The Magazine of Cornell Sports

S pring 2011

Focus on Finance pages 2-3 Women’s WOMEN’S LACROSSE Hunt for Ivy Title & Wrestling NCAA-Bound MEN’S LACROSSE The DeLuca Era Begins TRACK & FIELD Heps Ambitions BASEBALL and SOFTBALL Diamond-Tough Focus On Finances

Financial Aid Policy a Hit in Year One of Implementation!

By J. Andrew Noel, Jr. The Meakem ◆ Smith Director of Athletics and Physical Education

his past fall, initiated a financial shows on the scoreboard and in the final team standings. aid program for all undergraduate applicants that Other programs that have already experienced greater enabled admissible students who were offered a Spirit! is published regularly by the success in recruiting during the first year of the new more generous financial aid package from another Cornell University, Department of financial aid program are women’s track, men’s and Athletics and Physical Education. | TIvy League school to receive an equal package from Cornell. women’s basketball, men’s and women’s ice hockey, men’s Publisher: J. Andrew Noel, Jr., Director This program allows admitted applicants to select their lacrosse, wrestling, and baseball. Many other teams also of Athletics | Editor: Kathleen Bolton | school of choice without regard to financial considerations. Designer: Julie Manners | Contributing benefited from the new program and are likely to be Writers: Amy Meldrim Foster ’95, John Football is a prime example of the positive impact impacted more in year No. 2. Webster | Photographers: Russ Hartung, the new financial aid program has had on recruiting I expect this terrific and necessary program to impact Tim McKinney; Patrick Shanahan, scholarship-level student athletes. Head football coach approximately 35% to 40% of the 222 recruited student Athletic Communications; Maple Leaf Kent Austin was able to attract to Cornell eight of the ten Photo; University Archive; University athletes we are able to matriculate each year under Ivy top candidates who had been heavily recruited by one or Photo Service; Darl Zehr | Editorial League rules. Since the results of our financial aid program more of the Ivy triumvirate: Harvard, Yale and Princeton Advisory Board: Jeremy Hartigan, Julie for regular decision candidates won’t be finalized or official Greco, Dave Wohlhueter and Kevin (HYP). These financial aid packages were based on need until late May, I have studied the priority lists for each Zeise | Address: Teagle Hall, Campus but, as you may recall, HYP in particular are able to use a sport and the data from our “early decision” admissions Road, Ithaca, NY 14853-6501 | more liberal “needs analysis formula” based on their larger program to estimate the impact on our recruiting efforts. Phone: 607 254-8706 | Fax: 607 endowments and smaller student bodies. Other Ivy schools 255-9791 | E-mail: spirit-news@cornell. Now, we must garner the support of alumni and friends to edu | Web: www.CornellBigRed.com have become increasingly aggressive in their financial aid packaging in order to compete with HYP as well. help fund this bold program that is serving all Cornell students including student athletes. I ask you to support Coach Austin stated to a group of football alumni at a recent (cover) Libby Johnson ’11 this new initiative. President Skorton, his senior staff, and gathering that he would not have been able to matriculate (lacrosse) ✦ Chelsea Karpenko our Board of Trustees have answered our call in the ’12 (hockey) ✦ wrestling photos 20 of his 26 top candidates without the ability to match the affirmative! Thank goodness! from left to right: Mack Lewnes most generous financial aid packages offered within the Ivy ’11, Mike Grey ’11, Steve Bosak League. Almost all of these candidates were offered full Thank you in advance for your thoughtful consideration ’12, Kyle Dake ’13. athletics scholarships from mid-major Division 1 schools and, and please remember to thank President Skorton for his (above) The Big Red celebrates in one case, a full scholarship from Stanford. Quite frankly, decision to enable applicants to consider the opportunity after an overtime win against HYP and some other Ivy schools have been successfully to attend Cornell with the same financial lens they use for RPI on Feb. 12, 2011. competing for scholarship athletes for many years and it the other Ivy schools. It makes all the difference.

