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Visits
Mike Vassar, right, manager of Someplace Special Restaurant, stands with Central Connecticut State University women’s basketball coach Beryl Piper, center, and assistant coach Glenn Senecal. Courtesy photo.
By Ron P. Coderre
PUTNAM — When the Central Connecticut State University women’s basketball team left its campus in New Britain headed for its Nov. 28 game in Worcester against Holy Cross, some of the team members asked where they were stopping for their pregame meal.
The answer they received from sixth-year coach Beryl Piper and her assistant, Putnam resident Glenn Senecal, was “someplace special.”
Their retort was, “What’s the name of this someplace special you’re taking us to?”
When they arrived at their location the mystery was resolved as they disembarked the team bus and saw the sign, which read, Someplace Special Restaurant. The little play on words drew a variety of chuckles and guffaws and served to loosen the jitters often associated with pregame preparation.
Thanks to Senecal and Someplace Special Restaurant manager Mike Vassar, the members of the Lady Blue Devils squad enjoyed a relaxing, healthy meal, which included salad served with pasta and chicken in a tasty marinara sauce.
When asked why he hosted the team for the second year in a row, Vassar said, “This is a Connecticut team and we’re a small town that’s part of their rooting section. This gives us an opportunity to show our loyalty even though we aren’t able to go to their games.”
Heading to Worcester for Mt. St. James, for the 12th meeting in the history of the two schools, CCSU has only won three times. To coach Piper’s credit, since she took over the reins in 2006, her teams holds a 2-1 edge.
Playing in the Northeast Conference as an NCAA Mid-Major is not the easiest task for a coach. That’s why Piper exposes her teams to schools out of the conference and often much bigger. The Blue Devils recently returned from a trip to Austin, Texas, where they were beaten 94-58 by the Longhorns, who were ranked 15th in the nation.
“Despite the loss, the trip was a great experience for the girls, on and off the court. The reality of life for us is that we must play up to gain exposure and recognition. The only way we can ever get to the NCAA Tournament is by winning the NEC,” said Piper.
Prior to coming to CCSU, Piper was a successful coach who built a program at New Britain High School during her 19 years there. During her tenure she won three Class LL State Championships.
But she’s no stranger to Central Connecticut. From 1982 through 1986 she was a power forward and two-year team captain for the Lady Blue Devils, calling herself the ultimate “team player” while in college.
In her attempt to put CCSU on the women’s basketball map, Piper feels she has to put her players on the floor with the likes of Texas, Massachusetts, Rhode Island and the University of Miami Tournament, where they’ll be Dec. 28 and 29 with the host and the University of Wisconsin and Delaware State.
Heading into the Holy Cross game, the Lady Blue Devils were 2-2, with a loss to the University of Hartford in addition to Texas. They boast of solid victories against UMass and URI. The NEC is composed of Robert Morris, St. Francis (PA), Bryant, Sacred Heart, Wagner, Mt. St. Mary’s, St. Francis (NY), Quinnipiac, Fairleigh Dickinson, Monmouth and LIU.
“Our conference is very balanced. In the NEC it’s a battle every single game. Anyone can beat anyone on any given night. That’s why the conference is gaining more respect wherever we play,” said Piper.
Despite odds that are disproportionately against them when they size up against other Division I programs Piper is optimistic. When she started coaching in high school in New Britain the school’s women’s team was the doormat of the league. She turned that program around with hard work and a positive attitude. The way she’s approaching her job at CCSU is with the same determination. Her spirit bodes well for the future of the program.
“We work hard at recruiting and the players we have now are the basis of the future. I don’t know what will happen but I do know that I won’t stop my effort to improve the program every year,” said Piper.
Prior to leaving Someplace Special Restaurant, Piper put her players through a rugged mental quiz about their opponent the Holy Cross Crusaders. In an impressive manner each player was quizzed on the game plan. This again was a demonstration of the type of preparation that Piper expects from her team.
Although they beat Holy Cross the first time they stopped for dinner in Putnam, this time the basketball Gods had different plans. In a seesaw contest the Lady Blue Devils dropped a one point decision on a last second hoop by the home team.
As the team faces at least 25 more games on its rugged schedule, it’s certain that Piper won’t allow the hard luck loss to deter her and her players from continuing to strive for perfection.