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...

The men’s basketball team recently closed a season that was not only the most successful in recent memory, but also one of the best in program history. The Yeomen finished with a 15–12 record, one win shy of tying the school record for total wins in a season. This campaign was also the team’s first winning season since 1991–92. In addition, the team upset DePauw University in the North Coast Athletic Conference quarterfinals for the program’s first conference tournament win since 1992.
“I am happy that our team was able to reach some notable milestones like having a winning record and winning in the conference tournament,” Head Men’s Basketball Coach Isaiah Cavaco wrote in an email to the Review. “It is nice that we can send this senior class off with some accolades.”
The six-man class of fourth-years will graduate as one of the most decorated in school history, both as a group and as individuals. Christian Fioretti, Dre Campbell, and Josh Friedkin all scored over 1,000 career points, placing them in the top 30 in program history. Fioretti also became the school’s all-time leader in assists, securing All-NCAC Second Team honors. Cavaco understands that this fourth-year class won’t be easily replaced, but he is optimistic about the future.
“We have some really capable, developing players that didn’t get a chance to show their talents during games because of our upper classes being so prevalent in our rotation,” Cavaco wrote. “I am excited to watch them take the fight I saw every day in practice into games next season. “There will definitely be a different feel to our team since that senior group took on big roles early in their careers, but our expectations are to keep the program moving in an upward trajectory.”

Men’s Basketball Puts Season Into History Books

March 6, 2020

Last week, the Oberlin men’s and women’s varsity basketball teams partnered with the Multicultural Resource Center to host Love Always Wins, a Pride event. Team members wore rainbow shoelaces at their games against the Allegheny College Gators in Philips gym. Rainbow sunglasses were also sold at the venue for $1, with all proceeds going to the Trevor Project, a non-profit organization focused on suicide prevention for youth in the LGBTQ+ community. Additionally, the Athletics department recognized all faculty and staff members in attendance.
“It was great,” said College third-year and men’s basketball player Jordan Armstrong. “I think that both teams here really are proud of our identity as Oberlin students and the environment that we foster here for all students, being proud of all genders, sexualities, and ways of life. It felt really good for me and all of my teammates to be able to compete as proud athletes.”
These games came off the heels of an important statement made by former NBA superstar Dwyane Wade, who announced that his 12-year-old daughter, Zaya, came out as transgender. The impact of Wade’s statement is covered on page 16 of this issue (“The Wade Family’s Positive Influence”).
Both teams are approaching the end of their seasons and will play their final home games Saturday, Feb. 22. See the women’s and men’s teams compete at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m., respectively.

Varsity Basketball Teams Raise LGBTQ+ Awareness

February 21, 2020

College fourth-years Jasmine Sorrells and Cheyenne Arthur.

New Dynamic Duo Steps in to Lead Yeowoman Basketball

February 21, 2020

In all college sport programs, filling leadership roles after star players depart is a source of stress. The Oberlin College women’s basketball team faced this issue after captains and star basketball players Alex Stipano, and Liv Canning, both OC ’19, graduated last year Stipano, a guard, finished last season averaging 11.5 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 2.0 assists per game, and earned All-North Coast Athletic Conference her third and fourth years. Canning ended her final season averaging 1...

The sixth annual “Play Like a Girl” sports clinic took place Feb. 9. Girls aged five to 12 worked with Oberlin’s student-athletes to learn how to play soccer, softball, basketball, volleyball, lacrosse, and field hockey. The goal of the event was to show young girls that sports can be enjoyed by everyone and, through Oberlin student-athletes to, provide strong female role models. College second-year and varsity softball player Cat Moruzzi enjoys the regular event because it reminds her of how she started playing sports at a young age.
“It is important to make girls feel like they have power in such male-dominated activities from a young age,” she said. “Many life lessons can come from sports, so if girls learn the importance of confidence and perseverance from a young age, they will be able to conquer any obstacle in front of them.”

