The Oberlin Review

WNBA's Washington Mystics kneeling and wearing T-shirts printed with seven bullet holes to protest the police shooting of Jacob Blake. Courtesy of Slate.com.

The WNBA Won’t Be Ignored

September 4, 2020

When the Washington Mystics came to their Aug. 26 game each wearing shirts with seven bullet holes in the back, viewers were reminded that the Black Lives Matter Movement is not something that can be ignored or forgotten, even on the basketball court. The Mystics announced they would not be playing that day in honor of Jacob Blake, the Wisconsin Black man who was shot seven times by police. By this point, social media was abuzz as the NBA’s Milwaukee Bucks said they were striking, just hou...

Club Sport Teams Plan Antiracism Programming in Response to Criticism

Zoë Martin del Campo, Sports Editor

August 17, 2020

Some of Oberlin’s club sport teams are working to address racism in their communities and create safe spaces for Black, Indigenous, and students of color — particularly for Black athletes on predominantly white teams. These efforts come after nationwide Black Lives Matter protests and conversations surrounding racism rejuvenating mainstream focus on racial injustice. Zoe Hecht, College fourth-year and captain of the Oberlin Preying Manti women and trans Ultimate Frisbee team, has worked this past summer with her co-captains and the College to prepare for conversations surrounding race and anti-racism work. “We’re working with an administrator from the College to learn effective facilitation skills and wi...

Preying Manti Captain Abby Cheng, OC ’20, Wins Donovan Award

June 25, 2020

Despite the disappointment of seeing their 2020 season cut short, the Preying Manti, Oberlin’s women and trans Ultimate Frisbee team, celebrated good news last month when fifth-year captain Abby Cheng was awarded the prestigious Donovan Award on May 19. The award is presented annually by Ultiworld to Ultimate Frisbee players nominated and chosen by their peers for exceptional athleticism, sportsmanship, and leadership on and off the field. Cheng is the recipient of the fourth annual Donovan...

Oberlin Fencing Club hosting United States Fencing Association tournament in Hales Gym.

Oberlin’s Oldest Club Sport Sees Arrival of New Members

December 13, 2019

The Oberlin Fencing Club, also known as the Oberlin College Flaming Blades, is the oldest club sport at Oberlin. Since its founding in 1929, the club has attracted fencers of all skill levels to join its growing community. Several members grew up fencing, while others were introduced to the sport through the fencing ExCo. In addition to traveling around Ohio to compete, the team hosts United States Fencing Association tournaments in Hales Gym every semester. College second-year and vice president of th...

College fourth-year Charlie Rinehart-Jones in the middle of a Magic: The Gathering Pro Tour Competition. Photo Courtesy of Charlie Reinhart-Jones

Oberlin’s Magic: The Gathering Team Ranked Within U.S. Top 10

December 6, 2019

One of Oberlin College’s most successful sports teams does not practice at the gymnasium. They do not need sneakers, cleats, or any special attire to compete. Their sport does not require physical contact with anything inanimate or living, except with a deck of cards or a computer. Oberlin’s unofficial Magic: The Gathering team was recently ranked the fourth-best collegiate Magic team out of over 70 colleges or universities competing in the Collegiate StarLeague’s first ever Magic ...

On any given day, many of Oberlin’s club sports teams that compete outside — such as club soccer, rugby, frisbee, and quidditch — can be found in North Fields.

However, North Fields becomes inaccessible with the arrival of Ohio’s frigid winter months, when temperatures can drop below zero and snow and ice almost always covers the ground. To avoid the chill, club sports teams will often move their practices into Williams Field House. The space is also used by varsity sports teams, which take priority. As a result, some club sports frequently start practice as late as midnight — like the club soccer team pictured above.

“Late night soccer is great because the energy is different from our regular [afternoon] practices,” said Laila Telles, College fourth-year and club soccer team captain. “I think everyone feels more loose and comfortable and we all laugh even more than usual. [The fact] that we will play soccer at any time of day shows how dedicated we are.”

