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(04/01/21 10:00am)
Derrick Cram turns to his side and looks at one of his co-workers. “You ready?” he asks.
Cram, the business manager of the Middlebury-owned Ralph Myhre Golf Course, is about to announce that the golf course will be open to students throughout the fall semester. He’s sitting at his desk in late summer, as nearby Middlebury students acclimate to a Covid-altered semester: Zoom classes, to-go meals, go/snitch — the whole shebang.
In the carefully-worded email, Cram writes that Middlebury students are welcome to the golf course throughout the fall semester — masked and socially distanced, of course — once they have cleared quarantine. It was a decision that necessitated hours of thought and planning, but ultimately one that the Ralph Myhre crew — and the administration — felt confident and excited about.
Cram hits send, knowing the next few hours might be a little crazy. He was right.
“I kid you not, as soon as I hit send, it wasn’t even two minutes before the phones started ringing,” Cram told The Campus. “We had three phone lines busy for no less than three hours.”
Many businesses have struggled to attract customers during the pandemic, but the Ralph Myhre Golf Course has not. Since they first opened during the pandemic on May 7, 2020, there’s been a steady flow of golfers, including first-time players, old faces who finally had time to golf again and, of course, the regulars.
Cram can’t say for sure, but last summer might have been the course’s most successful season to date; in his 23 years of working for the college, he can’t remember a year that compares.
“This summer was crazy busy,” Cram said. “This is the busiest summer I’ve ever seen. We did not expect this summer to unfold the way it did — we were blindsided by the amount of support and business that came through our course.”
While Ralph Myhre had to curtail about 30% of their tournaments last year due to Covid-19 — including college tournaments and shotgun-style tournaments, in which all the golfers start at once — the traffic remained incessant.
Business was booming, but it wasn’t without months of brainstorming, planning and flat-out waiting. When the pandemic first hit Middlebury in mid-March, Cram and his crew were kept at home for roughly a month, effectively sidelined until they received information on how to proceed from the state.
The first group of employees allowed back onto the course was the grounds crew, tabbed as essential workers by the state. Without their maintenance, after all, the course’s terrain would’ve incurred lasting damages.
Finally, on May 6, Gov. Phil Scott announced that golf courses would be allowed to open. After about eight weeks of static noise, Cram and his co-workers finally had answers.
“The switch was flipped and we had to have a plan the next day,” Cram recalled. “We were on location the next morning. It was myself, our golf pro Paul Politano and our grounds crew. And that’s how we ran for the first couple weeks since the procedure for how to staff safely was still in the process of being implemented.”
It might have cost the Ralph Myhre crew a bit of sleep, but they did it. On Thursday, May 7 — the day after they were alerted that they could reopen the course — Ralph Myhre opened to the public.
From the get-go, the operation looked different. For one, seasonal staff was prohibited from working per state guidelines, leaving a sizable hole in the crew. The solution? Sourcing displaced dining and custodial workers who were eager for work once students were sent home.
With a patchwork staff manning the day-to-day, golfers returned to the course, which sits adjacent to the football field and against a picturesque Vermont backdrop. At first, golf carts were prohibited, as was other shared equipment, like divot bottles, ball washers, rakes and drinking coolers. Guests were also asked to wear masks when they floated in and around the clubhouse, and the Pro Shop was closed per state guidelines.
Ralph Myhre’s staff also needed to reconfigure games with a shotgun start, like the popular member-guest tournaments. Given the risk inherent in inviting a flock of participants at once, the staff implemented structured tee-times, where players would arrive and tee off at staggered times.
Surprisingly, the new structure — although different — was a big hit among the golfers.
“People liked the tee times for the member-guest [tournaments] because they wouldn’t have to deal with the crowds,” Cram said. “It was more of a flow on the driving range, it was more of grab-and-go food, and it cut back the length of their commitment. They said it was actually nice to have shorter days.”
The check-in table, usually positioned in the Pro Shop, was also shifted outside, placed adjacent to the first hole. While it was an adjustment at first, it might be a change that’s here to stay, according to Cram.
Now outdoors, the check-in table allows staffers to have a better sense of how busy the course is, when to hold people back a few minutes and when there’s a chance to pair up solo golfers.
Throughout the summer, the Ralph Myhre crew had to tinker with regulations as Vermont and the college’s guidelines shifted. It was an ever-moving pivot, but as long as the course was operational, Cram welcomed the challenge.
“As the summer unfolded, procedures changed,” Cram explained. “Stuff just developed as the season unfolded. We actually became more stringent as things unfolded.”
Once August hit, for example, seasonal workers were able to return to work, relieving dining and custodial staff of their atypical duties. It allowed the temporary helpers to shift back to their regular positions, just in time to welcome the roughly 2,000 students who returned to Middlebury last fall.
Flash forward to the late-summer day when Derrick hit send on that email. Without NESCAC competition, access to the Peterson Athletic Complex or regular club sports, golfing offered an attractive alternative for cooped-up students.
And Midd kids were all over it.
