At the Helms

On September 12, Ed Helms, a.k.a. Andy Bernard from The Office and Stu Price in the movie The Hangover, came to Oberlin for the 2009 Convocation Series. Ed is actually a 1996 graduate of Oberlin and it was fun to hear him talk about his Oberlin experience. This is short clip that I took of him talking first about Oberlin's mascot, the Yeoman, then touching on doctorate degrees.

I hope you enjoy this...I think this guy is hilarious! Also, sorry for the poor quality. The video size had to be reduced DRAMATICALLY in order to get it posted.

Coach Knapp

Great pains

Like Julia said in her post, "we're back on the field practicing for the fall." Well, everyone else is at least. I'm on the bench this fall along with Sam due to injuries. I guess that's what happens when you're a 6'2" catcher...or even a 5' one in Sam's case... Her waiting is almost over though: she'll be cleared to play soon, meaning I'll be the only broken one (torn meniscus- again). So because of this, the only thing I do at practice now is catch-in occasionally, fetch balls, and when I'm bored: abs.

Of course, I can't wait to get back out there and start catching again. I'm going to see a doctor today (Wednesday), so maybe I'll get cleared to play then?... Maybe? Until then, I'll just be on the sidelines watching our team prepare for the spring. Oh, and of course, counting how many times Kristen trips during practice.

Hopefully I'll have more to update soon,

Sara Gaines, #13

New beginnings

I'm now into my third week of classes at Oberlin and almost a week into my first Fall Season. Between practices and team gatherings, I have to say that softball has really helped my transition to college. I haven't experienced the pressure of discovering what my place will be or what I will get involved with in college that most freshman feel. Everyone has been very welcoming and I have yet to feel like an awkward freshman.

As far as practices go, I'm really excited to be back on the field after a little time off. I don't feel like I've been having trouble keeping up with the team, with the exception of yesterday. Let's just say my leg press abilities could use a little work.... Besides my first timed mile, practices have been a lot of fun and it has been great to get back into the swing of things (pun intended).

Although I am 18 and officially an "adult," I do at times feel pretty young considering the fact that I'm playing with girls in their twenties. However, I know that being on a team with older girls will give me the opportunity to learn and grow from them.

Until next time,

Brittany Dawson, #4

Senior moment

So we're back on the field practicing for the Fall. It feels really nice. I only felt old at the first practice. And, man did I feel old. Just really slow to get warmed up. Shouldn't I be at the peak of my physical condition? Isn't that what being almost twenty-one is about?


I mean, being a senior certainly leaves me with some perspective about this "back on the field" situation. And that also makes me feel old. I am not the oldest person on the team by years, certainly not (actually I'm the youngest of the seniors), but I do have the same amount of experiences that they all have. And those three previous years of stepping out onto the field makes me feel old. Luckily, I still love it, and I really wouldn't stop playing softball for anything. So maybe that will make me feel young again. Oh the paradoxes of being the oldest grade in a group of young people!

But I'm sure I will have more philosophical ramblings and/or fun stories soon.

Julia Chauvin, #9

Solar system

In July 2009, the Oberlin College Athletic and Physical Education Department installed a solar panel on the north end of Savage Stadium. This solar panel will provide enough energy to power the football, baseball, and softball scoreboards and still have some surplus to feed back to the electrical grid.

Practice starts on Thursday!!!