DOLPHIN SIGHTINGS CSI’S SPORTS INFORMATION NEWSLETTER APRIL 2007

FEIN’S DILIGENT EFFORTS EARN HIM TITLE OF DIRECTOR OF ATHLETICS

The College of On March 1, former College of Staten Island Associate 2800 Victory Boulevard Athletic Director Jason Fein was named the college’s new Staten Island, NY 10314 Director of Athletics. Fein, who has served as the Acting Athletic Director since February of 2006, was chosen from a healthy list Athletics Phone 718-982-3160 of national candidates to replace Dr. Harold Merritt, who left the school last year for a position at the University of Washington Athletics Fax 718-982-3138 DC. Fein, whose extraordinary efforts earned him the position, will oversee operations of CSI’s intercollegiate athletics and Athletics Hotline intramural programs, consisting of 13 varsity sports, and the 718-982-3440 Sports & Recreation Center facilities, including indoor and outdoor Athletics Web fi elds and services available to students and the community. www.csidolphins.com “CSI has been a huge part of my life for the last eight years Vice-President for Student Affairs and I was glad that the administration and the student-athletes Dr. Carol Jackson had faith in my abilities and chose me for the position,” Fein said. Jason Fein, a mainstay of the CSI Athletic “Having this opportunity is an honor and a thrill for me.” Assoc. Dean of Student Affairs Department since 1999, was named Michael Daniels Director of Athletics on March 1. Fein began as the school’s Assistant Director of Athletics & Director of Athletics Sports Information Director in 1999. In 2002, he was elevated Jason Fein to Associate Director before accepting the Acting Director of Athletics position just over a year ago. Prior to becoming a mainstay at the College of Staten Island, Fein played a pivotal role at his alma Acting Associate Director/SID mater, Brooklyn College, serving for three years as Assistant Athletic Director & Sports Information David Pizzuto Director. After receiving his bachelor’s degree in athletic training and master’s degree in sports Assistant Athletic Director management, he helped revive the college’s intercollegiate Division III athletics program after the Fran Mitilieri school had suspended their Division I program. As far as some immediate and long-term goals for Administrative Assistants CSI Athletics are concerned, Fein didn’t hesitate to express his feelings. Lucille Davidson “I’d like us to continue our positive academic progress, and I feel that the implementation of Faith Olzman the student-athlete study lounge, along with the mandatory counseling intervention for the at-risk Facilities Manager student-athletes, are both big steps in helping us achieve that goal,” Fein said. “As far as the future Anthony Avena is concerned, we’re looking forward to residence halls coming to campus and we’re working on expanding our recruiting efforts. We’re always striving to strengthen our intercollegiate programs so Intramurals & Rec. Coordinator Marguerite Gualtieri that they’re competitive on the regional and national levels.” During Fein’s tenure at CSI, the Dolphins athletic programs have captured 23 CUNYAC Newsletter Editor Championships, and the school won its fi rst and only CUNYAC Commissioner’s Cup, awarded for best Stephen Spagnoli overall athletic excellence, in 2001. In addition, Fein served as the school’s Head Women’s Coach for two years (2003-2004) and was an assistant coach with the school’s women’s program for two years as well (2003-2005). He has taken pride in helping organize the annual CSI Alumni & Friends Outing, as well as the CUNY Athletic Conference Goodwill Tour, an event which sends an all-star team overseas each summer to compete internationally. When asked how far CSI has come since his arrival, Fein was upbeat. “I am very impressed with the strides the athletic department has made in the last eight years,” said Fein. “We have a good team of staff and coaches who look out for the student-athletes’ best interests and that commitment translates to success on the fi eld and in the classroom.” In July of 2006, Fein was honored by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA) with their Inaugural Rising Star Award, given annually to a trailblazer among sports information professionals. He also serves on the board of directors for the ECAC Sports Information Director’s Association (ECAC-SIDA), and is currently the organization’s fi rst vice-president. He envisions the CSI athletic program being one of excellence regionally and nationally. Marlene Springer, President “The most gratifying thing about this job is the day-to-day contact that I have with the student-athletes,” Fein exclaimed. “To see their progress and help them along in any way that I can is what makes this job fun and keeps me young. I am looking forward to a promising future at CSI.”