Besides delineating the golf course’s plan for the fall, Cram’s announcement to students also included another attractive layer: golfing would be free for students that semester, excluding golf cart and club rentals.
It was an idea that had been floating around the administration for a while, Cram explained, and one that the administration felt well-positioned to pilot during a Covid-defined semester.
At first, students were only permitted to tee off during student-reserved time blocks, separate from those available to all other golfers. But once Middlebury transitioned into Phase 2, that barrier was eliminated.
As students were introduced into the fold, community members quickly learned to book their tee times far in advance, sometimes even two weeks ahead, indicative of the chaotic traffic at the course.
Like all other fall sports teams, the men’s and women’s varsity golf squads didn’t compete in the NESCAC last fall, but they still practiced daily at the course. There were noticeable changes to the day-to-day, though, including a two-person limit in the locker room.
Throughout the fall, students and community members alike flooded Ralph Myhre, filling days from morning to night. In some instances, students were booked to tee off in the late afternoon, just an hour or so before sunset.
It was a hectic season, and one that might repeat this spring. While the course hasn’t been open yet this semester — it was transformed into a cross country ski course for the first half of the semester — opening day is just around the corner.
Cram said he envisions April 10 as the tentative reopening date. Unlike last year, the vast majority of traditional tournaments and clinics will resume in 2021, including traditional collegiate golf meets.
As things stand, the course will host one collegiate competition on Saturday, May 8, when both the men’s and women’s teams will close out their five-match seasons.
While free golfing won’t continue this spring semester, it remains an idea that the administration could consider implementing long-term — and it might even extend to free season passes at the Snow Bowl, according to Cram.
If weather permits, the course will host their traditional spring clean-up day on April 10, an event that invites students and community members alike to bond and share stories from the winter.
“We’re going to offer a clean-up day on April 10, if weather permits,” Cram said. “We invite members and students alike to join in––it's a community-builder. After that clean-up, we have a little cookout with grab-and-go burgers and dogs, and we start tee times immediately following clean-up.”
(04/01/21 9:58am)
Four coaches and administrators at Middlebury participated in a webinar this Tuesday to discuss how Covid-19 has impacted athletics. From altered recruiting processes to silver linings, the panelists compared and contrasted their past 12 months.
The four panelists included Katharine DeLorenzo, head women’s field hockey coach; Jeff Brown, head men’s basketball coach; Erin Quinn ’86, athletic director; and Bob Ritter ’82, head men’s football coach.
Here are six takeaways from Tuesday’s webinar:
Last fall went better than expected
All three coaches on the webinar — DeLorenzo, Ritter and Brown — indicated that last semester was surprisingly constructive and engaging.
“It was a much better experience than any of us expected,” Ritter said. “It was a great fall that we actually enjoyed. It allowed us to step back and slow down a bit.”
While Ritter’s football team shifted focus to their “core values,” DeLorenzo said the field hockey practices were “simplified” and “enjoyable.” Without typical social and athletic distractions, the team found time to hone in on the personal side of things, learning more about each other and broadening their perspectives.
Coach Brown reiterated these statements, declaring that the fall was a “great bonding time” for the men’s basketball team. The team also returned to working on basketball fundamentals, like shooting, in training.
An unconventional recruiting process introduced lasting changes
As coaches navigated the pandemic with their current teams, they also had to find new ways to interact with prospective student-athletes. Without the ability to attend live matches or host recruits on campus, the pandemic shifted the recruitment process online.
Zoom emerged as a key tool in this process, providing coaches a platform to meet athletes and their families. Coaches also leaned into highlight reels and live streamed games as an alternative to watching games in-person.
While virtual interaction was a change, the coaches noted that it may have actually proved more constructive than in-person recruitment in past years.
“We could communicate very easily with prospective students,” DeLorenzo said. “If anything, the communication piece has improved and grown because it’s one of the only things we’ve been able to do throughout [the pandemic].”
“Our recruits actually got an even better feel for what we were all about,” Ritter said. “We had a great reach.”
Each coach took a different approach to how many athletes they recruited, partially influenced by what their current roster was doing. For instance, the field hockey team recruited a smaller group than usual considering the sizable number of players who deferred a semester or year.
“We didn’t keep it even,” DeLorenzo said. “We’re only growing this next year by one or two people on the roster instead of four, five or six players.”
Meanwhile, the football team didn’t make any drastic changes to the size of their recruiting class, a strategy informed by the temporary pause of a “squad size” limitation that the league traditionally upholds. “We are planning on keeping a larger team,” Ritter said.
Diversity, inclusion and mental health efforts take center stage
A large portion of the webinar was devoted to discussing the diversity, inclusion and mental health initiatives that the school has undertaken this year. Without typical demands of competition this academic year, teams were able to take a step back and focus on broader organizational issues.
For example, one initiative was the social media campaign “Leaning into Discomfort,” an initiative sponsored by the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee. The Committee has published frequent episodes on topics such as race and identity in Middlebury Athletics.
