by Dorothée Durivage ’28 on September 18, 2025

---

Professional Sports

---

Providence College Investigates: MLB

DOGERS: Izzy Mignardi

Since the preseason, the Dodgers have been favored to win this year’s World Series. Throughout the regular season and as we enter the postseason, the odds have changed, but sportsbook sites still list the Dodgers as having the best odds. Other contenders include the Yankees, Phillies, and Brewers, but I’m still taking the Dodgers, even though as a Yankees fan that pains me to admit. The Dodgers started the season strong with eight undefeated games. Once July hit, however, they really began to suffer, losing 32 of their 54 games in July, August, and September. This slump caused many people to be skeptical, and most remain that way.  But, in my opinion, it’s safe to say they rebounded well and have started to thrive again. They stand at No. 1 in the NL West. 

They do still face considerable challenges, though. For starters, it’s pretty difficult to win back-to-back championships. The last team to do so was the Yankees from 1998–2000, but since then, it has yet to be done again. As far as their roster goes, the Dodgers have used over 30 different pitchers this season, mostly due to injury. The bullpen isn’t great right now, either. If you look at teams like the Phillies, who have one of the best starting pitching rotations in baseball, or the Brewers, who have the best record, you might be inclined to take them as your pick. So why the Dodgers? The answer is simple: Shohei Ohtani, Freddie Freeman, and Mookie Betts. Same reason as last year; they have a lot of players who play exceptional baseball. It’s why, even with their slump, they still hold the one seed in the NL West and are on track to win their 12th NL West title in 13 years. When these players are playing their best, it’s very difficult to beat them. Although they aren’t necessarily as dominant as last year’s team, the odds remain in their favor as October rolls around.

BREWERS: Dorothée Durivage

The Milwaukee Brewers are highly likely to win the 2025 World Series. With the most wins in the MLB so far this season, the Brewers are on track to surpass their regular season scoring from 2024, where they ended with 93 wins and 69 losses. Their current record stands at 91 wins and 59 losses, placing them first in the National League Central. They achieved this strong record while being the first team this season to pass the 90-win threshold, putting them ahead of the pack and setting a good precedent for their ability to win this season’s World Series. The Brewers have the best winning percentage in the Majors, and they’re on track to break the all-time franchise wins record of 116 wins held by the 2001 Mariners and the 1906 Chicago Cubs.The Brewers clinched a wild-card spot this season, being the first team to get their postseason spot on Sept. 13. This marks their seventh postseason appearance in eight years, but this year could be different. The Brewers’ roster has seen a lot of changes this season, with pitcher Quinn Priester coming to Milwaukee from Boston arguably being the most impactful trade this season. Priester has pitched in 18 straight winning games this season, helping the team reach its 91 wins. Other important players who would help the Brewers win this year’s World Series are the three MLB all-stars on the team. Three pitchers were added to the roster this season, with Freddy Peralta and Jacob Misiorowski as starting pitchers and Trevor Megill as a relief pitcher. Starting 13 games this season, Jacob Misiorowski has pitched 60 innings so far, leading the Brewers to five wins.

Misiorowski’s fastball velocity of 99.2 mph puts him in the 98th percentile for the Majors, which is impressive, seeing as he is not Milwaukee’s starting pitcher. This could prove to be important in the Brewers’ chase to win the Commissioner’s Trophy. 

by Emilia Farrall ‘28 on September 18, 2025

---

Friar Sports

---

As head coach Kim English enters his third season at Providence College, the team looks a little different this year. With the loss of key scorers such as Bensley Joseph ’25, Jayden Pierre, and of course Bryce Hopkins to another Big East competitor, it leaves us to wonder who will step into those important gaps and how the season will play out for the Friars.

