The latest ECC On Campus focuses on St. Thomas Aquinas College. A member of the conference since 2000, the Spartans athletic department has developed a reputation as one of the most active of all ECC schools in their local community. Through written and recorded interviews, this feature will take a look at some of the positive people, activities, and acheivements that are connected to the athletic programs at St. Thomas Aquinas.
Current Student-Athlete: Michael Kraus, Cross Country and Track & Field
For Michael Kraus, life is about making a difference. It can be seen in how he dedicates himself to his studies and to his athletic participation at STAC, to his work in the community, and to his future career plans. Almost everything Michael involves himself in is based on helping others.
Now a junior, Michael hails from River Vale, New Jersey, was
recruited from Pascack Valley High School, and participates in all
three seasons at STAC as a member of the Cross Country, Indoor and
Outdoor Track and Field teams. He has proven to be a dedicated and
valuable member of all three STAC squads and in the classroom, he
holds a 3.87 GPA as a Criminal Justice major, earning Dean’s
List honors each semester of attendance. His career plans include a
job in law enforcement and his dream job would include working as a
police officer with a K9 unit.
STAC Cross Country Coach Nicole Ballou says Michael has become a
role model for his teammates academically, athletically, and in his
service efforts on campus and in the community. “Early on, he
seemed to have a quiet demeanor, but over the past three years, we
have seen great truth to the statement 'Actions speak louder than
words'," says Coach Ballou. “Michael has led by example from
the moment he set foot on campus. He is the first to practice
everyday. He never misses a workout and every workout is done to
the best of his ability. Kraus sets the tone at many practices and
makes sure that his teammates are focused on their
goals.”
Away from academics and athletics, Michael serves his community,
volunteering for the River Vale Volunteer Ambulance Corps as an EMT
and currently holds an officer’s position with that group as
Lieutenant and is on call 75 hours per month. He also has joined
the Fire Department in his town as well, following in the footsteps
of his father and other family members. He will begin training this
summer.
His EMT training comes in handy in his role as a team leader, as he
is called on to assist when teammates encounter bee stings or
scrapes while training. This past season, following a race at
Lehigh, he noticed a female runner having dizziness and difficulty
breathing following her run. He was able to step in and with his
knowledge, advice, and calm demeanor, helped and steadied the young
lady until the athletic medical staff could make their way to the
area to provide treatment. Always humble, Michael viewed his
involvement as no big deal, “I was just doing my
job,”he said.
Speaking to us during this March 2013 interview and podcast, it is
clear that Michael has made an impact on his STAC teammates and
coaches and his community. As Coach Ballou states, the future is
bright for this young man. “Michael Kraus is a leader, a
mentor and overall a great person. We are proud to have him at STAC
as a student-athlete.”
Michael, can you tell us why you chose to attend
STAC?
I chose STAC because its personal. It's a small school where you
can have real relationships and have people get to know you, not
just the professor but everyone throughout the campus. Also STAC
being close to home allowed me to commute which let me stay
involved with volunteering.
What was your involvement in running before participating
on the college level?
I started running track in 6th grade and continued with both cross
country and track every season throughout high school.
Are you involved in any other activities on
campus?
Besides cross country and track I do a weekly radio show in the
campus radio station.
I understand from Coach Ballou that you really take a
leadership role on the team. First to practice, always prepared and
working hard. Why the commitment to the hard work and effort in
your running?
I think at this point in my running career hard work and effort
just comes natural because through out my life I've been fortunate
to have great role models with my parents, coaches, and teammates
who set the example.
You are also a very successful student in the classroom.
What has been your secret to success in that area (besides being
smart, of course)?
Well growing up I had learning disability in elementary school and
it made me feel like an outcast in the classroom. But with teachers
I'll forever be indebted to who not only taught me how to read and
write but fueled a fire to learn. I don't ever take anything in the
classroom for granted and it always makes me stay interested.
Besides having a pretty serious passion for learning I'd say my
secret for success is organization.
How did you get involved in Ambulance and EMT corp? What
drew you to this work and what does it mean to you?
I got involved with the Ambulance Corp and Fire Department because
growing up with my Dad being a firemen anyone working in the EMS
field was my hero and its something I always was interested in
doing. I just recently joined the fire department which I always
planned on doing growing up, but I joined the Ambulance Corp
earlier on because I was allowed to go to EMT school at 16 so I was
able to be more involved right away. Plus my two best friends were
joining the corps too so we all went to EMT school together and it
was one of the best decisions I've made in my life.
