WEST HAVEN-The University of New Haven Department of Athletics inductee Frank “Porky” Vieira, Ralph F. DellaCamera, Jr., Rob Thompson, Christopher Kuruc and Jennifer Davis into the UNH Athletics Hall of Fame Friday night.

The night was full of great laughs, memories and stories from each of the inductees. The ceremony, which was held at Race Brook Country Club in Orange, Connecticut, was capped with the retiring of Coach Vieira’s #20 jersey. Each inductee was recognized for the outstanding achievements and dedication.

Here’s a quick biography on each inductee:

Jennifer M. Davis (1992-96)
A three-time All-New England Collegiate Conference First Team honoree, Davis led the Chargers to two NECC tournament appearances (1995, 1996) during her career. She averaged 19.3 points per game and scored 540 points her senior year, ranking her sixth in the New Haven single-season record book. One of only seven women’s basketball players to score 1,500 points, Davis ranks sixth in program history with 1,622 career points.

Ralph F. DellaCamera, Jr. (Alumni Award of Excellence)
Ralph F. DellaCamera, Jr. is being inducted into the Athletics Hall of Fame with the “Alumni Award of Excellence,” in recognition of his years of service, philanthropy and leadership to UNH and Charger Athletics. The new Ralph F. DellaCamera Stadium on New Haven’s North Campus now sports a state-of-the-art synthetic blue and yellow turf field, Sprinturf, thanks to his generosity. A 1975 graduate of UNH, DellaCamera is the CIO and managing member of DellaCamera Capital Management LLC in Manhattan. He’s also a member of the University’s Board of Governors and a Distinguished UNH Alumnus.

Christopher M. Kuruc (1995-98)
The New England Collegiate Conference Pitcher of the Year in 1998, Kuruc tallied 12 wins and only one loss in his senior season with the Chargers. He pitched nine complete games in 12 starts that season and boasted a 3.85 earned run average. In the UNH single-season record book Kuruc ranks seventh in wins (12) and ninth in innings pitched (114.2). Kuruc’s 27 career wins rank him ninth all-time at New Haven, while ranking fifth in career saves with six. He helped lead the Chargers to two NCAA College World Series (1998, 1995), a NCAA Regional (1996) and an overall record of 106-32-1 in his four seasons.

Rob Thompson (1985-88)
An All-American offensive lineman in 1988, Thompson helped guide New Haven to a 29-11 record during his four seasons. In 1987 Thompson’s offensive line, including Hall of Fame member Harry Boatswain, allowed only 16 sacks, while UNH threw for nearly 2,000 yards. In 1987, Thompson was named to the All-Eastern College Athletic Conference team and a year later received All-New England Collegiate Conference and All-American honors. Thompson went on to play professional football for two years after graduating from New Haven in 1989.

Frank “Porky” Vieira (1962-2006)
Following the 2006 season, Frank “Porky” Vieira retired as the all-time winningest coach by percentage in NCAA history. Over the course of his 45-year career, the University of New Haven was 1,134-329-6 (.776). Vieira amassed 43 consecutive winning seasons, taking UNH to the postseason 31 times and to the College World Series on 17 occasions. Over 70 Charger student-athletes signed contracts to play professionally during those years. Vieira has also served in numerous other roles during his tenure at UNH, including an assistant basketball coach and a sports information director. This year, Coach Vieira joins 46 of his former student-athletes who have already been inducted into the UNH Athletics Hall of Fame.
For a previous list of inductees and full biographies visit www.newhaven.edu/athletics and click on Hall of Fame.

COLCHESTER, Vt. -The University of New Haven men’s basketball team defeated the St. Michael’s College Purple Knights 58-52 in overtime Saturday afternoon. The Chargers improve to 7-12 overall and 5-9 in the Northeast-10 Conference, while the Purple Knights fall to 6-10 overall and 4-10 in conference play.

The Chargers quickly fell down in Saturday’s contest when the Purple Knights scored the opening seven points. UNH trailed the entire first half, including trailing by as many as 12 points at the 3:06 mark. The Chargers trailed 25-16 at the half.

UNH chipped away at the St. Michael’s lead for the first 10 minutes of the second half and found themselves tied at 36 with 9:46 remaining. The Chargers trailed by 10 with 13 minutes left and went on a 13-0 run to gain a three-point lead. The teams exchanged the lead for the final few minutes and the Purple Knights tied the score at 48 with 3:03 remaining. Neither team scored in the final three minutes and the game went to overtime.

