PLAYLIST
Sports
The toll of being a student athlete in college
By: Abigail Frye
Twitter: @Abigail_EF
Email: fryea@findlay.edu
Being a student and an athlete is never easy, as students and faculty at the University of Findlay both agree. With school and sports combining to make for a busy schedule, student athletes sometimes find it difficult to find the time for it all.
“The main struggle of being a student athlete is being able to balance out everything between games, practices, and school work and having enough time for it all,” said Ashton Kester, a sophomore Pre-vet major and UF softball player.
Kester says during the off season the softball team only practices two hours a week. During the spring season though, the players dedicate about three to four hours a day to their sport, including 5 a.m. practices.
“Sometimes I do feel like my sport comes before school, but not much,” Kester added.
Lelo Hess, a sophomore Pre-vet major and previous UF soccer player, also describes it hard to find time to do homework, especially while traveling. Hess explains the soccer team practices for about two and a half hours a day. Practices ranging from 5-8 a.m. were also normal.
Hess doesn’t feel as overwhelmed by the juggling act, as she’s always had to balance school and athletics. “Sometimes I did, but I was used to balancing my time, it really depended on the week,” said Hess.
Markell McCoy, a junior marketing major, says his football schedule is similar. He explains that classes take place between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m. with lifting before or during followed by meetings and practice until about 6:30 p.m.
Dr. Sarah Fedirka, an associate professor of English at the University, has seen student-athletes getoverwhelmed.
“Yes, without a doubt under the pressure of athletics,” said Fedirka.
Federika does want to see the athletes be successful both in their sport and in the classroom. “They need to be held to the same standards, but faculty should be flexible,” Fedirka said.
Fedirka also added that to help the students, faculty and coaches alike should give them clear expectations and affective advising with a good class schedule to work around their busy lives.
Students can also help themselves by talking to faculty in person and having good communication skills about when they will miss classes for a sport will help both the professor and the athlete according to Fedirka. Office hours are also a good way to reach busy professors and be proactive
“Try to stay on top of your work,” offered Fedirka.
Coach Ernst traditions
By: Dylan DeWitt
Twitter: @dd_witt
Email: dewittd@findlay.edu
There are more than enough traditions in college athletics. Whether it be a tradition done prior to the contest, during, or perhaps afterwards, college sports continue to showcase traditions from all different directions.
In Croy Gimnasium, a tradition after all home men’s basketball games was started in 2011 at the University of Findlay. When Coach Charlie Ernst became head coach of the program, he was looking for a chance to give back to the fans who continued to show full support. With that being said, “Ernst’s Esteem” was created.
Prior to gaining the position of head coach, Ernst was the assistant basketball coach at Findlay for 19 years. Throughout all of those years, Ernst watched fans give all their emotion and support to the team at games.
“I had been an Assistant Coach at UF for 19 years and had always felt like we never could thank our fans for their support if the season ended on the road in the post season,” said Ernst. “After some thought, I decided to thank the fans for their support after every game so that they truly knew the impact and appreciation that our program has for them.”
After every home game, the coaching staff and players walk through a line of fans exchanging hugs and handshakes sharing their gratitude of support. Coach Ernst touched on what it meant to him and the rest of the team.
“First and foremost, our players enjoy the interaction with fans and personally getting to know them,” he said. “I think it’s what makes small college basketball special – the access that fans can have with the athletes. When you feel like you know someone personally, you support them with passion and with loyalty through good times and bad.”
The tradition is one that seems to grow more and more too. In many sports, more often than not, fans will leave before the final buzzer goes off when the outcome becomes clear. However, not the fans of UF men’s basketball.
This is apparent to Ernst as well. “Many fans will stay till the buzzer sounds so that they can visit with the players after the game even if it is brief they will stay regardless of the score,” stated Ernst.
From families or season ticket holders, the student body, to first-time Findlay basketball viewers, the tradition is growing as Ernst career moves forward.
Chauncey Bridges takes one last knee to victory
By: Dylan DeWitt
Twitter: @dd_witt
Email: dewittd@findlay.edu
In athletics, there are ups and downs, victories and defeats, successes and failures. When you are a student-athlete, you never truly know when your last competition or practice may be, so giving everything your all should be within your mentality. This statement proved true for Chauncey Bridges one day during football practice.
