Tony Price Delivers Convocation Address at Worcester State College
The Worcester Sate College senior class was celebrated and
offered encouragement for their, “victory lap,” at the
college’s Senior Capping and Fall Honors Convocation Friday
night (October 2).
In a ceremony for students, family and friends, Chair of the Board
of Trustees George Tetler congratulated the class as they began
their, “victory lap,” as seniors. “It is now time
to reflect on how much support you have received so far from your
faculty, your family and your friends,” said Tetler.
“Savor your success and make it a sprint to the finish
line.”
Also addressing the class was 1998 graduate Tony Price who urged
the class to, “finish what you start.” In reflecting on
his college career at WSC, Price said he always had been
embarrassed that he did not complete his degree in four years. But,
he stressed that it is important to finish what you start and
“find your own criteria for what success means to
you.”
Price is the Assistant Director of Athletics & Head Basketball
Coach at Simmons College and its all-time winningest coach. In
addition, he was named the Great Northeast Athletic Conference
Coach of the Year in 2003 after a stellar 16-9 season. He is the
author of the newly released book An Unsung
Coach.
He told the large crowd at the Sullivan auditorium to focus on
three critical things to be successful:
• “Don’t waste your time comparing yourself to
others. There will always be those with more than you.
• “Have a global perspective. You are very wealthy
compared to most people around the globe.
• “Finish what you start. Most successful people will
tell you to focus on one critical task and see it through to
completion.”
In the fall of 2007 Price was inducted into the Athletics Hall of
Fame of Worcester State College for his distinguished basketball
career. He is the 11th all-time leading scorer in Worcester State
men's basketball history, scoring 1,347 points over his three-year
career from 1986 to 1990. A two-year captain and all-conference
selection, he is also the all-time leading shot blocker in Lancer
history with 149 career blocks. He was selected as the team MVP
three times. He led the conference in rebounding his junior year
and was second in scoring his senior season. Off the court, Price
was an active member of the Worcester State community as he was a
member of Third World Alliance, Upward Bound and led a petition on
campus to have Black Studies courses reinstated at the College.
In February of 2007, Price was honored by the Massachusetts
State Lottery and Boston College with their "The Heights Award"
which "recognizes Outstanding Individuals for their contributions
to women's athletics.” He has volunteered with and started
numerous youth activities in his native Boston throughout the years
including becoming the director of youth and recreation at the Lena
Park Community Development Corporation where he started the first
women's basketball program.
Senior Capping is a special ceremony held each fall at WSC. This
annual event formally recognizes members of the senior class, marks
the beginning of the new academic year, and celebrates scholarship
recipients. The tradition also marks the first time that seniors
may wear their academic caps and gowns.
Courtesy: Worcester State College Public Relations and Marketing Department