Cassius Chaney scored five of the Chargers 10 points in the overtime period as the Chargers continued their second-half momentum into the final period. UNH held the Purple Knights to just four points in the overtime period and captured the win.

Chaney scored a game-high 33 points on 13-of-24 from the floor. He also grabbed seven rebounds, three assists and one block.

The Chargers return to action on Wednesday, Jan. 28 against St. Anselm College. Game time is set for 7:30 p.m.

BOSTON, Mass. –The University of New Haven men’s track team competed in the Terrier Invitational at Boston University on Saturday afternoon, and freshman Kevin Downing led the way once again – this time with a second place finish in the 200-meter dash in a time of 21.82. There were 107 competitors in the race.

The competitive field featured numerous NCAA Division I teams, including the University of Connecticut, Duke University, Boston College, Temple University, Seton Hall University and several Ivy League institutions.

Team scores were not kept.

Other top performers for the Chargers included Michael Stevenson who placed 53rd in the 55-meter dash (7.02) and 68th in the 200-meter dash (23.40) and Mark Kirchar who took 41st in the 500-meter dash in a time of 1:08.23. Jared Clasper finished finished 59th in the 800-meter run (2:02.38), while Joshua Woodin took 34th in the shot put (40-4.75).

New Haven’s 4×400-meter relay team took 17th place in a time of 3:25.59.

The Chargers return to the track on Friday, Feb. 6 when they will compete in the two-day Yale Giegengack Invitational.

LOS ANGELES–Slumdog Millionaire continued its unlikely rise from low-budget underdog to the highest Hollywood heights, winning the Screen Actors Guild Award for best cast of a motion picture.

The prize, which is tantamount to best picture from the guild, follows top honors at the Golden Globes and the Producers Guild Awards.

On the television side, 30 Rock swept with wins for comedy series cast, Alec Baldwin and Tina Fey. TV drama honors went to the cast of Mad Men, Hugh Laurie (House) and Sally Field (Brothers & Sisters).

Slumdog, the story of a teenage orphan from the slums of Mumbai who becomes the biggest winner ever on India’s version of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire, has been both a critical and commercial hit. Its victory drew enthusiastic applause from the star-studded crowd at the Shrine Auditorium Sunday night, and it’s looking like more of a front-runner than ever as it heads into the Academy Awards Feb. 22 with 10 nominations, including best picture.
Anil Kapoor, who played the movie’s smarmy game show host, spoke on behalf of the Slumdog cast and dedicated the honor to the film’s many young actors.

“They deserve this award. They set our performances,” he said. “It’s the children who’ve done it, not us.”

Sean Penn won the lead-actor award for his mesmerizing portrayal of slain gay-rights leader Harvey Milk in Milk. The notoriously outspoken star opened his acceptance speech by saying: “Thank you and good evening, comrades,” sparking laughter. “That was for (Bill) O’Reilly”…

“As actors, we don’t play gay, straight. We don’t play any of these kinds of people. We play human beings, and this movie is something that we’re, all of us involved, are so proud of,” he said. “This is a story about equal rights for all human beings.”

The lead-female actor award–SAG’s version of best actress–went to Meryl Streep for her scenery-chewing turn as a judgmental nun in Doubt. Streep joked as she took the stage that she didn’t even buy a dress for the occasion, stepping away from the podium to reveal a plunging black blouse and pants.

“Can I just say there is no such thing as the best actress, you know? There is no such thing as the ‘greatest living actress.’ I am in a position where I have secret information, that I know this to be true,” said the Academy Awards record-holder with 15 acting nominations, including one for Doubt. ”I am so in awe of the work of the women this year–nominated, not nominated–so proud of us girls. And everybody wins when we get parts like this.”

As expected, Heath Ledger posthumously won the supporting-actor award for his unpredictable turn as the Joker in The Dark Knight. Ledger, who died a year ago of an accidental drug overdose, drew a standing ovation from his fellow actors. He’s already won a Golden Globe for his inspired performance and continues to look unbeatable at the Oscars.

