Skip to main content

Newsroom

Bentley Footbridge

The Bentley Buzz

Connecting faculty and staff, one story at a time

Welcome to the latest issue of the Bentley Buzz, where we share news and stories about the faculty and staff who make Bentley special. It is compiled by Kevin Wong, associate director of internal communications. To share your news or an idea for a story, please email buzz@bentley.edu.
 

Oct. 8, 2021

Meet Dick Lipe
45 years of Bentley athletics by the numbers
Dick Lipe with a student athlete
   Dick awarding basketball player Cathy Gallant
       with the Scholar Athlete Award circa 1982.  

Since he first arrived at Bentley as an undergraduate student in 1973, Dick Lipe has seen his fair share of games on and off campus. As a student, he worked closely with the Athletics Office for all four years compiling statistics for Bentley’s football, basketball and baseball teams to help them evaluate past performance and gain an edge for upcoming games. In this role, he quickly found the intersection for his love of sports and numbers. 

When he graduated in 1977 with his BS in Accountancy, Dick joked that he was already prepared to retire from his career in accounting. Just a few short months after graduating, Dick was hired as Bentley’s first full-time sports information director. Now in his 45th year in the role, he’s continuing to dig through the statistics and data to help promote Bentley's athletic teams, coaches and student-athletes.

Over the course of his long Bentley career, Dick has seen the athletics program grow and evolve since his early days as a student worker. “The program’s changed a lot over the years,” said Dick. “We used to dictate box scores to newspapers by phone and use manual typewriters to draft press releases.” In addition to tracking statistics, Dick is also responsible for Bentley’s athletic communications efforts, which include working with the media, webcasts of home athletic events, creating graphics and generating thousands of words each month in post-game stories and athletic updates.

While his contributions to Bentley Athletics can’t be overstated, Dick’s impact on regional collegiate sports spreads far and wide. From 1980-1998, Dick led the communications efforts of the Northeast-7 conference, joining the organization at its start and seeing it through its evolution and expansion to the Northeast-10. He also served as president of the Eastern College Athletic Conference’s Sports Information Directors Association. For over 40 years, he has served as a member of the College Sports Information Directors of America’s (CoSIDA) Academic All-America and Academic All-America Hall of Fame Committee, which recognizes academic and athletic achievements of student-athletes across the country. While serving as the chair of the committee, he was proud to induct classmate and Bentley trustee Terry Carleton to the hall of fame for his collegiate soccer career and lifetime achievements.
 

Dick Lipe at the TD Garden
            Dick pre-game at the TD Garden.

In addition to the impact Dick has had on college athletics over the years, he’s also played an important role in the success of Boston Celtics television broadcasts for more than 40 years. “In 1980, they weren’t broadcasting Celtics home games that often,” said Dick. “I got word they were going to start broadcasting regularly and that they needed a statistician, so I contacted channel 4 and ended up getting the job.”

Anyone who’s watched the television broadcast of a Celtics game is likely to have heard longtime play-by-play commentator Mike Gorman credit Dick with preparing him for the call of the game or for handing him in-game statistics or notes. “He’s the best there is, hands down,” noted Gorman in a 2015 interview. “All my years at CBS, ESPN, no one comes close.”

Even the late color commentator (and legendary Celtic player and coach) Tommy Heinsohn, who was known for his love of the organization and lively commentary, found ways to include Dick’s stats into his call of the game. “Tommy was a legend. You never knew what he was going to come out with,” said Dick of working with the 10-time NBA champion. “He used the stats only if they supported his point.” 

Last month, Mike Gorman was inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame as the recipient of the 2021 Curt Gowdy Award. During his induction ceremony, Gorman made sure to mention in his remarks the impact that Dick—who was in attendance—has had on his broadcasting career, noting that some 80 percent of what he says during a game comes from stats that Dick has provided.

From the Larry Bird years and the team’s three championships in the 1980s to the Paul Pierce era and the 2008 championship run, Dick has been onboard for some memorable Celtic teams. “There have been some amazing moments and I’ve been fortunate to see quite a few of them,” said Dick.

