HARVARD VARSITY CLUB NEWS & VIEWS of Harvard Athletics

www.harvardvarsityclub.org Volume 57, Issue No. 5 March 12, 2015 SOBHY IT. by Zach Reynolds Ivy League foe Penn, competing at the top position. Showing Athletic Communications Assistant what she was capable of, she quickly dispatched of the third- ranked Quakers’ Nabilla Ariffin, 3-0, outscoring her opponent Amanda Sobhy was in an unusual situation. 33-6. Each match after played out with a similar storyline; Not because she was competing in a match for the national Harvard won the team battle against every opponent during championship—she was the three-time reigning champion, the 2011-12 schedule, and Sobhy proceeded to sweep each after all—but rather because she was trailing. adversary she faced. The season culminated with Harvard Before Sobhy stepped onto earning a national championship and Sobhy raising the the court for what would be Ramsey Cup above her head. her final collegiate match, she On February 6, 2013, Sobhy held a career record of 61-0. would face El Defrawy for the She had lost only one game in first time. A sophomore at the her career, sweeping the other time, Sobhy entered the contest 60 contests, 3-0. The only with a perfect 4-0 record, but opponent to ever take a game fell behind and dropped the from Sobhy was Trinity’s first game 11-6. The Crimson’s Kanzy El Defrawy, and as top player would bounce back fate would have it, for Sobhy and handily win the next three to win her fourth-straight sets, though it foreshadowed national championship she the start of a rivalry that would have to topple the one would extend throughout the opponent who had ever put remainder of Sobhy’s tenure at a point on the scoreboard Harvard. against her. Hameed Ahmed Assistant Coach, Amanda Sobhy ’15 with trophies, and Luke Hammond Assistant Coach. Sobhy took on El Defrawy Sobhy arrived at Harvard twice more in 2013 in a pair of in 2011 with an already impressive resume. The Sea Cliff, high-stakes matchups. With a chance to help Harvard win its New York, native won the 2010 Junior World National second national title in a row, Sobhy earned a three-set sweep Championship, becoming the first American player to to give Harvard a 5-4 victory. Two weeks later, the two student- capture the tournament. She was a four-time junior national athletes met in the Ramsey Cup finale, with Sobhy triumphing champion, and arrived in Cambridge as the top-ranked for her second individual championship. player in the country for her age. It was safe to say that she During her junior year, Sobhy took on her foe from Trinity had the potential to do great things as a student-athlete for three times, winning each without concern. Facing off in the the Crimson. Ramsey Cup for the second time, Sobhy earned her third As a freshman, Sobhy appeared in her first match against national championship, continuing to rewrite the Harvard Sobhy article continued on page 2... HUSTLE AND HEART SETS STEMBERG APART We are all familiar with the Staples story—Stemberg’s by Bob Glatz ’88 Executive Director, Harvard Varsity Club other passion—but you may not be aware of the Harvard Basketball ties to America’s most successful superstore. Bob Scalise described it as a love affair. Stemberg (formerly of Star Markets and First Nation Stores) Tom Stemberg ’71, arguably Harvard Basketball’s biggest teamed up with former supermarket competitor and Harvard fan, has been supporting the Crimson since first stepping basketball minor H recipient, Leo Kahn ’38 ( foot into Holworthy in the fall of 1967. “Tom was a big fan of founder), to form Staples. Kahn acted as an informal mentor our freshmen sports, especially football, hockey and baseball, to Stemberg and their friendship blossomed along with their and was a regular at most basketball games, just as he is to new superstore. As fate would have it, the duo selected 1660 this day,” reported longtime friend Larry Cetrulo ’71. Soldiers Field Road as the site of their first store, a property Stemberg logged many hours with the Harvard Band, was publisher for the Harvard Independent, and a manager of Harvard Student Agencies as an undergraduate, but always appreciated the athleticism and concentration required in looking at ease performing at a high level on the hardcourt. Basketball requires great coordination, speed, and grace… attributes which Cetrulo says Tom admires and which are evident when Tom dominates the squash court. Pressed further, Cetrulo offered “let’s just say that in 1967, Tom was the same irrepressible, energetic, enthusiastic, optimistic, competitive, sports-loving guy he is today…and rumor has it he was an all-star guard at his high school in Vienna. I would expect nothing less from a Jersey guy.” Coupled with seemingly endless coaching strategies and limitless game scenarios, the combination of preparation, agility, and mental Photo Credit: Gil Talbot gymnastics required to produce a successful basketball team Dean of Harvard College Rakesh Khurana, John