“Play Like a Girl” Seeks to Provide Role Models

February 14, 2020

Christian Fioretti: Men’s Basketball’s Selfless Leader

February 7, 2020

As a first-year, Christian Fioretti, now a fourth-year guard on the men’s basketball team, started in only three of 25 games. That modest start to his college career has led him to become an incredible team leader, and — in his final season — Fioretti has started in 72 straight games for the Yeomen. “When [Christian] got to Oberlin, I think he felt a lack of security with what his role was and would ultimately become,” said Head Men’s Basketball Coach Isaiah Cavaco. “Having played smal...

Fourth-Year Josh Friedkin Joins Oberlin’s 1,000 Club

December 13, 2019

Reaching 1,000 career points is one of the most exclusive milestones a college basketball player can achieve. Over the course of Oberlin men’s basketball history, only 26 players have accomplished this impressive feat. Last year, Eli Silverman-Lloyd, OC ’19, became the 25th player to hit 1,000 career points. College fourth- year Dre Campbell is looking to be the 27th player to reach this mark. His teammate, College fourth-year Josh Friedkin, became the 26th member of this exclusive club las...

This past Saturday, both the men’s and women’s basketball teams ushered in the holiday season with their annual Holiday Hoops double-header, which featured back-to-back face-offs against the Tigers of DePauw University. College second-year Sammy Spanier, pictured above, led the Yeowomen’s effort with 15 points, but both men’s and women’s teams left with losses. However, spirits remained high due to a number of holiday-themed festivities, such as cookie decorating, an ugly sweater picture with Oberlin’s albino squirrel mascot Yeobie, gift wrapping for Helping Hands Donations, and knockout games during halftime.

“Being able to play in such an exciting and fun atmosphere is always one of the best experiences a student-athlete can have,” College fourth-year and women’s basketball player Cheyanne Arthur said.

Varsity Basketball Teams Celebrate Holiday Hoops

December 13, 2019

College fourth-year Dre Campbell goes up against a defender on the way to the basket.

In The Locker Room with Dre Campbell, Basketball Captain and Vlogger

December 6, 2019

College fourth-year and varsity basketball player Andre “Dre” Campbell can be spotted traversing far stretches of campus, from the basketball court where he holds the position of team captain all the way to the art building. One unexpected place where the Sociology major and Studio Art minor can be found is on YouTube. Campbell has uploaded 28 vlogs to his channel, Fashodre, detailing his daily life and varsity basketball career at Oberlin. Born and raised in San Francisco, Campbell is look...

Grace Burns, Varsity Soccer and Basketball Player

November 22, 2019

Hailing from Boston, College first-year Grace Burns has entered Oberlin as a member of not one, but two varsity athletic teams. Most athletes compete for sports that are separated by a winter off-season. Burns, however, is a member of both the women’s soccer and basketball teams, which overlap as fall and winter sports. While many have told her that she is being overly ambitious, Burns insists that she loves the sports enough to muster the energy to pursue them full-time. This interview...

College third-year Jordan Armstrong defends the basket.

Yeomen Fall to Yale, Defeat NYU

November 15, 2019

When athletes come to Oberlin College, not many of them expect to compete against Division I programs. However, Oberlin’s men’s varsity basketball team opened with an exhibition contest at Division I Yale University last week. This was followed the next day by their opening game against New York University, NCAA Division III. While the team suffered a defeat against Yale University (37–94), they went on to win against NYU (76–62). On the court, the team conducts themselves wit...

President Carmen Twillie Ambar on the field at halftime of the Homecoming football game.

Oberlin Celebrates Homecoming Weekend

October 11, 2019

The campus seemed to be abuzz with energy from students and non-students alike when Homecoming Weekend approached. Homecoming Weekend is always a time for members of the Oberlin College and community to come together. Whether it is families coming to Oberlin to watch their student-athlete perform on the field or alumni visiting old friends, there is always something that draws people to Oberlin’s campus. The festivities began Friday with the Heisman Club’s annual Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony...