WE HAVE MOVED 4600 E Shea Blvd | Suite 100 | Phoenix, AZ 85028 NW corner Tatum and Shea | West of Trader Joes 602.955.8700 • FPSAZ.com IN PRACTICE CELEBRATING EXPERT DOCTORS AND PRACTITIONERS. CONVENIENT SERVICES. EXTENDED HOURS. Our Family Caring for Yours 40 JULY 2024 By Kylie de Best Ever since Graham Rossini was four years old, he’s been immersed in baseball. He played throughout school, eventually becoming part of the Sun Devil team in college while earning an MBA and a bachelor’s in business management. After graduating and spending 25 years in the industry, his path veered toward a managerial aspect: Rossini is now Arizona State University’s athletic director. This new role includes managing all 26 sports, hiring head coaches and finding ways to generate revenue from ticket sales. “Everything good that has happened to me has happened because of ASU. Having a leading role and enriching my experience and the experiences of other students here is a dream come true scenario,” Rossini said. While in this position, he wants to focus heavily on football and men’s and women’s basketball and find ways to improve the fan experience as the school advances into the Big 12 this fall. He also finds relationships and connections between coaches and athletes crucial to success. “One of my biggest goals is to focus on championship outcomes and motivating student-athletes to success and graduation,” Rossini said. “Some of the best athletes in the world are from the univeristy, with numerous Sun Devils in the Olympics, and I would love for them to showcase their experience.” He also looks forward to other successful athletes sharing their stories and why they chose ASU. Rossini has been in numerous other leadership roles involving sports. He worked with the Diamondbacks for 13 years with his wife Alison, where he served as vice president of unique projects and fan experience while Alison worked with corporate partnerships. He said that one of his biggest accomplishments thus far was creating the D-backs Give Back Youth Jersey Program, which provided more than 70,000 free caps and jerseys to little league teams in the Valley. In 2021, he became the senior associate athletic director for ASU and helped with the corporate partnership with Mountain America Stadium. Rossini moved to Arcadia in 2018. He said he loves the sense of community, which reminds him of his hometown in Mobile, Alabama. The Rossini family has a couple connections to the school – Alison is a former Sun Devil volleyball player, and his children have grown into fans as well. Rossini hopes they will continue the legacy and attend ASU in the future. Rossini has high expectations for his work in the coming years. “I am looking forward to throwing an awesome game day and having an entertaining product at ASU while focusing on those who support us,” he said. Former Sun Devil becomes new athletic director at ASU Graham Rossini By Maggie Powell For the past six years, Veritas Prep has hosted two annual sports games for the junior and senior classes that have two motives – to raise money for charity, and to have a great time. This year, the classes raised over $1,200 for Phoenix Children’s Hospital while both the boys’ and girls’ teams battled to be the winners.  Veritas junior and senior girls played in their annual flag football match, known as the Powderpuff. Leading up to the game, each team practiced for a month with its coaches, made up of juniors and seniors who play varsity football for Veritas. The practices consisted of drills, scrimmages, conditioning and stretching. The seniors won the Powderpuff last year, and were confident they could do it again. The seniors scored first with a touchdown, but the juniors weren’t deterred, especially after McKenzie Perrault caught a long throw from quarterback Taylor Nicks, which quickly tied up the game. With the score at 7-7 during the first half, things were heating up on the field. Players got more physical, and a few penalties were called against the seniors, bumping the juniors further up the field until senior Maddie Lucas snatched their hopes away with an interception returned for a touchdown. At the end of the first half, the seniors led 14-7, and the score stayed there until late in the second half. With just five minutes left in the game, Maddie scored again, extending the seniors’ lead to 21-7. However, the juniors were not giving up. On a fourth down, with hopes dwindling, McKenzie made a daring rush of 60 yards, evading numerous close tackles, to score a crucial touchdown for the juniors. The crowd erupted in cheers, and the players sprinted to the end zone to celebrate – but the game wasn’t over. The seniors still had some time left on the clock. The celebrations switched sides as the seniors scored their fourth touchdown, sealing the victory with a final score of 28-14.  The Veritas girls weren’t the only ones having fun for a good cause this year, as the senior boys played indoor volleyball against the junior class for the Powder buff game, held in May. After the defeat of the Lady Falcons in the Powderpuff, the junior boys wanted a victory to avenge the girls. The boys played two out of the three sets, with the seniors – despite having fewer players – emerging victorious in both. The first set displayed resilience and determination from both teams. The lead bounced between the seniors and juniors, each refusing to back down. The seniors eventually pulled away with a considerable lead, but the juniors did not give up. They managed to narrow the score to a few points. After a long rally for the last point, the seniors won 25-23. After a short break, the second set began. The seniors came out strong and took the lead, 7-0. The juniors added a few points to the scoreboard, but the seniors had the momentum to keep scoring. Frustration was evident on both sides as players began to tire. The second set ended with a score of 25-16. With previous wins from both the junior and senior classes at the Powderpuff and buff tournaments, next year it’s anyone’s game – but one thing is for sure, both the juniors and seniors are sure to bring their best! Veritas junior/senior rivalry boasts two winners Funds made from the Powderpuff and Powderbuff games were donated to Phoenix Children’s Hospital. PHOTO COURTESY OF VERITAS PREP

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