CROSS COUNTRY’S IRIS MOORE HOPES TO HELP CSI’S Recent Results 14TH SPORT TAKE OFF Iris Moore, a biology major and multi-sport athlete at the March 2007 College of Staten Island, is hoping to construct a track team consisting of dedicated individuals this spring. Moore, who was a 3/14 Polytechnic U. Home W 24-2 member of the Women’s Swimming team for the past four years, 3/21 Farmingdale State Away L 3-10 and a runner for the Cross Country squad this past fall, has had 3/25 NJCU* Home W 9-8, L 6-9 3/27 SUNY-Maritime Home L 2-6 her share of experience in the sport of track, as well. 3/28 Centenary Home L 4-14 “I’ve always loved track,” said Moore. “I was on the track team 3/29 Mt. St. Mary Home W 9-0 in high school. It is a popular sport and I’ve always felt that there 3/31 Baruch College* Away L 5-6, W 12-1 should be a team here.” * = Doubleheader One of the misconceptions among CSI students is the idea that they need to be experienced athletes to try out for a team. Iris Moore, who has competed in Moore, however, stresses that interested runners should know 3/13 College of NJ* Home L 0-1, 3-14 swimming and cross country at that experience is not required. 3/22 Rowan University* Away L 0-8, W 3-2 CSI, hopes to start a track team “A lot of students usually shy away from inquiring about a 3/25 NJCU* Home W 3-1, W 10-2 at the college. 3/27 St. Joes - Patch* Home L 0-3, W 1-0 sport because they feel that they don’t meet the criteria,” she said. 3/28 Ramapo College* Away L 3-7, L 0-2 “The truth is, anybody can come aboard and pick it up fairly quickly. We’re looking for runners, 3/30 Rutgers-Newark* Away W 7-5, W 4-1 experienced or not, who are dedicated and are willing to come to the practices. Practices are very 3/31 Union College* Home W 3-0, L 0-9 important.” * = Doubleheader When asked about the preparation that goes into meets, Moore put a strong emphasis on conditioning. Men’s 3/19 SUNY-Maritime Away W 7-2 “With track, you’re always trying to improve your strength and speed,” Moore said. “You 3/21 Pratt Institute Away L 2-7 do a fair share of strength workouts.” 3/24 Polytechnic U. Away W 9-0 A scholar-athlete at the College of Staten Island, Moore hopes to take on a leadership 3/27 John Jay College Home W 9-0 role for the squad this season. 3/29 York College Away L 4-5 “I would love to be the captain of this team and help with the workouts,” she said. “I am 3/31 SUNY-Purchase Away L 1-8 looking forward to seeing this team take off.” When asked what the most important reasons for joining the team would be, Moore didn’t hesitate to express her feelings about the sport. “The practices, the workouts, and the competition are all motivating factors, and when everybody comes together and has the same focus, it is a lot of fun,” Moore said. “Running track is an excellent stress reliever.” With meets already underway, those interested in joining the track team can contact Iris at [email protected].

ASK THE COACH WITH STELLA PORTO

Every month, CSI newsletter editor, Stephen Spagnoli, will sit down with a CSI Head Coach for a short Q&A session. If you have questions for any of our coaches, please e-mail the CSI newsletter staff at [email protected].

1. Dating back to your playing days at CSI, what was your favorite memory of being a Dolphin? There are so many. If I had to pick one, it was when I was the CSI baseball team’s mascot at Shea Stadium during the 1988 CUNY Championship game. The whole softball team went to Queens to support them. I was asked by Joe Barese (Athletic Director at CSI at the time) if I would like to be the team mascot and put on a dolphin costume. After they won, all I remember is running onto the fi eld, as a dolphin, and having 25 guys start carrying me around Shea Stadium.

2. Who was the best player that you had the opportunity to compete with? It would have to be Staten Island Academy’s current Athletic Director Darlene Crow. She was the best pitcher to come out of City in my lifetime. I was lucky enough to play with her and against her.

3. What would you say is the team’s primary goal as it heads into 2007? This team has the most natural talent and athletic ability that I have ever had the pleasure to coach. The rest is up to them. I would love for them to put academics fi rst, family second, work third, and then softball last. I would truly love to win the CUNY Championship and go on to the NCAA regionals but if given the choice of having my team graduate on time with 3.0 GPA’s or better and going on to have successful careers, I would Stella Porto, Head Coach of the CSI Softball choose that as my goal. team, is currently in her 5th season as skipper of the Dolphins 4. What are your expectations for the team this season and how do you feel about this team’s chances should they earn an automatic berth to the NCAA Division III Tournament? If the players stay healthy we should do well. We have a very deep pitching staff and we are blessed to have Betty Zwingraf, a legendary Olympic/ASA Gold softball coach handling the staff. Charlie Mattera will be back for his fi fth season as our hitting coach and fi rst base coach. We were fortunate enough to add a former Dolphin player and one of my favorites, Melissa Quiles, to our staff to work with conditioning and the outfi elders. With the combination of great talent as well as coaching, the only thing that could possibly slow us down is the weather on the east coast. CSI’S EROS QAMA NAMED CUNYAC MEN’S SWIMMING ATHLETE OF THE YEAR; SETS SIGHTS ON 2008 OLYMPIC GAMES

