DateMySchool offers academic exclusivity and caters to the picky

Posted by Sarah Barry and Sandy Zhang

For those frustrated by the limited romantic offerings in their schools, DateMySchool may be the apt solution. DateMySchool.com specifically caters to only undergraduates, graduates, and alumni users to provide a virtual way to meet social peers from schools across the country.

On October 19 DMS expanded to 600 colleges and universities nationwide. "We're extending usage to become what we really are: a platform to discover new people online. We plan to expand to even more colleges and universities in the U.S and, eventually, we plan to expand internationally," said Melanie Wallner, public relations director of DMS.

Two MBA classmates at Columbia University, Balazs Alexa and Jean Meyer, founded the website, which launched in Nov. 2010. "Within a week, 5 percent of Columbia's student body signed up. We expanded to NYU a month later and, today, over 25 percent of Columbia and NYU students are on DMS," Wallner said.

Perhaps the most useful feature of the website is that it allows users to pick and choose the qualities that are important to them. One can search for potential suitors by school, major, graduate program, religion, age, height etc. For example, if someone only wants to date people who are enrolled in Columbia Business School and are between 20 and 25 years old, then anyone without these traits will not appear in a search.

"They [Alexa and Meyer] came up with DMS after a girl in the nursing school complained about her department being 90 percent female. They were in the business school, which was 80 percent male. They realized that there was a bigger market – lots of students want to meet across departments and campuses," Wallner said.

Similar to Facebook in its early stages, DateMySchool only allows those with an email address ending in .edu to become members. In other words, only if you are associated with an educational institution are you allowed to join.

According to the website, this restriction of email address creates a safer virtual environment to those who hold qualms about meeting with any stranger with an Internet connection. Members are also unsearchable on Google, and DateMySchool does not require a fee from its members.

The networking and dating service has expanded to schools in hubs like Washington, D. C., Boston, Miami, Los Angeles and San Diego. "Extensive press coverage, including CNN, The New York Times, The Huffington Post and Time Out NY, have helped us reach over 55,00 members," Wallner said.

"Whether for dating, relational or study purposes, DMS is the go-to place to discover new friends, not necessarily to connect with old ones," Wallner said.

To find out more information or to register for DMS visit DateMySchool.com

Editorial: Something Moorebid this way comes

Posted by the Editorial Board

Appropriately, some fright is in the air this Halloween. After last year's Moorebid Ball ended early in a flood of ambulance calls, the college has spent a year making sure future events are safer.

The changes made this year are to prevent the excess drinking that ruined last year's ball. Most significantly, the dance has been moved from Case Center to the Rec and Dance gyms in the Williamson Sports Center, and reentry will not be allowed.

The change in venue makes it easier for Campus Safety to monitor students as they enter, preventing students from sneaking in concealed alcohol, and catching excessively inebriated individuals at the door before they disappear onto the dance floor. This will create what Dean of Student Affairs Rochelle Calhoun hopefully calls a "safe environment:" one in which the flow of people and consumption of alcohol are under control.

While the true effectiveness of these measures will have to be judged on Saturday, it is uncertain that they will dissolve the annual fog of drunkenness that passes over campus every Halloween.

The college's plan to police containers and bar re-entry has the potential to backfire. Students – underage or not – looking to get drunk for Moorebid can still do so. Without the option to leave for more alcohol, students may feel the pressure to go hard and fast in anticipation of being cut off once they enter the gym. And since most of the drinking occurred off-site last year anyway (less than half of the hospital-bound students were picked up at Case Center), this policy seems off-target.

It also remains to be seen how the new Alcohol and Other Drugs (AOD) policy will be put into action during this event. While Calhoun was quick to point out that the AOD policy was not changed directly as a result of last year's Moorebid debacle, it would be naïve to imagine that the policy changes were not designed with this year's event in mind. We will have to wait and see what the administration envisions in terms of punishing the offenses which will likely end up on display.

The policy's point system includes the new violations "Public Intoxication" (two points), and, more to the point, "Public intoxication at any academic or social event sponsored by Skidmore" (three points). It remains unclear to what degree these policies will be enforced at large events like Moorebid, but with 10 accumulated points resulting in a student's review for suspension, such offenses are precarious to casually intoxicated attendees, even those over 21.

Furthermore, the revised AOD policy includes a controversial "association rule" that assigns a Level I violation to anyone found in the presence of alcohol, regardless of whether the individual is drinking. As discussed in a previous editorial, this clause, even given its "free pass" for first offense, potentially conflicts with the school's amnesty policy that ensures that a student making a positive decision – calling Campus Safety or similar when another student is in need – will not be penalized for their friends' or  their own consumption.

