American Major League Soccer (MLS) has long struggled to sustain an engaged and spirited fan base like its sister leagues in South America, Europe, and other regions of the world where soccer has a stronger foothold — no pun intended. Since his debut in July 2023, it is indisputable that Messi has quickly transformed Inter Miami. He scored in his first seven appearances, catalyzing Miami to unseen success in the MLS-LIGA tournament and MLS bracket. There is no question that Messi is one of the most talented individuals to grace our fields. Still, some might question whether or not he is capable of bringing about the transformative change needed to popularize MLS in America.
Read moreDo Skidmore Students Care About Sports?
At a party recently, I heard a friend of mine, a non-athlete, say something along the lines of, “I don’t have any idea what goes on in Skidmore athletics.” When I asked her why she thought that was, she responded that she just didn’t care that much about sports. This refrain is common among many Skidmore students who do not participate in sports. Compared to other, larger schools, this is odd. Student spectator turnout at games is low, as it is at many liberal arts colleges, but why is this the case? Why don’t Skidmore students care about sports?
Read moreYour guide to the MLB postseason
At the beginning of October, the Major League Baseball (MLB) regular season wrapped up and moved on to postseason games. The MLB postseason is a high stakes series of playoff games spanning the month of October to determine which teams will compete in the World Series. This October so far has been a postseason of ups and downs with unexpected teams taking the top spots. If you haven’t been paying attention, fear not. This is a comprehensive and rather simple guide to the postseason, so you can jump right on the bandwagon when the World Series rolls around at the end of the month.
Read moreResilience and Culture Drive Historic Season for Skidmore Women’s Basketball
For the first time since the 2017-2018 season, the Thoroughbreds took home the Liberty League title with an impressive 54-52 win on the road at #1-seed Ithaca College on February 26. The team ended the season with a 22-5 record, marking the program record for most wins in a season. The team then celebrated Skidmore women’s basketball’s first-ever NCAA tournament win, defeating Johns Hopkins University 62-59 with an incredible comeback in the fourth quarter. Though the historic playoff run was cut short by a 59-50 loss to Tufts University the next day, there is no doubt that this Thoroughbreds team was dynamic, energetic, and committed.
Read moreMichael Thorbjornsen: Staying On Track
I was extremely fortunate to catch up with Michael Thorbjornsen, the world’s third-ranked amateur golfer. We discussed overcoming adversity on the golf course, having his best friend as his caddie, and competing in professional events against his childhood idols.
Read moreJakub Jankto and the Importance of Gay Male Athletes
On Monday, February 13, Czech Republic’s Jakub Jankto came out via an earnest video posted to his social media accounts. The third active male soccer player, and some claim the highest-profile one, to come out, ever. Jankto is currently playing for the Czech Republic’s AC Sparta Prague club, on loan from Spanish club Getafe, where he will return next season. He has been a part of the Czech national team since 2017 and has made 45 appearances for them at the international level.
Read moreThe Importance of "Betting on Yourself": USMNT Rising Star John Tolkin
New York Red Bulls and U.S. Men’s National Soccer Team (USMNT) defender John Tolkin is only 20 years old, but has matured into a world-class professional soccer player. I was lucky to have the chance to discuss many topics with him, including the importance of “betting on yourself,” being process oriented, and recognizing mental health. As impressive as his performances on the field are, the elite mentality of the rising star is equally inspiring.
Read more2022 World Cup - A Look into the History and Current Controversies of the Stadiums
The long awaited 2022 FIFA World Cup is now here and being hosted in Qatar from November 20th to December 18th. Games will be played across eight stadiums, all within a 22 mile radius of Doha, the capital city. Qatar won the right to host after a controversial bidding process in which several FIFA members were accused of bribery, amongst other corrupt practices. Not only was the bidding process problematic, but Qatar's suitability to host has repeatedly been called into question for a number of reasons, including the hot climate and more concerningly, their human rights record.
Read moreTua Tagovailoa's Head Injuries Raise Questions about the Ethics of the NFL
Tua Tagovailoa rejoined the Miami Dolphins on Sunday, 10/23, following a two-week absence due to multiple head injuries. The quarterback was brutally sacked in a game during Week 3 of the National Football League (NFL) season against the Buffalo Bills, where his head was hit with immense force on the turf and he struggled to walk after. The team’s medical staff, however, cleared Tagovailoa to play for the rest of the game. The next week, the 24-year-old suffered a concussion in Cincinnati during a game, this time with much more serious consequences. After an intense hit, he was seen lying on the field unmoving with his fingers clenched in stiff, unnatural positions.