English’s returning players are key to team dynamic and success this season. Important returning players for the Friars include Oswin Erhunmwunse ’28, Corey Floyd, Jr. ’26, Rich Barron ’27, and Ryan Mela ’28. Erhunmwunse is the only returning player who appeared in every game for the Friars last season. As a guard, Floyd is PC’s top returning scorer, averaging 9.2 points per game. Barron started in nine of his 27 appearances last season. Mela averaged 6.4 points per game last season and was named to the Big-East All Freshman Team.

Providence is known for utilizing the transfer portal effectively and always landing talented recruits. Key transfer from Vanderbilt, Jason Edwards ’26G, played in all 33 games and boasted an impressive average of 17 points per game, scoring double figures in 31 of the 33 games last season. Edwards was named to the 2025 All-SEC third team. Jaylin Sellers ’26G, who transferred from the University of Central Florida, only appeared in three games last season due to an injury, but still maintained an average of six points per game that season. In the season prior, Sellers appeared in all 33 games for the Knights and earned All Big-12 Honorable Mention. PC also secured international prospect Stefan Vaaks ’29. Vaaks represented Estonia in the 2025 European Championship and averaged 15 points per game in Latvia-Estonia Basketball League play. Additionally, Daquan Davis ’28, Jaylen Harrell ’29, Jamier Jones ’29, Jack Williams ’26G, Cole Hargrove ’27, Peteris Pinnis ’29, and Duncan Powell ’26G round out all new players for Coach English.

On Thursday, Sept. 11, Providence announced the upcoming season’s conference schedule. The Friars will play 20 games of Big East play, 10 on the road and 10 at home at the Amica Mutual Pavillion in downtown Providence. A notable matchup will be against Rick Pitino’s 2025 Big East championship team, St. John’s, which includes former Friar Hopkins. Hopkins ended his three year tenure at PC shortly following the conclusion of last year’s season. The Friars will face the Red Storm away on Jan. 3, and at home on Feb. 14, in what will be an exciting Big East matchup. Another electrifying matchup will be between former head coach Ed Cooley who now coaches Georgetown’s Hoyas. This rivalry has been beyond tense for both players and fans alike, and will continue to be so in the two games scheduled this season. The Friars take on the Hoyas at home on Jan. 24, and away Mar. 7.  

The Big East will continue to be one of the most competitive conferences in college basketball. The Friars must adjust to the upcoming season’s challenges to secure a bid to the NCAA tournament this year. The team has put in substantial work this off-season to make a huge impact on the program, leaving Friar fans hopeful for the upcoming season.

by Elsie Husted ’28 on September 18, 2025

---

Friar Sports

---

The Providence College women’s soccer team’s 2025–26 season is underway. Last year, the Friars had a disappointing end to their season, narrowly missing out on the playoffs with a record of 6–9–2. Although the Friars had a less than satisfying season, several players found their stride and will make key contributions this year. Additionally, the team has added 11 new players in the offseason: nine freshmen and two transfer students. The Friars are focused on winning more games and clinching a postseason spot.  

The Friars’ hard work has shown through in the first games of the season. Currently, the Friars have a winning record of 3–1–1. With three wins already under their belt, the Friars are ranked No. 1 in the Big East Soccer standings. The Friars can build on this early success, keep the momentum going, and keep the wins coming.  

In the first game of the season, Providence beat Army University at Chapey Field, 1–0. Lily Gibbs ’29 scored her first career goal to clinch the game. On Aug. 24, the Friars beat Northeastern University 2–1 in Boston. The following week, the Friars fell to the University of Rhode Island with a score of 2–0. Later, the Friars got back in the win column at home against Sacred Heart University, 1–0. Most recently, Providence tied Cornell University this past week, 1-–1. Several PC players have already been recognized by the Big East for their outstanding academic and athletic achievements this season.   

Stephanie Schoeley ’28 was named Defensive Player of the Week for the week of Sept. 1–7. Schoeley came off a successful summer, winning the Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football U20 Championship with Team Canada. She kept the momentum going when she helped Providence’s defense hold Sacred Heart to 0 goals. Last year, Schoeley started all 17 games for Providence and has logged 445 minutes so far this season. There’s no doubt that Schoeley will be a key player for the Friars this season.  

