On Saturday, March 22, 2025, Farmingdale State College’s (FSC) campus community joined a packed UBS Arena for the College’s second FSC Day at the New York Islanders.   

Nearly 200 FSC campus community members, including President Robert S. Prezant, PhD, alumni, students, faculty, staff, family, and friends traveled to the Elmont, NY arena for a thrilling afternoon National Hockey League (NHL) game of the Islanders verses Canada’s Calgary Flames.  

Event attendees enjoyed sports entertainment, FSC festivities and swag--including a specially designed green and white scarf—student Fanboni rides, an inspiring FSC video broadcast on the main jumbotron, a spectacular FSC themed digital ribbon looped around the stadium, and an exclusive on-ice post-game photo opportunity.  

“It feels great seeing FSC represented at such a big event,” said Stacy Papantoniou, ’22, a sports management graduate who is now a physical education teacher and women’s basketball coach at FSC.   

“We are Islanders fans, we’ve been to six or seven games and love watching them on TV,” said Christina Elia, ’22, a business management graduate who now works for the New York State Department of Education as a paraprofessional. “I’m excited to see Farmingdale here today,” added Elia, who attended with Papantoniou. The friends met on campus through their Greek-lettered organization participation (Sigma Delta Tau) and were dorm roommates.  

“Farmingdale has always been welcoming,” said Papantoniou. “Everywhere we went, we always found something to do around campus and there were always opportunities to be included. I miss it!” 

Islanders fan Jack Campon, ’27, a security systems major, said the event marked his 13th Islander game, including FSC Day at the New York Islanders 2024.  

“Islanders game and the school I go to--I get to support both of them,” he said. “All the different kinds of events offered, that’s what I most like about Farmingdale.” 

“This event is a great way to connect the campus and get everybody involved,” said Zackary Gopie, ’27, an electrical engineering technology major. “I’ve never been to a hockey game before so seeing that this was posted online got me really interested and I thought it would be a cool experience. It’s very exciting hearing the win horn,” he added. “I’ve never heard that big of a horn before for a score.” 

For Zaara Alam, ’28, a criminal justice major who attended with three of her campus friends, the off-campus event was also her first hockey game.  

“I’m enjoying the game,” she said. “It’s an interesting sport; it is really hard.” Alam shared that she appreciated the arena’s fun “vibes,” and her favorite part of the whole experience was the concessions, most notably the chicken fingers and fries.  

“My favorite part is they scored two goals already!” said Kelsey Gallagher, ’25, a business management major, during the first period intermission. The Islanders later moved ahead 3-2 near the end of the third period, but the Flames quickly tied it, pushing the game into overtime where the Flames defeated the Islanders 4-3. 

“I think it’s really fun and it’s a great way to be around your fellow peers outside of campus,” added Gallagher, who attended with a friend. “We came last year and had a great time, so we wanted to come again. I like the music and the hype, especially when goals happen. And I’m excited for the photo on the ice after the game. I’ve been very happy attending Farmingdale and all the opportunities it’s offered.” 

“I think this is a pretty cool opportunity to visit a world class arena,” said Rocco Law, ’25, a business communications and management major. “As a Farmingdale student, it’s a good opportunity to get out and network and just experience the day as a whole.  

“I’m actually a Rangers fan, but I crossed the lines today! New York teams, I always try to come out for them,” added Law, who shared that he also attended game four of the World Series with FSC’s Sports Management Club as part of a Major League Baseball event to recognize the Stand Up to Cancer Foundation.  

“That was a great experience as well, I got to see my Yankees,” he said. “At Farmingdale, all the opportunities are there, you just have to look for them.” 

View more photos from FSC Day at the New York Islanders 2025 on our Flickr Gallery. 

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