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Florida Tech Basketball is Back

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Elena Ciulli | Staff Writer

The Florida Tech women’s and men’s basketball teams are set to open the 2020-21 basketball season, starting off what surely will be an unusual season in program history. 

Photo by Edwin Ariel Valladares from Pexels

The Panthers are one of seven schools from the Sunshine State Conference scheduled to compete. Only a partial schedule has been made available, listing games through March 13. All game dates and times are subject to change. 

The women’s team was the first to hit the hardwood on Feb. 5, starting off with a 64-57 win over Florida Southern. This marked the program’s first game in 339 days.

The team is under the same management as last year. Coach John Reynolds is in command, with Aerial Wilson as assistant coach.

In their opening game, three Panthers scored double figures. First in the list, Severine Uggen with 15 points, followed by newcomers Aiste Vaitekunaite and Zoe Murphy helping the team with 14 and 13 points. The Panthers followed up with two losses and one win.

“Our first game was a bit tough after not playing since March 2020. So, I’m positive that we can do so much better. I think we have a great team this year,” Uggen said. “A good stretch with shooters and inside players, and an overall good team chemistry. I’m very grateful that we get to play again, and I just hope everybody stays safe”. 

Head coach Reynolds said he was satisfied with the team’s performance, regardless of the cold environment of an empty gym. 

“One thing that was a bit weird is playing without fans,” Reynolds said. “Without the fans, and without the buzz in the gym, it’s so different.” 

Florida Tech policy prohibits spectators from attending any sporting events this year, including all basketball games. 

The Lady Panthers’ next game will be Saturday, Feb. 20 against Saint Leo. Live stream will be available.

Testing and Training: Panther Athletes Return to Practice

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Elena Ciulli | Staff Writer

Students have made their way back to campus, among them student athletes looking to get back to training.

The athletic department outlines the strategy for mitigating the spread of COVID-19 to guarantee the safety of student athletes, coaches, and athletic trainers. Florida Tech implemented a sport-specific phased resocialization approach for each team, starting with the arrival of student athletes at the beginning of spring semester. 

The priority was to get student athletes traveling back to campus safe and healthy. In order to be allowed to return to campus, student athletes have been required to submit a negative COVID-19 test. Testing has been double-layered, with follow-up tests acting as the green light for team practices. 

“I have been very impressed with all of the measures that the university has taken as a whole.” Luis Velez, head athletic trainer at Florida Tech, said. 

Once competitions start, athletes and staff will be subjected to different protocols, depending on potential transmission risk factors as outlined by the NCAA. 

The nature of the sport and whether it is played indoors or outdoors are determining factors. Based on these guidelines by the NCAA, as competition approaches athletes and staff will be tested regularly starting the week prior to competition and throughout the season and postseason.

 “I want to also thank Brittany Collins from the Health Center, Krishna Patel from the PRT for their help, our athletic administration, and our athletic training staff for their assistance in creating and implementing our policies,” Velez said. “Our coaches and student athletes have done a great job communicating with me and my staff if any concerns arise.”

Players and coaches are expected to strictly adhere to COVID-19 protocols throughout the semester.

John Reynolds, head coach of the women’s basketball team, says that he is following the protocols to a “T.”

“This is the best way to create as safe a practice environment as possible, and I have complete trust in the precautions that we have instituted,” Reynolds said.

Panther athletes work(out) from home

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Elena Ciulli | Staff Writer

From staying ready to quarantine if an athlete tests positive, to getting their workouts through apps, Panther athletes have had to adapt to a “new normal” in the face of COVID-19.

Florida Tech athletes have taken a unique and challenging hit due to COVID-19. Athletes’ daily lives have been drastically changed, with the majority of their time now being spent maintaining fitness levels and skill training. 

To combat this unexpected off-season, athletes are seeking creative new ways to maintain their skills remotely. Sophomore Nolan Penn, a member of the men’s lacrosse team, had to quarantine after testing positive for COVID-19.

During his time in quarantine, Penn focused on working out in his apartment with training that doesn’t require equipment.

