Tag: PCI
Providence College Investigates
by The Cowl Editor on January 24, 2019
Sports
The Los Angeles Rams Will Win Super Bowl LIII
By Sullivan Burgess ’20
Sports Staff
After defeating the New Orleans Saints and a controversial missed pass interference call late in the fourth quarter, the Los Angeles Rams will play the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LIII. This will be the first Rams appearance in the Super Bowl since 2002, when they also played the Patriots.
While the New England Patriots have been on a hot streak since entering the playoffs, the game will ultimately go to the Rams.
Two key aspects that will help lead the Rams to victory are their consistent offense and defense—aspects that 33-year-old head coach Sean McVay knows how to control within any game.
On the offensive side, third-year quarterback Jared Goff is looking to make a name for himself after being drafted first overall in the 2016 NFL Draft.
This season Goff has career-high stats throughout all categories, with 32 touchdowns, a 64.9 percnt completion rate, and a total of 4,688 passing yards, putting him fourth for highest passing yards during the regular season behind Ben Roethlisberger, Patrick Mahomes, and Matt Ryan.
Rams running back Todd Gurley has also been having a good season with 1,251 yards, putting him third in rushing yards. He proves to be the difference-maker when he is healthy and on the field for the Rams. For example, in a game against the Denver Broncos, Gurley completed the game with 208 yards, two touchdowns, and 28 carries which resulted in a win. Against the Chicago Bears, he only completed 11 carries and 28 yards with no touchdowns, which resulted in a loss for the Rams.
On the defensive side, starters such as Michael Brockers, Aaron Donald, Ndamukong Suh, and Marcus Peters must put on the games of their career in order to stop Tom Brady and his offensive weapons.
Aaron Donald has proven to be a defensive nightmare against any quarterback that steps in his way. He led the league at 20.5 sacks this season and is still hungry for anyone that comes in front of him.
Overall, the game will be tough, being against the veteran team that is the New England Patriots. Hopefully, the Rams will bring the consistent game play they have used throughout the season. They will be the dominant team in the NFC and will be holding the Lombardi Trophy in Atlanta at the end of the night.
Providence College Investigates
by The Cowl Editor on January 17, 2019
Sports
High School Athletes Should Not Be Able to Reclassify
By Sam Scanlon ’19
Sports Staff
Ever since the National Basketball Association (NBA) draft rules changed in 2005, many athletes have been reclassifying in high school in order to graduate and get to college, and subsequently the NBA, a year earlier. The rule change required prospective players to turn 19 during the calendar year of their draft and be at least one year removed from their high school graduation, thus, tempting many players to accelerate their high school years and graduate a year early.
Although it is very popular for basketball players to reclassify due to the draft rule, athletes in other sports have gone down this road as well. Noah Hanifin, currently an All-Star defenseman for the Calgary Flames in the National Hockey League (NHL), was a highly recruited hockey prospect from an early age. He committed to play for Boston College, but decided to accelerate his high school career and join the Eagles a year early after reclassifying.
Bryce Harper also took that path and finished high school early in order to be drafted into the MLB. After many stories like Hanifin and Harper, as well as NBA players Karl Anthony Towns and Nerlens Noel, reclassifying may seem to be a good route to take. However, I disagree and believe that athletes should not be able to reclassify in order to finish high school early.
First, most athletes are not physically ready to compete against the top athletes in the world at 17, 18, or 19-years-old. Physical development is essential to maintaining a healthy and lengthy career. Attempting to push an athlete ahead one year and stunt their physical development and growth could be extremely detrimental to their career in the long run. I do not believe that risking any sort of setback in an athlete’s career is worth getting to their respective professional leagues one year sooner.
Along with physical growth being at risk, 17-year-olds may not be mentally prepared to make these important life decisions, let alone deal with them a year earlier. Being a year younger and have to deal with college can be extremely difficult for some athletes, and it only gets harder when they step into the spotlight as a professional athlete. There is a lot to worry about from a mental standpoint while making a large jump at such a young age.
I wholeheartedly believe that it is more beneficial to take the natural and necessary year to make sure that one is both mentally and physically prepared to ensure that their career, and livelihood, will be secure.
Providence College Investigates
by The Cowl Editor on January 17, 2019
Sports
High School Athletes Should Be Able to Reclassify
By Eileen Flynn ’20
Sports Staff
High school is usually described as four years of your life spent learning and growing up. There is, however, a new trend for aspiring collegiate athletes. Some families decide to plan ahead for their children’s athletic careers and have them repeat a year of high school with the incentive of improving their skills in a specific sport.
