another
position on the team’s roster.
Tall and skinny, Moran had more power than anyone guessed. But her
coach encouraged her to focus her strength primarily toward batting, which
eventually lead her to become one of the best hitters the DeSales softball
the bench when it came time for her team to play defense. While this was a
team has ever seen. However, her new role as the Bulldogs’ power hitter
hard pill to swallow, she rose to the challenge and accepted her new-found
came at a price. Focusing on her hitting skills meant that Moran had to ride
position on the team, never looking back at her days as an outfielder.
Moran’s actions demonstrate humility because she sacrificed her per-
sonal preferences to benefit the softball team as a whole. The decision to
focus on hitting paid off when Moran found herself a recipient of Regional
All-American honors two years in a row.
During her junior year, Moran achieved an incredible .400 batting
average, a statistic that has not been matched by any Bulldog since.
Moran’s collegiate softball career serves as an example of the rewards
that may come from selfless behavior. Deciding to bow out of the starting
outfield position was difficult, but it lead to a new chapter in her career—
one that will be remembered by many DSU softball players to come.
Moran’s hard decision showed positive results and allowed her to see
how her actions affected her team in a positive way. In these circumstances
it is easy to see that she made the right decision. Sometimes, however, posi-
tive results are not so visible—people must simply know themselves and
take comfort in the knowledge that they did the right thing in their hearts.
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Jen Rautzhan ’04, track and field and women’s basketball
Women’s Track Head Coach stands out about her to me is that most people didn’t recognize all of her
Gordon Hornig ’92, has coached great qualities because she was so quiet. But she was probably the best
many high-character athletes in his thrower I have ever coached,” said Hornig. “She just loved to throw—she
14 years at DeSales University. One was always outside, practicing by herself even when her teammates had
of those athletes, Jen Rautzhan, stood called it quits for the day.”
out in all of the right ways. Rautzhan set many DeSales records, some of which have since been
Rautzhan was a thrower for the bettered. But regardless of whose name appears in the record books, Hornig
track team as well as a basketball play- recognizes that Rautzhan was special and a very important part of the team.
er during the winter. She was one of “She brought so much to the team, in terms of leading by example
a few athletes who had the ability to and determination. She was never very vocal, but the other girls saw how
play two sports and be good at both. hard she worked and how she never quit on her teammates—even when
As Hornig recalls, Rautzhan had a it would have been to her benefit. Her character was outstanding. Looking
special ability in the throwing events. back, she was one of the most humble and hard working people I have ever
“Jen always had a lot of abil- coached, and really, this is what made her into the thrower that she was,”
ity, and I remember when she was a Hornig said.
freshman and a sophomore, she did “She was a fine example to all those around her, including the coaches
very well at the MAC Championship and track athletes who were with her every day. Jen was quiet and humble,
meet, placing in the discus throw,” Hornig said. “When Jen got to be a but she definitely wasn’t a quitter—that’s for sure.”
junior, she really had a big break through and managed to provisionally Each player can have an incredible affect on the rest of the team.
qualify for NCAA Nationals in the discus.” Rautzhan practiced humility in the choices she made and knew she could
Unfortunately, Rautzhan ultimately did not get to go to nationals, as not quit. Knowing what is right can be the easy part, doing the right thing
the cutoff was one inch beyond what she had thrown, and Hornig sat down often provides the source of the struggle. Some athletes seek only glory
with her to talk about her upcoming senior year. from others for their accomplishments—the tougher road is to seek honor
“I remember telling her that her involvement in basketball was limit- within.
ing her ability to train over the winter for the discus,” said Hornig. “If she
wanted to continue to improve and make it to nationals, she needed to
focus more on track.
“But Jen decided to continue to play basketball, even though it prob-
ably meant giving up a chance to go to nationals. She just didn’t want to
quit on her teammates on the basketball team.”
In Rautzhan’s senior year, she once again missed a chance to go the
NCAA championship—this time by less than an inch.
