Center for Student-Athlete
Enhancement
FEB R U AR Y
Special Points of Interest:
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Welcome back

Student-Athlete
Spotlight

Campus/
Community Opportunities
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Internship Opportunity
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Study Hall Info
Enhancement Center
Hours
Sunday: 4-9pm
Monday-Thursday:
8:30am-9pm
Friday:
8:30-5pm
Saturday: Closed
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Where Are They Now? Jackie Puccino ‘12, Water Polo
Hometown: Escondido (San Diego) California
Current City: Scarborough (Perth) Australia
Occupation: Water Polo Coach, and Playing for premiere league in Australia
What are your currently doing at the moment? Currently I am playing
for the Claremont Dolphins which is a club in the Premiere League of
Water Polo in Western Australia. Its their national competitive club league
that is a feeder league (think like farm teams for baseball) into the National Water Polo league. I am training to be on one of the National League
teams that start up in February. I also am helping coach a couple of the
younger club teams as they prepare for the end of the season, national
level tournament here in Perth. Apart from water polo I am traveling
around Perth whenever I get the chance and plan to take some trips over to the east side of Australia as well.
What do you enjoy about living in Australia? Gotta love that its Summer in January! The weather has been amazing,
upwards of 80 and 90 degrees most of the time with some occasional dips into the beautiful and breezy 70s :). The
climate is very similar to a summer I would expect in at home in California, other than the occasional thunder storm.
The people here are amazing, laid back, and have been extremely welcoming.
How did you land your current position? I got set up coming over to Australia starting with Ashleigh Huckins. She
had played over here when she graduated college and I thought it would be something I would like to do as well. She
played in Sydney so that is how I started looking into coming over here. My first coaching job I got after Marist was at
the community college I transferred from. I got to coach with an Ex-Olympian water polo player who also had played
over here in Australia and had some connections in Perth. I started talking to them about coming out to play more and
possibly get some more experience and contacts coaching and so they brought me out!
Biggest struggle after graduating and how did you overcome it? I would say my biggest struggle after graduation
has just been the transition from that "college student-athlete" life style, where pretty much everything is planned out
for you, to then having to set up life for your self. There is no more school class schedule to follow, no more practice
calendar to plan around, your life is, now more than ever, what you make of it.
What do you enjoy the most about your current alumna status? You know everyone says you’re going to miss
college when you graduate and don't get me wrong, I miss my team, friends, and coaches more than anything! But not
having classes has been great! That might sound cliche but seriously, no more research papers, no more group projects
with people that don't want to work, no more finals! (At least unless I go back to grad school). I am definitely enjoying
the school-free life :)
Best memory at Marist? There are 3 major things that come to mind as my best memories of Marist. First of all, the
seasons. Growing up in California we don't have the luxury of seeing the weather change from summer to fall or winter
to spring. Fall grew to become my favorite time of the year in New York. My coach having her baby is another
memory I will never forget. Although we did not win a championship that year, seeing the dedication that Ashleigh put
into our team throughout her pregnancy was inspiring to me as a player and future coach. Lastly, I would just have to
say all the time I spent with my team. The practices, the games, the travel trips. Those girls became my family on the
east coast and they are the first thing I think of whenever I talk about Marist.
Tips/ advice for student athletes and life after college? Its OK to take it slow! Everyone is pushing you to know
what you want to do the second you graduate. But I think its ok to still have some questions. Take everything one step
at a time don't let the future or not knowing EXACTLY what you are going to be doing the rest of your life scare you.
Obviously you need to spend some time getting your life together, its a big transition, especially for student athletes
who have only known school and sport for the majority of their life, but we can't mooch off our parents and live in the
glory days of athletics for ever.;) You’re going to have to do a little planning and be proactive about making some
things happen for your self, but you have to take it slow and engage fully in whatever opportunities that come along
your way that makes you happy, and NOT PANICKING I believe is a big key to success.
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New year, New You!
Spring semester tips!