“I’m quite emotional,” Ledger’s Dark Knight co-star Gary Oldman began, speaking in his place. “It is a great honor to be asked to accept this on behalf of Heath. He was an extraordinary young man with an extraordinary talent, and it’s wonderful that you have acknowledged that and honored that talent tonight.”

And Kate Winslet continues to rack up the honors for her supporting performance as a former Nazi concentration camp guard in The Reader. She already has a Golden Globe for the part and is up for lead-actress at the Academy Awards.

Backstage, Winslet said playing Hanna Schmitz was the most challenging role of her career, one that still makes her “breathless and jangly” to discuss.

“When I was asked to play Hanna, I couldn’t find anything in my own life that I could compare to. I couldn’t relate to her at all. I was so frightened–I’ve never had that before, where I literally had nothing,” she said. “I didn’t like her all the time and it was hard coming to a place where I understood her at least. Did I sympathize with her? No. But I had to have an understanding of her.”

Meanwhile, among television winners, 30 Rock continues its awards-show dominance. Fey, creator and star of the series set behind the scenes at a sketch-comedy show, lobbed a wisecrack at Hollywood producers, who have fought the trade guilds over actors’, writers’ and others’ share of potential profits from Web programming.

Joking that one day, her young daughter would be old enough to watch reruns of 30 Rock on the Internet, Fey said: “She’ll look up at me and say, ‘What do you mean, you don’t get residuals for this?’”

And Mad Men continues its unlikely success streak with the drama ensemble prize. The story of ’60s advertising executives which airs on the cable channel AMC, also won best drama series at the Golden Globes and the Emmys.

Speaking on behalf of the cast, star Jon Hamm thanked “our dozens of viewers,” before acknowledging show creator Matthew Weiner.

Backstage, when asked what it’s like to win such an award when the Screen Actors Guild might go on strike, Hamm replied: “It’s a difficult time for the union and a difficult time for unions in general… I hope with the new administration’s more softened approach to labor there might be some more positive feedback on our end of things, but it’s impossible to know…

“It’s still feels good to win,” he added.

I am not a fan of trilogy movies. In most trilogies, the third movie (whether it is a second sequel or a prequel) lacks the novelty, angst, and surprise of the first two films. The actors and actresses, if they return, are not nearly as good as they were in their original debuts and the story lines lack the essence that made them so catchy in the first place.

As with many prequels, Underworld: Rise of the Lycans brought minimal promise. The plot line was already written out: the vicious lycans (werewolves) somehow caused a revolution against the vampires. Viktor (Bill Nighy), the leader of the vampires, causes his own downfall by taking in an orphan Lycan (Lucian, played by Michael Sheen) as a slave. I wondered right away if there would be room for originality in a story I already knew so much about.

Underworld: Rise of the Lycans managed to impress me, although I think it was my love for the series that carried through more than the movie itself. The love story between Lucian and Viktor’s daughter Sonjia was extraordinarily touching; however it seemed as if it was a poor replacement for the entrancing and beautiful Selene (Kate Beckinsale).

The oppressors versus the oppressed storyline seemed boring at best and the extremely dark scenes made for predictable and boring pictures. The vampires were too perfect and the constant back and forth of the Lycans made them seem more barbaric than usual. In contrast, the battle scenes were staged well and the weaponry worked great on the big screen. The constant flashes of Lucian’s splattered blood added to the images and I felt drawn into the battles. It is also important to note the sheer acting powers of Nighy and Sheen: both delivered superb performances and brought even more depth to their characters.
Walking out of the theatre, I felt like I could have spent my money more wisely by renting the newest Underworld movie. That way, I could have been able to skip the drawn-out romantic scenes and dark monologues to focus more on Sheen, Nighy, and the best battles of all three movies. If you enjoyed the Underworld series, I would suggest seeing Underworld: Rise of the Lycans but otherwise spend your money on a bigger, and hopefully a non-prequel, blockbuster.

Let’s clear up some misconceptions about the Board of Governors.

There were two editorials in the last edition of The Charger Bulletin that demonstrated to me quite clearly how little some students know about the University’s Board of Governors. One of the writers referred to the members of our governing board as a group of “for the most part… old men.” This choice of wording was unfortunate. Many would find it offensive and bordering on age discrimination, and it simply is not accurate. A fair number of our Board members are women, and most of the current non-emeriti members of the board are my age or a few years younger or older.