“Jen was very, very quiet, and she was humble, too. The thing that
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Ashley Sparango ’08, field hockey
There are times when great athletes must lead by example. Temperance initial group was tied together in a
provides the humility and prudence to show others how to come together unique bond,” said Sparango. Every
and work as a team to achieve their goals. year, as freshmen were added to the
Named offensive player of the conference her senior year, Ashley Spa- team, the original team members ac-
rango stands as, statistically, the best field hockey player at DeSales Universi- cepted freshman as they improved,
ty. Though she may not have appeared to be the best or most athletic player, made connections with teammates,
standing at only 4'10", her skill and passion for the game made up for her and gave their all out on the field.
small stature. She was the best player out there, and she knew it. However, At the start of her senior year,
she was always humble and never let her achievements go to her head. Sparango was not pleased with the
Sparango, aside from having a great deal of talent, always displayed an freshmen who were added to the
immense amount of support for her fellow teammates, both on and off the team. It was not that they lacked skill
field. Although mistakes were made, she always forgave those who made or ability that bothered her and the
them and continuously supported her team. She was a leader, and her win- other girls—it was their lack in moti-
ning attitude and knowledge of what needed to be done and how to do it vation and desire to win.
helped her lead her team in victory. “It was frustrating as a captain
As a freshman, Sparango had the unique opportunity to be on the and team member to watch our team,
inaugural field hockey team. Because the entire team was new, it felt as if who was highly skilled and capable of
every member of the team was a freshman. “Because of this feeling, the winning, lose games,” said Sparango. It wasn’t until the homecoming game
that things turned around and the team stopped playing as individuals and
started playing as a team.
“I think that was the moment that made me proud to be the leader of
the team,” Sparango said. “All I wanted was for the team to follow my lead
and play every game as if it was their last, and finally that time came.”
New field positions and changes in the line-up were not made because
of the freshmen, but were made to benefit the whole team. “There might
be struggles, but at some point in the season, the team came together and
played for each other rather than playing to win. That is what every team
should strive for.”
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“Reputation is rarely proportioned to virtue.” Erin Lynn ’98, women’s basketball and women’s soccer
St. FranciS de SaleS In her freshman and sophomore
years, Erin Lynn played on the wom-
en’s basketball team. Then, in 1996,
Wisdom & Knowledge when DeSales established a women’s
soccer program, Lynn quit basketball
to join the soccer team. Because she
was open to playing on a new team
and in a different sport, she learned to
better herself and, in turn, help others.
Stories compiled by Sabrina Englot ’10
Lynn’s coaches saw her as the first
W
isdom is the deep understanding of people, things, events, true leader of the soccer team. She was
or situations. This understanding results in a choice to ap- not the best athlete or a starter, but she
ply knowledge consistently and efficiently to create a desired was described as having the most heart.
result. Wisdom can be an insight that requires controlling emotional and She was the woman who welcomed
passionate reactions to let knowledge and reason determine one’s actions. everyone—the one who didn’t care
Wisdom can also be knowledge of causes and why things exist the way they what level of player you were so long
do. Knowledge thrives through experience and education. as you loved the game. While she did
Wisdom and knowledge involve several character traits: open-minded- not see much playing time, she had a presence on the field and on the team.
ness, curiosity, and creativity. It is important to maintain open-mindedness— Whether winning or losing, she supported her teammates from the start of
without openness there is no room for innovation and new knowledge. the game to the final buzzer.
Curiosity creates opportunities to explore and investigate the unfamiliar, “Players looked to her for leadership, and she was always a help to
which can lead to wisdom and knowledge. Without creativity, new ideas everyone, no matter what their skill level,” Coach Martin “Doc” Brett ’98
and concepts do not flourish and revolutionary inventions are stunted. remembers. “She was the type who never looked down on anyone. She was
Wisdom and knowledge require a sense of perspective, adaptation of someone who helped a teammate no matter what. Erin was open to any
original points of view, and a love of learning. As their coaches attest, the woman who loved soccer and wanted to be part of the team. She had a
athletes in this chapter truly exhibit these qualities. perspective of the game that is lost for some players, and she loved learning
new tricks and new plays that could help her team win.”
In her senior year, Lynn was nominated by her coaches and teammates
to be a senior captain—a much-deserved honor. With her leadership and
her open-mindedness, she led her team to victory on the field and off.
As a math and secondary education major, she was a perfect leader and
teacher for a new soccer team. Lynn’s openness to others and to her own
strengths allowed her to fully develop into a knowledgeable individual.
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