Thivierge Named NECC Male Senior Student-Athlete of the Year
MANSFIELD, Mass. – Mitchell College senior Roland Thivierge was selected as the New England Collegiate Conference (NECC) Male Senior Student-Athlete of the Year, as announced by the conference on Tuesday.
Thivierge becomes the fourth Mitchell student-athlete—and first from the baseball team—to win the award, which is given annually to the top male senior from among the six NECC institutions. The award recognizes athletics and academics successes while also factoring in leadership and community service components, and is determined by a vote of the conference's Athletic Directors.
"From the time that Roland stepped foot on campus he has made an impact—academically, socially and athletically," said Mitchell Interim Athletics Director Todd Peretz. "His desire to be an outstanding student-athlete—while also immersing himself across the campus in various capacities—confirms his commitment to excellence in all facets of his life."
One facet that Thivierge has certainly embraced is developing his leadership skills. "Roland's leadership abilities extend well past the baseball team," said Peretz. "His outgoing personality coupled with outstanding communication skills allowed him to provide guidance and leadership to a diverse group of student-athletes."
These skills have been on display in Thivierge's role as co-president of the Mitchell Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC), a position he held for two years. It was through his experience with SAAC that Thivierge was able to hone his leadership abilities on a national scale, attending the 2019 NCAA Convention with the NECC. The convention allowed him to meet and learn from fellow SAAC members, including members of the Division III SAAC and participate in community service programming with the Special Olympics. Thivierge described the experience as 'life-changing.' The senior also served as the vice president of Mitchell's Student Government Association for two years and was a resident assistant in the dorms.
The sport management major excelled academically, and has been inducted into Chi Alpha Sigma, the National College Athlete Honor Society, as well as Phi Epsilon Kappa, a fraternity for students pursuing careers in health, physical education, recreation and other related fields. He has also earned NECC Academic All-Conference honors in each of his eligible semesters.
His work on campus and in the classroom has not gone unnoticed, as he was recently awarded the Mitchell College Alumni Excellence Award, which is given annually to the man and woman graduate who achieved the highest degree of competence in sports, while also attaining outstanding academic records.
The pitcher has been invaluable to the Mariners on the field. He is a two-time NECC Pitcher of the Year, and a two-time first team all-conference honoree. He helped lead the Mariners to two conference titles, earning two all-tournament team selections along the way. He capped off his four-year career by earning all-region honors for the second time (2019) as a pitcher.
Thivierge went 7-2 with a 3.60 ERA in his final season on the bump, striking out a career-high 68 batters over 65.0 innings of work. He led the NECC in wins, starts, strikeouts and innings pitched and ranked third in ERA. His career numbers are impressive, despite losing a season to the COVID-19 pandemic. He has made 31 appearances, and 21 starts, sporting a record of 19-2 and a 2.45 ERA. He has struck out 138 batters in 154.0 innings.
His impressive career is not lost on Mitchell Head Baseball Coach Travis Beausoleil. "He is one of the best pitchers to ever come through the Mitchell program, but also the conference," said Beausoleil. "His selflessness, leadership and overall maturity is the legacy he will leave with our program."
Thivierge undeniably played a vital role in Mitchell's baseball program, but he was also vital to another Mitchell program—esports. Mitchell announced its addition of esports in the fall of 2020 and has been working to grow the sport on campus. Thivierge competed in Mitchell's first-ever Rocket League team in the Spring of 2021 to assist in the growth of the program.
Thivierge has positively impacted Mitchell College, but his reach has extended beyond the New London campus, as well. He has organized and run events with the Special Olympics and has participated in clinics for local youth. Beausoleil recognizes that selfless student-athletes such as Thivierge don't come along very often.
"If our returning players watched and learned anything from Roland, I hope it is his dedication to serving others."
