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Articles by Thomas Coppola
A Trip Into The Past: My Greatest Hits In The Sports Section
Now that I’ve reached the end of the road as a staff member for The Mirror, I wanted to look back and count down the top ten articles I’ve ever written for this amazing section (SportsCenter Top Ten style, fittingly). All articles mentioned here were written by me and hold some sort of sentimental value, whether it be the writing style I introduced or simply the experience of writing it. So, here goes my “greatest hits”. #10) “Who Will Take Home Lord Stanley’s Cup?” Published Sept.
Don’t Underestimate The Convenience Of The Tully
As a senior living off-campus, I never realized how much I relied on my meal plan to get me through each day. I sound dramatic when I say this, but I miss the convenience of the Tully dearly. Now that I am a senior off-campus, there really isn’t a point in me having a meal plan with meal swipes.
Rugby Program Engineers “Championship DNA” Through Hard Work
Amid the Alumni & Family Weekend buzz, cheers could be heard all the way over at the newly renovated Grauert Field where Fairfield’s Division III men’s team trounced Southern Connecticut State University by a score of 31-12. The match was played as part of “Rugby Fest,” a tradition that takes place during the family festivities each year.
Opinion: The NHL’s Ban on “Theme Nights” Goes Too Far
Another day, another outrageous call by the executives of the National Hockey League. The NHL has put down a sweeping rule, . Traditionally, teams in the NHL would host “themed” nights in their arena, wearing special jerseys during warmups to show solidarity for different organizations or groups.
Embracing Artificial Intelligence Is Important For Societal Growth
Last Friday, Oct. 6, I had the opportunity to attend an event hosted by the Patrick J. Waide Center for Applied Ethics, which was part of their “Ethics Breakfast” series. This specific event dealt with the “Ethics of Artificial Intelligence,” which inspired me to give my take in writing. For some context, this past summer, I had the opportunity to create an AI-focused newsletter meant for a C-suite and partner-level audience in real estate and law segments.
Stag Spotlight: Graduate Student Patrick McCarthy
Background/Early Life One of the Fairfield University men’s golf team’s longest-tenured members is looking to close out his final season strong. Graduate Student Patrick McCarthy grew up surrounded by golf. Though he found interest in other sports such as basketball, he has golfed since he was a young child. According to him, his time in high school helped him fully realize his passion for picking up the clubs.
Fairfield Partners with Albertus Magnus to Provide Scholarships to Bellarmine Campus Students
Fairfield Bellarmine and Albertus Magnus College Form Alliance On Tuesday, Sept. 12, Fairfield University’s Office of Media Relations shared a news release entitled “Partnership between Fairfield University and Albertus Magnus College Extends Educational Access in Connecticut”. The release outlines the two institutions’ shared plan to create new and valuable educational opportunities for students enrolled in the Fairfield Bellarmine program.
Pickleball Joins Intramural Lineup in Program Overhaul
Ethan Godfrey, Program Coordinator of Competitive Sports at Fairfield University, hatched an idea that would make involvement and demand skyrocket: the up and coming sport of pickleball would now be offered to students. He shared that, over the summer, many students reached out to him asking to bring Intramural Pickleball to Fairfield University. He fulfilled this wish in communication to students at the beginning of the year. On Wednesday, Aug.
PLL Back in Fairfield For Another Go-Around
Lacrosse fans everywhere were overjoyed when the Premier Lacrosse League came to fruition in 2018. Lacrosse legend Paul Rabil and his brother Mike Rabil founded this brand new, modern professional lacrosse league, which took a completely unique approach compared to the Major Lacrosse League, which the PLL absorbed just two years later. That unique approach was a touring model for the season schedule, organized by weeks almost as if it were a National Football League schedule.
Fairfield Is An Investment In Your Future
Hello! My name is Thomas Coppola, and I am the Editor-in-Chief of The Fairfield Mirror.