D. Nichols ’53 Family Director of Athletics Bob Scalise, Harvard President Drew Faust, The Thomas G. Stemberg ’71 fueled Stemberg’s addiction for the sport; living in Harvard Family Endowed Coach for Harvard Men’s Basketball Tommy Amaker, Tom Stemberg Yard cemented his love for all things Harvard, including ’71, wife Katherine Chapman, and Dean of Faculty and Staff Mike Smith. basketball. Stemberg article continued on page 2... Sobhy article continued... Stemberg article continued... record book. owned by another Harvard Basketball alumnus, Phil Haughey Entering the 2014-15 season, El Defrawy held a 29-8 career ’57. “I was delighted that they chose one of our properties; the record for the Bantams, but was 0-6 against the Crimson’s growth and success of Staples made for great banter over many No. 1. The Cairo, Egypt, native wound up with three chances future Harvard Basketball games after that.” The rest, as they to take down Sobhy, and on Feb. 4, at a time when Trinity say, is history. was the top-ranked team in the country, she got her first Success has followed Tom Stemberg throughout his career; chance. anyone serving alongside him on Boards at Lululemon, The duo played a pair of close frames to begin the match, Petsmart, or the Friends of Harvard Basketball, to name a with Sobhy coming out on top 11-9 and 11-8. Putting the few, would all concur that you may not always agree with exclamation mark on Harvard’s upset of the Bantams, Sobhy Tom, but you can never doubt his passion or principle. When scored 11 of the final 12 points to continue her perfect career. Stemberg takes an interest in something, great things tend The Crimson met Trinity in the Howe Cup final for the to happen. John D. Nichols ’53 Family Director of Athletics, Bob third-straight year, pitting the top two players in the country Scalise, couldn’t agree more, stating “I am thrilled to announce against each other for the eighth time. Continuing her reign that Tom Stemberg and his family have endowed our men’s as the most dominant player in the game, Sobhy quashed El basketball head coaching position.” Defrawy in straight sets, moving to 57-0 in her career, and Prior to tip-off at the February 21st Princeton game, Scalise, pushed Harvard to its third national title in four years. and the Faculty Standing Committee on Athletics, surprised Breezing through the bracket in her final collegiate Stemberg with an honorary Major H. Stemberg became the tournament, Sobhy reached the final of the Ramsey Cup to be 63rd person in 125 years to receive such an honor, along with the first woman to win four-consecutive national titles since the distinctive letterman sweater the Varsity Club provides to the trophy’s namesake, Gail Ramsey. Only one opponent all its first-time major H recipients. At halftime, while Coach Amaker was piecing together a magical second-half game plan, Harvard President Drew Faust, Scalise, and a handful of dignitaries joined Stemberg, his wife Katherine, and their son Michael on the free throw line in front of the sold out crowd for the announcement of the Thomas G. Stemberg ’71 Family Endowed Coach for Harvard Men’s Basketball. The fact that this was happening in front of a full house was not lost on a teary-eyed Stemberg, who reflected on leaner years when he, Ray Lavietes, and Warren Smith might be the only non-team/family members at some home basketball games. Quite a contrast to the scene of a bevy of friends, family, and dozens of alumni gathered at mid court to celebrate the announcement of Harvard’s 19th head coaching endowment. Tommy Amaker, the first coach to don the new title, concurred “Tom’s leadership throughout the years has been vital to the program that we have built, and I could not be more stood in her way, appearing in an all-too-familiar shape. thrilled and proud to be the Stemberg Family Head Coach for On a brisk afternoon in Princeton, New Jersey, Sobhy Men’s Basketball. This gift is a testament to his commitment to met with El Defrawy for the final time, and competed in the the continued success of our basketball program and the young most difficult match of her career. For only the second time men in it, now and forever.” wearing Crimson, Sobhy dropped a game, falling behind to And now, unlike so many love stories, this one never has to the Trinity star, 1-0. In the second stanza, Sobhy trailed 5-4 end. after successive hard-fought rallies, but showed resiliency in battling back with four-straight points en route to evening the score, 1-1. With momentum on her side, Sobhy dominated the final pair of games to become the second four-time Ramsey Cup winner in college squash history, finishing her career 62-0. The situation remained unusual, but for reasons on the opposite end of the spectrum. The quest to be undefeated in the realm of college sports is widely prevalent, with masses enthralled by the potential of perfection. Amanda Sobhy quietly made history, and reached the pinnacle of what college athletics has to offer.