2 A&PE Launches Athletics Initiative Program to Support Self-Funded Sports

By John Webster Director for Alumni Affairs & Development for Athletics

he challenging financial climate of the past few years has led to a decline in the value of Cornell’s endowment, as Increase Expected well as a more conservative approach to payout. As many Self-Funded Current over Goal in Program Goal 5 years FY 2015 * of you know, the Department of Athletics & Physical TEducation has not been immune to these forces. Sprint Football $91,135 $79,080 $154,399 A&PE has been fortunate to benefit from many gifts over time Baseball $164,671 $93,649 $239,590 from our generous benefactors, who have funded specific long- Golf $38,266 $8,220 $44,842 term investment pools (endowments) for sports and programs of interest to them. As a result, A&PE “owns” shares in the university’s LW Rowing $45,000 $57,506 $91,081 overall endowment fund that have a current market value of M Tennis $69,534 $27,644 $91,649 approximately $86.3 million. Due to market fluctuations and the M/W Polo $87,932 $36,343 $117,006 global fiscal crisis, the market value of our department shares peaked at about $107 million in FY 2008 and bottomed at $71 W Tennis $30,000 $74,553 $89,642 million in 2009. M/W Squash $125,000 $91,279 $198,023 Unfortunately, the market value loss has resulted in a $1 million Equestrian $50,000 $109,080 $137,264 decline in annual investment income for the department and has created significant financial challenges for A+PE management. * Current goal has already been assigned 20% of needed increase. To mitigate the effects of these challenges on the students who participate in the myriad of programs and services offered by the endowment payout. The difference becomes their fund-raising target. department, our staff is challenged to do more with less... just like The addition of indirect costs into a team’s budget now means that everyone else around the university and throughout the country! its annual fund-raising goal will increase (see chart above). We’ve reduced our workforce (through lay-offs, attrition and the early-retirement program), streamlined processes, and are full Some of these programs will meet the increased fund-raising participants in President Skorton’s “reimagining Cornell” project. challenge easily. Sprint Football, for example, exceeds its annual fundraising goal every year by more than what they are being Still, challenges remain. All areas of the university have been charged for their indirect costs. The program is fortunate to have required to assist the effort led by David Skorton to eliminate the a very loyal alumni base, and head coach Terry Cullen does an university’s structural deficit ($150M in FY 2009). Our department’s incredible job keeping former players connected to the program. intention has always been to weather financial storms without eliminating any intercollegiate teams. One of the hallmarks of Cornell Other programs face more of a challenge. Women’s Equestrian, for Athletics is the breadth of its undergraduate program. We believe example, is a young program without a mature alumnae base, and also firmly that Big Red programs build loyalty among athletes to their faces the unique expenses associated with their four-footed athletes. alma mater resulting in a lifelong, mutually beneficial relationship. We have two primary courses of action should a program fail In order to maintain our sport offerings, in a partnership with to meet its new fund-raising targets by FY 2015, both of which university senior staff, the department has launched an effort we hope to avoid: 1) a reduction in allowable expense, primarily to apply indirect costs to our 11 self-funded programs to make through a reduction in scheduled events and travel, or 2) the them fully self sufficient by FY 2015. The objective is to realize elimination of that program. cost-savings of approximately $500K by FY 2015. This action will Our goal over the next five years is to grow our donor base for allow us to maintain our diverse array of varsity sports while also these teams, encourage investment in self-funded program meeting budgetary mandates. endowment funds, and create sport-specific alumni associations. We have calculated the indirect costs associated with all The alumni associations will coordinate events aimed to bring programs and are charging those costs to team and program alumni and parents closer to the programs and encourage them to budgets. Including indirect costs in a program’s budget helps the be involved with fund raising, both through their own giving and department determine the “true cost” of a program. For example, the identification of potential benefactors. We hope that these a program that utilizes the compliance office will now be allocated approaches will help our department stay on track fiscally while a portion of that function’s overall cost. The amount allocated retaining the diversity of our varsity sports programs, which in turn will depend on the size of the program’s budget and the level of will attract the highest caliber of student-athlete to Cornell. service received. If you have any questions about any of this information or Presently, we calculate the self-funded programs’ fund-raising goals suggestions to share, I welcome your phone calls and emails. by simply looking at the gap between their program costs and I can be reached at 607/255-5631 or [email protected].

