SEPT. 24 — SEPT. 30, 2014
THE HEALTH ISSUE
Health Issue
September 24, 2014
ASK THE EDITORS What steps do you take to stay healthy?
When I think of staying healthy, I think of having a clear mind. Focusing on mental health is just as important as having a balanced diet. When I can feel myself becoming overwhelmed by stress, I have to take time to read a book, pet a dog and listen to some Chopin. Busy students don’t always see the value in taking time to be calm and mindful. NEWS EDITOR
Natalie Coleman @_NatalieColeman
The steps I take to stay healthy include taking my energetic little pit bull, G, on at least one walk or run every day. I also love spinning so I try to take advantage of the classes offered at the Rec Center as often as I can.
Inside the Health Issue Even if you’re not enrolled at the University of Cincinnati’s College of Medicine — the second oldest public medical college in the country — it’s hard not to miss the fact that our university is renowned for its medical research. Add the first teaching hospital in the country and a dedicated Student Wellness Center and it’s clear that UC is committed to health and wellness. But what about the students who sprawl its campus? On this week’s cover, shot by our photo editor Madison Schmidt, a nursing student uses a needle to poke cotton into a specific shape. The unconventional process is part of an art therapy course that combines creativity and psychology. Read more about the course and the professors leading the way on the next page. During Homecoming Week, Bearcats lined up in front of McMicken College to donate blood at the traveling Hoxworth Blood Center — the only center of its kind serving the Greater Cincinnati area. Find out more about the event and when the buses will be back on campus on page 4. Sick of eating at the usual fast food spots on campus? Our arts editor checked out one of Over-the-Rhine’s newest restaurants where food is locally sourced and burgers are organic. The food sounds enticing, but the jury is still out on the price point. Read our review on page 5 and decide whether you’ll be making the trip to Vine Street. With about 56 percent of college students reporting having intercourse in the past 30 days (according to a 2013 American College Health Association report), our news desk thought you might be interested in learning more about contraceptive research being done here on campus. Learn about the different forms of birth control and their effectiveness on page 7. In sports, we take a look at one athlete’s struggles with multiple injuries (broken back included). Turn to page 8 to find out how UC men’s soccer midfielder Jon Cottrell dealt with the setbacks — all while being 7,300 miles away from home. For continuing health coverage, make sure to pick up a copy of our Monday and Thursday publications of The News Record.
509 Swift Hall University of Cincinnati Cincinnati, Ohio 45221-0185
SPORTS EDITOR
Ellen Hadley @EllenHadley
Phone 558-5900 Fax 556-5922
As a full-time student with two jobs, it can be difficult to fit in healthy, home-cooked meals, especially when on-campus options aren’t particularly nutritious. I always make sure to keep some fruits and veggies in my backpack. I also try to maintain sanity by taking advantage of the free yoga classes at the Rec Center.
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
SPORTS EDITOR
CHIEF PHOTOGRAPHER
Elizabeth DePompei
Ellen Hadley
Lauren Kremer
ONLINE EDITOR
Courtney Stanley @Coot_Stanley
I swam competitively for the last 13 years of my life. So when I moved on, I became what most would call a lazy exerciser. In other words when it’s too cold to go running outside, I’ll do core work and push ups while watching netflix...or just roll around on my yoga mat. Mostly roll around on my yoga mat. PHOTO EDITOR
Madison Schmidt @Madiesch
2
MANAGING EDITOR
COLLEGE LIFE EDITOR
CHIEF REPORTER
Becky Butts
Emily Begley
Cassie Merino
NEWS EDITOR
ARTS EDITOR
LEAD DESIGNER
Natalie Coleman
Zack Hatfield
Hannah Sellers
NEWS EDITOR
DIGITAL EDITOR
BUSINESS MANAGER
Katie Coburn
Courtney Stanley
Celie Shaffer
PHOTO EDITOR Madison Schmidt
newsrecord.org/for_the_record
September 24, 2014
MADISON SCHMIDT | PHOTO EDITOR
Students use tactile approach to counter stress. This is done by poking felt into a specific shape.
