Spreading the Love Around Cornell Athletics
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Big Red athletes tear down inter-sport barriers to become friends
February 29, 2008 - 1:00amAs I watched the No. 2 Tennessee Volunteers unseat the previously undefeated No. 1 Memphis Tigers last weekend in college basketball, I spotted Peyton Manning in attendance enjoying the festivities from his luxury box. This inevitably sparked my interest as to whether or not the same type of cross-sports support occurs at Cornell.
Does junior quarterback Nathan Ford attend Cornell basketball games? Does basketball forward Lauren Benson lead the cheers for the equestrian team? If a baseball player was struggling to belt out the last rep on the bench press, would his football comrade provide assistance or let the bar crush the poor sap’s jaw? (Then again, my interest may have also been sparked by the mere fact that my editor told me this is the topic I would be covering this week.)
The simple answer to the question is “Yes.” Cornell athletes support many sports programs outside of their individual teams. Junior track and field middle distance runner Amanda Wheat described her team as ardent supporters of Cornell Athletics.
“We definitely support the other athletic teams,” Wheat said. “We go to the basketball games every once and a while. We attend wrestling matches. We’ve gone to a couple lacrosse games, just things like that. I would say we go to sporting events more so than the average person. I know it’s definitely something a bunch of the track girls do.”
In the off season rather than catching first down passes, sophomore wide receiver Bryan Walters catches a men’s basketball game instead.
“Usually after every Friday workout they will make [an] announcement that there’s a boy’s basketball game or something,” Walters said. “Normally, we have a pretty good football section in the crowd for men’s basketball games. We always make it a priority to go to different sporting events.”
The interest in each other’s respective sports stems from a common background as sophomore Jenny Niesluchowski, goaltender for the women’s ice hockey team, explains.
Strong ties: Quarterback Tom Piselli ‘09 spots rower Caroline Post ‘10 on bench press in Friedman Center.
“I think it’s common for athletes at Cornell to get along with athletes from other sports,” she said. “One of the biggest things is that we’re all understanding of each other’s time commitment and work ethic that’s needed to be both a Cornell student and an athlete.”
Although Cornell athletic teams certainly comprise a large percentage of Newman Nation, these teams also show their mutual support as they strengthen ties outside of the gymnasium, out of the swimming pool and off the track.
“When possible, we do interact socially outside of the sporting realm, Wheat said. “I would definitely say we have a close relationship with wrestling. We eat lunch together a lot and get together outside of classes a lot.”
There are so many bonds between players of different teams, even Mr. Rogers would be proud.
“I remember coming on to the team as a freshman and the underclassmen told me it’s very common for us to get along with women’s lacrosse,” Niesluchowski said. “Personally, I have one roommate, who’s on the soccer team — Rebecca Flewelling. Another good friend of ours is on the field hockey team. Whenever we sit down at Trillium there are always girls from hockey, lacrosse, field hockey and soccer. I also see a lot of them at Teagle as well.”
Finally, the most intriguing motivation for athletes supporting other athletes may stem from romantic interests. Some Cornell athletes have demonstrated that chemistry on the field can be just as important as chemistry off the field.
“I know someone on our [football] team that has a girlfriend on the basketball team,” Walters said. “Someone else has a girlfriend on the women’s lacrosse team. There are definitely those kinds of connections”
As those connections continue to blossom, love can also be found between the pipes at Lynah Rink. Niesluchowski and men’s ice hockey sophomore goaltender Ben Scrivens may display a tough, impenetrable defense on the ice, but off the ice they shed the pads and the hardnose defense in favor of each other’s company. They can commiserate with each other on the miseries of taking a slapshot to the face or trying to clear traffic in front of their net.
“We’re both really supportive of each other and our respective teams. It’s great to have that support from him. He’s always really helpful when it comes to trying to improve my game.”
Whether they are receiving advice on technique in the goalie crease from a significant other, spotting each other in the gym or cheering as loud as they can at sporting events, Cornell athletes have demonstrated an undeniable passion for supporting the success of fellow members in the Red athletic community.