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January 29, 2001

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Tennis Teams Open Season With Victories

By ryan | January 29, 2001

Both the men’s and women’s tennis teams commenced their spring seasons with an air of perfection this weekend.

Competing at the Virginia Commonwealth University 4-1 Tennis Invitational, the men hammered Richmond, 5-0, and didn’t have a much tougher time against James Madison, which they defeated, 4-1.

The women, playing at home at the Reis Tennis Center whipped both Colgate and St. Bonaventure by scores of 7-0.

Against Richmond, Greg Artzt, Stefan Paulovic, Zach Gallin, and Scott Paltrowitz all won their singles matches. The duo of Russ Gimelstob and Pat Hagan also claimed the lone doubles match.

Then, in the win over James Madison, Mike Halperin — who was last season’s Ivy League Player of the Year — had no trouble with Louis Rosado, 6-1, 6-2. Artzt, Paulovic, and Mike Mestel also won their matches.

For the women, it was easy pickings against both the Red Raiders and Bonnies. Daniela DelPrete, Suzanne Wright, Piper Lucas, Laura Leigh Tallent, and Alex DelPrete all picked up wins in both matches. Ngozi Amobi claimed a victory against Colgate, while Saloni Kantaria did the same against St. Bonaventure.

In the doubles, the pairings of Amobi and Lucas, Alex DelPrete and Daniela DelPrete, and Wright and Kantaria earned wins against both opponents.

The women take the court next on Friday, when they host the Cornell Winter Indoor Classic. The men will remain in Virginia for the remainder of their VCU Invitational, which ends today. They then have their own Cornell Invitational in two weeks.

Archived article by Shiva Nagaraj

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Seawolves Drop M. Hoops, 91-84

By ryan January 30, 2001

After combining for a measly 79 points in its home-and-home series against Columbia, Cornell more than equaled that total in an 84 point effort last night against Stony Brook. But whatever promise the Red exhibited on the offensive end of the court was negated by a dismal defensive performance. Cornell allowed a season high 91 points as the Seawolves shot 58.2% to give them their twelfth win of the season. The Seawolves have put a premium on improving their basketball team during the last few years. The program has steadily been gaining respect among its peer schools and seems to have broken through this year. Highlights for the team include a win against Columbia and a nine point loss to Connecticut. The Red barely beat Stony Brook in last season’s contest on East Hill, 79-74. Unfortunately for the Red, it could not repeat the result. Cornell came out firing from the start. It shot 12-for-14, giving the Red as much as a nine point lead. However, consistency has been a problem all season and the team could not continue its high level of play, mustering only one more shot before the half ended. Stony Brook took advantage of Cornell’s lapse, taking the lead, 34-32, with fewer than three minutes left in the half. Despite the deficit, the Red’s bettered the hosts shooting percentage by a 61.9% to 60% margin. Cornell found itself trailing by five at intermission, 39-34. As the next twenty minutes began, Stony Brook steadily built upon its tentative lead, culminating at a 81-62 score with 5:05 left. The Red was able to lessen the margin, but only came as close as the final score. Senior tri-captain Ray Mercedes, who had played four minutes in his last two games, came off the bench to score a game-high 17 points for Cornell, equaling Stony Brook’s Rob Hartman. Mercedes carried much of the team’s burden as his classmate tri-captain Greg Barratt and rookie guard Ka’Ron Barnes both fouled out. Senior tri-captain Kevin Cuttica, the team’s three-point specialist, shot 4-7 beyond the arc while garnering 16 points for the Red. Leon Brisport equaled Cuttica’s total and added eight rebounds. Sophomore Luke Vernon was the only other player for Cornell to score in double-digits. Rebounding was scarce as both teams had the hot hand. Nevertheless, the Seawolves beat the Red on the boards, 30-23. The Seawolves edged out the Red in virtually every area, points off turnovers, 24-16, second chance points, 17-8, fast break points, 4-2, bench points, 43-38 and total personal fouls, 18-24. Cornell (5-8, 1-3 Ivy) now finds itself at a paramount point in its season. The team enters the thick of Ivy League competition this weekend when Harvard and Dartmouth visit Newman Area on Friday and Saturday, respectively. Archived article by Amanda Angel
A New Lease on Life