So who are these men and women of varying ages, races and nationalities who come to campus four times a year for a day and a half of meetings, and why should students want the administration to make sure that their experience on campus is a positive one? There are 27 individuals on our Board, and approximately 80 percent of them hold degrees from the University of New Haven. All of them have had distinguished and highly successful careers in business and industry, with several having served at the highest levels in Fortune 500 companies such as Hewlett-Packard, United Technologies and General Dynamics. Fifty percent of them live in Connecticut, and the remainder travel to UNH at their own expense to attend our meetings.

As a group, they gave a combined $1.7 million to the university this past year in support of initiatives such as campus renovations, the student recreation center, the new forensic science building, student scholarships, funding for student research projects, and the renovation of the psychology building so it may be used for student clubs and organizations. This group supports the university through its gifts, but more important, these individuals donate countless hours helping to strengthen the university through their vision and expertise. The Board selects the President, evaluates annually the President’s performance and has fiduciary responsibility for the entire university. Through the Board’s oversight and guidance, UNH has thrived in recent years, and it might surprise the writers of the two recent editorials in the student newspaper that Board members are able to know what the students want and need because they hear from student leaders at almost every one of their meetings.
Soon after I was hired in March of 2004, the USGA president told the Board that classroom technology was the #1 priority for students. Over the following two summers, primarily with gifts from current and former Board members, we upgraded almost every single classroom on campus. The Board then heard from another group of students that UNH badly needed a student recreation center. Again, most of the gifts for this came from the Board of Governors. In addition to the student leaders who I have invited to present at almost every Board meeting since my arrival (the exception being the most recent meeting, which was a retreat), I always invite students to present their research and other accomplishments at Board lunches and dinners.

The growing pool of money to fund undergraduate summer research projects is given by Board members who have been impressed by the dozens of students who presented their research findings at our meetings. A recent $100,000 gift from a Board member to our theatre program resulted from a presentation by students at a Board luncheon. In fact, during a luncheon following the dedication of the Laurel Vlock Center for Convergent Media, a group of theatre students discussed their most recent production, one that-as so often in the past-was seen by Board members who attended at my invitation.

Any student who is concerned about whether or not the Board hears firsthand and unfiltered what is on our students’ minds should take a few minutes to speak to the student leadership of our undergraduate, graduate and evening student government organizations. Beyond the above examples, you would learn that when student leaders told our Board in September that there were not enough computers in the library, the number of laptops almost doubled within a few days. When, at the same meeting, students expressed their concern about the student health center, a commitment was made to renovate and expand that facility this summer. When our Board Chair, Sam Bergami, Jr., was invited to our student television studio and saw that we needed professional lighting, he wrote a $50,000 check. When the Board heard that our campus center is bursting at the seams, they authorized a significant expansion of the kitchen and dining facilities that will commence this summer. When student leaders told me they needed increased space for student clubs and organizations, the Bartels family stepped up to fund the renovation of the old psychology building specifically for that use.

Members of our Board regularly attend student athletic and cultural events on our campus, and many of them have lectured in classes on campus. A few have even joined students in the fundraising call center. Many members of our Board never miss a commencement. Several of our Board members also have children or family members who have attended or currently attend UNH. This is yet another way in which they are exposed to the needs and desires of our students. Finally, one member of our Board serves as a parent representative, providing input from a parent’s point of view.

Our administration does everything in its power to bring students and Board members together. The more our Board knows about our students, the more effectively it can help guide the university to better meet our students’ needs. And if you are wondering, as our two editorial writers did, why we have not allowed students to put up tables in the lobby of Bartels Hall during Board meetings, the answer is that this was a decision made without my knowledge, and as soon as I learned that this was being done, I put an immediate end to it.
Most of our current students have no idea how far UNH has come over the past five years. Our physical infrastructure, while an ongoing challenge, has improved tremendously. Faculty and staff salaries have now caught up with and, in some cases, surpassed many of our competitors. We have hired dozens of new faculty across the campus and increased staff where needed. We have a stronger group of officers and deans than I have seen at any other institution with which I am familiar. Without the vision and leadership of our Board of Governors, none of these accomplishments would have been thinkable. Now they are a reality, thanks to the Board.

