A few of the SAIT campus' namesakes.

Senator Burns, John Ware, E.H. Crandell—to many SAIT students these are just everyday names that appear on class schedules, but the buildings’ namesakes were people that played an integral part in SAIT and Alberta history.

“We have a long and interesting story that deserves to be recognized, remembered, and celebrated,” said SAIT archivist Karly Sawatzky.

Many of the names were added to SAIT buildings in 1985, when SAIT’s Main Building was officially recognized as a Provincial Historical Resource and renamed Heritage Hall.

Without these iconic individuals students could have been attending classes in buildings known as the Workshop Building, East Block, “B” Building or the Tower Building. Although the former titles may have been easier to remember, they don’t have the same ring to them, nor do they bear any additional historical value.

Because most of SAIT’s programs are only two years, there is a high rate of student turnover, which adds to the lack of interest in SAIT’s history, said Sawatzky.

“Most people have no idea who these people are,” said Sawatzky. “People do find it interesting and the information is available, but most students don’t take the time to seek it out.”

“They were visionaries, not necessarily directly involved with SAIT but in the growth of the province,” said Sawatzky.

One of these individuals has a place in recent news again.

To help celebrate February as Black History Month, Canada Post has created a stamp to commemorate Alberta cowboy John Ware, a SAIT building’s namesake.

When big events like this occur, interest begins to rise surrounding the SAIT archives, a small room tucked away in the SAIT Library, according to Sawatzky.

“We’re trying to create a culture that fosters and values our history,” said Sawatzky.

Sawatzky has noticed the rising trend that new SAIT buildings are no longer being named after Calgary’s prominent historical figures but more so for those who have made a large financial contribution to SAIT.

With the opening of the new Trades and Technology Complex some of SAIT’s buildings will be receiving a new name.

“Change has been a common thread through our history and it is this continual change and evolution that makes documenting our history that much more important,” said Sawatzky. “We need to find a way to look back as we look forward.”

WHO ARE THEY?

A few of SAIT’s building namesakes:

JOHN WARE BUILDING
John Ware was a highly regarded early Calgary area rancher, homesteader and legend of the old Canadian west. He was born into slavery in 1845, but rose above his past and, following his arrival from the US to Calgary in 1883, became one of the most respected ranchers in the district.
“His understanding of cattle, his ability to ride and his sense of humour made him respected to cowboy and rancher alike,” according to a historical wall poster found within the SAIT Archives.
He lived the life of a cowboy and ironically, his death in 1905 was the result of a riding accident. At the time, his funeral was the largest Calgary had ever seen.

SENATOR BURNS BUILDING
Multimillionaire cattle baron, senator and philanthropist, Patrick Burns was born in Manitoba in 1856. He followed the railway west and settled in Calgary in 1890 after winning a contract to supply meat to the Canadian Pacific Railway crews building the railway. The food processing industries in Alberta owe much to the initiative and foresight of Burns. He was one of the original “Big Four” that founded the first Calgary Stampede in 1912. He secured the title of senator when he was appointed to the Canadian Senate in 1931. He died in 1937. On October 16, 2008, the Calgary Herald named Burns as the greatest citizen in Alberta’s history.
“I doubt there’s a person in Calgary who’s life isn’t touched by him every day. From the Stampede to the Burns Memorial Fund to the Zoo, he did so much,” said great-grand-nephew Dean Burns after accepting the award.

THOMAS RILEY BUILDING
The land on which SAIT now stands once belonged to rancher Thomas Riley, one of Calgary’s earliest homesteaders. Born in Derbyshire, England in 1842 Riley immigrated to Canada in 1862. He, his wife, and his 10 children made Calgary their home in 1887. He was twice a candidate for election to the North West Legislature. He was among the best known residents of Southern Alberta and did much to promote the advancement of the province until his death in 1909. It was not until 1919 that the land was sold to the province to make way for SAIT.

