By: Kendall Lafferty

While the Rutgers University-Camden academic school year began on September 3rd, the fall student-athlete year began long before that. The beginning of each semester is often filled with anxiety, excitement, and sadness of the summer coming to an end. While this is true for most students, student-athletes participating in fall sports start their back-to-school journey even earlier. Rutgers-Camden offers both men’s and women’s cross country, soccer, and tennis; women’s volleyball and men’s golf. Athletes that participate in these sports have their pre-season begin at the end of the summer so that they can be ready for their games starting in September. Not only do these athletes have to prepare for the quickly approaching season, but they also have to prepare for their course load. 

The student-athlete experience is not just about continuing one’s athletic career but it is very much a balancing act. When dual sport sophomore Mia Owens (Volleyball and Softball) was asked about balancing her course load she said “I think that starting the semester in the middle of my season is easier than having to adjust to the school workload after I made a set schedule”. The Rutgers-Camden women’s volleyball team had their first game of the season on August 30th, against Stevenson University, and played a total of three games before the first day

The volleyball team currently has a 3-7 overall record, and have a tri-match this Saturday, September 21st, at Washington College, where they play Washington College at 12 pm and Eastern Mennonite University at 2 pm. 

The volleyball regular season lasts until around the start of November, and post season follows immediately after. Owens says she likes starting the season off this way “because once our season dies down you have more time to focus on finals without having to practice and have games and you can really sit down and focus”. While the beginning of the fall semester can be stressful for student-athletes, it also provides them with the ability to focus on finals as their season winds down. The Raptors play almost every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday of October, and their NJAC opener is Tuesday September 24th against Ramapo College.

Happy

0 0 %

Sad

0 0 %

Excited

0 0 %

Sleepy

0 0 %

Angry

0 0 %

Surprise

0 0 %

By: Naely Fajardo

Originating in ancient Greece, the Olympic Games have grown to become one of the most important worldwide events in history. They stand as a tribute to human endurance, culture, and growth. Over time, the Olympics have evolved from modest beginnings to modern celebration, mirroring changes in culture, technology, and societal ideals. With its unique emphasis on sustainability, innovation, and gender equality, the 2024 Paris Games serve as a shining image of how the Olympics have changed over time. 

The first Olympics took place in Olympia, Greece, in 776 BC as a part of a celebration honoring Zeus, the ruler of the gods. Only male competitors competed in a variety of sports during these early games, including sprinting, wrestling, and chariot racing. These were intensely spiritual occasions that symbolized harmony and peace among Greece’s city-states, in addition to being athletic competitions. The Olympic victory was considered one of the greatest achievements. The ancient Olympics flourished for over twelve centuries until Theodosius I, the Roman Emperor, outlawed them in 393 CE as part of his campaign to establish Christianity throughout the empire. 

The Olympics were inactive until Pierre de Coubertin, a French educator and historian, brought them back in the late 19th century. His goal was to provide a venue where individuals from all over the world could compete for the sake of world peace and goodwill. In 1896, 14 nations and 241 athletes competed in the inaugural modern Olympic Games held in Athens. As a result of the increasing range of sports and participants, the Olympics have grown over time to include the Winter Games (1924), the Paralympics (1960–1961), and the Youth Olympic Games (2010). 

When the Olympics made its modest comeback in the modern era, millions of spectators and athletes throughout the world were drawn to it. The evolution of the Games in the 20th and

21st centuries has addressed a range of wider social and political themes, including nationalism, gender, and racism. Though gender equality in events took decades to accomplish, the introduction of additional women’s activities starting in 1900 was a big step forward. The size and celebration of the Olympics increased along with technology. One way to transform the Games into a common cultural experience was to introduce live broadcasts in 1936, which brought the Games into living rooms worldwide. 

The Tokyo 2020 Olympics, held in 2021, emphasized environmental sustainability by using renewable energy and materials. Athletes and officials were transported in hydrogen-powered cars, and the medals were made from recycled electronics. The 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris are expected to continue this focus on sustainability and gender equality. 

1. Prioritizing sustainability: Paris 2024 has been hailed as “the most sustainable Games ever.” In keeping with international efforts to tackle climate change, the organizing committee has pledged to reduce carbon emissions by 50% from the previous Olympics. Locations across the city have been selected to cut down on travel times and emissions associated with transportation. A lot of the temporary buildings constructed for the Games are also intended to be destroyed or reused after the event, adding to their long-lasting legacy. 