Many people disagree with parents that allow this and accuse them of teaching their kids a bad life lesson— putting sports in front of school. I believe that high schoolers should be allowed to reclassify for several reasons.
First, just because a student is repeating a grade does not mean they are exempt from doing the work again. All student athletes are still required to complete the specific classes their high school offers for that grade. Athletes are typically busy, with practices after school, games, and additional training. Repeating a grade gives student athletes the opportunity to learn the material again and grow intellectually, while also improving athletically.
Sports often play a very important role for kids as they are growing up and it is an opportunity to learn important life lessons. If a parent decides to hold their child back to repeat a grade, who are we to try and stop him or her from gaining another year full of learning from these lessons in sports and in school?
Another reason high school students should be allowed to reclassify is because each child develops physically at different times. If a freshman has not yet hit his or her growth spurt, he or she still has to tryout against their classmates who have already reached their full height. Reclassifying gives students a fair opportunity to compete against their other classmates by giving their body the time to catch up with everyone else’s.
If student athletes are looking to play a sport in college, the recruiting process takes a long time. If students repeat a year in high school, this gives them more time to reach out and contact the scouting team from their desired schools. Students that repeat a year of school show they are committed to their sport and are willing to put in the extra work in school and in the sport.
One more year in high school should not be looked upon as a mistake, but rather as a chance for the student to gain an extra year to grow physically, emotionally, and intellectually.
Providence College Investigates
by The Cowl Editor on December 6, 2018
Sports
The University of Alabama Crimson Tide will win the College Football Championship
By Thomas Zinzarella ’21
Sports Staff
With the college football season nearly over, all eyes will turn towards the four-team College Football Playoff which boasts no. 1 University of Alabama Crimson Tide, no. 2 Clemson University Tigers, no. 3 University of Notre Dame, and no. 4 University of Oklahoma Sooners. My pick to win this year’s playoffs is the Alabama Crimson Tide.
Why Alabama? The Crimson Tide has been one of the best college teams for the past decade, winning the College Football Playoffs last year. Alabama also has one of the best coaches in the country, Nick Saban, who owns a 5-2 overall CFP record. Alabama will square off against the No. 4 University of Oklahoma Sooners, a team that has been hyped around QB Kyler Murray and deservingly so. Murray, this past June, was drafted into the MLB by the Oakland A’s with the ninth overall selection in the first round.
Murray has carried his skills from the diamond to the gridiron with his elusive quickness and power of arm that she has shown as a centerfielder. Murray is the projected winner of the Heisman Trophy, which is awarded to the best College Football Player every year.
The opening game against the Sooners should be a great test for Alabama. There may not be a better coach in the offensive game than Lincoln Riley. The Sooners are averaging 49.5 PPG which is no. 1 in the country. The concern is going to be the defensive side of the ball. Oklahoma did bring in former East Carolina University Head Coach Ruffin McNeill, who has pushed the Sooners defense to new levels, especially in the Big 12 Championship win against the University of Texas. The Sooners defense will have to hold off the no. 2 offense in PPG in Alabama, who averages 47.9 points. The Tide also holds a spoil of riches in the quarterback position with Jalen Hurts and Tua Tagovailoa. It was a reversal of the National Championship game when Hurts came in for the injured Tagovailoa and marched the Tide to victory over the University of Georgia in the SEC Championship game last weekend.
The Sooners may be the toughest opponent that the Tide will have to face, especially because Oklahoma has been playing better since the firing of defensive coordinator Bob Stoops. The Tide will have to face the Clemson Tigers or the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, both teams that Alabama has beaten in championship games before. The Tide will have their hands full with the Tigers since they arguably have the best defense in the country with a lot of speed on the defensive line. Either way, it should be an entertaining College Football Playoff, with Nick Saban hoisting the trophy once again.
Providence College Investigates
by The Cowl Editor on December 6, 2018
Sports
The University of Alabama Crimson Tide will win the College Football Championship
By Thomas Zinzarella ’21
Sports Staff
With the college football season nearly over, all eyes will turn towards the four-team College Football Playoff which boasts no. 1 University of Alabama Crimson Tide, no. 2 Clemson University Tigers, no. 3 University of Notre Dame, and no. 4 University of Oklahoma Sooners. My pick to win this year’s playoffs is the Alabama Crimson Tide.