E.H. CRANDELL BUILDING
The business activities of Edward Henry Crandell literally helped change the city of Calgary. The former mayor of Brampton, Ontario arrived in Calgary in 1900. He established the Calgary Pressed Brick and Sandstone Company in 1906, which helped transform Calgary’s construction industry. The firm constructed some of Calgary’s buildings and residences, including the Hart House, which was made famous by the resident Hart family’s accomplishments in professional wrestling. In addition to being a driving force in the business community, Crandell was active in Calgary’s social life, fraternal orders and also held aldermanic and school trustee offices.

CLAYTON CARROLL AUTOMOTIVE CENTRE
Clayton Carroll (1913-2011) was one of the first individuals to have a SAIT building namesake because of a monetary donation and one of the first who actually attended SAIT. He graduated from SAIT’s automotive service technician diploma program in 1940. In 1953, he and partner James Burns founded Pioneer Paving Ltd. and went on to build the first phases of several of Calgary’s major roads including the Deerfoot, Blackfoot and Sarcee trails. To help make a difference for other students in a place where his life was impacted, Carroll donated $1 million to enhance automotive training for SAIT student and in 2002 the automotive centre bore his name.
“He gave his time, his spirit and most importantly, his confidence in what SAIT has been, and in what it strives to become,” said Irene Lewis, SAIT president and CEO, in a press release at the time of his death in 2011.
SAIT was not the only organization to be touched by Carroll’s philanthropy. He gave donations to organizations like the Rotary Club, Calgary Hospice, Calgary Philharmonic and Heritage Park.

To find out more about SAIT namesakes or if you have a question about SAIT’s history make an appointment to see the SAIT Archives by calling 403-774-4688 or email sait.archives@sait.ca.

SAIT students have been shaken by the recent death of Tower resident Cody Gorlick. ANDREW CROSSETT PHOTO

Would it be fair to say that one’s own mortality is never analyzed more closely than after the death of a loved one?

The SAIT Begin Tower is filled with drunken shenanigans, popcorn Fridays and the occasional student meltdown. But the death of resident Cody Gorlick made those delinquencies seem trivial as the loss of a fellow student forced each to contemplate when death will come knockin’ on their door.

ACAD digital media student Noor Sayadi was seven-years old when she came to the conclusion that her grandfather had gone on a trip and would never return. It was of course her first experience with death, but would certainly not be the last.

In the summer of 2008, one of her best friends died in a mysterious car accident in her home of Abu Dhabi.

“His future was going to be amazing; he could have been a doctor,” Sayadi explained.

It left a painful void in her group of friends who, only a short time after, would all go their separate ways to attend college. The sting did not abate until six months later when her group of friends flew home to spend time together over Christmas holidays.

“It is still a bit difficult to process. I sort of think he is in another part of the world —do I think I will see him again? Yes. That makes it a bit easier doesn’t it?”

Relations coach and mentor Nelson Kaisowatum explained that people tend to isolate themselves especially in a tight community like a dorm.

“Everyone’s reaction is so different. Some shrug their shoulders, some are shocked by the news,” said Kaisowatum, Owner/Proprietor at RELATE Coaching and Mentoring.

He said the key to tackling the insurgent, unrelenting pain of loss is to talk about it and to force those involved to cope together rather than individually.

“You have never seen more people concerned about their own mortality as at a funeral; tremendous vulnerability there,” Kaisowatum said.

SAIT petroleum engineering student Magd Elheliani can feel death breathing over his shoulder and is determined to not that let it take him just yet.

At only 22, his close friend is battling cancer. Elheliani and his friend both smoke cigarettes regularly.

“I have many dreams that I need to achieve. One day I will die and all my dreams will go away so I think, ‘OK I need to quit and I need to do many things so I can accomplish everything,’” he said.

Elheliani lives in the tower and wasn’t sure what to make of the death of Gorlick. Besides the urge to eliminate his smoking habit in hopes of delaying the grasp of the grim reaper, he said that he feels it’s better not to worry about one’s inevitable death.