2. Gender Equality Achieved: With an equal number of male and female competitors, the 2024 Paris Games will also mark the first-ever Olympic gender parity. Although women have participated in the Games for over a century, complete parity in terms of the number of events and athletes has not yet been attained. This achievement demonstrates the Olympic movement’s dedication to dismantling obstacles as well as a larger cultural trend toward gender equality in sports and other domains. 

3. Innovation in Sport: To improve the experience for both athletes and spectators, Paris 2024 is also embracing technological innovation. Advanced solutions will be integrated. The Games are pushing the boundaries of what is conceivable in sports, from cutting-edge broadcast technology providing immersive viewing experiences to AI-driven analytics assisting athlete preparation. 

The Olympics have evolved to reflect larger social shifts. The modern Games go beyond athletic competition, focusing on questioning conventional wisdom, diversity, and global concerns like equality and sustainability. The 2024 Paris Games emphasize gender equality and environmental sustainability, representing a new era for the worldwide movement. Even though they are always changing, the Olympics are nevertheless a potent symbol of our shared hopes for a brighter future and a force for unifying the world.

Happy

2 17 %

Sad

0 0 %

Excited

5 42 %

Sleepy

2 17 %

Angry

3 25 %

Surprise

0 0 %

Story by Kendall Lafferty

The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) is the first major sports
governing body that oversees more than 83,000 athletes at more than 200 colleges
to ban transgender women from competing in women’s sports. The policy states, “Only
student-athletes whose assigned sex at birth is female will be allowed to compete on
NAIA-sponsored women’s sports teams” (Yurcaba). The NAIA council voted 20-0 to approve
this policy, which will take effect on August 1st, 2024. Transgender men and transmasculine
students can still compete on women’s teams as long as they have not yet started masculinizing
hormone therapy, athletes that have started this hormone therapy will not be allowed to compete
in NAIA competition. Although these athletes cannot participate in competition, they can
participate in workouts, practices, and other team activities for women’s teams. The policy is “at
the discretion of their college” when it comes to both trans men and women competing on men’s
teams. According to the policy, cheer and dance teams are open to all students, but all other
sports include a combination of strength, speed, and stamina that provide male students with a
competitive advantage.

Because of this new policy, LGBTQ+ rights organizations have filed lawsuits against
many states that restrict transgender students from participating in athletics, with the argument
that they violate Title IX. Title IX is the federal law that prohibits discrimination based on
biological sex in federally funded schools. Shiwali Patel the senior counsel for the National
Women’s Law Center says “This is unacceptable and blatant discrimination that not only harms
trans, nonbinary, and intersex individuals, but limits the potential of all athletes…It’s important to
recognize that these discriminatory policies don’t enhance fairness in competition. Instead, they
send a message of exclusion and reinforce dangerous stereotypes that harm all women.” (“NAIA

Bans Trans Athletes from Women’s Sports”). The NAIA CEO has responded to the backlash
that this policy has received by saying “We know there are a lot of opinions, and a lot of people
have a very emotional reaction to this, and we want to be respectful of all that…But we feel like
our primary responsibility is fairness in competition, so we are following that path. And we’ve
tried as best we could to allow for some participation by all.”(Yurcaba).

What Does This Mean for NCAA?

Although Rutgers-Camden was not directly affected by this policy, as the governing body
for our sports is the NCAA. NCAA stands for National Collegiate Athletic Association, which
oversees about 363 Division 1 schools, 313 Division 2 schools, and 442 Division 3 schools.
Since 2011, trans women have been permitted to participate on women’s sports teams as long as
they have undergone a year of testosterone suppression. However, in January 2022, this policy
was changed in response to transgender swimmer Lia Thomas. The University of Pennsylvania
swimmer won numerous races in the early part of her season allowing her to soon win the
NCAA title. There was lots of backlash due to Lia Thomas’ victory which sparked the NCAA to
change their policy to a sport-by-sport approach to determine eligibility. A few hours after the
NAIA announced their new policy, the NCAA released a statement saying “College sports are
the premier stage for women’s sports in America and the NCAA will continue to promote Title
IX, make unprecedented investments in women’s sports and ensure fair competition for all
student-athletes in all NCAA championships.” (“NAIA Bans Trans Athletes from Women’s
Sports”). This is an extremely complex issue that often gets politicized; many believe that it may
take a Supreme Court ruling to come up with a fair solution.

