The Southern Connecticut State University men’s track and field squad captured their second-straight NEICAAA New England Outdoor Championship title, edging out a 112-109.5 victory against University of Rhode Island. The championships took place at Southern’s Jess Dow Field on May 10-11, 2019. The Owls were the defending champions, having claimed in 2018 their fifth NE title in program history and the fourth for the outdoor squad.
The first few weeks of February have been extremely fruitful for winter programs within the Southern Connecticut State University athletic department.
These Owls haven’t had to worry much about seeing their own shadow due to the collection of trophies accumulating inside Moore Field House.
Since the turn of the calendar to February, Southern Connecticut’s teams have claimed four Northeast -10 Conference team championships, four more individual awards and one additional team runner-up placing.
Things kicked off with the men’s and women’s swimming and diving teams each capturing NE10 Championships on Feb. 11. It was the 13th title in 16 years for the men and 12th for the women – bringing the program’s combined total to a whopping 25. In addition, Katherine Crochet (Watertown, Conn.) was named the Women’s Most Outstanding Swimmer for the second time in her career while Tyler Prescott (Meriden, Conn.) collected Men’s Most Outstanding Swimmer laurels.
Thirteen proved to be a lucky number as well for the men’s indoor track and field team the following weekend as the Owls won their 13th NE10 indoor title and 27th overall. The women’s squad also finished as the runner-up for the fifth straight year.
Destiney Coward (East Haven, Conn.) was named the Most Outstanding Field Performer for the third straight year after winning both the shot put and weight throw. On the men’s side, Turner Kelly (Amityville, N.Y.) earned the same honor after also taking the top spot in those two events.
Finally, the women’s basketball team claimed its first-ever NE10 Southwest Division title when the final game of the regular season concluded on Feb. 20. The Owls ended the regular season with 20 wins – including an earlier triumph over Division I Rhode Island – and are poised for a run deep into the post-season.
Former Southern track and field All-American Collin Walsh, ’08, who suffers from multiple sclerosis and has been paralyzed from his mid-section to his toes, competed in the 55 meters at the James Barber/Wilton Wright SCSU Alumni Track and Field event on November 11 at Moore Field House. Owl Nation cheered him on every step of the way, especially when he successfully completed the 55 meters at the event.
Walsh was an All-American during his undergraduate career at Southern and competed with the cross country and indoor and outdoor track and field squads. He was an All-New England performer and conference champion, and was also recognized with numerous academic honors. Walsh also completed an internship at the White House during his senior year.
After graduation, he went on to serve as a Milford police officer and pursued additional graduate coursework at UConn, Indiana University and abroad in India. In April 2016, he headed to Washington, D.C., to work for Diplomatic Security Service as a special agent specializing in counter-terrorism.
However, after just days there, he became stricken, and during his hospitalization was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. Walsh became paralyzed and unable to walk. Since then, he has undergone extensive medical treatment, even going to India for treatment.
Walsh’s participation in the event garnered local media attention:
New Haven Register: “Former SCSU runner with MS participates in alumni track meet”
By Clare Dignan
Fox 61: “Former police officer, track star with MS walks in track meet”
News 12: “Former Milford officer who was told he’d never walk again defies odds”
Milford Patch: “Former Milford Cop Doesn’t Let Crippling Illness Slow Him Down”
Aussie Natasha Fitzpatrick has made Southern her second home — and set a university record in the process.
It takes about 30 hours for Natasha Fitzpatrick to travel the 10,403 miles between her home in Tasmania, Australia, and Southern’s New Haven campus. The senior public health major transferred to Southern after completing two years of college in her native country — and although she’s only been home once in two years, she’s found her comfort zone. A record-setting member of Southern’s Track and Field Team, Fitzpatrick has met students from around the world while living in North Campus on a floor for international students. “We help each other out,” she says. “I’ve met people from Germany, Spain, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom . . . ”
As for the U.S., she says the country has exceeded her preconceptions, which she jokes came largely from movies, like “High School Musical” and “Mean Girls.” “That was the only idea I had of the U.S. It was a lot different than I expected it to be, which was probably for the best,” she says with a smile.
She, in turn, has corrected her classmates on a few fallacies about life Down Under, including common catch phrases like, “Throw a shrimp on the barbie.” “We call them prawns, so it’s a little ironic,” Fitzpatrick says. Americans do, however, have some things right. “The word ‘mate’ is definitely used as much as people think it is,” she says. Following, she shares more of her Southern story.
Tell us a bit about Tasmania.
Natasha Fitzpatrick: We’re a little island at the bottom part of Australia. It’s the typical Australian scene, with the beaches really close by and warm weather. We get a winter, but nothing as extreme as in New England.
So February in Connecticut was an adjustment.
Yes! My first winter was a bit of a disappointment. There wasn’t much snow. [laughs] I kept hearing about this thing called the snow day! But I had my snow day this year — and by the time the morning passed, I was ready for things to get back to normal.
How did you come to attend Southern?
I went through a company in Australia called NSR. They recruit Australian athletes in all sports to the U.S. They help us find the right schools, the right coaches, and universities that have our major. I got introduced to coach Stoll and really enjoyed talking to her. [Melissa Stoll is head coach of women’s cross country and track and field at Southern.]
