BCC to Host Women's Volleyball Letter of Intent Signing Press Conference

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Berkshire Community College (BCC) will officially launch its new athletics program with its first Women's Volleyball Letter of Intent signing ceremony and press conference on Thursday, April 24, at 3:45 p.m. at the Paterson Field House gymnasium.

High school athletes Hannah Burrows from Wahconah Regional High School, Maya Creamer from Miss Hall's School, Jazmine Gregory from Hoosac Valley High School, and Jasmin Aslan from Taconic High School will sign their letters of intent to join BCC's inaugural Women's Volleyball team for the fall 2025 semester. The college will also launch its first Men's Baseball team in spring 2026. Both sports will compete in the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) against other Massachusetts community colleges and schools across the Northeast.

New volleyball head coach Evaguel Rhysing will discuss her vision for the BCC Falcons volleyball team this fall. Michael Muscato, the new baseball head coach, will also be present to discuss recruitment for the spring 2026 baseball team.

"We're reaching out to any athletes who want to continue playing volleyball or baseball and take advantage of the benefits of free community college," said Daryl Shreve, director of recreational services at the college. "Now that we're in the NJCAA league, our students can seamlessly transfer to their school of choice without missing a beat. It's a win-win."

Rhysing has already hired former Mount Greylock volleyball player Chelsea Garrison as an assistant coach for the Falcons volleyball program. The team's first game will be a home game on Sept. 11 against Massasoit Community College.

BCC is experiencing record enrollment thanks to free community college for Massachusetts residents without a bachelor's degree. Students who qualify can attend BCC for a more affordable education and continue playing competitive sports. Fall classes begin on Tuesday, Sept. 2, 2025.

For more information about the college's athletics program, visit www.berkshirecc.edu/athletics.

Summer Wrapping Up for Pittsfield, Berkshire Students

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
05:19PM / Sunday, August 23, 2026

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Students in Pittsfield and beyond are enjoying their last days of summer before classes begin. 

Most Berkshire County teachers return to work this month, and students follow in late August and early September. 

For Pittsfield Public Schools, staff returns on Aug. 26 and students' first day is Aug. 31; pre-kindergarten and kindergarten begin school on Sept. 2. 

Labor Day is on Monday, Sept. 7. 

"The summer is pretty much done, and we will be ready and excited to open the doors in about two and a half weeks,” Superintendent Latifah Phillips told the School Committee on Wednesday. 

Phillips is returning this year as the permanent superintendent.  She was appointed the interim superintendent last spring, and the School Committee voted to hire her permanently in June. 

This year also brings the middle school restructuring, moving fifth grade to the middle school level, and the retirement of Morningside Community School. 

Welcome night for Reid Middle School students new to the building is on Aug. 18 at 6 p.m.; Herberg will have a sixth-grade welcome night at 5:30 p.m. on Aug. 25, and at the same time on Aug. 26 for fifth grade.