Coach also noted that you are always looking to help out if
someone is in trouble, with injuries or health issues while
competing. What makes you willing to step up in those
situations?
Well as an EMT, I'll always have a duty to act in an emergency. No
matter how competitive I may be at a race I feel nothing is greater
then helping someone else. Besides you never know what kind of
impact you can have especially if it is ever a life or death
situation. Even if it isn't that severe, it never hurts to offer
help since it's the right thing to do.
Why have athletics been important to you?
Athletics has impacted every facet of my life. It instilled a solid
work ethic early on, allowed me meet some of the greatest people in
my life, express and balance myself, and relieve the stresses of my
life.
Why should students and student-athletes attend
STAC?
Students and student-athletes should attend STAC because it allows
you to make an impact. No matter the talent or skill set of
everyone on our team everyone makes an impact and we all improve
each other. That is the beauty of a small personal Division II
college. It allows you to make an impact in your own life, others,
the classroom, and on the track.
To hear the full interview with Michael, click on the links below.
Former Student-Athlete: Pat McFadden ('81), Men's Basketball
To listen to Pat McFadden talk about his time at St. Thomas
Aquinas College, he feels lucky he had the opportunity to find a
school where he could grow as a student-athlete and member of the
basketball team. However, it is quickly apparent that STAC did a
great job in helping to prepare a man who has gone on to contribute
greatly to others as a fireman, an instructor, a teacher,
administrator, and as a coach.
Pat McFadden came to St. Thomas Aquinas as the top men’s
basketball recruit in 1977 by then Coach, Gordon Chiesa. Hampered
by a knee injury that limited him somewhat during his career, he
graduated in 1981 with a degree in Criminal Justice and quickly
found a job with the New York City Fire Department where he worked
for 12 years. He moved on to an instructors role in Health and
Fitness with the Fire Academy, becoming Director of the Unit in
1999.
In 2001 Pat made another transition, this time taking a job
teaching at the prestigious prep school, Albertus Magnus High
School in Rockland County, where he had been coaching basketball,
later moving into the Dean of Students role, and since 2004 serving
as the Department Chair of Health and Physical Education. He has
had some very successful teams, with a few Section 1 titles, and he
has also been selected Section 1 and Conference 4 Coach of the
Year.
In this April 2013 interview, Pat McFadden spoke about his time at
STAC, his career with the Fire Department and as a teacher and a
coach and what athletics has meant to him as well as the impact
STAC had on him.
What was your experience as a student-athlete at STAC
like?
I had a tremendous overall experience as a student-athlete at STAC.
The education was outstanding and I loved the campus. The knee
injury I sustained early in my career was truly a downer, but the
experience as a whole was outstanding.
Why did you choose STAC for your undergrad studies? What
did your experience there mean to your career?
Gordon Chiesa, the head coach at the time, made me his No. 1
recruit in 1977 and his efforts along with an excellent visit
cemented the deal for me. I loved the campus and thought I could
play there. I found a direct correlation between being a member of
the basketball team at STAC and what I learned there and the
teamwork that is necessary to be successful on the New York City
Fire Department.
Can you talk a bit about what you have done since
graduating from STAC ? Why the transition from the Fire Dept into
teaching and administration?
I graduated in the Spring of 1981 and was appointed to the FDNY in
the fall of 1981. I had two careers with the Fire Department. My
first 12 years I worked in Ladder 42 located in Spanish Harlem. I
then became an instructor in the Health and Fitness Unit and later
was the Director of that Unit. In addition to training new
firefighters, I also helped implement the cadet program and ran the
Department Wellness program. I also served with the NY Road
Runners, taking on the department role as coordinator with the NYC
marathon.
What do you like about what you are doing now? What do you
like about coaching?
I have been coaching pretty much ever since getting out of college.
I coached at the Collegiate School in Manhattan as Varsity
Assistant basketball coach under Hall of Fame coach Larry Byrnes.
and then in 1993 moved over to Albertus Magnus to coach JV and then
Varsity. I accepted a teaching job at Albertus in 2001 when they
had an opening in Phys Ed, moved into a Dean of Students job and
then took over chairing the PE department. I really enjoy both
teaching and coaching and find that they share many of the same
responsibilities and rewards. I get to work with really great
kids.