Just ONE DAY can make a difference... HARVARD ATHLETICS ON THE ROAD COMING TO CHICAGO APRIL 1

John D. Nichols ’53 Family Director of Athletics Bob Scalise will speak about the challenges he faces in leading the largest Division I athletic program in the country. Joining Bob will be Costin Family Head Coach for Harvard Women’s Swimming and Diving, Stephanie Morawski ’92, and Harvard Varsity Club Executive Director Bob Glatz ’88. Hear how they are able to attract and develop the top student- athletes and coaches in the country—and have your questions answered in person!

Sign up to allow a Harvard student-athlete shadow you 5:30PM Reception followed immediately by the program for ONE DAY and potentially make a dramatic impact on a McDermott, Will, & Emery, 227 W. Monroe, 45th floor, Chicago student-athletes decision to pursue a career in the medical $15.00 Regular | $25.00 Non-Members | $5.00 Decade health care industry. Harvard alumni doctor’s in all fields, Parents, Crimson Passport, and current students are complimentary. states, and countries welcome! Visit harvardclubchicago.org or call 1-847-256-1211 to RSVP.

Visit harvardammp.com for more information and Bay State Area event details to be announced. 2 J. Louis Newell ’57 Few have made a bigger impact on the Harvard Varsity Club and the entire Harvard community than J. Louis Newell ’57, who passed away Monday, March 2, 2015. President Drew Faust eloquently captured Louis’ spirit when presenting the HAA Harvard Medal at Harvard’s 2014 Commencement, “Whether cheering from the stands at the Stadium, or chairing the committee charged with making Commencement happy, you stand always ready to answer Harvard’s call, as a stalwart leader of your Class, the Harvard College Fund, the Harvard Club of , and the Harvard Varsity Club.” Louis’s list of Harvard accomplishments are many: a three- sport athlete as an undergraduate, Chair of the Committee for the Happy Observance of Commencement, Vice President and Director of the Harvard Club of Boston, Harvard College Fund volunteer for almost 50 years, HAA Alumni Award, the Harvard College Fund’s Joseph R. Hamlen ’04 Award, Harvard Varsity Club Treasurer, President and Chairman, Harvard Varsity Club Award 2008, and Dinner Chairman of the popular annual football dinner for more than 35 years. Most importantly, however, Louis will be remembered as a devoted father, husband, friend, and Crimson fan. Our thoughts are with the Newell family and their loved ones during this difficult time. They broke, shattered, and sent into space…the mold…when they created J. Louis Newell. We may never know anyone like him again in our lifetime. A public service will be held at 2PM on Friday, March 20, 2015 at First Parish, 382 Walnut St., Brookline, MA 02445.