Why Alabama? The Crimson Tide has been one of the best college teams for the past decade, winning the College Football Playoffs last year. Alabama also has one of the best coaches in the country, Nick Saban, who owns a 5-2 overall CFP record. Alabama will square off against the No. 4 University of Oklahoma Sooners, a team that has been hyped around QB Kyler Murray and deservingly so. Murray, this past June, was drafted into the MLB by the Oakland A’s with the ninth overall selection in the first round.
Murray has carried his skills from the diamond to the gridiron with his elusive quickness and power of arm that she has shown as a centerfielder. Murray is the projected winner of the Heisman Trophy, which is awarded to the best College Football Player every year.
The opening game against the Sooners should be a great test for Alabama. There may not be a better coach in the offensive game than Lincoln Riley. The Sooners are averaging 49.5 PPG which is no. 1 in the country. The concern is going to be the defensive side of the ball. Oklahoma did bring in former East Carolina University Head Coach Ruffin McNeill, who has pushed the Sooners defense to new levels, especially in the Big 12 Championship win against the University of Texas. The Sooners defense will have to hold off the no. 2 offense in PPG in Alabama, who averages 47.9 points. The Tide also holds a spoil of riches in the quarterback position with Jalen Hurts and Tua Tagovailoa. It was a reversal of the National Championship game when Hurts came in for the injured Tagovailoa and marched the Tide to victory over the University of Georgia in the SEC Championship game last weekend.
The Sooners may be the toughest opponent that the Tide will have to face, especially because Oklahoma has been playing better since the firing of defensive coordinator Bob Stoops. The Tide will have to face the Clemson Tigers or the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, both teams that Alabama has beaten in championship games before. The Tide will have their hands full with the Tigers since they arguably have the best defense in the country with a lot of speed on the defensive line. Either way, it should be an entertaining College Football Playoff, with Nick Saban hoisting the trophy once again.
Providence College Investigates
by The Cowl Editor on December 6, 2018
Sports
The Clemson University Tigers will win the College Football Championship
By Sullivan Burgess ’20
Sports Staff
This year in the 2019 College Football Playoffs, the no. 2 Clemson University Tigers (13-0) will win the National Championship in Santa Clara, California. While the road ahead may be tough, the Tigers have the tools and skills to be victorious at the end of the season.
In their first matchup of the playoffs at the Cotton Bowl in Arlington, Texas, the Tigers will face the University of Notre Dame, who is the no. 3 seed at 12-0 this season. Meanwhile, on the other side at the Orange Bowl, the No. 1 seed University of Alabama will face the no. 4 seed University of Oklahoma.
While the game against the Fighting Irish will be tough, the Tigers will ultimately succeed. Clemson’s offense and defense have been unstoppable this season, with six potential NFL first round picks next year.
Though they were off to a slow start, the now-starting quarterback, Trevor Lawrence, has proven to be a threat one game at a time, adjusting quickly to any situation at hand, ultimately increasing their confidence. This season, Clemson has scored at least 27 points or more in all 13 of their games.
On the defensive side of the field, the Tigers are allowing the least amounts of yards per games in the country, at 2.40 yards. Their defensive backs have been nothing but quick in their strategy which allows them to beat their opponents. Clemson has managed to force nine interceptions this season.
The Tigers’ defensive line has been the best in all of college football. Clemson as a team is third in the country in sacks with 45.
Against a team like Notre Dame, who has no down field threats, Clemson’s front seven will be looking for them to run, which only plays into the Tigers’ strength. Teams have averaged 93 rushing yards per game against Clemson, which is third lowest in college football.
Notre Dame’s offensive line will need help against the strong pass rush, which will cause their tight ends to come in to block, freeing up the Tigers’ linebackers to make plays.
After defeating Notre Dame, the Tigers would look to take on Alabama for the third time in the last four years. In 2016, Alabama defeated Clemson 45-40 in the championship game, then one year later Clemson came back and won 35-31.
Alabama quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, hurt his ankle against the University of Georgia in the Southeastern Conference Championship, allowing Jalen Hurts to return to the starting lineup and rally back from a 21-point Georgia lead.
Overall, these are two well-coached teams with good quarterbacks and defensive threats that can pressure offense. They both will prove to be extraordinary football teams, but Clemson will win for the second time in the last four years.