As you begin to embark on
your new semester at Marist, here a re a few survival
tips to better help you adjust to a new semester.
1. Show up to all of your
classes on time! Academic
success should be your
main priority at Marist.
2. Have a daily routine to
study for your classes.
3. Establish a quiet and
distraction free place to
study.
4. Eat and sleep well. Having your strength is very
important as a student –
athlete and your body will
show its appreciation.
5. Schedule breaks. Take a
ten minute break after every hour of studying.
Spread out several short
study sessions during the
day.
6. Make use of study resources on campus. Marist
provides several academic
resources for their students. For more information, please visit our
site: http://
www.marist.edu/athletics/
studentathlete/
7. Stay positive. This semester will challenge you
in several ways but always
remember your goals as to
why you’re here.
Upcoming Opportunities
Heart Walk
This years American Heart Association,
Heart Walk is on Saturday March 16, 2013 at
Vassar College, Walker Field House at
10:00am.
Last year, the Marist team had 15 walkers
and raised $5,360. Lets see if
we can increase the total this year, wouldn't
that be great!
If you would like to join our team, you’ll
need to fill out a pledge form.
You can call email Bernadette.Cookinham@marist.edu and she’ll send
you a form.
If you’re unable to walk with us because of
another commitment you’ve already made,
please consider sponsoring one of the walkers. Please contact me, I’ll provide you with
walkers names.
Girl Scouts Clinic
On February 8th, several women’s sports
along with L.E.A.P. will be hosting over 100
girl scouts for a fun-filled Friday night
sports sampler. Look for more details from
your coaches and our office in the upcoming
weeks! We will need everyone’s support.
Polar Plunge
If you or someone you know would like to
volunteer at this year's Polar Plunge, please
contact Stephanie Espinosa at
Stephanie.espinosa@marist.edu. We welcome all ages. Volunteers report to Sharpe
Reservation at 8 a.m. Assignments will be
distributed upon arrival. To form/support a
team or to make a monetary donation, you
can do so via this link:
www.2013.kintera.org/fishkillplunge
START! By Making a Difference!
February Student-Athletes of the Month
Congratulations to the following students who were nominated for student-athlete of the month!
Kristina Danella, Senior, Women’s Basketball, Manalapan, NJ
She is currently the L.E.A.P. Chair and has been a member for 2 years. She is very dependable, motivated, and a leader. She was nominated and eventually invited by the NCAA to be a Marist Representative
at the NCAA Career in Sports Forum. Kristina has participated in several service projects with L.E.A.P.
and the basketball team which includes Vassar Warner home, team clinics, and the Girl Scouts Sports
Sampler. This month she is the leader of the Girl Scouts Sports Sampler which will have over 100 girls
invited to Marist College who will be allowed to earn a scouts badge and learn new sports. During her
time at Marist, Kristina has gained leadership skills that will further assist her in several successful career
endeavors.
Paul Sakowski, Junior, Football, Chester, NY
Paul has demonstrated growth as a student-athlete in the Fall 2012 semester. He has improved his performance not only on the field, but in the classroom as well. Paul has learned how to balance academic endeavors and athletic responsibilities. He served on the Student-Athlete Panel for Freshmen Seminar session where he discussed how to balance being both a student and an athlete. Paul is very driven, devoted,
and a class act. He has participated in several community service projects with the Football team which
included Special Olympics, homework assistance, and extracurricular activities. Paul has grown immensely since his freshmen year and is now a role model for younger football players.
Study Hall /Academic Reminders
Study Hall Hours: Study Hall officially begins Sunday, February 3rd from 12-4pm.
Enhancement Center hours for the Spring semester are Monday thru Thursday, 8:30a-9pm, Friday: 8:30-5pm and Sunday 4-9pm
Study hall hours will be held every Sunday from 4:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. and Monday through Thursday 9:00 a.m.- 6:00
p.m. Mandated study hall participants are required to complete 6 hours of study hall a week by Thursday at 6:00 p.m.,
unless notified otherwise.