When people think of Africa, “great economy” isn’t exactly the first thing that comes to mind, but the World Cup this past summer has proved to jumpstart South Africa’s economy.

When South Africa won the bid for the Cup in 2004, people didn’t have the highest expectations, but the country spent a reported $30 billion on infrastructure for it.  This was only the beginning of jumpstarting their economy.  From the time that they found out they were hosting the Cup, South African delegates started implementing new policies on hiring new workers to fix the highways, construct a new airport, expand the existing airports, and building new stadiums. All in all, the improvements for the cup opened about 66,000 new jobs.

Security throughout the whole country also started to level out at an unprecedented rate, but the government deployed about 40,000 extra police just in case.

Lots of people made assumptions that all of the new stadiums that were being built for the Cup would go to waste after it was over, but spokesman Themba Maseko said that during the bidding process, all host cities had to submit ways that the stadiums would be used when the Cup was over to prevent that.  They also say that the 700 buses that were used to take fans to the stadiums will continue to be used.  The Cup, at least for now, has given South African residents a sense of pride and unity that will continue to flow for months to come.

The World Cup has also helped the economy for the future because now South Africa is one of the hottest spots to be.  Now that people around the world have had a sneak peek at the country, more are going to want to see it up close and personal.

Although South African residents and officials are on cloud nine right now, they know that they are going to have to work hard if they want to continue this harmony throughout the country.  Leaders need to be creative and visionary in order to keep jobs open and the unity alive.  The world is just going to have to wait and see what South Africa has in store next.

New Head Coach, Laura Duncan, will look to continue to move the Lady Chargers in the right direction, up the Northeast-10 conference standings. Duncan arrives from Fairfield University, where she was an assistant for five years. She inherits a team that clawed their way into the conference tournament and then suffered a close loss to eventual champ, St. Rose.

The Lady Chargers will return most of their starting line –up from last season. Goalkeeper Kim Taylor will be entering her third season as a starter. The junior will be looking to continue to establish her self as one of the top goalkeepers in the Northeast 10. Ranking sixth in goals against last season, Taylor is already one of the top keepers in the conference and will lead a veteran back end for the Chargers. The Chargers were in the top ten in goals against average last season, ranking sixth, with a 1.12 GAA. With most of the defense returning this year, one can expect those numbers to stay the same, if not get better. The defense will be lead by Claire Siekaniec, a 2009 Northeast 10 conference third team selection, and Carly Yamauchi, Ali Esponal, and Holly Michaud, with Mary Kitsis coming off the bench. The defense also welcomes in freshmen Amanda Hathaway from Stillwater, NY.

The offense will continue to rely on senior Emily Buckley-Matura. With coach Duncan’s offensive style of being a possession attacking one, the mid-field will be relied on a little more this season. The loss of transfers Alexa DellaRocco and Marta Bertsos will be greatly felt and missed. Alexa was a top offensive threat along side Buckley-Matura and Marta was able to carry the ball from the middle field into the attacking thud to help. But the Chargers will be able to fill these voids with returning players playing bigger roles and newcomers providing added spark off the bench, if needed. More will be asked of Lauren Primovic and Shannon Morales, as they enter their sophomore campaigns. Meabh De Burca will be also looked to for some added offensive punch from the mid-field along with Holly Dawson. Two transfers that will also give added depth and experience to the midfield are Danielle Iacono, Merriack, NY via Nassau C.C. and Brenna Weidman, Holliston, MA via Utica College, along with six other freshmen along the front and mid-field lines.

The Lady Chargers were preseason picked 11th in the Northeast 10 conference, coming off a 10-7-3 season. A .500 season in year one under Laura Duncan will be a good start to keep the momentum going from last year. The Chargers will look to pick up where they left off last season and get back to the conference playoffs to make some noise there. New Haven opens their season on the road at Dominican College on September 3. Their home opener will be Sunday September 5, against Post University.

Looking to build on their successful 5-5 season last season, after the program being on a 5 year hiatus, the Chargers finished in a tie for fifth with a 4-4 conference record with Stonehill. They will continue to work at moving up the conference standings. Expectations will be high with Coach Rossomando saying that they had a good spring practice to be prepared for the first game of the season, against Seton Hill (Pa).

With the leaders on defense back, the Chargers look to continue to grow with experience and look to have the ability not to have to lean on their offense to win games. With the transfer of former University of Connecticut defensive tackle Scott Schaultz, 6-4 290, the defense will be better against the run. Another transfer, in Charlie Hatchett, an inside linebacker from Santa Monica Community College, will also make an impact on the defense this season. The defense will return everyone that played significant time last season and is currently ranked eighth in the conference in scoring defense, allowing 31.9 points per game. That number will have to decrease, but is expected from a new defense with all freshmen and sophomores playing. The unit will continue to improve with the experience of taking their first trip though the conference and build on that this season.

