Hofstra Roller Hockey: 2013-2014 Miraculous Season Ends in the NCRHA Division I Final Four

Written by Jim Tamburino

 



 



Following the club's first ever Division I Regional Championship last month, Hofstra Roller Hockey wrapped up their memorable season this past Saturday at the 2014 NCRHA Division I National Championships, hosted by Iceworks Skating Complex in Aston, PA.  The season of "firsts" continued as the Pride advanced to the NCRHA Division I Final Four, a feat the program has never accomplished in the six years they have been a Division I member.  In fact, the team has never advanced further than the NCRHA Sweet 16.

With the national tournament hosted by Hofstra's region, the ECRHA (Eastern Collegiate Roller Hockey Association), many families and friends were able to travel to watch the team compete throughout the week     (April 8-12).  Entering the tournament, Hofstra was placed in the tournament's top pool, Pool A, as one of the top four seeds in the nation.  After completing their three round robin games, the Pride, along with the other teams in their pool, received a bye to the Sweet 16 round. 

While out-shooting Grand Valley State 41-18, the Pride scored twice in the final two minutes of play to squeeze out a 3-1 victory and advance to the Elite 8 for the first time in club history.  The Elite 8 game would find the Pride matched up against powerhouse, Michigan State.  Although Michigan State had a lower ranking coming into the tournament, on paper, and because of the tradition and success of the Michigan State program, Hofstra was labeled as an underdog once again.  Prior to the contest, an NCRHA columnist wrote,

"Hofstra is the ECRHA regional champion and has plenty of talent.  However, their bread and butter is their tenacity.  They pulled away late from a scrappy Grand Valley State team and it was their consistent effort that really wore down the Lakers.  Michigan State, the MCRHL champion, will have their hands full with Hofstra.  The Spartans are lead by goal-scorer Zack Rourke (52) and Zack Paul (42), along with steady goaltending from Everet Bommarito.  Look for Michigan State to impose their will on the underdog Pride, but don't expect it to be easy."

With just over five minutes to play in the game's final period, Hofstra watched their surprisingly 4-1 lead slip away as the Spartans tallied three times to tie up the game and force overtime.  Maintaining their composure and attempting to overcome the devastation of giving up such a lead, Hofstra battled up and down the rink, and seven minutes into overtime, buried a rebound and scored a thrilling game-winning goal.  The Pride was on their way to the NCRHA Final Four.  The following is a video link to the overtime thriller, featuring live play-by-play commentary.   

 http://moslive.com/PayPerViewChannel.aspx?si=1060&isf=true&n=0

For the Final Four contest, Hofstra would have to face Lindenwood University, a program that has already captured 9 Division I titles, offers scholarships, operates under the university's Athletics Department, and has set the bar for college roller hockey.  The game's official preview read, 

"The Hofstra Pride seem like a team of destiny.  Game after game, they have showed why they are ECRHA regional champions.  Their tough, whatever it takes mentality lead them to the huge upset of Michigan State last night in overtime.  No doubt, they will not roll over for anyone, especially Lindenwood."

Despite the kind words, along with the Pride's efforts and belief in one another, Hofstra struggled to keep up with the talented Lindenwood Lions and concluded their unforgettable season with an unfortunate 10-1 defeat. 

In front of a packed house of 1,500 plus, Lindenwood University went on to win their 10th Division I championship, defeating Neumann University 2-1 (Hofstra miraculously defeated Neumann 6-5 with 16 seconds remaining in the ECRHA Regional Championship last month).



As Head Coach of Hofstra, and being involved with the NCRHA since my playing days back in 2002, I would certainly say that this year's tournament was the best to date.  The facility, the amount of spectators, the media attention, the league staff and their professionalism, and the competitiveness and balance between teams throughout the tournament.  Everything about it.  Philadelphia's local Fox 29 affiliate televised live segments on their Good Day Morning Show.  The tournament was also featured on the front cover of the local town's Delco Daily Times.  This year's event made great strides for the collegiate game and has set the tone for years to come.

The NCRHA's Director of League Operations, Rob Coggin, reached out to the Hofstra program and stated,

"Congratulations.  You should be proud of the class organization you provide the leadership and stability for."

In response, I must say that I'm glad the things that we do on and off the rink are being recognized. We appreciate all of the support.  We've certainly taken this program and turned it into something much more than a club sport.  As coaches and leaders, that's been the goal since day one - to give the players an opportunity to experience what it could be like to be a part of a real program.  To create an environment where a player/student can belong to something much more than just a "club sport" and have the opportunity to compete at the highest level while doing things, on and off the hockey rink, the right way.  The winning, well, that's the bonus and will always be one of the main goals that we strive for.  Thanks again for the compliments and for all of your work towards improving the collegiate game.  It is those efforts that allow us to experience all of this.  And, while years like this will never be forgotten, your efforts will never be unnoticed.

It was an incredible season; an incredible road.  I am absolutely proud of this team and what we accomplished this year.  We did things that nobody believed in but ourselves.  We would really like to thank everyone who supported us and those that know what we are all about. 



2013-2014 NCRHA Division I Final Four 

2013-2014 ECRHA Division I Champions

MISPO Celebrates First Annual Ally Week!

MISPO hosted Hofstra’s first Ally Week from March 24-28 and had a great time spreading awareness to  Hofstra’s students and faculty on how to be better allies to people in the LGBTQ community!

It was a week full of events presented by MISPO, the Pride Network, the Center for Civic Engagement, the LGBT Studies Program and Long Island Gay and Lesbian Youth.