While the nine ambulances called last year made for a disaster, all nine of the students made it out alive, something that may not have happened had their peers not made the calls. While Campus Safety will undoubtedly be selective in their write-ups, a clarified system would alleviate concern that students looking out for their peers will be penalized.

What happened last year put our college on the national stage in a way that damaged our institutional reputation, something in which every student at this school should feel invested. While the college's reaction could use some refinement, the truth is that we students are the real victims of Moorebid 2010. We have the most to lose from a redux. It was our friends and acquaintances who faced an evening of pumped stomachs and miserable sickness.

Luckily, it is also well within our power to refute these expectations and prove that we are capable of having fun and drinking responsibly without ambulances and vandalism.

2011 Kenneth A. Freirich Business Plan Competition under way: Participating students begin workshops to develop their ideas

Posted by Julia Leef

 

30 students have submitted intent-to-compete forms in the Kenneth A. Freirich Business Plan Competition, which will take place over the course of the academic year, hoping to get a share of the $25,000 that will be awarded to students with the best business plans.

The competition is named for Kenneth A. Freirich '90, a serial entrepreneur and president of Health Monitor Network, who returned to the College in 2010 as its first Entrepreneur in Residence. The first competition took place last year.

"One of the things that we're most excited about is that our students are really adept at saying there's a problem that needs to be solved, and they devise ways to solve that problem," said Tim Harper, associate professor and chairman of the management & business department, who along with Roy Rotheim, professor of economics, and Ken Freirich, is organizing and running the competition.

Students will go through a series of workshops until Dec. 9, led by Alison Frey '12 and Todd Powell '12, members of Rotheim's Skidmore-Saratoga Entrepreneurial Partnership, which take place on Tuesdays. These workshops are designed to help participants write a comprehensive business plan and modify it into a presentable format.

"Last year there were only 14 business plans submitted out of the 30 [intents to compete]," Rotheim said. "What we're hoping is that by having this business plan writing workshop is to raise our percentage to 20-25 submissions, and secondly to improve the quality of each of those business plans that are submitted."

Rotheim said that there is a wide diversity of students who are participating in the competition in regards to majors and class years. "It's consistent with what Ken Freirich hoped -- to tap the talents of a wide diversity of students on campus," he said.

The first stage of business plans are due on Jan. 25, when they will be sent to the a panel of judges comprised of successful entrepreneurs, local and non-local, who will review them before the executive summary presentations on Feb. 10.

From these entrants the judges will choose seven finalists, who will then move on to work with Frey and Powell, as well as an alum or parent who is a successful entrepreneur business person and will serve as their mentor. The revised business plans will be due on April 2, followed by the final presentations on April 13, after which three finalists will be chosen to receive funds for their projects.

"It's going to be a very exciting time for us to see the graduation of the proposals in terms of quality," said Harper, referring to the two stages of the competition that students will have to refine their plans.

"I think what it's going to do is it's going to make a more even playing field," Rotheim said. It'll make sure that the English major has just as much of a chance as the management and business major."

One of last year's seven finalists, a group consisting of first-years Zach Rohde '14, Malcolm Perry '14, and Thomas Sellers '14, set up a "MyBad Industries," after receiving the rights to the phrase, "my bad." The company will produce t-shirts and other, as Zach dubs it, "apology lifestyle clothing."

The business proposals are in a variety of stages at this point, with some seeking to improve pre-existing businesses and others merely existing as ideas. One student is writing a business plan for a smartphone application that will notify students when their laundry on campus has finished, as well as where the available machines are.

Rotheim said that one thing he enjoys about this competition is that it brings out the talents of students who have the drive to accomplish something instead of just thinking about it. Harper added that having access to campus resources for the competition also gives students aspiration, even if they do not end up as finalists.

"If a student has an aspiration," he said, "well, that seed has been planted for five years, six years, seven years down the road."

The third organizer and sponsor of the event, Freirich, devotes himself to the competition and is very excited for this year's batch of students, said Harper and Rotheim.

Freirich will be treating all of the participants to dinner at the restaurant Harvest & Hearth to mingle and become acquainted with him and with each other. "He loves this," Rotheim said, "and he inspires them [the students], and so he is so much more than just the person who has come up with the money."

Rotheim said that one of the things that they learned from last year's competition is that "the key to the success of a program at this level is the support services that we provide to the students at every level."

He also emphasized the importance of students working on their own without outside involvement. "When students are working by themselves and are creating their own curriculum, there is a powerful sense of ownership."

