By Ron P. Coderre

This week’s RPC shoutout is sent along to Deb Downing-Durand, the happy smiling face at the Cumberland Farms Store in Putnam.  She makes every customer feel like a million dollars.  Reciprocate by wishing her a belated Happy Birthday.  She celebrated on Thursday, November 19.

Anyone who tuned in to the Notre Dame and Boston College football game last weekend witnessed a totally transformed Fenway Park on their television.  Friendly Fenway went from an immaculate baseball diamond to an impeccably rearranged football field.

On Friday evening prior to the Saturday, November 21 game, the EMC Club normally looking down on the third base line was overlooking an end zone with Notre Dame spelled out in brilliant lettering.  The Club was also bustling with more than 250 people from the University of Notre Dame and Assumption College present to honor the Irish football coach Brian Kelly and his wife Paqui.  The occasion, an opportunity for the Kelly’s to thank the gathering for their support of Kelly Cares Foundation.

The mission of Kelly Cares Foundation is support of organizations, initiatives and programs that align with the values Brian and Paqui have for Health, Education and Community.  On this particular evening the program had special significance for me and my wife Donna because the funds raised were going for support of breast cancer programs.

Paqui Kelly is a two-time breast cancer survivor.  Knowing the trials we went through when Donna experienced breast cancer our emotions were squarely in their corner.  Thanks to the large gathering between $75,000 and $100,000 was donated to the Foundation.  A special moment took place when Assumption College President Francesco Cesareo presented coach Kelly, a 1983 graduate of the school, with a check for $17,500.

The evening was hosted by Boston television personality Tracy Tuthill.  The featured speaker was noted Sports Illustrated writer and ESPN television sports contributor Peter Gammons.  But in the end the star of the evening was Kelly Cares Foundation, which coach Kelly described as “a playbook for help.”

The following day the Irish squeaked by the BC Eagles 19-16 as part of Notre Dame’s Shamrock Series.  Despite playing poorly and probably aging coach Kelly, the 10-1 Notre Dame walked out of Boston with the win.

Northeastern Connecticut Supports the Greyhounds

Assumption College was founded in 1904.  In its athletic history the Greyhounds are noted as a basketball school.  That image is taking a slight turn this year as the football Greyhounds under third-year coach Bob Chesney are the talk of the town in Worcester.

Chesney, who came to Worcester from Salve Regina, has transformed the program into a winning combination.  Following two winning seasons, Chesney this year has taken the football fortunes to new heights.  The team finished the season as champions of the Northeast-10 Conference with a near perfect 9-1 record.  In the conference championship contest they edged the University of New Haven 17-14, earning a berth in the NCAA Division II Championship bracket.

The Greyhounds’ first round opponent in the East bracket was Bowie State University of Maryland.  Utilizing team speed and a defense that rose to the occasion Assumption beat the visitors 51-29 to move on to a second round game against Slippery Rock University.

The crowd of approximately 5,000 was sprinkled with fans from northeastern Connecticut.  Spotted in the crowd was Hyde School-Woodstock athletic director and football coach Sean Saucier and his wife Bobbie-Jo with their children Braiden and Kaylee.  The Sauciers were on hand to root for Assumption freshman defensive lineman Leonard Moore.  The Belle Glade, Fla., native, who weighs in at 6-feet, 1-inch and 280 pounds was a former Wolfpack player under Saucier.  Moore is getting plenty of playing time at Assumption, especially in stopping opponent’s running game.

Also on hand were BobTetreault and Scott and Mary Ellen Tetreault, former gridiron standouts at Assumption.  Bob was a speedy and determined running back and team captain.  Scott was a feared linebacker and tight end who also captained the Greyhounds.  He’s a member of the Assumption College Athletic Hall of Fame.  Another former Greyhound great Eric Mauer was in attendance with his young son and future Greyhound Jack.  Mauer is still ranked among the best receivers in the school’s history.

Catching Up on College Hoop Happenings

A number of northeastern Connecticut basketball products are enjoying success on the hardwood as the college hoop scene heats up.  Quinnipiac University under coach Tom Moore has three former Putnam Science Academy Mustangs on its roster.  Chaise Daniels, the 6-8 sophomore is beginning to pay dividends for the 2-2 Bobcats.  After losing their first two games of the season, behind Daniels the Bobcats beat Holy Cross 62-56 and North Carolina Central 69-59.  Against the Crusaders Daniels was immense with a 20-point, 12-reboind performance.  He followed that game with 16 points and four blocked shots against NC Central.  The Robinson twins, Andrew and Aaron have seen sporadic action.

At Worcester Polytechnic Institute former Woodstock Academy big man Ian Converse is improving with each game.  In a recent 57-51 win over cross-town rival Worcester State University, Converse hit double digits for the first time this season with an 11-point performance.  The Engineers are 5-0 in the early going.

At Providence College, freshman Rachel Aho, the former Marianapolis, standout, is breaking in slowly.  In a 69-50 win over the University of Hartford, Aho saw three minutes of action and scored two points and was credited with an assist.

Killingly Runners Reaching 

New Heights

Killingly High School boys and girls cross-country runners have been achieving new heights under coach Joe Banas.  A few years back Banas’ name could be found at or near the top of the pack whenever and wherever he ran a race.  Under the watchful eye of Banas Killingly runners are making big strides.

During the recently concluded cross-country season, junior harrier Katie Stevens qualified for the State Open Championship, the first time a Killingly runner since the great Meghan Owen-Kerwin had qualified.  Many will remember that Owen went on to run in college at North Carolina and Providence.  Stevens’ performance earned her a spot as a CIAC Class M all star as well as All-Eastern Connecticut Conference.

Senior Joe Santese and Thompson sophomore Ryan French, a vo-ag student, were selected ECC all stars as well as gaining Class M honors.  The Banas influence is paying dividends in Killingly.

The Legs Keep Churning

A tip of the sports fedora to former Putnam resident Rebecca Stockdale-Wooley who continues to run competitively into her sixth decade.  In the Thanksgiving Day Manchester 5K Road Race, which attracted more than 13,000 runners, Stockdale-Wooley did herself and her supporters proud.  She captured first place in the Female 60 to 64 age bracket, finishing with a time of 33:46.  She was a full two minutes and 14 seconds ahead of her nearest competitor.  Overall she placed a very respectable 807 in the field.

RPC’s Closing Thought For The Day: Now that you’ve gotten past Thanksgiving and all the trimmings, just think, Christmas is right around the corner.

(If you have news worthy sports information email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.)

 

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