 “Our team got shut down immediately after finding out the first positive case. Quarantine was different for each athlete and it was mainly contained to a few off campus houses,” Penn said. “During our isolation period, my roommate and I have been trying to maintain our shape working out in our apartment as much as we could.”

According to Florida Tech strength and conditioning coach Carl Putman, making sure athletes maintain good physical and mental health is the major goal of their recovery journey. 

“We tried to send creative workouts for the athletes to try at home using regular household items through a training platform on a phone app”, Putman said. 

So what do athletes in quarantine or who tested positive have to do before they return to practice? 

According to Putman, athletic trainers have been implementing “return to play” protocols for athletes coming off quarantine. This is added to lower intensity workouts specially designed for those recovering from COVID-19. 

All of these changes have presented challenges to Panther athletes.

Luis Moriyon Jr., a junior on the baseball team, has experienced some tough moments, but said he has full confidence on the coaching staff. 

“The hardest part was going back to phase one as soon as we found the first positive case in our team. At this point it’s tough to know what would be our next move, but we follow what our coaches say and we trust the process.” Moriyon said.

Moriyon said extra precautions have been taken, such as avoiding sharing equipment with other athletes. 

Putman emphasized that for any athletes exposed to COVID-19, returning to health is most important. He explained that hydration, proper nutrition, and sleep, along with stretching and mobility work, take priority. 

 “Recovery is very important and vital, particularly if our immune system has been busy fighting the virus,” Putman said.

Panthers return to practice, looking toward spring competition

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Elena Ciulli | Staff Writer

Even with competitions postponed, Panthers haven’t lost their heart and athletes are working out on a regular basis. On Sept. 22, athletics at Florida Tech marked the end of their second week of practice in hopes of playing in the spring.

Student-athletes returned to campus to prepare for their respective seasons before the university announced that all fall competition would be put on hold until the spring. Athletic director Pete Mazzone said he agrees with the decision, especially since the NCAA’s sport science group mandates testing of each athlete prior to and after competitions. 

“Once this announcement came out in July, most of the conferences in the NCAA Division II and Division III and many in Division I postponed all fall competitions,” Mazzone said.

NCAA guidelines require testing for all outside competitions at this point during the fall, but not for practices within each institution.

As with almost everything on-campus this semester, practices and training sessions are different than usual. In addition to close supervision, coaches have developed training cohorts for small group practices of ten or fewer individuals.

 According to Billy Mims, head coach of the men’s basketball team, the new COVID-19 protocols are necessary as the health of student athletes, coaches, and staff is a paramount concern to Florida Tech. Coaches and student-athletes are required to wear face masks and adhere to social distancing as part of the university policy.

 “Basketball is an in-your-face contact sport, so the risks are obvious,” added Mims. “Our players are getting used to the new normal of dressing for practice at home instead of in our locker room, using hand sanitizer before starting practice and at breaks during and after, spraying the basketballs with disinfectant before and after practice.”

Dimitris Karademitros, a sophomore majoring in aviation management with flight and member of the rowing team, said the return to practice presented some degree of normalcy. 

“The way that spring semester ended really affected my grades and performances in school. I am so glad we are able to go back to the gym, it seems nothing changed. Apart from the masks, of course,” Karademitros said. 

Training activities include a gradual introduction of physical activity with minimal to no contact, placing an emphasis on technique. Small training cohorts are intended to limit the amount of close contacts. 

“We all need to continue to follow the guidelines that have been put in place by the university, so that we can continue to go to class, go to practices and go to the gym,” Mazzone said. 

No positive test results have occurred since Panthers resumed practice on Sept. 8, according to Mazzone.

Safety takes the lead in campus organization planning

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By Johnny O’Brien

Campus organizations at Florida Tech have commenced with the start of the school year, with organization leaders prioritizing safety as they plan their events. 

Florida Tech’s First Year Experience, spearheaded by Jessica Ha Bittner, offers a 1000-level university experience course, with the purpose of helping out new students during their initial academic and social transitions to Florida Tech. Their office offers educational and social programming throughout the year. The first program in their lineup debuts on Sept. 18, with Oscar-winning film Parasite for the FYE Film Series.

