Recent Contributions from Josh Perlin

A Trip Down Memory Lane

Josh Perlin — Fri, 02 May 2008 00:00:00 -0400

The e-mail was short: “Josh, me and you need to have a little chat. No problems, just want to talk.”

So, one night in Nov. 2005, I took a phone call. The voice on the other end was Chris Mascaro ’06, and he was offering me the opportunity of a lifetime.

What if you had the opportunity to go to every Cornell athletics event for free, home and away; receive an all-access pass and the best seats in the house to every event; meet and talk with all the players and coaches; befriend the staff and administration in and out of Athletics, at Cornell and other schools; chat with famous media personalities, coaches and athletes from around the country, in college, professional sports and beyond?

Would you take it?

Inspiration From Tragedy

Josh Perlin — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 00:00:00 -0400

I started to cry. I haven’t cried in a long time.

I don’t know why it happened, but something about his story leveled me. It made me horrified, saddened, inspired and reflective, all at the same time. Maybe you’ll feel the same way.

Adam Frey, a junior and Cornell wrestler, has always been a man of incredible physical and mental strength. On March 25, only a few days after competing in the NCAA championships, Adam was in a car crash. A car came at him in the wrong lane, and going 55 mph his car fishtailed, rolled, hit a tree and sent him flying to the back of the vehicle.

The first time I read the words describing this, I was sitting in my chair at my desk, unaware of what I would learn next. It was Thursday, two days after the accident.

Editor Emeritus Bemoans State of Cornell Fitness Centers

Josh Perlin — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 00:00:00 -0400

Yes, I go to the Cornell “fitness centers.” A number of my friends drive into Ithaca to “The Island” — a tropical gym paradise as far as I’m concerned, though I’ve never been there — while I remain stuck on “the main land,” in the small, overcrowded, equipment-bare, oft-broken gyms at Cornell.

On The Edge Of Their Seats

Josh Perlin — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 13:33:09 -0400

Members on the Men's Basketball team sit on the edge of their seats during Cornell's first round NCAA loss, 77-53, to Stanford on Thursday in Anaheim, Calif.

On The Edge Of Their Seats

Josh Perlin — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 13:33:09 -0400

Members on the Men's Basketball team sit on the edge of their seats during Cornell's first round NCAA loss, 77-53, to Stanford on Thursday in Anaheim, Calif.

Facing the pressure

Josh Perlin — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 03:17:13 -0400

Sophomore Ryan Wittman struggled to find his scoring touch with little room to shoot during Cornell's first round NCAA loss, 77-53, to Stanford on Thursday in Anaheim, Calif.

Women's Basketball Tops Dartmouth in Playoff for NCAA Bid

Josh Perlin — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 00:00:00 -0400

NEW YORK CITY — Senior co-captain Gretchen Gregg grabbed a rebound and dribbled straight for sophomore point guard Lauren Benson at the top of the arc. You would have thought the game was still in contention, until the two players smiled with joy, and Benson heaved the ball to the ceiling as the clock expired and the team mobbed the floor.

Using unmatched efficiency on both ends of the floor, Cornell never relinquished the lead and toppled Dartmouth, 64-47, in the playoff game to determine the Ivy League’s NCAA bid. The win capped the greatest season in Cornell women’s basketball history, with the team scoring 1889 points and winning 20 games, an Ivy title and an NCAA Tournament invite: all for the first time in its 37-year history.

Stanford Defense Contains, Dale, Wittman, Cornell Offense at NCAA Tournament

Josh Perlin — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 00:00:00 -0400

ANAHEIM, Calif. — With 13:40 left in the first half and Stanford leading 11-4, sophomore Ryan Wittman finally freed himself at the top of the key, and more than a yard behind the line, fired up a 3-pointer with a defender coming at him. Hitting the floor from contact in time to watch the shot fall in, Wittman hurried back on defense, not knowing it would be his only made shot of the half.

Wait 'Till Next Year

Josh Perlin — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 00:00:00 -0400

Silent Times

Josh Perlin — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 02:54:09 -0400

Gut Reaction

Josh Perlin — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 02:51:55 -0400

Defense

Josh Perlin — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 11:41:18 -0400

Track Team Love

Josh Perlin — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 11:38:13 -0400

A Gameplan Breakdown ... Literally

Josh Perlin — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 23:55:00 -0400

Wow. I love the Cornell men's basketball team. What an incredible ride this team has put us all through this season, bringing our University some national recognition — and hopefully, some more money (insert shameless plug here) — while lifting our school spirit and unity. Covering the team here in warm and sunny Anaheim, Calif., has been an incredible experience, regardless of the game's final score.

It Was More Than A Good Season, It Was HISTORIC ... But It's Over

Josh Perlin — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 18:58:34 -0400

There's no denying this was a historic season for the men's basketball team, but it's about to come to an end. With 3:35 left in the game, Stanford leads 71-44. After keeping it close early, the team has been unable to hit any shots and is being decimated on the boards and in the post in general.