There’s also been a push to formalize the Student-Athletes of Color (SAOC) organization, which emphasizes diversity and inclusion on campus. Every NESCAC school has established an SAOC group, and they meet monthly to share what they’ve learned.
Coaches also went through a 21-day allyship program with 21 lessons that explored topics of identity, privilege and bias.
“It was something done by all the athletic coaches and staff members at all the NESCAC members,” Brown explained. “It was really beneficial to go through that process––personally, I learned a lot about myself. It’s been a very productive year.”
As for mental health, the panelists all noted that it’s been an issue that has affected their athletes — and the community-at-large — for years. To help combat these struggles, Ritter has tried to move as many meetings away from Zoom as he can, acknowledging the distance and alienation that the online platform can create.
Meanwhile, DeLorenzo said that the field hockey team has organized “Zoom dinners” as an opportunity to convene, share stories and laugh with one another.
Competition will look much different this spring
Athletic Director Erin Quinn went into detail about the upcoming spring sports season at Middlebury, which will see seven teams compete in the NESCAC. Decisions on which teams would compete were contingent on squad sizes; for example, the men’s and women’s lacrosse teams were unable to play, since they both had insufficient numbers to field a team.
Quinn said that face coverings will be mandated for all athletes during competition this spring, and reiterated that the college upholds “stricter” policy than other schools might. For away trips, buses will be filled at 50 % capacity and there will be no stops along the way. Teams also won’t stay at hotels, only scheduled to compete against teams they can travel to and from in one day.
As for testing, Middlebury athletes, trainers and coaches will receive three PCR tests in the week leading up to a game and will also get a rapid test on game day.
“An athlete at a particular school could do three PCR tests a week, plus if they compete on a Saturday and Sunday, two rapid antigen tests as well, so they might be getting tested as many as five days a week,” Quinn said.
Fans will be able to livestream games for the men’s baseball, women’s softball and women’s tennis teams. Golf and track and field competitions will not be live streamed.
Zoom is probably here to stay
All three coaches on the webinar expressed their satisfaction with Zoom, indicating that it’s a tool they’ll look to employ even when things return to normal.
Even though recruits will soon be allowed to visit campus again, Brown said that Zoom might still be their go-to option for prospective athletes who live far away from Middlebury. Zoom would also help prospective students who might not have the resources to visit Vermont in the recruitment process, Brown noted.
DeLorenzo also mentioned her interest in keeping Zoom tethered to her recruiting process, explaining that it’s allowed her to create stronger bonds with recruits and their families. Ritter echoed this sentiment, adding that Zoom has allowed alumni to join in on the recruiting process by hopping on a call with a recruit.
Next fall, the hope is to return to a ‘new normal’
When asked about next fall, Quinn was optimistic that athletics can return to a “new normal.” Quinn anticipates that fall sports might include some limitations, but did not specify anticipated restrictions.
Quinn’s declaration falls in line with President Patton’s announcement a few weeks ago.
“Our hope and the plan is that many of the activities that we’re used to are going to be back,” Quinn said. “Hopefully we can get on a good trajectory here as a country and stay the course and keep that path going toward the fall.”
(04/01/21 9:57am)
On this week’s edition of the Siefer’s Scoop podcast, Blaise welcomes Jack Farrell '21 and Tommy Eastman '21 — senior captains on the men’s basketball team — to the podcast. Farrell and Eastman, both All-NESCAC players, reflect on their athletic careers at Middlebury. They explain why the NCAA D-III Tournament is so special and what their experience was like playing on the division’s highest stage. They also discuss the basketball team’s culture and dynamics, shedding light on how the team operates off the court. Finally, they comment on how Covid-19 has impacted their senior year, how they felt the college handled the situation and what they have planned going forward. Bonus: Farrell and Eastman offer their opinions on the NCAA D-I men’s basketball tournament.
[embed]https://open.spotify.com/episode/42HsLPyIYGINq08amM7tUM?si=N9Ua_9inSEa31PIRggpOAQ[/embed]
(03/25/21 9:57am)
For the first episode in Siefer’s Scoop podcast history, Blaise has a co-host! Sports writer Sam Lipin, a sophomore Feb at Middlebury, joins the podcast to help Blaise interview Lucy Ambach ’23, the first women’s volleyball player to appear on Siefer’s Scoop. Blaise and Sam begin the episode by asking Ambach when she began to play volleyball and if her height had anything to do with it. Next, they chat with Ambach about Middlebury. What made the school stand out? Was it always her first choice? What are some of her favorite memories with the team? Finally, Ambach is asked about her goals for the program, and she’s also challenged to create a 30-second program pitch for prospective Middlebury volleyball players.
[embed]https://open.spotify.com/episode/32iM4NtsTaaW095fA6KT95?si=u6iDd0g2THqrRjmZn_pg5Q[/embed]
(03/18/21 9:57am)
Just two weeks into his graduate season, Michael McCormack ’20 picked up an award for the University of Vermont Catamounts.
After scoring eight goals across two games in early March, the attackman was tabbed American East Offensive Player of the Week. On March 3, McCormack netted six against UMass Lowell — the most by a Catamount in a single game since 2018 — and tacked on two more against Syracuse on March 6.
