Utica University President Todd Pfannestiel plays in the first Cricket Club match on campus. Photo: Brady Barnard, Sports Editor.

On Monday, March 4, newly-formed Utica Cricket Club hosted their first match at Casamento Field. President Todd Pfannestiel and Provost Stephanie Nesbitt broke in the cricket bats on opposing teams and drew a small crowd of viewers, including international students and faculty members. 

The cricket club was formed in January by graduate students Vernon Dcunha and Rahul Rishi. Dcunha serves as the club’s president and said he and other students were passionate about the sport but felt disconnected from it due to a lack of organized activities. The club gained momentum when Director of Academic Business Development Elizabeth Nassar donated cricket equipment to the international students. 

“This act of kindness not only provided access to necessary gear but also symbolized the inclusive spirit of our club, fostering a sense of belonging among diverse student communities,” Dcunha said.

A deep-rooted love for cricket and the desire to create a vibrant community drove Dcunha to start the club, which has more than 42 active participants including students from different groups and backgrounds and faculty members. About 65% of the club’s members are from India where the sport is very popular, and they displayed a welcoming attitude at the match by inviting spectators to join in, several of whom did. 

The diversity of the club’s members and spectators playing together “enriches our club’s culture and strengthens our collective bond, creating a vibrant community united by our shared passion for cricket,” Dcunha said.

Team Todd won the match by 12 runs, and all players left the field in high spirits.

The Cricket Club’s president said support from the International and SLCE office were instrumental in organizing the event and invited the community to join the club for future matches.