Eros Qama, a brilliant performer for the CSI Men’s Swimming team during his four-year tenure at the College of Staten Island, was named CUNYAC Men’s Swimming Athlete of the Year for 2007. This past season, Qama recorded 14 first place finishes, including two in the 2007 CUNYAC Championship at Lehman College. “It is an honor to achieve the award,” Qama said. “It is especially satisfying because the hard work and dedication throughout my time at CSI paid off.” In addition to his leadership and dependability, Qama also re-wrote the CSI record books, breaking numerous school records, including the 200 yard freestyle (1:51.00), the 500 yard freestyle (4:54.59), the 1000 yard freestyle (10:14.38), the 100 yard butterfly, and the 200 yard butterfly (1:58.24). He also helped his squad shatter times in five relay events, including the 200 yard medley relay (1:42.52), the 400 yard medley relay (3:45.73), the 200 yard free relay (1:31.79), the 400 yard free relay (3:25.66), and the 800 yard free relay (7:48.10). Standout swimmer Eros Qama, who capped This past February, the Dolphins competed in the 2007 CUNYAC Championship Meet at Lehman his career with 14 first-place finishes in College, finishing as the runner up. Despite falling short, Qama praised the performance of the 2007, was named CUNYAC Men’s Swimming Athlete of the Year. team. “I thought that everyone did well for us and I’m proud of the team,” said Qama. “I was surprised to do well in some races and could have done better in some other events. Overall, I was pleased with my performance and enjoyed my career at the College of Staten Island.” Qama, an Albania native, is hoping to compete this summer in an internationally Upcoming Events sanctioned meet in an effort to gain eligibility to compete in the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, China. Qama will compete in the 100 meter butterfly, the 200 meter butterfly, the 400 meter freestyle, and the 800 meter freestyle events. Following Qama’s performance in this April 2007 international meet, his results will be sent to his native Albania, where a committee will then Baseball 4/1 Baruch College* Home 12:00pm decide if his times merit participation in the Olympics. Among the nationally sponsored meets 4/3 William Paterson Home 3:30pm Qama can attend are the European Swim Championships or United States sponsored time trial 4/6 Mitchell College Away 3:30pm events. Qama will find out this summer where and when those meets will be held, and will be 4/7 Mitchell College* Away 12:00pm making plans to attend. He seemed very confident about his chances of earning a spot at the 4/9 Kean University Home 3:00pm big event in the summer of 2008. 4/10 Ramapo College Home 3:30pm 4/11 Drew University Home 3:30pm “I am aware of the qualifying times of some of the athletes who have already solidified 4/14 Lehman College* Home 12:00pm their spots,” Qama said. “Knowing those times, I am confident that I will be able to put forth 4/15 Lehman College Away 12:00pm my best effort, and that should be enough.” 4/17 Rutgers-Newark Away 3:30pm Qama, who also enjoys playing soccer and table tennis in his spare time, spends 4/18 Mount St. Vincent Home 4:00pm 4/21 CCNY* Away 12:00pm nearly 18 hours per week practicing for meets. Should he perform well in his qualifying meet, 4/22 CCNY Home TBA he will be the first athlete out of the College of Staten Island to ever compete in the Olympics. 4/23 College of NJ Home 3:30pm When asked how he felt about that possibility becoming a reality, Qama wasn’t ready to jump 4/28 John Jay College* Away 12:00pm ahead. 4/29 John Jay College Home TBA “It hasn’t happened yet, so it really hasn’t fazed me,” Qama said. “I’m sure I’ll find the * = Doubleheader words to say when everything is set in stone.” Softball What makes the possibility even more impressive for Qama is the fact that he balances 4/3 John Jay College* Away 4:00pm such a rigorous schedule. In addition to the time he spends preparing for competition, he is 4/4 Brooklyn Colllege Home 3:30pm also a full-time student, majoring in biology and minoring in chemistry. Qama takes pride in 4/4 Medgar Evers Home 5:30pm being able to perform well in his sport while also having the time to juggle other things as 4/6 Rutgers-Camden* Away 5:30pm 4/9 Drew University* Home 3:30pm well. 4/10 York College Away 5:00pm “Since I compete at a Division III school, I have plenty of flexibility in my schedule 4/12 Montclair State* Home 3:00pm in terms of being able to balance all of my responsibilites efficiently,” said the standout. “I do 4/15 Baruch College* Away 12:00pm most of my practicing over a two or three day span, and then when meets aren’t taking place, 4/17 Mount St. Mary* Home 3:30pm I spend the rest of that time studying and doing the best I can academically.” 4/19 Hunter College* Home 3:00pm 4/21 Lehman College* Away 12:00pm When asked about some of his biggest influences throughout his swim career, Qama 4/25 FDU-Florham* Away 3:30pm mentioned that CSI swimming Head Coach Oleg Soloviev has served as a mentor to him. 4/27 Kean University* Away 3:30pm “Coach Soloviev did a great job of guiding me through my career here at CSI,” said 4/28 NYCCT Away 12:00pm Qama. “He was important with helping me realize my potential in swimming as well as other * = Doubleheader aspects of life. He’s very good at preaching dedication, and he is an excellent motivator as well. Men’s Tennis He is almost like a family member.” 4/3 Mount St. Mary Away 6:30pm On the flip side, coach Soloviev had nothing but positive things to say about his most 4/5 Rutgers-Newark Home 3:30pm productive swimmer of the last four years. 4/6 Lehman College Home 12:00pm “Eros had a very good career,” said Soloviev. “He improved with every meet, and as a 4/10 Brooklyn College Away 4:00pm 4/13 NYCCT Away 3:30pm captain he was really in touch with everyone and established great personal relationships. I am 4/14 Hunter College Home 12:00pm happy about everything that he has been able to accomplish, but I’m sad that we will be letting 4/17 CCNY Away 3:30pm him go. He’s a great athlete who never let up.” 4/20 Baruch College Home 3:30pm Most athletes believe that their four years of eligibility fly by. Qama is among one of 4/21 Ramapo College Away 12:00pm many who feel the same way upon finishing their careers at CSI. 4/24 CUNY Quarters ^ Seed 4:00pm 4/27 CUNY Semis NTC 4:00pm “I’ll miss the team competition, the fan support and the guys on the team,” expressed Qama. “I’ll miss winning championships and accomplishing tremendous feats.” STUDENT-ATHLETES OF THE MONTH MARCH

