On Saturday, May 11, Kingswood Oxford hosted its annual Alissi Spring Sports Day. This event, which honors the legacy of former Athletic Director Joseph Alissi, is a testament to the sports culture at Kingswood Oxford. It was a day filled with team spirit and excitement, bringing the KO community together.
Joseph Alissi, a dedicated member of the Kingswood Oxford community, left an incredible mark on KO’s athletics. His passion and commitment continue to inspire us, and in 2017, Spring Sports Day was renamed to honor his enduring legacy at the school.
Not every team had a home game, but many did, including baseball and softball. Varsity softball had a particularly exciting and great game, encapsulating the spirit of Alissi Spring Sports Day. Varsity baseball played a particularly tough game, losing 5-4 to Springfield Commonwealth Academy.
However, varsity softball’s success encapsulated the energy and spirit of Alissi Spring Sports Day. The team played Williston Northampton School and took home the win with a final score of 4-3. However, it was not without a fight; the game went to nine innings, and the energy remained high. This optimism helped them secure the win, as everyone supported one another throughout the game. “At the beginning of the game, we circle up and discuss our game plan, and we always hype each other up during big plays and throughout the game,” junior Captain Olivia Gallup said.
Additionally, many parents, friends, and family cheered on the team, making it a fun game that showed how Spring Sports Day can bring everyone together to support KO’s athletic teams.
Other than the high energy, a highlight of the game was eighth-grade center fielder Remi Rosado hitting a two-run home run in the bottom of the fourth inning to tie the game 3-3, which allowed the team to keep fighting and come out on top with the win. “What helped us to win the game was when [eighth-grade third baseman] Olivia Raccio hit a walk-off sacrifice fly to score [freshman pitcher] Alexis Nisyrios, who was on third, winning them the game 4-3,” Gallup said. This made it a close but even more exciting game and win.
Overall, this game embodied the spirit of determination and teamwork for which Alissi Spring Sports Day was created. The back and forth of the game showed the team’s resilience and ability to fight when things get hard. Raccio’s walk of sacrifice emphasizes the team’s unity and collective effort to secure the victory—reflecting the spirit of sportsmanship, perseverance, and camaraderie that defines Alissi Spring Sports Day.