3 LACROSSE

Seibald, Belisle Will Play for Team USA at World Indoor Lacrosse Championships Mitch Belisle ’07 and Max Seibald ’09 will represent the U.S. Men’s National Indoor Lacrosse Team as it competes at the 2011 World Indoor Lacrosse Championship in On the Shoulders of Giants Prague, Czech Republic. “The chance to represent the By Ben DeLuca ’98 United States at this elite level is The Richard M. Moran Head Coach of Men’s Lacrosse the ultimate honor in lacrosse,” said USIL President and GM We completed our staff by welcoming two of the Graham D’Alvia. ollowing in the footsteps of the best young coaches in the game into our family this The World Indoor Lacrosse Fgreat coaches who have led the summer. Matt Rewkowski comes to us from Hofstra Championship will take place at University where he spent the past four years as Telsa Arena in Prague, Czech way before me — Harkness, Moran, Republic on May 21-28, 2011. the offensive coordinator. Matt becomes just the Australia, Canada, Czech Pietramala, and Tambroni — I am second Mario St. George Boiardi ’04 Assistant Coach Republic, England, Finland, humbled, honored and thrilled to of Lacrosse, and will direct the offense on game day. Ireland and the Iroquois Paul Richards comes to us from Washington College, Nationals will join the United have the opportunity to lead the where he also served as offensive coordinator. Paul States in the one-week tournament. Cornell lacrosse family and carry will assist us at both ends of the field and direct the development of our face off unit, while running Seibald, who began his second on the rich tradition of my alma the substitution box on game day. We are fortunate season with the Philadelphia Wings of the National Lacrosse mater. It is with great respect to welcome back Josh Heller ’02 as our volunteer League this January, is coming off assistant coach this spring. Josh is in the final year a gold medal performance with that our coaching staff will take of Cornell’s Program in Real Estate, and will continue Team USA at the Federation of the philosophies and teachings to assist our efforts with the face off unit and the International Lacrosse (FIL) defense. Outdoor World Championship, of these great coaches and apply held in Manchester, England this them to the beginning of a new Our fall practices, scrimmages, individual instruction past July. sessions and offseason strength and conditioning Belisle, the Boston Blazers era in Cornell lacrosse. sessions were utilized as critical evaluation tools by leading defenseman and an NLL our coaching staff. Everyone started with a clean All-Star, is also making his first With the graduation of nine seniors in the Class of slate, and with a renewed sense of energy and appearance on the national team. 2010, there are a bevy of holes for our team to fill. We excitement. At this point, our efforts are focused will certainly miss the passion and energy of Pierce on maximizing our potential as individuals and Derkac ’10, the play-making abilities of Ryan Hurley as teammates each and every day, so that we can ’10 and Chris Ritchie ’10, the tenacity and versatility achieve our collective goals as a TEAM. Our coaching of Austin Boykin ’10 and Andrew MacDonald ’10, staff and team are hungry and excited for the and the character of Courtney Baker ’10. We will upcoming season and believe that with the proper likely be a youthful but experienced group, and very work ethic and mentality, and a collective investment motivated team. We will rely on the leadership of and attention to detail, we can continue our family’s our captains, Jack Dudley ’11 and Robert Pannell ’12, growth and success on the field, in the classroom, and as well as our entire senior class to help us achieve in the community. We hope that you will have the our goals this spring. The 2011 team will work hard chance to watch us compete this spring, as we work to maintain the same level of excellence that has hard to earn the respect and support of our alumni, become synonymous with Cornell lacrosse. family and friends of the program.

4 from top: Jack Dudley ’11 ✦ Mitch Belisle ’07 Team Chemistry and Strong Offseason Training Make Big Red the One to Watch in 2011

By Jenny Graap ’86 Head Coach of Women’s Lacrosse

ixty minutes. Women’s lacrosse packs a lot of action into two 30 Sminute halves. Twelve women working together on a field 120 yards x 70 yards to pass, catch, dodge, check, win ground balls and ultimately, shoot and score, all the while doing their best to keep the opposition from doing the same. Lacrosse is truly a beautiful game to watch as it showcases both individual talent and team strategy. Our sport attracts athletes who are fit, fast, aggressive and graceful, many of whom grew up playing basketball, soccer, and hockey before specializing in the precise stick skills needed to play lacrosse.

Over the years the rules have evolved and the The chemistry and continuity in our staff has been equipment has gotten more technical, but the core inspiring for me personally and for our team. We all of our game remains the same. When both teams recognize and appreciate how passionate and dedicated have speed combined with a proficient offense and assistant coaches Suzie Friedrich and Karrie Moore a stingy defense, momentum will be the deciding have been to our Big Red program. This spring we factor. Beyond teaching the X’s and O’s, my assistants welcome a new addition to our coaching staff in Jen and I work to train our squad in the mental and Baker. How fortunate that a Navy lacrosse grad chose emotional aspects of competition which are to pursue her MBA at Cornell’s Johnson School. Jen is particularly intriguing and challenging. a trained Navy pilot, a certified Yoga instructor, and an experienced high school lacrosse coach. We look In the , we are blessed with intelligent, forward to her input in all aspects of our program. Her high-achieving scholar-athletes who are cerebral to a knowledge of leadership training will be a tremendous fault. Sometimes convincing them to stop analyzing asset to our three captains Libby Johnson ’11, their own play or their team’s play during competition Caroline Helmer ’12 and Jessi Steinberg ’12. is a coach’s most critical role. Paralysis by analysis can derail the game-day performance of even the Already the leadership of our captains has made a most talented player. Fighting, digging deep, being difference. They designed a fun and productive off- resilient and not letting the scoreboard dictate season training regimen that involved inter- either frustration when Cornell trails or complacency squad competition in stick work, footwork and when the Big Red has a lead is our objective. agilities to push their teammates to improve through hard work. Their decision to return to Ithaca in mid- Our team values the individual strengths that January to begin practicing and training together every player brings to our program. We stress demonstrates their commitment to taking action to the importance of Positive Attitude every day. In achieve their goals. ceremonial fashion, we gathered in our locker room to kick off the 2011 season with an empowering Our captains understand that personal exercise. We had eight freshmen, all nervous, all accountability and responsibility are tentative, all wavering on their stools, to initiate. important ingredients to success. Each newcomer was presented with a red brick by an They utilize the lessons strength and upperclassman who shared a story about her unique conditioning coach Tom Howley has taught these strengths. Learning a bit more about the competitive past months in our weight training and conditioning advantage each member in our 2014 class brings to workouts to pay attention to the details and to strive our unit will provide a foundation for their careers. for a higher standard of excellence. We all have strengths to build upon, and Cornell The 2011 season is off and running, and we are lacrosse needs those individual strengths to start to training full-throttle in preparation for our upcoming gel into a collective power — one that can help us matches. Go Big Red! win the battles on the field this spring.

