Falcons heading to ice hockey championship
Coming on the heels of a triple overtime thriller, the Fitchburg State Falcons men’s hockey team will host the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts Trailblazers in the Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference finals at 4 p.m. Saturday, March 8, in the Wallace Civic Center at 1000 John Fitch Highway. The Falcons (14-12-1, 8-9-1 MASCAC) entered the playoffs as a fourth seed, and will take on the eighth-seeded Trailblazers in the finals. The Falcons punched their ticket to the championship last Saturday when they bested the Salem State Vikings in triple overtime during a game where junior goaltender Max Macchioni saved a team single game record 76 shots. “I cannot wait to cheer on our Fitchburg State Falcons this Saturday as they fight for the championship,” said University President Dr. Donna Hodge. “This team has shown unmatched determination, grit, and heart all season long, and now they have the chance to bring home the title in front of their entire Falcon community. This game is about more than just hockey—it’s about Fitchburg State pride, passion, and excellence on full display. I look forward to standing alongside our students, alumni, faculty, librarians, staff, and the greater community as we come together to celebrate not only our team’s success but the unstoppable spirit that defines who we are as a university.” “Getting to the MASCAC championship game is a remarkable achievement for our hockey team, and a credit to a long season’s worth of hard work and commitment,” University Athletic Director Matthew Burke said. “I am so proud of our student-athletes, who embody Fitchburg State’s highest ideals, and the dedicated coaching staff for helping them realize this goal.” The Falcons are led by legendary Coach Dean Fuller, who has guided the team to more than 600 wins during his 41 seasons at the university. The team has won seven conference championships in 11 appearances under his watch, last winning the MASCAC crown in 2018. This will mark the Falcons’ second consecutive year at the finals. “We’re very happy to be hosting the MASCAC Championship this Saturday,” said Coach Fuller. “Our team leadership has been great all season long, and the men have shown determination and grit, which paid off in our three overtime win against Salem. As a group, we are focused on Saturday and looking forward to the challenge.” Fitchburg State will host a tailgate party outside the Civic Center starting at 2 p.m. Saturday, where visitors can enjoy music, eat a grilled Fitchburger, and get hyped for the contest. Tickets are $6 for adults and $3 for students. Admission is free for children under 12, senior citizens, and Fitchburg State students, faculty and staff with their OneCard. Tickets may also be purchased online. The game will also be shown live on Fitchburg Access Television at fatv.org. The Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference provides a comprehensive program of athletics for all State Universities. The objective underlying this purpose is to create a healthy atmosphere of competition and rivalry between the Universities and their student bodies while fostering the values of cooperation, leadership, courage, self-discipline, sportsmanship, diversity and self-reliance among the participating student-athletes.
Coming on the heels of a triple overtime thriller, the Fitchburg State Falcons men’s hockey team will host the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts Trailblazers in the Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference finals at 4 p.m. Saturday, March 8, in the Wallace Civic Center at 1000 John Fitch Highway.
The Falcons (14-12-1, 8-9-1 MASCAC) entered the playoffs as a fourth seed, and will take on the eighth-seeded Trailblazers in the finals. The Falcons punched their ticket to the championship last Saturday when they bested the Salem State Vikings in triple overtime during a game where junior goaltender Max Macchioni saved a team single game record 76 shots.
“I cannot wait to cheer on our Fitchburg State Falcons this Saturday as they fight for the championship,” said University President Dr. Donna Hodge. “This team has shown unmatched determination, grit, and heart all season long, and now they have the chance to bring home the title in front of their entire Falcon community. This game is about more than just hockey—it’s about Fitchburg State pride, passion, and excellence on full display. I look forward to standing alongside our students, alumni, faculty, librarians, staff, and the greater community as we come together to celebrate not only our team’s success but the unstoppable spirit that defines who we are as a university.”
“Getting to the MASCAC championship game is a remarkable achievement for our hockey team, and a credit to a long season’s worth of hard work and commitment,” University Athletic Director Matthew Burke said. “I am so proud of our student-athletes, who embody Fitchburg State’s highest ideals, and the dedicated coaching staff for helping them realize this goal.”
The Falcons are led by legendary Coach Dean Fuller, who has guided the team to more than 600 wins during his 41 seasons at the university. The team has won seven conference championships in 11 appearances under his watch, last winning the MASCAC crown in 2018. This will mark the Falcons’ second consecutive year at the finals.
“We’re very happy to be hosting the MASCAC Championship this Saturday,” said Coach Fuller. “Our team leadership has been great all season long, and the men have shown determination and grit, which paid off in our three overtime win against Salem. As a group, we are focused on Saturday and looking forward to the challenge.”
Fitchburg State will host a tailgate party outside the Civic Center starting at 2 p.m. Saturday, where visitors can enjoy music, eat a grilled Fitchburger, and get hyped for the contest.
