AMHERST — Unable to play in the 2019 men’s hockey Frozen Four championship in Buffalo, University of Massachusetts left wing Bobby Trivigno instead visited a children’s hospital in the western New York city, allowing him the chance to meet young people experiencing significant life challenges.
“It really changed my perspective going forward,” Trivigno said, speaking Tuesday morning to more than 200 people gathered at the renovated Student Union Ballroom at UMass for the annual Community Breakfast presented by UMass and the Amherst Area Chamber of Commerce.
In gratitude for people in the region supporting the team, Trivigno said, he and his teammates visit patients at the Baystate Children’s Hospital in Springfield or help out at the Amherst Survival Center, where they recently cleaned the exterior, built shelves inside and helped deliver groceries.
“It’s only right for us to give back to the community,” said Trivigno, now a senior on the team that took home the national championship last spring. “I take pride in that, the whole team takes pride in that.”
After a one-year hiatus caused by the pandemic, the breakfast returned to serve as a kickoff of the fall semester, with a buffet-style meal catered by the award-winning UMass Dining Services. In addition to numerous UMass officials, also in attendance were elected and appointed officials and department heads from area towns, and members of the region’s legislative delegation, including state Reps. Mindy Domb, Lindsay Sabadosa and Natalie Blais.
In recognition of the region’s first United Way campaign 100 years ago, John Bidwell, executive director of the United Ways of Franklin and Hampshire counties, said the organization remains dedicated to giving back and addressing poverty by supporting 63 social service agencies.
“You’ll know you’ve given enough when you feel inspired, when you feel humbled, when you feel renewed, and when you smile,” Bidwell said.
UMass Chancellor Kumble Subbaswamy reflected on childhood conversations with his father, a public health official in India who focused on eradicating smallpox and other infectious diseases. Those conversations, he said, gave him some understanding of the need to protect health and safety over the past 18 months, but also the economic consequences that have rippled through the community.
Subbaswamy praised Ann Becker, the UMass public health nurse, and Jeff Hescock, executive director of Environmental Health and Safety, for their oversight of the Public Health Promotion Center, where asymptomatic testing continues and vaccinations are administered. They were given an ovation for their work.
“Together we have faced the challenge and emerged the stronger for it,” Subbaswamy said.
Subbaswamy also observed that UMass still found success during the pandemic, congratulating the hockey team and coach Greg Carvel, adding that he looks forward to more national championships. “Maybe after the 10th one we’ll get tired of them,” Subbaswamy said.
Deputy Chancellor Steve Goodwin, serving as the emcee for the event, called on people to maintain a cooperative spirit even when disagreements crop up among UMass and the area towns.
“It’s more evident than ever that we’re one community,” Goodwin said.
Students, whom Goodwin described as “chomping at the bit,” are ready to support restaurants in downtown Amherst, the Amherst Cinema and the new Thursday farmers market in North Amherst Mill District.
Although there are worries about safety, Goodwin said continued compliance with rules, such as the indoor mask mandate on campus and personal responsibility, minimizes risk to the community.
Chamber Executive Director Claudia Pazmany said UMass is the heartbeat of the region.
“We recognize this is the great anchor,” Pazmany said. UMass supports not only downtown and village centers in Amherst, but projects such as the redevelopment of the former Belchertown State School and the Route 9 corridor in Hadley.
Pazmany said UMass Auxiliary Services also came through with getting safety supplies for area businesses to help them through the pandemic. “We recognize the invaluable partnership with UMass,” Pazmany said.
Last weekend two events, Adventure into Amherst and the Mall Madness at Hampshire Mall, brought first-year students to businesses, and Pazmany said she appreciates the opportunity to continue to welcome students back to establishments.
“How we missed that and how good we felt,” Pazmany said.
As is customary, the breakfast ended with performances by the Minuteman Marching Band, whose members instructed people in participating in the “Go UMass” cheer.
Scott Merzbach can be reached at smerzbach@gazettenet.com.
