Spring 2004 - Becker College

It Was A Night To Remember...
Ron Riordan
“My greatest accomplishment is being here tonight,
being recognized after all these years (36) and
chatting with Bill Gibbons, my former coach at
Becker. Tonight is a very special moment for me!”
Tony Koski
“It’s an honor to be here (to have been chosen). It
has been a long time since my Leicester Junior
College days (since 1966) and sitting beside Paige
(Rowden his LJC coach) and reminiscing with him
makes this night special. For a kid who was never
on an airplane before, flying to Kansas to compete
in the national tournament will always be my
memorable moment.”
Coaching Updates
Scott Dion has been named men’s basketball head
coach, replacing Adam Nelson, who left after three seasons
to take the head coaching position at Newbury
College. The Hawks were 8-18 last season.
Dion, 28, brings six years of collegiate coaching experience
to Becker. He spent the 1997-2003 seasons as the
assistant basketball coach for the men’s program at
Clark University alongside head coach Paul Phillip. He
also served as a staff member at many clinics and camps
in the area.
Dion received his undergraduate degree in accounting
from Bryant College in 1996, teaching certification
in mathematics and business in 1998 from Worcester
State College and earned his master’s in secondary education
from Worcester State College in 2003. He is a
mathematics teacher at Tantasqua High School in
Sturbridge, Mass.
Tom Cooley ‘99, the new coach for both men’s and
women’s tennis, is also director of Student Services on
the Worcester campus. Tom was a varsity tennis player
for Becker and co-captain in his senior year. He earned
Paige Rowden
“Being inducted into the New England Basketball
Hall of Fame is one of the highest honors I’ve ever
had. Being here tonight with people I’ve met over
the years, brings back a lot of memories. I’ve met
a lot of very nice people through sports and to reminisce
with several of them tonight about things
we’ve accomplished, is a gratifying moment for
me.”
Gabe Simon
“It’s like a dream come true as a little kid. I never
thought something like this (chosen for Basketball
Hall of Fame) could happen to someone like me. It
was a phenomenal evening. I still can’t believe it
happened to me. This evening brings back memories
of my playing days at Becker – the crowd support,
the three piece band at our games.”
a master’s degree in education from Cleveland State
University in 2001.
Heather LaFleur joined the athletic staff as assistant
director of athletics in July 2002. A 1996 graduate of
Nichols College, she was a three-sport athlete for the
Bison. She worked for the Atlanta Committee for the
Olympic Games for three years. Also, she was the director
of stadium operations for the Virginia Roadsters of
the Women’s Professional Softball League.
Marissa Brown ’98 and Nancy Belliveau ’86 are assisting
basketball coach, Heather LaFleur. Marissa was a
member of the women’s basketball team and a scholarathlete
on the Becker volleyball and softball teams. She
has also been the head volleyball coach at Becker since
2001. Nancy also played basketball for Becker.
Jessica Bly ’00 and Michelle Laporte ’97 are returning
as assistant women’s soccer coaches. Jessica played basketball
as a student and Michelle played soccer and softball.
Tara Brodin ’93, assistant softball coach, is entering
her 6th season. She was also a softball player.
BECKER BRIDGES / 21