Health Issue
MADISON SCHMIDT | PHOTO EDITOR
Students, who range drastically in fields of study, interact with a variety of art media in the course.
Students learn how to heal others, themselves through art DAAP’s art therapy course connects creative process of art with psychology ZACK HATFIELD | ARTS EDITOR
The room doesn’t look like one where therapy would happen. The tables and walls are streaked with color, so much that it looks like a paint explosion occurred. Various materials are scattered around, from pipe cleaners and cotton balls to tubes of acrylic and watercolors. This chaotic room, in comparison to the cliché psychiatrist’s office equipped with a chaise longue and a box of tissues, might be a little unsettling. But in this classroom, students from a wide range of majors are learning to heal others through art. The Introduction to Art Therapy course in the College of Design, Architecture, Art, and Planning is collaboratively taught by associate professor of fine arts Kim Taylor, who focuses on the creative process, and associate professor of psychology Dr. Meera Rastogi, who concentrates on teaching about the psychological aspects of art therapy. “The course is aimed at anyone interested in promoting self-expression or healing, or just understanding the therapeutic qualities of art,” Rastogi said. Students from fine arts, social work,
newsrecord.org/for_the_record
nursing, chemistry and other programs are drawn to the course for its meditative and methodical approach to technique and understanding. “My interest came from wanting to help people in a way I know,” said Hayley Drewyor, a third-year fine arts student. “I’m not an engineer or a scientist, so art is the only way I know to be comfortable and get through things. Using art is my way of helping others in a therapeutic way.” The class uses many different forms of art media, and students are required to keep a sketch journal. “We use everything,” Drewyor said. “The psychology majors don’t know anything about the materials, but they teach us about the science behind everything.” Rastogi is currently in her third year toward attaining a master’s degree in art therapy, a requirement to become an art therapist. “You can pretty much use any medium, from paint, to pencil, to clay. Anything can be used therapeutically,” Rastogi said, citing the Expressive Therapies Continuum, a theory developed by Vija Lusebrink. “The theory explains things like how you can use clay in an energizing way and in a calming and soothing way.” Art therapy emerged in the ’40s as practitioners became interested in understanding the artwork of mental illness patients, children, convicts and those in rehab
centers. But art therapy can be beneficial to anyone. “I know I have friends that sometimes need a temporary release from life, and we can just get together and make something,” Drewyor
“I’m not an engineer or a scientist, so art is the only way I know to be comfortable and get through things. Using art is my way of helping others in a therapeutic way.” —Hayley Drewyor, third-year fine arts student
said. “It doesn’t have to diagnose anything.” Art therapy takes place in many different ways and settings. “It’s interesting how it’s integrated into so many different professions,”Taylor said. “It’s become much more accessible to psychologists, social workers, teachers, counselors.” The course emphasizes the process of creating the art over the outcome of the art itself. “For some it’s hard to sort of let go of the idea,”Taylor said. “For example, if you’re drawing an apple, they think, ‘Oh, it needs to look just like an apple.’ But we explore how much pressure is used [on the pencil] and what the marks look like. It helps artists delve into their process. And for people who
are coming from a more psychology-based direction, they see how art can integrate into that.” A common misconception about art therapists is that they solely interpret the artwork produced without the artist’s input. “Art is best understood through the individual’s own perspective,” Rastogi said. “In general art therapists steer away from analyzing people’s art. What red means to me is going to be different to you. As an art therapist you help facilitate really good questions to help the client help you understand them better.” For its first three years, the course was funded through a grant from UC Forward, a program of the University of Cincinnati that helps assemble trans-disciplinary courses, and in turn offers classes that help navigate students through the 21st century. Next year, the Intro to Art Therapy course will be funded as a standard course, and the university will also add a Pre-Art Therapy certificate. The certificate offered through DAAP will assist students in being accepted into a graduate program. There is no prerequisite to enroll in the class. No matter what your major, UC’s Intro to Art Therapy course is an insightful opportunity for students to find the answers to problems or traumatic stress in a blank canvas or an unshaped piece of clay.