The American East is a competitive D-I lacrosse conference, including teams like UAlbany, Stony Brook and UMass Lowell. These squads frequently feature in the NCAA D-I tournament.
“It’s nice to get validated coming from D-III,” McCormack said. “I didn’t even give [the award] any thought, but it’s nice to get.”
Last Saturday, McCormack continued his scoring streak in Vermont’s 14–12 win over University of Albany. McCormack pitched in two goals and an assist in the contest, sending him to second on the Catamounts in points (15) and tied first for goals (12).
“We’re definitely feeling that chemistry so far,” McCormack said. “We’re learning each other's tendencies, playing off of one another, and talking to one another. We’re moving the ball better and better every time we step on the field.”
McCormack has shown no growing pains in adjusting from the D-III level, where he spent three seasons with the Panthers. In his time at Middlebury, he was a First Team All-NESCAC and Third Team All-American attackman.
Now up in Burlington, McCormack and the UVM Catamounts will look to build on their 2–2 record. Their next match is against New Jersey Institute of Technology on Saturday, March 20.
“We’re continuing to learn from all the games we’ve had. Just getting better and better.”
(03/18/21 9:56am)
This week, Blaise welcomes Hans Pessl ’22.5, a member of the men’s nordic team, on the podcast. A native of Bozeman, Montana, Hans grew up with a pair of skis on his feet. He describes how he first got into racing, how he honed his talent and how his skills ultimately qualified him for a coaching job with the Argentinian nordic team. Hans also explains Winter Carnival week from an athlete’s perspective, his favorite memories on the Middlebury team and his goals for the program.
[embed]https://open.spotify.com/episode/402rtqImqLiMd8fvkdiUim?si=xDnpWOU4SCuMnGY7NMDbPw[/embed]
(03/11/21 11:00am)
In-conference play in the NESCAC will resume in mid-April — roughly 13 months after competition was paused due to Covid-19 — the league’s presidents announced on Tuesday afternoon.
“While we will not be able to conduct athletics seasons as usual at Middlebury, we do plan to organize practices and limited competitive games with regional opponents,” an all-school email sent to students on Tuesday read. “NESCAC is currently developing schedules that are regional and limited in nature, and they will be released later in March.”
Each institution will make their own determination regarding participation, according to a press release, but competition will only commence if at least six NESCAC teams agree to play. Schedules will be limited to regional opponents and will span from mid-April to mid-May.
Competition will look different, with “special Covid-19-related protocols” set to be in place. An announcement from the college says that the protocols for competition have been developed in consultation with the medical and Covid-19 operations teams and the NESCAC Athletic Directors, and that they will meet or exceed state and CDC guidelines.
When asked if this decision was expected, Jordyn Johnson ’23, a member of women’s softball, said she had “no idea.”
“I prepare for the worst these days,” she said.
Johnson says the team convened as soon as the news broke on Tuesday afternoon. At the meeting, head softball coach Kelly Bevere ’99 stressed that her players should remain vigilant in taking all the necessary health precautions. If someone on the squad tests positive, the entire team will have to quarantine, a scenario that would jeopardize their season.
“Everyone is excited,” Johnson said. “Right after the decision, I was like ‘I need to go hit.’ So I went and hit for 45 minutes, and I got a blister. That’s how you know you haven’t hit in a while.”
For some squads, putting a team into play this spring might present a challenge. The women’s lacrosse team, for instance, only has four members on campus, possibly forcing an opt-out. A similar dilemma faces the men’s lacrosse team, which only has around six members on campus. Other programs have limited numbers on campus, too, like men’s baseball.
Information will continue to roll out in the next few weeks as the NESCAC clarifies scheduling and specific procedures.
In-conference play in the NESCAC will resume in mid-April — roughly 13 months after competition was paused due to Covid-19 — the league’s presidents announced on Tuesday afternoon.
(03/11/21 10:58am)
When Erik Arvidsson ’21 crossed the finish line in the Alpine Ski World Cup this past weekend, his reaction said it all. Arms raised, the Middlebury senior roared in excitement, having blazed through the course in 1:54.37. Arvidsson, who is from Woodside, Calif. and competes for Team USA, placed eighth overall in the downhill race.
The finish earned Arvidsson his first points in the World Cup, an event that attracts the world’s top skiers. He finished first on Team USA, too, a squad he’s trained with since November.
“It was a pretty mind blowing day,” Arvidsson told The Campus over FaceTime. “I’ve never been top 30 in the World Cup which is a huge milestone, so to go all the way to top 10 and be eighth like that… I didn’t expect it. Eighth totally blew my mind.”
Arvidsson’s finish slides nicely into his resumé, which includes a first-place prize medal at the 2016 World Junior Downhill Championship in Sochi, Russia.
“Our sport is pretty small and I was on the national team before I came to Middlebury, so I have a lot of history with a lot of these guys,” Arvidsson said. “We have a really strong team and we’ve had guys on the podium and in the top 10 all year.”