Why did you choose Southern?
Mostly for athletics purposes, but I am glad I chose this school for many more reasons, including the friendly people, the academic opportunities and the opportunities to get involved within the school community. It helps everyone to fit in.
What activities are you involved in?
In addition to Cross Country and the Track and Field teams, I’m an orientation ambassador during the summer. I’m also involved with the Public Health Club on campus and work at Southern’s Center for Educational and Assistive Technology.
Let’s talk about track a bit. Are there any differences between track and field in the U.S. and Australia?
We don’t have indoor track. That was probably the most nervous I’ve been — my first race lining up indoors to run the mile, which is not an event we do at home. So that was nerve-racking. But I loved it and I hope to bring it back home. We should have indoor.
You’ve done extremely well at Southern, making nationals in cross country and setting the university record in the steeplechase. Can you explain the event?
In college, the steeplechase is 3 kilometers. Each lap has multiple hurdles. They’re the wider hurdles — so you can step on them — and there’s a water jump. The idea is to clear the water jump. But sometimes you get wet, so it’s definitely a sport to do in the warmer weather.
What was it that like to set Southern’s record?
I didn’t realize how close I was. I kind of left that up to the coaches. . . . They just kept pushing me along. When I actually broke it, they came over and congratulated me. It was quite a good moment. It felt like I achieved something for the school.
Had you traveled previously?
I pretty much have traveled the whole of Australia. This was actually my first time out of the country. So it was a bit of a big move. But it’s been a good choice.
Have you had the opportunity to travel in the U.S.?
I have, luckily. With the team, we get to travel a lot in the New England area, which has been a lot of fun. And during breaks I have been able to travel both the East and the West coasts.
What are some of the things that you’ll enjoy once you’re back home?
It’s so stereotypical but we love our barbecue. Just the whole idea of going to the beach for a barbecue. I got to go home for Christmas which is [during] our summer — and I think we had a barbecue every day.
Speaking of food, any new favorites?
I haven’t had a proper one yet, but I really want to go to Chicago for a deep-dish pizza. I’ve been to a few states and had their main dishes. The Philly cheesesteak is definitely one of the tops on the list.
What is the most common question you get from Americans?
They definitely ask things to do with the outback and the animals we have in Australia. We kind of reassure them that there aren’t too many deadly ones. [laughs] If you stick to the cities, you’ll be fine.
Since you mentioned animals and stereotypical questions from Americans, how often do you see kangaroos and koala bears?
Kangaroos aren’t in the big cities, but if you go a bit further out, you’d find a lot. They’re common — a little like deer in the U.S. [Koalas] aren’t as common because they need a certain tree — the Eucalyptus tree.
And since you’re from Tasmania, you know where this is leading.
I’ve only ever seen one wild Tasmania devil. You find a fair few in sanctuaries.
What do you plan to do after graduating?
I’ve always thought that I’d probably end up in Australia, but in the meantime, I’d love to stay — work a bit. I definitely want to do my internship in the U.S. and if I can keep studying, do graduate school [here].
Any advice to someone who is considering coming to Southern to study from abroad?
It gives you a hugely different perspective – even traveling between English-speaking countries. There are so many differences in the way of life, in schooling, sports. It is definitely an experience I recommend.
Last but not least, vegemite. Yeah or Nay?
I am a huge fan. My mom sends over vegemite just for me. I’ve tried to get people to like vegemite as much as I do, but I don’t think it’s something Americans enjoy. We’re working on it.
For more than 50 years, James Barber ‘64, M.S. ’79, has given dedicated service to Southern Connecticut State University and its students. He was recognized by the SCSU Alumni Association with its 2016 Distinguished Alumnus Award on Friday, Sept. 9 at a campus event attended by more than 300 family members, friends, and fellow alumni.
A record-setting hurdler as a student athlete, Barber went on to become a successful Owls coach for almost 25 years, training numerous track champions and many All-Americans. His expertise also saw him coach both the men’s and women’s USA track teams at national and international championships.
In 1971, Barber launched Southern’s first Summer Educational Opportunity Program, which over time successfully opened the door to a college degree for scores of minority students. He also led the university’s affirmative action office, served as director of student supportive services for more than 20 years, and now helps to advance Southern’s mission as director of community engagement.
A committed community activist, he founded New Haven’s track and field outreach program for young people, working with more than 4,000 children and youth over the years. And he has served as president and a long-time board member of the New Haven Scholarship Fund, which has assisted generations of local high school students to pay for a college education.
“Unsurprisingly, you are a legend in New Haven, having inspired and mentored generations of city youth,” said Connecticut Gov. Dannel P. Malloy, in a citation honoring Barber. “And at Southern, your influence both on and off the field has impacted students and alumni nationwide, many of whom say they would never have graduated without your support and guidance.
“Your many contributions are being recognized today with the 2016 Distinguished Alumnus Award – a fitting recognition for a true Southern icon and a worthy member of the Nutmeg State.”
View a video tribute to James Barber.
View a photo gallery from the Distinguished Alumnus Award event.