" Magis Core SJ
Changes Made Just minutes before noon on Wednesday, April 26, Fairfield University’s Class of 2024 received communication from the “Student Announcements” email address, which shared the news that a change to the Magis Core’s Social Justice requirements will come. Director of the Magis Core Curriculum Committee (MCCC), Elizabeth Petrino, Ph.D., authored the email to students, which described the nature of the changes being made for the Class of 2024 exclusively.
Magis Core Social Justice Requirements Relaxed for Class of 2024
Changes Made Just minutes before noon on Wednesday, April 26, Fairfield University’s Class of 2024 received communication from the “Student Announcements” email address, which shared the news that a change to the Magis Core’s Social Justice requirements will come. Director of the Magis Core Curriculum Committee (MCCC), Elizabeth Petrino, Ph.D., authored the email to students, which described the nature of the changes being made for the Class of 2024 exclusively.
Cavanaugh Slots Into All-Met Third Team
Graduate student Callie Cavanaugh of the Fairfield University women’s basketball team was named to the Metropolitan Basketball Writers’ Association’s 2023 “All-Met” Third Team on Tuesday, April 25. A press release from the MBWA website made public the three teams for women’s Division I basketball. The association covers teams from all over the Tri-State area spanning Connecticut, New York, and New Jersey.
Fairfield Bellarmine Begins Building Inaugural Class
Director of Admissions for Fairfield Bellarmine Nakia Letang, along with her fellow Bellarmine leaders, have begun to shape the first-ever incoming class for Fairfield Bellarmine. Fairfield Bellarmine is described in a press release from Sept. 23, 2022 as a two-year associate’s degree program that is designed to bring a more accessible Jesuit higher education to students in Connecticut, specifically in the Bridgeport region.
Club Ski Secures Podium Finish on California Slopes
As the snow begins to melt away, the memories of the 2023 Ski and Snowboard season certainly will not. Fairfield University’s club Ski and Snowboard team posted a historic season, with their most recent and notable accolade being the Men’s Freestyle team finishing in third place in the U.S. Collegiate Ski & Snowboard National Championship, which was hosted in Mammoth, Calif., from March 6 to March 11.
Will Metro Boomin “Make It Boom” At The Spring Concert?
On April 2, 2023, the Fairfield University Student Association sent out an email to students noting that Grammy-nominated hip-hop producer Metro Boomin will be the headliner for the upcoming Spring Concert on April 28, 2023, at Hartford Healthcare Amphitheatre in Bridgeport, Conn. With that in mind, I’ve been diligently preparing for the upcoming event by trying to memorize every single lyric of every single Metro Boomin song there is.
Rocket League Team Tops Iona For First MAAC Championship
The Spark When Ethan Godfrey first started his role as Program Coordinator of Competitive Sports at Fairfield University back in 2017, he held an information session with students to see how popular an Esports organization would be on campus. Out of this came the idea for a casual Fortnite tournament, where 72 students came out, showing Godfrey and the campus community that Esports could not only survive at Fairfield but thrive.
Can Congress Even Keep Up?
If you’re someone who follows along with current events and politics like myself, you might find yourself upset at how Congress acted in their hearing with Shou Zi Chew, the CEO of TikTok. I share a similar sentiment to a lot of members of my generation who are outraged as well. If you weren’t able to catch this hearing or keep up with the fallout, basically, a bill has been circulating in the U.S. Congress to ban the popular video app TikTok due to the danger that it possibly presents to users.
BIC Corporation CEO Visits Fairfield Dolan for Lecture on Business Leadership
The latest rendition of the Fairfield Dolan Dean’s Executive Forum saw Dolan School of Business Dean Zhan Li, D.B.A. and his co-moderator Instructor of the Practice of Management Chris Hamer, B.B.A., M.S., facilitating a conversation with Gonzalve Bich, who is the Chief Executive Officer of the BIC Corporation.
Men’s Basketball Moves Past Marist, Meets Match vs Manhattan
Setting the Stage With the excitement of the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) basketball playoffs brewing, teams in the middle of the playoff seeding such as Fairfield are hunting for their first-round bye. With 11 members, the bottom six teams will enter a play-in round to claim a spot in the main bracket, whereas the top five teams in the standings will punch their ticket to Atlantic City, N.J. for the tournament’s festivities.