“It is much better to not think about it. Just live your life and be happy,” he recommended. “Death is something that everyone thinks about. Maybe some people think positive and maybe some people think negatively, but if I just live my life just figure out what will happen all I can hope for after death is that something good will happen to me.”

In memory of Gorlick, SAIT residents gathered to sign a hockey jersey of his in the SAIT basement this past month and continue to mourn his death to this day.

Student Development and Counselling services can provide help and support SAIT students.

Students can call 403.284.7023 to make an appointment, or drop by MA205 in Heritage Hall.

Milan group Lacuna Coil explore a darker sound with latest record, Dark Adrenaline. Despite its heavy sound, vocalist Cristina Scabbia promises fans will hear the band's original roots. KATJA KUHL PHOTO

It’s no secret that the metal music genre has predominantly been one that caters to men. It could be stereotyping to also group metal with long hair, Flying V electric guitars, and inaudible lyrics.

But for Italian metal group Lacuna Coil, although they may certainly have a fair share of long hair and hard-hitting guitar riffs, what really sets them apart is raven-haired, fuel-charged vocalist Cristina Scabbia.

Scabbia has had no trouble fitting into the historically male-dominated genre. In fact, she’s viewed as one of the top female front-women in the scene.

Respected for her tremendous voice sung over heavy guitar and bass lines, the Milan group has been praised worldwide for its unique dual vocalists, Scabbia and male co-vocalist Andrea Ferro.

The band embraces a heavy sound controlled by guitarists Cristiano Migliore and Marco Biazzi, bassist Marco Coti Zelati, and drummer Christiano Mozzati, while Scabbia and Ferro interlace and layer their vocals atop.

As a band of over 15 years, the group has consistently evolved their sound with every album, surprising listeners with constant growth. Lacuna Coil’s latest, Dark Adrenaline, combines a darker, intense set of lyrics, with heavier sounds than ever found on previous releases.

Scabbia admits the sound of their latest record is new for them, and the band had no idea how drastic the change was until people who listened to the album before the release date pointed it out to them.

“You grow up, you listen to different types of music, and without even realizing it and without any explanation, you just start to let the inspiration flow,” says Scabbia.

“Whatever comes out, represents what Lacuna Coil are, in the precise period we’re putting an album out,” she says. “It’s nothing that we planned.”

Scabbia promises that it’s not too far off the radar, and existing fans will, “Still hear the Lacuna Coil of the very old days.”

“It’s a part of our self.”

Peaking at number three on the Canadian hard rock albums chart with their new record, Lacuna Coil have shown no signs of stopping, even when criticism gets thrown their way.

Scabbia explains that most of the band’s criticisms spawn, “From very traditional fans that think they’re funny.”

“But then, when you’re in front of them, and you face them in real life, they can’t even say ‘hi’ to you because they have no balls to do that,” she says.

“When [criticisms] are based on nothing, and purely for the fact that I’m a woman, I don’t want to listen to it,” says Scabbia. “If you are in this business, and you start to take way too seriously what people say about you, you cannot really be in this business,”

Scabbia is regularly looked up to by aspiring female music artists, based on her confidence, outspokenness, and sheer talent in what she does—and it’s not always based on looks.

“I live a rock lifestyle, but at the same time, I have good morals and I can show every so-called regular girl out there that they don’t need to be perfectly beautiful or perfectly delicate to make it in life,” she says. “They just have to have balls, and be confident.”

Lacuna Coil plays as part of Gigantour alongside Megadeth and Motorhead at the Big Four Building on Feb. 18.

Ebooks are becoming a popular option, but libraries are benefiting, not dying, because of them. NICOLE SANTERRE PHOTO

The Calgary Public Library, which celebrates its 100th anniversary this year, reached a record 17 million items loaned in 2011.

