Genesee Community College

Genesee Community College is pleased to announce head softball coach and sports information director Kristen Clark will be inducted into the SUNY Brockport Golden Eagle Athletic Hall of Fame on Saturday, Sept. 26. The highly decorated coach and athlete will be inducted for her performances in basketball, softball and for her participation in the 2003 Women's Basketball team.

Clark joined Genesee's athletic department in 2004 as the head coach of the Lady Cougar Softball team. She is a 2003 graduate of SUNY Brockport with a Bachelor's of Science degree in Business Administration, plus 54 credits toward a sports management concentration. She received her Master's degree from California University of Pennsylvania.

While at Brockport, she was a two-sport athlete in basketball and softball, where she was an All-American and broke many school records. These included career records with best Earned Runs Average (1.18), most games pitched, most wins (69), and most strikeouts (639) for the Eagles Softball team. For the basketball program, she holds most points in a season (596), highest scoring average in a season (20.6), second career all time leading scorer (1780), and second career all time rebound leader.

Clark was also nominated for the 2004 College Sportswoman of the Year and was inducted into the J.P. Morgan Chase Basketball Tournament Hall of Fame. She has also earned State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC) Women's Basketball Player of the Week honors multiple times.

"Personally, I would say that Kristen is incredibly hard-working and a role model not only for the women on the College's softball team, but for all athletes," said Becky Dziekan, Genesee's director of Health and Physical Education. "I think Genesee Community College is very lucky to have her on staff."

Before joining the Cougar team, Kristen was the assistant basketball coach at Brockport where she helped with recruiting, planning and fundraising throughout the season. She is on the SUNY Brockport Alumni Association Board. She was recently married to David Schuth and they reside in Spencerport.

For further information please contact Margaret Sisson, athletic director at Genesee Community College at 585-343-0055 x6239.

This fall, Genesee Community College is offering tai chi ch'uan lessons and Mandarin Chinese lessons. Tai chi ch'uan lessons will be on Monday and Thursday evenings and Mandarin Chinese lessons on Monday and Wednesday evenings. Both are at the Batavia campus and open to all.

Tai chi ch'uan, translates literally as "supreme ultimate fist," and is commonly known as tai chi. It is a "soft" or "internal" Chinese martial art, an ancient discipline followed by millions of people all over the world.

The college in conjuction with the Red Dragon School of Martial Arts will offer classes on from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Monday and Thursday starting Sept.14 and running through Dec. 17. The cost for this 26-session class is $286 and registration can be made through the Records Office at Genesee.

Tai chi is a system of exercises with both physical and mental benefits that everyone can practice regardless of age and physical abilities. Through these classes, students work according to their ability and within their natural range of movement. The movements are extended, natural, gentle, graceful and relatively simple and easy to learn. Tai chi is also a martial art, where embodied within the slow, gentle movements are powerful vigor and force. Tai chi can also be used to improve health and wellness and has been shown to reduce stress, depression, pain, inflammation and blood pressure. It also has been known to improve flexibility, balance, strength, circulation and mental outlook.

The college will also offer free Mandarin Chinese lessons on from 6 to 7 p.m. Monday and Wednesday starting Sept. 21, in room B360 at the Batavia campus. The lessons will focus on integrating speaking and listening as well as reading and writing skills.

Mandarin Chinese is taught by Genesee student Aiwen Yang. Aiwen was born in China and attended Chinese schools until moving to Spain. While in Spain, she studied Spanish and French and taught Chinese to members of the business community. She is currently a resident assistant at College Village, the on-campus student housing.

"Tai chi and Mandarin lessons are great examples of the multi-cultural learning opportunities Genesee Community College regularly offers to our students and our community," said Karin Kovach-Allen, dean of Human Communications and Behavior at Genesee. "We're especially pleased that one of our own students has offered to share her culture and language with the community."

For further information about Tai Chi and Mandarin lessons, please contact Nina Mortellaro at 585-343-0055 ext. 6228.