With Ryan Osiecki back, he will look to become one of the top quarterbacks in the conference, with most of his primary weapons back from last season. Last season, he threw for 2,825 yards with 23 touchdowns and nine interceptions. Those receivers include Sharieff Hall, eight touchdowns, and Demetrius Washington-Ellison, seven touchdowns. Additions to the tight end position and some new wide receivers, Roshawn Wilson will also provide an added dimension to the passing game. The running backs will be looking to become more consistent as Mike Decaro is coming off an injury and the other backs Josh Smart, 278 yards, Victor Jones, 169 yards, and Andrew Nass, 169 yards, will be able to form a good stable of running backs to help balance out the offense. Those guys will fight for carries if DeCaro is placed back into the starting lineup heading out of fall camp, which was where he was last season before the injury.
Posting a 5-5 season, in the first season back in five years, will have to be considered a success. Coach Rossomando will look for his Chargers to continue to climb in the Northeast-10 conference. Having a couple of close losses last year to some of the conference top teams can be considered a positive indicator that the Chargers are on the right track to contend for the conference title in the coming years. New Haven starts the season on the road at Seton Hill, the first weekend of September. The following week will be the home opener with Lincoln University (Pa.).
The conference schedule opens the third week of the season with a home game versus Assumption College. Also, the Chargers will look to avenge last season 31-10 loss at Assumption. The Chargers find themselves on the road for the next two against Bentley on Friday, September 24 and Stonehill the first Saturday in October. The following week, the Chargers take on cross town rival Southern Connecticut. The remaining games alternate between home and away against AIC, Merrimack, Pace, and the season finale against St. Anselm.

The men’s soccer team will look to rebound after a disappointing year, which included going winless in Northeast-10 conference play. Coach Josh Krusewski will look to build off some positives from last season. One positive was that nine of their starters were either freshmen or sophomores, and they had the possibility of getting better with that year of playing. Second, they do not have any pressure after being picked to finish last in the conference.

Coach Krusewski said that he expects the team to be competitive in all games this season, because they were competitive in most of their games, including their losses last season when they lost six games by one goal. Another point of emphasis, the coach said, was that they needed to gain a better idea of defending restarts of play and set pieces. The Chargers allowed seven goals off of restarts and set pieces.

Returning for the Chargers this season is starting goalie Jonathan Cream. He finished seventh in the conference in saves per game last season, with 4.41 saves per game. That may not be a good statistic, because he was one of the most shot upon goalies in the conference last year. However, the defense should be improved this season, with the return of Josh Allen, Austin Coleman, Michael Diker, Daniel Drageicvich, Jeff Lazzara, Joel Rodriguez, and Matt Sarazin. All of these players saw some time last season. The arrival of three freshmen will push them throughout the season. The unit will have to get better, if the Chargers want to move up in standings this season.

On the mid-field and attacking lines, the Chargers return most of their key players from last season as well. A big question is the health of Steven Gennuso, as he led the team in shots and shots on goal. Also, returning up front for the Chargers is junior Anthony Romano, who tied for the team lead with three goals with senior Nick Dionne. The offense will need to improve as well, as the team finished second to last in the conference in goals per game. The midfield will try improving by setting up the front line this season, with Joel Rodriguez, leading returning set-up man with two assists.

The team will look to keep on making improvements this season, which will hopefully lead to some more wins, with the added experience and chemistry that comes with playing together for a whole year now.

Charger Volleyball finds itself in a familiar position at the top of the preseason Northeast 10 Conference poll as conference champs. Coach Robin Salters does not think her team is under more pressure, “I don’t feel like there is any additional pressure being preseason favorites to win the conference title this year. Being a member of the New Haven volleyball team always come with a little more pressure because of our tradition of success at the conference and NCAA level. I think the team will take pride in being the preseason favorites to win the conference and will do everything they have to do to fulfill that prediction.”

With everyone who played significant time last season returning, the Chargers will rely on that chemistry built to bring their game to new heights this season. Led by senior outside hitters, Sara Malmlov and Keidy Candelaria, the Chargers can hit with the best of them from the side and up the middle. Junior libero Heather Ladao returns after playing in every set last season (116).With last season being her first season as the libero, she became more familiar with the position and will now build upon being named to AVCA East Region Honorable Mention. Junior setter, Chelsey Alpough, is coming into a great year after she was named to the AVCA All-East Region Team, Daktronics All-East Region Team, NE-10 conference setter of the year and First Team All-Conference. Sophomore Elizabeth Akinbiyi was named to the NE-10 All-Rookie Team after starting 34 of 35 matches and tallying a .224 hitting percentage.