Likewise, use of SAIT’s library continues to grow as well. In the past twelve months, staff and students accessed over 750,000 items.

Such growth shows that, despite the convenience and increasing accessibility of free digital content, public libraries remain relevant.

“Whether it’s the internet or whether it’s e-books, everything that comes along that’s supposed to kill public libraries ends up making us busier than ever,” said Calgary Public Library spokesperson Grant Kaiser.

SAIT’s library, which this year celebrates 10 years in the Heart Building, is proof of that statement.

“Now, we have more books online than we have books on the shelf,” said SAIT library manager Susan Brayford. “There’s a real shift in what people are actually using.”

In the past four years, use of print books from SAIT’s library has decreased by one per cent. In contrast, there has been a 25 per cent increase in the use of e-books over the same time period.

Further, many students are accessing the library to use the computers for online study or research, or to make use of computer docking stations.

“It’s good for laptops. There are lots of plug-ins and you get your own space,” said first-year civil engineering technology student Matt Hoover, who usually only uses the library as a study space.

By adapting to incorporate new digital content and technologies, libraries have been able to remain significant.

However, while the shift to digital content has been beneficial, both Kaiser and Brayford emphasized that print is not yet obsolete.

“I think lots of people think that nobody would be interested in print books anymore, and that’s not true,” said Brayford.

“Just think of it. If you couldn’t afford to go to university, if you decided what section in the library you wanted and then moved around, eventually you would have a very well-rounded education.”

In the case of the Calgary Public Library, printed books still represent a large portion of all their loans.

“They still make up roughly 60 per cent of everything we borrow, roughly 70 per cent of everything that’s used at the library, so we think that will be stable and will continue to be an important part of our business,” said Kaiser.

Dear Weal Sex;

My boyfriend and I have been talking about fetishes. He told me about one where he wants to drink beer from my vagina. Can I get some sort of infection from that? I am just really freaked out by this.

-Scared and confused

Dear Scared and Confused;

A: Now I am not a doctor, but considering one of beer’s main ingredients is yeast, I would strongly suggest avoiding your boyfriend’s request. Granting him this fantasy most likely will tamper with the delicate balance of yeast your vagina requires. I see this ending badly with a wicked yeast infection. If you decide to ignore my advice, just remember that a yeast infection can be passed back and forth between partners, and symptoms are rarely present in males.

J: I’m not afraid of a little kink, in fact I’m not afraid of a lot of kink, but this is a little too much kink for me. Now I’m not one to judge any kink from a partner, as I’m flattered if they feel confident enough to actually discuss their fetishes with me in the first place, which can be a touchy subject for most—so kudos to you as a couple for being open about such things, as it is not something people necessarily want to talk about as a fear they may be judged—hence the word, taboo.

Do you remember when Miranda found the spanking video in her boyfriend’s drawer on Sex and the City? He was not prepared to be confronted about that.

Additionally, I think with any sort of fetish, try not to act freaked out about his fetishes, as you don’t want him to close off any future things or make him uncomfortable—worst case scenario.

I think with any fetish, I’d be curious to find out what spawned this fascination, and what he may get out of it, and lastly, if you’re not comfortable with it, think of a compromise or alternative. If you’re down for trying it, I’d perhaps consult a professional about possible health issues about beer entering your body somewhere other than your mouth. Food and sex has been around for ages, but I’d make for damn certain that you’ll be okay before doing anything like this.

City of Calgary watershed artists Tristan Surtee and Charles Blanc pose together in a photo booth for some pictures that capture their goofy personalities, and close relationship. ALLISON PARDER PHOTO

Calgary’s art community is buzzing over the city’s newest art initiative, the Watershed+ project.

British art duo Tristan Surtees and Charles Blanc are leading the visual language project in an effort to bring awareness and attention to Calgary’s water supply by utilizing artists to turn watersheds into art canvas.

With the project in its early stages, the organizers are looking for art students who may be interested in this City of Calgary mentorship program.