Isabella Kloock-Jensen ’29 was named to the Big East Honor Roll for Player of the Week. From Denmark, Kloock-Jenson was a key player in the U16 National League, scoring 21 goals in just 16 games. Kloock-Jenson scored her first goal for Providence in the last minute against Sacred Heart University. Make sure you get down to Chapey Field to help cheer on the Friars to victory. Providence will take on Big East rival, St. John’s University, on Wednesday, Sept. 24. On Saturday, the Friars will travel to New York to play Butler University, who currently holds a record of 3–1–3. Finally, the Friars will kick off October by playing the University of Connecticut on the first of the month. It is shaping up to be another thrilling soccer season in Friartown.

by Flagg Taylor ’27 on September 18, 2025

---

Athlete of the Week

---

Roger McQueen ’29

On June 27, Roger McQueen ’29 was drafted tenth overall by the Anaheim Ducks in the NHL draft. Entering his freshman season for the Friars, McQueen is the first top 10 draft pick in the program’s history, and only the sixth first round pick in program history. Standing tall at six feet six inches, McQueen will play center and wear the number 29. Weighing just around 200 pounds, his size makes this righty center an imposing and dominant presence on the ice. McQueen joins the Friars among many other freshman and transfer signings after an impressive recruiting offseason by coach Nate Leaman and his staff. However, McQueen stands out from the rest as a historic signing for Leaman and Friars hockey. 

McQueen was born on Oct. 2, 2006 and grew up in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, a town in central Canada. McQueen was raised in a hockey household and looked up to his father, Scott McQueen, a former hockey player. At the age of two, McQueen began skating at the local river rink in his hometown. At the age of four he picked up a hockey stick and began playing at the river rink, honing his skills to eventually become an NHL star. 

At an impressively young age of 15, McQueen signed with the Brandon Wheat Kings in 2021. The Wheat Kings play in the Western Hockey League, a junior hockey league with teams based in Western Canada and the Northwestern United States. The WHL is one of three leagues that make up the Canadian Hockey League, the highest level of junior hockey in Canada. McQueen’s father Scott also played in the WHL. McQueen’s admiration for his father made playing in the WHL one of his first major goals. During McQueen’s rookie season in 2022–23, he scored four goals and 10 assists. McQueen’s breakout was the 2023–24 season where he recorded a staggering 21 goals and 30 assists in 53 regular season games. After an injury at the tail end of the season, he returned to lead his team in scoring in the playoffs with four goals. In McQueen’s last season with the Wheat Kings (2024–25), he scored four goals in the debut of the season. He continued on with 11 goals and assists before having a season ending injury after only eight games. 

McQueen has been selected to represent Canadian Hockey on multiple occasions. McQueen won a gold medal in the 2023 Hlinka Gretzky Cup where he scored four goals and recorded three assists in five games. McQueen also won gold with Canada a second time, representing his country in the 2024 U18 world championship. McQueen’s stellar young career was guaranteed to be noticed by coaches in all NCAA division one and NHL locker rooms. McQueen was slotted in at No. 8 in the pre-NHL draft NHL Central Scouting final rankings. McQueen is scary fast on skates while standing at 6’6” with an enormous wingspan. His impressive physical attributes combined with his passing and playmaking allow him to control the game with ease and composure. He is an electric talent to watch. 