Sources
“NAIA Bans Trans Athletes from Women’s Sports.” ESPN.com, 8 Apr. 2024,
www.google.com/url?q=www.espn.com/college-sports/story/_/id/39901710/naia-essentia
lly-bans-transgender-athletes-women-sports&sa=D&source=docs&ust=17138896301042
52&usg=AOvVaw0-65r0VpKhpjwRKL_OtqHp. Accessed 23 Apr. 2024.
Yurcaba, Jo. “NAIA Bans Transgender Women from Competing in Women’s Sports.” NBC
News, 9 Apr. 2024,
www.nbcnews.com/nbc-out/out-news/naia-bans-transgender-women-competing-womens
-sports-rcna147017.

Happy

0 0 %

Sad

0 0 %

Excited

0 0 %

Sleepy

0 0 %

Angry

0 0 %

Surprise

0 0 %

Image credit: Rutgers University–Camden Athletics

By Kendall Lafferty and Sadie Fiore

This month the Scarlet Raptors softball team got deep into NJAC play currently holding a 5-11 NJAC record and a 14-22 overall record. The team split in their conference opener against New Jersey City University. On Saturday, April 6th, the Raptors split with Montclair State University and quickly had to prepare to play Ramapo College the next day. Unfortunately, the Raptors lost both games against Ramapo. On Tuesday, April 9th, the Raptors split with The College of New Jersey, and then again split with Kean University on Saturday, April 13th, where they also celebrated their senior day. This was the first time the Raptors took a win from Kean University since 2016. On Tuesday, April 16, the Raptors lost both games to Stockton University. The Raptors then had two non-conference games against Catholic University, losing both. On Saturday, April 20th, the Scarlet Raptors split with William Patterson University. On April 23, the Raptors played nationally ranked Rowan University and lost both games. The Raptors play another non-conference game against Neuman University on Thursday, April 25th, and have their last regular season game against Rutgers-Newark on Saturday, April 27th. 

The Scarlet Raptors Baseball team also got deep into their NJAC season with a 7-6 NJAC record and a 23-12 overall record. On April 5th and 7th the Raptors played The College of New Jersey, winning one, and losing one. On Saturday, April 6th, the Raptors had a doubleheader against Kean University winning both. On April 9th, the Raptors lost an out-of-conference game against Keystone College. On April 11th and 12th, the Raptors played Rowan University losing both days. On April 13th, the Raptors took both games from Rutgers-Newark. Then on Tuesday, they played Alvernia University and celebrated their senior night with a win. On April 18th and 19th, the baseball team played Stockton University, losing both games. On Saturday, April 20th the Raptors took a win in their first game against Ramapo College, but unfortunately lost their second game. On Monday, April 22 the team played another out-of-conference game against Wilson College in which they won. The Raptors have their last NJAC games on April 25th and 26th against Montclair State University and a doubleheader against William Patterson University on April 27th.

Women’s tennis went to the NJAC semi-finals for the fourth year. The team, however, lost to top ranked TCNJ 5-0. However, sophomore co-captain Katie Moore received All-NJAC honors in women singles, making this the second year that she has been honored by the NJAC.

The golf team performed well at the RCSJ Roadrunner Invitational, coming in second with 315 to Stockton University’s 313. On Saturday, April 27, the team will compete in the United East Conference Championships, at the Philmont Country Club in Huntingdon Valley, Pennsylvania.

Track and Field athlete Alexis Marini has been having herself a month! The senior competed in the hammer throw at the Penn Relays, making her the only Division III athlete to do so, and she finished 13th with a distance of 49.65 meters. Earlier in the month, she competed at the Paul Donahue Invitationals, where she finished third of twenty-five, while also throwing her longest distance of the season. The mens 4×100 team will also be competing at the Penn Relays later today.