Surtees and Blanc began with the City of Calgary about four years ago, when they worked on a wetland restoration project together.

“After that, the city’s utilities and environmental protection (UVP) department, offered us the watershed, visual language project,” said Surtees.

Going into the watershed project, Surtees admitted he wasn’t that knowledgeable about what a watershed even was. Since he’s had the opportunity to work with some brilliant engineers, Surtees has begun to develop an understanding and excitement about the initiative.

“I am very lucky, the engineers are great at explaining the process in layman’s terms,” he said.

A watershed is a drainage divide; Calgary has around seven that lead the city’s water into the Bow River. Not many people know about the watersheds or their purpose. Surtees and Blanc hope to change this, raising awareness of the city’s water supply and why people should respect it.

The pilot project will run for 18 months, with the delivery and upkeep of the art executed by other artists involved.

The project hopes student artists will take the opportunity to have their work displayed in a high-profile venue.

“We felt that coming out of art school, you’re normally bursting with ideas and have the least commitments you’ll have in your personal life,” Surtees said of the mentorship program.

“Yet this is the time when it’s the hardest to get yourself established, and work in different fields of art.”

“I love the idea that people will stop and pay attention to the watersheds,” said Megan Starkin, a first-year ACAD student. “Curiosity will get people to pay attention to the art, and it’ll likely lead them to wonder what it is.”

“I would have no idea what this was if I didn’t hear about this project,” Starkin said.

For information about the City of Calgary’s Public Art Watershed+ mentorship opportunities, contact Dawn Ford at dawn.ford@calgary.ca , or visit www.cityofcalgary.ca The deadline for submissions is Feb. 17, 2012.

Far left / top: ACAD hosts ‘artaWEARness XII’: a wearable art extravaganza. Students model and present ‘wearable art’ designed by ACAD students in various programs. SHYLO THOMPSON PHOTO

While walking from class to class or building to building on the SAIT campus it is nearly impossible to not see a piece of art.

No matter what it is, a simple painting, a mural, or a sculpture there is a story behind its creation and a reason for its display.

The artwork around campus is not only a way for artists to connect with the community, but also a reflection of SAIT’s history.

What are now referred to as SAIT and ACAD, were once combined as the Provincial Institute of Technology and Art (PITA). The two schools were officially separated in 1985.

Before their divide, the art students shared the halls with those of the polytechnic.

In the dimly lit stairwells of Heritage Hall, the stories and memories of the institute and its alumni remain within the brush strokes of former art students.  Above most of the doorways there are colourful murals, dating as far back as the 1940s.

On the third floor, there is a mural of a winter landscape that resides just above the door.  It is signed “G. Anderson ‘50.”

Gertrude Anderson, now Gertrude Hudson was a member of PITA’s graduating class of 1950.

She returned to view the painting in 1983, disappointed to see that parts of her 33 year-old masterpiece were peeling due to moisture damage.

In Heritage Hall’s 2001 renovations Hudson took it upon herself to mend her painting which she created 51 years prior. She returned again in 2005 with brush and paint in hand, creating a brand new mural.  It is in a staircase parallel to her first mural, also on the third floor of Heritage Hall.

At age 82, she now lives in Boise, Idaho with her husband.

“I am still painting regularly,” said Hudson.

Her most recent work is currently exhibited at the Idaho State Historical Museum.

“It feels good to know my murals are still there,” she said.

They are a prominent part of SAIT’s history, art, and culture.

After the separation of SAIT and ACAD, the polytechnic did not forget about its roots. It remains involved in the art community to this day.  The Odyssey coffeehouse is an example of this.

“As long as they are a student, alumni or, instructor they are more than welcome to post up in the Odyssey,” said Caroline Mackenzie, SAITSA VP student life.

She encourages those with interest to display their work on the coffeehouse walls for others to view, enjoy and potentially purchase.