Fairfield University Expands Southwest with Opening of Egan School of Nursing and Health Studies in Austin, Texas
On June 22, 2022, Fairfield University announced that it would be expanding into new territory with its new Marion Peckham Egan School of Nursing and Health Studies facility in Austin, Texas, according to an official press release. On Jan. 27, 2023, however, the program, which will be admitting its primary cohort of students this upcoming May, leaped to new heights as the being offered.
A Letter To My Past, Present And Future
For those that do not know me, my name is Thomas Coppola, otherwise known as Tommy, and I am the new Editor-in-Chief for The Fairfield Mirror! I just wanted to take a moment to address a letter to myself that I wrote a year ago in this very column. For context, I wrote this “letter to my future self” when I took on the role of Managing Editor. I’m not going to reproduce the entire piece, but I’ll explain my thoughts on the highlights.
Leo D. Mahoney Arena's Inaugural Game Sealed With Win
The Fairfield University women’s basketball team began their home campaign in the Leo D. Mahoney Arena on Nov. 18, 2022, securing a win in the arena’s inaugural game. The 7 p.m. match boasted a battle between the Stags and the Stonehill College Skyhawks, a team who was winless going into Nov. 18 according to their official schedule. The Skyhawks lost to Lehigh University, Providence College and the University of Buffalo.
Red Sea Returns With Leo. D Mahoney Arena Ribbon-Cutting Event
The long-anticipated unveiling of the Leo D. Mahoney Arena took place on Friday, Nov. 18, 2022, at 10 a.m. which saw members of the Fairfield University community gather to participate in the grand opening of the facility. The event took place just hours before the women’s basketball team was set to take on Stonehill College in the arena’s first-ever game.
New Arena Emphasizes Fan Experience
Fairfield University’s brand-new Leo D. Mahoney Arena will open on Nov. 18, 2022. As the arena’s construction rounds out the finishing touches before a ribbon-cutting ceremony on the same day, logistics in terms of parking, ticketing and more are beginning to take shape. According to a post on Fairfield University’s official athletics website on Nov. 2, it was announced that single-game tickets for women’s basketball games were now live for purchasing.
The Best and Worst of Midterm Exam Formats
We made it through! Midterms are finally over and it is time to rejoice. I’m sure at this point you’re probably trying to wind down from the overly-stressful and obnoxiously busy past two weeks. With papers to write and exams to cram for, there is no doubt that midterms are a difficult stretch. But, finally, you’re able to take a deep breath. Classes will slow down in pace just a bit, Thanksgiving Break is now on the horizon and the semester is honestly coming pretty close to its grand finale.
Opinion: How Far-Fetched Is Fairfield Football?
Fairfield University used to have a football team. Yes, you read that correctly. If you’ve ever passed through the lower level of the Barone Campus Center, you’ll find a Fairfield Athletics wall of fame for you to digest in all its glory. Titles, records and other information can be found on these plaques; you can also find one that says “Football”. The Stags’ former football program had a tumultuous history.
Competitive Sports Introduces New Website
On Oct. 17, 2022, Chelsey Wright, assistant director of competitive sports along with Fairfield University Competitive Sports, launched the official club sports website. The website’s release comes about nine months after the official announcement of their club sports instagram account, which has remained active since its genesis back in December of 2021. The goal of the account was to promote club sports activities on campus and make known tryout dates, “how-to” information and more.
A Cautionary Tale Of Academic Burnout
Being a perfectionist in an academic sense can be unbelievably exhausting. In high school, I used to always be the type of person to be a huge perfectionist in my school work. I know this may seem like a good thing, but it was destructive in a way. I would throw aside spending time with friends, family and even myself in the pursuit of getting a 100 on an assignment.
Multiple Stags Nab MAAC Preseason Honors
On the night of Tuesday, Oct. 18, the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference office, headquartered in Edison, N.J., released their preseason predictions on how MAAC basketball teams will stack up, and dished out honors to key players before the new season. Spearheaded by the University of Louisville’s former head coach Rick Pitino, the Iona University Gaels were selected as the top team in a poll that involved all eleven MAAC head coaches.
