2012-2013 SCHEDULE RELEASED

The 2012-2103 schedule was released yesterday and you can see it in the toolbar of this blog. It’s a healthy schedule with some unfamiliar non-conference opponents whom we haven’t seen in awhile, like Suffolk and Franklin Pierce.

The Golden Eagles will also get to face off against a new non-conference foe that will likely become an annual opponent – Nazareth (the Rochester college’s varsity team has its inaugural season in 2012-2013). Brockport’s season opens against them at Tuttle North when the Golden Eagles host the Golden Flyers on Tuesday, October 23rd, a good primer for the SUNYAC season which begins 3 days later on the annual Western New York road trip.

The first semester sees Brockport mostly operating from the friendly confines, with 8 of 14 games happening at home, including 5 conference games among them. The men become road warriors in the second semester when they play at home only 4 times in 11 games. The road stretch from January 25th till February 9th will really test the team’s mettle with Oswego, Cortland, Geneseo, Potsdam and Plattsburgh in succession.

If I had to choose the 4 “must watch” home games, they would be:

Tuesday, October 23rd: The home opener against Nazareth

Friday, November 16th: Potsdam is in town and I guarantee that the Golden Eagles have a score to settle, which will make for a very aggressive game. Potsdam is the team that called for James Cody’s suspension at the end of last season for a hard -- but clean, legal, and non-penalized -- hit. That kept the All-American out of Brockport’s final game, which in turn kept Brockport out of the postseason and Potsdam in it. As I see it, the call for suspension had nothing to do with right and wrong and everything to do with Potsdam’s self-preservation

Friday, December 7th: Brockport plays host to their greatest rival – Geneseo. Always a good game. These affairs are what hockey is all about!

Friday, February 15th: The last SUNYAC game of the season, and entrance into the playoffs could hinge on it

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ADAM SHOFF IS VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR

A couple that has long been a part of the fabric of The College at Brockport community was honored April 27 for their commitment to the College. Long-time Brockport resident Rosie Rich and her husband George, who passed away in December, were named the Brockport Foundation Volunteers of the Year at the College’s sixth annual President’s Donor Recognition Dinner.

The award, which is in its fifth year, is presented annually to an individual or couple who has been generous with their time and talent in order to contribute to the success of the College and its students. Approximately 200 donors and friends of the College attended the dinner, the most in the event’s history. Another mark was set as more than $13,000 was raised to benefit the Foundation.

“George and Rosie Rich have indelibly left their mark on our campus,” says Brockport President John R. Halstead, PhD. “The way they have inspired our students has been nothing short of remarkable. They are truly deserving recipients of this prestigious award.”

George Rich had served as President of the Brockport Alumni Association for longer than anyone in its history. Rosie Rich volunteers on the Brockport Hall of Fame committee and for booster events. She frequently organizes and runs fund raisers to support these initiatives.

“The Volunteer of the Year Award was established by the Brockport Foundation in appreciation of the significant role volunteers play in the life of the College and to recognize exceptional individuals for their volunteer efforts on Brockport’s behalf,” says Roxanne Johnston, Brockport’s Vice President for Advancement and President of the Brockport Foundation. “George and Rosie are widely known and recognized as leading supporters of the College. We are grateful for all they have done and continue to do for Brockport.”

In honor of George and Rosie Rich, the Brockport Foundation awarded The George and Rosie Rich Volunteer of the Year Scholarship to a student who best exemplifies the ideals of commitment and service to others. This year’s recipient is Adam Shoff, a senior who is majoring in exercise physiology.

Awarding that scholarship has particular meaning to George and Rosie Rich, who have developed special relationships with many Brockport students.

“The students of our College were their children, and they immersed themselves in their activities, from sporting events to dance concerts, Brockport Student Government functions and fraternities and sororities,” says Michael Andriatch, Brockport’s executive director of advancement, as he presented the award. “They were a part of everything the College had to offer.”

Another highlight of the evening was a speech given by senior Justin Jackson (Spencerport, NY), who is this year’s recipient of the President’s Citation Award, the most prestigious academic award offered by the College.

 
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CODY IS BROCKPORT'S ATHLETE OF THE YEAR

Senior James Cody (Schwenksville, PA) of the men's ice hockey team has been selected as The College at Brockport Male Athlete of the Year. The forward was also named the State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC) Player of the Year.

Cody is the first-ever Brockport player to win the SUNYAC Player of the Year award. He was voted to the All-SUNYAC First-Team for the second consecutive year after leading the conference with 19 goals and his 34 points were fourth-best. Cody was named a Second-Team All-American by the AHCA, the first Brockport icer to earn All-American honors. He was also selected SUNYAC Player of the Week on December. 12.

The senior eclipsed the 100-point mark for his career with the game-winning assist to upset No.5 Elmira in overtime. Cody finished his career with 116 career points as a Golden Eagles. Cody led Brockport in goals all four years on the team and led in points for three of his four seasons.

The Athlete and Scholar-Athlete of the Year awards were determined after compiling votes from each of Brockport's varsity coaches, as well as the Athletic Communications staff and select athletic administrators.

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LUKER COMMITS TO BROCKPORT

Buffalo Junior Sabres head coach and general manager Michael Peca announced today that defenseman Chris Luker, a member of the team’s 2011-2012 roster, has committed to SUNY Brockport beginning this fall.

Luker, a native of New Hartford, New York, is anticipated to major in Business Management upon enrollment. He offered both size and offensive production from the point. In 48 regular season games, Luker recorded five goals and 26 assists. He also registered three assists in eight playoff games. In terms of scoring, he was the team's fifth most productive player and the leading scorer among defensemen.

Luker represents the fifth member of the Junior Sabres’ 2011-2012 roster to confirm college plans. Defenseman Dennis Playfair will enroll at SUNY Geneseo this fall, while forwards Andrew Poturalski (University of New Hampshire), Josh Kielich (Canisius College) and David Seward (Princeton University) will begin their commitments at their respective schools beginning in 2013-14.


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ALMNUS SCHOTT IS PLAYING IN AUSTRALIA

Australia’s AIHL has been around since the 2000-01 season. The league plays its regular season during the southern hemisphere’s winter (North America’s late spring and summer months). The 2012 regular season started on April 28 for the nine team league.

The AIHL appeals to foreign players hoping to play the game year round. Among those players Down Under is Brockport alumnus Lucas Schott who spent three years with the Golden Eagles with whom he racked up 32 points in 68 collegiate games. Schott spent 2011-12 in the Federal Hockey League, starting the season with the Danbury Whalers and finishing off with the Brooklyn Aviators.

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