Winter Barbeque Celebration

The Campbell Sports Center celebrated its student workers during its annual winter barbeque in their honor.

The evening was kicked off by a general information session in preparation for the coming semester. Student workers were reminded about safety measures and learned the features of an updated computer system in the gym. Next, they broke off into their assigned areas to brush up on their skills and discuss any other updates that have hit our always improving Campbell Sports Center.

After the meetings, student workers followed the scent of grilling burgers and simmering coals to the downstairs lounge where the tables were set with a feast. Outside, the red hot barbeque was heating up a chilly winter night while inside the students chatted and laughed with each other.

While the students were very appreciative, it’s the full-time staff that saw the barbeque as just a small token of thanks for all of the hard work student workers put into the smooth running of the Campbell Sports Center.

To end the evening, students huddled around the glowing coals with skewered marshmallows in hand. They waited for that golden brown and that perfect gooey consistency for the ultimate s’mores.

Is there any other way to top of a winter barbeque?

Thanks to those who organized the event, and especially to those student workers who make the Campbell Sports Center the great place it is.

Competition Heats Up the Cold Month of January

In the cold winter months, the hot place to be is in the Campbell Sports Center.

That was especially true this January when the SLC staff competed in the Winter Fitness Challenge. With 47 contestants on eight teams, determined competitors vied for the top spot individually and as a team, for the right to claim the Fitness Challenge Cup for 2010 for their office.

This year’s winners were the offices of College Events and Student Affairs. They teamed up to put thousands of points on the board, totaling hundreds of hours working out on squash courts, tread mills, yoga mats and elliptical machines, just to name a few of them. There were also relay races, double point pool hours and a hula hoop contest that turned competitive working out into just downright fun.

College Events and Student Affairs held the lead for the last two weeks of competition, and seemed to be unbeatable going into the finish. However, with just hours to go, the Controller’s Office pulled within 200 points to give the College Events and Student Affairs team a healthy scare. But in the end, College Events and Student Affairs had put just too many man hours on the board to not bring the cup home.

The Top 3 Individual Point Scorers were Rhoan Cassels and Charlotte Stephenson of the Controllers Office and Jason Gloe of Student Affairs. The other offices represented were Communications, Admissions, Alumni Relations, and the combined efforts of Funds for Sarah Lawrence and Donor Relations, who also teamed up for the challenge.

The smiles on the faces of each staff member who participated—along with the friendly trash talking that could be heard throughout the gym—was a great indication of the fun that was had.

An enthusiastic way to kick off those New Year’s resolutions! Thanks to those who participated and hope to see you all back here soon.

No Turkeys Were Harmed at the Annual Turkey Shoot

Sarah Lawrence students took to the alleys in search of that elusive bird. In bowling, three consecutive strikes constitute what’s known as a turkey, the perfect moniker for our Thanksgiving bowling outing.

A bowling pin was awarded to Emily for the highest game of the day. Student Erica also took home a coveted pin for having the most strikes and spares over a three-game period. In addition, a number of students took home the famed SLC bowling t-shirt for outstanding play during the day.

This was a fun event that brought friends together over a few strikes and spares. They chatted between rounds, laughed amongst the lanes—most frequently as balls headed toward the gutter—and cheered when their friends threw strikes.

On a couple of occasions, we had students who had two strikes in a row. We held our breath for a turkey to appear on the screen as they stepped up for their third… but in the end, it wasn’t meant to be.

No turkeys were shot that day, but all the students left the alleys with smiles on their faces, happy to be back in their own shoes.

Win-Win on Homecoming Night

On Friday, November 13, the students found their way to the Campbell Sports Center to watch the Sarah Lawrence Men’s Basketball team and to support SSSF’s fundraising effort for student scholarships.

Following a reception in the Campbell Sports Center’s lounge for SLC alums, the game kicked off with a performance by the men’s acapella group, Vocal Minority, who set a perfect pitch for the night. On their way to the game, many people stopped to take photographs with the Gryphon as they hustled in to grab their seats. But visitors still found time to crowd around the concession stands, where popcorn was popping and cotton candy was churning

As everyone found their seats, anticipation grew for the men’s basketball team to take the floor as the Gryphon pumped up the crowd with high fives and chants of “S-L-C” that echoed in the rafters.

As the game got off the ground, our Gryphons fell behind and had to play catch-up. Down at the half, the troops pulled together, got their game plan working, and were ready for the next twenty minutes. The Gryphons hung tough down by 13 with 7:32 to go. We had them right where we wanted them, ready to make our run.

As the thundersticks got louder and house started rocking, you could tell something was happening not just on the court but in the stands. The crowd became electric as the team was making their run.

With a tenacious defense and sharp shooting, the Gryphons were back in the game. The Gryphons fought their way all the way back to take a lead by two as the seconds ticked away, securing their first win of the season by the narrowest of margins, 49-47.

The loyal fans stormed the court. If there were a pair of scissors available, a net would be down. By far this was the most exciting homecoming game that Sarah Lawrence has ever seen.

