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Prof. Kisha Tracy (intro): Welcome to the Fitchburg State University Perseverantia Podcast network. This is the Fitchburg Your Story series in which Fitchburg State students tell the stories that make our city and university unique.
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Dexter Brown: Welcome to a "Legacy of Perseverance through Fitchburg State Sports." I'm your host Dexter Brown.
And in this episode, I want to highlight something and people that truly capture the heart of what this podcast and episode is all about: Fitchburg State helping build a legacy of pride and much more through the perseverance of sports and the people who define what it means to be a Falcon.
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This past October during homecoming weekend, Fitchburg State had honored its newest class Athletics Hall of Fame 2024 Inductees. Overall, it was more than just a ceremony. It was a celebration of grit, community, and longstanding impact and values that fuel and will continue to fuel our campus, culture, and the course of sports. President Donna Hodge, who joined the Fitchburg State family this past July, said something that really stuck with me. "Falcon Pride is strong," she said. "I experience it in every interaction with our students." She's right.
Whether it's in the classroom, on the field, or in the community, that pride shows up. You feel it when you're out there grinding during every early morning practice. You feel it walking into the rec center, hearing teammates cheer on each other. You feel it in those quiet moments when you've got to push yourself and other Falcons to keep pushing.
And that same spirit, that perseverance is exactly what this year's Hall of Fame class represents. Let me tell you about a few of the inductees who stood out to me and why they matter, not just for the awards they earned, but for what they represent as a Fitchburg Falcon.
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Take Megan Jacobs, who was in the class of 2011. She came to Fitchburg to play basketball, but after a little convincing from an upperclassman,
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she picked up a field hockey stick and the rest is history. She played both sports at a high level and became a quick record holder, and more importantly, built up her friendships along the way. Megan had this to say when looking back at her time at Fitchburg State: “Playing in two sports was the highlight of my college experience,” she said. Through the two sports, she added, she created two extended families.
That speaks volumes in itself because it's not just athletic talent or time management. It's about the deep personal connections that sports bring. Being a part of two different teams meant navigating different dynamics for Megan. Building trust with new groups of people and showing up as a leader in more than one arena. It highlights how athletics at Fitchburg State go beyond the score board. You create communities, support systems, and along with friendships. Megan's story reminds us that the impact of sports isn't just felt in the moment. It can carry throughout her life, helping shape who we are after we leave the field, court, or the diamond.
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Next is Ciro A. Jagundo III, who was in the class of 1983 and a dominant basketball player in his day. This is how he took what he learned at Fitchburg State and used it to impact lives beyond the court. He spent 36 years as a probation officer and dedicated his life to education, youth mentorship, and second chances.
He reminds us that what we do here at college, on the court, in the weight room, it's not just about building yourself physically, but it's about building character that lasts for those early mornings and late nights. One quote from him that really stuck out to me was, “if you want to have an impact, if you want to make a change, you need education. It all started there. The foundation I received here made my journey come to fruition. And I'm very grateful for that.”
That, especially for males of colors in college sports, is a reminder to every athlete on campus right now. We're not just building records; we're building futures.
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Another name that stood out to me was Bill Mastrellangelo from the class of 1998. He played hockey and was known for his selflessness in leadership. It was never just about the stats for Bill, it was about raising the level of everyone around him. He ensured that team success always came before personal glory. In Mastrellangelo’s own words, “team winning triumphs all individual records.” That mindset of putting the team over yourself is the foundation of long lasting success in any program.
It set the tone where ego is left at the door and every player commits to a shared goal. Bill's approach wasn't just admirable, it was necessary. When athletes adopt that mentality, they not only elevate their teammates, but they also create a culture of accountability, unity, and resilience. That's the kind of legacy that lasts well beyond graduation and inspires future generations of players.
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Speaking of leadership, let's talk about Emily Roganek, who was in the class of 2010 and received another degree from Fitchburg State in 2015. Emily wasn't just a two sport athlete between soccer and lacrosse, but she also helped create the Women's Lacrosse Program at Fitchburg State. Emily just didn't play the sport, but she helped build the future. To continue, Emily was on the hiring community for the first coach, along with being named the captain for all four years she played. Then she proceeded to even come back as a coach herself and help lead the team to a best 14 and four season.
Her story shows how legacy isn't just about looking back; it's about investing in what comes next.
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Next we have Cameron Stalters, who was Fitchburg class of 2019. A standout in both indoor and outdoor track and field. Cameron truly made his mark at Fitchburg through his dedication and excellence, especially in the javelin and hurdle events. He qualified for Nationals three years in a row and became an All-American in both 2017 and 2018. In fact, his junior year was capped off by a second place finish at Nationals, which for any sport is a major achievement that speaks to his talent in work ethic. But despite the titles, the records like his javelin PR of almost 70 meters, and he also holds stadium records at MIT, Bridgewater State, and Wesleyan.
At his Hall of Fame introduction, he said, “I met some of my best friends doing track, friends for life from coming to the school. To me, being in athletics, that's the kind of bond I can create at Fitchburg State. Winning records are great, but it's the people, the teammates and at Fitchburg State, you'll remember it forever.”
Overall, the takeaway from Cameron's story reminds us that legacy at Fitchburg State isn't just about medals and banners. It's about the relationships built during the hard practices, the early meets and the long bus rides. It's about growing with others while pushing yourself. That’s what makes Fitchburg State sports special.
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Lastly is the entire 1993 to 94 men's ice hockey team that was inducted as a group. The team had swagger. They practiced hard, played hard, and pulled off a championship win that still echoes through the program's history. Coach Dean Fuller said it best: “They were special. They knew they were competing for something bigger than themselves. And that's what made them champions.”
Overall, hearing these stories and watching how athletes continue to impact their communities is powerful. It's a constant reminder that out-of-class involvement like sports provides students with opportunities for rich social lives, which are closely associated with a sense of campus community. In addition, that sports are a valuable tool for teaching the values that unite teammates and people across the world. What we do today builds a foundation for tomorrow, not just playing sports, but we're building character, forging bonds, and creating legacies that will live on our time at Fitchburg State.
And to the current athletes listening, look around you. The friendships you're making, the effort you're putting in, are all those necessities that you'll carry along with you long after the scoreboard turns dark.
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To an alumni like Coach Dell and many others. Thank you.
Your perseverance and your continued leadership shows us what it meant to give back and pay it forward. As athletic director Matthew Burke said at the ceremony: “Your involvement helps nurture the next generation of talent and leadership, ensuring that the legacy of Fitchburg State athletics thrives.” And let Fitchburg State's Hall of Fame class of 2024, be reminded that greatness isn't just measured in trophies or records. It's measured in the lives you touch, the barriers you break, and the legacy you leave behind. But continue to build as a Fitchburg Falcon. Thank you.
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Nikki McToggart: You’ve been listening to Perseverantia, the Fitchburg State Podcast Network.
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