Ensemble ACJW performs at Zankel

Posted by Sandy Zhang

Last week, Ensemble ACJW, composed of fellows of Carnegie Hall's The Academy, visited the college for its eighth residency. In the duration of three days, the Ensemble informally performed around campus, instructed music students, and concluded their residency with a concert in Helen Filene Ladd Concert Hall of the Arthur Zankel Music Center.

Young entrepreneurs thrive at Skidmore Student Markets: WSPN & PROARTS host the first of several campus market events open to everyone

Posted by Michael DuPr??

Oct. 7 marked the opening of the first Skidmore Student Market, which brought together students' diverse artistic and culinary talents to sell their creations on Case Green. 

Katie Humphreys, a brainchild of the Student Market, helped create the event for students who make interesting things. "The Skidmore Market is a great way to promote WSPN and the talents of Skidmore's student artists and bakers," Humphreys said. 

At the market, a few of the students sold used or vintage clothes.  Since high school, Humphreys has collected unique items at thrift stores.  Her collection has pieces from all over the country: Washington, Louisiana and upstate New York. The pieces that she sold at the market were ones that did not fit her or that she had not worn in a while.  Humphreys was able to make enough money to fund a few weekends. 

"My friends, like many college students, have get-rich-quick schemes," Humphreys said. "We've been talking about doing this for a while."

On the weekends, Humphreys' friend, Alex Maddalena '12, often brings up his idea to sell banana bread to Skidmore students.  Another one of Humphreys' friends, Melissa Schlobohm '12, often expresses her desire to have a garage sale on campus. 

Another popular item was the biscotti baked and sold by Caitlin Allen '12.  After studying abroad in Florence, Allen brought back some local recipes and started Cait's Cookies. 

Allen thought of the Student Market as a learning experience.  "Students who study art at Skidmore receive great instruction, but learn very little about the business side of things," she said.

Humphreys has high expectations for the Skidmore Student Market.  "I want to see it flourish.  I would like to see more clubs, and especially more underclassmen, get involved," Humphreys said.

Humphreys hinted at the possibility of collaborating with the environmental action club, vendors from the Saratoga Farmers Market or a local animal shelter. 

Students are not required to sell the items they place on display. Trading items is also encouraged. "We are able to make a profit from our talents without the influence of any outside power structure," Humphreys said.

Look out for posters announcing the next Skidmore Student Market, the time and place of which have yet to be announced.  To find out more, contact Katie Humphreys at khumphre@skidmore.edu or Alex Amaddalena at amaddale@skidmore.edu. 

3-0 road win for Thoroughbreds

Posted by Skidmore Athletics

ONEONTA — Three second-half goals propelled the Skidmore College field hockey team to a 3-0 road win over Hartwick College, October 27.

The No. 5 Thoroughbreds are 15-1 with seven straight wins. The Hawks drop to 6-10.

Skidmore dominated the game, not allowing a Hartwick shot on goal. The Thoroughbreds outshot the Hawks 22-4.

After a scoreless first half, Lauren Tobias '12 got Skidmore on the board, taking a long pass from Jackie Slocombe '12 for her 12th goal of the season at 44:36. Annie Rosencrans '12 made it 2-0 from Kelly Blackhurst '14 at 50:42. Rosencrans returned the favor, assisting Blackhurst 10 minutes later for the third goal. It was Blackhurst's 22nd goal of the season.

Haley McDougall '15 earned her sixth and the team's seventh shutout of the season.

Skidmore will close out the regular season at home at 1 p.m. on Saturday against Geneseo.

Skidmore Athletics

Skidmore clinches home field with 2-0 win over RPI

Posted by Skidmore Athletics

TROY — The Skidmore College women's soccer team clinched home field for the upcoming Liberty League tournament with a 2-0 win at RPI Wednesday night.

With the win, the Thoroughbreds improve to 12-4-0 overall (6-2-0 Liberty), while the Engineers move to 7-7-2 (4-3-1 Liberty).

Abby Benton '12 netted her third goal of the season from just outside the RPI six-yard box, off a cross by Kelsey Yam '13. Yam raced up the left flank and sent a low ball in that Benton was able to finish first-time in the eighth minute.

The Engineers appeared to have tied the game less than two minutes later on a header by freshman Taylor Korytko, but the play was ruled offside. After being out-shot 3-0 early, the Engineers took a 7-5 advantage in shots attempts into halftime.