Every student at the school should be excited to see McQueen play hockey this season. He will join the team with former Wheat Kings teammate, Quinn Mantei ’29. McQueen also played with Hudson Malinoski ’27 in the 2021–22 season with the Saskatoon Blazers. The hype around McQueen is well deserved and he will make an immediate impact on the roster and on the ice. Although McQueen is expected to sign with the Anaheim Ducks directly following the 2025–26 season, in one year’s time McQueen could very well leave his mark as one of the greatest Friars to play hockey at Providence College.

by Connor Whalen ‘28 on September 18, 2025

---

Friar Sports

---

After losing last season’s starting guards Bensley Joseph ’25 and Jayden Pierre to graduation and the transfer portal, head coach Kim English and his staff faced a desperate need to fill the glaring void at the guard position during the offseason. They answered that call, filling the positions with the most exciting transfer portal acquisitions coming to Friartown this season: Jason Edwards ’26G from Vanderbilt and Jaylin Sellers ’26G from the University of Central Florida. Both of these players are gifted scorers and high-intensity players, giving Friars fans good reason to be excited about watching them on the court together this season.

Edwards is a 6’1” guard that possesses a flashy handle on the ball, providing the Friars with a dynamic scoring threat. He began his collegiate career playing at a junior college before excelling in his sophomore season at the University of North Texas, earning him a huge opportunity to play SEC basketball at Vanderbilt. During his sole season with the Commodores, Edwards averaged 17.0 points per game, shot 35.3 percent from three-point range, and led his team to an NCAA Tournament appearance as a 10 seed. Friars fans can expect a fearless, skilled scorer, able to shoot off the dribble at an impressive clip and attack the rim. Edwards also thrives scoring as a pick and roll ball-handler, and center Oswin Erhunmwunse’s ’27 standout ability to catch lobs after coming off screens could make the pick and roll duo a major offensive threat. A critique of Edwards’ game at Vanderbilt was aimed at his decision-making and shot selection, sometimes electing to take contested shots, and posting more turnovers per game than assists (1.6 and 1.3, respectively). Look for Edwards to be more selfless this year: the Friars are equipped with more scorers and perimeter shooters that should be able to take some of the weight off his shoulders and give him passing outlets. 

Edwards’ backcourt counterpart, Sellers, is a 6’5” guard out of University of Central Florida. Friars fans hope Sellers can return to the form he showed before he missed virtually his entire senior year due to a back injury. With great size and eye-catching athleticism, the Friars are getting a plus defender in Sellers. His striking vertical allows him to finish at the rim effectively and lay down highlight dunks, making him a defensive nightmare in transition. One glaring flaw in Sellers’ game was his inability to shoot from three efficiently, posting only a 29.7 three point percentage in his junior year at UCF. Sellers almost seemed hesitant to shoot from deep as the season progressed and struggled mightily on his attempts off the dribble. Off the catch, however, Sellers was markedly more efficient. He also shot 44.4 percent and 45 percent in his freshman and sophomore years at Ball State and  UCF, respectively. Friars fans can hope Coach English’s offensive sets use Sellers in a manner more suitable to his skillset, giving him open catch-and-shoot looks from behind the arc and forcing him to attack the rim more.

Edwards’ and Sellers’ potential as a backcourt duo is cause for genuine excitement in Providence. Last year’s team lacked a true number one scoring threat—there was no go-to, aggressive, creative scorer to count on in clutch situations. Edwards has every capability to fill that role for the Friars this season. Sellers could even rival Edwards as that number one option should he reach his ceiling and improve his shooting efficiency, but at a minimum should give this team a legitimate secondary option. Friartown: can these two lead this team back to the Big Dance?

by Connor Flynn '25 on February 9, 2023
Opinion Staff

---

Featured Slider

---

The Greatest Football Player of All Time Gave Us Years of Incomparable Joy and Memories

My earliest memory of a Super Bowl is quite grainy. I remember being at a family friend’s house, the open living room packed with dozens of people intensely watching a large flatscreen TV on the wall. I remember the snacks from that night well, since I was nine years old, as well as the general excitement in the air, the kind of excitement that can gather a whole community in one room on a cold Sunday night. Soon enough, curse words coated in Boston accents filled the air. This once lively living room of friends was, to put it lightly, pissed off. On that night, Feb. 5, 2012, the New England Patriots lost Super Bowl XLVI to the New York Giants in a crushing fashion. Another one just by the hairs…in the worst possible way. In hindsight, the cries of the many faithful New England fans in the room that night were due to the loss of our beloved football franchise, the Patriots, along with the pride of New England: Tom Brady. 