Crimson Scoreboard Sports statistics and highlights as we go to press. For more information visit gocrimson.com

Overall Percent Conference Percent Streak Home Away Neutral Baseball 5-3 .625 0-0 .000 L1 0-0 5-3 0-0 Basketball - M 21-7 .750 11-3 .786 W1 12-2 9-4 0-1 Basketball - W 14-14 .500 7-7 .500 W4 6-6 5-6 3-2 Fencing - M Jerry Chang ’16, Eli Dershwitz ’18, Brian Kaneshige ’15, Duncan O’Brien ’16 and Nicolas Simko ’16 Qualify for NCAA‘s. Aliya Itzkowitz ’16, Adrienne Jarocki ’17, MacKenzie Lawrence ’18, Hali Nelson ’17 and Emma Väggö ’15 Qualify for Fencing - W NCAA’s. Ice Hockey - M 17-11-3 .597 11-8-3 .568 W3 8-4-2 9-4-1 0-3 Ice Hockey - W 25-5-3 .803 16-4-2 .773 W4 14-1-1 9-4-2 2-0 Lacrosse - M 4-1 .800 0-0 .000 W3 3-0 1-1 0-0 Lacrosse - W 2-1 .667 1-0 1.000 W1 2-0 0-1 0-0 Skiing - M/W Rachel Hampton ’17 and Akeo Maifeld-Carucci ’15, both of the Harvard nordic ski team, earned spots at NCAA’s. Softball 3-4 .429 0-0 .000 W4 0-0 0-1 3-3 Mike Mosca ’15 became the third-ever Ivy League diver to sweep both the 1- and 3-meter dives at an Ivy League Swimming & Diving - M Championship meet February 28. Swimming & Diving - W Danielle Lee ’16 has qualified to represent Harvard at NCAA Women’s Swimming & Diving Championships. Squash - M 10-4 .714 7-0 1.000 W1 4-1 4-2 2-1 Squash - W 13-1 .929 6-1 .857 W10 10-0 3-1 0-0 Tennis - M 11-3 .786 0-0 .000 W3 8-1 0-1 3-1 Tennis - W 6-4 .600 0-0 .000 W2 3-0 2-4 1-0 Track & Field - M Tom Purnell ’16 placed eighth in the 3,000 Meter Race at IC4A Championships on March 6. Track & Field - W Thrower Nikki Okwelogu ’17 was named the Field Athlete of the Year by USTFCCCA, earned spot at NCAA’s. Volleyball - M 8-5 .615 3-2 .600 L1 4-2 3-3 1-0 Water Polo - W 11-5 .688 5-1 .833 W1 3-1 1-2 7-2 Wrestling David Ng ’15 placed fifth at EIWA Championships on March 7 earning an automatic bid to NCAA’s.

3 CRIMSON VIEWS Friends of Harvard Squash Reception Photo Credit: Dean Bauer ‘67 Before this year's Cornell match, the squash teams recognized two generous donors, John '79 & Katherine Heller (pictured far right) as well as Slade & Caroline McLaughlin P'14,'17 (pictured middle with captains) who made it possible for the program to install brand new scoreboards and live streaming cameras for this season. The scoreboards have received a lot of positive feedback from both players and spectators. The live streaming cameras have been serving parents and fans around the world. The coaches and players are happy that they were able to thank the Heller's and McLaughlin's in person and spend time with them at the post-match reception.

Friends of Harvard Basketball Alumni Weekend/Tom Stemberg ’71 Event Photo Credit: Gil Talbot Saturday, February 21st was an incredible weekend for Harvard Basketball! Over 25 alumni battled it out in a competitive alumni game and caught up at a post-game luncheon. The annual phonathon helped the Friends get another step closer to its fundraising goal. Nearly 100 alumni and friends gathered for Saturday night’s pre-game reception in honor of Tom Stemberg ’71, where Tom was awarded an Honorary H and Harvard Varsity Club lettersweater. During halftime of Saturday evening’s sold out contest vs. Princeton, alumni gathered at center court as The Thomas G. Stemberg ’71 Family Endowed Coach for Harvard Men’s Basketball position was announced. After cheering on the Crimson and watching a thrilling victory over Princeton, alumni and friends joined Coach Amaker and staff for a post-game reception to celebrate Harvard basketball.