Skidmore pushed its lead to 2-0 in the 57th minute, when Christine Bellotti '14 took a tight-angle shot from the right side of the box that deflected off an RPI defender and inside the far post. The tally was her third of the year.

Meghan Sleezer '12 had two saves for her eighth shutout of the season.

Skidmore will close out the regular season at 3 p.m. on Saturday, October 29, when the Thoroughbreds visit Nazareth.

Skidmore Athletics

EAC meeting focuses on D.C. protest trip and other events: Topics include a change in the D.C. schedule and facilitating the compost system in Northwoods

Posted by Ani Lordkipanidze

In the last two weeks, the Environmental Action Club has encouraged students to join its sponsored trip to Washington, D.C., to protest against the Keystone XL Pipeline on Nov 6.

The bus to Washington, D.C. will depart at 6 a.m. on Sunday, Nov. 6, instead of on Saturday, the original departure date, and will return to the college at around 10 p.m.

EAC members will be in the Atrium of the Murray-Aikins Dining Hall this week, where students may sign up for the trip. Students may also sign up online.

More information about the upcoming protest and the EAC trip can be found here.

For further information, students can contact EAC President Margot Reisner '14.

In addition to organizing the Washington D.C. trip, the EAC is organizing several other events this month, including the Fruit Tree Workshop led by Adam Quist, at 2:30 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 28, in Tisch 202. Students will be able to learn the basics of caring for and managing fruit trees, and will also have a chance to plant them in the Skidmore Student Garden.

Also, on Nov. 1, alumna Hannah Philips '10, an environmental studies major, will help conduct an info session on Overland, a program that offers summer programs for students from the 4th to 12th grade, at 6 p.m. in Emerson Auditorium.

The leaders of the subcommittee for Waste, Talia Arnow '13 and Ceanna Vangelder '14, proposed constructing a trolley to facilitate the transportation of waste from Northwoods. Everett Hoffman '11 and Ripley Sager '12 decided to construct trolleys from aluminum.

"If we make the trolley out of aluminum it would be very safe," said Hoffman, adding that aluminum, as a lighter material than, for instance, lead, would make it easier to work with in construction. The project's completion is anticipated for the end of the semester.

The EAC meets at 9 p.m. on Mondays in Ladd 207. 

Scribner Seminar brings Steven Barnes to campus: Innocent man imprisoned for 19-1/2 years to speak about his experience

Posted by Julia Leef

Forensic Science and Criminal (In)justice, a First Year Experience Scribner Seminar taught by Kim Frederick, an associate professor of chemistry, will play host to Steven Barnes, an innocent man who spent over 19 years of his life in prison, at 7:30  p.m. on Nov. 8 in in Davis Auditorium in a public discussion.

The seminar focuses its studies on such cases of wrongful incarcerations through analyzing actual cases and legal policies, as well as conducting forensic analysis on pieces of evidence. Students also examine ways in which innocent people were convicted due to faulty evidence.

"Mr. Barnes was chosen because he lives and works in Utica, not far from Saratoga Springs, which is also the same community where he was wrongfully convicted," Frederick said. "Our Scribner Seminar course focuses on the misuse of forensic science in the criminal justice system, and the forensic science in Mr. Barnes' case was appalling."

Barnes was convicted in 1989 for the rape and murder of 16-year-old high school student Kimberly Simon. He was incarcerated at 19, the age of most sophomore college students, and was not released until he was 38, after the Innocence Project reopened his case in 2007 and proved his innocence through DNA testing of the sperm cells found on the victim's body and clothing. He was officially exonerated in 2009.

The Innocence Project is, according to its website, "a national litigation and public policy organization dedicated to exonerating wrongfully convicted individuals through DNA testing and reforming the criminal justice system to prevent future injustice."

As of February 2010, 250 people had been exonerated through post-trial DNA testing in the U.S. Branches of the Innocence Project have handled many of these cases.

"I really see this as a big issue in society," said Caroline Bowne '15, a seminar member. "The Innocence Project has exonerated so many people already. A lot of these cases were before DNA testing played such a major part."

Students, faculty and community members will have the opportunity to ask Barnes questions regarding his experience in prison, as well as how the Innocence Project worked for his exoneration. Seminar students will attend a dinner with him before the lecture.

"I think it will open up people's eyes about what it's like to be in prison, what it's like to be wrongfully convicted," Bowne said. "I think students should really just think about the fact that the justice system isn't perfect."

Continuing their involvement in crime and injustice, seminar students also will assemble pamphlets this semester for public defenders across the country, who, Bowne said, do not always receive proper forensic training, which enables such cases as Barnes's to be mishandled.