3
Health Issue
September 24, 2014
Hoxworth buses roll onto campus for donation event Student donors line up for Homecoming blood drive with goal of saving lives HEATHER THURMAN | STAFF REPORTER
Students who walked in front of McMicken College of Arts & Sciences between Sept. 15 and 19 noticed two large Hoxworth buses parked outside, welcoming “people of all types” to come aboard and donate blood. The buses set up shop for a special blood drive, organized by Hoxworth Blood Center, to coincide with the University of Cincinnati’s Homecoming Week. The drive was stationed inside each bus, which provided space for donors to give their blood. Hoxworth blood drives are organized to give people a chance to donate blood and save a life. Their goal is to collect healthy blood that can later be used to help a person in need. On average, when a person gives a pint of blood, it saves two lives, according to Hoxworth employee Joan Schumacher. Hoxworth Blood Center was founded in Cincinnati in December 1938, and in the early ‘80s, it was taken over by UC. When Hoxworth was first established, the blood taken was only able to be stored for up to five days. Today, blood can be stored for up to 42 days, according to Hoxworth.
“I tell [donors] to think about the person they are helping. Chances are, they are more scared than you are.” - Vicki
Urban, Hoxworth employee
Although Hoxworth encourages everyone to participate in drives, there are requirements which include: donors must be 17 years or older, weigh at least 110 lbs., have no flu-like symptoms or a sore throat and generally feel well and healthy. There are also restrictions on people who have recently traveled outside of the U.S. and who have recently had surgery. “Giving back to the people who are in need is important, especially in Cincinnati where there is a shortage of blood,” said Michael Flanagan, a fourth-year civil engineering student. Flanagan was one of several people who went through the mobile blood drive bus last week. The Homecoming Week blood drive was available to students from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily, and participants were encouraged to make a 30-minute appointment. The appointments filled up quickly, and many students who came without an
4
MADISON SCHMIDT | PHOTO EDITOR
Buses park in front of McMicken Commons as part of a special blood drive that corresponded with the University of Cincinnati’s Homecoming Week. Students lined up to make donations, looking forward to the possibility of saving lives.
appointment had to wait. Everyone who gave blood was given a five-dollar gift card to Chipotle for their participation. Many of the workers who oversaw the drive have worked for Hoxworth Blood Center for many years, including Schumacher, who has been an employee for five years. Vicki Urban, who has been with Hoxworth for nine years, has overseen her fair share of drives. She says that many of the donors she works with are initially nervous about giving blood. “I tell them to think about the person they
are helping,” Urban said. “Chances are, they are more scared than you are.” While waiting to give blood, students filled out a medical form confirming their ability to participate in the blood drive. Many of the students were veteran donors, and had given blood at least two or three times before. Courtney Schwerdt, a second-year international business and psychology student, was one of these veteran donors – she has given blood three times since high school. “You feel like you are doing something important because when there is a
shortage, there are people suffering out there,” Schwerdt said. Several blood drives are held on campus throughout the year. Hoxworth is the main provider for the University, scheduling many different times for students to give blood. They will host an event at the College of Nursing on Oct. 13 and at UC Clermont on Oct. 16. “I’ve never given blood because of the needles, but in the end I’m helping a stranger survive,” said Nadia Nutgrass, a first-year E-media student who gave blood for the first time during the Homecoming drive. “What’s not to love about that?”