Providence College Investigates
by The Cowl Editor on December 6, 2018
Sports
The Clemson University Tigers will win the College Football Championship
By Sullivan Burgess ’20
Sports Staff
This year in the 2019 College Football Playoffs, the no. 2 Clemson University Tigers (13-0) will win the National Championship in Santa Clara, California. While the road ahead may be tough, the Tigers have the tools and skills to be victorious at the end of the season.
In their first matchup of the playoffs at the Cotton Bowl in Arlington, Texas, the Tigers will face the University of Notre Dame, who is the no. 3 seed at 12-0 this season. Meanwhile, on the other side at the Orange Bowl, the No. 1 seed University of Alabama will face the no. 4 seed University of Oklahoma.
While the game against the Fighting Irish will be tough, the Tigers will ultimately succeed. Clemson’s offense and defense have been unstoppable this season, with six potential NFL first round picks next year.
Though they were off to a slow start, the now-starting quarterback, Trevor Lawrence, has proven to be a threat one game at a time, adjusting quickly to any situation at hand, ultimately increasing their confidence. This season, Clemson has scored at least 27 points or more in all 13 of their games.
On the defensive side of the field, the Tigers are allowing the least amounts of yards per games in the country, at 2.40 yards. Their defensive backs have been nothing but quick in their strategy which allows them to beat their opponents. Clemson has managed to force nine interceptions this season.
The Tigers’ defensive line has been the best in all of college football. Clemson as a team is third in the country in sacks with 45.
Against a team like Notre Dame, who has no down field threats, Clemson’s front seven will be looking for them to run, which only plays into the Tigers’ strength. Teams have averaged 93 rushing yards per game against Clemson, which is third lowest in college football.
Notre Dame’s offensive line will need help against the strong pass rush, which will cause their tight ends to come in to block, freeing up the Tigers’ linebackers to make plays.
After defeating Notre Dame, the Tigers would look to take on Alabama for the third time in the last four years. In 2016, Alabama defeated Clemson 45-40 in the championship game, then one year later Clemson came back and won 35-31.
Alabama quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, hurt his ankle against the University of Georgia in the Southeastern Conference Championship, allowing Jalen Hurts to return to the starting lineup and rally back from a 21-point Georgia lead.
Overall, these are two well-coached teams with good quarterbacks and defensive threats that can pressure offense. They both will prove to be extraordinary football teams, but Clemson will win for the second time in the last four years.
Providence College Investigates
by The Cowl Editor on November 29, 2018
Sports
Colin Miller ’19RS and Shelby Hogan ’20RS Were the Top Athletes for the Fall
By Sullivan Burgess ’20
Sports Staff
Of all the male athletes that participated in fall sports this season at Providence College, one that stood out amongst the crowd was men’s soccer goalie Colin Miller ’19RS. The season for the Friars was quite successful, with a 10-7-2 overall record, and a 6-2-1 record in the Big East, tying them for second in the Big East along with Georgetown University, who defeated PC in the Big East Soccer Championship Semi-Finals 4-0.
Miller’s final season began with high expectations, as he was selected unanimously for the 2018 Preseason All-Big East Team and was named the 2018 Men’s Soccer Preseason Goalkeeper Of The Year. In the 19 games played and started this season, Miller had 54 saves, 21 goals allowed, and GAA of 1.06 goals.
While only ranking seventh in saves in the Big East, he ranked first in shutouts in the Big East, and fourth in GAA in the Big East.
Miller’s numbers were certainly the key factor this season for the men’s soccer team in terms of keeping their ranking afloat, but they also allowed Miller to be named to the All-Big East Second Team. For these reasons, he is the best male athlete of the fall season.
On the same pitch, the best female athlete for PC this fall season is women’s soccer goalie Shelby Hogan ’20RS. This season, Hogan was able to provide a spark for her team to gain the playoff berth for the Friars.
The Friars’ playoff run sadly only lasted until the Semi-Finals of the Big East Women’s Soccer Championship where they lost to Butler University 2-3. While the Friars may have been knocked out, Hogan’s stats and ambitions will carry on for the rest of her career.
At the end of the season, it was announced that Hogan was named to the 2018 United States Soccer Coaches NCAA Division I Women’s All-East Region Third Team. Hogan was also named into the All-Big East Second Team for her achievements this season.
Some of these stats included: 16 goals allowed, 0.77 GAA, and 95 saves throughout the season. These stats have placed her third in GAA, second in saves, and second in shutouts in the Big East.
Hogan’s drive and goals throughout the season pushed the Friars to go beyond the expectations that everyone had of them, making her the best female athlete of the fall season.
