Team BBQ: Welcoming back the Prodigal Son

Our annual summer team barbecue was Saturday afternoon down by the Hudson River. As usual, it was very hot – although there was a nice breeze along the river to keep us cooler. As usual, it was great to see everyone. We had one special guest, former Fox Nick Salamone. Nick ran for us for one year before transferring to the University of Vermont, where he has successfully continued his academic and athletic career. There were no hard feelings as Nick moved north, and we have remained in touch, and he remains a part of our Marist Track family, even though the color of his running laundry has changed.

There is always a sense of nostalgia when returning Foxes come back to the river. We felt it during the Walkway race, when the alums returned. There’s something about the Hudson that really touches our Marist students, and when they come back, they appreciate the majesty and beauty of the riverfront. Makes me think of the lyrics to a Grateful Dead song called “Brokedown Palace” … I’m sure Nick will appreciate it:

Goin home, goin home
by the waterside I will rest my bones
Listen to the river sing sweet songs
to rock my soul

We wish Nick the best of luck in his final year at UVM.