The team has three freshmen coming in this season. Coach Salters expects each of them to fill a need to embrace their role and, as a result, the team will improve. Amber Cannady is the tallest player in the history of the program at 6-4. She will have an impact in the middle of the front for the Charger defense. Phyllisse Lewis is athletic and quick and will improve quickly in the type of system that Coach Salters employs. Ali Krikau is a defensive specialist that will help the team in that area.

The Chargers open season will host the University of New Haven Invitational, where they will play Caldwell College in the opener on Friday September 3. The next day, they will play Holy Family and University of Bridgeport, which is always a tough game. Following that, they will travel to Bentley for the Bentley Invitational, where they will face Bridgeport again, Georgian Court, and Bentley University. The remaining non-conference schedule is highlighted by a visit by East Region rival Dowling College. A change to host regionals may be on the line when the two squads face off in Mid-October. A date with cross town rival, Southern Connecticut, at home on October 6 will give the Chargers a change to avenge their only conference loss last season in the quarterfinals of the conference tournament.

ESPN’s senior football analyst, Chris Berman, visited the University of New Haven on Apr. 15 for a question and answer forum. Chris first attended a lunch with potential sports management students, then made his way to North Campus for questions.

ESPN’s senior football analyst, Chris Berman, visited the University of New Haven on Apr. 15 for a question and answer forum.

Craig Mortali asked Berman various questions, which he then answered in front of a gym fill of students and faculty. Students had an opportunity to ask some of their own questions as well.

I had the fortunate opportunity to interview Chris with a few questions of my own before the event began. Most of the questions asked were asked again in front of everyone, but some of his answers are a little different.

At the end of the event, Chris was presented with his very own UNH Chargers’ football jersey and helmet.

Me: What are the pros and cons of working at ESPN?

Chris: Well the pros are that if you like sports, there’s nowhere else to work. Not many cons. There is something different every day. You never know what the day is like when you’re going to cover a game. So I mean, those are the pros, but uh…cons? Phhtt. I don’t think I have any cons. If I had cons, I would have been gone by now – believe me.

Me: Outside of ESPN, outside of your job, what are your hobbies?

Chris: I like peace and quiet, but I also like rock and roll music. I um…you know what I enjoy? I enjoy reading the paper. I read a few of them. USA Today, Hartford Current, Boston Globe, wherever I go, I always pick up a paper in the airport. And uh, I mean I know that’s boring. I don’t fly a plane, I don’t sky dive, I don’t uh, jump off cliffs, but you know, I like my rock and roll music, but I also like sitting on a beach and thinking. I like playing golf! I’m alright.

Me: You ever play golf with anyone important?

Chris: I play in these Pro Amateur tournaments sometimes. I played at Pebble Beach like 5 times.

Me: You meet all of these people, but have you ever been star struck?

Chris: You’re always star struck in the early days. I remember interviewing Jack Nicholas at about one year in. At about 5 years in, I interviewed this fellow who was named Walter Payton. And of course, my two idols, the reason that I do what I do: Joe Namath in football, and Willie Mays in baseball. Both of them I’ve become very friendly with so I kind of forget what it was like the very first few times I met them, you know? But I’d have to say Bill Clinton. We sat there for 10-15 minutes. Invited my wife and me to a steak dinner seven months later. Interviewed Obama and McCain before the election, but that was on satellite.

Me: NBA Playoffs, what’s your prediction?

Chris: Oh. I don’t care. NBA? Eh. I don’t care.

Me: Well, do you care about Hockey?

Chris: Oh yeah.

Me: What about your prediction for hockey?

Chris: I haven’t watched it that much this year. I’m interested to see how the two Olympic heroes, Crosby and Ryan Miller, and how they continue. (Pittsburgh won the series). But I know Washington and St. Jose are the two best teams. They’re out. (Washington was eliminated in the first round) So you’ve got to pick two of the other 14 teams. I’ll pick Pittsburgh even though they’re the defending champs.

Me: What do you predict is going to happen in the NFL Draft?

Chris: Sam Bradford. Because the lions took Stafford last year. The rams are wondering if they don’t get one now, what are they going to do.

Me: Do you think he’s going to be the biggest impact player?

Chris: In his first year? No. In his career…maybe.

Me: Favorite sport to watch?

Chris: Probably football. When you get up on Sunday, I get up at 6:00am. I know it is Sunday, it’s a different day, and you’re going to play football all day. It’s like, we’re going to go to the playground – we’re going to have recess all day.

WEST HAVEN – The University of New Haven baseball team has jumped back into the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association (NCBWA) National Poll at No. 22 this week. The Chargers also stayed in the No. 2 spot in the NCAA East Regional Rankings and the NCBWA East Region Poll.

The University of New Haven baseball team has jumped back into the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association (NCBWA) National Poll at No. 22 this week.