✦ from top: Jessi Steinberg ’12 Caroline Helmer ’12 5 Track &Field Powerhouse Talent Continues Big Red’s Formidable Legacy in the Ivies

By Nathan Taylor The George Heekin ’29 Head Coach of Men’s Track & Field and Cross Country

Cornellians Porter, Best Inducted Into Niagara t’s another year and another Track & Field Hall of Fame I potential outdoor HEPS tephanie Best ’91 and Harry Franklin Porter ‘1905 were championship lies on the horizon. Sinducted into the Niagara So many things have to come together just Track and Field Hall of Fame on Nov. 23, 2010. right for the team to be in a position for Best, who was the 1990 Outdoor Heptagonal Championships Most success. To the outsider, track often Outstanding Performer after winning the 1500m and 3000m looks like a three ring circus, and there double, setting a meet record in the 3000m in the process, are times where managing a program won a bronze medal in the 1999 with 20 different events and over 80 Pan-Am Games in the 1500m and was a member of the 1999 IAAF athletes feels like I’m playing a game World Championships team for the United States in the same of three dimensional chess. event. She won the silver medal at the 1999 USA Track and Field The athletes have to be Championships to garner her spot on the team at the world committed to the process championships. and to each other. They have Porter, meanwhile, was the 1908 to take care of all the details Olympic Champion in the high like eating a healthy diet, cultivating good sleep habits, and following up with ice and massage jump and won five United States routines that are necessary for maximum human performance. The facilities have to be championships, claiming titles indoors in 1908 and 1911 and excellent to make the most of the efforts of the athletes and the coaches. Each athlete outdoors in 1907, 1908 and 1909. has to have competitive opportunities that challenge them to become the very best; Best and Porter are the 20th and in track they have to be ready to go on the day when it really counts. 21st athletes with Cornell ties I’m pleased to announce that over the past few months we have received commitments to be added to the Niagara Track and Field Hall of Fame. The from our many supporters and alumni which will allow Cornell’s track & field program Hall currently has 59 members, to retain its outstanding facilities. A planned resurfacing of both the Kane Complex consisting of 50 men and nine outdoor track and the indoor track, as well as the replacement of the pole women. Both Best and Porter are members of Cornell’s Athletic vault and high jump pits, is in the works, along with a commitment for a lead donation on a Hall of Fame, with Best being much-needed scoreboard for Barton Hall. inducted in 2001 and Porter earning his induction in 1987. Last year’s team established an all-time Ivy League record when we won eight consecutive The purpose of the Niagara Heps outdoor championships. This year’s team will be led by some of the top athletes in Track & Field Hall of Fame is the Ivy League. They include an excellent mix of talented newcomers and experienced to recognize those individuals upperclassmen, including NCAA qualifiersAdrien Dannemiller ’11 and Nate Edelman ’11. who made significant and Heps champions outstanding contributions to Nick Huber ’12, Bruno Hortelano-Roig ’13, Brian Freitas ’11, Cody Boyd ’11, Dan the Sport of Athletics (including Thomas ’12 and Chris Tait ’11 return as seasoned veterans. Outstanding young talent in freshmen Chris Track & Field, Long Distance Bain ’14, Steven Bell ’14, Kinsley Ojukwu ’14 and Jon Schilkowski ’14 add depth to our roster. Members of Running, Race Walking, and the team come from over 30 different states this year. We believe Princeton will be the main competition. They Cross Country Running) while living within the geographic have some of the best athletes ever to attend an Ivy League school, plus they have outstanding coaches. It boundaries of the Niagara should be like a heavyweight title fight with two great teams standing toe to toe battling for the title. All I can Association (New York State say is, “look out”. West of and including the counties of Oswego, Onondaga, Cortland, and Broome) as athletes (including Masters), above: Stephanie Best ’91 ✦ Nick Huber ’12 (hurdles) ✦ Gary Jones ’11 (long jump) coaches, and/or administrators (including Competition opposite page: Kelsey Karys ’13 (running) ✦ Melissa Hewitt ’12 (relay) ✦ Kim Lienhoop ’11 (long jump) Officials).