Tickets are $6 for adults and $3 for students. Admission is free for children under 12, senior citizens, and Fitchburg State students, faculty and staff with their OneCard. Tickets may also be purchased online.
The game will also be shown live on Fitchburg Access Television at fatv.org.
The Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference provides a comprehensive program of athletics for all State Universities. The objective underlying this purpose is to create a healthy atmosphere of competition and rivalry between the Universities and their student bodies while fostering the values of cooperation, leadership, courage, self-discipline, sportsmanship, diversity and self-reliance among the participating student-athletes.
Latest Fitchburg State University News
- Central Mass Brass quintet to present free concert on Oct. 22The Central Mass Brass presents a free concert of classical and pop music to Fitchburg State University on Wednesday, Oct. 22, from 7-8:30 p.m., at Kent Recital Hall (Conlon Fine Arts Building). The concert, which is open to the public, features two music area faculty members – Joe Wright (tuba) and Geoffrey Sheldon (trumpet). Other members of the quartet include: Ryan Ramey (french horn), Nathan French (trumpet), and Noah Lauzier (trombone). This concert is made possible by a grant from the Fitchburg Cultural Council.
- Fitchburg State Vocal and Instrumental Ensembles Present “Music Mega-Mix” On Oct. 21The Music Mega-Mix, Fitchburg State University’s showcase of bite-sized performances by its Community Orchestra, Concert Band, Chamber Choir, Concert Choir, Falcon Drumline, and Fitchbyrds Modern Jazz Band will be held at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 21 in Weston Auditorium, 353 North St. Admission is free and open to the public. The ensembles consist of students, alumni, faculty, staff, and community members. Learn more about the university's music offerings at fitchburgstate.edu/music.
- Spartan race in November will honor legacy of Jeff GodinLongtime Fitchburg State University Professor of Exercise Science Jeff Godin inspired thousands of athletes with his “Building Better Humans” mantra. Godin, 56, passed away after a courageous fight with pancreatic cancer on June 22, 2024, but the Fenway Spartan Stadion Event Weekend race on November 8-9 will honor Godin’s legacy and his enduring impact. Proceeds from the race will support a scholarship fund in Godin’s name for Fitchburg State students pursuing exercise and sports science. Registration details include: $50 Student Registration (Must have a valid student ID) $100 Participant $200 'Warrior' Participant (Regular participant with an added donation) $500 'Spartan' Participant (Regular participant with an added donation) Once entrants have submitted payment, they will be emailed instructions to sign up for the race through Spartan, free of charge. The Fitchburg State campaign raises funds for a permanent memorial to Godin on campus, including a scholarship for a student in exercise and sports science (EXSS) and the naming of the weight room in Godin’s honor. “Jeff had an incredible impact on not only EXSS but also on student-athletes,” Fitchburg State Athletic Director Matt Burke said. “He played a major role in the design and equipment in the Landry Arena weight room, and it would be incredibly fitting to name the space for him. All of the teams that trained under his guidance were better off for it, and the athletes from those programs miss him tremendously. He had a great energy and spirit for Fitchburg State, our student-athletes, and especially our ice hockey program.” “The loss of Jeff will be felt in the Exercise Department for years to come,” said Fitchburg State Exercise and Sports Science Associate Professor Lindsay Parisi. “He had this ability to make connections with people and inspire them to be better versions of themselves. Knowing that we can impact future students' ability to come to Fitchburg State through a scholarship, and to name the space that was his second home after him, will help our department in grieving that loss through keeping Jeff's spirit ingrained in the university.” Godin, who was admired for his love of teaching, coaching and his students, was also the founding father of the Spartan SGX Certification program. He certified a countless number of coaches from across the world to coach athletes using his SGX program with a slogan of, “Building Better Humans.” “I struggle everyday and miss him terribly,” said Godin’s wife, Tammy. “He was my best friend and the love of my life. It is heartwarming to know the impact he made on many and the legacy he has left behind.” The Stadion, held at historic Fenway Park in Boston, is a 5K obstacle course where competitors will climb stairs, scale walls, conquer monkey bars, and aim true with the spear throw — all at race pace. No mud. No mountain. Just pure grit under the lights.
