La Salle University - Explorer Yearbook (Philadelphia, PA)

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Cheerleading Karen Rio is hoisted into the air by her partner Mike Costello. No Apathy Here By Ed Skorpinski Why am I a cheerleader? Because it ' s a lot of fun and a heckuva lot easier than sports. Although this remark, made laugh- ingly by sophomore Miriam Dvorak, would lead one to believe that being on the Explorer Cheerleading Squad means nothing more than jumping around like over-exuberant children during a basketball game, it is a little more involved than that. For yet an- other winter sports season, the Cheer- leading and Dance Teams, along with the mascot, have entertained fans during Explorer basketball games, What most people don ' t realize, how- ever, because they are usually too en- grossed in the game, is the tremendous energy that the twenty-two sideline performers exert and the stamina they must possess to constantly goad the crowd with cheers and routines. Un- doubtedly, many a cheerleader has held her breath as she drops from a pyr- amid formation into the waiting arms of her partner underneath. Cheerleaders: Ed Borbin, Miriam Dvorak, Lisa Mackes, Jennifer Delio, Lisa Giacometti, David Santerian, Kevin Williams, Kathy Bertino, Karen Rio (Co-Captain), Debbie Chiaravalotti, Michael Castello (Co-Captain), Dom Catrambone, Frank Faber, Lisa Donnelly (Mascot), Teresa Andris (Coach), Pete Torres (Assistant Coach). Dance Team: Maria Esposito (Captain), Judy Rosboschil, Janice Polinsky, Tanya Perfecky, Stephanie Wan- kel, Cindy Bradford, Lisaeve Smulktis, Janet Fricker, Teresa Andris (Coach). It is true that cheerleaders do not practice as hard as athletes — only three times a week in two-hour sessions — but they expend just as much ener- gy during game time. And La Salle cheerleaders do follow along on a few of the team ' s trips (though not as many as they would like); for instance, they travelled to Connecticut and New York for the Fairfield and lona games this year. When asked how she thought the fans really reacted to her group, Miriam responded, It depends a lot on the team ' s performance that night. If La Salle isn ' t doing well, then nothing will get their attention. If the team is hot, though, we can get them cheering even louder. Moreover, she declared, No matter what kind of a night it is, we can always v out-cheer ' the competi- tion. Thus, even on a campus whose students are often criticized for their apathy, one can always find school spirit on the La Salle Cheerleading Squad. 144

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Standing: Perry Engard (Manager), Paul Graham (Manager), Mike Watkins (Manager), Tim Legler, Craig Conlin, Lionel Simmons, Eric Lee, Ken Palczewski, Bob Johnson, Tom Conroy (Asst, Coach), Joe Mihalich (Asst. Coach), Fran Dunphy (Asst. Coach), Sam Rines (Asst. Coach). Kneeling: Ter- ence Jackson, Leonard Robinson, Ron Barnes, Larry Koretz (Captain), Gary Jones, Marvin Woods, Rich Tarr, Speedy Morris, (Head Coach). First year coach Speedy Morris keeps a close eye on the shot clock. ' 43

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La Salle Captures First Big 5 Title By Mary Coyle Women ' s Basketball The 1986-87 Women ' s Basketball team had a very tough act to follow. Last season ' s team compiled an out- standing record of 21-9, and captured their first-ever MAAC Championship, under the guidance of head coach Bill Speedy Morris. This year ' s team found itself without the services of three graduated 1000-point scorers and coach Morris, who left to take over the men ' s head coaching job. Replacing Morris is John Miller, 39, previously head coach at Monsignor Bonner High School where his team fin- ished the 1985-86 season with a 20-8 record. He has also coached at Roman Catholic and Archbishop Ryan High Schools, and, like Morris before him, has had to make an adjustment from coaching boys ' high-school basketball to women ' s college basketball. Under Miller and the dedicated lead- ership of senior co-captains Kelly Briar and Allison Hudson, the Lady Explorers have proven they are just as good as the MAAC Championship team of the previous year. Throughout the season, La Salle played competitively with sev- eral formidable opponents. One major victory which stands out is the defeat of the Lady Hawks of St. Joe ' s for the first time in sixteen meetings. This key win enabled the Lady Explorers to cap- ture their very first Big Five Champion- ship. Former player and present assistant coach Gina Tobin described what it was like to finally beat St. Joe ' s, It was tremendous. A Big Five victory against St. Joe ' s after so many years of defeats was special. It ' s great to still be in- volved with La Salle women ' s basket- ball, even though I ' m not out on the floor scoring points. Another highlight of the season was the prestigious La Salle Invitational Christmas Tournament. A field of eight tough teams battled it out on the hard- wood of Hayman Hall, including nation- ally-ranked James Madison University. La Salle faced JMU in the final and lost in a very close, hard-fought game. La Salle ' s own Kelly Briar had a fantastic tournament, and was named to the All-Tournament Team. Briar said of her accomplishment, I played as hard as I could to win, and I was just happy that others noticed. Senior co-captain Allison Hudson added more excitement to the season by scoring her career 1000th point against Fordham on January 23 at the Palestra. She is only the seventh player in Lady Explorer history to reach this mi- lestone. I was extremely happy to have finally scored my 1000th point. Al- though I ' ll be credited with the accom- plishment, it was really a team effort. I could not have done it without my teammates. The outstanding play of the Lady Ex- plorers can be attributed to much hard work and a great deal of talent in all areas. Other players who rounded out this fine team include guards Cheryl Reeve, Kelly Greenberg, and Sheila Wall. In the forward position, Linda French and Tracy Sneed are both key contributers. The intense desire and dedication of all the members of the La Salle Wom- en ' s Basketball Family have, and will continue, to make them a great suc- cess. Coach John Miller takes time out to review the strategy. Sheila Wall directs the team into position. Tracey Sneed and Linda French take the jump during a scrimmage game. 145