6 Consistency and Deep Roster Mark This Year’s Women’s Squad

By Lou Duesing, The Alan B. ’53 and Elizabeth Heekin Harris Women’s Track Coach he 2011 track season is well underway. This year’s version of the Big Red Twomen is much like previous groups in that there is a corps of veterans and an interesting group of newcomers. Leading the way are co-captains Kim Lienhoop ’11, Mecha Santo ’11 and Kim Standridge ’11. Typically the success of a team is dependent on the quality of the senior leadership, and to date we have been very fortunate to have such terrific captains.

From a performance standpoint, Standridge returns as an All-America honoree in the 800-meter run from last year’s outdoor NCAA Championships. She will be joined Four Cornellians by Melissa Hewitt ’12, last year’s athlete of the meet in Earn USTFCCCA All-Academic Honors both the indoor and outdoor Heptagonal Championships, Victoria Imbesi ’14, who was a participant at those same our members of the Cornell women’s track NCAA Championships, and several other national caliber Fand field team were competitors. among the 551 athletes recognized by the US Track We strive each year to have a true track and field team, and Field and Cross Country with strength in every event contested, and this year’s Coaches Association as team is no exception. Like other successful Big Red teams All-Academic honorees. Stephanie Pancoast ’10 and before them, the long preseason work has already paid Erin Roberts ’10 were joined dividends with numerous personal best, ECAC qualifying by Molly Glantz ’12 and and, in the case of Standridge, an Ivy League record in the Kelsey Karys ’13.

1000-meter run. In all, 27 Ivy League athletes made the list, This is a very dedicated and talented group, and they with Columbia placing six, have taken nothing for granted. Last year we all saw Princeton five and Cornell, how deep and competitive the league has become. Any Brown and Yale each success we achieve will come only through hard work and seeing four athletes earn honors. To be eligible for dedication, not only in our competitions, but in what we the USTFCCCA All-Academic do each and every day at practice. Thus far, the entire team, a student athlete staff has been favorably impressed by the excitement, must have a minimum grade point average of 3.25 and enthusiasm and commitment people have demonstrated have met either the NCAA to this point. Both the indoor and outdoor campaigns will Division I Indoor automatic be challenging, including individual events as well as in the or provisional qualifying standard or participated in team competitions. We have set a tough standard for other the NCAA Division I Outdoor teams as well as for ourselves. Championships, including the preliminary rounds, in In the end, each team member will strive to be the best their respective events. she can be and let the chips fall where they may when the points are added at the end of competition. With what we’ve seen so far, I like our chances of finishing the year being proud of all we have accomplished.

There is also a change in the coaching staff, and it marks the end of an era. Mark Bilyk has ended his coaching career to become the full time athletic equipment manager. I have known and worked with Mark since the early 1980’s when we were both at Penn State. His expertise, teaching skills and love for the sport will be sorely missed. Fortunately, we have found an enthusiastic, knowledgeable and hard- working assistant in Megan Johnson, who comes to us from Washington State. She has hit the ground running and is adapting well to her new environment. So far, it has been a seamless transition for both coaches and athletes.

Both of the Heps Championships are in the New York metropolitan area. We hope the many of the alumni in the area will come out to cheer us on!

7 BASEBALL

Deep Pitching Roster, Seasoned Squad Eye Ivy Title By Bill Walkenbach ’98, The Ted Thoren Head Coach of Baseball s the number of days until the opening of our 2011 season grows smaller, the excitement in our A players expands and becomes more palpable with each passing moment. It is a contagious feeling that pervades the hearts and minds of the coaching staff. It brings us close to the flame of passion for the game that burns so brightly in our young student-athletes. It helps to keep us young and reminds us of the simple joy of playing this game we love.

So as we look toward this coming season, we are reminded to keep our We expect exciting competition for our corner outfield positions this focus on the moments that go into the progression of the season. For year with numerous candidates in the mix to see action. Some leading with the right type of focus, each passing candidates include Conor McCabe ’13, Spenser Souza moment on the field will lead us to our goal ’13, Phil Mullan ’13, Ben Swinford ’14 and of an Ivy League championship. Ryan Plantier ’14.

