Yale Daily News — Yale-Harvard 2021 Special Issue by Yale Daily News

THE GAME 2021

SEASON RECAP PAGE 4 ARTIST AND ATHLETE PAGE 8 ECONOMIC PROSPECTS PAGE 13 HANDSOME DAN PAGE 15 SPORTS CULTURE PAGE 17 // CECILIA LEE

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YALE DAILY NEWS · FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2021 · yaledailynews.com

THE GAME 2021 NEWS’

VIEW

Table of Contents 2

NEW’S VIEW

GAME PREVIEW

SEASON RECAP

OP-EDS

TOP TEN 9

Our year apart, however, has made one thing clear.

OFF THE FIELD

ATHLETE ACTIVISM

ATHLETE PROFILES

TAILGATE

ADS

GAME FINANCES

HOST PREP

HANDSOME DAN

INNER WORKINGS

SPORTS CULTURE

YALE DAILY NEWS PUBLISHING CO., INC. 202 York Street, New Haven, CT 06511 (203) 432-2400 Editorial: (203) 432-2418 editor@yaledailynews.com Business: (203) 432-2424 business@yaledailynews.com

WEEKEND Claire Fang Jordan Fitzgerald Tony Hao

EDITOR IN CHIEF & PRESIDENT Rose Horowitch

NEWS Julia Brown Amelia Davidson

PRINT MANAGING EDITORS Ryan Chiao Owen Tucker-Smith

CITY Ángela Pérez Christian Robles

MULTIMEDIA MANAGING EDITOR Natalie Kainz

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY Anjali Mangla Nicole Rodriguez

SPECIAL PROJECTS MANAGING EDITOR Nicole Dirks

ARTS Marisol Carty

PUBLISHER Christian Martinez Contreras

SPORTS Eugenio Garza García Melanie Heller

OPINION Caleb Dunson Awuor Onguru

INVESTIGATIONS Serena Puang Dereen Shirnekhi

YTV Maya WeldonLagrimas Olivia Sally PODCAST Andrea Lee Simi Olurin DATA Leon Lufkin Amy Zhao MAGAZINE Claire Lee Marie Sanford

DIR. OF FINANCE Melissa Kim DIR. OF OPERATIONS Angela Lee INTERNAL AFFAIRS Zully Arias EXTERNAL AFFAIRS Megan Graham COPY Josie Jahng Chris Lee Hailey O’Connor Caroline Parker Yingying Zhao

PRODUCTION & DESIGN Jose Estrada Rachel Folmar Elifnaz Onder Stephanie Shao Isaac Yu PHOTOGRAPHY Zoe Berg Karen Lin Vaibhav Sharma Regina Sung Hedy Tung ILLUSTRATIONS Sophie Henry Cecilia Lee WEB DEVELOPMENT Julia Macri Iris Yang

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NEW HAVEN, CONNECTICUT

Dear Harvard, At long last, here we are again. Writing another letter to you. Buzzing with the thrill of just how fast we can grow a litany of reasons to mock, taunt, ridicule, jeer, josh, deride, tease, razzle dazzle, scorn, parody, loathe, shun, abhor, abominate, deprecate, disfavor, hokey pokey some fun, jab a stabby, and willy nilly a silly at you. As we type, our fingers cannot keep up with the speed of the insults flowing from our minds. What can we say? It’s so easy to hate you.

CHAMPIONS

NEWS’ VIEW

SUBMISSIONS

All letters submitted for publication must include the author’s name, phone number and description of Yale University affiliation. Please limit letters to 250 words and guest columns to 750. The Yale Daily News reserves the right to edit letters and columns before publication. E-mail is the preferred method of submission.

(203) 432-2424 (before 5 p.m.) (203) 432-2400 (after 5 p.m.)

Direct all letters, columns, artwork and inquiries to: Caleb Dunson and Awuor Onguru Opinion Editors opinion@yaledailynews.com Direct all comments regarding the fairness or accuracy of stories to: Rose Horowitch Editor-in-Chief (203) 432-2418 Julia Bialek, Jose Davila IV, Phoebe Liu Public Editors public@yaledailynews.com

THE GAME 1955 Yale wins The Game with a score of 21–7. End Ted Kennedy scoring Harvard’s only touchdown.

