Trailblazers Walk Into Future

Three MCLA Trailblazers officially completed their days as undergraduate students here at MCLA by walking at commencement this past Saturday. 2008-09 senior captain Mike Callahan was joined by former teammates Diante Ellis and Dave Bisesi who last played for the Trailblazers during the 07-08 season. Ellis and Bisesi, join fellow 07-08 seniors Henry Schrader, Shalka Rivera and Curtis Leaston as graduates.  Schrader and Leaston graduated from MCLA in May of 2008, while Rivera just recently completed his last course at MCLA as well.

Callahan was born and raised in the Bronx before moving to Carmel, New York where he was a 2005 graduate of Carmel High School. As a senior, Callahan shot 48% from the field and 80% from the line for the Trailblazers and averaged 6.8 ppg.  For his career, Mike played in 82 games and made 18 starts as a senior. Mike was a career 45% shooter from the field and 72% from the line. His career averages in points and rebounds are 3.6 ppg and 1.7 rpg. Mike has interned with the Hudson Valley Renegades of the New York-Penn League (baseball) and graduated with a B.S. in Business Administration with a Concentration in Event and Sport Management. Mike's future plans are graduate school and to pursue a career in sports management or related field.

Dave Bisesi came to MCLA in the fall of 2006 as a transfer student after two years at SUNY-Potsdam.  Bisesi was very good for the Trailblazers both on the floor and in the classroom.  Bisesi suited up 48 times as a Trailblazer and averaged 18.4 ppg for his career at MCLA. Bisesi also scored a school record 47 points in a five overtime thriller vs. SUNY-Maritime back in November of 2006. Dave was second team All-MASCAC as a senior and for his career shot 49.6% from the field, 40.2% from 3-PT and 83.8% from the line. Dave graduated with a B.A. in Sociology and has already started a job as a manager with AT&T back near his hometown of Syracuse, New York.

Diante Ellis transferred to MCLA from Edward Waters College (FL) in December of 2006. Ellis appeared in 31 career games at MCLA, and started all 25 games as a senior.  Ellis is a native of Jacksonville, Florida and now resides in Pittsfield, MA.  Ellis came to the Berkshires to live with his wife's family and the couple has two young boys.  As a senior in 2007-08 Diante averaged 12.2 ppg, 8.2 rpg and his field goal percentage of 54.8%, good enough to lead the MASCAC conference. His career averages were 10.8 ppg, 7.6 rpg and he shot 53% from the field.  Diante graduated with a B.A. in Sociology and a minor in Social Work.  Ellis has worked at a residential facility in Pittsfield and will be starting a new job this summer.

Shalka Rivera played one season for the Trailblazers after making stops at Mercyhurst Northeast Junior College and Western New Mexico University. Rivera played in all 25 games and provided a huge spark as the teams sixth man off the bench. Rivera averaged 10.6 ppg and 3.6 rpg, while shooting 46% from the field. Rivera was also one of the top defenders in the MASCAC.  Rivera had a career high 26 points in a senior night victory over Westfield State.  Rivera graduates with a B.A. in Sociology and currently works for the Springfield School Department and coaches at his alma mater Springfield Cathedral High School.

(updated on 5/28)