"There are a lot of cases like these that have slipped through the cracks," Bowne said. "You have to question the abilities of public defenders, sometimes. How much time and effort do they put into each case? How detailed and how thorough are they? Are a lot of people still slipping through, despite DNA evidence being really usable? I think it shows that there are a lot of flaws in the justice system, and I think that's important."

Skidmore workshop to focus on influences of European Union: International scholars to discuss political, economic and global security concerns

Posted by Julia Leef

Visiting scholars of international renown will discuss the European Union's political, security and economic concerns and their connection to the world in light of such events as the death of longtime dictator of Libya, Muammar Gadhafi, and resistance against government austerity measures in Greece, at a free, public workshop, from Oct. 27 to 28 at the College.

The scholars leading the discussions are Kathleen McNamara, associate professor of government and foreign service at Georgetown University, Karsten Geier, a veteran of the German Foreign Ministry and the European Union delegation and Richard Gowan of New York University and the European Council on Foreign Relations.

The Departments of Management and Business, Foreign Languages and Literatures and Government, as well as the International Affairs Program, the Jean Monnet Chair and the European Commission will sponsor the workshop, titled, "The Workshop on the State of the European Union: 2011."

One of the sponsors, the Jean Monnet Chair in European Integration Studies, funded by the European Commission, honors the memory of Jean Monnet, founder and first president of the High Authority of the European Coal and Steel Community.

All conference scholars will participate in the opening panel, "The State of the EU: Political and Economic Perspectives," from 8 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. on Oct. 27 in Gannett Auditorium.

Further discussions will take place concerning the Eurozone debt crisis, the European Union and the U.N. and the European Union in global security before and after the Arab Spring the following day from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. in the Payne Room of the Tang Museum. The workshop will close with a roundtable discussion with the guest speakers and student participants, beginning at 3:15 p.m.

"Whatever happens there [in the EU] affects all of us. American banks are heavily exposed to European debt and the economics are so intertwined. From an American perspective, the more we know, the better," said Roy H. Ginsberg, professor of government and one of the moderators of Thursday's panel discussion.

Ginsberg cites the economic situation in Greece as one of the more pressing issues underscoring the importance of the European Union.

"The EU consists of many of the world's richest countries - it is a major player," Ginsberg said. "The Europeans' influence on global security and international diplomacy can be crucial, especially to nations entering the Arab fall after the dramatic developments during the Arab spring."

For more information, contact Dom Green '12, a student coordinator of the workshop, at dgreen@skidmore.edu. 

Len Jenkin's "Pilgrims of the Night" premieres in the Janet Kinghorn Bernhard Theater: The college's Department of Theater presents a play that conveys the importance of human connection

Posted by Joanne Schwartzberg

Last Thursday, Len Jenkin's "Pilgrims of the Night" premiered in the Black Box studio of the Janet Kinghorn Bernhard Theater, the realization of months of hard work by faculty, alumni, and students alike.

"Len Jenkin is a master storyteller with a theatrical flare for the quirky and scintillating stories that rest in our imagination," director Alma Becker said.

Storytelling proves to be an integral part of the production. The play revolves around a group of travelers who miss a ferry and decide to tell stories to pass the time. As the play progresses, the stories get increasingly bizarre, yet, they all possess morals and reveal important things about the human condition. One life lesson the play imparts is the importance of connection and communication between people.

"We all not only play many roles, but the roles we play are unique, bizarre and crazy characters. This has challenged me to use my voice and body in ways that I would not have necessarily considered in many plays, and filled the rehearsal room with exploration and play," Anne Dufault '12 (Fellow Traveler) said.

According to the cast and crew, the process of creating this play has been an interesting and enlightening one. They had a unique opportunity to meet the playwright, who is also a novelist and director, and perform their work for him.

"It was fascinating to hear about his creative process and the experience of writing and seeing his own show," Grady Gund '12 (Professor Hubert) said.

"The best part of "Pilgrims" has been fostering a sense of community both in and out of the black box. The power of human interaction has guided us all in the process of creating a spectacular experience," Assistant Director Ruth Morrison '12 said.

Designed by Garry Wilson, the set design transformed the space into a ferry terminal. Stage lights were hidden from view and walls were created to hide the backstage area to submerge the audience into the play.

Wilson's scenic design was complemented by lighting and costume by alumni Nate Morgan and Jenna Glendye, respectively.

"Watching the black box evolve from an empty room into a ferry room was astonishing," Jonathan Lee-Ray '15 (Fellow Traveler) said.