This winter, Arvidsson has also raced in the Europa Cup, a competition that sits a step below the World Cup. (It’s a “triple A” equivalent, for you baseball fans.) Arvidsson has won two Europa Cup races this season, ranking him third among all athletes in the competition. With upcoming races on Friday and Saturday, Arvidsson can push for the Europa League title, which is “a big deal.”
Arvidsson credits Middlebury, where he’s skied since 2018, for helping him get to this point. Since joining the Middlebury alpine team, Arvidsson is a two-time Eastern Intercollegiate Ski Association First-Team All-East selection and an All-American.
The Middlebury alpine team has an accomplished roster, including Justin Alkier ’21 and Ali Nullmeyer ’23, two skiers who are competing for Team Canada this winter. Michel Macedo ’22 is another member, a junior at Middlebury who has represented Brazil in the World Championships.
“We have a pretty cool culture and team dynamic at Middlebury that’s really helped me figure out how to get the most out of myself and have a ton of fun doing it,” Arvidsson said. “I'm forever grateful for Middlebury and Middlebury skiing.”
Arvidsson is wrapping up his Middlebury career this spring with two remote classes, positioning him to graduate in May. After graduation, he’ll start training for next season, aiming to build off of his recent accomplishment. Whenever he’s not training, though, he’ll aim to be in Middlebury.
When asked about his goals, Arvidsson quickly brought up the Olympics. The 2022 winter games will be held in Beijing next February.
“The Olympics next year is a huge goal and something you dream about as a kid, as an athlete and as a skier,” Arvidsson said. “So that’s first, and then hopefully moving my way [up] the top 30 in the World Cup.”
(03/11/21 10:55am)
On the second edition of the Siefer’s Scoop podcast this spring, Blaise is joined by Beau Root ’23, a member of the men’s baseball team. The Connecticut native talks about his roots in baseball, his ties to Major League Baseball (MLB) and how he progressed in the sport. He also discusses the college recruitment process, highlighting why he chose Middlebury and what his experience has been like so far. The episode concludes with Root explaining his optimism and aspirations for the team.
[embed]https://open.spotify.com/episode/0nvSXjbmRSPu5mTW4WHLVz?si=_ejHnJL6QIKB8SdIGIp4yg[/embed]
(03/04/21 10:59am)
When the Middlebury men’s lacrosse team routed Plattsburgh State last March, it could’ve been the last time senior Michael McCormack ’20 played collegiately. The game fell on Tuesday, March 10, just hours after Laurie Patton requested that all students evacuate campus due to the Covid-19 pandemic. In that moment, the future was ominous.
Would the season resume? Or had McCormack and his teammates just competed in their final match of the year?
A suspension in NESCAC play soon evolved into an outright cancellation, terminating the Panthers’ season. But McCormack, who was named team MVP in that three-game ‘season,’ was desperate to write another ending to his collegiate career. The star playmaker knew he still had gas in the tank, especially after taking the 2018–19 year off from school.
Fortunately, his wish earned a boost when the NCAA announced that all spring athletes would be afforded one more season of eligibility, circumstances considered.
“With the season last year and everything that happened, I really just wanted to look to find somewhere to use that last year of [NCAA] eligibility,” McCormack told The Campus. “[I] reached out to coaches at the Division I level because I knew that’d probably be the best bet [for] having a season.”
McCormack, who was a First Team All-NESCAC and Third Team All-American selection in 2018, was no average D-III player. The University of Vermont (UVM), a strong D-I program positioned 35 miles north of Middlebury, was quick to realize this.
“[I] had great conversations with the coaches at UVM and that made the decision pretty easy,” McCormack said.
After committing to UVM, McCormack made the move up to Burlington for the 2020-21 academic year. He enrolled in a graduate certificate program in Integrated Health and Wellness Coaching and found a place to live with another fifth-year student.
Once the fall preseason kicked into gear, McCormack quickly noticed differences between the D-III and D-I level. At UVM, the team practiced six days a week, lifted weights three times a week and conducted biweekly conditioning exercises. It was a big change from Middlebury, both in terms of commitment and seriousness.
“In the fall [at Middlebury], there's not really that [much] fall ball or training just because we encourage kids to do another sport or go abroad or put their time and energy into something else,” McCormack said. “Just coming to D-I level especially at UVM, it’s a lot more time and commitment in the offseason. That's the biggest difference that I experienced.”
After months of preparation, the UVM Catamounts (0–1, 0–0) finally took the field last weekend in its non-conference season opener. On Saturday, Feb. 27, the team faced off against Bryant University (2–1, 0–0), a talented program from Rhode Island. The Catamounts fell, 15–12, but it wasn’t all bad news for McCormack. The attackman netted a pair of goals and notched a team-high six ground balls in his debut.
His performance marked a strong start to his D-I career, but it didn’t necessarily catch him by surprise.
“I think the NESCAC is the strongest division in D-III and gets top-tier players,” McCormack said. “It's really good competition, so being able to play such top-tier teams and players in general has prepared me for this moment I’m in.”