HAWLEY BILL TO SUPPORT EMERGENCY RESPONDERS PASSES ASSEMBLY

Assemblyman’s Legislation Exempts Emergency Responders from CDL Requirements

            Legislation sponsored by Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,I,C-Batavia) to exempt firefighters, police and other emergency responders from commercial drivers’ licensing (CDL) requirements when driving emergency vehicles was passed in the Assembly today.  Hawley supported a similar measure that was contained as part of this year’s enacted State Budget, however, this legislation clarifies that section of law to allow first responders to drive emergency vehicles in situations such as returning from the scene of an emergency or community event without having a CDL.

            “Our emergency first responders put their lives on the line in order to protect us. In light of current fiscal times and budget cuts, we owe it to these everyday heroes to ensure their valuable time and resources are most efficiently spent.  Not only will this legislation help reduce redundancy in state law, but it will save our first responder time and money that could be better spent training them to protect us,” said Hawley, who recently announced the creation of a new local scholarship program for volunteer firefighters and emergency service workers at Genesee Community College.

            As part of this year’s enacted State Budget, emergency responders were made exempt from CDL requirements in emergency situations.  However, a loophole in the law still required first responders to obtain, and pay for, a CDL in order to drive emergency vehicles in other official non-emergency business, such as commercial building inspections, fire hydrant inspections, parades, funerals and other not-for-profit official business.  Assembly Bill 6051-A corrects this.

Press release from GCC:

BATAVIA, NY -- The Genesee Center for the Arts at Genesee Community College continues its commitment to introducing the performing arts to children and families throughout the Western New York area by presenting the modern children's fable, The Incredible Jungle Journey of Fenda Maria. Daytime school performances of the show are scheduled for Wednesday, March 25, 2009 through Friday, March 27, 2009, with one final performance for the public on Friday, March 27, 2009 at 7:30PM.

Written by Jack Stokes and produced by special arrangement with Summerwind Productions (www.summerwindproductions.com/fenda), The Incredible Jungle Journey of Fenda Maria is the story of a young girl who, with the help of a village doctor, must travel through the jungle in order to save a prince from an evil witch. With help from the audience, Fenda Maria and her friends ultimately learn what's important - the meaning of being a good person.

Cast members include Jessica Francis (Perry, NY) as Jabo the Narrator, Samara Brown (Bronx, NY) as the Doctor, Robert E. Reiss (Elba, NY) as Chief Man, Edward Wolfe (Arcade, NY) as Takaya the Witch, and Crystal Ray (Bronx, NY) in the title role of Fenda Maria. Additional cast members (in alphabetical order) include Alicia Derefinko (Batavia, NY), Johnny Dow (Rochester, NY), Alex Falu (New York, NY), Heather Hilderbrandt (Lockport, NY), Brianna Kaminskas (Brockport, NY), Stephanie Martinez (New York, NY), Darlene Parsons (New York, NY), Tara Pocock (Batavia, NY), Amanda Ramsey (Attica, NY), Shayna Schultz (Batavia, NY), Maria Seewaldt (Warsaw, NY), Mark J. Sidor (Auburn, NY), Anjelica Sistrunk (Syracuse, NY) and Henry Sistrunk (Syracuse, NY).

The Incredible Jungle Journey of Fenda Maria is being directed by Norm Gayford, professor in the Humanities Department at Genesee Community College, with technical direction by Ed Hallborg, Technical Director and Technical Theatre faculty member at the Genesee Center for the Arts. Scenic design is by Norm Gayford and Ed Hallborg, with lighting design by Genna Wiseman and Massimo Marino, and sound design by Anjelica Sistrunk.

General admission ticket prices for Friday, March 27, 2009 at 7:30PM are $6.00 for adults, $3.00 for senior citizens, students and Genesee faculty, and $2.00 for Genesee students with a valid ID. For more information on the daytime school performances of The Incredible Jungle Journey of Fenda Maria, contact the Genesee Center for the Arts at 585/343-0055 x6814. For ticket information or reservations, contact the Box Office at 585/343-0055 x6814 or by email to BoxOffice@genesee.edu. The Genesee Center for the Arts Box Office accepts cash and checks only, credit cards are not accepted. Genesee Community College is located in Batavia, NY, just 2 minutes from NYS Thruway Exit 48. Visit www.genesee.edu for door-to-door driving directions sent via email.