Ha Bittner says that FYE is following all protocols outlined in the Florida Tech Safe: Return to Learn plan. 

“We require masks for anyone to enter our office space, and we also offer in-person appointments for students who are on campus this fall, but highly encourage all students to meet with us virtually through Microsoft Teams meetings or via phone conferences,” Ha Bittner said.

The FYE office works primarily with incoming students who transfer in less than 30 credits and are considered first year students. Ha Bittner mentioned the office is not only providing students with resources and knowledge for first year at Florida Tech, but also ensuring they understand the safety measures in place at the university. 

“All FYE advisees are encouraged to speak with their advisor if they have any questions or concerns about Florida Tech, the transition to college life, or our pandemic response,” Ha Bittner said. “We promise to assist students with any questions they may have, including connecting the student with the appropriate resource needed to provide that assistance.”

The Homecoming committee is also having to adjust with all things COVID, as homecoming committee head Samara Gallion is taking precautions to ensure a fun and safe gathering for this year’s event. Gallion said that last year’s events were extended by a day and a half and the committee plans on doing the same for this year.

“Last year our events included Kick-off, Fall Earth Day, Big Night Out 2.0, Talent Show, Downtown Fest, Homecoming Football game, and Homecoming Carnival,” Gallion said. “These activities provide a lot of diversity for all students to find something to enjoy during the week and also gives them an outlet to destress.”

With COVID-19 still a major concern, the homecoming committee made an executive decision to move homecoming to the spring semester. 

“All of our plans have been shifted back and we will be working diligently to make Homecoming possible this year in an environment where everyone can feel safe,” Gallion said.

Gallion said she cannot make any statement yet if the school will have any limits to who can attend Homecoming activities this year, but the homecoming committee will be thoroughly discussing the implications of the population and safety adjustments that the school will be implementing come spring semester.

“The policies that we set in place this year might not occur in the following, but they are something that should be kept around as a baseline for any event such as COVID,” Gallion said. 

Nicolette Murphey, president of the Marine Biological Society at Florida Tech, and treasurer Erika Kurtzweil said that the organization is unable to gather large groups for their beach cleanups due to COVID-19.

“We’re strongly encouraging people to still go to the beach independently and pick up any trash they find, but it’s not the same group effort we’ve been able to have in the past,” Murphey said.

Kurtzweil said the group is hopeful that they will be able to pick events back up in the spring semester. 

Murphey said the organization has had to make some changes to adapt to the new normal, including cancelling their spring snorkeling trip and placing many plans on hold to keep members safe.

Florida Tech’s fall sports have also experienced delays and changes due to COVID-19. Daniel Supraner, director of athletic communications, said that the department is doing all they can to make sure student-athletes remain safe on campus, with team practices halted from the start of the semester until Sept. 7.

“We are educating and encouraging student-athletes to wear a mask, social distance, and avoid large gatherings and parties,” Supraner said.

Supraner said that practices will be based around small groups of ten or less athletes. 

On July 18, the Sunshine State Conference (SSC) Presidents Council announced that the 2020 fall sports season was being postponed, which included men’s and women’s soccer, men’s and women’s cross country and volleyball. 

“Right now, the plan is to have fall sports compete during the Spring 2021 semester but the exact start date has yet to be determined,” Supraner said.

Supraner said the start date for winter sports, including men’s and women’s basketball and men’s and women’s swimming, has yet to be announced as well. The normal start time for competition is usually in November. 

According to Supraner, fall sports will do a conference-only schedule and winter sports will likely do the same.

“At this time, none of our teams are able to schedule contests outside the state of Florida,” Supraner said.

“Having to take the positives out of a negative situation:” spring sport student-athletes granted another year of eligibility

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In the midst of the spread of COVID-19 in the United States, Florida Tech has canceled spring sports and the remainder of winter sports for the rest of the semester.  On March 13, the National Collegiate Athletic Association announced that spring student-athletes would be able to receive an extra year of eligibility.

Despite spring student-athletes being granted another year of eligibility, on Mar. 30, the NCAA announced that they will not allow an extra year of eligibility for winter sports athletes. 