Each month, the CSI Athletic Department will choose two Student-Athletes of the Month, one male and one female who have excelled in representing their teams, as well as the college community.

Bob Glennerster of the baseball team Christina D’Arpa of the softball team

Senior shortstop Bob Glennerster of the baseball team, and senior pitcher Christina D’Arpa, of the softball team, have been named CSI Student-Athletes of the Month for March, 2007. One of two seniors on the Dolphins, Bob Glennerster showed tremendous leadership for his team throughout the month of March, as the St. Joseph by the Sea High School product competed in all nine of his team’s contests, recording a .343 batting average (11-for-32) to go along with eight runs scored, four walks, three stolen bases and three RBI. Glennerster’s best performance during the month came in CSI’s home opener, as the shortstop put together a 4-for-7 day with two runs scored and two RBI in the Dolphins’ non-conference 24-2 victory over Polytechnic University. In addition, Glennerster’s contributions were vital in CSI picking up its fi rst CUNY Athletic Conference victory of the season, as he put forth a 3-for-4 day at the dish with thee runs scored in the Dolphins’ 12-1 victory over the Baruch College Bearcats in game two of a doubleheader played on March 31. Defensively, Glennerster led the Dolphins in assists, recording 20 for the month. Versatile standout Christina D’Arpa’s performances for the month were crucial in CSI putting together a 7-7 record for the month of March. The senior hurler out of Moore Catholic High School pitched in nine games during the month, putting together a 3-4 record and tossing 44.1 innings, allowing just 12 earned runs on 40 hits while walking 13, striking out 30, and posting an ERA of 1.89. D’Arpa recorded victories against New Jersey City University on March 25, Rutgers-Newark on March 30, and Union College on March 31. In those three triumphs, D’Arpa combined for 21 IP, allowing no earned runs on 14 hits while walking two and striking out 13. The ace pitcher also hurled fi ve complete games in the month. Offensively, she put together a .371 average (13-for-35), blasted two homeruns, recorded 5 RBI and stole four bases. Her best offensive game of the month came in game one of a doubleheader against Rutgers-Newark,Rutgers-Newark, as she put togethertogether a 3-for-43-for-4 day,day, includingincluding a tripletriple and two runs scorscoreded in CSI’sCSI’s 7-5 non-conferencenon-conference victory on MarchMarch 30.30.