Part of Mackenzie’s job is choosing what goes up on the walls of the Odyssey. A screening process with the artist is required to make sure the content is appropriate.

On average, the artwork is rotated on a monthly basis. Mackenzie stresses the importance of its presence.

“It creates more of a relaxing atmosphere,” said Mackenzie.

Full time painter, Karen Brown, is part of a group of artists called ab-straKt 373.

“A friend suggested the Odyssey,” she said.

In the last two years the group has had multiple showings in the coffeehouse.

Brown believes that displaying artwork in the coffeehouse creates benefits for artists as well as visitors. The Odyssey gives artists an area to exhibit their work and the opportunity to draw the attention of art enthusiasts who may wish to purchase it.

“It’s about exposure and making people aware,” said Brown.

The sentimental and visual importance of the artwork scattered across campus is a prominent part of SAIT’s atmosphere and community.

Two Calgary residents play a friendly hockey match at an outdoor community rink in front of Hamptons School in Calgary. EDWARD TSANG PHOTO

Outdoor hockey is a rite of passage for Canadians across the prairie provinces, where a large number of NHL players are pumped out every year.

Before the era of indoor white ice, there was pond hockey. This iconic, Canadian pastime evokes feelings of excitement, patriotism and pride nationwide. Harsh winters transform sloughs, rivers and lakes into perfect skating surfaces. As a result, many athletes from Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba first learned to skate outdoors.

“It’s the best place to play,” said 33-year-old Calgary Flames defenceman Corey Sarich.

Saskatchewan-born Sarich’s earliest skating memory was in Bladworth, Sask., when he was only four years old. His dad flooded the backyard so they could play hockey. They had a family garden behind the house in the summer, because the creation of the rink destroyed the lawn.

“I was hockey crazy—it was awesome,” said Sarich.

His popularity rose when his father welded regulation-size hockey nets. After that, he said everyone would invite him to play.

“We had a ton of options—indoor, outdoor—we had it all,” he said. “For a kid trying to develop and become a hockey player, I think the overexposure was awesome.”

Nineteen-year old Sarah Williams, a SAIT Trojans’ defensive player in her first year of medical radiologic technology, also grew up with a backyard rink in Souris, Man., where hay bales served as nets.

“Then just down the hill was a river,” said Williams. “[Dad] would flood it for us every year, and we’d scrape it off.”

Growing up, Williams played outdoor hockey with her cousins. One of those cousins is former Calgary Hitmen and Montreal Canadiens forward Ryan White, who is currently injured.

Williams said she enjoys outdoor hockey because it is less structured, more fun and relaxed than indoor hockey.

“It’s kind of a place where you can try anything,” she said.

Not to mention, it’s free.

“I love [and] understand the game a lot more because I’ve spent that extra time outside the rink on the ice,” said Williams.

Williams believes it has made a big difference in her game, but not everyone shares the same sentiment.

Twenty-eight year old SAIT Trojans’ forward and first-year electrical engineering technology student Matt Stefanishion doesn’t think Canada’s patriotic pastime gives its players an added advantage at the rink.

“A lot of players grow up in different ways—everyone’s got their own experiences,” he said. “It didn’t give me any advantages or disadvantages.”

Stefanishion, whose professional hockey career took him across North America, first learned to skate on his uncle’s pond in Daysland, AB.

Iconic or not, cold weather and poor ice quality can make outdoor hockey anything from unpleasant to impossible.

“You’ve got to wear a toque under your helmet,” Stefanishion said.

He said Calgary presents a unique challenge, because Chinooks can render ice soft and unskateable.

Another issue is disappearing pucks.

“Your boards are just snowbanks—it’s tough to find the puck sometimes,” Stefanishion said.

“Out in the prairies, if you missed the net, the puck might sail off the distance of a couple of football fields,” said Sarich.