This season, UVM will play 11 games over nine weeks, including duels against Syracuse, the University of Albany and Hartford. It’ll be a fast-paced next few months, but McCormack is eagerly welcoming the bustle. It’s time for him to make an impression, after all.
“I wouldn’t say nervous is the right word,” McCormack said. “I’m excited and I feel prepared just by the work I’ve put in throughout my life.”
(03/04/21 10:58am)
The Siefer’s Scoop podcast is back for the spring 2021 semester. In the first episode of the term, Jordyn Johnson ’23, a member of the women’s softball team, joins the podcast. The Hoover, Alabama, native discusses her introduction to softball, how she progressed as a player and her experience walking onto the team at Middlebury. She also describes the team dynamics and some of the squad’s unique rituals. The episode concludes with some rapid-fire questions, which elicited some surprising answers!
[embed]https://open.spotify.com/episode/463ODTqqGVwBwXUt7gMCbJ?si=9cUHfFnqTK2w3YNufsLERQ[/embed]
(02/04/21 11:00am)
After 13 seasons in the NFL, Stephen Hauschka ’07 is hanging up his boots.
The Needham, Mass. native departs the NFL with an impressive legacy, marked by a Super Bowl win with the Seahawks in 2014 and a career field goal accuracy of 85.2%. But when his achievements are put against the backdrop of his unorthodox beginnings, they become all the more impressive.
Hauschka enrolled at Middlebury in 2003 with the aspiration of playing varsity soccer, but that dream never panned out. Instead, he joined the junior varsity soccer team and played lacrosse. Football wasn’t in the picture — it had never been — but once Hauschka arrived at school, the sport surrounded him. His freshman roommate, Scott Secor, was a member of the football team, and Scott’s teammates frequented their dorm room in Battell Hall.
In 2003, the football team went 4–4, with only two field goals all season. Looking to improve, the team started thinking — and that’s when an idea sprouted.
Secor and his football teammates knew that Hauschka had a strong leg — they had seen him use it on the soccer pitch — and with deficiencies on the kicking end of the gridiron, they saw Hauschka as a possible solution. So, they alerted head coach Bob Ritter about Hauschka’s potential, and sure enough, he earned an invitation to preseason camp the following fall.
Hauschka was a hit.
“The first time I really remember him was when he came out in the fall and there were actually three other kickers [but] you knew right away that he was different,” Ritter told The Campus. “The ball just popped off his leg. You could tell right away that he had the skills and talent that the other guys didn’t.”
At first, the ex-soccer player sprayed his kicks all over the place with little accuracy. But after spending time with kicking coach Steve Wolf, who has since retired from coaching at Middlebury, he quickly improved.
“He would drive up from Rutland, and we got to work during practice every day,” Hauschka said in an interview with The Campus. “I learned so much from him and kept getting better and better.”
By opening day, on Sept. 25, 2004, Hauschka had earned a starting position.
“I think I was lucky,” Hauschka said. “My first game, I made my first field goal, which was really helpful. And back then I hadn’t really associated what it feels like to make or miss field goals — but I knew it felt good to make it.”
With such a strong leg, Hauschka was also employed as a punter, tasked with pinning teams far back in their end. Only a few weeks removed from his first football practice, Hauschka was a dual threat.
“He punted the ball inside the 20[-yard line] a ridiculous number of times,” said Ritter. “So he really did have a big impact on the game, not only in the points he scored, but also the hole he put defenses in when punting.”
Every year, Hauschka improved. He hit 10 field goals between his sophomore and junior seasons, and then hit another 10 his senior year. Those tallies lifted him to the top of the program record book in career field goals (20) and most field goals in a season (10). Those records still stand today.
Hauschka was evolving into a polished kicker, so Ritter sent some of Hauschka’s tape to the Baltimore Ravens during his senior year.
“We always felt he had the talent and leg strength to [play in the NFL],” Ritter said. “He would kick a lot of our kickoffs deep and out of the endzone, so we knew he had that leg, and we knew that pro teams also look at that.”
Still holding onto a year of NCAA eligibility since he didn’t join the team until his sophomore year, Hauschka began to consider options for a final season. While a return to Middlebury was possible, both Ritter and Hauschka knew that a bigger school would provide a sturdier stepping stone to the NFL. So Hauschka sent emails to Division I teams, targeting programs with a departing or underperforming kicker. The list included around 45–50 schools.
That’s when North Carolina State University called, offering Hauschka a spot to walk on during training camp. A storied program in the Atlantic Coast Conference, NC State competed against teams like Florida State, UMiami and Clemson. These programs performed on the highest echelon of college football and had a proven track record of producing NFL talent. It was an opportunity that Hauschka couldn’t pass up.
While the setting changed — NC State’s stadium seated over 50,000 — Hauschka's momentum didn’t dwindle. In preseason, he beat out the competition for the starting position and never looked back. That year, he went 16-of-18 for field goals and 25-for-25 on extra points, finishing as a semifinalist for the top college kicking award. It was a dream season.