"Skidmore's production seamlessly transported us from story to story while always reminding us where we were in real time," Rochelle Katz '12, an audience member, said.

 

Review: the many shades of bluegrass - Greensky Bluegrass's "Handguns": The Michigan quintet releases a memorable new album that features homegrown bluegrass and more

Posted by Dale Obbie

Greensky Bluegrass, an acoustic string band quickly gaining critical acclaim for its boundary-blurring brand of homegrown bluegrass, released "Handguns" on Oct. 4. Throughout its fourth and most mature album to date, the five-person band finds a stable balance between their dedication to pureblooded bluegrass and their ongoing search for a new sound.

Some people might expect jangling barnyard noises when they hear the word "bluegrass," but Greensky Bluegrass defies this narrow sketch. The band members draw heavily upon the rootsy side of the Grateful Dead, an influence that becomes clear when their songs' instrumental jams reach the 14-minute mark during live performances.

Already a mainstay in the jam band scene, they have been performing some of the songs from "Handguns" for several years at some of the largest music festivals across the country, including the All Good Festival and the Electric Forest Festival this past summer.

The psychedelic landscape depicted by the band's name accurately represents its efforts to expand the limits of its beloved genre, while still remaining true to an authentic bluegrass sound. In "Handguns," there's as much green sky as there is bluegrass. For instance, "Bring Out Your Dead" is a grungy, blues-laden song that experiments with distortion effects — an interesting concept for an acoustic band — giving the mandolin, guitar and dobro a gritty edge.

Fan favorite "I'd Probably Kill You" is equally adventurous with its novel use of a horn section. It is playful, swinging and rich with vocal harmonies. It features a jazzy mandolin solo from Paul Hoffman, a slip-sliding dobro solo from Anders Beck and, keeping with its party spirit, ends with a New Orleans-style group improvisation between the horns.

"No Idea" and "Beauty and Pain" give the album a melancholy side, but it is a lull in the mood that reassures rather than depresses the listener. Even the band's most gloomy songs bring with them a promise to uplift: "Cold Feet" brings you to a wintry mountainside with its wistful lyrics, but its brisk, banjo-driven energy will warm your blood and revitalize your mood.

Likewise, "All Four," a staple of the band's live shows, is at first pensive and regretful, but starts to brighten toward the end of the song. Hoffman sings, "I've been weary at the wheel so long / think of all that I've passed up / wonder how I've come this far," but then resolves to keep his "head above the ground" and "all four wheels on the road." To a similar effect, the eight-minute instrumental jam shifts seamlessly from fretful tension to the most relaxed and cheerful six minutes of the album, ending the album on a high note.

Without a doubt, Greensky Bluegrass has given us its best yet with "Handguns" — music that will appeal to diehard bluegrass fans and newcomers alike.

 

Men's soccer blanks Clarkson, 1-0

Posted by Skidmore Athletics

SARATOGA SPRINGS — Matt Wolff '12 scored in the 64th minute to help lead the Skidmore College men's soccer team to a 1-0 Liberty League victory over Clarkson, Oct. 22 at Wachenheim Field.

The Thoroughbreds improve to 6-10-1 overall and 2-4-1 in league play, while the Golden Knights fall to 4-10-1 overall and 2-5-0 in the Liberty League.

Neither team was able to generate a good scoring opportunity in the first half, as they combined for just eight shots.

Skidmore came out aggressive in the second half, putting pressure on the Clarkson defense early before breaking through on Wolff's goal. Adam Beek '15 sent a perfect cross from the corner that Wolff dove across the box and headed past Scott Stuart for his first tally of the year. The Golden Knights were able to get a few corners late but were unable to capitalize as the Thoroughbreds held on for the 1-0 win.

Skidmore outshot Clarkson 14-11 and both teams finished with five corners.

Nick Peterson '12 made four saves to record his sixth shutout of the season, while Scott finished with two saves.

The Thoroughbreds are at Union on Oct. 29.

Skidmore Athletics

Thoroughbreds open season against St. Lawrence

SARATOGA SPRINGS — The Skidmore College men's and women's swimming & diving teams hosted St. Lawrence in Saturday's 2011-2012 season opener at Williamson Sports Center.

The men picked up a 183-102 win, while the women suffered a 162-132 loss.

On the men's side, the Thoroughbreds opened with a 1-2 finish in the 200 medley relay as the team of Jesse Adler '14, Nick Sauerbrunn '15, Taylor Best '14 and Logan Jones '15 (1:46.92) edged out Lyle Stephenson '15, Robert Fulton '15, Sam Leibenhaut '12 and Tim Brodsky 2'14 (1:47.58).