newsrecord.org/for_the_record
September 24, 2014
Health Issue
Review: Happy Belly offers healthy, local alternatives Over-the-Rhine’s new eatery serves healthconscious food focused on nutrition, natural taste ZACK HATFIELD | ARTS EDITOR
In a world where food is too often deep-fried or pumped with steroids, delivering healthy food with fewer preservatives seems like an especially valiant goal. Enter Happy Belly, Over-the-Rhine’s new restaurant focused on just that. Offering organic burgers, salads, smoothies, wraps, coffee and more, the Vine Street restaurant’s fare is pretty simple, and sourced mostly from local vendors like Findlay Market and Shadeau Breads. It offers a great variety for vegetarians and vegans, but definitely doesn’t exclude carnivores; great taste is universal. The nutritional information for each meal is also displayed in the restaurant, making the customer more comfortable and knowledgeable about what they’re ordering. “I think we’re a lot different [from other places in the community],” Abby Reckman, co-owner of Happy Belly
NOW HIRING NOW HIRING AT PLAY IT AGAIN SPORTS Part-time sales clerk needed at 3 locations. Flexible hours. Fun job! Call Mary for details and locations. Leave message if needed. 513-310-3933
newsrecord.org/for_the_record
1-Bedroom/3-Bedrooms in HYDE PARK 1-BR (700 sq. ft.) Hardwood Floors, Rent $760/month 3-BR (1,200 sq. ft.) with 2 Bathrooms, Balcony, Hardwood Floors, Rent $1,400 HEAT & WATER PAID. Call us at (513)477-2920 or pgspropertiesincincinnati@ gmail.com
NOW HIRING Personal Assistant needed to organize and help. Basic computer skills needed good with organization. Willing to pay $250 per week. Interested person should contact: g.saatchi70@gmail.com
WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 24th
STUDENTS GET IN FREE WITH STUDENT ID
CLIFTON 4 BEDROOM HOUSE $1325 Walk to UC. Driveway Off-street parking, equipped kitchen, dishwasher, carpet, hardwood floors, full basement, yard, deck, shed. Remodeled bath, new plumbing, windows, roof, furnace, washer/dryer, pets OK HOUSE AVAILABLE FOR THE UPCOMING 2014-2015 SCHOOL YEAR CALL/TEXT: BILL 513-484-0960
to create a concoction with a bold flavor and a thick consistency. What I ordered was enough to tide me over until dinner, and the feeling after eating was a pleasant one because of the natural ingredients. However, the portioning was on the small side as the burger didn’t come with any sides. I did grab a popcorn bag on the way out, which needed a little more kick to justify the $1.25 price point. The restaurant’s main blemish is the same one that scars many of the gentrified OTR shops: the cost. The prices aren’t outrageous, but may prevent more than a couple visits a month. The smoothie was delicious, but at many restaurants its price alone could buy me a complete meal. The burger, although life-changing for my taste buds, was a little more expensive than a typical college student can afford for a few bites. But if that’s the sacrifice I have to pay every once in a while for a healthy, fresh lunch instead of a cheaper trip to a fast food place, it’s still well worth it. Happy Belly’s mission is a respectable one, and definitely a place to check out if you’re looking to find an alternative to unhealthy food.
FOR RENT
THIS WEEK IN ATHLETICS
FOR RENT
said. “Nutrition is our priority.” The restaurant has definitely cultivated a fresh atmosphere with its well-lit interior, natural wooden tables and welcoming staff. The menu is carefully written on a chalkboard, and small cacti are dispersed throughout the eatery, providing a natural aesthetic. There’s a decent amount of tables inside and outside, but because they are a little close together, the noise can get a little annoying. Now for the important part: the food. I ordered the black bean burger for $7 and a Hawaiian Berry smoothie for $6.50. The wait was a little long, but well worth it. The burger tasted noticeably fresh, its ingredients — a perfectly ripe tomato, a rich smear of goat cheese, bread from a local bakery, a bean patty — doing their best to fulfill the restaurant’s promise to make my stomach content. The burger could have been better structured though, as it kept falling apart as I was eating. The smoothie was a rare occurrence in the smoothieworld; one where the flavors are maintained in harmonious balance to bring out one delicious taste. Blueberry, strawberry, banana and other fruits were all blended
CLEVELAND STATE VS. CINCINNATI MEN’S SOCCER - 7PM
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 25th TEMPLE VS. CINCINNATI WOMEN’S SOCCER - 7PM
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 28th UCONN VS. CINCINNATI WOMEN’S SOCCER - NOON
5
Health Issue
September 24, 2014
Word on the Street: Students discuss effective contraception “Other than no sex at all, it would be probably Plan B or the pill,” said Erik Bowerseck, a fourth-year construction management student. “[UC] could post more stuff about it. I’ve seen posters here and there, but it’s few and far between. I’d rather there be birth control if people are going to be having sex, then yeah definitely use it. There’s nothing worse than a child that gets left behind.” LAUREN KREMER | CHIEF PHOTOGRAPHER
MADISON SCHMIDT | PHOTO EDITOR
“For college students, abstinence number one would be the easiest and is usually the most effective,” said Ben Hunt, a third-year computer science student. “However, in a realistic sense it would have to be something like the shot, the rod, a NuvaRing. [UC officials] definitely do as best they can, whether the students listen to it is their own problem. I see plenty of fliers around campus and in the residence halls. So it’s up to the students if they stop and read it for a second.”