“After playing at NC State, I think it was January of that year, a couple [NFL] teams started reaching out,” said Hauschka. “Then I put everything I had into it and got signed [by the Minnesota Vikings] as an undrafted free agent.”
Just like that, Stephen Hauschka, a former collegiate JV soccer player, was now signed to a professional contract in the NFL. It was a career that would span 13 seasons, including stops at eight different teams: Minnesota, Baltimore, Atlanta, Detroit, Denver, Seattle, Buffalo and Jacksonville.
Hauschka’s most successful stop was in Seattle. In his six seasons with the Seahawks, he captured six franchise records and was named an alternate for the 2016 Pro Bowl. He also played in two Super Bowls with the Seahawks, winning one in 2014 against the Broncos.
“Just seeing him reach those heights and handle it — it's really exciting to see,” Ritter said. “He just had a great mindset and he really learned how to operate his body under pressure and stay smooth, and that's really the secret to his success.”
JV-soccer-player-turned-Super Bowl winner: it’s a wild success story, punctuated by an unconventional path.
“I think the whole thing is unexpected,” Hauschka said. “I never really thought I'd even play football. I was excited just to play at Middlebury to be honest — I didn’t really know what I was doing. And then I had this great career — win a Super Bowl, lose a Super Bowl — have lots of success on a few different teams and travel all over the country. It really opened my mind to life in general. It's quite an experience being an adult playing a sport.”
Now that Hauschka has a little more time on his hands, he looks forward to planting some roots with his family. After bouncing around the league for the past 12 years, it’s a chance to focus on those relationships and enjoy some semblance of stability.
As for a return to Middlebury, Hauschka won’t rule that out. Once the pandemic calms, he says, Middlebury will be one of the first stops on the docket.
“I'm sure he’ll come back,” Ritter said. “He’s always been very true to Middlebury.”
(02/04/21 10:58am)
Delanie Goniwiecha ’23 joins the podcast this week, marking the first hockey player to appear on the Siefer’s Scoop podcast. A sophomore on the women’s hockey team from Rochester Hills, Mich., Delanie recorded five goals and two assists as a first-year on the team. While her sophomore season was axed due to the pandemic, Delanie still remains optimistic about what’s to come. She speaks about her roots with hockey, her college recruitment process, the dynamics on the women’s hockey team and everything in between in this jam-packed episode. This is the second (and last) of two J-term editions of the Siefer’s Scoop podcast. Looking forward to semester two!
[embed]https://open.spotify.com/episode/5X6HABykzqfy7YYDC7iIsA?si=MzK_4gOtQQqU5wYPh9q9Lg[/embed]
(01/28/21 11:00am)
Nate Moll ’22 joins the Siefer’s Scoop podcast this week, the first guest to appear in 2021. A junior on the men’s squash team from Birmingham, Michigan, Nate begins the conversation by explaining why he picked up squash and how he progressed to the college ranks. Who were some of his early influences? During his college search, why did Middlebury stand out? Next, we discuss the squash team in general, and Nate sheds light on some of his favorite moments in the Middlebury uniform. Finally, we look forward to the spring semester as Nate describes how he is preparing for his return to Vermont.
(11/19/20 11:00am)
This semester, I’ve had the pleasure of producing the first season of the Siefer’s Scoop podcast for The Middlebury Campus. The podcast provides a window into the lives and perspectives of collegiate student-athletes, most of whom compete at Middlebury. For the past three months, I’ve interviewed 11 Middlebury student-athletes – spanning 11 varsity teams – about how Covid-19 has affected their year, the ways being an athlete has shaped their Middlebury experience and why they chose Middlebury, specifically. I also produced an episode diving into the political activism led by student-athletes this semester, which was featured in our Election Issue. There’s a lot to reflect on, but here’s an abbreviated recap of what I have learned from the podcast this semester.
First off, Covid-19 presented predictable challenges to the realm of athletics. Athletes adjusted to masks and social distancing mandates, which introduced novel elements to practices. Some athletes struggled with finding a mask that was compatible with their rigorous exercise, and others longed for the group-wide drills that restrictions prohibited.
“It’s tough [wearing masks],” Noah Whiting ’22 said. “If you're sweating a lot like I do and you're running for a while after a certain point [the sweat] does start to fill your mouth. A lot of us will run with multiple masks on us and just switch them during the run or during intervals.”
Athletes also missed the element of competition this season, with the NESCAC cancelling competition this summer. Many teams turned to alternatives such as intrateam competition or virtual meets, finding creative ways to quench the thirst for competition.
Outside of Covid-19, our student-athletes spoke enthusiastically about why they loved their team. Long rides to matches, for example, are a bright spot for squash player Alex Stimpson ’23. Eli Drachman ’24 spoke highly of meals with the swim team, and Amanda Frank ’23 reflected positively on the adventures she’s taken with the tennis team, such as apple picking this fall. Other athletes described the built-in support system that sports teams provide and the valuable time management skills that they’ve learned through being an athlete.