- Fitchburg State’s five new Presidential Fellows unveiledFitchburg State University President Donna Hodge is proud to announce its five new Presidential Fellows for the academic year. The Fellows Program was launched in 2024 with the goal of fostering leadership growth among faculty and librarians by providing a unique professional development opportunity. The fellows represent President Hodge and the President’s Office and contribute to university- and community-wide initiatives that further Fitchburg State’s mission, vision and core values. The 2025-26 Presidential Fellows are: Professor DeMisty Bellinger-Delfeld (English Studies Department); Associate Professor Jonathan Harvey (Humanities Department); Professor Denise Sargent (Education Department); Associate Professor Deborah Stone (Nursing Department); and Connie Strittmatter (Amelia V. Gallucci-Cirio Library). Re-appointed Fellows include Professor Katharine Covino (English Studies Department), Professor Laura Garofoli (Psychological Sciences Department), Assistant Professor Dustin Halterman (Education Department) and Associate Professor Lindsay Parisi (Exercise and Sports Science Department). “Our Presidential Fellows represent the best of Fitchburg State’s commitment to bold ideas and collective progress. By giving our faculty and librarians the time and platform to lead projects of their own design, we are investing not only in their professional growth but in the transformation of our university and the communities we serve,” President Hodge said. Professor David Weiss will coordinate this year’s Presidential Fellows Program. “This program reflects a simple but powerful truth: leadership is not confined to titles or offices. It is cultivated in classrooms, libraries, and laboratories—and it flourishes when people are trusted to innovate. I am proud of this year’s Fellows, and I look forward to the ways their work will advance our mission as the number one state university in Massachusetts,” Hodge said. "At Fitchburg State University, the Presidential Fellows exemplify the kind of leadership that inspires progress—rooted in purpose, driven by curiosity, and committed to making a lasting impact on our campus and beyond," said Weiss. The Presidential Fellows will have the opportunity to propose, engage, and see to fruition a focused project or initiative of their choosing, in consultation with the President’s Office, which is meaningful, impactful, and elevates the “Number One State University” throughout the North Central Region, Massachusetts, and beyond.
- Banned Books Week events: Censoring local author Robert CormierFitchburg State University and the Fitchburg Historical Society are collaborating to recognize Banned Books Week in October with “Censoring Cormier: Readings from the Fitchburg State University Archives.” The reading of archival materials is related to the censorship of local author Robert Cormier's work. Cormier’s novel The Chocolate War, was one of the most censored novels at the time of its publication as part of the first wave of book challenges and bans in the United States. “Cormier’s works began to be challenged and removed from schools and libraries over 40 years ago,” said Fitchburg State Associate Librarian for Instruction and Community Engagement Olivia Rossetti. “Our goal with this event is to reflect on the evolution of censorship as Cormier experienced it, and consider how the issue has or has not evolved since then.” These hour-long events will feature a 30-minute reading, followed by a discussion. The first event will begin at 5:15 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 7 at the Fitchburg Historical Society, 781 Main St. Fitchburg State University hosts the second event at the Amelia V. Gallucci-Cirio Library at 3:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 9. “Banned Books Week is such an important event, and we’re excited to partner with Fitchburg Historical Society to expand the reach of this work,” Rossetti said. “We hope to see lots of faces, both from our university community and the community at large at our events this October.” The events are both free and open to the public. Light refreshments will be served. Free parking is available in the parking lot behind the Historical Society building (accessed via Central St.), or free on-street parking on Main St. Designated visitor lots for Fitchburg State may be located on the university website at fitchburgstate.edu/about/maps-and-directions.
- Celebrate the “You FIT Here!” banner presentation on Oct. 1Celebrate the unique heritage of the city of Fitchburg and Fitchburg State University with an official presentation of the “You FIT Here!” banners on Wednesday, Oct. 1, at 3:30 p.m. on the campus’ main quadrangle. The rain location will be at Hammond Main Lounge. The banners will be presented to Fitchburg State University President Donna Hodge and city partners Nick Capasso (Fitchburg Art Museum), Merrick Henry (COFF33 Corp) and Fitchburg Mayor Samantha Squailia. There will be live performances sponsored by Coff33 Corp., a celebration of the “ Fitchburg Your Story” podcast series with a listening station (you can sign up to record your own episode), a reception with food, displays and giveaways, and a Heritage Walk, led by university archivist Asher Jackson and Dr. Danette Day, starting in the quad and ending at the Abolitionist Park (.4 miles). A shuttle will be available for those who need it to and from Abolitionist Park. Earn an exclusive pin to commemorate your experience. The event is free and open to the public. On Tuesday, Sept. 30 and Wednesday, Oct. 1, there will be a Teach-In at Abolitionist Park. All are welcome to join Fitchburg State classes in the park. On September 30, from 8-11:30 a.m., offerings will include Dr. David Weiss presenting on domestic terror and hate crime; Dr. Will Cortezia discussing diversity in education; Dr. Kisha Tracy presenting the Bible as literature; and Dr. Danette Day discussing culturally proficient education . On October 1, at 9:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m., Dr. Will Cortezia presents on the abolitionist movement and how it relates to social justice in the present day; Dr. Michael Hoberman discusses a pathbreaking abolitionist text from 1789: The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano at 11 a.m.; and Dr. Eric Budd discusses the origins of abolitionism and other social movements at 11 a.m. You FIT Here is funded by the Deans’ Anti-Racism Fund and the Crocker Center for Civic Engagement.