“I’m going to say abstinence [is the best contraception] but, I mean condoms and whatever form you choose, whether it be a pill or a shot. I haven’t really seen LAUREN KREMER | CHIEF PHOTOGRAPHER anything around campus about it other than that Gotcha Covered campaign,” said Brenna Thompson, a second-year marketing student. “Probably condoms and the ‘pull-out’ method [are most popular at UC],” said Jonnelle Harrison, a pre-nursing student. “I think [birth control pills] are a wonderful thing. They help with menstrual cycles, make those cramps go away, and no babies.”
6
HANNAH SELLERS | LEAD DESIGNER Source: The American College of Nurse Midwives, a survey on Women’s Healthcare Experiences and Perceptions, October 2013.
LAUREN KREMER | CHIEF PHOTOGRAPHER
“I think students should practice abstinence,” said Miguel Parra, a second-year computer engineering student. “I mean, birth control pills are there to reduce the chance of getting an unwanted pregnancy. It reduces the chance, but the chance is still there. I think that you’re going through a time where you should just have fun and get your life together. After that you can plan on children.”
LAUREN KREMER | CHIEF PHOTOGRAPHER
“The birth control pill [is most popular on UC’s campus],” said Lindsey Carr, a second-year marketing student. “I think it depends on the person, your life style and if you feel that it would benefit you.”
newsrecord.org/for_the_record
September 24, 2014
Health Issue
Researchers at UC Health pioneer future of contraception Leader in innovative contraception discusses choices for college students NATALIE COLEMAN | NEWS EDITOR
In the fields of contraceptive research and women’s health, the University of Cincinnati is paving the way for the future of birth control. From cheaper, more effective options for women, to preventing the spread of diseases and viruses, UC is bringing a new perspective to improving the quality of contraception. Dr. Michael Thomas, director of the division of reproductive endocrinology and infertility in the department of obstetrics and gynecology at UC, is leading the university’s birth control research. Thomas is the director of UC’s Reproductive Medicine Research, a clinical research unit that is funded by federal and private institutions. He is also the principal investigator of the Contraceptive Clinical Network for the National Institutes of Health and has received grants from many pharmaceutical companies. His research interests include contraception, infertility and the effects of stress on reproductive function. “UC has a very good contraceptive development unit,”Thomas said. “There are only 19 in the country.” Thomas has led UC in contraceptive research and clinical trials since 1995, when UC first became a branch of the NIH’s contraceptive trials. The university just had its grant renewed for seven more years of contraceptive research. Thomas is looking into the future development of a vaginal ring that would contain hormones to prevent pregnancy, while also containing medicine that could be used to prevent human immunodeficiency virus, or HIV. “These types of devices could be useful in the third world, in countries like Africa, and at some point in the United States,”Thomas said. “It could be used to decrease the spread of any virus, particularly HIV.” These types of multifunctional devices are called multi-purpose technologies. Other examples are as simple as birth control pills, which prevent pregnancy and can also decrease the risk of uterine and ovarian cancer. “Bring both contraception and STD protection in one fell swoop. This is the goal for the future of contraceptives,”Thomas said. “We want to be on the forefront of that.” More than six million women rely on the male condom, according to the Center for Disease Control. Condom use is especially common among teens and women in their 20s, women with one or no children and women with at least a college education. Recently, the media has focused on the possibilities of a highly effective, nonpermanent, male pregnancy prevention
newsrecord.org/for_the_record