With the spring sports seasons being cut short in March, and two more months of the regular season to play, there were no playoffs or national champions for any spring student-athlete at Florida Tech. For some seniors, their last season was cut short. 

Harry Craik, a senior majoring in civil engineering, plays at his senior night game. Photo// Matthew Lanoue

“With athletes having an extra year of eligibility, rosters have a possibility of being larger next season,” said Vincenzo Catanza, a fifth-year senior on the baseball team majoring in electrical engineering. “It sets a weird situation because you recruited a freshman class and transfers coming in to replace the seniors,” Catanza said. “Now the seniors have a chance to come back.”

Catanza shared his frustration about the cancellation of the season saying, “I had a feeling it was going to be canceled seeing other schools and conferences postponing or canceling their season,” he said. 

Catanza also brought up how much of an honor it was to be a part of the Florida Tech family and be able to play the sport he loved with his closest friends. 

“I had to take the positives out of what could have been a very negative situation, Catanza said. “All those tears were not because baseball was leaving.”

The outfielder also added that his sadness from the spring sports cancellation stemmed from him no longer being able to play and have his friends and family watch from the stands. 

“I couldn’t put on the jersey that I thought I represented well, and wanted to represent well,” Catanza said. 

With Catanza being a fifth-year senior, he has the option to come back next year or to begin a new chapter in his life. He shares his thoughts on where he is with his decision stating, “I definitely consider coming back, but I am very fortunate for the fact I also have a job offer.” 

At this point in time, Catanza said he is still not sure if he will use his year of eligibility. “I have a tough decision ahead,” he added.

According to ESPN, concerns regarding the Coronavirus have also led to the cancellation of sports beyond the collegiate level. Such cancellations include March Madness and suspensions of the professional sports leagues, including the NBA, MLB, and even the Olympics that were set to take place this summer.

“I think it is necessary since health and safety comes first,” said Harry Craik, a senior basketball player majoring in civil engineering. 

“By removing sports, it disrupts the community behind it,” Craik said. 

He added that sports provide a huge amount of jobs for people, and now it impacts so many people since no sporting events are being held.

The end of the winter sports season, including playoffs for basketball, was also canceled due to the Coronavirus. 

Florida Tech’s men’s basketball team did not make the playoffs, so their season was not cut short. 

“I think this is really unfortunate since spring athletes worked so hard all year to get to the tournament and their chance to prove themselves was taken,” Craik said.

Florida Tech women’s soccer coach resigns

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by Elena Ciulli

Florida Tech women’s soccer coach, Jessica Monarch, resigned and has accepted a position as assistant coach for the women’s soccer program at Charleston University.
Monarch will be joining coaches Jose Gomez and Jackie Stoll at Charleston University.

Assistant coach Julia Kantor will take over this spring semester, and plans on remaining the assistant coach during next season. //Photo: Florida Tech sports

Before joining the Panther program, Monarch served for two years as a graduate assistant coach at Belhaven University and has since spent the last five years with the Florida Tech program. Monarch first started working as an assistant coach at Florida Tech and then became head coach in 2018.

The highlight of her tenure was in 2017 when Monarch led the women’s team to the team’s first-ever Sunshine State Conference tournament championship.

 Soccer players like Hailey Feela, a sophomore majoring in biomedical sciences,  are looking forward to seeing what the fall season will bring to the team. “I am extremely excited about the new direction Florida Tech women’s soccer will be taking,” Feela said.

Monarch left the spot to her assistant coach Julia Kantor, a Florida Tech alumni. 

Kantor was assistant coach for the women’s soccer team for one year before stepping in as head coach until the position is filled permanently. 

Kantor said she is enjoying this experience, taking this moment as a good learning period and working to further cultivate her relationship with the team. 

According to the players, coach Kantor is managing the challenges well in the absence of a new head coach. 

Hailey Henderson, a sophomore majoring in biomedical sciences, alike to Feela, is also looking forward to the incoming fall semester. “Now, more than ever, our team needs to come together and support each other to get what we want to achieve,” Henderson said. “I am fully confident in coach Kantor’s abilities and it’s time for me and the girls to come out stronger.”

