Sorrentine honored by Vermont
Former St. Raphael star has college number retired
A little of this, a little of that …
• Fittingly, T.J. Sorrentine wore a green tie last Saturday night when a jersey retirement ceremony took place in his honor at his college alma mater. Hours before the scheduled ceremony, Sorrentine wandered inside the University of Vermont bookstore to purchase an important piece of neckwear.
It didn’t matter that Brown was playing Vermont after the pomp and pageantry. The Pawtucket native wasn’t changing ties.
“I’m keeping it on all night,” said Sorrentine, who was the recipient of some playful ribbing from Brown basketball folks. “When your jersey goes up in the rafters, you get to do whatever you want for that night. They had no say.”
A few days have passed since Sorrentine’s past and present met at an intersection that left him completely overwhelmed and appreciative.
The pride of St. Raphael was back in Burlington, Vt. and transported back to a time when he was the king of Patrick Gymnasium. Sorrentine also arrived as the associate head coach of the Bears, who were also in town to face the Catamounts in an exhibition game.
t
The date had been circled on the calendar since early September, but now it was here. The more Sorrentine thought about it, the more he realized that the No. 11 he wore for Vermont was set to enter rarified air – literally and figuratively. “It’s an incredible honor,” said Sorrentine. “How many guys get to have their jersey retired? Knowing that no one else is going to wear your number is pretty cool.”
As an added bonus, Sorrentine shared the UVM jersey retirement stage with Taylor Coppenrath, his good buddy and primary running mate during the good run the pair enjoyed at the America East school. The celebration was cause for a big-time reunion that brought together many familiar faces, including Sorrentine’s colorful college coach, Tom Brennan, who organized a Friday night party that served as the perfect kickoff to a weekend of remembrance.
There were other parties dand celebrations along the way, yet nothing quite rivaled the NBA-esque pregame glitz and glamour that greeted Sorrentine when it came time for him to receive proper tribute. During the retirement jersey ceremony, the lights were turned down low; only a few specs of green illuminated the stage.
“Everything but fireworks,” Sorrentine said with a laugh. “I would almost venture to say an A-plus production.” Sorrentine mentioned that it was his first time standing on the Patrick Gym hardwood since the 2005 America East Tournament championship game. That was cause for goosebumps, but he was put at ease when he looked over and saw his dad Tom “Saar” Sorrentine, mom Karen, and younger brother James. All three of them spent many nights watching T.J. hoop it up for UVM.
“They’ve given me so much support throughout the years,” said Sorrentine.
He joked that he wished that Brown wasn’t scheduled to play Vermont after the ceremony, considering the whirlwind of emotions that ran the gamut.
“To go from all the festivities to coaching a game was really hard,” said Sorrentine.
After Vermont defeated Brown, 70-59, Sorrentine went to the postgame media room, a spot that he often visited after Catamount home wins.
“For UVM to allow my family to get together, which gets tougher the older you get, it’s incredible,” said Sorrentine.
So too was Sorrentine watching his two daughters, Stella and Callie, run around Patrick Gym during a pre-jersey retirement get-together.
“My wife (Emily) got my five-year-old a No. 11 UVM jersey and she wore it to school this past Monday. She also made a poster of Tyler and me and it’s hanging up in her room,” said Sorrentine. “For me, that was the ultimate thrill to see how happy she was. Hopefully it inspires her to pick up the orange ball and make some baskets.”
• An addition to new baseball head coach Steve Reynolds Sr’s staff at Lincoln High is former Cumberland High infielder/pitcher Tyler Calabro, who will be the Lions’ JV head coach/top varsity assistant.
• At Tolman High, Drew Bernard is now the Tigers’ JV/Varsity Assistant Coach for boys basketball, while Kimball Crossley is now coaching the THS freshman team.
• We’re getting to the point where Cumberland High School should have a new athletic director in place sooner rather than later. From the sound of it, the successor to Matt Campanelli will hail from outside the district.
• Hopefully, we’ve reached the point where we can put the Central Falls-Burrillville girls’ volleyball saga to bed once and for all.
• Word is that the OakWood Raiders will be allowed to participate in the upcoming R.I. Preteen Varsity Football Playoffs. The Pawtucket-based team was originally banned from postseason play after it was allegedly believed that they recorded a game with their cell phones, which is a major no-no. The Raiders will play for the No. 2 seed and subsequent first-round bye on Sunday at North Kingstown.
• PawSox connections to the newly-minted World Series champion Washington Nationals: radio broadcaster Dave Jageler (with Pawtucket in 2005) and trainer Greg Barajas (with Pawtucket from 2005-09).
• As we await word on what becomes the primary attraction at McCoy Stadium once the PawSox depart, it seems like a good time to engage in dialogue pertaining to the team’s exit strategy. Apparently, the lid was recently lifted on that very subject. The PawSox have a lease agreement with city-owned McCoy that runs through Jan. 31, 2021.
• I’ll never understand the phenomenon of pro teams opening the arena or ballpark in order for fans to come inside and watch the action on the video board – while their favorite team is playing someplace else.
• It’s now open season on NCAA athletics as we know it as there figures to be no shortage of blood spilled along the way.
• In the short-term, Chaim Bloom’s tenure as Red Sox chief baseball officer will be defined by decisions made involving J.D. Martinez and Mookie Betts. Long term, history will judge Bloom on Boston’s ability to churn out starting pitchers from within.
• Speaking of the new Red Sox baseball boss, there’s no truth to the rumor that New England-based Outback Steakhouse restaurants have seen an increase in Bloomin’ Onion sales in the wake of officially welcoming him aboard.
• Thankfully, this interminably long college basketball preseason is about to come to an end. Teams start playing for keeps Tuesday.
• One scribe’s interpretation of the new NESN logo: it’s waving at you.
• This column would have been longer, but it’s time to head to the nearest CVS. Fifty percent off on Halloween candy? Sign me up!