Gryphons Work Together on Community Service Day

by Allison Grande

Wednesday April 4, 2007

On a cold Saturday morning in late February, twenty Sarah Lawrence athletes displayed intense teamwork and impressive skills in a grueling competition… to repack 1,300 pounds of biscuits in three hours.

“I think that we let our true colors shine,” sophomore volleyball and softball player Aaron McMullin said. “We bagged those biscuits like they were Bard or CNR.”

At the annual Gryphon Community Service Day, student athletes from all eight athletic teams converged on the Westchester Food-PATCH (People Allied to Combat Hunger), a food bank in Millwood, to deliver cereal that had been collected during a week-long campus food drive as well as to donate some time repacking boxes of biscuits. Each athlete had a job, from putting twelve biscuits into each double layered plastic bag to twist-tying the completed work closed.

“I think working at the food pantry was the best community service day that we’ve had,” senior tennis player Meg Angelini said. “We had a good turnout, and we really got a lot done. I think we made a difference while learning and enjoying ourselves.”

“I don’t think I’ll look at biscuit’s the same way again,” head volleyball coach and Assistant Director of Athletics Kristy Mackiewicz said. “It was incredible to see that many student-athletes out at eight a.m. on a cold Saturday morning. I think it speaks to the level of commitment our athletes have. It was also nice to see athletes from different teams socializing together. It’s amazing how a ton of biscuits can bring people together.”

This day was just one example of what it means to be a student athlete at SLC.

“I think that the athletic program at Sarah Lawrence is pretty unique,” McMullin said. “While lots of college athletic programs are rigorous to the point that if you are a part of it you have no other life, Sarah Lawrence has created a program that allows any student to stretch their limits. It’s really great to be part of a team and to have goals outside of the academic realm.”

“The athletic program at Sarah Lawrence is excellent, and being a student athlete at Sarah Lawrence is easy,” senior tennis player Meg Angelini said. “It’s just like participating in any other aspect of the college community. It’s a nice way to meet new people and a good way to relieve the stress of academics.”

“Everyone who participates really wants to be there; you know right from the start that everyone loves the sport and loves getting together to play the game,” senior tennis player Dan Bretl said. “Being a student athlete has also really helped in keeping me sane the last four years. I consistently find that I stay much more happy and on top of things and actually get more sleep when I’m playing a sport. It just gives you a rhythm to the day that you wouldn’t otherwise have, and being physically active does wonders for keeping you happy and positive when you’re stressed out with work.”

“I think the athletics program here is how collegiate athletics was originally intended to be,” Mackiewicz said. “Athletics here is compliment to a student’s academic endeavors. No athlete here is getting paid to play, and they are participating due to their love of the sport and to be a part of a team.”

Camaraderie is a main feature of Sarah Lawrence sports teams that can be found in the formation of a greater Gryphon community on campus.

“As a whole, most student athletes know who the others are, and we all have a certain camaraderie,” sophomore equestrian team member Liz Stitzel said.

“It’s a very supportive atmosphere between teams, and you make a lot of friends going to the games of other sports,” Bretl said.

“I’ve made a lot of wonderful friends,” senior volleyball player Bryn Pritchard said. “The facilities are excellent, and the coaches are just like SLC teachers— very personal and passionate. I still feel respected on campus for being a part of a school team. It’s nice to feel connected to the school outside of classes, and I like representing the school.”

“As coaches here, we spend a lot of time talking about commitment and the dedication it takes to be part of a team,” Mackiewicz said. “I’ve had the opportunity in my four years here to see the volleyball program greatly improve not only in the wins/losses column, but in the camaraderie and skills of the team members and the energy of the fans.”

On campus, an athlete is usually easy to spot.

“I enjoy walking around campus with a giant tennis bag and three rackets, decked out in tennis gear complete with wristbands and headband, and getting resulting looks from everybody like I’m a complete nut-job,” Bretl said. “It’s pretty amusing to me that I could be considered a “jock” on our campus, as that wouldn’t really be the case anywhere else.”

“Sometimes I feel awkward explaining to students that I’m an athlete here because it’s such a non-athletically driven school, but most people think it’s actually cool,” junior basketball and tennis player Michael Telis said. “A lot of my friends come out to support me in my games.”

“The Sports Center staff is wonderfully supportive, and when I qualified for zones last year, Michele Myers wrote me a congratulatory note,” Stitzel said. “It is wonderful to be so supported by the administration, and Mary Levine really cares about her program and her athletes.”

The Student Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC), comprised of one representative from each athletic team, also meets regularly to discuss student-athlete related issues and activities.

“The SAAC is a vital part of our athletic program,” Mackiewicz said. “We really want the athletes to be part of the decision making, and this allows them to do so. From little things like picking out the menu for the banquet to larger things like organizing our service day and food drive, the SAAC members are the leaders and liaisons back to their teams.”

“The SAAC is important because it’s a way for the students to be able to communicate any needs or accomplishments to the administrative staff,” Angelini said. “It really helps keep te other teams connected with each other, too.”

“The function of the SAAC is good and valid, and it’s important to have a governing body that links the student athletes and the athletic program to the rest of the college,” Telis said.

Although a minority on campus, student athletes for the most part enjoy the change to get away from everything and make new friends on the athletic playing field.

“Being a student athlete has easily been one of the best and most important parts of my college experience,” Bretl said.