I consider that night to have been my first real viewing of Tom Brady playing football. A pretty bad start, yes, but it was the first football game I actually felt interested in. Of course, some pundits speculated that perhaps, after being without a Super Bowl ring since 2005, the Patriots dynasty of the early 2000s was over. Looking back, it’s comical how many times commentators counted out the man who could never really be counted out. Now, 11 years, four more Super Bowl rings, and an endless amount of records later, Tom Brady has done the one thing that he’s never really done before: retire from football, permanently. 

In many ways, it’s hard to even imagine a world in which TB12 is not taking the field every Sunday. Over the years it’s been a common unspoken expectation among New Englanders: when the weather gets a bit chillier and the leaves start changing, you can always expect number 12 to be taking the field. It’s as automatic as the seasons themselves, be it in Foxborough, MA or Tampa Bay, FL. Personally, I literally do not know what the world is like without Brady playing. Many people don’t. I was born on Tom’s 25th birthday, months after his first Super Bowl win in his second year in the league. Nearly everyone in my generation cannot recall a time when Tom Brady was not a starting quarterback. Of course, his unparalleled gift for playing football makes him, among all serious observers, the undisputed greatest of all time. He holds the records for passing yards, passing touchdowns, completions, Super Bowl wins, Super Bowl appearances, and dozens of other categories. Any other player would be praised for leading in any one of those categories, but with Brady, excellence was expected. He normalized the abnormal and created a standard that will likely never be fulfilled again. 

What many casual fans don’t know, however, is that Tom Brady was never supposed to turn out this way. Drafted 199th overall in the 2000 NFL draft as a skinny backup, Brady was the ultimate underdog from the beginning. He got his big break in September 2001 after starter Drew Bledsoe went down and Brady never looked back, leading the Patriots to an improbable Super Bowl victory that season, sparking one of the greatest sports dynasties of all time. 

Aside from his on-field greatness, it was truly Tom’s example, his way of life that makes him not only an excellent competitor but an inspiration for fans and foes alike. Dubbed the “TB12 Method,” Brady’s way always pushed the limits, and time and again left detractors and doubters dumbfounded. It’s a way of life that strives for excellence, built on the internal challenge to be better than the day before. A way of life that builds others up, rejects blame and earns the respect of opponents. It’s a way of life that makes it possible for the 199th overall pick in the 2000 NFL draft to retire as the undisputed greatest to play the game in 2023 at age 45. Through this, Tom Brady gave us crazy comebacks, precious community traditions, jubilant Boston streets in February, personal inspiration, and a lifetime of joy. Like many, some of my best childhood memories are attached to Brady. Through thick and thin, with family and friends, neighbors and strangers, we always pulled for 12, because in so many ways 12 represented us. An era has ended and reflection has begun, but looking back now on the legacy, the joy, and the memories, to quote Brady himself, “I wouldn’t change a thing.” Thank you, Tom, for everything.

by The Cowl Editor on September 3, 2021

---

Friar Sports

---

by The Cowl Editor on September 3, 2021

---

PCI

---

by The Cowl Editor on September 3, 2021

---

Sports

---

 

 

by Joshua Lopes on April 15, 2021

---

Sports

---

Men’s Final Four

By Leo Hainline ’22

Sports Staff

The 2021 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament featured one of the best Final Four games to ever be played when Gonzaga University defeated the University of California, Los Angeles. It then culminated with a worthy champion in Baylor University.

UCLA, an 11-seed that barely made the field of 68 and had to play in one of the first four games of the tournament, had been playing incredible basketball, knocking off both their region’s one-seed and two-seed during their journey to the Final Four. They brought that same energy and momentum into their matchup with Gonzaga and went back and forth with the Bulldogs all night. 

