Aquinas-Landmark-Winter-2021

17 The tradition of the Aquinas boxing program is one that is cherished not only by the many students who have participated in boxing over the years, but to many more in our Aquinas school community. So when COVID-19 threatened to put a pause on the program’s 89th consecutive Mission Bouts, longtime Aquinas boxing coach and alumnus Dom Arioli ’73 came up with an idea that would ensure the tradition of the bouts continued. “I knew we had to do something,” said Coach Dom, whose idea included hosting the Bouts over the summer and putting alumni boxers back in the ring. “Because our student athletes do other sports in the summer, we decided to reach out to alumni and had an overwhelming response.” With about 40 alumni who graduated from 1973-2020, interested in boxing once again, Coach Dom dedicated his time to getting them back in fighting shape. He opened up the doors at his gym, Roc Boxing, to get them ready for the Bouts. For some, that training took months, but in the end, it was worth it as everyone who took part felt it was an honor to come back to Aquinas and step in that ring. Boxer Alyssa Tavino ‘16 spent three months, from March through June, training as if she was back in high school. “We had group practice on Sunday mornings where those participating in the fights were able to all come together to condition and practice with Coach Dom,” she said. “I went to conditioning and boxing classes at ROC Boxing two additional days a week and did cardio and other conditioning at home on the days I did not go to the gym.” Alyssa was not the only boxer training hard. Coach Dom would tell you, each of the boxers was incredibly committed to this event. There was one, however, who traveled great lengths to be part of this historic event. Mike Benedict ’95, who is now a resident of Philadelphia, drove back to Rochester every weekend to join in on the Sunday group training. For that, he rightfully earned the Dedication Award. While he was of course honored to receive the award, Mike said, “If I had the choice, I’d give the same plaque to every single person who showed up on those Sunday mornings. We all had the same aches, pains, and nervous laughter as the bouts kept getting closer and closer. I may have had a longer commute, but the entire squad really deserves that award.” After three long months of training, family, friends, and fans gathered on Friday, June 25 for the 89th Annual Mission Bouts – an historic battle, this time featuring alumni boxers in exhibition matches. This was the first time ever that our beloved bouts happened under the lights at the Wegman Stadium. News 8 Sports Director and AQ alumnus Thad Brown ’94 was the commentator for the evening. The energy of the spectators who filled the stadium ready to cheer on their classmates, parents, spouses, siblings, and grandchildren, was electric. After 15 incredible bouts, sometimes pairing alumni from different decades, Frankie Tavino ’18 and Dan Freedman ’20 earned Fight of the Night, and Josh Leonardo ’10 earned the Sportsmanship Award. The irony of it all was not lost on Coach Dom. “The last big event at Aquinas before COVID-19 hit was the 88th Mission Bouts and then the first big event since then was the 89th Mission Bouts,” he said. “It certainly gave me a boost. It’s been hard the last few years, so this gave me some pep in my step. I call this event my Field of Dreams.” ALUMNI BOXERS TAKE THE RING FOR 89TH ANNUAL MISSION BOUTS A lumni N ews