According to Kantor, Florida Tech has begun the search for a new head coach.

Sports, we’ll miss you

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Why do we watch sports? Seriously, why do we constantly check scores and stats, scream when a big play happens, cheer when our team scores and go home feeling sick when they lose? What’s the point?

The act of sport is an escape. 

An escape from our job, an assignment due at midnight, a tough breakup, a sick loved one, or politics, politics, and more politics. 

Sports are the only thing on Earth that can bring people together no matter their political party, religious beliefs, race, sexual orientation, age, gender, or any other category that separates us as humans. 

Are we rooting for the same team? We are? Great! You’re welcome to our club. You’re rooting for the Patriots? Go kick rocks dude!

It’s that exclusive club of fans rooting for the same team or player that makes watching sports so special. 

The Coronavirus has ripped this escape away from us. 

Not only have all of Florida Tech sports been canceled, but practically all major American sports have been either suspended or canceled. 

This year you won’t get the opportunity to fill out 47 March Madness brackets because you want to tell your friends, “My bracket lasted the longest, I told you guys I know what I’m talking about.”

We may not even get to see the best NBA team hold up the Larry O’Brien trophy, or the best NHL celebrate with the Stanley Cup. 

Major League Baseball won’t be welcomed into the new season with the tradition of Opening Day. 

Professional golf season won’t tee off at Augusta National for the Masters Tournament on time. 

It’s all just gone, within a blink of an eye our escape from whatever is dragging us down in our lives is gone, and we don’t know when it’ll be back. 

I write this not to mope and have someone play a sad song for me on the world’s smallest violin, but to tell the sports-crazed fans out there that you’re not alone. 

We all should know how serious this disease is and the impact it could have on our country and our planet. 

Sports will return and everything happens for a reason. 

Maybe this a sign that we should all pay closer attention to our family, friends, co-workers, classmates and neighbors. 

While this feels like a nightmare, it will get better, our escape from reality will return. 

In the meantime, wash your hands, practice social distancing and watch reruns of the 2016 NBA Finals.

Giving high fives to strangers at a game will be back, but until then, sports, we’ll miss you.

Florida Tech athletic director Bill Jurgens has changed positions after 44 years

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By Elena Ciulli

44 years later — Bill Jurgens, long time Florida Tech athletic director,  has been promoted to vice president of international relations. 

Jurgens became Florida Tech’s athletic director in 1976, helping Florida Tech build 18 different sports and recruiting over 500 student-athletes. In his time as athletic director, Florida Tech won five NCAA titles: two in men’s soccer, two in women’s golf and one in swimming, as well as 35 conference team championships.

Bill Jurgens supports the women’s soccer team at their 2019 senior night match. Photo// Florida Tech Athletics Flickr

In May, Jurgens will begin his position as Vice President for University Relations. 

“It is something that I really want to do because I want to have a greater impact on the University,” Jurgens said. 

After 44 years as an athletic director, Jurgens will assist President T. Dwayne McCay with community responsibilities and developing awareness for  Florida Tech. Jurgen’s experience in the athletic department will allow him to promote the university through different areas such as sustaining optimum performances and what it takes to be a team player.  

Student-athletes seem to be sad that Jurgens is leaving the athletic department, but wish him the best of luck in his new position. Tania Kottke, a volleyball player majoring in business, is one particular athlete that will miss Jurgens as an athletic director. 

“It’s sad that Bill will not be in the athletic department anymore,” Kottke said. 

“But the legacy and the connections he built during his time will help him succeed in his new position.” 

According to Jurgens, getting more exposure and showing excitement for the university will be crucial. “I love Florida Tech for a variety of reasons,” Jurgens said. “FIT is a great academic institution and the people who work here are great.”

During his career, Jurgens had the chance to build strong relationships, which allowed him to meet numerous people, who became colleagues and eventually friends. 

One of those relationships started over 30 years ago, with the man that will act as interim athletic director until the position is filled, Pete Mazzone.

Arriving at Florida Tech in 1985, Mazzone has been involved with the university in a variety of roles: assistant athletic director, intramural director, game manager, teacher and head coach of the cross country team.

