There’s a sports buzz on the College of Saint Elizabeth (CSE), 2 Convent Road, Morristown, N.J., campus; first-year Basketball Coach Anthony Bonavitacola led the College of Saint Elizabeth to its first berth in the Hudson Valley Women’s Athletic Conference championship game since 1989;  construction is getting started on a new NCAA-regulation softball field and six new outdoor tennis courts; the CSE Athletic Department has initiated an academic study program to ensure that the students’ academic performance rivals their athletic prowess. Keeping with the momentum, Lisa Goddard Root, who took over as CSE athletic director in January 2006, recruited Kristen Weinberger as CSE assistant athletic director and swimming coach and Alberto Errico as the College’s athletic trainer. Ms. Root is also considering adding other sports, including Cross Country and possibly Lacrosse, in the future.

 

“Everything that we’ve wanted to accomplish during the past year, we’ve accomplished. The administration has been really open to new ideas,” said Ms. Root.  According to Ms. Root, participation in CSE sports is at a record high, mentioning that attendance at CSE sporting events has quadrupled. She says the CSE basketball team is a big reason for the excitement, stating, “we are ecstatic about CSE getting its well-deserved recognition and thrilled about the success of our student-athletes.”

 

For more information about CSE sports, visit www.cse.edu/athletics.

 

CSE Basketball Team Elevates its Level of Competition

 

Mr. Bonavitacola, who is also the co-recruiter for the Athletic Department at CSE, gathered the basketball team last June to prepare for the 2006-07 season. The team captains then initiated workout programs three times a week. The team had its first Midnight Madness gathering to kick off the season. They elevated their level of competition by traveling to Indianapolis to play DePauw University, who won the Division III national championship.

 

Ms. Root is looking to place the College in an affiliated conference, which has an automatic qualifier to NCAA Division III tournaments. The Hudson Valley Women’s Athletic Conference does not have an automatic berth. “Being in a conference with an automatic qualifier would be key,” Ms. Root said.

 

CSE Women’s College student Mary Kate Lanzo, ’07, of Caldwell, N.J., became the sixth player in CSE history to top 1,000 points and sophomores Jessica Dixon of Linden, N.J., and Sarah Kozlowski of Manalapan, N.J., were named to the all-conference team. The CSE team, which was the conference runner-up, also posted its first-ever win over tough rival Centenary College.

 

“I think the basketball team can keep the level that it’s at and even step it up more,” Ms. Lanzo said. “Sports is definitely growing in a positive way. The fan participation for students has increased.”

 

CSE Builds New Professional Sports Facilities

 

The College’s commitment to its Athletic Program is evidenced by the construction of the new softball field and tennis courts. “This is a really big part of the College’s efforts to advance the Athletic program,” said Jim Gerrish, assistant to the Vice President for Finance and Administration at CSE.

 

The College’s intent is for construction to be completed by August 2007. “Athletics is an important part of the campus life here at the College,” said Katherine Buck, CSE vice president for Student Life and Dean of Students. “The renovations will boost the entire program and will help in attracting and retaining student-athletes.”

 

Academic Support for CSE Student-Athletes

 

Student-athletes are excelling at the College of Saint Elizabeth. The swim team’s 3.528 fall-semester, grade-point average (GPA) was recognized as the highest by any women’s winter sports team in New Jersey beating out the likes of Princeton University and The College of New Jersey. The tennis team earned a 3.434 GPA in the first semester; and the volleyball team finished with an average GPA of 3.29.

 

A mandatory academic program for student-athletes, initiated by Ms. Root, reinforces the Athletic Department’s commitment to the classroom. Student-athletes who fall below a 3.0 GPA must spend at least eight hours per week at a study table or meeting with a tutor or professor. “We know that the extra study time benefits the students,” Ms. Root said. “Most of our teams have well over a 3.0 GPA.”

 

A winning attitude, new coaches, a new study program, and new facilities has the College of Saint Elizabeth’s Athletic Department heading in the right direction.