Providence College Investigates
by The Cowl Editor on November 29, 2018
Sports
Colin Miller ’19RS and Shelby Hogan ’20RS Were the Top Athletes for the Fall
By Sullivan Burgess ’20
Sports Staff
Of all the male athletes that participated in fall sports this season at Providence College, one that stood out amongst the crowd was men’s soccer goalie Colin Miller ’19RS. The season for the Friars was quite successful, with a 10-7-2 overall record, and a 6-2-1 record in the Big East, tying them for second in the Big East along with Georgetown University, who defeated PC in the Big East Soccer Championship Semi-Finals 4-0.
Miller’s final season began with high expectations, as he was selected unanimously for the 2018 Preseason All-Big East Team and was named the 2018 Men’s Soccer Preseason Goalkeeper Of The Year. In the 19 games played and started this season, Miller had 54 saves, 21 goals allowed, and GAA of 1.06 goals.
While only ranking seventh in saves in the Big East, he ranked first in shutouts in the Big East, and fourth in GAA in the Big East.
Miller’s numbers were certainly the key factor this season for the men’s soccer team in terms of keeping their ranking afloat, but they also allowed Miller to be named to the All-Big East Second Team. For these reasons, he is the best male athlete of the fall season.
On the same pitch, the best female athlete for PC this fall season is women’s soccer goalie Shelby Hogan ’20RS. This season, Hogan was able to provide a spark for her team to gain the playoff berth for the Friars.
The Friars’ playoff run sadly only lasted until the Semi-Finals of the Big East Women’s Soccer Championship where they lost to Butler University 2-3. While the Friars may have been knocked out, Hogan’s stats and ambitions will carry on for the rest of her career.
At the end of the season, it was announced that Hogan was named to the 2018 United States Soccer Coaches NCAA Division I Women’s All-East Region Third Team. Hogan was also named into the All-Big East Second Team for her achievements this season.
Some of these stats included: 16 goals allowed, 0.77 GAA, and 95 saves throughout the season. These stats have placed her third in GAA, second in saves, and second in shutouts in the Big East.
Hogan’s drive and goals throughout the season pushed the Friars to go beyond the expectations that everyone had of them, making her the best female athlete of the fall season.
Providence College Investigates
by The Cowl Editor on November 29, 2018
Sports
Abbey Wheeler ’20 and Tiago Mendonca ’20RS Were the Top Athletes for the Fall
By Meaghan Cahill ’20
Sports Co-Editor
Cross country runner Abbey Wheeler ’20 and soccer player Tiago Mendonca ’20RS are the top two standout athletes of the fall sports season.
This racing season, according to Head Coach Ray Treacy, Wheeler has been Providence College’s top runner for the women’s team. Wheeler finished as the overall winner in the University of New Hampshire Dual Meet, the Coast-to-Coast Battle in Beantown, and the Central Connecticut State University Mini Meet. She finished the CCSU Mini Meet with the fastest posted time by a non-redshirt collegian in the past six years with a time of 9:48.9 for the 5K.
At the Big East Championships, Wheeler finished first for the Friars and fourth overall—an improvement from her 10th place finish last season. Her 20:35.3 time earned her All-Big East honors for this season. At the NCAA Northeast Regional Meet, Wheeler finished second for the Friars and 33rd overall.
The NCAA named Wheeler the Cross Country National Athlete of the Week twice this season. Wheeler was also named Big East Runner of the Week twice this season.
Wheeler deserves best female athlete of the 2018 fall sports season because of the key role she has played in the cross country team’s success these past few months.
Alongside Wheeler, another standout athlete from the fall season is Mendonca, who is a plays midfield for the men’s soccer team.
Arguably, goalie Colin Miller ’19 RS is considered to be the star of the soccer team this year, but no matter how good the goalie is, a team cannot win games if they do not score goals—and that is exactly what Mendonca did this season.
Playing in all 19 games of the season, Mendonca led the team in goals (5), points (10), shots (40), and shots on goal (15). During a season where nine of the team’s wins were decided by just one goal, Mendonca’s value in regards to the team’s success was definitely heightened.
Mendonca is the only member of the soccer team to be named to the All-Big East First Team and earlier in the season, the Portugal native was named to the Capitol City Classic All-Tournament Team.
Both Wheeler and Mendonca were key players in their team’s successes this fall season and it is for that reason they should be recognized as the two athletes with the most successful sports season.