The game was filled with iconic moments. One of the best during regulation was when Jalen Suggs blocked Bruins big-man Cody Riley from behind, before immediately following with an incredible bounce pass that sliced through the UCLA defense to find teammate Drew Timme for a slam dunk. Another big moment was Timme’s charge that he drew on UCLA star Johnny Juzang when the Bruins had an opportunity to win the game. 

In overtime, Timme took over with unstoppable post-moves as the Bulldogs took a late five-point lead. However, the Bruins kept fighting and were able to tie the game thanks to a three-pointer from Jamie Jaquez Jr. and a put-back layup from Juzang. With three seconds left, Suggs received the inbounds pass, pushed the ball up the court, and pulled up to hit one of the most incredible shots in the history of March Madness.

 That is when the luck ran out for the Bulldogs, however, as they were thoroughly outplayed by Baylor in the national championship game. The Bears were automatic from behind the arc and were clearly the more aggressive team on both ends of the court. Led by guard Jared Butler, the Bears brought a level of intensity that the Bulldogs were unable to match. In the end, Baylor took home their program’s first-ever national championship.

 While this year’s tournament was undoubtedly a great one, the lack of fans in the arenas was a noticeable loss. The great moments, while still amazing to watch, could have been even more amazing with seats packed with people. Imagine: Gonzaga and UCLA playing in front of a packed Lucas Oil Stadium. Moments like that deserve to be watched in front of an audience, and hopefully, these special sporting events will soon begin to feel normal again with arenas and stadiums back at full capacity.

Women’s Final Four

By Liam Tormey ’22

Sports Assistant Editor

In a season unlike any other, the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament was, unsurprisingly, full of excitement.

All but one of the number one seeds were able to make it through to the Final Four of the tournament. The number one seed in the Mercado region, North Carolina State University, was defeated by Indiana University in the Sweet Sixteen. The three remaining top seeds in Stanford University, University of South Carolina, and the University of Connecticut all secured a place in the Final Four, alongside the University of Arizona.

Led by the winningest coach in Division I women’s basketball history, Tara VanDerveer, Stanford rolled through their opponents before their Final Four matchup with South Carolina. Prior to then, Stanford had secured victories against Utah Valley University, Oklahoma State University, Missouri State University, and the University of Louisville. South Carolina took care of their work just like Stanford. After dominating Mercer University, Oregon State University, the Georgia Institute of Technology, and University of Texas at Austin, the Final Four matchup between South Carolina and Stanford was set.

In a game which came down to the wire, Stanford was able to survive a gritty South Carolina team 66-65. Haley Jones led Stanford with 24 points and hit the game-winning jump shot. With five seconds left, South Carolina’s Aliyah Boston stole the ball and passed to Brea Beal. Beal missed a layup, but the ball fell back into Boston’s hand. However, her put-back also went off the back of the rim, giving Stanford the victory.

On the flip side of the bracket, UConn and Arizona met in the other semifinal matchup. Led by Paige Bueckers, the John R. Wooden Award winner, the Huskies were the likely favorite coming into the tournament. They steamed through the RiverWalk region, winning their first three games by 20 or more points before a close Elite Eight battle with Baylor University.

Arizona was the surprise of the tournament. Led by head coach Adia Barnes, Arizona made it through the Mercado region, upsetting Texas A&M University along the way.

When Arizona met UConn in the Final Four, the Wildcats gave them more than they could handle. Arizona pulled out a 69-59 victory, highlighted by Aari McDonald’s 26 points. A stunner of an upset, it ended the Huskies’ title hopes.

The championship game was everything one could have asked for, coming right down to the final seconds. Each team’s star player, including Stanford’s Haley Jones, who was named the tournament’s Most Outstanding Player, and Arizona’s Aari McDonald, stepped up on the biggest stage. Down by one with seconds to go, Arizona had the chance to win their first title ever, but McDonald’s three hit off the front iron, giving Stanford their first championship since 1992 by a score of 54-53.