I have to shamefully admit that I was too tired on Saturday to get up and go to the Dartmouth football home-opener against New Hampshire. I should have gone, despite whatever the score turned out to be, and I regret it.
But now there is no excuse for me or any casual fan not to go out and support Big Green athletics thanks to a great idea called the "Mean Green Machine," which is somehow a form of club sport. (Which makes me wonder -- why do we have a club fan team and not a club baseball team? My mind wanders.)
The idea is that you can pay five measly dollars for a Mean Green shirt, wear it to any combination of eight football, hockey or basketball games, and get a PE credit for your support.
PE credit! Yes, that dreaded credit that has prevented quite a few brilliant students from graduating from this fine institution. I need one, you need one (you non-Division-I athletes), so get one by supporting our athletic teams.
While we're on the subject, may I briefly ask the administration why Dartmouth students are still required to get three PE credits?
We are all fairly active people, honestly. I try to get out and play some sport every day, and yet the only way to prove to the college that I am a well-rounded individual is to sign up for meditation or Ballet Folklorico de Dartmouth (amongst other ridiculous options)?
I completed 17 out of a required 18 hours for badminton and did not receive credit. I suffered through club tennis freshman year but again missed out on credit somehow.
I wanted to take sailing in the summer, but I had x-hours that conflicted with all the sections.
In other musings, some athletes deserve further recognition for their accomplishments thus far in the 2008 fall athletic season.
Forward Lucky Mkosana '12 and goalkeeper Sean Milligan '09 of the men's soccer team have helped propel the squad to an early 5-2 record and a No. 17 ranking in the national poll.
One especially impressive win was a dominant four-nil performance against a then-No. 3/6 ranked Indiana University men's squad that has won seven national championships, including two as recently as 2003 and 2004.
Mkosana has totaled nine points on four goals and an assist on 22 shots this year. Milligan has posted a 0.71 goals-against average with 25 saves and three shutouts in seven games.
The Big Green returns home on Saturday, Oct. 11 in the hopes of continuing its strong season against Yale to start Ivy League play.
Staying on the pitch, Aly O'Dea '12 has already proven that she can perform at the collegiate level for the women's soccer team, earning Ivy League Rookie of the Week recently. O'Dea scored a clutch goal in overtime against the Oregon State Beavers last week.
Moving to the links, Alex Abate '09 was rightfully named athlete of the week Monday by The Dartmouth Sports Weekly for his performance at the Cornell Golf Invitational. Abate helped propel the team to a fourth-place finish out of 15 strong teams by finishing fifth overall individually.
Just because you don't get PE credit for going to soccer or golf doesn't mean you shouldn't support the teams.
Have a power hour before going out to the course or Burnham Field, for all I care.
On a final note, the MLB playoffs started last night, and I couldn't be more excited for what they have in store for all. Many story lines are developing:
Can the Tampa Bay Rays continue to win when the pressure is on more than ever?
How will the Cubs inevitably choke away such a talented team's chances of winning?
Can the most-losing team in all of sports history, the Philadelphia Phillies, win a championship this year?
Will Manny continue his postseason dominance in another team's uniform?
What will the Brew Crew do with their first postseason appearance since 1982?
Will the Yankees face off with the Red--oops.
Will the Rays face off with the Red Sox for an epic ALCS?
So many questions. One month to answer them.
It's time to enjoy the phenomenon that is October baseball.
