STCC student-athletes recognized for academic excellence

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – Two Springfield Technical Community College student-athletes were named to the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA)  All-Academic Team for 2021-2022.

The NJCAA recognized STCC students Marisa De La Barra, of Herriman, Utah, and Emma Ferretti, of Myrtle Beach, S.C., for their dedication in the classroom. They played basketball during the 2021-2022 season under Coach Ed Guczek.

“I am proud of Marisa and Emma,” Guczek said. “This recognizes how they achieved academic excellence while putting in the time and hard work to compete as athletes. It’s not always easy to balance athletics and academics. Their achievement is truly commendable.”

De La Barra and Ferretti were named to the NJCAA All-Academic Second Team for having grade point averages between 3.80 and 3.99.  The criteria for the three All-Academic teams are NJCAA All-Academic First Team (4.00 grade point average), NJCAA All-Academic Second Team (3.80-3.99 grade point average), and NJCAA All-Academic Third Team (3.60-3.79 grade point average).

De La Barra and Ferretti said they were pleasantly surprised to learn they were honored for their academic work.

“It’s really neat to know you are doing a sport and getting recognized for getting good grades and keeping up your GPA,” said Ferretti, who plans to return to STCC this fall to play another basketball season and continue studying psychology.

“Being recognized for academics is a nice accomplishment,” added De La Barra.

Guczek recruited De La Barra and Ferretti to play for STCC, which has a diverse mix of players from the Springfield area and out of state.

De La Barra and Ferretti said they liked the programs STCC has to offer in addition to the opportunity to play basketball.

De La Barra graduated in May 2022 with a general studies degree. She hopes to continue her studies at a four-year institution in Utah and one day receive her master’s in occupational therapy.

“One of the things I liked about STCC was being able to meet a lot of people and make friends,” she said.

While Ferretti lives in South Carolina, she enjoyed coming to Western Massachusetts to study and play basketball.

“The campus is beautiful. I love it,” she said. “I have family in the area, so it was very convenient to move up there and get closer to them. I don’t get to see them very often. Coach was great. Everybody on the team was very welcoming. The school staff was really good as well.”

During the school year, Ferretti lives in a house in Springfield with other basketball players. After STCC, she hopes to continue her education with the goal of one day getting a doctorate and working as a child psychologist.

STCC, the most affordable college in Springfield, offers top notch degree and certificate programs that put students on the path to a career or an opportunity to transfer to a four-year institution. STCC is the only technical community college in Massachusetts.

Interested in applying to STCC? Visit stcc.edu/apply or call Admissions at (413) 755-3333.

About Springfield Technical Community College

STCC, the Commonwealth's only technical community college, continues the pioneering legacy of the Springfield Armory with comprehensive and technical education in manufacturing, STEM, healthcare, business, social services, and the liberal arts. STCC's highly regarded workforce, certificate, degree, and transfer programs are the most affordable in Springfield and provide unequaled opportunity for the vitality of Western Massachusetts. Founded in 1967, the college – a designated Hispanic Serving Institution – seeks to close achievement gaps among students who traditionally face societal barriers. STCC supports students as they transform their lives through intellectual, cultural, and economic engagement while becoming thoughtful, committed and socially responsible graduates.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Jim Danko, (413) 222-9311

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