Winning teams honored at reception

Tyler Stitt, men's hockey team captain, attended the reception held on March 30 in Plumley Armory honoring all Norwich University teams that competed or will be competing at the national level.

"I thought the reception was a great way to recognize all of the teams that represented the school at their respected national tournaments," said Stitt, 24, a senior physical education major from Iroquois Falls, Ontario. The men's hockey team won the NCAA Division III Men's Hockey Championship 10 days before the ceremony.

Other teams that attended the reception were the drill team, the women's hockey team and the women's rugby team. The drill team won its national championship in New Orleans, the women's hockey team traveled to Minnesota for its national tournament in which it placed second, and the women's rugby team traveled to California for the Final Four Championship at the end of April.  

Clarissa Wynn, 22, a senior physical education major from New London, Conn., thought the reception was a great idea. "It was very nice for the school to show recognition," Wynn said.

Athletic Director Tony Mariano opened the ceremony by introducing each team and calling them up to the stage. President Richard Schneider then read a letter congratulating the teams and expressed his pride in Norwich University.

The event was nice to have because it honored the successful teams at Norwich, said Cindy Fortin, 22, a junior sports medicine major from Quebec City, Quebec, and goal tender for the women's hockey team. "I think all the teams deserve the recognition," Fortin said.

The men's hockey team won the third NCAA Division III Hockey Championship in Norwich hockey history on March 20 at Herb Brooks Arena in Lake Placid, N.Y.  And that same day the women's hockey team played out in Minnesota at Gustavus Adolphus against Amherst College for the NCAA Division III Hockey Championship.