In Hollywood, they say any press is good press. I am a firm believer in this statement. If you’re in trouble, it must mean someone listened to something you said. I have mixed feelings about the response that President Kaplan wrote in regards to the editorials Zack and I wrote at the end of last semester. In a sense, I’m proud I spoke up since it obviously caused a stir among administration. In another sense, I’m disappointed because the issue at hand was so greatly avoided.

I greatly appreciate that President Kaplan would take the time to counter my editorial about the Board of Governors. However, my entire message was completely disregarded. I never claimed to have a problem with the Board itself. On the contrary, I believe that the Board does great things for the university and its students. They are obviously the reason why a lot of projects on campus get funded and seen through to completion.

My true message, which I thought was clearly outlined, was the manner in which the university responds to the approaching visit of the Board.

Any student here can clearly recognize that the Board is due for a visit. This fact saddens me, in all honesty. It is great to walk through Maxcy and see that the ugly blue stairs are getting a makeover. It is a feeling much further from happiness, however, that is experienced when one realizes they are only getting redone for the Board. Plain and simple: the blue stairs were good enough but not for the Board. I would love for any administrator to prove that this isn’t true. However, it is impossible. There is no way to justify why the stairs were changed right before the Board of Governors was due to enter through that set of doors to look at the Laurel Vlock Center for Convergent Media. In my fourth year as a Communication major, I can tell you that those stairs were ugly when Maxcy 103 was ugly. Now, instead of housing a vending machine, which is much more useful to a student in that hallway than two benches, the freshly-painted foyer features new tiles instead of the broken ones that had been there for at least four years. Connect the dots.

I absolutely do not mean to complain. All I aimed to do with my first editorial was to speak out about an injustice that has been noticed by all. And ignored by some. Since my original message was so misconstrued (or maybe just blatantly avoided), I deemed it necessary to set the record straight.

The only topic that does reply to our original editorials is the statement regarding programming tables in Bartels. I can’t fully express my gratitude that the issue was addressed and that it shouldn’t happen again. I don’t think anyone but those involved in the USGA understand how hard it is to find programming space while the Board of Governors is on campus. Every room in Bartels is booked for 24 hours a day. You may be asking yourself why the Board would be here at 11:00 p.m. Well, the answer is that it is not here at 11:00 p.m. I can only assume (since it has never been addressed) that the rooms are kept closed so that student events will not ruin the great painting and cleaning that maintenance slaved over the week before. Is that reason enough to be banned from using a room that is meant for student programming in the STUDENT CENTER? I don’t think so.

I wish I didn’t need to write about this issue once, let alone twice. I also wish I wasn’t singled out for bringing the issue to the attention of students, administration, and maybe even others. Unfortunately, I do feel the need to write about it, bring it to the attention of everyone, and take the heat for it. Call me a martyr or a troublemaker. I just want to do what’s right.

For what I can think to be only the third time in my life, I went through the entire day on Jan. 20 acknowledging it as its own chapter in a future history book. September 11, 2001, when I sat in my science class as an announcement was made to report to homeroom for a meeting with my peers, was the first time I felt this way, followed by the bombing on my birthday that, to me, began the Iraq War. And last week, the fifty-sixth Inauguration of the President of the United States of America, where the first black president–Barack Obama–took the oath of office on the steps of the capital.

My freshmen year at UNH was the first time I had heard of then-Senator Obama. Just days later I took a liking to the man and began to jump on his bandwagon. Weeks later I began to write editorials about him in this very publication, The Charger Bulletin, and months later I began working on his grassroots campaign.

Today I am proud of Americans, of my friends, and even of myself. I’ve won scratch off tickets before, I’ve won small raffles. But I’ve never won something invaluable: a piece of history.

One of the most touching moments of the Inauguration Day was during the inaugural parade. During Obama’s second time leaving his limo and walking on the street (huge kudos to the Secret Service for a peaceful day, by the way), I heard people on the sidelines not shouting “Obama! Obama!,” not shouting “Yes We Can” or “Yes We Did,” but instead shouting “thank you.” And it was then that it hit me: Obama may want to thank us for electing him, but that will in no way equate to us thanking him for a feeling of hope and freedom yet again. “Proud to be an American” was, undoubtedly, one of the most prominent phrases coming out of that day, and with very good reason.