We expect a great deal of parity in the Ivy On the mound, we have added League this year, with most teams returning depth to a staff ravaged by injury a large portion of their starting squads from in 2010. The loss of two-time All-Ivy 2010. We are no different. Anchoring the closer David Rochefort ’10 will be a tough one lineup will be co-captain and 2010 first-team to fill, but the ace of the staff returns in co-captain All-Ivy honoree Mickey Brodsky ’11 at first Corey Pappel ’11. Jadd Schmeltzer ’11 is expected to base. He is joined by one of the top pro be an additional option in the starting rotation, while prospects in the Ivy League, centerfielder Taylor Wood ’11, who had an outstanding summer Brian Billigen ’12. He will set the table for the in the New England Collegiate League, will be our Big Red in the leadoff spot. Co-captain Frank third. The No. 4 starting spot will be hotly contested Hager ’12 will hit in the middle of the lineup and play third base. Rounding between Billigen, Dan Lea ’11, Mike Carroll ’11, Brodsky, Rick Marks out the infield will beMarhall Yanzick ’12 at shortstop and Brenton ’12, Joe Sinopoli ’13, Anthony Irigoyen ’13, Mike Kazley ’13 and Connor Peters ’13 at second base. Anthony Irigoyen ’13, Ben Swinford ’14, Ryan Kaufmann ’14. These pitchers will also be competing for the roles of Plantier ’14, Chris Cruz ’14 and Tom D’Alessandro ’14 will provide depth closer, set-up man, weekend long-reliever and mid-week starter. We can’t around the infield. Behind the plate, co-captainBrandon Lee ’12 will also wait to see you in the stands in 2011! handle some designated hitter responsibilities when not catching, as will Mike Lopez ’11, who has proven to be a highly effective game manager. top: Marshall Yankick ’12 (L) and Matt Langseth ’10 (R) ✦ center: Brian Billigen ’12

8 SOFTBALL SOFTBALL Veteran Players Return to Help Softball’s Quest for Sixth Ivy League Championship

By Dick Blood, The Jan Rock Zubrow ’77 Head Coach of Softball pring 2011 will see many changes in Cornell’s Ssoftball lineup. Gone to graduation are Vanessa Leonhard ’10, Alyson Intihar ’10, Devon March ’10, Izzy Pines ’10, Ashley Garvey ’10 and Elise Menaker ’10.

Leonhard exits Cornell as one of the finest defenders in the program’s history. She was blessed with a top-tier Division I arm. Intihar and March finished their senior season as the No. 1 and No. 2 “Toughest to Strikeout” in the nation. The versatile Izzy Pines proved to be a valuable utility player, logging many innings in the infield and outfield, as the Bid Red marched toward its goal of an Ivy League title. Garvey finished her career earning a batting title and the reputation of being a “ballplayer’s ballplayer”. Elise Menaker capped off a brilliant career with a record-setting 20 doubles season. Intihar and Menaker finished first and second on the school’s career hit list. These six 2010 graduates demonstrated what it takes to be a champion.

A fall filled with practices and scrimmages allowed our newcomers and returners an opportunity to demonstrate their worth. There are still many unanswered questions. We must put forth a strong defensive unit in order to play consistent softball. New synthetic surfaces here on East Hill extend our out-of-doors practice opportunities. Schoellkopf Field, the Marsha Dodson Field and Hoy Baseball Field provide opportunities for our squad to gain valuable time on the carpet until the Niemand•Robison softball field thaws out. Our indoor facility, the Ramin Multipurpose Room, located in Bartels Hall, enables our underhanders to practice or scrimmage regardless of the weather. We are grateful for Katie Watts ’12 had strong fall seasons looking to garner innings on the these wonderful facilities. left side. Jenny Edwards ’14, Lauren Bucolo ’14 and Sarah McCormack ’14 Our pitching staff returns intact. Led by Ali Tomlinson ’11 and are capable at second, third and short. Elizabeth Dalrymple ’11 the duo has started games since their Tri-captain Marissa Amiraian ’11 returns to the outfield for her final freshman year. Juniors Lauren Marx ’12 and Jenna Stoller ’12 campaign. “Peaches” drove in all three runs in the championship win expect to gain valuable innings in support of the senior tandem. over Harvard last May. She has worked hard to rebuild a broken wrist. The right-hander and left-hander provide a different look to our Joining Amiraian in the outfield areCassie Walisiak ’12, JJ Briggs ’14, Jane opposition’s lineup. The returning staff will be bolstered by the Pinckney ’14 and Sam Creamer ’14. We fully expect that some of our addition of sophomore Janelle Boyd ’13 and freshmen Samantha infielders and catchers will roam the outfield grasses as well. Productivity Roth ’14 and Alyson Onyon ’14. Each is working diligently on adding at the plate will be rewarded. pitches to her arsenal. Many of our players will see time at the designated hitter position. Tomlinson Behind the dish, Erica Gaeta ’12, Kristen Towne ’13, Erin and Gaeta both contributed at this position last year. Reserves will be Belles ’13, along with freshmen Christina Villalon ’14 and counted on to pinch run and to provide offensive punch from the pinch-hit Katrina Conklin ’14, don the “tools of ignorance”. Towne had a role. In addition, there will be late inning defensive replacements at key big year as a freshman in 2010 where she led the team in home runs. Catching positions. It is important that each player defines her role and executes that is a punishing position. We expect several to see time behind the plate. role in support of the team and its goal. This sport, filled with individual As we work our way through preseason, we will experiment with infield confrontation, demands a solid team effort and strong chemistry. slots. Returning letter-winner Erin Keene ’12 will lead the way having gained valuable time at all four infield positions.Morgan Cawley ’12 and left: Marissa Amiraian ’11 ✦ top: Ali Tomlinson ’11