The Chargers, coming off a 4-0 week, won another game yesterday and now hold a nine-game winning streak. Tonight’s non-conference game at Post University has been cancelled, but the Chargers will return to action tomorrow afternoon against Assumption at Frank Vieira Field.

Last week the Chargers moved into the second spot in the region and received votes in the national poll. Earlier in the season, the Chargers broke into the national poll in the No. 22 spot after winning 11-straight games during their Florida trip.

For the complete NCBWA national poll, visit http://sportswriters.net/ncbwa/div2poll/index.html?DB_OEM_ID=18900.

NCAA East Regional Rankings
1. Southern Connecticut State 31-9-1 31-9-1
2. New Haven 28-9 28-9
3. Franklin Pierce 31-11-1 31-7-1
4. Adelphi 29-12 28-11
5. C.W. Post 25-11-1 25-11-1
6. Stonehill 22-16 22-15
7. Massachusetts-Lowell 24-19 23-18
8. Wilmington (Delaware) 25-13 23-12

NCBWA East Region Poll
1. Southern Connecticut State (6) 31-9 60 1
2. New Haven, Conn. 28-9 50 3
3. Franklin Pierce, N.H. 31-11 48 4
4. Adelphi, N.Y. 29-12 47 2
5. Wilmington, Dela. 25-13 32 5
6. C.W. Post, N.Y. 25-11 30 6
7. Stonehill, Mass. 22-16 26 8
8. Dominican, N.Y. 22-15 14 7
9. UMass Lowell 24-19 12 RV
10. Molloy, N.Y. 24-19 6 T9

SOUTH EASTON, Mass. – In the final installment of the Northeast-10 Conference weekly awards, seniors Breanne Gleason and Nicole Downs were named the NE-10 Pitcher of the Week and Player of the week, respectively. The pair led the Chargers to an 8-0 week, helping UNH finish with the NE-10 regular season title- the first time since New Haven joined the conference in the summer of 2008.

In the final installment of the Northeast-10 Conference weekly awards, seniors Breanne Gleason and Nicole Downs were named the NE-10 Pitcher of the Week and Player of the week, respectively.

In game two on senior day Gleason became just the 20th Div. II pitcher to reach the 1,0000th strike out milestone. She started six games, while coming in relief in two and picking up eight wins. The Bristol, Conn. native accumulated 70 strike outs over the eight-game span, including a career-high 15 vs. St. Anselm on Saturday. In 44.2 innings, Gleason allowed just eight runs on 18 hits, including just four extra base hits.

Downs accumulated 15 hits on 25 at-bats for .600 batting average on the week. The Seymour, Conn. native tallied 19 RBI, 11 runs, three doubles, four home runs and our walks with just one strike out. She had a career-high seven RBI in game two vs. Southern New Hampshire, with two home runs including a grand slam.

As the No. 1 seed in the NE-10 Championship, the Chargers will host the tournament May 7-9 at the UNH Softball Field. On Friday, UNH will play the winner of the No. 4 Adelphi vs. No. 5 Assumption/UMass Lowell game. Game time is set for 1:00 p.m., but could change depending on the length of time the games prior.

WEST HAVEN, Conn. – The University of New Haven Department of Athletics recognized its student-athletes Sunday evening at its Annual Athletics Awards Banquet at Anthony’s Ocean View in New Haven. Highlighting the night was the presentation of the 2009-10 Athletes of the Year to Breanne Gleason (Softball), Shannon Gagne (Women’s Track and Field) and Mitch Rossi (Baseball).

Congratulations to all those who received athletic awards!

Player of the Year Awards

Breanne Gleason, Softball
Shannon Gagne, Women’s Track and Field
Mitch Rossi, Baseball
Rookie of the Year Awards
Ryan Osiecki, Football
Keidy Candelaria, Women’s Volleyball
Positive Game Environment Team Award
Women’s Basketball

Congratulations to all those who received athletic awards!

By Jason Gratton

Finals may be a few weeks away, but that’s not stopping students from thinking about the summertime. ChargerREC is no exception. ChargerREC is offering an opportunity for campers ages 6-13 to enjoy a wide variety of recreational activities including basketball, volleyball, and wiffleball.

ChargerREC Camp is being offered this year in two sessions according to age. Additionally, both sessions are being broken down into two separate weeks. For children age 6 to 9, the weeks for the first session are Jun. 28-Jul. 2 and Jul. 5-9. Kids age 10-13 may attend the second session in weeks, Jul. 19-23 and Jul. 26-30.

The ChargerREC Camp is committed to providing an experience every camper will love. For more information, feel free to contact the Beckerman Center at (203) 931-2965 or visit the UNH ChargerREC website.

For students, please remember that Group X classes end May 1. This is your final chances to get the intense workouts you have learned to love, before leaving school for the summer.