2010 Alumni Winter Games Day

Approximately 50 alumni returned to Westminster on Jan. 10 for the 2010 Alumni Winter Games Day. The eventful day included great competition with Westminster teams, spirited support from the sidelines and a special recognition for a longtime Westminster coach. Photo Gallery.

Hockey

The Alumni Hockey Game proved to be another exciting affair for the young and old alike. Although the alumni didn't have huge numbers on the bench — 5 defensemen and 9 forwards — it proved to be a winning formula, defeating the Westminster "young pups" by a score of 6-4.

The alumni squad had the edge during the first half of this tilt, clearly taking advantage of their fresh legs and went into the locker room with a 5-2 lead. The decision, out of sheer necessity, to convert several would-be forwards to defense (Brian Lady ’91, Matt Innes ’01, Tim Jonas ’00, Stonehill College's Andrew Webb ’07 and Notre Dame's always offensive defenseman David Earl ’06) provided the alumni with a great ability to transition the puck quickly and put immediate pressure on their unsuspecting rival.

The forward line of Jake O'Brien ’04, Mike Innes ’98 and Mike Hilliest ’09 (Holy Cross) made its presence felt all afternoon with tenacious forechecking and several great opportunities. The line composed of James Einstein ’08 (Trinity), Tim Quinn ’96 and Jack Kennedy ’98 gave the alumni a nice combination of speed, size and strength to give their opponents fits from the opening face-off.

Finally, the 2008 hockey triumvirate of Connecticut College's Julian Boutet ’08, Trinity's Jordan So ’08 and Bowdoin Polar Bear's Ollie Koo ’08 dazed the capacity crowd (slight exaggeration) with their quickness, creative passing and scoring punch. After feeling pretty good about things at halftime, the alumni unfortunately witnessed their three-goal lead dwindle to only one with only six minutes left in the contest. However, not to be denied, David Earl found a seam in the Martlet defense and one-timed a beautiful pass into the goal to seal the 6-4 victory for the alumni squad.

All concerned had a spirited and enjoyable afternoon. Appreciation goes out to the current Martlet First Team for its participation on a Sunday after returning from a long but successful day at Trinity-Pawling the day before, and to all the alumni skaters who returned to the Hill.

Basketball

The 2010 Alumni Basketball Game pitted the First Boys’ team, fresh off a great win at Pomfret the day prior, against an enthusiastic and somewhat geriatric line up that included two fellows 30 years removed from Westminster. Nevertheless, despite Peter Newman ’80 and Dave Werner's ’80 play, the game was fun and fast-paced. C.G. Grant ’07 and Freddie Linton ’03 ran the point well, showing signs that they still compete in pick-up and intramural play. Hunt Eldridge ’06, back for his first time, pounded the boards and displayed the intensity for which he was known a few short years ago. Both Kevin "KGR" Garcia-Ramirez ’08 and Aaron Halfon ’09 added nicely to both ends of the court, firing a few threes and working the boards at the defensive end. Demond Simmons ’93, always dangerous around the glass, had a couple key put-backs and many more that rolled just off the rim. Steve Decelian ’08 added moral support from the bench, particularly when Greg Miller ’10 dunked over Newman and Werner. Twice. In the end, the First Team triumphed, 58-28 over the alumni team. As always, it was a fun day that brought together old friends and teammates.

The 2010 Alumnae Basketball Team, coached by their former mentor, Dick Adams, tipped off their game against First Girls’ Basketball with only six players in the lineup: Michele Ribaudo ’08, Robin Cotter ’09, Laura Keene ’04, Ashley Jeffres ’09, Danielle Moseley ’02 and Rebecca Brooks ’96. After the game was underway, however, Nina Minella, Liz Phillips and Joanna Ciafone, all from the Class of 2005, joined the alumnae, providing additional height and muscle under the basket.

The game played even during the first half with both teams having difficulty scoring. At the break, the varsity team, led by new coach Brian Tawney, was up by three points. In the second half, the alumnae showed more aggressiveness with Moseley shooting from the outside, Ribaudo driving to the basket and Brooks executing her trademark moves underneath. Once the alumnae took the lead, they never looked back, and the game ended, 30-18.

Following the game, the alumnae players joined by many of Dick Adams’ other former players gathered with school members at courtside for a short ceremony to honor Dick who had coached the girls’ first team from 1980-2009. Headmaster Graham Cole spoke of Dick's qualities as a person and as a teacher, presented him with a silver tray and read its inscription: “Presented in recognition of your uncompromising leadership, steady and patient guidance and devotion to the game. Your dedication to the fundamentals of your sport and your caring commitment to your players have been an inspiring influence on countless number of young women. With thanks from a grateful school.”

Scott Berry, interim athletic director, talked of his friendship with Dick and how much he enjoyed coaching with him over the years. The women gave their former coach an autographed basketball and a case for it. The ceremony concluded with Dick expressing to the group that his greatest joy from 29 years of coaching girls’ basketball was watching his former players grow into good people and strong executives, teachers, coaches and mothers. The assembled group then adjourned to the Hovey trophy room for refreshments.

Squash

J.P. Morais ’06, Alex Lavoie ’06, Graham Fadden ’05 and Andy Polio ’08 were back for alumni games with all of them playing three or four different current players.

Fadden has been playing at Trinity, where he just graduated, and Morais has been coaching at Northeastern and playing number one in a men’s league. He still has two years of eligibility left at Northeastern.

Lavoie is currently number seven on the Harvard team and soundly whipped all comers including Ross Bolling ’12, Matt Leach’11 and Miller Robinson’10. The students were amazed that Alex had started his squash at Westminster on thirds, never having played before. In all, there was lots of squash and good conversation.