On Saturday, Feb. 24, the Clark men’s basketball team took on the Babson College Beavers for the title of NEWMAC champion. The Kneller Gymnasium was filled to the brim with students covered in scarlet from head to toe. Though the Cougars ultimately fell to the Beavers 64-73, players and fans alike did not yield until the final buzzer. Students comprised a majority of the fans in attendance at the championship, though some Clark legends were there, too. Field reporter Nicholas Brunelle caught up with Prof. Lawrence Norman and Clark superfan Mikey Calabrese, gaining insights about the game and its associated emotions.
Most attendees would be forgiven for not seeing Lawrence Norman ’94 MBA ’95, professor of the popular “Marketing to You” course, tucked into one of the back rows of bleachers. Fortunately, Prof. Norman agreed to lend some of his thoughts on the game for The Scarlet. When asked how it felt to be at such an important game, Prof. Norman answered with a smile. “Watching this game brings back a lot of memories… I played here back in the day,” he said. Norman’s basketball expertise became apparent through his thoughts on the Cougars’ performance in the first half with observations that only a player could make. Norman applauded the team on their aggressive style of play and commitment to teamwork, while also expressing his appreciation for Tyler Simms’ coaching and leadership. Norman said that he enjoys “watching my students on the court, as well as seeing in [them] the stands,” as he looked out toward the packed gymnasium with a smile.
No men’s basketball game would be complete without Mikey Calabrese on the sideline, father of junior guard Ian Calabrese. Calabrese is a student favorite, not just because of his habit of throwing candy into the crowd and leading chants, but also because of his undeniable passion for every single minute of play. In an interview with The Scarlet, Calabrese’s excitement was unmistakable when describing how it felt to watch this team, one that had come so close to this game the previous year, reach a NEWMAC final. Calabrese said it was great “watching them develop as players and men,” and that he held great anticipation for what they would do after Clark, especially his son.
Having also played college basketball himself, Mr. Calabrese described the experience of watching his son Ian play as “one of the highest of honors. He was destined to play college basketball. I’m so proud of my son…so proud,” he said. Calabrese’s pride for Ian extended off the court as well. In fact, Mr. Calabrese spent most of his interview with The Scarlet discussing his son’s academic and social success.
Calebrese summarized his thoughts with some sage advice: “winning is nothing, losing is everything,” he said. “This [game] is a minor thing in life; this is DIII basketball, and they have bigger ambitions in life. They have greater things in store for them, all of them.”
Important game, important season
To my fellow Clarkies: thank you for packing the Kneller and showing your support by redding out the bleachers. I want to recognize the hard work and commitment of Coaches Simms, Seward, and Hicks throughout the 2023-2024 campaign. Thank you, Coaches, for all you have given our Men’s Basketball program and our community. Finally, but certainly not least, we want to recognize the Men’s Basketball team, not just for reaching the NEWMAC finals but also for snapping their 15-year losing streak to WPI this season. While saddened that senior Mikey O’Brien will not be with us next year, The Scarlet wishes to recognize his contributions to a historic season and our community as a whole. Like Mr. Calabrese, we know he has great things in store for him and eagerly look forward to what he will achieve after Clark.