Bridges, a senior from Farmington Hills, Mi., was primed and ready for his final season as an Oiler. Coming off a stellar year in 2016, and claiming all-region and all-conference honors, the 2017 season could not start any quicker for him to try and pick up where he left off.
Bridges would play in the first three games where he averaged just under 50 yards a game. After that, the scenario no athlete wants to happen, happened. On what seemed to be a normal day of practice, a blocking drill went wrong for the Oiler running back.
“During a blocking drill in practice I hit a teammate and lost feeling in my extremities for a moment,” said Bridges.
The team, staff, and trainers immediately knew something had happened. After a few days of waiting for the tests to come back, the diagnosis of a spinal stenosis came in. The athletic department and doctors talked it over and believed Bridges would no longer be able to play due to the high risk.
This news was tough to swallow, but it did not stop Bridges from being the best teammate he could be; possibly a contributing factor to the success of the Oilers this season. The Football team would make it to the Sweet Sixteen of the 2017 NCCA Division II Football Playoffs for the first time ever, along with setting many records and accomplishments along the way.
“This season was so memorable because of the players on the team, the brotherhood that has been forged through the countless hours of working with each other, and building each other up,” said Bridges. “It made it possible for us to live in the moment the entire season.”
The most memorable part of the season may have come on Senior Day. As the Oilers piled on the points and moved into victory formation on that Saturday afternoon, number 20 trotted onto the field to call the last play and take the final kneel. In that special moment, the ball snapped and emotions ran through Bridges more than ever before.
“After all the time I put in with my brothers working towards our goal, I had my season taken from me. It was hard, but I was able to keep my spirits up, and motivate my team anyway possible,” Bridges said.
Chauncey Bridges ended his career with 2,511 yards and 16 touchdowns as a four-year player at the University of Findlay. He will remember his memories here, and especially this year filled with its’ ups and downs.
“To be honored in that way on our Senior Night was absolutely amazing and I honestly can’t put into words the feelings I had. All I can say is that I don’t cry often at all, but in that moment, I couldn’t hold back a single tear,” said Bridges.
Oiler Athletics maintain momentum
By: Olivia Wile
Twitter: o_wile
Email: wileo@findlay.edu
It has been quite a controversial year for politics. From the election of President Donald J. Trump to the recent election in Alabama, the race for office remains interesting.
Last month, Doug Jones was elected senator of Alabama. This is the first time in over 20 years the state has named a Democratic senator.
In addition to the transition in power of political parties, the election also accumulated quite the controversy as sexual assault allegations emerged against Republican Candidate Roy Moore. However, University of Findlay Professor of History Mark Polelle, Ph.D explains that such claims were not the only influence on the election.
“I think the controversy definitely had to do with the sexual misconduct allegations against Moore,” Polelle said. “Even if these did not come up, Moore was already a controversial figure in Alabama.”
According to the Fox News article, “Roy Moore’s sexual assault allegations cloud Alabama special Senate election,” the initial allegations against Moore accused him of inappropriately touching a 14-year-old girl while in his 30s. This lead to additional women coming forward with their own sexual misconduct allegations against Moore.
Though being asked by multiple leading Republicans to step down from his campaign, President Trump and Former Chief Strategist Steve Bannon stood by him. Moore denied all claims and continued with the race.
“It seems that in the political arena, to say that something is not true is simply not good enough. So let me be clear. I have never provided alcohol to minors, and I have never engaged in sexual misconduct,” Moore remarked.
Along with Dr. Polelle, Fox states that Moore has been a controversial figure long before the allegations. In 2005, he stated that homosexual conducts should be illegal while also stating Muslims shouldn’t be able to serve in Congress. Moore also supported the claims that former President Barack Obama was not born in America.
As Jones went on to defeat Moore by about 20,000 votes, the question lies what will be next for the state of Alabama with this change in senate.
“The long-term significance is that the Bannon wing of the party is weakened while the McConnell establishment wing of the GOP is strengthened when it comes to picking GOP candidates to run,” Polelle explained. “Jones will be in office two years before he is up for re-election.”
UF vs Goshen Men’s Basketball Highlights
UF vs Alderson Broaddus Women’s Basketball Highlights
UF vs Alderson Broaddus Mens Highlights
The Sports Show with Martyce Kimbrough
Interview with Jason Moore, UF football player
The Sports Show with Martyce Kimbrough
Interview with Taren Sullivan, UF basketball player.