20 for 20: Gina and Juice

The 2020-21 athletic year is the 20th year that I (Paul Welker) have served as Alfred State's Sports Information Director. During this school year I plan on writing a 20-part series on my time covering the Pioneers.

Loving what you do makes going to work never feel like a job. In my experience enjoying the people you work with is key to happiness at the workplace. During my years at Alfred State I have interacted with hundreds of coaches (full and part-time) but only two, basketball coaches Gina Boyd and Jerry Jusianiec, have been my colleagues during my whole tenure.

Before every stepping onto campus, I had interactions with both Gina and Juice. As the sports information director, assistant women's basketball coach, and assistant basketball coach at Mercyhurst North East, our paths had crossed when our schools competed during the 1999-00 and 2000-01 school years as the Pioneers battled the Saints twice annually. I remembered both of them from working games between our two school's and I was excited that both of them were on the search committee when I started the interview process for the SID job here at Alfred State.

When I started in June 2001, I didn't realize that Gina and Juice would become the older siblings I never knew I needed or wanted. Their support and friendship over the years have been key reasons for my happiness at Alfred State. Each of us has become part of each others families and our friendship goes way beyond the walls of the Orvis Activities Center.

2020-21 is the 31st year that Gina Boyd will be on the sidelines leading the women's basketball program. She has accumulated 425 wins (.557 winning percentage), been named Coach of the Year six times, and has received the William Havens Award three times. On top of coaching she serves as an assistant athletic director, the coordinator of physical education, and teaches a majority of the classes offered in the department. Each summer, Boyd has been instrumental in the running of the Summer Sports Festival which has become a staple in the Alfred community.

Jerry Jusianiec is in his 22nd year at the helm of the men's basketball program. He has led the Pioneers to 255 victories and was named the ACAA Coach of the year in 2018. The 20 wins his 2005-06 team earned was the most during the NJCAA era while the 2017-18 won a NCAA era best 16 games. On top of his coaching duties, Jusianiec has been the department's facility manager.

Memories

One of the best things about covering the same coaches for as many years as Gina and Juice is seeing their relationships with different coaches or the rivalries built between programs. During the NJCAA era both Gina and Juice had great relationships with the coaches at Jamestown CC and that led to fierce battles between the two programs. There were many games that came down to the final minute and the chess match between the coaches was epic.

In the NJCAA years it wasn't uncommon that I would jump on a van or a bus to do the book and cover games for the basketball teams. There were epic drives in winter snow storms, broken down busses that left us stranded, memorable buzzer beaters, and countless other stories of restaurants, fans, and officials.

It is only natural when you work the number of hours and years together that you become part of each others families. One of my first memories with Juice is him telling me he was becoming a father (his oldest starts prep school next week after an All-State high school career) and I still remember like it was yesterday when Gina told me not to box her out during noontime hoops because she was expecting her first child. Having children and watching them grow up together in the Orvis Activities Center has been a highlight of my time here. 

Most Memorable Games

The most memorable game covering the women's basketball team was the team's opening round game in their first appearance at the USCAA Championships in March 2015. The #7 seeded Pioneers won a double-OT thriller 84-79 over #2 Iowa Wesleyan. The game was back and forth throughout and featured 11 lead changes and 14 ties. Iowa Wesleyan tied the game late in regulation and Haley Witchella sent the game into double OT with a block at the buzzer. In the second OT, ASC hit eight out of eight foul shots in the final three minutes to secure the win. Witchella set a new USCAA record with 31 rebounds (21 defensive boards) to go along with 28 points. Current assistant coach Destiny Brito played all 50 minutes and finished with nine points, 12 assists, and five rebounds. Complete game story

Two buzzer beaters over Monroe CC top my most memorable games in men's basketball history.

• The first was in February 2008 when Fran Lantigua hit a flying lay-up just before the horn to lift the Pioneers to a 68-67 victory over #8 Monroe CC. The game featured nine more ties before heading into the final two minutes. Dan Foley hit a three-pointer to make it to 67-66 with just over seven seconds remaining. After a timeout, the Pioneers fouled right away and Monroe missed the first of an one-and-one opportunity. Pat White (Warren, OH) got the rebound up to Dusty Marshall (Newfield) who got to the the three point line before spotting Lantigua running alone down the middle.  He connected with Lantigua who took the ball to the hoop where he was able to make the winning basket as he got fouled (the foul shot was not needed). Marshall led ASC with 15 points and six assists on 7 for 9 shooting. Complete game story
• A buzzer beater by Pat Parker in February 2012 lifted Alfred State to a 58-56 victory over Monroe CC. The game featured eight ties and MCC had two seven point leads, including 48-41, in the 2nd half. Monroe had the ball and a 56-55 lead before the Pioneers forced a turnover. After a timeout, Parker was able to hit an off balance three with a hand in his face to earn the victory. Parker finished the contest with a game-high 23 points. Complete game story

I am highlighting Gina and Juice in this story but my whole experience as a professional at Alfred State has been enhanced by my colleagues. Mentors like Hall of Famers Gary Moore, Kathy Feldman, and Tom Kenney have been key in my development and the friendships built with dozens and dozens of other colleagues have made coming to work enjoyable.