Happy

0 0 %

Sad

0 0 %

Excited

0 0 %

Sleepy

0 0 %

Angry

0 0 %

Surprise

0 0 %

Photo credit: Rutgers University–Camden Athletics

As Women’s History Month comes to a close, the competition season for Rutgers–Camden’s Women’s Tennis team is just beginning. In the tennis world, women have “[shown] that whatever a man can do, a woman can do as well,” sophomore Ashton Sirko says. However, Sirko, a sophomore business major, is quick to highlight that “in athletics, a lot of things still have not really changed for women, […] there’s still a lot of challenges that women face in this world.” However, she highlights the importance of women in tennis, saying that “women have had a very large impact on sports, especially tennis,” going on to emphasize how women have changed the world of tennis. She cites tennis legend Serena Williams as an example, saying that “she’s really set amazing standards [for] women and amazing goals for all women, […] not only tennis players to look up to and strive to be.” 

The importance of having women in sports for young athletes to look up to was highlighted by all three players interviewed. Indeed, all three emphasized how women in their lives have impacted their game and their love of the sport. Freshman Alyssa Peacock comes from a tennis family–her grandfather, John O’Grady, was ranked 21 in the world during his tennis career, and she says that her mother, who also played, “inspired me to play tennis and I [also] wanted to, you know, carry on the tradition.” Sirko was also inspired by a female family member to play, but in her case it was her great-aunt who encouraged her parents to put her in tennis, and co-captain Katie Moore was inspired by her mother, saying that she didn’t always enjoy the sport but “I grew to love it a lot,” and is now not only a player, but also a coach.

Moore’s greatest hurdle in athletics has been getting others to take her seriously, saying “when I coach a boys tennis team, they may not [think] young girl is as intelligent as a male coach, or something along those lines, but once I start coaching, they’re like “dang, okay she knows what shes talking about”. This struggle to be taken as seriously as their male counterparts was shared by her teammates–Peacock says “we’re kind of pushed to the sides sometimes, when it comes to sports–like oh we don’t get paid as much, we don’t get shown as much in media, and I think that needs to change because we are just as great as men.” She thinks for a moment, laughs and continues “[we’re] even better, in my opinion.”

Balancing life as an athlete and student is tough, sophomore nursing major Moore says, and shouts out Assistant Director of Athletics, Haley Shinn. Moore highlights Shinn’s importance to the team, and Rutgers–Camden athletics as a whole, saying that she “works with us to get uniforms right because it is different having a male coach and being a [female] athlete, because they may not know that these are too short or these aren’t flattering or this and that, so it’s nice to be able to have that resource where I do have someone to go to and […] they make us feel heard and [are] accommodating to the things that we need as women in sports.”

Sirko is also involved with the Rutgers–Camden Athletics Administration–as a member of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC), which finds her “sit[ting] in on a lot of different meetings” and having her voice heard on policies and rules within the university that impact student-athletes. 

Peacock says that being a female athlete is “difficult, because of all of the backlash that women face in general, but it’s also an empowering thing to be able to play with other like minded women on the court.” Moore echoes this sentiment, saying “it can feel very rewarding. I have a lot on my plate–I’m very, very busy, but being able to come out here with some of my closest friends and just have a lot of fun, travel together, and just make memories […] it can be really rewarding.”

Sirko also emphasizes how important it is to be around other female athletes, contrasting her experience on the tennis team with her experience as a golfer in high school, saying “that, as women we can do a lot of amazing things, but there’s still a lot that could be done to really make things fair and equal for women.”

Happy

0 0 %

Sad

0 0 %

Excited

0 0 %

Sleepy

0 0 %

Angry

0 0 %

Surprise

0 0 %

Image credit: Rutgers University–Camden Athletics

By Kendall Lafferty and Sadie Fiore

This month, the Rutgers Camden softball team started their season in Davenport Florida where they played 10 games in just 8 days.  The Raptors came home with 4 wins and 6 losses.  The Raptors jumped right into their season at home, as they had a six-game week playing Alvernia University, Albright College, and New Paltz.  On Tuesday, March 19th, the Raptor split with Alvernia (0-2, 2-1), on Thursday, March 21st they swept Albright College (8-0, 7-3), on Friday, March 22 they lost both games to New Paltz (0-4, 4-11).  On March 26th the Raptors swept Gwynedd Mercy University (3-2, 1-0).  The team has their conference opener against New Jersey City University on Saturday, March 30th.  

The Rutgers Camden Baseball team also traveled to Florida over spring break, but they started their season at home in Camden.  The Raptors went into spring break with a 5-3 record, and racked up 6 wins in Florida with just one loss, bringing their record to 11-4.  On Sunday, March 24th, the Raptors lost to Ursinus College (2-3), and then came back and beat them on Monday, March 25th (10-1).  On Tuesday, March 26th, the team beat Swarthmore College (8-5).  The Raptors baseball team also has their conference opener on Saturday, March 30th with a doubleheader against New Jersey City University.   