Philosophy 2217 Is The Only "Logical" Class To Take Next Semester
My favorite class I’ve taken here at Fairfield University is “Logic,” also dubbed “PHIL2217.” I’m actually currently taking it right now, but I feel so strongly about the class that I just have to put it into writing. I’m currently taking the course with Professor Jose Fernandez, Ph.D., who is one of the most passionate, animated and excited professors I’ve ever had the chance to take a course with at Fairfield University.
The Fairfield Mirror
With just over a month of play under their belt, the Fairfield University men’s and women’s golf teams have participated in a multitude of events across the season. Both teams opened up their seasons with three of their own invitationals and tournaments. According to the official schedule of the men’s golf team, they started off the season with the Ryan T. Lee Memorial Collegiate on Sept. 10 and 11.
No "Sugarcoating," Just Fact: Top 10 Halloween Candy
For those that may not know me, I have a huge sweet tooth. I regularly find myself stopping at the bookstore for a quick bag of candy or a chocolate bar. Growing up, I’d imagine that my dentists loved me for all the cavities I got. With that being said, I like to think I possess the ethos to rank my top 10 candies of all time. To preface, my ranking will count down and I will be giving each candy a letter grade compared to all other types of candy for this amazing Halloween season.
Kid Cudi's "Entergalactic" Was Worth The Wait
On Sept. 30, 2022, hip-hop star Scott Mescudi, better known by his stage name Kid Cudi, dropped his long-anticipated album “Entergalactic” with a Netflix movie to accompany it. According to Genius, the album features 15 tracks and collaborative efforts from fellow artists Ty Dolla $ign, 2 Chainz, Don Toliver, Steve Aoki and Dot Da Genius. Since it is quite the lengthy album, I’ll be going through some highlights as opposed to the full tracklist.
Recent Greatest Hits of The Tully Menu
The Daniel and Grace Tully Dining Commons have been a staple in my Fairfield University career, and I would imagine it has been for a lot of my fellow peers and classmates here. In my opinion, the Tully has been doing an incredible job within the past few months in terms of switching up the options available to students. Here are the highlights: Pesto/Ricotta Pizza The creation of this amazing, spectacular dish at the Trattoria station in the Tully wowed me.
2022-23 Basketball Season Ticket Sales Go Live
According to fairfieldstags.com, season ticket sales are live, and fans have the ability to purchase them ahead of the men’s and women’s basketball seasons. On Oct. 5, the official website of Fairfield University athletics posted a press release reiterating that tickets were live, and that “fans have responded with over 500 season tickets sold since packages went on sale at the beginning of the fall semester.” Back on Aug.
Leo D. Mahoney Arena Named After Largest Alumna Gift
Fairfield University has finally unveiled the namesake of the building formerly known as the “Arena and Convocation Center,” which will now go by “Leo D. Mahoney Arena.” Leo D. Mahoney was a member the Fairfield Trustees Advisory Council in the 1990s. The businessman, father and husband to Joan E. Mahoney passed away at the age of 82 in 2010, according to his obituary from boston.com. The newly-named facility draws its support from donors of the University and will honor Mahoney via its name.
Waterdogs Cause “Chaos” In PLL Championship
In the Premier Lacrosse League’s (PLL) third season, Waterdogs Lacrosse Club took home the CashApp Championship Trophy on Sunday, Sept. 18, becoming the first expansion team to finish at the top. The Waterdogs, the PLL’s very first expansion team in 2020, struggled in their inaugural season. The season only lasted five games due to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Sports Section Forever Shaped by Matt Tullis
Matt Tullis was an assistant professor of English, director of the Digital Journalism program, and the associate director of the Integrated Media Labs at Fairfield University. He pioneered the new Sports Media program alongside Associate Professor of Communication Adam Rugg. Tullis had a passion for sports journalism, news writing, podcast writing and media production. In the sports section of The Mirror, his expertise and enthusiasm for the growth of the section was always felt.