Perhaps my favorite section of the podcast was my staple “Why Midd?” question. Answers varied, but common responses included the people, culture and aesthetic beauty of the campus. Hearing these responses often brought a smile to my face, reminding me to be grateful for the place I call home.
“The campus is incredible,” Lizzie Kenter ’23 said. “Vermont at any time of the year I’m in love with. Every student that I talked to here seemed extremely passionate about whatever it was that they were doing and that was an intoxicating thing.”
“It became really clear to me that… it’s a special team, and this is a special place,” Drachman said. “[Middlebury] stands out. Coming here and immediately feeling a part of the team meant the world to me.”
This podcast has taught me a lot of things: how to record audio via Zoom, how to navigate editing software and how to generate questions for interviews. But one of my biggest takeaways was that through all the craziness right now — the pandemic, election and social justice issues — our students are able to figure sh*t out. This semester may be abnormal, but our athletes expressed that as long as we are able to live, learn and compete with one another in the heart of the Champlain Valley, we have things pretty d*mn good.
Thank you for supporting the Siefer’s Scoop podcast this fall. Thank you for the kind words, enthusiastic inquiries and feedback. If you or someone you know is interested in being a guest on the podcast in the future, please don’t hesitate to reach out.
I’m looking forward to next semester, where I’ll kick off season two of the podcast.
’Til then, stay well, and go Panthers!
(11/12/20 10:58am)
Alex Stimpson ’23, a member of the men’s squash team, joins the Siefer’s Scoop podcast this week. A sophomore at Middlebury, Alex discusses the Covid-19 guidelines that the squash team has faced this semester. How are practices structured? What’s it like wearing a mask while playing squash? Alex then dives into an overview of the team, detailing the culture and dynamics. How tight-knit is the team? What are some favorite team bonding activities? Finally, he touches on his roots with the sport, including an examination of his early influences and how his affinity for squash has grown throughout his life.
[embed]https://open.spotify.com/episode/68q44GiBeVCy9k8r65SeF6?si=axADmIDMTPqqW96kh1q_VA[/embed]
(10/29/20 9:58am)
In this episode of the Siefer’s Scoop podcast, I explore how Middlebury student-athletes have engaged in political activism this semester. I interview a host of athletes and coaches to learn about how our sports teams are fulfilling their civic duties, whether it be registering to vote or calling representatives to ensure justice for Breonna Taylor.
The podcast features Brinlea La Barge ’23, a member of women’s tennis; Beatrice Donavan ‘23, a member of women’s soccer; Charles Roselle ’21, a member of men’s football and lacrosse; Courtney Gantt ’22, a member of women’s swim and dive; Bob Rueppel, head coach of the men’s and women’s swimming programs; and Erin Quinn, Middlebury Athletic Director.
Editor’s note: Brinlea La Barge is a sports editor at The Campus.
[embed]https://open.spotify.com/episode/23sJlcEkBZNK7vQEbdApXy?si=XEhOqCzBTLKl_TqfI9BUkA[/embed]
(10/15/20 9:59am)
Amanda Frank ’23, a member of the women’s tennis team, joins the Siefer’s Scoop podcast this week. Frank starts the conversation by describing the restrictions that the tennis team faces this semester. What do practices look like? What’s it like wearing a mask while playing tennis? Frank also gives her outlook on the tennis team in general. What’s the team culture like? What does it add to her college experience? Finally, Frank reflects on her youth career and how she ended up at Middlebury.
Bonus: Frank goes in depth about her interview with Venus Williams this past spring. What was the seven-time grand slam winner like face-to-face? What did she say about Middlebury?
[embed]https://open.spotify.com/episode/42UuXi7kwZ1nW0OqbfjOfu?si=WSBLEMElTtKvNR1CXuWatg[/embed]
(10/08/20 9:59am)
Eli Drachman ’24 joins the Siefer’s Scoop podcast for the fifth episode of the year. A first-year on the men’s swim and dive team, Eli chats about what it’s been like to be a first-year at Middlebury during a pandemic. How has he navigated the social landscape? What is his favorite part about the school? Eli also discusses the guidelines surrounding swim practice and his experience in the pool thus far. He offers his outlook on the 2020-2021 season, which includes the potential of virtual meets. We wrap up the episode by talking about Eli’s beginnings with swim, his experience competing for his club team and why he chose Middlebury.
[embed]https://open.spotify.com/episode/0aV9wchASkByBKHzZhlaR8?si=VpOQtOVmQbyY137tpDkupg[/embed]
(10/01/20 9:59am)
Lizzie Kenter ’23, a member of the women’s golf squad, joins the podcast this week. We begin with a discussion on how the pandemic has affected golf. What has changed about golf practice? What’s the outlook on the spring season? We also discuss her first year on the team during the 2019-20 season. What was her favorite memory with the team? What was the nicest course the team visited? Finally, we explore her formative years with golf. How’d she first get into the sport? What did her progression look like? Why did Middlebury stick out during her college search process?
[embed]https://open.spotify.com/episode/7MlekdqzzcwIWWBWUHJ9G7?si=FOhxaa5IRiGw8ZXlBHcpWQ[/embed]