Spring tennis for both men and women started on March 2nd, but the first few matches for both got postponed or canceled due to weather. On March 23, both teams opened their season by competing at The College of New Jersey, and both lost 9-0 to the 35th ranked NCAA Division III tennis powerhouse. Of the women’s team, sophomore co-captains Katie Moore and Ashton Sirko each got a point in their singles matches, as did freshman Bella Martinez. On the men’s team, senior Edward McWilliams Jr. and freshman John Brady got a shared doubles point, and Brady also earned the team’s sole singles point.

Mens Golf also began their 2024 season this week, at the Lebanon Valley Invitational, finishing 9th out of 17, and shooting 334. Sophomore Reid Walker led the team, placing 14th out of the 88 golfers competing, and scoring 79. He was followed by freshman Aidan Riley who tied for 33rd, Pearce Lee, who placed 40th, freshman Santino Leone, who placed 51st, and sophomore Walter Pierce who finished 87th.

Outdoor track began Saturday, March 23 at the Oscar Moore Open hosted by Rowan University in Glassboro, NJ. Senior Alexis Marini led the Scarlet Raptors, placing 5th in the women’s hammer throw, throwing 50.47m and 4th in the women’s discus throw, throwing 37.81m. 

Happy

0 0 %

Sad

0 0 %

Excited

0 0 %

Sleepy

0 0 %

Angry

0 0 %

Surprise

0 0 %

Throughout an entire school year, over a hundred athletic events open opportunities for scarlet raptors all over campus to share their spirit. From August to May, teams practice and perform so that others can see their passion for their sport. 

Yet, it is gameday when fans get to watch their teams compete to be the best they can be, but what you need to see is the preparation. While teams prep through practice and recovery, one person is industriously working to ensure those game days go off without a hitch: Peter Bader.

Peter Bader is the Program Coordinator for the athletics department, and his role is more complex than it sounds. Within his position, he has to ensure game days run smoothly and manage any issues, problems, or concerns that may affect an event. Sounds easy, right? Not entirely.

 Before any game begins, it’s essential to understand the preparation and planning that is involved, and with each sport being different, every day is unique. And with a complex and detail-oriented role, it’s essential to see how Peter Bader became this role and how his origin crafted his reality.

Growing up in Moorestown, NJ, Peter was born into an active family with three other siblings, all surrounded by sports their entire lives. During his life, Peter played various sports, participated in multiple tournaments, and watched numerous sporting events across the South Jersey region. Further, he feels that through actively participating in several sporting events in the South Jersey area, working at Rutgers-Camden has proven to be a way to give back to the community for all the fond memories he has with his family, especially at the late Campbells field. 

After completing high school, Peter moved to Virginia temporarily to pursue getting his B.S. in Sports Management from James Madison University. While in college, Peter worked with the Camden County College Soccer team and the Ocean City Nor’easters. Later, Peter worked with professional sports teams such as D.C. United and the USL team Richmond Kickers.

However, what helps make Peter feel invincible (just like the city of Camden) is support from family and constantly finding ways to uplift other people in the campus community. Between working with his event team and his administrative staff, he always seeks ways to support other people daily so that everyone can be their best. Peter enjoys helping other people soar (like raptors) by acting as a support system for everyone he works with within the campus community. 

He offers advice or guidance whenever possible; he understands how overwhelming the college experience can be for some students. Whether that’s by giving a letter of recommendation or helping anyone sort out their goals, Peter believes communication and action are crucial to assisting students to soar. However, He believes that the best way to live is by trying everything and anything while they are in college. Especially with the endless opportunities for involvement at Rutgers, sees that college is a time to understand your niche while you still have the time.

As Peter works at various athletic events, he finds that the excitement of his work is the competition in every game. While every game is different, he sees that by acting as a calming presence for his team and visitors, he is approachable to other people. Throughout each day, Peter finds that the student-athletes are also a driving force for helping every day go by smoothly. Just like he acts with his team, he wants the athletes and their coaches to know he supports them whenever possible and gives them the platform they need to succeed. 