Friends of Harvard Baseball Boston Reception/ Spring Send-Off The annual Friends of Harvard Baseball Boston reception as always was a great way to “send-off” the team into the baseball season. Throughout the night, alumni and Friends got to meet the players and talk with the coaches about their expectations for the upcoming season creating excitement for a successful year on and off the diamond. Hearing the staff’s plans, both immediate and long term, to return to the top of the Ivies inspired the group to stay active and connected to the Friends. The chance to story swap amongst multiple generations of Harvard Baseball was the highlight of the night, all the while enjoying the classic Pinnochio’s pizza!

4 Friends of Harvard Track and Field Alumnae Breakfast On the morning of Saturday, February 28, 30 track alumnae and friends met over breakfast to remember their experiences and discuss ways to increase women’s support for the program. Speakers from the earliest women’s teams on up to current athletes addressed how far the women’s program has come, and Pat Henry, Senior Associate Director of Athletics, addressed us about changes in women’s athletics at Harvard over her career. The best part was reconnecting with teammates and meeting the female athletes that everyone gad heard so much about. Thanks are due to a generous alumna sponsor for offering such a wonderful opportunity to connect with women from the program, before cheering on the women to their third consecutive Heps victory. Photo Credit: Brian Panoff ’98 Photo Credit: Brian Panoff Friends of Harvard Track and Field Heps Gala During the Indoor Hepatagonal Championships hosted at Harvard, the Friends of Harvard Track (FoHT) hosted a Fundraising Gala on Saturday evening, February 28. The weekend brought together over 80 track and field and cross- country alumni from across the years for a night of honors, dinner, and dancing. During the dinner the FoHT recognized the Harvard Track and Field record holders in attendance. Generous donors supported the event which also served as a fundraiser for the Harvard Track Program. Photo Credit: Brian Panoff ’98 Photo Credit: Brian Panoff CRIMSON COMMENTARY

