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Hall of Fame Class Inductees (1998) Br. Michael
Reynolds BROTHER MICHAEL REYNOLDS Brother Michael came to Salve Regina in 1976 as Chairman of the Sociology Department from the University of Asmara in Ethiopia where he taught history, sociology and ethics. He served as Chairman of the Sociology Department from 1976 to 1983, earning the rank of full professor. During that time he was instrumental in the development of the Salve Regina Departments of Anthropology and Social Work. In 1983, Brother Michael became the University's first Director of Intercollegiate Athletics, and was largely responsible for the development of fifteen varsity sports for both men and women, as well as the implementation of an expansive intramural athletics program. During his tenure, his leadership strengthened the sports program at the University, resulting in several athletes winning national recognition, including All-American Eloise Evans '86. Under his direction, the school became charter members of the Commonwealth Coast Conference. He was appointed both assistant commissioner and then head commissioner of the Commonwealth Coast Conference during this five-year frame. Additionally, Brother Mike served as head coach of the Salve Regina cross country and track & field teams from 1981 to 1987. As Assistant Academic Dean, a post he had held since 1988, Brother Michael monitored academic quality control systems at the University, while supervising the academic eligibility of athletes. Before he passed away in March 1993, Brother Mike served as the Faculty Athletics Representative for Salve Regina at NCAA conventions. Salve’s primary athletic field bears his name and his legacy. "I didn’t choose to work hard in sports for the recognition,"
says 1990 graduate Christina Julius. Nonetheless, the recognition came. Not only because she was leading the Salve Regina women’s basketball program to unchartered territories, but also because of her style of play. It was C.J.'s aggressive, don't-back-down determination that spurred her teammates to raise their level of play. She certainly wasn't the only talented athlete on the team, but she was certainly one of the hardest working players who led by example. And those that followed her example were part of the school's first-ever team to reach the postseason. An ECAC bid in 1990 followed the program's then-best winning percentage (17-4; .809) " I was the first person to go to college in my family, and every time I went home my family was always backing me. If I did something wrong they would always tell me, and that's what I liked about them. If I was struggling academically, my mom would tell my three older brothers about it and they would get on me. I was the first one, so everyone wanted to push me, and I'm glad they did. Getting my degree was the most significant achievement in my life. I did what I wanted to do, not what others wanted me to do." Christina's lengthy list of athletic achievements includes ECAC All-Star Team (1990), New England Senior Classic Game (1990), Hibernian Award (Athlete of the Year-1990), All Conference (1987, 1988, 1990), Most Valuable Player (1990), and Best Defensive Player (1987, 1988, 1989). She ranks #1 all-time in assists and #2 all-time in steals in the Salve record book. Following her outstanding playing career, C.J. has continued to give back to the program which she had given so much already... serving as assistant coach for women's basketball (1991-93, 1995-97), and interim head coach (1997). A native Rhode Islander, Paul Kielbasa was an all-state high school
athlete in soccer and baseball, and entertained thoughts of attending
a college in Florida on a baseball scholarship in the late 70s. Fortunately
for Salve Regina, he stayed close to home. Salve Regina became his "home"
when his mother passed away from cancer during his freshman year, and
two years later, Paul’s dad died. "The people at Salve Regina got me through a difficult period in my life," explains Paul. "(The late) Father Healy, (former president) Sister Lucille McKillop, Sister Sheila Megley, and Bob Kulo were all instrumental in helping me weather my losses." Paul explains that the size of the school is what attracted him to Salve Regina. "You were a person there, if you needed help with anything... the faculty and staff knew you, and were ready to help." But the size of the school (at that time approximately 40 males attended Salve Regina) also made it difficult to develop athletic programs. That's where Paul steps in. He helped establish the Salve Regina men’s soccer program and he was the first legitimate "star" according to Hall of Fame chairperson John Rok. Paul attracted enough male students to field a team and approached the president of the College, Sister Lucille McKillop, and the athletic director, Paul Cardoza, for support. He contacted other colleges and scheduled intercollegiate games...scheduled practices and coached as well. Kielbasa assisted the athletic director to locate and build an acceptable field for the new soccer program, which called the area between Ruggles and Victoria Avenues "home". "We were like Disney's Mighty Ducks," says Paul. "A collection of guys with some talent and a lot of desire." That desire carried over into other arenas as well with Kielbasa helping to organize and coach men's ice hockey and women's soccer teams. In addition, Paul was an outstanding hitter and firstbaseman for Salve baseball. One of Paul's most memorable athletic moments occurred during a soccer game when he had a free kick. Salve had a player on the squad who was legally blind... Mark Levasseur '81, who was an albino everyone called "Whitey". Paul relates: "Well, during the free kick, nobody paid any attention to Whitey, so I lifted the ball in his direction. He didn’t see the ball until it was right on top of him, and then he attempted a shot that just missed scoring off the goalpost. After the play, he came up to me so excited and full of thanks that I would even pass him the ball. It brought tears to my eyes, but that's why we played the game. We didn't win a whole bunch, but that typified my collegiate soccer experience." In recent years, the men's soccer program has established high marks for wins in a season (13 - in 1996 & 1997) and this year's team has traveled to compete against national powerhouses Rowan College (NJ) and Johns Hopkins University. Like Whitey, this group owes a lot of thanks to someone who helped get it all started. In his current profession, Paul and his teammates build training ranges 100 feet underwater for the U.S. Navy to stage mock battles for ships and submarines. On his application for that position, his résumé could have read "laying the foundation for Salve Regina soccer success." Click here to complete an online Hall of Fame nomination form.
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