While scarlet is often seen as the color of passion, Peter also has some scarlet shades in his life that are not directly associated with athletics. Outside of athletics, Peter is passionate about international relations and global issues. Through serving on Model UN when he was in high school, Peter has developed a passion for using his skills to help the international community on campus. 

Further, Peter feels that the international community on campus is a unique part of Rutgers-Camden and benefits the team atmosphere tremendously. Thanks to Peter’s hard work and attention to detail, games and matches at Rutgers-Camden can run smoothly, allowing the fans to enjoy their time and for the athletes to do their best. 

Peter’s approachable nature allows his team to come to him for advice on any life concern and question, allowing them to feel that they can conquer anything that’s in front of them. He can help others find their voice by guiding them through any hurdle facing them by offering advice and moral support. 

Through Pete’s persistent hard work ethic, he can help the Rutgers-Camden community soar to new heights in athletic excellence and personal growth.

Happy

1 100 %

Sad

0 0 %

Excited

0 0 %

Sleepy

0 0 %

Angry

0 0 %

Surprise

0 0 %

From fast feet to fast food, the energy at the Athletic Center was infectious as the raptors entered their evening with excitement, looking to end the season on a high note. Aside from the usual attendees, this game had an array of entertainment: games, activities, giveaways, and of course, food. Between the symphony of smells and collection of people, the raptors were ready for game day. 

As scarlet spirit filled the air, the lady raptors took center court as they competed in the first match of the evening. While the effort was there and the crowd’s energy was contagious, it was enough for Kean University’s Lady Cougars. Despite the loss with the lady raptors, it was an exciting game, and the raptor’s work till the end made way for the men as they competed next against Kean University. It was an exciting start for the men as they continued to hit shot after shot, yet they fell in the second half against the Cougars. Despite the raptors having two losses in one night, it was hard fought. Yet what was more compelling was the fans and the campus community that came to rally for the raptors that evening. 

In the past, there have been a few highly attended games at the Rutgers Athletic Center, both for men’s and women’s sports. Yet, the university putting in the effort to make athletics exciting, once again, at Rutgers was much needed for the campus community and the department. Moreover, it allowed many to see the potential of what happens when you blend passion and pride for university engagement. For the future, this participation from the university to enhance athletic events should be an annual event, but one centered around a different team. Kean University has a stellar record, even holding a 16-6 record, while Rutgers Camden possessed a 4-18 record against the cougars, and the women had a similar record against the lady cougars.

So why Kean University? Why not Rutgers-Newark or a team where we stood a formidable chance at victory? Further, it’s essential to understand the potential effects of the game. If Rutgers-Camden was to put more effort and expenses into athletics and other social events that bring the community together, there is great potential for future graduating classes. Especially with enrollment being down this past year, having social events like this can bring the community closer and allow others to see our pride for our raptors and Camden. 

Happy

0 0 %

Sad

0 0 %

Excited

0 0 %

Sleepy

0 0 %

Angry

0 0 %

Surprise

0 0 %

By: Kaila Crozier

When the pandemic hit back in March 2020, I realized how much Rutgers-Camden meant to me and its impact on my life. When Rutgers sent us home early for spring break, I was heartbroken to leave a place I loved so much. When the campus reopened in September 2020, I was determined to make my last two years count as much as possible, even if there was a pandemic. Come December 2020, my previous areas of employment hadn’t been reopened yet, so I searched on-campus for a job.  When I asked if the Fitness Center was hiring, they had a position open. While it was minimum wage, it involved my two passions, fitness and helping others. However, this job soon provided many opportunities to grow as a person and professional.

The Fitness Center is an energetic environment, there’s always something going on within the facility. Between rec teams and team practices, it’s fun to watch students and athletes go about their daily routine in a motivating atmosphere. While sitting at the desk and attending to the Fitness Center’s needs seems simple, it has more complexity.

Aside from working as a part of the Fitness Center team, I’m also a part of the event team, which involves a little more manual labor. Working events involve several steps that the team has to follow so that we have a smooth game. Specifically, being a part of the event team means arriving two hours before kick-off, which can be anywhere between 8:00 am and 5:00 pm. Once we arrive, we’re given specific responsibility for the game; I’m usually the public announcer or bookkeeper.

