Online Classes

This semester has been like no other so far due to the course selections I made.  As we all know, technology has taken the world by storm, and nowadays it is more taboo to not have a personal computer than the other way around.  All different types of working fields have incorporated technology into their daily practices, school's much like our own are all over social media and the internet, and every individual person has an opportunity to go online and voice their opinion about anything.  Due to this excessive need of competence pertaining to computers I have decided to submerge myself in the technological world in as many ways as possible.  I currently have a Twitter and Facebook account, operate my own blog which you are reading right now, and have taken on many more online endeavors over the years.

My most recent online endeavor has been taking online courses here at Albertus Magnus College.  Leading into this semester I had dabbled in a few online classes here or there and enjoyed the learning experience it provided.  My past success in these courses, led me to take four different online courses this semester.  The courses are all taught 100% online and allow me to decide when and where I want to complete my assignments and learning prior to due dates.  This learning freedom, really allows me to absorb information that I may have never learned under the regular restraints of lecture classes. 

In addition to the freedom allotted to students in an online course is, the ability to fit the courses into any schedule.  This semester is filled with obligations, volunteer work, sports, blog writing, preparing for after graduation and much more, so the flexibility of online courses has really taken a burden off my scheduling issues.  Now I get to choose when to accomplish my work, and if I have a baseball game, I do not have to worry about missing class and having to make up any missed assignments.

The option of taking online courses afforded to students by Albertus Magnus College, has to be one of the best aspects of the learning program here.  I recommend online courses to anyone and everyone who finds that their schedule is just too busy to show up to five courses a week or more.  The one key to being successful in these courses is self-discipline.  If students can keep on top of their studies and accomplish work prior to due dates without being in a classroom, then I believe online courses at Albertus are the perfect choice for you!

Carrero Nets 46!!!

In a thrilling 75-73 victory for the Albertus Magnus College women's basketball team over Norwich University, guard Lianna Carrero scored a career-high 46 points!  The Falcons played the most exciting game of their season on Saturday January, 26th at the Nest, right here on campus and left the crowd in a frenzy when the final buzzer sounded.  With 4.1 seconds on the clock, Norwich imbounded from the baseline with a chance to tie the game with a 2 or win it with a 3.  Before they could even get a shot off, Forward Annie Raucci came up with a huge block, and time expired.

In my mind, this was the most exciting sporting event of the year on campus and left me on the edge of my seat while announcing from my sideline perch.  The only event that may have surpassed this intense showdown of GNAC foes, would the men's soccer GNAC title game in which goalkeeper Donato Piroscafo made a tremendous diving save to secure a Falcons' victory in penalty kicks.  Concidentally both of those games matched the Falcons up against the Cadets of Norwich University, as Albertus may have found itself yet another rivalry in conference play.

The real amazing part of Saturday's game was watching Lianna Carrero shoot 16-25 from the field and total 46 points in a game.  Scoring two points in a game proves hard enough for most basketball players, yet Lianna continually got herself good looks at the basket throughout the entirety of the game, willing the Falcons to a huge victory.  In addition to her tremendous shooting from inside the arc, Carrero was a perfect 3 for 3 from three point range, adding an exclamation point to an already stellar game.  After being at almost all of the Falcons' home contests this season, it is hard to believe that Lianna will not have some postseason accolades coming her way for her dominance on the court this season.

The women's basketball team is now 15-3 on the year with a 5-2 mark in GNAC play.  This season has been one filled with great success for the Falcons as they hope to find themselves in the GNAC playoffs this year, and if their outstanding play keeps up; possibly the GNAC Championship.

Baseball Begins

After a long fall and winter waiting for my broken arm to heel and watching my fellow teammates going through fall practices without me, I constantly dreamed about Monday, January 21^st, the first day of practice.  Not only because it was the first day of practice, but it would be the first time I was able to step back on the field and play alongside my teammates.

When professional players get injured badly, they are placed on the disabled list where they have time to heel injuries, rehab, and eventually work their way back to the big leagues.  Although I wasn’t on the so-called “disabled list” I might as well have been as m injury kept me from any participation in team activities in the fall. 

I once heard Derek Jeter refer to the disabled list as “athlete purgatory,” where one finds themselves stuck between never playing again and getting back on the field.  It is a tense time where you want recovery to happen fast, but must wait for everything to be properly rehabilitated.  I certainly understood what Jeter meant when he describe this “athlete purgatory,” and now that I am heeled and in my final collegiate season, I never want to know what it feels like again.

To say I was enthusiastic about our team’s first practice would be a gross understatement, and it seemed that all my teammates and coaches shared my enthusiasm from the very beginning.  Energy levels were high, and work ethics were even higher as the Albertus Magnus College Falcons Baseball Team took their very first step towards a GNAC title, but more importantly their very first step towards a win in game one of the season a little over a month from now. 

With nine mid-year transfers making their way onto the team, a handful of new Freshman, and a solid base of a strong Falcon team last year, things are looking up for our squad.  The Pitching staff is stocked with strong arms like Brian Levchuck, Matt Finkenzeller, Mike Barillaro, Ryan Fowler and many more including yours truly; Mr. Sunshine himself!  Our batting order and defense will be just as strong led by Senior outfielder, Rob Gambardella and Junior shortstop Pat Dornfried. 

Falcons fans are in for a very exciting season from their baseball team, and will hopefully be showing up to all the team’s home games at Quigley Stadium, in droves.  An already stellar year for Albertus athletics, will soon get even better!

I'm Back

Now that all of my bags have been unpacked and I have moved back on to campus, I can begin the final semester here at the wonderful Albertus Magnus College.  I hope that this semester will be filled with fun, excitement, and success as graduation nears. 
Along with this being my final semester of school, it is also my final season of college baseball.  I have been playing baseball since I was about three years old, and cannot believe that my playing career will come to an end in just a few months.  Although I am sad to see my time playing college baseball  come to a close, I am honored to be able to play my final season here at Albertus Magnus College.  This season looks very promising for the Albertus baseball team as coach Brian Leighton has been able to bring in some great talent to help compliment the already deep squad we boast this year. 
In addition to playing baseball during the spring semester, I will also return to my post as "Voice of the Falcons" as I continue doing in-game public address announcing for both men's and women's home basketball games.  I hope my month away from the microphone will not effect my ability to liven up the crowd, as I make my return to the Falcons' Nest on Saturday for both the men's and women's basketball contests.
This semester looks to be one filled with all kinds of excitement and opportunity, and plenty of topics for my glorious blog, "Fun Times with Sunshine."  I hope everyone had a wonderful break and I wish you all luck with your upcoming spring semester!!!