option. Thomas believes that the world is still many years away from an acceptable male contraceptive. “We have to be able to decrease sperm production without decreasing testosterone,” Thomas said. “The male system is more fragile in some ways. We have to find a way to increase effectiveness without decreasing the ability to perform.” UC’s contraceptive research team is constantly developing and testing new and innovative birth control methods. The list of studies is long and includes trials on IUD’s, emergency contraception, vaginal rings, implants and even condoms. Recently, Thomas and his team finished testing a generic hormonal IUD, which will become available in February. This generic version of the Mirena IUD will be much cheaper and more accessible, Thomas said. He is also working on a study for a drug to take daily that would have the same higheffectiveness as emergency contraception. The pill and female sterilization are the two most commonly used contraceptive methods since 1982. Sixty-four percent of women who practice contraception currently use nonpermanent methods, primarily hormonal methods — the pill, patch, implant, injectable and vaginal ring — the IUD and condoms. Thomas says one method of birth control alone isn’t enough to keep people safe from an unwanted pregnancy or sexually transmitted infection. Couples who do not use any method of contraception have an approximately 85 percent chance of experiencing a pregnancy over the course of a year, according to the Guttmacher Institute, a non-profit organization that studies and promotes reproductive health. Dual-method use of contraception — for example, using condoms and the pill at the same time — offers protection against both pregnancy and STIs. Eight percent of women of reproductive age use multiple contraceptive methods, most often the condom combined with another method, according to an analysis from the National Survey of Family Growth. “I would want a college student using a pill and condoms,”Thomas said. “That’s really the safest and best option. People may have more than one partner, and may not know their history, so it’s very protective to use both.” Students use an array of methods, from the pill to only using the “pull out” method. More than 99 percent of women ages 15 to 44 who have had sexual intercourse have used at least one contraceptive method, according to the CDC. “I’m going to completely contradict myself because I’m on birth control, but I think that the most effective way for birth control is abstinence,” said Megan Reed, a fourth-year communications and marketing major. “I wish that more groups on campus would actually advocate for abstinence instead of like, ‘Hey
PROVIDED Dr. Michael Thomas displays implantable birth control, one of many contraceptive methods studied by UC’s researchers.
here’s condoms; go have safe sex.’ When you’re here in college, I think people make drunken decisions.” Abstinence is technically the only 100-percent way to prevent pregnancy and STIs, but adhering to the choice to abstain can be difficult. According to a 2007 federally funded study by Mathematica Policy Research Inc., participants from four abstinence-only programs had just as many sexual partners as non-participants. “You have to be very careful,”Thomas said. “Abstinence should strongly be considered, but humans are humans. Most people 17 to 20 years of age initiate sexual activity.” There isn’t an obvious choice for the best birth control options for everyone. Different people have very different hormones and genetic makeups, which can lead to very different affects from birth control. “The best [contraceptive] option for each person is going to come down to the individual’s needs,” said Brandy Turnbow, the program coordinator for communications and outreach for the UC Women’s center. “Some people do better with a daily pill or a ring. It varies.” A common misconception among young people is that birth control can only be used for pregnancy and STI prevention; it can actually be used for an array of health reasons, according to Thomas. Many hormonal methods—the pill, vaginal ring, patch, implant and IUD—offer a number of health benefits in addition to contraceptive effectiveness, such as treatment for excessive menstrual bleeding, menstrual pain and acne, according to the Guttmacher Institute. The most common reason women use oral contraceptives is to prevent pregnancy, which accounts for 86 percent of users, however, 58 percent of pill users also cite noncontraceptive health benefits as their primary reason for using the method. “It’s important to expand the conversation