Fifth-year Trojan Melanie Vincent has become SAIT’s all-time leader in games played. ANDREW CROSSETT PHOTO

Long time SAIT Trojans women’s hockey player Melanie Vincent has just become the franchise’s all time leader in games played with 117. Vincent is in her fifth and final season with the SAIT Trojans, and will be graduating this spring from the Medical Laboratory Technology program.

The Trojans wrapped up a disappointing 2011/12 season with back-to-back losses to the NAIT Ooks over the weekend, dropping them out of playoff contention.

Vincent provided some much needed veteran leadership to a young Trojans squad, with a total of nine first-year players this season.

“She’s a great leader, when things start to fall apart she has a way of bringing them back together,” said first-year Trojan Bethany Roy, who hails from Bear Canyon, Alberta.

“She is always at the gym, always working hard, she is a key component to the team and we will definitely miss her next year.”

The highlight of Vincent’s career came last season, when the underdog Trojans swept the Mount Royal Cougars in the ACAC finals, winning the team’s first championship since 2007.

“A lot of people doubted us going into the finals, just the way we beat them, it was a big upset and a great memory,” said the Ladysmith, BC native.

The Trojans went into that ACAC final as a big underdog to a Mount Royal team who had dominated SAIT previously, as the Trojans had gone over a calendar year before their previous victory over the Cougars.

Dropping out of the ACAC playoff picture in the final week of the season was a tough way to end a long and successful career with SAIT, but Vincent is looking forward to moving into the next phase of her life.

The Trojans will hope to build on the strong foundation they made this year, and with a year’s experience under their belt the younger players will have to fill the void in veteran leadership left by Melanie Vincent.

At what point does an athlete’s health trump his or her athletics? Athletic therapy student Joelle Sexsmith is pictured here undergoing tests commonly used to diagnose concussions under the direction of Kim Sweeney, head athletic therapist at SAIT’s Athletic Therapy office. JESSICA BURTNICK PHOTO

With the recent revelations that Sydney Crosby’s concussion symptoms were in large part thanks to broken vertebrae in his neck, debate has switched from when the NHL superstar would return to the ice to if he should return at all.

There has to be a point when overall health takes precedence over performance.

SAIT Trojans head athletic therapist Kim Sweeney has the difficult task of assessing injuries and informing athletes as to the risks associated with continuing on in sports after sustaining a substantial injury.

“I educate players on going down the path of repeated injury,” said Sweeney. “If you continue to get injuries that affect you on a day-to-day basis I have the players think and decide when enough is enough.”

“It’s hard because the athletes have to go through it themselves, it becomes a loss of identity for them. That is what they do, and that is what they are known for and to give that up, it is hard for them.”

This is something Robert Nocera knows all too well.

The Trojans men’s hockey star was forced to hang-up his skates after suffering multiple concussions. Nocera was the leading scorer at the time for the Trojans but ultimately made the call that quality of life meant more than competing on the ice, and he is now forced to try and carve a new identity for himself off of the ice.

“You have to think more about your health, for me I just want to make sure that I’m healthy,” said Nocera. “When you’re an athlete you get perceived in a certain way, and you start thinking that yourself as well. As of right now it’s hard for me because I’ve been hockey focused for my whole life, now I’m taking it one step at a time and eventually I’ll start re-defining myself when I get healthy.”

Trojan men’s hockey head coach, Ken Babey believes it’s a coach’s responsibility to take care of the health of their players, but acknowledged that injuries are a known risk to those who compete in sports.

“If you’re going to play sports, you may not have a life that isn’t filled with some kind of injury or soreness – I think that’s part of athletics in general,” said Babey. “Health always comes first.”

In sports there is an unspoken code that athletes play hurt, and that being hurt is different than being injured, and often athletes will try and hide their injuries or downplay the severity of them in order to get back out to the game.

“Athletes need to know that it’s in their best interest to take the time and let their body heal,” said Sweeney.

Athletes need to know that in the grand scheme of things – health is more important. No trophy can substitute for a healthy life.