University of Massachusets Athletics
Senior Athletes Honored
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June 26, 2000
By Jason KarlinThe Maroon & White
UMass senior student-athletes were honored last month at the Third Annual Varsity "M" Club Senior Banquet. Over 200 student-athletes, coaches, family and friends attended the ceremony.
The Varsity "M" Club is an organization that has been around in various forms for close to a century. It was formed in the 1920s as a way for letterwinners to get together as a group. Over the years the club has evolved into its current state. The club establishes a link between former letterwinners and today's athletes. However, it was not until three years ago that the association revamped itself. The Varsity "M" Club, led by its director, Mike Hodges, has hosted the senior banquet each of the previous three years and hopes to make the event a tradition.
"I think the banquet is important," said Hodges. "That's how you build tradition, by remembering the past. This gives us a means to do that."
The Varsity "M" Club presented 125 senior athletes who had earned a varsity letter with a ring and a letter certificate. Each gold-plated ring was personalized with the athlete's name and sport.
"The banquet is a way of saying `thank you' to the athletes for all of their time and effort towards UMass athletics," said Hodges. "It's a great way to keep our athletes involved with this university. It provides a connection."
The Varsity "M" Club Senior Banquet linked yesterday's athletes with today's athletes by having ten alumni and a student-athlete from each team speak at the banquet.
"There was a constant theme with every athlete's speech," said Hodges. "They all spoke of how they learned more than the importance of winning and losing while they were here."
Steve Asadoorian who represented the baseball team thanked coach Mike Stone for all of the lessons learned on and off the diamond.
"I would like to thank Coach Stone," said Asadoorian. "Not only did he teach us about playing baseball, but he also taught us how to be gentlemen off the field. One of the biggest things I learned from coach is, whenever an obstacle got in our way and things look down, to turn it around and do something positive. You can't dwell on the past and you must do something to make the situation better. So always be positive."
Asadoorian continued by addressing the close ties he formed with his teammates, "We have gone through many experiences together which have made us friends for life. I think that is what UMass athletics is all about."
Lynne Young spoke on behalf of the Atlantic 10 Champion women's lacrosse team.
"My best friends in the world are sitting here in this room tonight," said the co-captain. "We eat together, live together, go out together and always have fun. [My teammates] made a great family for me while I was here."
Young reflected on the last four years. She mentioned not having to attend any more early morning practices, timed runs at the track or doing any more rigorous sprints.
"Although that may put a huge smile on a lot of people's faces," said the Saratoga Springs, N.Y. native. "My smile is immediately turned around when I think of no more games, no movie marathons on nights before games, no more butterflies in my stomach right before the first whistle blows on Totman Field."
The Varsity "M" Club Senior Banquet also allows former athletes to stay involved with the association by building a bridge with current UMass athletes.
Former softball player Kathy Horrigan, class of `79, was on hand to present this year's captain, Nikki Faessler, with her ring.
"It was a real nice evening," said Horrigan. "As UMass alums, we were reminiscing around the table. We didn't have anything like this when I graduated. We didn't have a chance to sit down with our coach and teammates to say goodbye one last time."
Horrigan also noted, "I am always very proud to come back and help our university."
The Varsity "M" Club would like to salute the 125 seniors for building upon the fine tradition of UMass athletics' and wish them good luck on their future endeavors.
To learn more about the Varsity "M" Club, contact Mike Hodges at (413) 545-4592 .