We kicked off the week on Monday with an Ice-Cream and Design-Your-Own Spin Art social.With the help of the  Pride Network, we gave out information on the week’s events and explained what it means to be an ally with the help of some passersby!  On Wednesday evening, students engaged in insightful conversation at the Safe Space workshop and the CCE’s Dinner Conversation on LGBT Consumerism.

MISPO and the Pride Network hosted “The Game of Life” and “The Privilege Walk” on Thursday to teach students what it is like to walk in someone else’s shoes. On Thursday and Friday the LGBT Studies Program hosted the Focault 2014 Symposium.We ended the week with an informative Safe Space workshop for faculty and staff

The event was a big success and we can’t wait to do it again next year!

Guest Blogger
Cassandra Branch
J.D. Candidate, Class of 2015

Asian Pacific Islander Heritage Month

MISPO Celebrated Asian Pacific Islander Reception on April 2, 2014

Special Keynote Speaker Christina Sunardi, assistant professor in Ethnomusicology from the University of Washington School of Music. 

Thank you professor Sunardi for sharing your experiences studying music in Indonesia!

                           

 

 

                     Thank you for the terrific student dance performances!

 

 

 

American Tai Chi & Health Qigong Center in Syosset

Great Tai Chi Performance!

 

 Thanks to Cong Ma (Sunny) our MC for the reception. Great job!

 

Senior Week 2014 is almost here and it’s going to be great!

They say that time seems to speed up and we get busier, and that seems to be the case because before we know it Senior Week 2014 will be here. The Office of Student Leadership and Activities and the Class Programming Committee, with input from members of your own class, have been hard at work planning events for the week.



Mark your calendars for Senior Week events starting Wednesday, May 14, culminating with the Hofstra Traditional Senior Class Toast on Friday May 16th and Commencement on Sunday, May 18th. Participants get to pay one flat fee of $85.00 and that includes admission to all events.

Events this year will include a service project preparing stuffed animals for a local hospital, tickets to a Subway Series: Met’s vs. Yankee’s game at Met’s stadium with transportation included, a dinner dance at the University Club, Senior Class Toast and Class of 2014 Apparel.

This is one time of year that you are not going to want to miss and OSLA makes it easy for you to sign up for all of the activities. Go to www.hofstra.edu/seniorweek and purchase your tickets right there. Signups will be going live soon so stay tuned for more information. Also note that signups are live for the Senior Class Toast and you can find them at www.hofstra.edu/classof2014

Contact Office of Student Leadership and Activities at osla@hofstra.edu for more information!

Women's Leadership Conference

Career Center and OSLA Staff

We had an amazing time this past Friday learning, networking and skill building with Hofstra students, alumni and staff. The afternoon began with a keynote from the Town of Brookhaven Councilwoman Valerie Cartright. She was just the inspiration that the women needed to start the conference off in the right direction. After the keynote students were able to chose between workshops on communication, leadership, networking and finance. All of these workshops had a focus of gender. 

Alumni Mixer

Raffle prize winners after the conference

A keynote from Hillary Needle, Hofstra alum, who spoke about the importance of networking as it pertains to her own business, Hillary Needle Events. It was a great event that spoke to students about the importance of networking and gave them an opportunity to network with Hofstra administrators and alumnae.
We hope you are able to join us next year during Women's Herstory Month for the Women's Leadership Conference. For more information on getting involved in events such as this contact the Career Center or the Office of Student Leadership and Activities. 

Alumni Mixer

Be the Student Speaker at May Commencement!

ATTENTION Graduating Seniors!!

There's a new addition to this year's commencement. YOU can apply to be the student speaker at the Latin Honors Convocation.  This Convocation is for students who have achieved a grade point average of a 3.6 or higher and will occur in between the two commencement ceremonies on May 18th.

If you are interested in being considered for this honor, please send a draft of your proposed remarks as well as a one-page autobiography highlighting your curricular and cocurricular accomplishments.  All drafts will be reviewed by a committee of Hofstra faculty and students that will recommend to the President who the speaker should be.

All bachelor’s degree candidates are eligible to apply. Please send your materials to Provost@Hofstra.edu or deliver the materials to the Provost’s Office, which is located on the second floor, west wing of the Axinn Library.  All materials must be received by March 31, 2014.

Good Luck!

Hofstra’s Habitat for Humanity participates in the Collegiate Challenge

Thirteen members of Hofstra University’s Habitat for Humanity Campus Chapter spent their spring break volunteering with the Collegiate Challenge program.  They went to Sussex County, Delaware, for the week to help build two new homes.  Some students were able to frame a few walls of a house that was just beginning construction.  Other students were able to put siding on a shed, paint walls, hang doors, plant grass and lay tile at a different location.

Everyone on the trip learned new skills and had a really great time!  They stayed in the basement of a Church and got to know the parishioners. The Collegiate Challenge team was blown away by their hospitality and kindness. The parishioners cooked dinner and breakfast for them, and one even gave the crew an impromptu performance and lesson on the Church’s organ. One night Hofstra’s team worked together to cook dinner and have a taco night. Another night became a karaoke and air guitar concert.  There was not a single moment of the trip when the students were not laughing.

Each student took away from the trip a sense of pride that they were able to make a difference for this family. They also came back with a renewed interest in serving others. The affiliate informed the students that the family has three small children that will soon call that house a home.  It was easy to imagine the kids running in their new backyard, or living in the bedrooms the crew painted.

The Collegiate Challenge team would like to thank everyone who donated to help make this trip possible.  They would especially like to thank their amazing advisor, Terry Greis, who gave up a week of her own life to accompany them on this adventure.