Years of experience brought Mazzone to be the candidate for the athletic director role, after being Florida Tech’s associate athletic director for years prior. “ It’s a new challenge and I am excited to implement my plans,” Mazzone said.  

Students like Pauline Cosson and Malte Stockhausen, both part of the cross country team, have welcomed the news regarding Mazzone’s upcoming position. The two seniors have full trust in their coach, relying on his organization and leadership skills. “ I am sure coach Mazzone will do a fantastic job,” said Stockhausen, a senior majoring in marine biology.  “He has always been very organized and fair to everyone, being a great example to all the student-athletes.”

Jurgens and Mazzone will work together in a transition period until Jurgens assumes his new role on May 1. 

As for now, any relevant changes have been communicated to all the Florida Tech athletic teams.

“Coach Mazzone deserved the role, and I am happy that all his hard work has paid off. I know he will be successful, ” Cosson said.

MLB investigated for sign stealing

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Multiple teams are being investigated by Major League Baseball for stealing signs from catchers.

The Houston Astros were exposed by a former player, who anonymously told Atlantic news reporter, Ken Rosenthal, that the team stole signs illegally to help their playoff success in 2017. The Astros would later go on to win the World Series that same year. 

The bench coach for Houston, or assistant manager, Alex Cora, is rumored by MLB investigators to be the creator of the sign-stealing strategy Houston used. 

The Washington Post reports that the Astros allegedly set up a camera behind centerfield for the team’s replay room, which helped the manager AJ Hinch to challenge a close play by the umpire. The camera behind centerfield would be connected to a video monitor that revealed the sign that the catcher was giving to the pitcher. 

Tyler Brown, a business major who plays baseball for Florida Tech, said the news shocked him.

“I could not believe it,” Brown said. “As more evidence was being revealed, I didn’t want to believe it happened, but it did.”

According to multiple news outlets, players would bang on a trash can in the dugout as a form of communication to tell the hitter what pitch was coming. Hinch and the Astros general manager, Jeff Luhnow, are suspended for a full season. also parted ways with the team, leaving them unemployed. The team was fined $5 million and lost their first and second-round draft picks in 2020 and 2021. 

“I definitely do not agree with the punishments, I think it is nowhere near harsh enough,” said Dominic Fraticelli, a Florida Tech freshman in software engineering and an avid baseball fan. Fraticelli has followed the scandal since the news broke.

“If you ban Pete Rose, the greatest hitter in all of baseball, for life because he gambled on games and there’s no evidence of him fixing games, then why wouldn’t you ban people who deliberately cheat the game to give themselves an advantage?” Fraticelli said. 

Cora was named manager of the Red Sox in 2018. He also led the team to a World Series championship in his first year as manager. The Red Sox are also currently being investigated for illegally stealing signs as well. According to ESPN, Boston had a replay room as well, and players would sneak into the replay room to get the signs from the catcher to help their hitters. There was no one ever monitoring the replay room, so players could freely come in and steal signs. Cora is no longer the manager of the Red Sox, and a replacement for the Red Sox team manager has not yet been chosen.

Carlos Beltran, a former player for the team, was also involved in the scandal. After being named manager of the Mets this winter, he resigned from his position after the cheating scandal escalated.

Houston is being investigated after recently learning they had buzzing devices hidden in their jerseys. Investigations have discovered that the number of buzzes felt alerted what pitch was coming. 

“I was stunned to hear this,” Fraticelli said. “Not only because I was a Yankees fan and we had lost to them two out of the last three years in the postseason, but more because it corrupts the integrity of the game.”

“It is still uncertain how the MLB will handle the situation so the cheating scandals do not occur again in the future,” said Jeff Korte, assistant baseball coach for Florida Tech. 

“They should randomly pull players from each team and discuss how they could improve the integrity of the game to combat future malpractice,” Korte added. 

The league is continuously investigating the scandal, as spring training workouts approach in early February. 

“Baseball has had this problem since the 1919 Chicago White Sox to the steroid era,” Korte said. “After thinking about it more, I realized how hard it was to play the game because people are always looking to find ways to make it easier.”