Read moreFall 2022 Skidmore Sports Midseason Update
Skidmore 2022 Fall Sports are off to an incredible start, with many teams exceeding expectations and thriving as the midway point of the season approaches. On behalf of Skidmore News, we wanted to give an update on the fall sports teams, as well as sharing an interview with an athlete from each team to give some insight into how our student athletes are approaching the season. We hope you enjoy it!
Read moreThe Sports Bans Continue: Oklahoma and Arizona
On March 30, the states of Oklahoma and Arizona joined the growing list of states which prohibit transgender women and girls from playing in female sports divisions. Both laws are rooted in the claim that trans athletes have an unfair advantage due to higher levels of testosterone before transition, and that this makes sporting competitions unfair. The vast majority of the individuals leading this charge against trans sport participation have no past history of caring about women’s sports or women’s rights in general. These are not unrelated, but part of a reaction to the last few decades of progress on LGBTQ+ rights and women’s rights.
Read moreTop Teams So Far: A Recap of the First MLB Games Back from Lockout
After a late start due to a lockout, Major League Baseball is back. Coming out of a major strike, the players organization recently agreed to a deal with the league, in which the MLB agreed to raise the bonus pool – the pool of money that funds the league’s bonuses and awards – from $40 million to $50 million. Despite the first two weeks of the season being canceled, the teams are back to their regularly scheduled programming. Here is a look at the top teams in each league right now.
Read moreGet Excited About the 2022 FIFA World Cup: What to know and Expect from this Year’s Games
Mark your calendars for November 21st — the start of the 2022 FIFA World Cup games. The tournament, this year hosted in Qatar, is fast approaching, with the final draw just having taken place on April 1st. Currently, 29 nations have qualified leaving three spots to be filled in June.
Read moreThis Is Bigger Than Sports: Trans Rights and Athletics
Over the last few decades, the LGBTQ+ community has made tremendous progress in the United States and some other countries. However, there is still a long way to go in most of the world towards liberation, and unfortunately we are in the midst of a backlash which focuses on a particularly vulnerable subset: transgender people. How did we get here, and what does this mean for the future?
Read moreA Long Awaited Day for USWNT Fans: The Induction of Hope Solo and Shannon Boxx into the National Soccer Hall of Fame
On January 30, 2022, the National Soccer Hall of Fame announced that they would be inducting two heavy hitters from the United State’s Women’s National Team (USWNT): Shannon Boxx and Hope Solo. Clint Dempsey of the male’s national team was elected to the Hall of Fame as well. For any fan of the United States Women’s National Team, Boxx and Solo are household names. Both women have had wildly successful careers in soccer, and each deserve their own spotlight.
Read moreA Semester in Review: Fall 2021 Sports Recap
As winter sports are beginning to pick up again, Skidmore can reminisce on a fall season full of great moments and winning streaks. With some teams making the playoffs and others falling just short of the line, here is a quick recap of the 2021 Fall athletic season for Skidmore’s teams.
Read moreMLB 2021 World Series & Post Season Awards Recap
Coming off a hot season, the Astros were originally favored with a 51% chance to win this year, according to Five Thirty Eight’s MLB predictions, but things changed towards the end of the World Series after losses to the Braves. The Astros initial postseason success was due to a combination of things.
Read moreSkidmore's Return To Athletics
Last year, many of us were sent home without knowing when we could return, while others were suspended in a liminal space not knowing what their college experience would look like. When in-person students came back to campus in the fall of 2020, it was a year none of us could have predicted, as our college experience was halted and changed possibly forever. Everyone has stories of how COVID affected their lives, but what was the year like for athletes, never knowing if their seasons could be cancelled due to an outbreak?
Read moreMajor League Baseball Postseason Preview
After a painful 2020 of team quarantines and empty stadiums filled with cardboard cutouts, 2021 was a great year for baseball. From epic trades to record breaking no-hitters, the league seems to be back and better than ever, and it will be exciting to see who makes it to the end. It’s clear as the regular season begins to wind down, that fans are on the edge of their seats to see who will have a shot at the 2021 World Series.
Read moreNaomi Osaka’s Challenges Put A Focus on Mental Health
After enduring a worldwide pandemic and persevering through unprecedented times, could it be possible that the world should be more understanding of Naomi Osaka’s struggles?
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