Wittman (2-of-10) and Dale (3-of-15) were held to 1-of-15 combined in the first half, despite playing nearly the full 20 mins each.

Cornell is shooting 14-of-53 as of right now, but was merely 4-for-32 by halftime. That's 15.6 percent at the half, and 42.9 percent in the second half. It's tough to win games shooting like that.

Stanford, on the other hand, is cruising. Aside from shooting 50 percent or better in both halves, the Cardinal is currently out-rebounding Cornell 45-24.

CBS: Cornell Beats Stanford?

Josh Perlin — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 16:14:43 -0400

Five Quick Ways to Get on TV at the NCAAs

Josh Perlin — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 14:35:48 -0400

So, you've made it all the way to Anaheim, Calif., and you want everyone to know it. What better way to do that than be on television, right? The footage lasts a lifetime, everyone can see it — especially if you record it — and it's much easier than calling, writing and telling everyone you know.

But getting on TV is easier said than done. So here are five ways for you to make it happen:

Encouraging Signs?

Josh Perlin — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 06:24:56 -0400

Big Time

Josh Perlin — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 06:20:40 -0400

foote

Josh Perlin — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 06:16:14 -0400

Multimedia Madness

Josh Perlin — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 03:29:11 -0400

According to ESPN SportsNation, right now, 93.2 percent of fans picked Stanford to beat Cornell tomorrow. Whatever happens, Harrison, Rob Burris (from The Red Light) and myself have captured some incredible multimedia over the last 36 hours.

RB + HDS

Josh Perlin — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 03:28:47 -0400

stu section

Josh Perlin — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 03:23:04 -0400

dreams do come true

Josh Perlin — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 03:21:10 -0400

stanford guards

Josh Perlin — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 03:19:29 -0400

D Wade

Josh Perlin — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 03:16:48 -0400

Press Row

Josh Perlin — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 03:12:50 -0400

cheerleaders

Josh Perlin — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 03:10:58 -0400

cornell section

Josh Perlin — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 02:48:47 -0400

Arena

Josh Perlin — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 02:12:29 -0400

Stanford Waits

Josh Perlin — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 01:30:59 -0400

Sophomore Brook Lopez (right) and Stanford are hoping to use their post presence to dominate Cornell, and will be looking prevent the Red from establishing the outside shot.

Cornell, Stanford Face Divergent Pressures in NCAA Matchup

Josh Perlin — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 01:05:00 -0400

ANAHEIM, Calif. — One team is making its first appearance in 20 years; the other is battling for its first NCAA Tournament win since hiring a new coach in 2004. The pressures faced by Cornell and No. 11 Stanford couldn’t be more divergent, and it was evident in the answers given by the teams at media day today.

“You know, now, if you lose, there’s no second chances, no tomorrows,” said Stanford junior guard Mitch Johnson. “So I think everyone’s playing with their backs against the wall.”

Master and Commander

Josh Perlin — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 01:04:51 -0400

Steve Donahue (left) addresses his players during Cornell's open practice on Wednesday at the Honda Center in Anaheim, Calif.

Ivy Elite

Josh Perlin — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 00:59:12 -0400

The men's basketball team plays in it's first NCAA Tournament in 20 years tomorrow, and will face third-seeded Stanford. Senior Jason Hartford, sophomores Ryan Wittman and Louis Dale, and junior Adam Gore (left-to-right) are projected starters for the game.

Any Questions?

Josh Perlin — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 00:16:06 -0400

Submit Your Questions Here!

Josh Perlin — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 23:55:00 -0400

Hey everyone! Have any questions for the players or media? Want to know about the festivities, or anything else about the 2008 NCAA Tournament in Anaheim? Submit your questions as comments below and we'll answer them RIGHT HERE, as soon as we get the chance.

UCLA Takes The Court

Josh Perlin — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 20:40:00 -0400

So, UCLA just took the court, and let me tell you something ... this team is on another level. Stanford, a No. 3 seed, seemed very playable. This team does not.

Here's an example:

The entire team starts taking half-court shots. I don't know if they do this normally, but it's media day, so why not, right? Freshman Kevin Love steps up to half court, and without even striding or basically moving anything other than his arms on a two-handed throw, makes 2-of-3. (Facial expression: unchanged).

Seeing that this is too easy, he moves back to the far foul line: three-quarters court. Same thing: no run-up, no step; nothing. He makes 2-of-4. (Facial expression: unchanged).

And It Begins ...

Josh Perlin — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 15:07:42 -0400

So all the media madness has started. We got to the Honda Center without any problems, thanks to a media shuttle and only a five-minute drive. We're all set up now waiting for press conferences and practices to start.

We've taken a lot of pictures and some Red Light footage, which will all be posted tonight. (Update: posted here.)

The Kentucky news conference just happened, and they're out on the practice floor right now, so we're just waiting on Cornell to come out.

