Newbury Women Play at Hanscom AFB

More news about: Newbury
Nov 14, 2012

The Newbury College women's basketball team opens up the 2012-13 season on Friday November 16th against the Gordon College Fighting Scots at 6:00 p.m. However, they got the season started early on Saturday November 10th with one last tune-up before the season starts: an exhibition contest against Simmons College at Hanscom Air Force base in Lincoln, Mass.

Inspired by last year's Division I men's basketball game between North Carolina and Michigan State aboard the aircraft carrier, the U.S.S. Carl Vinson in California, Mark Wyatt, of the 66h Air Base Group Affairs Office, approached Head Coach Katie Greene about hosting a basketball game on a military base. And what better weekend to do it on than Veteran's Day, before the season begins.

"It's a great community outreach opportunity," Wyatt, who also coached Newbury first year point guard, Katelyn Roeser in AAU, said. "Not a lot of people even know there is an Air Force Base less than 20 miles away."

While playing on a base may not be as exciting as playing on a military aircraft carrier, it certainly does have its benefits such as not having to worry about condensation building on the floor from the ocean air. Hanscom has hosted other youth basketball teams in the past but Wyatt hopes that this opportunity can encourage future college teams to play at the base in future years.

Here's what your 2012-13 Nighthawks had to say about playing on a military base:

Head Coach Katie Greene:

"The entire Newbury team was very excited to have opportunity to play at Hanscom Air Force Base this season.  We are all so honor that we had the chance to play in front of our Nation's heroes and have the opportunity to meet and thank the Air Force Members for their commitment and dedication to our country's freedom."

Sophomore Center Jamie Vankoeverden:

"It was definitely a great experience playing at the Hanscom base. And I am truly grateful to all that the men and women of the military do for our country a big thank you to them. I'm amped for the upcoming 2012-2013 season, we're not a team to doubt."

Freshman Guard Jovanna Sandifer:

"I thought playing at Hanscom was really cool. It's not everyday a college basketball team can say they have played a U.S. Air Force Base. The whole thought of being able to have a scrimmage there is an honor. Although we didn't come out on top, number wise, I think we won knowledge on how we work together and how we can improve working together [this season]."

Freshman Guard Alex Pezzella:
"Playing at Hanscom Air Base was a great experience. Seeing the community and the people in it was exciting because you don't see that everyday. The people that put it together and ran the tournament were so nice too. My goal for the 2012-13 season would be for us to have a great season and to make it all the way to the championship game."