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Photo by BILL EDINGTON
United States Athletes International field hockey team included Wesleyan athletes Jana Popeleski, Jaclyn Bailey, Alexis Byrd, and Lauren Pasternak |
"Coach Burt received information about the trip and offered the opportunity to go to the Wesleyan hockey team," said Bailey, referring to the Marlins' former head field hockey and lacrosse coach. "I missed the opportunity to play in Australia the previous summer, so I jumped at the chance to go to Barbados to play." The total cost of the trip was estimated to be$2,200, so the girls decided to raise money to make the trip more affordable. Some of the fundraising included fifty-fifty raffles, a fashion show and requesting donations from businesses, family, and friends. The fundraisers proved to be successful and in some cases paid for over a third of the girls’ trip.
"I did the fashion show, ran fifty-fifty raffles at basketball games and sent out donation letters to relatives which helped me raise about $700," said Popeleski. "I raised about $650 by sending my donation letters to family, friends and old coaches and teachers," added Bailey.
The trip gave the girls an opportunity to travel overseas, experience a different culture and a different level and style of field hockey. "I wanted to visit Barbados and I thought the itinerary sounded good," said Pasternak.
"It was a place in the Caribbean which sounded enticing and I wanted to see how their level of competition differed from ours," said Bailey. The girls were able to see the different styles of play by competing against England, Scotland and Barbados. They also picked up tips from their fellow teammates. The Wesleyan hockey girls were on a team with eight other collegiate players from Sweet Briar College, Arcadia University and Gettysburg College.
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Photo by LAUREN PASTERNAK
Ocean view from the Dover Beach Resort, where members of the US Athletes International team stayed while in Barbados |
"The teams we played against had all played together before, so they played more as a team. We weren't able to play together until our first game, but after the second game we began meshing more as a team," said Pasternak. Some of the girls took quick notice of the way the teams from other countries played and their attitudes about the game. "The European teams had impeccable skills," said Bailey, "and they even drank beer on the sideline and didn't take the game quite as serious as us. They had more fun with it." "The British teams played a better passing game and beat us to the ball a lot. But they were used to playing on the turf and we're all grass players that had to adapt to the surface," said Popeleski.
Although they were busy, the trip wasn't all work and no play for the Wesleyan students. Besides hockey games, the girls were also able to participate in scheduled recreational activities and see the night life of Barbados. Some scheduled events the girls participated in included a Catamaran Cruise, a cruise on a pirate ship with a rope swing and plank to walk, snorkeling, and scuba diving with sea turtles. "We were all pretty much dumped into the middle of the ocean and given bread to feed these huge sea turtles. It was fun until Lauren dumped all the bread on me and the turtles came from everywhere," said Popeleski.
"I competed in a kayaking race and my team came in first place" said Pasternak. The girls were also able to experience Barbados’ life during tours of downtown Bridgetown, dinner at local restaurants and dance parties at bars and clubs. "We went to one restaurant for dinner, and the restaurant had a water slide in it. That was extremely fun," said Bailey. Overall, the trip to Barbados turned out to be a fun learning experience for the Wesleyan players.
"The trip made me more aware of what I had to work on for the upcoming season," said Bailey. "It was amazing seeing a whole new culture, how they live every day and how their style of play is different from ours." "The whole experience of playing with girls who had learned from completely different coaches and had a totally different style really added to the way I play the game now," said Popeleski. "I would definitely go on another trip like this, this was a truly remarkable experience that opened my horizons in many ways," said Pasternak.
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Photo by BLADEN FINCH
Former Athletic Director Donald Forsyth |
"It was tough at first coaching so many sports and teaching," said Forsyth. He continued to coach basketball for 20 years and golf for the 30 years he was athletic director. He also continued to teach off and on and helped build what is now the Recreation and Leisure Department.
"After we stopped requiring physical education and health, I started working with Rec. and Leisure Studies," said Forsyth. Forsyth retired from Wesleyan in 1999 and now volunteers every Monday from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. sitting at the front desk in the Chaplin's office. Forsyth said his main responsibility is to keep the doors open so people will feel free to stop by and visit. He also answers the phone.
Forsyth also says that it's nice to be around Wesleyan and see the familiar faces. He still knows much of the faculty and staff and enjoys getting the chance to talk with them regularly. "This is a special place for me," said Forsyth. "I feel comfortable here." Although Forsyth just came to the Chaplin's office this semester he has known Chapman since he was a student at Wesleyan.
"I've known Bob since he used to be the photographer for the basketball team when he was a student," said Forsyth. Forsyth plans to continue volunteering in the Chaplin's office. He he also plans to assist the Admissions Office by helping to host some college fairs to attract new students.
Site created and maintained by Linda De Rosa.