The best thing about the amateur level of athletics is that the competitors are never too humble to say a simple “thank you.”

For instance, take the case of Daniel Webster College pitcher Syed Ali, a fifth-year senior from Dracut, Mass.

A year ago this time, Ali was despondent. His pitching shoulder had given out on him, and it looked like his career was done.

But thanks to the help of doctors, trainers and coaches, as well as past and present DWC athletic administration, Ali has come back strong. He’s returned with not only an extra year of eligibility but a successful one.

He’s 4-0, with a 1.27 earned run average on the mound for the Eagles. It was a year of sifting through red tape, going to physical therapy sessions, and getting in shape to play the game.

First, Ali is grateful for the work of former DWC athletic director Robin Seidman, who made sure the proper procedures were followed with the NCAA to allow for another year of eligibility.

“I give him a lot of credit, he helped a lot,” Ali said. “He reassured me that I would be given that chance.”

The other key people in Ali’s recovery that he wants to thank are Boston physical therapists Peter Harris and John Lopes. Every off day Ali would trek to a Boston hospital to retrain that shoulder to throw.

“It was a lot of work but they stuck with me and reassured me that I would be able to pitch again,” said Ali, who also gave a huge amount of credit to DWC’s head trainer Charlie Barfeltz.

Ali also is grateful for the support from his parents and his girlfriend. But the bond he has enjoyed with head coach J.P. Pyne, his staff, and his teammates also was a big deal to him.

“I can’t tell you how important that was for me,” he said. “My teammates and coaches knew, and I really wanted to get back out there for them and end my college career with them.”

Ali is a microcosm of a season in which just about everything has gone right for the Eagles. He was despondent last year when he had to miss out on the program’s first-ever NCAA tournament experience. But if things keep going the way they are, the Eagles have a great shot to make it two years in a row. They are 12-2 in the NECC, should be able to host the conference tourney, and are 19-6 overall. They may be the state’s best Division III baseball team.

Ali wants to help the Eagles do all of the above.

“It just means so much to me to give back,” he said.

He’s making the most of a second chance he doesn’t take lightly. You have to love the attitude.

Men’s volleyball on the rise

Speaking of the Eagles, while the Rivier University men’s volleyball team heads to the NCAAs later this week, the DWC program continues to make strides.

It just enjoyed its best season ever, with the pride of Kane’ohe, Hawaii, Joel Hendrix, being named New England Collegiate Conference Player of the Year and head coach Braden Zamore garnering Coach of the Year honors.

The Eagles, who were in Troy, N.Y., this past weekend to compete in the ECAC Division III championships, finished 10-2 in the NECC and were 15-12 overall. Under Zamore, they’ve gone 16-8 the past two years in the NECC.

Men’s volleyball is on the rise, that’s for certain – especially in this area.

Patriots still a network favorite

Well, it seems the national networks can’t get enough of the New England Patriots, doesn’t it? Five nationally televised primetime games, at least before the NBC flexing is allowed later in the season?

The matchups look good. Two are at Gillette, the Thursday night game with the Jets on Sept. 12 that follows the season opener just four days earlier at Buffalo, and the Nov. 24 Sunday Night game with Denver – Peyton Manning and Wes Welker – in for a stop.

There are three on the road, an ESPN Monday Night game at Carolina on Nov. 18, and NBC Sunday nighters at Atlanta on Sept. 29 and Baltimore on Dec. 22. If the Ravens aren’t contenders – quite possible given some of their changes – that one could be flexed back to a day game.

But the country will have its fill of Brady and Belichick, that’s for sure.

Tom King can be reached at 594-6468 or tking@nashuatelegraph.com. Also, follow King on Twitter (@Telegraph_TomK).

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