Club Teams Maintain High Attendance, Even at Midnight Practices

December 6, 2019

Oberlin Welcomes Trustee-Student 5k Fun Run Tradition

Maranda Phillips

October 4, 2019

This weekend, Obie alum will make their way back to campus for Homecoming weekend, a tradition centered around the Oberlin community com- ing together to celebrate varsity sports. With the arrival of alumni from various class years, Oberlin students have the opportunity to catch up with old friends and make new connections. Additionally, the Board of Trustees gathered this week for one of their four annual meetings. Currently, the board comprises 30 members with different professions and skills. However, they are not only meeting to discuss the future and welfare of Oberlin — on Friday morning, students had the opportunity to participate in a jog with two trustees: David E. Shipley, OC ’72, and Sea...

The Most Intense Club Sport You Probably Have Never Heard Of: Oberlin Cycling

Zoë Martin del Campo, Contributing Sports Editor

September 13, 2019

It is common to see students cycling casually around campus, but there are also some students who take this traditionally-viewed leisure activity one step further. The Oberlin Cycling Club has built a strong intramural presence over the past four years, introducing Obies of all skill levels to the world of collegiate bike racing. While the Oberlin Cycling Club has existed for many years, it was College fourth-years Eamonn Schnell and Adam Fulcher, who serve as the club treasurer and president, respectively, who revamped the team. “[The club] was a little bit more disorganized in the past,” said Schnell. “Adam [and I], our [first] year — I guess we’re pretty big racers, [so we] got together and started up a...

Preying Manti Win National Title

May 24, 2019

The Preying Manti, Oberlin’s women and trans Ultimate Frisbee team, won the 2019 national championship title in College Station, TX, with a 13–7 win over the No. 1-seeded Bates College on May 18. Oberlin overcame the odds, as they entered the game as the sixth overall seed. They returned to campus to a surprise celebration organized by the Flying Horsecows — the men’s team — and the Preying Manti’s B team. “The Preying Manti symbolize Oberlin’s mission of learning and l...

The intramural softball league provides an opportunity for non-varsity athletes to stay active and engage in a low-commitment afternoon activity, but many varsity athletes and retired student-athletes also take advantage of the relaxed yet competitive atmosphere this spring.

IM Softball Builds Community and Competitive Spirit

May 3, 2019

Every year shortly after spring break, students emerge from their dorm rooms and fill Wilder Bowl, Tappan Square, and the Arb with hammocks, frisbees, and picnic blankets. However, for intramural softball enthusiasts from all corners of campus, the surest sign that spring has sprung is the crack of a bat and loud cheers coming from North Fields, where the intramural league plays its games. The league, which kicks its season off at the start of spring second module, brings together varsity...

College first-years Mars Quintero and Caroline Polito practice in Hales Gymnasium. The club has fostered a tight-knit community on campus for 45 years.

Over Four Decades of Oberlin’s Club Aikido

April 12, 2019

In the basement of Hales Gymnasium, just below the basketball court, Club Aikido members can be found rolling and falling on mats for a couple of hours every weekend. While most know only of its takedowns and classic all-white uniforms, Aikido — often translated as “the way of harmonious spirit” — is a Japanese martial art centered around conflict resolution. The club has fostered a tight-knit community at Oberlin for nearly 50 years. “It tends to be a very all-inclusive marti...

Senior President Sam Paul is the only senior and four-year player for the Gruffs, the men’s club rugby team. The team plays its final matches of the season tomorrow in a tournament with Kenyon College, Tiffin University, and Taylor University.

Gruffs Gear-Up For Fall Tournament

November 9, 2018

The North Fields are not a pleasant place to be on an early autumn afternoon. They’re hot, sticky, and full of bugs. Somehow, this is exactly where the Gruffs — Oberlin College’s men’s club rugby team — find themselves every Tuesday and Thursday. By mid-September, most club rugby teams will be working on rucks — situations where when a tackled player goes to ground, they must release the ball immediately and each team fights for possession of the ball — advanced line-out maneuvers...