 

 I received an e-mail this morning from Donna Rae Sutherland at Genesee Community College. The Cougars have a great winning tradition and do it with a roster that features many local players. Coach Roger Majeski recently won his 800th career match.

If you want proof that Coach Roger Majeski has created a winning tradition at Genesee Community College, just step inside his office. Plaques, awards and medals adorn his office from his 21 years as head women's volleyball coach at Genesee. On September 27, Majeski led the Lady Cougars to score his 800th career win over Howard Community College.

Coach Majeski began his career at Genesee in 1986 as assistant coach and after only a year was named head women's volleyball coach. With 12 showings at the national tournament, he has maintained a powerful presence in the Western New York Athletic Conference. The Lady Cougars have won 17 conference titles, as well as winning 11 consecutive Region III championships.

Over the years, Majeski has not only led his team to numerous victories and titles, but has also been awarded many coaching honors. He received the Region III Coach of the Year nine times and the District Coach of the year 11 times. He has also received the AVCA (American Volleyball Coaches Association) Coach of the Year three times, an award which was voted on by his coaching peers. Majeski is also ranked first among NJCAA (National Junior College Athletic Association) Division II coaches, as well as being ranked second overall among NJCAA Division I, II and III coaches.

Majeski has not only coached successful teams at Genesee, but has assisted his players to move on to Division I schools, be named All American Athletes, and even become professional volleyball players. He coached Marsha Miller '91 who played professional beach volleyball for the United States where she earned a silver medal in the 1999 Pan-American Games.

Stacy Koslosky, a former player for the Lady Cougars in the 2000 and 2001 seasons, believes Majeski isn't just your average coach. "What makes Roger a great coach is that he gets 'it'. Roger is the perfect blend of a technical trainer and a player's coach. He knows everything about volleyball and he easily communicates this to his players. Roger is a very intense leader and it's contagious for his team. He makes his players want to succeed and never settle for anything less than a win. Coach Majeski doesn't just want to win, he wants to win by 15 points."

The women's volleyball program at Genesee has become a well respected athletic program in the North East. Roger has been there for the victories and losses, both on and off the court. From the funny moments of traveling with his teams to various games, to the saddest moments when he lost a player during a home tournament, Majeski has been the solid rock within the program.

As a testament to Coach Majeski's long term concern for his players, 2007 marked the 10th anniversary of the Kaminna Allen Classic Women's Volleyball Tournament. Kaminna Allen was a member of the 1997 Lady Cougars volleyball team when she tragically died from a heart disorder while playing in the Cougar Classic Tournament. The tournament was renamed on her behalf and a scholarship fund was created in her honor. For more than ten years, proceeds from the tournament have supported the scholarship and the efforts of young women to improve their game - both on and off the court.

"The best part of my job is seeing the change in the students who come through my door," said Majeski. "Winning isn't always the greatest part of coaching. It's really satisfying seeing players who might not be the most talented transform into team motivators and leaders. When the light bulb turns on, and my athletes finally understand how I want them to play, that's a great feeling."

As for the future of the Genesee women's volleyball program, Majeski hopes to continue the winning tradition that has been set forth so many years before. He looks forward to maintaining the regional and national power that the Lady Cougars have been in the past, and someday maybe even winning the National Championship.

Majeski resides in West Henrietta, NY with his wife and children. Outside of his coaching job at Genesee, Roger enjoys officiating local volleyball games, as well as playing on an Empire State Master teams in which he has won 6 medals.

 While at Genesee Community College today, I was watching the lacrosse team practice for a little bit.

There are a bunch of good athletes - especially local athletes - playing sports at GCC right now. Here at The Batavian, we would like to give these squads some coverage.

I am working on getting high school coaches involved with posting information on their teams and I would like to do the same for GCC.

I've left a few messages with different people at the college and have not gotten a response yet, so hopefully the new SID will get back to me soon.

In the meantime, any coaches or athletes that are interested in getting coverage on The Batavian are encouraged to contact myself of Philip so that we can give the college and the local athletes the coverage they deserve.