Adler also won the 100 back (58.11), 200 IM (2:09.87) and finished second in the 200 back (2:08.10), while Leibenhaut finished first in both the 100 (58.38) and 200 (2:21.69) butterfly and Jones won the 50 (23.33) and 100 (51.46) free. In the 100 breast, Skidmore finished 1-2-3 with Fulton (1:08.39) finishing first, Sauerbrunn (1:09.62) taking second and Andrew Lloyd '12(1:10.76) finishing third. Also picking up wins were Sauerbrunn in the 200 breast (2:24.87) and Peter Quattromani '14 in the 1000 free (10:56.87).

Doug Pilawa '12 won both the 1-Meter (327.05) and 3-Meter (298.85) dives with NCAA qualifying scores.

For the women, Catherine King '15 was a double winner, taking the 50 free (25.26) and 100 free (56.27), while Emily Przysinda '15 won the 1000 free (11:41.40). Carrie Koch '13 won the 500 free (5:42.32) and took second in the 200 free (2:02.99) and Katherine Kelloway '14 took second in the 100 back (1:04.68) and 200 back (2:19.29). Kristen Stearns '13 won both the 1-Meter (204.35) and 3-Meter (206.30) dives and the relay team of King, Kate Lambos '15, Elaine Burns '14 and Koch won the 200 free relay (1:47.36).

The Thoroughbreds host SUNY Potsdam at 1 p.m. next Saturday.

skidmore Athletics

"Real Steel" is a Disney World ride, minus the surprises: The futuristic action drama comforts but fails to impress

Posted by Eli Cohen

A perfect example of what a typical Hollywood movie offers these days, "Real Steel" features a predictable plot, quality acting, somewhat believable special effects and the usual fare.

Directed by Shawn Levy, the Hugh Jackman blockbuster follows Charlie Keaton, a former boxer trying to make it in the futuristic sport of robot boxing, which pits robots controlled by humans against each other. Along the way, he tries to reconnect with his estranged 11-year-old son, Max.

The plot is comforting and easy to anticipate, and it brings me back to my childhood. Let's be honest: who among us has not been instilled with the desire to see a giant boxing robot match since playing Rock'em Sock'em Robots for the first time?

The idea behind the production of "Real Steel" is to give everyone in the audience what they know they like, because they have already seen it a hundred times. Perhaps that may not apply to the fighting robots, but it does for just about every other aspect of the film.

There was not a single chance taken in this movie. It is a generic underdog story that is saved by the fight scenes and the acting of Jackman and 11-year-old Justin Bieber look-alike Dakota Goyo. Even the stunning Evangeline Lilly (Kate from "Lost") could not make me forget that this movie rivals "Avatar" for most predictable plot in the history of cinema.

Despite all of the above, I cannot say in good conscience that I fully disliked "Real Steel." It is undeniably entertaining, and there is nothing actively bad about the film. It is a feel-good drama that actually succeeds in making you feel good, if only fleetingly.

But therein lies the main problem with this movie – it is completely middle of the road. If it were any worse, it would get attention for being terrible. If it were better, it would be praised as a great film in a year of disappointments. But its complete grey oatmeal-like blandness makes it uninteresting and unmemorable.

That may almost be a triumph for director Shawn Levy, who always manages to fall short of success (he brought us "Cheaper by the Dozen" and the horrific "Pink Panther" remake). Considering that his biggest financial hit was "Night at the Museum," and his highest-regarded film was the Steve Carell and Tina Fey flop "Date Night," perhaps this level of mediocrity should be expected. It definitely should have been after watching the "Real Steel" trailer, yet I remained hopeful. I remained hopeful that the man who can make a piece of trash like "Van Helsing" bearable can pull out a win with this one.

In regards to the acting, Jackman does a very good job. However, turning Charlie Kenton, a washed-up boxer and deadbeat father given a second chance, into someone the audience hasn't seen before is a near-Sisyphean task.

Goyo also gives a very strong performance as the sometimes cute, sometimes annoyingly precocious estranged son. Nonetheless, when he gives the same not-quite-tear-jerking line to his father as he gives to his robot, you have to say enough is enough.

That is the feeling I came away with after watching this movie. Enough of the same plot over and over again. Enough of the down-and-out boxer who is given a second chance. Mark Whalberg and Christian Bale knocked the role out collectively. Russell Crowe almost got there. Hugh Jackman? Enough is enough.