9 Compliance Corner

A Lesson to be Learned

By Amy Foster ’95

Recent news and public reports in the compliance world student-athletes. The philanthropic representative was trying to revealed two major NCAA infractions where boosters provided generate interest within his local west coast community for his impermissible educational expenses to student-athletes. Like east coast alma mater. He specifically wanted to help those who many things in life, it is often easy to dismiss unfortunate might be a good fit for the institution, but might not otherwise occurrences elsewhere as things that could never happen be able to afford its cost. Because of the booster’s connections in our own backyard. However, the involved institutions are within his local community, football players at a local two year close to home in many regards. Despite best efforts and good college ended up being the recipients of his generosity. intentions, these major violations occurred at institutions that As supporters of both our institution and, most likely, the are highly respected in every manner. It is easy to identify with current community in which you reside, it seems logical and them, which makes it an opportune teaching moment. beneficial to want to combine those interests. Unfortunately, A public report released in November 2010 described how a when that combination involves athletes, it can inadvertently representative of Princeton University’s athletics interests provided be detrimental to the institution and the student. Under NCAA approximately $33,000 to a women’s tennis student-athlete so Division I recruiting (13.2), financial aid (15.01.3) and extra- that she could attend the university. The donor and the student benefit (16.02.3) legislation (and similar legislation in Division had developed a relationship based on their mutual interest in III), a representative of an institution’s athletics interests is the sport of tennis and their membership at a local tennis club. not permitted to provide educational expenses for a specific prospective student-athlete or student-athlete to attend an When the student became interested in Princeton, and it institution unless the prospective student-athlete or student- became apparent that the finances to attend the university athlete was naturally or legally dependent on the representative were overwhelming, the representative stepped in to assist the (e.g., parent paying for his or her son or daughter). young woman in achieving her academic and athletic dreams. In any other world, one might be thankful for such a generous While it seems a simple premise, the two above cited cases and well-intentioned gift. Unfortunately, in the intercollegiate represent how easily this line could get blurred when an athletics world governed by NCAA rules, the gift is a clear extra impassioned and well-intentioned heart takes over. benefit and recruiting inducement, and must be protected Questions? Please ask first. Compliance Corner articles are against so as to preserve the integrity of amateur sport. meant to be educational and cannot cover all scenarios or Similar to the above scenario, a public report released in January be all-inclusive. Articles should be used as a reminder of the of 2011 explained how a booster of Division III Hobart College extensive NCAA rules that bind intercollegiate athletics and provided $75,000 in impermissible educational expenses to those involved. If you have any further questions and concerns two football student-athletes. Further, the booster offered please feel free to contact Amy Foster, Assistant A.D. for to pay $50,000 for educational expenses for two prospective Compliance at 607-255-8874, or via email at [email protected].

Big Red in the Community

Wrestling raised $5,000 to benefit Women’s Ice Hockey donated proceeds the Adam Frey Foundation, which is from their ECAC championship rematch a non-profit organization formed by against Clarkson on Dec. 14 to the wrestling athlete Adam Frey ’09 to give United Way of Tompkins County. comfort to and provide enjoyment for those receiving treatment for cancer. Women’s Lacrosse held their annual During an aggressive bout of chemo, Dodgeball Tournament to raise money about a month before Adam passed for the Multiple Sclerosis Society in away, he wrote in his blog, “Hopefully December and raised $700 to support life outside of chemo and the sickness this worthy cause. will be comfortable.” The Adam Frey Men’s Lacrosse hosted its sixth annual Foundation is the leading contributor 21 Dinner, which celebrates the life to the Hillman patient assistant and legacy of Cornell lacrosse athlete program where gift cards are provided George Boiardi. The 21 Dinner is one in $100 amounts to be used for food, of several events hosted by the Mario gas, or prescriptions. St. George Boiardi Foundation. All Cornell’s Student-Athlete Advisory proceeds from the dinner will benefit Council raised $1700 for needy families the Foundation. Recipients of the during the holiday season. The funds Foundation’s grants include Teach were split between the Salvation For America, the Family Reading Army’s Adopt-A-Family program and Partnership of Ithaca, and Lacrosse Coaches Damion Hahn and Rob Koll present a check to Ithaca’s Kitchen Cupboard. for Life. Cynthia L. Frey, President of the Adam Frey Foundation.

