LIVIN’ THEIR BEST LIFE: NEC Alumni Update (Karinchak, Fish, Jerome)
![James Karinchak [Photo: @AkronRubberDuck]](https://necovertime.files.wordpress.com/2019/06/karinchak-akron.jpg?w=567&h=378 "karinchak akron")
![Lorenzo Jerome [Photo: @49ers]](https://necovertime.files.wordpress.com/2019/06/jerome-youtube-49ers.jpg?w=285&h=160 "jerome youtube 49ers")
Their collegiate playing days are long gone, but numerous Northeast Conference alumni are actively enjoying professional careers in sports.
In addition to those who are competing at the pro level, there are plenty of NEC alumni who have made their marks in different sectors of the sports industry.
Heading into Summer 2019, we take a look at three NEC alumni who are currently livin’ their best life in the world of sport….
K-arinchak Baffling Batters
He’s currently on the 7-day injured list with a hamstring strain, but that setback isn’t nearly enough to dampen the dazzling numbers that former Bryant hurler James Karinchak has registered on the mound this season.
Following 10 scoreless appearances out of the bullpen for Akron (AA), Karinchak moved up to the International League (AAA) where he proceeded to strike out eight batters in his first 3.0 innings of work. He has allowed only five hits and three walks while fanning THIRTY-TWO batters in 13.0 innings this spring. Spanning three levels of minor league ball, Karinchak went 4-2 with a 1.29 ERA and 14 saves over 42 appearances in 2018.
The former NEC Pitcher of the Year (2016) was selected in the ninth round of the 2017 MLB Draft by the Cleveland Indians.
Fish to France for FIFA
From four enjoyable years in Brooklyn to an opportunity of a lifetime in France – it’s the journey of former LIU women’s footballer Erin Fish.
The Empire State product, who arrived on Dekalb Avenue in Fall 2012, earned NEC All-Academic honors during each of her four years at LIU. During the 2014-15 academic year, Fish traveled to Nicaragua to participate in Soccer Without Borders, a not-for-profit organization supporting globalization of education and other opportunities through soccer training.
Following her undergraduate career, she earned a Master’s degree from Syracuse’s Newhouse Sports Media Center. Fish, who served a stint as a MLB.com associate reporter for the Mets, was chosen by the International Sports Press Association (AIPS) to represent the United States in AIPS’s Young Reporters Program during October 2018.
Fewer than eight months later, the LIU alumna is covering the 2019 Women’s World Cup in France. Fish is the official US National Team digital reporter for FIFA.
Zo Won’t Stop
Lorenzo Jerome hasn’t let the setbacks stop him.
Saint Francis U’s former four-time all-NEC first team safety showed out at the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl and Reese’s Senior Bowl all-star games, but did not hear his name called in the 2017 NFL Draft.
Signing as an UDFA, he worked his way onto the San Francisco 49ers’ 53-man Opening Day roster later year. He was released midway through the season, but landed a preseason opportunity with the Seattle Seahawks in 2018.
Jerome would find himself as a causality of Seattle’s roster cut-down right before the start of the 2018 regular season.
Less than five months later, he resurfaced north of the border. He signed an entry-level CFL deal with the defending Grey Cup champion Calgary Stampeders and proceeded to secure a spot on the team’s active 46-man regular season roster.
Zo and the Stampeders kick off the new CFL season on June 15 against Ottawa.
