Sarena Malsin, Sports Editor
April 22, 2016
Filed under SPORTS, Sports Editorials & Features
In the ongoing debate over whether countries outside Western Europe or North America should host international sporting events like the Olympics and the World Cup, two conflicting points emerge. On one hand, the international nature of these competitions should reflect and represent the entire world, not just countries with the most power or global representation. But on the other, what is the cost? The economies and political structures of many potential non-Western host countries may not be able to support these events.
Recent catastrophes in Brazil, with about three months left until the 2016 Summer Olympics is scheduled to begin in Rio de Janeiro, are bringing this hosting debate back to the surface — especially...
Randy Ollie, Sports Editor
April 22, 2016
Filed under SPORTS, Sports Editorials & Features
Student-athletes gathered at the Knowlton Athletics Complex Monday night for Oberlin’s first One Love Escalation Workshop. One Love Foundation was started in 2010 after Yeardley Love, a senior lacrosse player at the University of Virginia, was beaten to death by her ex-boyfriend three weeks shy of graduation. Love’s parents started the foundation with the goal of increasing awareness about relationship violence and outlining the hallmarks of healthy relationships.
The workshop began with a film screening on the escalation of violence in relationships. The film begins with what first appears to be a healthy relationship. Different kinds of scenarios are depicted, many of which reflect ways in which young adult...
Randy Ollie, Sports Editor
April 15, 2016
Filed under SPORTS, Sports Editorials & Features
Wednesday night was one many fans of the National Basketball Association will never forget.
Not only did the Golden State Warriors break the 1995–1996 Chicago Bulls’ regular season record of 72 wins by defeating the Memphis Grizzlies 125–104, but prolific point guard Stephen Curry broke his own single-season record of made three-pointers by tallying his 400th in the third quarter. Simultaneously, iconic shooting guard Kobe Bryant scored 60 points in his final game as a Los Angeles Laker, marking the sixth time in his storied career that he has scored 60 or more points in a game. Furthermore, Bryant’s efforts helped the Lakers defeat the Utah Jazz 101–96, effectively capping a tumultuous...
Sarena Malsin, Sports Editor
April 8, 2016
Filed under SPORTS, Sports Editorials & Features
This might be a shocking statement to throw down, so bear with me here: The professional sports world is rife with sexism. Recently, the U.S. Women’s National Team, already known for speaking out against homophobia and various unfair sporting practices, did something about it.
On Wednesday, March 30, five popular, professional soccer players on the USWNT — goalkeeper Hope Solo, co-captains Carli Lloyd and Becky Sauerbrunn, forward Alex Morgan and midfielder Megan Rapinoe — filed a federal complaint to accuse U.S. Soccer, the U.S.’s soccer governing body, of wage discrimination. On top of having to use inferior facilities and being generally overlooked by an organization created to ensure regularity and safety...
Randy Ollie, Sports Editor
April 1, 2016
Filed under SPORTS, Sports Editorials & Features
While the next World Cup is more than two years away, the United States is in desperate need for a team identity, as well as a consistent starting lineup.
After a disappointing 2–0 loss to Guatemala last week by the United States Men’s National Team, American soccer fans were left scratching their heads in a state of utter bewilderment. Even disregarding that Guatemala was ranked 95th in the world in comparison to the USMNT’s ranking at 32nd, the United States looked completely out of sorts. Playing an unconventional lineup with only two midfielders and starting two players who see little to no time on their respective professional teams, the USMNT showcased all the symptoms of a team lacking any kind...
Sarena Malsin, Sports Editor
March 11, 2016
Filed under SPORTS, Sports Editorials & Features
At a Valdosta State University rally on Feb. 29, yet another public endorsement fell into Trump’s small, small hands — this time from Brian France, chairman and CEO of NASCAR. In a statement to Sports Blog Nation, a NASCAR spokeswoman assured audiences that the endorsement was France’s “private decision,” but those words do little to erase the connection between NASCAR and Trump that France’s statement inevitably formed in fans’ minds.
As part of his endorsement, France spoke of his longstanding relationship with Trump and Trump’s good relationship with his own family, while three other big names in NASCAR — Bill Elliot, Chase Elliot and Ryan Newman — stood behind him in apparent support. This...
March 11, 2016
Last Monday, the Department of Athletics and Physical Education introduced its new “quiet hours” for the Philips gym weight room every Monday through Friday during the hours of 9–11 a.m. and 1–3 p.m. Some Philips patrons saw the measure as a step too far in regulating gym use, while others didn’t think it was enough.
The pilot system, referred to as The Zen Zone, bars varsity workouts from taking place and music played through the weight room speakers during those times.
“With an...
March 4, 2016
Oberlin’s first home tournament — aptly titled Ch. 33: Fight and Flight — included games against Ashland University, West Virginia University, Case Western Reserve University and Carnegie Mellon University this past weekend. Oberlin finished the tournament 0–4, while Carnegie Mellon University posted a perfect 4–0, making them the undisputed champions. While Carnegie Mellon was the overall tournament winner, Oberlin finished the competition with the highest number of snitch catches....
March 4, 2016
Organized sports definitely have their allure. Beside the stress release of physical activity, you get the community of a team, the drive and motivation of a coach and the adrenaline from an organized competition. However, this all comes at the cost of pressure, extensive time commitment and often physical strain, all of which can sour the pure joy of running around outside and playing sports for some who prefer a more relaxed environment.
For those people, there are intramural sports. Intramural...
Randy Ollie, Sports Editor
March 4, 2016
Filed under SPORTS, Sports Editorials & Features
With the Major League Baseball preseason in full swing, baseball fans across the country are gearing up for what looks to be another competitive and exciting year for America’s favorite pastime. Along with the excitement and jubilation that precede the start of the regular season this summer, another feeling has been permeating throughout Chicago’s north side: hope.
Chicago Cubs fans have plenty of reasons to be hopeful after a 2015 season that was chock-full of accolades and accomplishments. In his MLB debut, third baseman Kris Bryant was named MLB Rookie of the Year, while manger Joe Maddon was named MLB Manager of the Year after only one season with the Cubs. Ace pitcher Jake Arrieta was also honored...
February 26, 2016
Fresh off of a North Coast Athletic Player of the Week selection earlier in the month, sophomore Michael Drougas had an impressive weekend against Division II University of Findlay. The Salem, VA, native helped the Yeomen clinch an early 2–1 lead Sunday afternoon when he and his doubles partner sophomore Robert Gittings defeated their opponents 8–4. Later, Drougas secured a crucial singles win, defeating John Kidd 6–4 and 6–2 to claim the match to Kidd’s only win of 6–3. Last week, Drougas...
Sarena Malsin, Sports Editor
February 26, 2016
Filed under SPORTS, Sports Editorials & Features
This Friday, it will finally be time for FIFA to elect a new president to replace Sepp Blatter at the special FIFA congress in Zurich. Finally. FIFA, arguably the world’s most powerful international sports organization, has developed a reputation for corruption and dysfunctionality with incredibly slow and ineffective solutions.
Blatter was the embodiment — and, in many cases, the origin — of FIFA’s corrupt legacy. He began the mess that was his reign in 1998. Three years later, he engaged in what FIFA representatives innocently called “clumsy” conduct in 2001 that bankrupted FIFA’s marketing partner, the company International Sport and Leisure, likely because of kickbacks to FIFA executives that amounted...