By ryan January 30, 2001

Last April, Coach Scott Thompson was concerned that his immune system was getting weaker. After six months of chemotherapy, tests showing cancerous activity confirmed his apprehensions. Having concealed his cancer from his basketball team throughout the 2000 season, Thompson could no longer postpone the inevitable. On May 12 of last year, he told his players about his battle with colon cancer and of his intention to take the next six months off. “I felt that it was in my and Cornell men’s basketball’s best interest that I stepped away because it had really affected me last season and I think it reflected the way I coached and how we performed,” Thompson said. In the six months preceding his announcement, Thompson made a pledge to himself and his family that he would better himself physically and mentally to beat the cancer. He exercised more, ate healthier and whole-heartedly embraced life. His improved outlook precipitated his passionate involvement in Coaches vs. Cancer, a national organization designed to raise funds for cancer research. Norm Stewart, the former head coach at the University of Missouri who survived colon cancer, helped start Coaches vs. Cancer in 1993. Coaches vs. Cancer partnered with the American Cancer Society to raise money and provide educational forums for the public. About 250 coaches across the nation are involved in this program, including Syracuse’s Jim Boeheim, whose program raises close to a half a million dollars a year. “When I came down with cancer, I realized that cancer research and cancer screening has helped save my life,” Thompson said. “I’m very involved in the fight against cancer, especially with the educational programs.” The coach is a leading spokesperson for Coaches vs. Cancer as he regularly gives speeches advocating the importance of getting an annual physical, especially for those over the age of 40. His cancer was found during a regular checkup, and at the time of the discovery, he exhibited no signs or symptoms. “If they had found it one year later, we may not be talking right now,” Thompson said. Besides his involvement with Coaches vs. Cancer, he is working in conjunction with athletic director Andy Noel to boost support for Cornell sports. He speaks to alumni groups endeavoring to garner financial support as well as to pique their interest in the success of Cornell teams. “I am thankful that Andy has helped me transition in other areas,” Thompson said. “I am so happy to still be involved.” Since his leave from the basketball team, Thompson’s test and CAT scans have improved significantly. His blood tests show that the cancer is not growing and his doctors feel that if the cancer does not come back within two years of its discovery, his chances of survival are excellent. Two integral reasons for his success, which are intertwined, are his positive outlook on life and the support of his wife, Rebecca. His wife has been a great strength throughout his battle, which has consequently given him the emotional assistance to have a positive outlook on life. Nevertheless, many others have had their lives cut short from cancer. Lute Olson, the legendary coach of the Arizona Wildcats and a former coach of Thompson’s at Iowa, lost his wife, Bobbi, this month to ovarian cancer. Thompson later was an assistant on Olson’s staffs at Iowa and Arizona. Other well-known people such as Charles Schultz and Jim Valvano are no longer with us. The list unfortunately keeps going on and on, which is why Thompson is on a crusade to raise money for cancer research. “I think they will find a cure sometime sooner than later,” Thompson said. “If there is some way we can help, it will save a lot of people.” Thompson is an inspiration to all those around him. His spirit, dedication and courage throughout this difficult time reflect Thompson’s tireless effort to raise funds for cancer research. This Friday night, when the Cornell men’s basketball team takes on Harvard, University President Hunter Rawlings will be competing against two students and one other fan in a halftime shoot-out, with all proceeds going to American Cancer Society and Coaches vs. Cancer. To honor Thompson’s involvement in such a beneficial foundation, I ask all of you to come to the game Friday night to support a cause which touches us all. Archived article by Jason Skolnik