SPORTS

Stepping off the field or up to the next level

By Steve Lawrence

It is always interesting – and o en sad – to see a young athlete walk o the eld at the end of his or her high school career and see that wistful realization that they might never suit up again. Some athletes – basketball players, baseball and so ball players, basketball players, tennis players, runners – can usually nd some way to keep it going in an adult league, but for a lot of football players, that's it. e reality is that football is a “lifetime sport” for a very small percentage of players.

Some football players do get to extend their playing days beyond high school – at least for 4 more years – and when a player graduates from high school, the work required intensi es. To put a ner point on this, I talked to two local college football players, one that knows what it takes to take one's game to the next level, and one that is willing to put in the work to nd out.

First, Chase Sposito... Chase is about to graduate from Ithaca High, and he committed to play football at Ithaca College last December. As he increases his workout frequency and intensity to prepare for his transition from the proverbial big sh in a small pond to just another freshman, he told me, “I see it as an advantage that I am fully aware that as a freshman, I'm at the bottom of the food chain, but I'll be on an equal playing eld with the other rst-year guys. Unlike high school, I don't have coaches that know me, and have watched me play for many years, and I like being a big underdog, as I noticed coming in that some of these guys are like grown men. ey have been with the program for 4, even 5 years. I understand that there are many things I cannot control, certain things I can control, and I am con dent that no one will outwork me.” He added, “I don't feel cocky, but I do feel con dent. is is my town, and I told the coaches on my recruiting visit that I didn't come here to sit on the bench.”

Another advantage is the fact that Chase has paid close attention to the student-athlete journey undertaken by his brother, Ryan, who plays D-1lacrosse for Army. “Watching Ryan's experience has been really helpful, as it gives me insight into what life looks like as a college athlete,” Chase o ered. “It has helped bring my nerves down, especially watching him handle the extra pressure of being at West Point.”

Luke Winslow was the conference Player of the Year for Lansing's 8-Man football program in 2019, and when he dislocated his elbow in the Sectional championship game as a senior, he called walking o the eld “the most di cult thing I have ever done.” Luke put in the work, came back stronger than ever, and is now a defensive back at Franklin Pierce, a Division II program in New Hampshire. He started on special teams as a freshman before working his way into the starting lineup halfway through the season, he was chosen as a captain as a sophomore and responded by leading the team with 57 tackles (33 solo).

I caught up with Luke to ask him what he has learned in his time as a college football player, He said, “In high school, the focus was on competing against the opposing team, but at the college level the rst step is to compete with my teammates.” He explained that to play in college, it is crucial to understand that everyone is at the same ability level, and it comes down to desire and work ethic. and he is one of the half-dozen players staying on campus to train together over the summer. “I'm currently li ing ve times a week, with two conditioning workouts,” Luke told me, “and starting in July, I'll be ipping that to li ing three times a week and adding footwork, speed, agility and skill-related drills 3 days a week.”

In Winslow's words, “Summer workouts are about staying one step ahead.”

Luke Winslow (Photo Franklin Pierce athletics)

NEW DEANS

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has so many incredible programs that are very student-focused, which I love. My passion is what is best for students, and I feel like that is a mantra on this campus. I am thrilled to become a part of that kind of environment,” Falkner said.

Prior to being appointed, Hogan was the dean of the College of Communication and Fine Arts at the University of Memphis. Additionally, she founded and was the acting director of the University of Memphis Institute for the Arts and Health. e intention behind the institute was to nurture and sponsor initiatives related to the arts, social sciences, humanities, and STEM elds. Before that, she taught and held administrative positions at multiple academic institutions, including the Royal Academy of Dance, London Metropolitan University, London Contemporary Dance School, and American University of Paris. "Anne looks forward to establishing more cross-disciplinary training and creative activities, both within the school and across IC, and to partnering with other higher education and arts institutions, nationally and internationally. She believes it is essential to establish the School of Music, eatre, and Dance as a leader in diverse and inclusive

PRIMARY RACE TO WATCH

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“I’m 21, and you’re … 20. ere are people in this room who have more expertise than us, than we have been alive for. And trusting city sta is not a convoluted way of getting around a problem. It’s to admit that we are not experts in these elds,” he said.

In his fairly brief stint on the Common Council, Mehler has been able to get legislation through that extends the amount of time renters have before landlords can ask them to renew their leases. Mehler is currently a rising senior, and said he intends to stay in Ithaca a er graduation.

“I’ve really enjoyed the work I’ve gotten to do and I think I can get some more done,” he said.

One of his priorities going forward is meeting transportation needs of all kinds in Collegetown.

“Helping make Collegetown a safer, more walkable place is huge on my list,” Mehler said. “And that starts with the extra money for College Ave in last year’s budget.”

He said he has been working with the city’s engineering sta to gure out how to make the area safer for people to walk, bike and drive.

“Currently my focus is local infrastructure and moving those projects along,” Mehler said.

Additionally, Mehler said he’s also looking to give Collegetown an identity and nding ways to acknowledge the local businesses in the fourth ward.

Mehler said he believes one of his strongest attributes is his ability to connect with both the students and permanent residents in the fourth ward. He said connecting with people is his strength, and that he’s willing to show up anywhere to meet with constituents and build those connections.

For her part, Kumar said as a queer Asian American woman, she has seen throughout her life that government institutions at every level do not bene t marginalized communities. If elected, Kumar plans to make housing justice her rst priority.

“I recognize housing justice is racial justice,” she said. “I have witnessed the violence of houselessness rsthand.”

Kumar’s ght for housing justice would include the Right to Renew legislation that stalled out in the Planning and Economic Development Committee, right to repairs, more a ordable housing and inclusionary zoning laws.

“I’ve realized how much our city council doesn’t re ect our views,” she said.

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