 

Volleyball completes another Liberty sweep

Posted by Skidmore Athletics

SARATOGA SPRINGS — The Skidmore College volleyball team beat St. Lawrence and Clarkson to complete a second-straight unbeaten Liberty League weekend. The Thoroughbreds finish the regular season in second place with a 9-3 league and 21-8 overall record. Clarkson (10-2, 25-4) won the Liberty regular season title and will host the league semifinals and championship on Nov. 4-5.

Skidmore will play St. Lawrence (7-5, 18-13) in one semifinal, while Clarkson will play Vassar in the other semifinal.

Union (6-6, 19-12) tied Vassar for fourth, but went 0-2 against the Brewers. RIT (4-8, 15-20) finished sixth.

Skidmore Athletics

Women's soccer prevails in overtime

Posted by Skidmore Athletics

POTSDAM — Christine Bellotti '14 scored early in the second overtime to lead the Skidmore College women's soccer team to a 1-0 Liberty League win at Clarkson University on Saturday.

The Thoroughbreds (5-2, 11-4) remain in second place with one league game to play. The Golden Knights fall to 1-5-1 in league play and 8-5-1 overall. Skidmore has already clinched a Liberty League berth and can finish anywhere from second to fourth with one league game to play.

Skidmore dominated the game, not allowing a Clarkson shot on goal. The Thoroughbreds outshot the home team 24-3.

The tie-breaking score came in the 103rd minute as Skidmore found itself with a 2-on-1 chance. Morgan Governale '15 had just one defender to beat for a shot on the Clarkson goal, but sent a pass across the box to Kelsey Yam '13. Yam returned the favor to Governale and she took a shot from in close that hit the left post and bounced out with a few swings missing on the clear. There, Bellotti was able to hit a soft grounder into the net, which was nearly cleared before it bounced over the goal line at 102:37.

Meghan Sleezer '12 earned her seventh shutout of the season. The Thoroughbreds are at RPI on Oct. 26.

Skidmore Athletics

Riders open on top

Posted by Skidmore Athletics

SARATOGA SPRINGS — It was a decisive home win on Oct. 22 for the Skidmore College riders. The Thoroughbreds were first with 46 points, 14 ahead of Hartwick College and Morrisville State College in second with 32. Siena College and Colgate tied for 5th with 29. Also competing were SUNY Cobleskill, RPI, Oneonta State, U/Albany and Union.

Skidmore dominated the Open over Fences division by winning each section. Co-captains Kelly Campbell '13 and Chelsea Jones '13 won blue ribbons along with Jasmin Lai '15.

Kiira Lizza '14 was first in the Intermediate over Fences, Emily Phalen '13 placed second and Emily Wonham was sixth.

In the six sections of the Novice over Fences, Skidmore's five equestrians won four events and took second in another. Winning were Molly Parker '12, Nicole Cahill-Yi '12, Sandrine Couldwell '13 and Catherine Luckhardt '12. Jennifer Brown '13 placed second.

Winners in the Equitation on the Flat classes were: Open- Jones; Intermediate - Phalen and Luckhardt; Novice - Michelle Bakker '12, Cahill-Yi and Emory Wonham '13; Walk/Trot - Kayla Kleinman '14.

Skidmore Athletics

No. 6 Skidmore picks up 2-1 win at Vassar

Posted by Skidmore Athletics

POUGHKEEPSIE — Annie Rosencrans '12 became the 11th player in program history to record 100 career points as the 6th-ranked Skidmore College field hockey team earned a 2-1 victory at Vassar.

The Thoroughbreds improve to 14-1 overall and finish the regular season a perfect 6-0 in Liberty League play. They have now won 20 straight against Liberty League opponents. The Brewers fall to 7-7 overall and 2-4 in the league.

Rosencrans tallied her 10th goal of the season at the 32:36 mark, redirecting a shot from the top from Katie Flowers '12 to make it 1-0. At the 53:33 mark, Kelly Blackhurst '14 scored her 21st of the season off a pass from Rosencrans, giving Rosencrans 100 career points.

Vassar cut the lead to 2-1 a few minutes later on a goal from Tina Caso, but the Thoroughbreds were able to hold on for the 2-1 victory.

Rosencrans became the first player to reach the century mark since Elise Britt '10 and Christine Kemp '11 each reached the milestone in the 2009 season.

Haley McDougall '15 earned the win in goal for Skidmore, while Maggie Brelis made 13 saves in the losing effort.

The Thoroughbreds outshot the Brewers 21-4 and held a 16-3 advantage in penalty corners.

Skidmore is at Hartwick at 4 p.m. on Oct. 26.

Skidmore Athletics