We have success at Albertus in basketball. The Falcons have had
five final four appearances in Section 1 and two sectional
championships. More than a dozen players have gone on to play at
the collegiate level and we have had three 1,000 point scorers in
my time as head coach.
Off the court, our students have really embraced the concept of
community service, volunteering at camps and clinics and coaching
CYO teams. In addition the team has assisted at BUDDY BALL, a
weekly program for special needs children. Academic excellence has
mirrored our success on the court, also, with six players being
recognized by the Journal News with Scholar-Athlete of the Week
awards.
What was the importance of athletics in your life, as a
college student-athlete and now? What did it teach you and what
opportunities did it give you?
Athletics is a major part of my life and for my family as well. All
three of my children are athletes and my wife is a highly
successful girl’s volleyball coach at Albertus for the past
20 years. My son Flynn played for me in high school and is
finishing up his career as a member of the STAC basketball team
(class of 2013). My one daughter Taylor is now coaching on the
college level and my younger daughter Mallory was the player of the
year for girl’s volleyball. Sports helps students grow. The
level of athleticism and mental preparation and toughness needed to
be a college athlete are skills that are necessary to perform at a
fire and any other job that can be stressful. I was lucky to have
lots of great teachers and coaches through my school and
professional career…Coaches Moe Leavey, our neighborhood
coach when I was growing up; Larry Byrnes in High School and Gordon
Chiesa at STAC…in addition, Captain Dan Marshall and Captain
Jack Culkin were my teachers and coaches at the fire department.
All of these men were my ocahces both on and off the court and both
in and out of the firehouse.
Why should students go to STAC?
I think STAC provides an environment for growth. This growth I
experienced first hand and see it in my son. This growth or
development is in every aspect of life socially, emotionally,
athletically, spiritually.
To hear the full interview with Pat, click on the links below.
Faculty Member with Outstanding Support for Athletics: Christine Cahill, Esq.
Christine Cahill, Esq., is an Assistant Professor of Business
Administration at St. Thomas Aquinas College in Sparkill, N.Y. and
was also recently appointed to the role of Assistant Dean of the
School of Business at STAC as well. Following her undergrad years
as a Political Science major at SUNY Binghamton, where she was also
a student-athlete, Professor Cahill went on to earn a J.D. from
Indiana University School of Law. She has been with STAC for four
years.
Following law school, Professor Cahill began work in the world of
corporate law. As a former partner in the corporate department in
the New York office of Winston & Strawn LLP, Prof. Cahill has
experience in the areas of corporate finance, secured and unsecured
lending transactions and other general corporate matters. She has
more than 12 years of experience representing lending institutions
and borrowers in complex domestic and multinational financing
transactions, and provided representation in connection with
numerous acquisitions, equity and subordinated debt transaction,
partnerships and joint ventures and corporate governance matters.
Prof. Cahill is a member of the New York State Bar Association, the
Illinois Bar Association and the Rockland County Bar Association.
She is licensed to practice law in New York and Illinois.
When she decided to go in a different career direction, Professor
Cahill connected with St Thomas Aquinas where teaches courses in
business law at the basic and advanced levels. In addition, she
teaches international business law and sports law with business
applications. She advises students who want to prepare for law
school, as well as students who are looking into a career in
business. Her current research interests include examining gender
discrimination in the legal field.
Prof. Cahill has not left her athletic roots behind and is a big
supporter of STAC athletics and volunteers in her community as a
coach for the third grade boys basketball team at St. Gregory
Barbarigo School in Garnerville, N.Y., as well as helping out as a
Cub Scout leader, and as a member of the Stony Point Economic
Development Committee.
In our interview and podcast from March 2013, we discussed
Professor Cahill’s career and academic work at STAC, her
research in the area of discrimination and women, her interest in
athletics, the impact that college sports has on the campus, and
why STAC is an amazing institution.
Professor Cahill, please tell us a little bit about your
history at STAC. How many years have you been affiliated with the
college? What brought you to STAC?
I have been affiliated with St. Thomas Aquinas College for four
years. I was an attorney practicing corporate law at a large
international law firm, and had the opportunity to rethink my
career. Teaching has always been a dream for me, and I was looking
for a good personal fit for my talents. STAC is a premier liberal
arts and sciences college, yet small enough that I feel that I am
making a difference. I recently was named Assistant Dean of the
School of Business, which allows me the opportunity to be a part of
shaping the curriculum for our students.