beyond just pregnancy prevention,”Turnbow said. “[Birth control] is not just used because someone doesn’t want kids; it could help them health-wise.” Thomas believes in the effectiveness of abstinence, but still wants students to be fully prepared for the possibility of intercourse. “If it were up to me, every floor in every dorm and every RA would have a big fishbowl of condoms,”Thomas said. “Parents would go crazy, but in the long run, it is a great idea.You want to make sure that the ability to protect yourself is readily available.” Thomas encourages students and parents to think ahead when discussing and choosing a birth control option. “All college students are in the same boat,” Thomas said. “In general they need to be more forward thinking and to understand that if you’re in a position where sexual intercourse is a possibility, take a moment to think about making sure you’re protected against pregnancy and STDs.” The UC women’s center offers students resources from county health programs to explain the different types of birth control and the benefits of each. They also give out free male condoms and are currently working on getting more access to the female condom. “We try to get students access on how to make healthy choices for their body, to help them find the most effective method for them,” Turnbow said. “The more information students have, the better.” Turnbow, along with the women’s center, encourages students to ask questions and weigh the pros and cons for the multitude of pregnancy and STD prevention options they have. “We think what is most important is making sure students feel comfortable enough to talk to their health care professionals to discuss their options and make sure they get what is best for them.”
7
Health Issue
September 24, 2014
Staying optimistic through injury-plagued career Men’s soccer player seemingly spends more time recovering from injuries than playing ELLEN HADLEY | SPORTS EDITOR
It is normal for students to feel homesick after leaving for college, but the possibility of returning for holiday breaks and summer holds promises of home-cooked meals and the much-anticipated reunion with old friends. But for the University of Cincinnati men’s soccer midfielder, Jonathan Cottrell, visiting home is more of a luxury — but that’s how it is when attending college 7,300 miles away. Cottrell, a third-year finance student, was born and raised in Plymouth, England. When he was 7 years old, Cottrell’s parents, Paul and Vanessa, married and moved to Dubai, United Arab Emirates. Soccer — or fútbol, as Cottrell knows it — runs in the family. Cottrell’s “granddad” John Barry signed with London’s West Ham United soccer club. His dad played for his hometown team Plymouth Argyle F.C. Cottrell has played the game for as long as he can remember. In high school, he played for Dubai College’s U-18 team, beginning when he was only 14. He also played for Dubai club team Al Wasl Academy from ages 16-18 and rival team Al Nasr Academy from 18-20 years old. When he turned 20, he decided not to play for the reserves team and to start looking for universities in the United States where he could play soccer.
“Jon has a great work ethic and works as hard as any player on the team. He’s doing everything he can. ” Hylton Dayes, UC men’s soccer head coach
UC’S former assistant coach, Dan Ensley, recruited Cottrell at a FirstPoint USA Showcase event in England. Cottrell traveled to the U.S. spring 2012 to visit UC, Penn State University and Long Island University.UC stood out. His favorite thing about Cincinnati, Cottrell said, is “being able to play fútbol whilst getting an education, meeting some great guys on the team and the chill lifestyle.” Cottrell —affectionately known around the UC men’s soccer as “Dubee” after his home country of Dubai — was required to sit out his first season as a part of NCAA rules that require an academic year before qualifying to play in a Division-1 program. During that “educational year,” Cottrell tore the meniscus
8
in his right knee, putting him out for about four months. Then in the summer of 2013 Cottrell played for IMG Academy in Florida where he broke his back. “That was another three or four months of doing nothing,” Cottrell said. He was cleared in time to play in the 2013 regular season. He went on to play in 16 of UC’s 19 matches of the regular season and was named Academic All-Ohio before tearing the meniscus in his left knee. Three more months. “Then I tried to come back and play but it was still bad, so I had another MRI and the repair didn’t work so they just took it out and that was another month… two months off,” Cottrell said. “Now I’m kind of back. Really back.” Cottrell stepped back onto the