In Loving Memory of Matt Tullis
Where do we even begin? Professor Matthew Tullis has been an incredible part of The Mirror since 2016. Since our time joining this staff, we have had the pleasure of working, learning and growing as students, people and writers alongside Matt. This would not have been possible without his guidance and true passion for student journalism; and of course, his unconditional love for our little paper.
Members of the Fairfield Community React to Construction of New Residence Hall ‘Regis West’ Construction
On July 14, 2022, Josh LaBella of The Fairfield Citizen wrote in the CT Insider and Connecticut Post an article titled “Fairfield University plans to build new sophomore dorm,” deconstructing a long-circling rumor that the University would indeed be breaking ground on a new residence hall, taking inspiration from the namesake of Regis Hall.
Construction on Convocation Center Continues As November Crawls Closer
As fall draws near, Fairfield University students and faculty have noticed the rapid construction of the new Fairfield University Arena and Convocation Center, standing atop the former location of Alumni Hall. The arena’s overall name has yet to be confirmed.
A Step-by-Step Guide to Stags' School Spirit
To our newest Stags: welcome to Fairfield University! For me, one of the most simple yet exciting ways to get involved on campus from the get-go is by attending any sporting event that may pique your interest. Fairfield University has 20 Division I sports teams, so it’s a surefire way of finding a fun way to unwind. For starters, Fairfield University is a Division I school without football.
Summer Campus Life Is Worth a Try
Hello, new Stags. I’m Thomas. People call me Tommy. I like making my opinions known, for some reason. I’m a student here at Fairfield like you will be very soon. Not to sound arrogant but I’ve done a thing or two around campus and can tell you from experience that living here over the summer is such a unique experience. And with that comes a Hot Take: living on campus over the summer is cooler than you think.
Step One To Getting Involved: Fairfield Club Edition
Here at Fairfield, there is no shortage of clubs to get involved in as we rightfully boast about our 100 plus clubs and activities for all students to involve themselves in. In order to find the right fit, students can utilize the club fair that takes place at the beginning of every semester to mingle with fellow students, meet club officers and get to know people with similar interests.
Nine Songs That Sound Like Summer
Summer cannot truly feel like summer until the music starts playing. There are so many songs I could go on and on about for any summer occasion, whether it be a beach day, a day trip or something as simple as a car ride with the windows down. These nine songs are some of the greatest songs for the summertime that I would recommend for any of your playlist needs.
A Complete Look Back at the Spring Season
Softball The Fairfield University softball team has had their work cut out for them this season. With a full schedule and very little breaks in between games, the team has seen nonstop action; their season will continue through May 8, 2022. With tournament play in the beginning of the season, the Stags were unable to perform in the Wolfpack Classic, but nearly split the differences in the USF Tournament, Thundering Herd Invite, and the Rutgers University Tournament.
The Fairfield Mirror
Junior Olivia Homan, Caroline Kelly ‘24 and Reagan Klarmann ‘25 have been selected to be the next trio to lead the 2022-23 campaign as captains for the women’s soccer team. Homan, an Allendale, N.J. native, was part of the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference All-Academic team in 2021 and was an integral part of Fairfield’s defensive production on the field. Being the most tenured of the three, Homan will step into this leadership role for her senior season next year.
The Fairfield Mirror
FAIRFIELD, Conn.— The Fairfield University Women’s Lacrosse team defeated the Manhattan’ Jaspers’ by a score of 14-6 on April 20, 2022, to secure a spot in the 2022 Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Championship which begins the weekend of April 29. In a complete team win, the Stags capitalized on a high-scoring first half in which the Stags exploded for five goals in the second quarter to take an 8-2 into the half, which ultimately proved too much for Manhattan to overcome.
Fairfield Women’s Basketball Welcomes New Coach
After Fairfield University women’s basketball former head coach Joe Frager retired following his 15th and final season with the Stags, the University hired Carly Thibault-DuDonis as their newest head coach of the team. Thibault-DuDonis, who served as Associate Head Coach and recruiting Director at the University of Minnesota according to the official press release on fairfieldstags.com, has an impressive background in basketball and more specifically finding talented players.
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