Colby-Sawyer College Announces 2013 Athletic Hall of Fame Inductees
Colby-Sawyer College will induct three student-athletes and one team as new members of its Athletic Hall of Fame this fall. This year's honorees include basketball player Ashley (Bramwell) Arruda '02, volleyball player Kathy (Couture) Bresciano '06, alpine ski racer Chance Longley '07, and the 1999 volleyball team.
Established in 2006, the Colby-Sawyer Athletic Hall of Fame celebrates the accomplishments of Colby-Sawyer athletes, coaches, teams and supporters who have advanced the college's commitment to excellence. Colby-Sawyer will host an induction ceremony for the 2013 Athletic Hall of Fame athletes on Sunday, Oct. 6, at 11 a.m. in the Ware Campus Center. The event is open to the college community, alumni and friends, and area residents.
Ashley (Bramwell) Arruda of Marshfield, Mass., was an instrumental player during one of the most successful stretches in women's basketball program history. She was a legitimate back-to-the-basket post player who could score with both hands. When she was not dominating on the block, Ashley showed she could step out and shoot the long ball, which was evident by six three-pointers at Middlebury on Jan. 29, 2002. Ashley garnered several conference and regional awards during her playing career. She was named to the New England Women's Basketball Association (NEWBA) All-Star Second Team and played in the NEWBA Senior Classic. Ashley was named twice to the All-Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) First Team and once to the Second Team. She remains the all-time leader in free throws (359) and, upon graduation, ranked second in points (1,354), fourth in rebounds (784) and fourth in field goals (475).
Arruda has spent the past nine years as a kindergarten teacher in Scituate, Mass. Arruda is happily married with two kids. Caroline is three years old and Luke is five months. After college, Arruda went on to coach high school basketball and softball, but has retired from coaching since having kids.
Kathy (Couture) Bresciano of Turners Fall, Mass., was one of the most successful four-year volleyball players ever to play at Colby-Sawyer. She helped lead the Chargers to a pair of Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC) championships and a program best 30 wins in 2005. A force at the net, Kathy was named CCC Rookie of the Year in 2002 and landed on the All-CCC First Team three times. Upon graduation, Kathy was the program's all-time leader in kills (1,507), attack attempts (3,769) and points (1,787). She also ranked second in kills per set (3.21), hitting percentage (.243) and points per set (3.80). Kathy was equally impressive in the classroom. She was named CCC Senior Scholar-Athlete and was a Wesson Honors student.
Bresciano has been happily married to husband, A.J. Bresciano, for almost five years and has a beautiful one-year old daughter named Callie. Kathy has been working as a preschool teacher at Deerfield Elementary School in Deerfield, Mass. for the past six years. Kathy knew that after college it would be very unlikely that she would ever play volleyball again because of a shoulder injury, but she has been enjoying being able to teach her niece about the sport as she begins playing for the first time.
Chance Longley of Stratton, Vt., was a four-year member of the Colby-Sawyer alpine ski racing team. He earned six United States Collegiate Ski & Snowboard Association (USCSA) All-American Awards, which was tied for most upon graduation, and is currently second most. Chance owns a pair of top-10 finishes at the USCSA National Championships with a seventh place in slalom in 2004 and a 10th place in giant slalom in 2007. As a senior, Chance placed fourth in the giant slalom at the Eastern Collegiate Ski Conference (ECSC) Regional Championships, which helped propel the Chargers to the top spot in the team standings. He also added a fourth place in the giant slalom at the ECSC Regional's in 2006 and was named Most Valuable Skier for the Chargers.
The Chargers' 1999 women's volleyball team recorded a program best 30 wins and went undefeated in the Commonwealth Coast Conference (CCC). The team earned the program's first conference title and first trip to the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Championships. In the NCAA tournament, the Chargers earned a 3-0 win over Johnson & Wales to advance to the second round of the championships. The team, ranked in the New England poll throughout the season, was well balanced with strength at all positions. Colby-Sawyer was also ranked nationally in service aces per set (3.06).
The 1999 team was composed of Kristin Anderson '00, Amy Callahan '02, Alison Calvarese '00, Jillian Gragnano '00, Jazmine Greenlaw '03, Sara Hammond '01, Karen Kotopoulis '02, Heather McMahon '02, Megan Richardson '03, Katrina Ryan '01, Brie Stanley '03, Tara Ward '01, Melissa Weymouth '00 and Kristen Wolslegel '03. The team was led by Head Coach George Martin, Assistant Coach Mariann Hunter and student assistant George Sylvester '00.
To learn more about the Colby-Sawyer College Athletic Hall of Fame, visit www.colby-sawyerathletics.com/hof.aspx.
For more information about intercollegiate athletics, visit www.colby-sawyerathletics.com.
–Ryan Emerson
Ryan Emerson is director of Sports Information at Colby-Sawyer College.
Colby-Sawyer College is a comprehensive college that integrates the liberal arts and sciences with professional preparation. Founded in 1837, Colby-Sawyer is located in the scenic Lake Sunapee Region of central New Hampshire.
Colby-Sawyer College, 541 Main Street, New London, N.H. 03257 (603) 526-3000