playing field Sept. 7 — his first game since UC’s final 2013 season match— when the Bearcats played Creighton University during a weekend visit to Omaha, Nebraska. He played 49 minutes of the 3-0 loss for the Bearcats. “Jon is coming back,” said UC men’s soccer head coach Hylton Dayes. “You know, he had some knee surgery over the summer, and he’s getting back to 100 percent, and he’s not match-fit yet. So, I think he played really well for about 20 minutes, then after that he kind of hit the wall a little bit.” Cottrell manages to remain an active part of the team through his rehabilitation in the training room and involvement in the weight room, as well as maintaining a regular presence around the team. “We’re encouraged with his play and the season is still young,” Dayes said. “Jon has a great work ethic and works as hard as any player on the team. He’s doing everything he can.” Dayes added that Cottrell will continue to work and to allow his technical abilities to shine, especially when he has possession of the ball. Dayes is hoping to see the midfielder work on the times when he does not have the ball and his efforts to help win it back. “I don’t have my game fitness back yet but that will come once I start playing more games,” Cottrell said. Physically, he didn’t feel his best during the game — something to expect from a player who underwent multiple surgeries and had not played in a game since Nov. 8, 2013, when UC lost 5-1 to Rutgers University in their first game of the American Athletic Conference tournament. Cottrell is confident that with time he will get his match fitness back. John Manga — teammate, classmate and roommate — has faith in Cottrell and high hopes for his return this season.
MADISON SCHMIDT | PHOTO EDITOR
UC men’s soccer midfielder Jon Cottrell has undergone three knee surgeries in the past two years. Cottrell spends the majority of his school breaks on campus recovering from injuries and surgeries.
“He’s a great teammate. He’s a fun guy, always joking around, good person overall,” Manga said. In regards to how Cottrell played against Creighton earlier this month, Manga agrees with Cottrell, noting that he played well and that things will continue to improve as he gets back into more games. The major difference in playing in the U.S. compared to Dubai and England is the difference in style of the game, Cottrell said. Cottrell notices that soccer in the U.S. is played at a faster pace — more size and fitness driven, whereas in England the play is more technical and in Dubai it is more skillful. Off of the field, his English roots get the best of him. For Cottrell, a trip to the grocery is full of “English-isms”: customers park in the “car park” instead of the parking lot. Carts are “trollies” and English muffins are “crumpets.” But the refreshing jargon of another culture makes a trip to Kroger slightly more interesting. Cottrell can be found watching Harry Potter or BBC America after a long day of classes, work, training and rehab on his knees. Summers in Cincinnati are familiar for Cottrell, with temperatures in Dubai rarely ever dropping below 60 degrees. The sporadically scorching summer days of Clifton do not intimidate him or his game.
Cottrell usually can be spotted on the field as one of the only players who wears his socks hiked up to meet the bottom of his shorts and wears long sleeve compression tops pulled down over his fists in almost every practice and game he participates in — regardless of how hot in may be. “I don’t ever really remember seeing snow,” Cottrell said. “So, coming to Cincinnati and it being minus… I was not used to that.” He spends the majority of his summers and school breaks in Cincinnati. This summer he went on a 10-day vacation to visit his “grandmom” in England and hopped around Europe before returning to Cincinnati for the rest of the summer. He hopes to make a trip home to Dubai at the end of the year. It is easy to see why he would choose to visit England over Dubai — a flight to Dubai lasts a butt-numbing, melatoninpopping 16.5 hours. Not to mention a ticket for a round-trip visit to Dubai this time of year starts at more than $1,000, according to Google Flights. Cottrell spends summers in Cincinnati taking classes, in addition to usually recovering from some injury. He is on track to finish his three-year undergraduate degree in finance next summer before completing his master’s degree in finance the following year.
newsrecord.org/for_the_record