Then, we have to go to our assigned field and set up according to the game. Setting up the fields involves many steps, such as; preparing the fields, starting up the music, and greeting the teams upon the kick-off. Then, once the teams have arrived and they have started their warm-ups, we get a minor break to eat and relax until gametime. Sometimes, I’ll bring my camera to take pictures for the Athletic Department.

Once the game begins, we do our designated role throughout the entirety of the game. The sport and the weather often determine the game’s length, ranging anywhere between ninety minutes and two hours. However, the game is extended if we play multiple games, have halftime, or go into overtime. When it comes to the game commencing, it typically takes about thirty minutes to break down our initial set-up. As a whole, working in athletics has opened my eyes to the world of operational management and collegiate sports.

While working for the Rutgers athletic department is often filled with long days, the days are always exciting. Usually, my days start as early as five in the morning due to my class schedule. I enjoy starting my days by going to CrossFit to generate some energy that often carries me throughout the day. While my shifts are often later in the afternoon, I often have to do my studying and other work in the morning.

After clocking out, I usually leave campus anywhere between six and ten at night. Although there are days where the start time is earlier so, on occasion, I do have the pleasure of leaving campus before five in the afternoon. Working for the athletic department has undoubtedly been a highlight of my Rutgers journey. When I came in as a freshman, I had no intent to get involved but just to solely do my classes. I have learned so much about myself between working at the front desk and various events that no class could ever teach me. Overall, I’m very grateful for all the experience that the athletic department has provided me. Between taking photos for the various teams and witnessing so many athletes grow on the field, it’s been a memorable experience.

Happy

0

0 %

Sad

0
0 %

Excited

0
0 %

Sleepy

0

0 %

Angry

0
0 %

Surprise

0
0 %

by David Parker

 As the spring semester started up in 2021, spring season sports for Rutgers Camden also started up their seasons. One of these sports was the Women’s Volleyball Team. They did not have a fall season due to the pandemic rolling out, but they were ready to tackle the spring season with a new challenge, getting through an entire season while dealing with the pandemic. In this spring season, the team would go through 5 regular-season games, and if they did well enough, they would move on to the playoffs. Of course, there were restrictions that teams had to follow for players and staff to stay safe for the duration of the season. Masks had to be worn at all times, even if you are on the court and playing, and social distancing measures for both teams were enforced as much as possible. In addition to these challenges, half of the Scarlet Raptors were absent. Many players could not play this season due to travel issues. Some lived too far to commute to Rutgers and back home every day. However, the most significant challenge faced by players was isolation. They had to quarantine themselves from members of their household and limit the number of people they saw. Family members and loved ones in these player’s lives were now kept at a distance.    

For Devyn Cobb, she was ready to make a comeback after suffering an injury back in the 2019 season, but little did she know a pandemic would sweep the world and it would be almost two years before she would play again.  

In 2019, before her injury, Devyn led the team with 40 blocks, which spiked her career total to 64 blocks, making her 14th in blocks all-time for Rutgers-Camden Women’s Volleyball. She also finished 4th on the team that season in kills, having 172. 

After suffering a high sprained ankle from landing on an opponent’s foot instead of the ground, the next step was to start the healing process and strengthen her ankle to play again. Overcoming the obstacles of healing and recovery, she became ready to make her comeback this season in the spring. Though, according to Cobb, “It was difficult, not because I was still hurt, I was just terrified of stepping on someone again because it would have hurt so much more.”

Facing her fears, she began her comeback season this spring in 2021 since Rutgers-Camden Women’s Volleyball did not have a fall season because of the pandemic. As she started going to practices, she also spent time in physical therapy to continue the process of strengthening her injured ankle. Now in her comeback season, Cobb had to face another challenge: playing volleyball during the COVID-19 Pandemic. 

Even with all of these challenges that she had to face with her team, the Scarlet Raptors managed to get to the playoffs this spring. Despite losing in the semifinals against the excellent Stockton University University Ospreys. They gave it their all every single game and had a successful season. The team finished 3-4 on the season, including the playoff first-round win and the semi-finals loss.   

“I am happy with how this season turned out,” Cobb said. “We did really well, and we overcame. People that worked Saturdays when we had Saturday practices put in their time. We had a COVID scare that involved us missing another player, and we got through that struggle. I am glad that we stuck through, and we did what we could.”

Happy

0

0 %

Sad

0
0 %

Excited

0
0 %

Sleepy

0

0 %

Angry

0
0 %

Surprise

0
0 %