Dick Lipe with Mike Gorman and Tommy Heinsohn
       Dick with Mike Gorman and Tommy Heinsohn during the
                                call of a Celtics game.

Even as the COVID-19 pandemic prevented fans from attending games for most of the 2020-2021 season, Dick swapped his mid-court seat next to Gorman for one in the upper level of the TD Garden. This season, Dick looks forward to getting back to work ensuring that the broadcasters have the home and visiting team stats at the ready. “To say he’s a stats guy really doesn’t do him justice,” said Gorman. “If there was a hall of fame for statisticians, Dick should be the first guy inducted.”

And Dick is no stranger to hall of fames. He was inducted into Bentley’s athletic hall of fame in 1993 and CoSIDA’s hall of fame in 2002 and was a member of the inaugural NE-10 hall of fame class in 2006. In 2002, the NE-10 conference awarded him with the first ever recognition of his own namesake—the inaugural Dick Lipe Media Award.

With fall sports underway, Dick is looking forward to continuing what he does best and supporting Bentley’s student-athletes and coaches with statistical research and media publicity. On his long and rewarding  Bentley career, Dick said, “It’s been exciting to tell the story of the players and coaches of my alma mater.”

Read Dick's Bio

Keeping Score with Bentley Athletics

Bentley Falcons LogoWomen's Soccer Advances to 5-1-1 Record
The women's soccer team improved to 5-1-1 in the NE-10 conference with a 2-1 victory over Stonehill College. 

Noah Monsanto named NE-10 Men's Tennis Rookie of the Week
Noah posted a 4-0 record to help Bentley defeat Nichols College and Emerson College. The Falcons are 2-0 in dual matches this fall, with their next match coming against Babson College. 

Jazzy Burke Named the Volleyball Libero of the Week
Freshman Jazzy Burke was named the Volleyball Libero of the Week (a term for a defensive specialist) in the NE-10 conference following her outstanding performance in last week's home opener. Also recognized by the NE10 with selection to the Weekly Honor Roll were sophomore Ellie Wheeler and senior Amanda Parker.

We want to feature you!

Want to share some news or updates with the Bentley community? 

Email the Buzz

Diversity at Bentley

An Update on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at Bentley

Last month, Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer Katie Lampley '96 shared an update on the work that has taken place to support Bentley's commitment to racial justice and equity. Katie shared a new update last week detailing opportunities to get involved and help create a more inclusive and equitable Bentley community. 

Read Katie's Update

The Fair Trade Fair Returns

The Bentley Service-Learning and Civic Engagement Center and the Office of Sustainability hosted the 7th Annual Fair Trade Fair, bringing over 20 vendors to campus offering samples of Fair Trade products and selling ethically produced goods. The first in-person fair since the start of the pandemic, hundreds of students, faculty and staff stopped by the LaCava Tent to sample the offerings and learn more about Fair Trade production.

Congratulations to the Service-Learning and Civic Engagement Center and Office of Sustainability on another successful fair!

Fair Trade Fair

Library Clocktower

In the Know @ the Bentley Library

ICYMI - Library Updates & Tips for Fall 2021
The library hopes you've had a chance to visit and get acquainted (or reacquainted) with their study spaces, collections, resources and staff! Here are a few things they’d like you to know to help you have a successful fall semester.

Art Gallery Exhibit: Black @ Bentley ~ Shared Stories
On view in the RSM Art Gallery until Oct. 15 is Black @ Bentley ~ Shared Stories, an exhibit in words. With permission from the @blackatbentley Instagram account, the library is showcasing the first-person stories and experiences of black alumni while at Bentley University. The library invites you to the gallery to read, reflect and respond.

On Display: Animals and Us
The library's current display is a collection of nonfiction, fiction and films that focus on the special relationship between humans and animals. Stop by the Library to check it out, or browse the companion online exhibit which includes e-books and audiobooks that can be downloaded from OverDrive/Libby.

