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ALUMNI REFLECTIONS
I entered my final
season at Hofstra
(‘93) with a sense of
optimism despite our
dismal performance
the previous year.
I was living in a house
right across from
Hofstra Stadium with
10 of my teammates.
It was a short walk to
the field and a short
walk to campus. We
had a good preseason
and the lines were
beginning to gel.
We tried to build on
the previous year
by realizing that the
whole is greater than
the sum of its parts.
We had talent and we had the desire to win. In my mind, that’s
all it took to turn a 4-9 record into a 10-6 record, the first playoff
appearance in 15 years and Hofstra’s first trip to the NCAA
Quarterfinals.
Throughout my final season, Coach John Danowski kept
hammering home the notion that we were winning, not because of
any secret ingredient, but because we’re having fun. To Coach, it
was that simple.
As a 21-year old who couldn’t see past the nose on his face, I could
hardly comprehend when he tried to explain to us that the “x’s and
o’s” would take care of itself. Focus, not on winning or losing, but
the fact that we could play this game, feel the air in our lungs, run,
hit, shoot. Things we take for granted but coveted by those less
fortunate. Coach Danowski would say: “Look in the stands, see
your family smiling, cheering you on. Take strength in their belief
in you.”
To me, this was not the best motivation before a game. I wanted
to hear fire and brimstone, not flower power. But now, almost 20
years later and by God’s grace, I watch my own children take joy
in running, jumping… playing. I’ve come to realize that Coach
Danowski was absolutely right. Winning is a by-product.
You have the opportunity to play a game that you love at the top
level in collegiate sports. Revel in the fact that your family can
come to the games and cheer you on. Rely on your teammates for
support because the friendships that you forge today will be with
you for the rest of your lives, long after the final whistle sounds.
Good luck this season.
Michael Ricigliano
Hofstra Lacrosse
1989-1993
10 — 2011 Hofstra Men’s Lacrosse
To this day I
am extremely
proud to be part
of the Hofstra
Lacrosse Family.
I was introduced
to Hofstra
University at an
early age through
my mother Jane
Parrinelli (Hofstra
’83) and my
three uncles who
played lacrosse
at Hofstra – Bill
Fowler (Hofstra
’74), Michael
Fowler (Hofstra
’79) and Joseph
Fowler (Hofstra
’83). From that
point in time
I always had
a passion for
Hofstra Lacrosse
and dreamed of
one day playing in Hofstra (Shuart) Stadium, wearing the blue and
gold. When I arrived on campus in the fall of 1996 it was an honor,
privilege and dream come true.
Throughout my four years there were many on the field successes
for our team, including playing in the NCAA Tournament for three
out of four years from 1997 to 2000. It was also an honor being
elected by the teammates and friends I admired as a tri-captain my
senior year, as well as being selected to the North-South Senior
All Star Game. Off the field we were blessed with the lasting
relationships we have to this day.
Upon graduation in 2000 I entered the Hofstra University School
of Law and currently practice as a trial lawyer in Manhattan. I truly
believe that the work ethic, focus, values and determination that
were instilled in me by my coaches and teammates have helped me
immensely in my professional life.
I enjoyed every moment at Hofstra University. These times and
memories were shaped by wonderful teammates, coaches, friends,
faculty and my wonderful parents and avid Hofstra fans Jane and
Bob. Hofstra Lacrosse has shaped me into the man I have become.
I hope that my teammates and I left the Hofstra Lacrosse Program
in a better place because I know it left me a better person and for
that I will always be grateful.
Go Pride!!
Bobby Parrinelli
Hofstra Lacrosse
1997-2000