Kudos for AIC
By Garry Brown, The Republican
Let's hear a rousing cheer for dear old American International
College, without which we would not have athletes from Alaska,
Alabama and points elsewhere performing at the MassMutual Center
this week.
They descended upon us for the Elite Eight of NCAA Division II
men's basketball, with a national championship at stake. This
particular form of "March Madness" has settled nicely into the
game's birthplace. The Elite Eight will be here at least through
2009, maybe longer.
"Springfield couldn't have this tournament if not for AIC." So said
the college's director of athletics, Rich Bedard, as the 2008
semifinal round unfolded last night.
Bedard isn't being boast ful. He's merely stating a fact. NCAA
championships at all levels require a host school - and AIC is the
only Division II institution in this area. Thus, if AIC officials
hadn't decided to put heart and soul into spearheading this
tournament, it could not be here.
This is not to say that AIC acts alone. The showcase of Division II
men's hoop is a partnership with the Naismith Memorial Basketball
Hall of Fame and a local committee dedicated to making this
tournament work for Springfield. Paul Lambert, chief operating
officer at the Basketball Hall of Fame, plays a vital role.
The AIC touch, though, is obvious, from the school's logo imprinted
on the basketball court to the presence of Alexis Castro as a
member of a team of courtside workers. She could be the best
Division II women's player in the Northeast.
Matt Johnson, assistant athletic director at AIC, serves as the
games manager for Elite Eight play.
"He's on-site for about 12 hours a day during the tournament. He's
responsible for all aspects," Bedard said.
Johnson is a Holyoke native who holds an advanced degree in sports
management from Springfield College.
"When it comes to handling this tournament, Matt is a man
possessed, and I mean that in a good way," AIC's men's basketball
coach Art Luptowski said.
Luptowski and his assistant, Andy Burkholder, will do their part
for the Elite Eight by running an NCAA-sponsored clinic for
youngsters today at the Basketball Hall of Fame. (It starts at 4
p.m., with registration at 3).
Darryl Konicki, a Springfield native who serves as AIC's director
of sports information, also works the tournament. With Bedard,
Johnson, Konicki and other AIC representatives on scene at
tournament time, what happens back at campus headquarters?
"There's no doubt that this effort stretches us administratively,"
Bedard said of his athletic department, "because we have to do
justice to our own spring sports at the same time. We still have
obligations to our Web site, and to getting attention for somebody
who might get four hits in a ballgame."
Still, the effort is well worth it, he said.
"It's definitely a plus for AIC to be part of a significant event
in our city, and I think it makes people more aware of our role in
the community," Bedard said.
Springfield's association with the Elite Eight can be traced to Bob
Burke, now retired after a long career as AIC's athletic director.
His experience working with the NCAA was vital to the city's effort
to reclaim the tournament it had run for 18 years, then lost to
Louisville, Ky., in 1995.
The tourney returned in 2006. Here to stay? Maybe. The city will
make a bid in a month or so to extend its contract past 2009.
Meanwhile, the 2008 tournament goes along at top speed, drawing
well and giving downtown Springfield a big boost.
So, as we watch these athletes from Division II schools across the
land, let's not forget the one that got them here. Let's not forget
dear old AIC.