By Liam Reilly
@liampreilly852
College’s winter break is seen as the halfway point of the year for many students and faculty members. It’s the conclusion of what can be a stressful end to the fall semester after taking on finals. The trials and tribulations of a long four months are met by the embrace of home.
This year, Springfield College’s break was extended to a little over a month, with residence halls closing on Dec.18 and reopening on Jan. 21. Last year’s break went for 29 days, extending this year to 34 days.
Not everyone’s break went the full 34 days, however, as resident assistants, students working the 2025 Hoophall Classic and especially athletes were called back to campus earlier. Most winter sports teams had to return quickly after the end of the fall semester, in order to prepare for matches held during the first days of January.
Men’s basketball guard Cedric Rodriguez’s break only lasted 10 days before he had to report back to practice. The first-year left campus on Dec. 17 after completing his last final and returned two days after Christmas.
The team got right back into the flow of things, holding two practices a day for their first few days back. It wasn’t all work for the team, as they were able to bond over dinner’s at a coach’s or captain’s house. Rodriguez believes being able to spend time off the court will help bring the team together and help with the product on the court.
“My favorite part about break was spending time with the other freshmen,” Rodriguez said. “At first we [men’s basketball] were the only ones on campus, so just hanging out with them. We built a close relationship since the beginning of the year and spending all that time together over break, I feel like that helped solidify that we have a really strong friendship.”
One of the activities first-year students attended was the Hoophall Classic. Rodriguez used to watch the showcase when he was younger on television, and knew he wanted to see it in-person.
“We went to every game we could,” Rodriguez said. “We had games on two of the days, but if we weren’t at a game or practice, we were watching the games from the boys and girls. It was crazy experiencing that high level of basketball and all of those well known players and celebrities at the game.”
Wrestling returned five days after the basketball programs to prepare for the Williams Open match on Jan. 4. Sophomore wrestler Jack Callahan had two weeks off before returning to campus. The break helped Callahan be able to recuperate before the spring semester.
“Getting that time in season to have a break definitely helps make that second half of the year go,” Callahan said.
Getting back into the flow of things didn’t differentiate from last year and felt normal to Callahan.
“I got back, had practice and hung out with my team a little bit after,” Callahan said. “We all went to Cheney and grabbed dinner.”
Just like the men’s group, the women’s basketball team arrived back to Alden St. on the 27th. The team started their first day with three practices, two on the court and one lift. Kassidy Carrano is in her second year with the team and noticed a difference in the time off compared to her first year.
“It was a lot quieter,” Carrano said. “There were not a lot of people, especially in [International Hall]. There was no one on our floor and it was so quiet. It kind of got boring after a while and you wanted to see people but couldn’t.”
Being able to spend time with her team helped get the quietness off Carrano’s mind. Together, they went to a UConn women’s basketball game against Xavier and were able to watch the Hoophall Classic. Carrano’s favorite part of her break was getting back to playing at Blake Arena.
“Our Naismith Tournament, playing those teams back-to-back [was my favorite part],” Carrano said. “Afterwards we had a little potluck with all our families, so we got to meet everyone’s parents and just hang out after the game.”