You have a pretty varied career prior to and in conjunction
with teaching. Which is the more challenging profession, teaching
or legal work or do both provide challenges that make you
successful in the other endeavor?
Both are certainly challenging, in their own unique way. The
challenges are quite different, and difficult to compare. But at
the end of the day, as a teacher, I find myself more personally
satisfied than I was in private practice.
You are involved in some other work supporting students on
campus. Can you speak about that?
I am an advisor to the Chess Club and Business Club, and a member
of the Art Exhibition Committee. These opportunities allow me to
engage students in a direct way, and a different way than other
than in the classroom. I feel that I get to know students better,
which enhances the student college experience, and I take away
lessons that allow me to enhance and focus my teaching, and make me
a better person.
Are there any research areas you have been focusing on?
What are those and what has drawn you to those areas of
interest?
I have been drawn to discrimination in the legal field, and women's
role in business. I am currently collaborating with a colleague on
a research project that will allow us to examine gender
discrimination in law firms, which could lead to a change for
opportunities for women.
Besides your teaching and administrative work on campus, do
you have an interest in athletics and what is your opinion of the
place of athletics on the college campus?
As a former student-athlete, I feel that athletics certainly has a
place on the college campus. I feel that one of the benefits of a
college education is that the experience produces leaders. Not just
successful business people, but people who make a positive,
meaningful, and enduring difference to the world. Leaders possess
such skills such as strategic and tactical planning, persistence,
sensible risk-taking, resilience, self-discipline, time management.
Participation in competitive athletics is leadership development.
Participation in extra curricular activities--including college
sports--develop leadership skills that students will carry with
them in their lives.
Finally, why should a student and student-athlete attend St
Thomas Aquinas College? What makes it a special place?
As student and student-athlete at St. Thomas Aquinas College you
become a part of the close-knit college community. The intimate
campus allows for each and every student to find their niche.
Whether it is being a member of an athletic team, a member of the
Biology Club or performing in the latest theater production, there
are a variety of student organizations of campus for each and every
student interest. The amount of activities and trips on campus are
endless, there are always new events, so it’s easy to say
that there is never a dull moment at STAC!
To hear the full interview with Christine, click on the links below.
Community Service: Spartans Take Home $1000 Award from the United Way
The St. Thomas Aquinas College student-athletes participated in
the United Way of Rockland County's Spring Day of Caring. For the
third year in a row, the Spartans earned a $1000 award for being
the college with the highest participation. Over 130 volunteers
consisting of Spartan student-athletes and club members worked
together on a variety of community service initiatives throughout
the county.
The United Way of Rockland County’s Day of Caring is the
largest volunteer community service event in Rockland County. It
brings together volunteers with organizations that support
individuals and families in need. The Spring Day of Caring is aimed
at mobilizing local students and introducing them to community
service. This is a perfect fit for the students of St. Thomas
Aquinas College.
It is the College’s mission to assist students
to“become a responsible citizen and leader in shaping the
diverse world community, who lives in a manner exemplifying the
principles of service, mutual respect, and individual
responsibility.”
There would be no “win” without the extraordinary
efforts of Athletic Department administrators. Director of
Athletics, Gerry Oswald and Brad Sarno coordinated the day, the
coaching staff stepped up to the challenge, and Maria Coupe and Pat
Pacchiana of Human Resources served liaisons between the athletics
department and the United Way.
The students were assigned to fourteen different locations to do a
variety of jobs. Organizations such as Rockland Boces, the Home
Aides of Rockland, Head Start of Rockland, the Rockland County
Association for Learning Disabilities and many others used this day
as an opportunity to better their establishments. They provided an
opportunity for the collegiate students in Rockland County to lend
a hand.
These athletes not only volunteer for this day, but for many other
causes, attain above-average GPA’s and put in considerable
time and effort to succeeding in their sport. No easy
accomplishment, so a well-deserved KUDOS to all involved!
United Way’s mission is to advance the common good. With your
help, we can create opportunities for a better life by focusing on:
a quality education that leads to a stable job, which provides the
income that can support a family through retirement; and good
health. Everything we do supports these building blocks for a
better life – that provide the skills necessary to achieve
these goals. We invite you to be part of the change. Be part of
improving the education, income and health of people in our
community. Because united we stand. United, we elevate. United, we
can change what we see in our world.