Anthony Azzano supported mental health in Newport community
Originally from Ontario, Canada, accounting major Anthony Azzano ’23 took a chance on Salve Regina by committing to play for the men’s ice hockey team without ever visiting campus. While here, he gave above and beyond to the local community.
Joining the hockey team
Assistant coach Chris Davis was looking for defensemen and spoke with a coach in Ontario who told him that Azzano played a tough, two-way game.
“It was an absolute pleasure to recruit him, and we specifically told him that the island was his for four years and to make sure to leave a big footprint behind,” Davis said. “Anthony exceeded all expectations that we had for him as a coaching staff, and he has left his mark on the young but impressive history of Salve ice hockey and its contributions to the Newport community.”
Azzano was voted captain of the men’s ice hockey team and received the Seahawk Service Award in 2021 for his work in the Newport community. He volunteered with the Newport Whalers youth hockey U12 team, participated in cleanups with Clean Ocean Access, helped with fundraising for the NOSOLO apparel company, and planned and organized events as part of the Student Athlete Advisory Committee.
He even helped the men’s ice hockey team raise over $10,000 for mental health awareness.
Salve Hockey Mental Health Night
One of Azzano’s biggest accomplishments was the mental health initiative he created called “Salve Hockey Mental Health Night.”
He brought together Salve Regina students, faculty and the Newport community for a special night over the past two years to bring awareness to mental health. Some team members had experienced depression and anxiety themselves and had witnessed mental illness and suicides among friends. They wanted to bring the discussion of mental health out in the open to help bridge the gap.
“My goal started small – to help at least a handful of people and make sure those who are struggling are heard and seen by the Salve community,” Azzano said. “Every year, I found myself more inspired to make it grow after seeing the benefits it has to the Newport community as a whole.”
Azzano thanked everyone who supported him while creating this fundraiser and appreciates the positive feedback he received from his teammates, students, faculty and alumni. He knows he couldn’t have done it alone.
“This annual event has meant the most to me throughout my college experience,” Azzano said. “As my time at Salve comes to a close, I really hope this special event will continue and influence other sports at Salve to have their own mental health nights.”
Pursuing a career post-graduation
Azzano hopes to work in the finance, investment or insurance industry in New England or back home in Ontario. “My education at Salve Regina will bring great skills that translate well into the workplace because of learning in small classroom sizes while having professors that are student-first and caring,” he said.
Azzano credits business faculty Samuel Sacco and Dr. Brian Leite as having the greatest impact on him. “Both have been persistent in helping me find career-related opportunities and showing a genuine sense of compassion for their students like myself,” he said.
When asked what advice he would give to students starting off at Salve Regina just like he did four years ago, Azzano says to choose wisely and not to rush into any program. “Take advantage of everything this island offers,” he said. “Salve is a deeply connected school, and if you spend your college experience the right way, the benefits are endless.”
Written by student writer Morgan Rizzo ’23
