SPORTS
March 08, 2022
FOUND FAMILY: BY MEERA NAMBIAR
F
rom running Lynbrook sports to teaching PE, athletic director Jennifer Griffin is heavily involved with sports on campus. Her passion for athletics extends beyond Lynbrook, as she used to host Minor League San Jose Giants players, including Jose Marti and Miguel Gomez, at her house during the baseball season. The Griffins were a host family for the Giants for eight years, starting in 2012. Although the host program was paused due to COVID-19, Griffin hopes to continue opening her home to players and meeting new people from around the continent. The players she hosted came from all over the U.S. and Latin America, including the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico. During the baseball season, from March to September, she would host two to three San Jose Giants players in her spare bedroom. Hosting was originally her husband’s idea, though Griffin was in full support of it. “I told my husband, ‘I think that sounds awesome,’” Griffin said. “In my husband’s mind, it would give our son an older brother who he could talk to. So, my husband reached out to the San Jose Giants, and they paired us up with a player that first year.” In order to become hosts, the Griffin family first filled out a form with their preferences to find the player who would be the best fit. This included whether or not the players would have their own rooms and bathrooms and if the family would charge rent — Griffin did not. In return for hosting, the family received perks at Giants ball games, including
GRAPHIC ILLISTRATION BY SPORTS SECTION
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The Griffins host minor league baseball players
season passes and being able to sit in the host family section. The Griffins attended many games to support their players, and afterward, they often debriefed with the players on how they performed in the game. Hosting has also allowed Griffin to make lasting relationships with players and other host families. “We get to experience other cultures — sometimes they would cook dinner for us,” Griffin said. “They would tell us about their life at home: how they grew up and how they ended up being drafted. We still connect with them after they leave, and the players mean a ton to us. They are a part of our family, and it’s a special connection that we really enjoy.” In January during winter break, Griffin’s son stayed by himself with pitcher Jose Casilla’s family in the Dominican Republic. Casilla was a player who the Griffins hosted, and the visit furthered the connection between the two families. “Visiting the Dominican Republic this year meant a lot to Jose Casilla,” Griffin said. “He had recently lost his older brother who had passed away from brain cancer. And so having my son, Ajay, go and visit was really helpful to him and his family because it gave them a distraction during a very difficult time.” The visit allowed Griffin’s son to explore a less tourist-centered side of the island and play Dominican games like Vitilla, a baseball style street game with bottle caps instead of balls. He also improved his baseball skills, and Casilla introduced him to MLB players like Casilla’s brother Santiago Casilla, who played with the San Francisco Giants from 2010 to 2016. Although the experience allowed Griffin to make new friends, hosting came with its challenges. The night timings of baseball
games caused the Griffin family to stay up as players would often get home late at night. Similar to roommate situations, it took some time for them to get used to each other and learn how to live together. “It’s a pretty crazy schedule, and so it made for a lot of late nights,” Griffin said. “Sometimes, we had to drive to pick them up and they would arrive at 2 or 3 a.m. Also, if the guys are really shy, it takes a little while for us to get comfortable with each other.” Personal experiences with professional athletics has also shown Griffin the competitive nature of professional sports. Though people may see professional sports as glamorous, it takes hard work and sacrifice to reach that stage, and teams often place profits over people. Griffin witnessed this when the Giants sent away an injured player hosted by Griffin while he was traveling with the team. “They sent him to Arizona while the team was on the road,” Griffin said. “So we had to pack up his stuff, and we had to find his passport. I learned that it is not about the people at all. It seems that teams don’t care about the people themselves. It’s all about the money.” While there were some setbacks, the Griffin family has greatly enjoyed their hosting experience and hope to continue it in the future. “We love getting to know new players and seeing them progress,” Griffin said. “We sent an email to the San Jose Giants saying, ‘Hey! Are we going to have host families this year?’ and we are looking forward to it if it is allowed.”
BY MEI CORRICELLO//IN MY OPINION
A leader in the backcourt
I
watch my teammate swing at the ball, her lanky frame three feet in the air. She is going for a sharp angle shot, but she is not aiming high enough. I step to the right, anticipating the ball. Sure enough, it bounces straight down off the block. My right hip hits the ground as I pop the ball up with my forearm and roll back onto my feet. Here comes another opportunity for a kill, and my teammate tips the ball just over the blocker’s hands into an empty court. Point, us. The bench erupts in cheers, “Nice spot. Way to see that!” Through my eight years of playing competitive volleyball, I’ve learned to appreciate and maximize my role as a leader in the backcourt, not in the spotlight but contributing nonetheless. As a libero, I wear a different-colored jersey than my teammates and specialize in receiving serves and digging balls. Essentially, my job is to keep the ball off the ground and provide my teammates with opportunities to score points. At times, my position is frustrating. I throw my body around the court, playing through bruises and burns, yet my leadership is rarely recognized by spectators or coaches. In the beginning of my volleyball career, I felt overlooked and underestimated. However, as my team grew up together and eventually became high school juniors playing in the 17U division, we began to truly know each other and formed a connection unlike any other relationship I’ve known. Our friendships off the court helped our ability to flow seamlessly together on the court. My position allows fewer opportunities for recognition from spectators and coaches, but the power I feel from my team’s appreciation makes up for this because of our meaningful friendships off the court. Volleyball is a game of momentum. When you have it, it’s smooth sailing. Everything clicks, and each point and celebration adds to your advantage. But when you don’t, it can feel like the game is falling apart. Every rally is critical, and a one person’s mistake can discourage the whole team. I learned my hitters’ strengths and weaknesses by heart. I could recognize any falter in their self-assurance, anything that could impact their ability to take confident swings. I took note of how each of my teammates preferred to be communicated with, whether a simple high five could snap them out of a slump or if they needed verbal reassurance that I’d cover them against a big block. I built trust with every person I passed next to; we each knew that the other could step in and cover more or less of the area between us. I took these lessons beyond volleyball as well. Every person I meet is unique in their personality and needs, and as a leader, I need to customize my approach to each and enter interactions with intention. Glory matters less to me than it used to. Now, my teammate’s game-winning kill brings me all the fulfillment I need. Their wins are my wins. I’ve led my team through battles on the court with my unwavering presence and support toward them individually. Through volleyball, I discovered that I enjoy making the people around me better, both on and off the court.