10 Winter Highlights

Wroblewski Named To Capital One Academic All-America Third Team Chris Wroblewski ’12 has been named to the Capital One Academic All-America third team as selected by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA). Wroblewski becomes the fourth Big Red Men’s Track Claims 2nd at Indoor player to earn the top academic honor in college basketball and Heps; Women Nab 3rd Place is one of two Ivy League players The men’s track and field team finished second at the 2011 Indoor on this year’s list (Brown’s Garrett Heptagonal Championships, held on Feb. 26-27 at the Armory in New York Leffelman — second team). City. Four Big Red athletes claimed titles as the Big Red finished the meet Wroblewski, a preseason with 172 points, behind Princeton’s total of 215. candidate for the Bob Cousy Winning championships on the day were J.D. Adarquah-Yiadon ’13 in the Award as the nation’s top point 60m, posting a time of 6.79 in the final,Dan Hagberg ’12 in the 60m hurdles guard, was named to the all- with a time of 8.10, Steven Bell ’14 in the long jump with a best effort of district team for the second 23’ 8¾”, and Nick Huber ’12, who won the heptathlon with a score of 5319. straight year in January. He is Cornell also finished with six runner-up finishes for second-team All-Ivy honors. averaging 14.2 points, 5.7 assists, 3.4 rebounds and 1.5 steals On the women’s side, Melissa Hewitt ’12 was the lone event winner on the while playing 32.7 minutes per day for the Big Red, which finished the meet with 87.66 points. game in 26 contests (24 starts). Hewitt won the women’s 60m dash with a time of 7.52, then added a Wroblewski hit on 43 percent of second-place finish in the long jump with a best effort of 19’ 6¼”. Other his 3-point attempts (52-of-120). runners-up in the meet were Kim Standridge ’11 in the 800m and the 4x400m relay team of Ebolutalese Airewele ’14, Kelsey Reimnitz ’12, Clockwise: Kinsley Ojkwu ’13, Justin McCollins ’13 (track) ✦ Ebolutalese Airewele ’14 (track) Molly Glantz ’12 and Standridge. ✦ Chris Wroblewski ’12 (basketball)

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Winter Highlights

Women’s Jorgensen and Ice Hockey Standridge earn nets straight Ivy Title; Ivy Titles in Gymnastics 2ndECAC Championship Melanie Jorgensen ’14 (bars) and Melanie Standridge ’12 (beam) each won Ivy crowns, On Feb. 5 the Big Red women won a 2-1 victory over St. Lawrence to lock but Cornell lost its grip on the Ivy Classic up the ECAC Hockey regular season championship. Cornell continued title by placing second overall with another to dominate women’s Ivy ice hockey when it cinched back-to-back Ivy consistent score of 190.550. The host school, League titles for the first time since the 1980-81 season when the Big Red Penn, claimed the title after scoring 191.950, defeated Yale 7-1 at on Feb. 12. The Big Red ended the regular while Brown (188.900) and Yale (185.550) season with a 20-1-1 ECAC Hockey record and a 26-2-1 overall record. rounded out the field. Jorgensen posted a 9.750 on bars while Standridge scored a 9.800 to win her second Ivy beam crown. Men’s Gehman Tennis named claims EAWRC first 2010 ECAC Indoor Head Coach Champ Title of the Year The Cornell men’s tennis team Wrestling Hilary Gehman, The Staley clinched the first ECAC Indoor earns Head Coach of Women’s Championship in program history Rowing, has been named the when it defeated third seeded Eastern Association of Women’s 9th Rowing Colleges (EAWRC) 2010 Binghamton, 4-3, on Feb 21 in the straight Murr Center at Harvard in Cambridge, Head Coach of the Year. The Mass. The dramatic tournament finale Ivy & 5th EIWA Titles award is the second coaching came down to a three-set final match The Big Red wrestling team won its ninth- accolade for Gehman this year. victory at No. 4 by Evan Bernstein ’11, straight Ivy League title on Feb 19 with a 40-9 She was named the Collegiate who battled back from a set down to victory over Harvard. Cornell won eight out of Rowing Coaches Association secure the victory for the Big Red. 10 bouts including Mike Grey ’11 (133), Justin Mid-Atlantic Coach of the Year Kerber ’11 (165), Mack Lewnes ’11 (174) and this past summer. Gehman is Cam Simaz ’12 (197). The Big Red completed its currently in her fourth season Clockwise: Rebecca Johnston ’12 (hockey) ✦ Melanie Jorgensen ’14 (gymnastics) ✦ Ancient Eight record with a perfect 5-0 mark, coaching the Big Red women. Coach Hilary Gehman ✦ Cam Simaz ’12 (wrestling) ✦ Evan Bernstein ’11 (tennis) and Cornell finished 13-1 overall.