Recent Acquisitions: New Books, E-Books, Audiobooks and DVDs
Check out the library's newest arrivals! Either stop by to browse or place a hold request in the catalog and they'll notify you when the items are ready to be picked up. If you're not on-campus there are e-books, digital audiobooks and streaming films for you to borrow from the comfort of your own home!

Reminder: Cybersecurity Awareness Month

Have you attended a cybersecurity awareness month event yet? Remember to check out the two remaining lunch and learns below, and to stop by IT's interactive, Halloween-themed event on Wednesday, Oct. 27 from 1:00 - 4:00 p.m. in the Executive Dining Room. The event is open to all members of the Bentley community and will feature food, games, giveaways, prizes and raffles, which can be enjoyed all while improving your cybersecurity knowledge!

Cyber Security at Bentley

Upcoming Lunch and Learns

You are the Target
Mike Gioia, Bentley Information Security Officer 
Wednesday, Oct. 13 from 12:00 - 1:00 p.m. in Lindsay 28 
  
Tips and Best Practices to Protect Yourself and Your Data
Will Schriever, Microsoft Product Manager 
Wednesday, Oct. 20 from 12:00 - 1:00 p.m. in Lindsay 28

Learn More and Access a Session Remotely

Bentley Falcon

Welcome, New Falcons!

Francheska CastroAdvancement Coordinator
Paula Chaves da SilvaPost-Doctoral Fellow, Natural and Applied Sciences
George DiantgikisAssistant Coach, Men's Lacrosse
Denise Ferrari DiRestaImmunization Coordinator and Registered Nurse
Cathryn ForrestAdministrative Assistant, Financial Assistance
Mariah HansonAthletic Trainer
Chris HassAdjunct Lecturer, Experience Design 
Fabiola HernandezSenior Environmental Health and Safety Specialist
Elizabeth HessVice President and Chief Information Officer
Leah McGoldrickAthletic Trainer
Sydney PouliopoulosIntercollegiate Athletic and Club Sports Trainer
Ravidson RamosPolice Officer
Michael RusakPolice Officer
Noelle SassAssistant Coach, Softball
David TruongAssistant Director, Employer Relations & Recruiting
Chen WangSenior Assistant Director, Graduate Admission

 

Language Corners @ CLIC

The Center for Languages and International Collaboration is happy to announce that Language Corners are back! Language Corners are designed to allow students, faculty and staff the opportunity to come together to practice new languages in a laidback environment, regardless of skill level or familiarity. Stop by Adamian 162 to join one of the 40-minute practice sessions with the CLIC language partners from Oct. 20 to Dec. 3. No appointments are required, and sessions are offered as follows:

Chinese with Annie
Thursdays from 1:20 - 2:00 p.m.

French with Dan and Sam
Wednesdays from 4:40 - 5:20 p.m.

Italian with Bruno
Thursdays from 5:20 - 6:00 p.m.

Spanish with Antonio
Fridays from 2:20 - 3:00 p.m.

Learn More about CLIC

Bentley Magazine Print Copy Opt-Out

To save paper, Bentley Magazine is asking on-campus readers if they'd like to opt out of receiving print copies of future issues. All copies are posted online the same day they are mailed. Let the magazine team know if you'd like to opt out of future physical copies using the link below.

Unsubscribe from Paper Copies

Bentley magazine cover

From the Newsroom

Solving Her Puzzle

Sandhya Sangappa ’24 takes a data-driven approach to changing the world.

By Sean Kerrigan

 

Read More

Meet Trustee Pauline Callender  Han ’91

Han is a leader and mentor who is committed to investing in others.

By Kristen Walsh

 

Read More

Pulsifer Career Development Center is Dedicated

Two years ago, Gordon ’80 and Annellen Pulsifer ’80, P ’08, ’19 generously donated $2 million to support career development at Bentley.

By Kristin Livingston
 

Read More

Interested in reading past issues?