12:05 PACIFIC TIME, 3:05 EASTERN TIME

CORNELL NEWS CONFERENCE

ESPN NEWS

Limted Edition

Josh Perlin — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 04:19:45 -0400

I like this hat.

The Plane

Josh Perlin — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 04:17:03 -0400

Our plane was rather large for Tompkins County Airport. Somehow, the 737 landed and took off without a problem: very impressive.

Doing Our Job

Josh Perlin — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 04:10:41 -0400

Let's Go Red!

Josh Perlin — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 03:56:20 -0400

This was possibly the funniest moment of the entire trip.

A Bartels Bash

Josh Perlin — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 03:38:17 -0400

Show Some Love

Josh Perlin — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 03:36:49 -0400

The Cornell cheerleaders pose with the men's basketball team in Bartels Hall before departing for the airport on Tues morning.

Wednesday's Schedule

Josh Perlin — Tue, 18 Mar 2008 23:30:00 -0400

For Coverage of the entire men's basketball team's NCAA Tournament run, direct from Anaheim, click here.

Tonight, Cornell got to practice in Anaheim for the first time.

Tomorrow, the teams that will play on Thursday have their press conferences. Cornell is scheduled to have it's media session at Noon and an open practice around 12:45 p.m.

Just talking with some players and others in the media, although a heavy underdog, it seems to Harrison and me that Cornell CAN DEFINITELY WIN this game. Harrison will deal with the keys for Cornell much more in-depth, but here are a few we see for now:

Traveling With Royalty

Josh Perlin — Tue, 18 Mar 2008 21:22:41 -0400

Editor's Note: Sun Senior Writers Josh Perlin and Harrison D. Sanford are traveling with the men’s basketball team to Anaheim. This is their story:

9:58 a.m. — We Better Hurry

After picking up Harrison in my car, we park at my house, forget to lock the car doors (or at least I don’t recall doing it), and speedily drag our luggage to Bartels. This is a microcosm of how the last 24 hours have been: disorganized and rushed. Only 15 hours ago, Harrison and I learned we would be seated on the plane to Anaheim with the team, at which time I made a four-hour drive to Ithaca to cut my Spring Break short. Harrison was already in Ithaca, lucky him.

10:10 a.m. — March Madness

M. Hoops Scheduling Indiana, NIT Preseason Tourney in 2008-09

Josh Perlin — Tue, 18 Mar 2008 19:00:00 -0400

Numerous sources with knowledge of the men’s basketball team’s scheduling have confirmed that the team is close to playing in the Preseason NIT and against Indiana next season. The sources asked to remain anonymous because Cornell's schedule has not been formally announced yet. None of the sources knew if a contract had been signed for either event, which would make them officially part of the Red's schedule, but they did confirm that, in both cases, negotiations are ongoing or had been completed.

Cornell Director of Athletic Communications Jeremy Hartigan declined to comment. Cornell coaches could not be contacted because the team was traveling to Anaheim, Calif., for the NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament.

A Cornell Sports Weekend King Leonidas Would Be Proud Of

Josh Perlin — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 00:00:00 -0500

Madness? THIS IS SPARTA … I mean ITHACA!

I am not even kidding: if there has ever been a time to show your school spirit and attend a Cornell sports event, this is it. Cornell sports are absolutely amazing this Friday through Sunday.

You have a chance to see three teams with projected NCAA entrants: that’s three teams with some of our nation’s best athletes, right here, at Cornell!

THIS IS BLASPHEMY!

Cornell sports … advancing on a national level?

Financial Aid, Principles Should Be Priority

Josh Perlin — Fri, 22 Feb 2008 00:00:00 -0500

I discovered the "crisis” in Cornell athletics at the beginning of the semester, when I started asking questions for a story about Cornell recruiting. Naturally, I went to some Cornell Athletics staff and coaches (the people with direct knowledge of recruiting). Instead, I discovered an enormous and mounting sense of fear: the recruits were committing elsewhere across the board for Cornell sports, and financial aid was a significant factor. (I can only imagine the same being true for non student-athletes, though I have no information to support this).

Questions Remain With C.U. Financial Aid Packages

Josh Perlin — Fri, 22 Feb 2008 00:00:00 -0500

This is the final part of a three-part series in which The Sun explores Cornell’s difficulties in athletic recruiting because of non-competitive financial aid packages.

The question Cornell coaches and Director of Athletics Andy Noel want answered is simple: how can other Ivy League schools attempt to catch up with Harvard, Princeton and Yale’s financial aid packages, but Cornell cannot?

This week, The Sun reported that Cornell is losing Ivy recruits to the other seven schools because of non-competitive financial aid packages. Schools around the league fear a competitive imbalance is developing, in violation of the Ivy League Statement of Principles, as a consequence of the superior financial aid packages offered by Harvard, Princeton and Yale. Meanwhile, other Ivies are attempting to catch up by improving their packages, but Cornell is not.

Aid and Packaging

When asked why other Ivy schools have been able to come up with better packages, Noel had a simple response.