As well as a victory for the basketball, this was a victory for all students as SSSF raised a good amount of money on concessions. Thank you to everyone who came out and supported the evening. Fun was had by all.

King of the Courts: Fall Squash Spectacular
October 29, 2009

The squash tournament brought out different levels of competition along with a cast of new characters to show their stuff on the courts.

In this year’s fall tournament was three-time defending champion faculty member Roland Dollinger.

In the finals of the beginner’s division, student Jing Min squared off against faculty assistant Clara. In a three-out-of-five, winner-take-all bout, Jing Min out-pointed Clara to take home first place.

In the intermediate division, students Michael and Ian were defeated from the final four, but would later face-off for third place, which eventually went to Ian. That set the table for student Will and defending champ Roland to face-off in the championships. That match would determine who would be the fall squash champ, and if Roland could once again bring home the title.

Roland was pushed, but did win two consecutive games in a hard fought match to once again claim the title. Will stepped up to the returning champion, and both were brought up to the increase in competition. Although ultimately defeated, Will had a good showing in the finals and took home second place.

It was a well-played tournament by all participants. Thanks to all for coming out and supporting this special event.

The next special event will be The Turkey Shoot (free bowling!) on Monday, November 16. Sign up at the front desk of the Campbell Sports Center.

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Street Smart Self-Defense
September 10, 2009

Think Safe, Be Safe

Sometimes a welcome to the big city isn’t always a friendly one.

The instructors of Brooklyn’s Center for Anti-Violence Education kicked off this year’s self-defense clinic by opening the floor for attendees to share their own experiences, life lessons and times that they felt unsafe.

The opening discussion seemed to have a bonding effect on the group and they learned that they had shared experiences no matter where they were from. Using concrete examples from their discussion, the instructors gave students tips on general safety and alertness to help them to be more conscious of their surroundings.

This led to physical instruction on how to find an attacker’s weakest points and defend oneself through a series of punching and kicking techniques. Students who attended the clinic felt more comfortable as they left the gym, gaining an important awareness of their surrounding and how best to protect themselves.

Some of the general guidelines they received that night were:

1. Be aware of how you present yourself.
2. Be aware of your surroundings.
3. Don’t flash money or jewelry.
4. Have your keys ready to get into your car or room before leaving.
5. Speaking up can often put a stop to someone who is annoying you.
6. Yelling is one of the best defenses.
7. Walk in a group when possible and in well-lit places.

For more information and useful tips from the Center for Anti-Violence Education, stop by the Campbell Sports Center and ask for Joe for the group’s handout on preventive measures or visit their website.

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Zumba!
September 9, 2009

Zumba Zooms to the Top of Students’ Workout Routines

Latin dance and working out met in one explosive, high-energy evening when Zumba came to Sarah Lawrence.

Students of all shapes and sizes worked on their footwork and fitness with the latest exercise sensation that incorporates all-styles of Latin dance. A certified Zumba instructor with an extensive dance background led a full-house of enthusiastic students in this nightclub-inspired workout craze.

Friends salsa danced, strangers danced the meringue, and everyone had a great time keeping up with this latest workout sensation that’s been sweeping the country and Sarah Lawrence for the second year. The room was jumping with rhythm and bass, while participants laughed the night away. The Zumba class looked a lot more like a party than a workout routine.

“The Zumba class last night was exceptional,” noted one participant. She added the instructor was great and she couldn’t wait for Zumba again soon.

Another participant echoed the thoughts of the whole class. “This is super fun!” she said.

Even after the workout was done, there was a great deal of enthusiasm about the class. Many students stuck around to talk to the instructor and get more information on this dance/workout craze.

We were happy to see so many smiling—and sweaty!—faces at this year’s Zumba event. Thanks to everyone who came out and learned a new dance move or two.

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East-West Volleyball
September 1, 2009

Friendly Competition Spells a Victory for Both Sides

This year’s much-anticipated East-West Volleyball Rivalry took on a gentler feel, as coast competition gave way to college friendships and ended in a victory for both sides.

While traditionally the East-West game has been divided down geographic lines, this year’s volleyball game wasn’t based on students’ neighborhoods within the U.S, but rather their campus addresses.

Warm-ups took a long time with athletes strengthening old ties as well as limbering bodies, and the more experienced volleyball players used the time to give tutorials to their newbie friends.

Once the first game got underway, it was clear warm-ups had heavily favorited one side with a 25-8 blowout. But with some time spent around the water cooler—licking wounds and talking strategy—there was a spirited conversation with one result: “This is the game that counts for this year’s bragging rights!”

Taking the idea to heart, the previous losing team came out in a fury, taking an early lead, only to have that lead snatched back again. But they eventually prevailed, pulling out a 25-23 victory.

In the spirit of Sarah Lawrence, the matches ended in a tie, 1-1 for both sides split down residential halls instead of area codes.

Thank you all for coming out! It was a fun time we hope to recreate next year.