I can rest well for at least a little while, knowing that my peers and I made a difference with registering students to vote last year, and with running absentee ballot drives. I can rest well tonight, knowing that we were able to persuade–with logic, not popularity–the majority of our friends and family to vote for Obama, if they hadn’t already persuaded themselves to. I can rest well, knowing that Jan. 20 is a day I will never forget. A day that will forever be in our history. A day where perhaps, if we’re lucky, America will get its good reputation back. I think we’re all done being the bad guys. Let’s be role models again.

The holidays are over and school is back in session. Your money supply is depleted as the dollars you had planned to spend on fast food, gas, and a new spring wardrobe are spent in a matter of minutes at the school bookstore. Suddenly, before you can realize what hit you, you are stuck in bed with a case of mid-winter depression. But don’t pull those covers over your head just yet! By purchasing a few of your books used rather than brand new, you can enjoy a weekend getaway to the city of brotherly love-Philly!

Philadelphia, the city full of history and phenomenal cheesesteaks, is one of the few big cities that won’t break your budget. After all, Ben Franklin was the man who coined the phrase, “A penny saved is a penny earned.”

Although a bit nippy, traveling to Philly during the winter months will not only lift your spirits but will also save you a few bucks. Grab a comfortable pair of shoes, a friend, and a combined $300, and join me on this two-day journey to our nation’s first capital.

Best Western at Independence Park Hotel-$150/ night
Located right in the middle of the old city, this hotel is within blocks of the Liberty Bell, Independence Hall, and the U.S. Mint. The Independence Park Hotel is one of the few historic inns in Pennsylvania, and offers guests a comfortable and more personalized stay. A complimentary European-style breakfast is offered each morning, featuring make-your-own Belgian waffles.

The Liberty Bell-Free
Check out one of our nation’s most renowned symbols of independence. Stroll through the exhibits leading up to the bell, and walk right up to where the bell is stationed. Photography is permitted in this building, so be sure to bring along your camera.

U.S. Mint-Free
Get an inside look at where and how our coins are made. Watch as the giant moneymaking machines work with a capacity to produce 1.8 million coins per hour. No cameras are allowed on the premises of the Mint, so be sure to leave your camera at the hotel.

Betsy Ross’s House-$2/person
Visit the historic home of Betsy Ross and see where she made the first American flag. See the very room that George Washington sat in when he asked Betsy to sew the flag. Actual artifacts of her life and time period remain.

Franklin Court-Free
See the actual site where Ben Franklin’s house once stood. Venture underground to visit Franklin’s Museum where you can see recreations of Franklin’s inventions, including an interactive phone bank.

Jon’s Bar and Grille-Avg. $8/meal
Head to South Street for an abundance of restaurants and novelty shops. While there, stop at Jon’s Bar and Grille for friendly service and plenty to eat. Larry Fine of the Three Stooges was born in the building that now houses the bar at Jon’s.

Reading Terminal Market-Free
Feeling hungry? Head outside of the historic district to Reading Terminal Market. The market offers hundreds of merchants selling everything from fresh fish to gourmet chocolate. After picking up the essentials sit down and enjoy one of the many restaurants the market has to offer. Be sure to sample some of Philly’s favorite foods!

Jim’s Steaks – Avg. $7/sandwich
End your trip with a delicious cheese steak from Jim’s in the hip art-deco neighborhood. Perfectly crafted, these cheese steaks often cause people to be waiting in line for over an hour. For a less busy time, try going during the week for lunch. For the true Philly taste, be sure to order your steak with “wiz and fried onions.”

I hope that you enjoyed your long winter break and got plenty of rest.

Unfortunately, it’s time to once again hit the books and start doing homework.

Over the break, the USGA was working on several different projects. This past weekend we held our USGA retreat and had approximately 30 students move back to campus early and travel down to New Haven. The retreat included a professional guest speaker and several workshops presented by the members of the USGA Executive Board. We also designed and published our first ever USGA Alumni Newsletter titled Point of Order. The newsletter was sent via e-mail to all of the USGA’s alumni who have e-mail addresses on file and will be mailed to all of the remaining alumni in the coming weeks. After this inaugural edition, the newsletter will be strictly electronic in an effort to go green! If you are interested in reading the newsletter, it is posted on the homepage of ChargerVoice directly under the Spring 2009 schedule.