Two-time All-American and Olympic gold medalist Esther the IAAF World Cross Country Championships on March 28. Lofgran ’07 shattered the world record for the half marathon, Former Harvard Men’s Water Polo players including Michael posting a time of 1 hour, 20 minutes and 12 seconds, beating S. Graff ’73 and Evan J. Zepfel ’12 (pictured below), reunited the a 2003 record by three minutes at the 2015 Mid Atlantic Erg weekend of February 28 in Florida for an alumni water polo Sprints, hosted by TC Williams High School on January 31. tournament. Fortunately, no one drowned. Harvard Varsity Club Hall of Famer, eight year NFL veteran, and Sports Advisory Board Chair of MC10, Isaiah Kacyvenski ’00, will be involved with the Harvard iLab during the Deans’ Innovation in Sports Challenge this year. Isaiah plans to discuss the opportunities new and emerging technology provides to Innovate in Sports and provide guidance to the competing teams. We are deeply saddened to share with you the passing of three Harvard Athletics letterwinners; Swimming and Diving alumnus Diane Carol Smith ’85, Men’s Squash Captain Harold d’Ortic Baker ’42, and Baseball player Robert R. Kessler ’56. Our thoughts are with their families during this difficult time. Join us in welcoming Jessica C. Gelman ’97 (basketball), Bradley J. Bagdis ’08 (football) and Jessica S. Halpern ’11 (lacrosse) to Former Harvard Football tight end Tyler Ott ’14 has been re- the Harvard Varsity Club Advisory Board. The HVC Advisory signed to the Patriots roster as the teams long Board now consists of 43 alumni athletes along with 14 elected snapper. officers, each serving three-year terms. The Harvard Club of Charlotte hosted Linsanity Night at the Harvard Football letterwinner Steven Williams, Jr. ’08 was Lakers vs. Hornets game at Time Warner Arena on March 3rd. recently added to the Detroit Lions coaching staff as a defensive After what was an exciting close game, former Harvard guard quality control coach. Jeremy Lin ’10 met with the group to talk. The Lakers fell to the Hornets by one point, culminating in a 103-104 score that night. Former master of the multiflex, Brian White ’86 (pictured right), was named wide receivers Each year the University holds elections for the Board of coach at Boston College. White, an Groveland Overseers and Elected Directors for the Harvard Alumni MA native, has held assistant positions at Association; the Harvard Corporation and Board of Overseers Notre Dame, UNLV, Wisconsin, Syracuse, are the two governing boards of the University. There is no Washington, and Florida in his 28 year greater opportunity for you as an alumnus/a to help shape coaching career. Rumor is there has already two of the University’s governing boards. The Harvard Varsity been a “Whitey”sighting with some of his old Club encourages all members to participate in this important gang at the Stockyard Restaurant in Brighton. election—exercise your right to vote! This year there is one candidate with ties to the Harvard Varsity Club, former Harvard Former Harvard cross country All-American fencer Sandra Matejic Edgerley ’84. Sandra resides in Brookline, Maksim Korolev ’14 qualified for the IAAF World Cross MA where she is a nonprofit strategist and community Country Championships after his top-six performance at volunteer. To see the full list of candidates click here. All ballots USATF Cross Country Championships in early February. are mailed by to eligible voters by April 1, Korolev will represent the United States in Guiyang, China at 2015 with information on all candidates. 5 HARVARD VARSITY CLUB, INC. Murr Center FIRST CLASS 65 North Harvard Street U.S. POSTAGE Boston, MA 02163-1012 PAID (617) 495-3535 BOSTON, MA Fax: (617) 496-8296 PERMIT NO. 53825 www.harvardvarsityclub.org

FIRST CLASS

Monday, May 11th | 5:15PM | Murr Lounge Murr | 5:15PM | 11th May Monday, Meeting Board HVC

April 30th- May 2nd | Ritz-Carlton - Amelia Island, FL Island, Amelia - Ritz-Carlton | 2nd May 30th- April Meeting Annual Society Quigley

Sunday, April 26th | 11AM-1PM | Baseball Gazebo Baseball | 11AM-1PM | 26th April Sunday, BBQ Spring Baseball of Friends

Saturday, April 25th| 6PM | Soldiers Field Lacrosse Stadium Lacrosse Field Soldiers | 6PM 25th| April Saturday, Teams Championship League Ivy 1990 & 1980 of Celebration Lacrosse Men’s

Women’s Lacrosse Celebration of 1990 National Championship Team Championship National 1990 of Celebration Lacrosse Women’s Saturday, April 25th | 6PM | Hall of History of Hall | 6PM | 25th April Saturday,

Saturday, April 18th | TBD | Harvard Softball Field Softball Harvard | TBD | 18th April Saturday, Day Alumnae Softball

Monday, April 13th | 5:30-8:30PM | Harvard Club of Boston - Comm Ave. Comm - Boston of Club Harvard | 5:30-8:30PM | 13th April Monday, Banquet Basketball Men’s

Saturday, April 11th | 11AM-12:30PM | Baseball Gazebo/Gordon Indoor Track (rain location) (rain Track Indoor Gazebo/Gordon Baseball | 11AM-12:30PM | 11th April Saturday, Tailgate Track of Friends

Friday, April 10th | 7-10PM | Harvard Club of New York City York New of Club Harvard | 7-10PM | 10th April Friday, Reception NYC Track of Friends

McDermott, Will, & Emery & Will, McDermott, | 5:30PM | 2015 1, April Wednesday, Chicago Road: the on Athletics Harvard

PCOMING EVENTS PCOMING U