We say it not to make you feel special (you are not, sweetie! But we know you think you are, and it’s cute that you still conduct yourself like you’re working the high school social ladder). Instead, we say it to be honest. To utter the unutterable; to say what we are all thinking. You know what they say about the high road: take it. Here it goes. We love you. Wow, okay. Let us explain. Don’t start thinking we like you. Or that we want to spend time with you. Or that we want to be near you. Or that you don’t belong very very far from us, in the ocean with other fish just like you. Don’t think for one single second that we don’t despise you. But it’s just been so long. Two years! Since we last played this game at the Bowl... And we must say, we missed it. Above all else, we missed the reminder that there is someone out there for us, and only us, to hate. Star-crossed haters, if you will. Except, of course, we are not interested in what you have to say in return. It’s more like we are the star, and you are, how do you say, a pip-squeak. You are that one person in a line in the airport who thinks they absolutely deserve to be at the front and lets everybody know it. A twerp. You are the kid in high school who pretends they own the front-middle seat. You, indubitably, hate puppies. You walk slowly in the middle of every walkway you strut. You bite your Kit Kats. In a silent library, you crunch down on pita chips, then whip out a carrot, then a bowl of ice. You play devil’s advocate to someone playing devil’s advocate in a seminar. Definitely, you post on Instagram for Earth Day. Let’s face it: you make us look like the unpretentious ones. You suck <3 - The Yale Daily News

YALE DAILY NEWS · FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2021 · yaledailynews.com

THE GAME 2021 GAME

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PREVIEW

Team 148 to host the “Team from the North” in 137th playing of The Game // BY JARED FEL AND NADER GRANMAYEH

// YALE DAILY NEWS

Yale and Harvard will continue their historic rivalry on Saturday in the 137th edition of The Game. Yale leads the series 68–60–8 all-time. The last time these two teams met, the Bulldogs forged an unforgettable 17-point fourth quarter comeback and ultimately won the contest 50–43 in double overtime to secure a share of the Ivy League title. The Bulldogs (5–4, 4–2 Ivy) and Crimson (7–2, 4–2 Ivy) enter the final game of the season tied for third place in the Ivy League and one game behind Princeton and Dartmouth. These latter two programs have handed Yale and Harvard their only conference losses this season. The winner of The Game will have an outside shot at sharing the Ivy title — the Tigers and Big Green would both need to suffer losses to Penn and Brown, respectively. The Quakers and Bears have combined for only two conference wins all year. “It’s one of the greatest rivalries in all of sports,” Yale head coach Tony Reno said on Tuesday at a press conference. “To be a part of it, to be a small piece of it has been really amazing … you got a great crowd, a great atmosphere, you got an FBS atmosphere at your game which is a really, really great thing. From a selfish point of view, I would venture to say there’s very few schools in the FCS that get this kind of venue to play in once a year.” Harvard had a strong start to the season, winning their first five games to set up an undefeated first place showdown with Princeton in week six. Included in that stretch was a Crimson blowout 38–13 victory against the Patriot League champion Holy Cross Crusaders, who defeated Yale in the Bulldogs’ season opener. Finding themselves in a competitive overtime battle against Princeton a few weeks later, the Crimson on two separate occasions believed they had won their sixth consecutive game. The celebration for each was short lived, however, as both game-winning scores were subsequently wiped off the board by officials after review. The Tigers eventually went on to score the winning points in the game’s fifth overtime period. The following day, the Ivy League released a statement

admitting an officiating error on one of the scores and acknowledging that Harvard should have walked away victorious. “[We] had it won once … had it won twice … still, the most bizarre thing I’ve ever seen in my life,” Harvard head coach Tim Murphy said after the game. The game result stood nevertheless, and the Crimson returned home to host Dartmouth with one loss on their resume. Harvard played in its second consecutive nailbiter, ultimately losing again on a last minute Big Green field goal. “The team from the North, they’re an experienced team,” Reno said. The Yale coach, who recently became the sixth Bulldog coach to cross the 50-win threshold, also called the Crimson “the most talented team in the Ivy League from top to bottom.” The Crimson enter The Game as the second best scoring offense in the Ancient Eight. Over nine games, Harvard is averaging over 32 points per contest, just a point behind the league leading Princeton Tigers. The offense is anchored by junior running back Aaron Shampklin, who ranks second in the conference in total rushing yards. Shampklin averages 5.7 yards a carry and has 11 touchdowns in only eight games. The Crimson have also seen three different quarterbacks attempt a pass for them this season — rookie gunslinger Charlie Dean started the season but suffered a season-ending injury. Senior Jake Smith got the first shot at replacing Dean, but was ultimately benched and replaced by junior Luke Emge in the fourth quarter of the Crimson’s battle against Dartmouth. Emge emerged victorious in his first career start against Columbia two weeks ago. The Crimson enter the contest yielding the second best defensive unit in the conference. Harvard has only conceded 13.1 points per game — good for fourth best in the FCS — and is coming off a game against Penn where they allowed only seven points. The unit is buoyed by the best rush defense in the league — the Crimson give up fewer than two yards per carry. Leading the way is junior safety James Her-

THE GAME 1991 The Bulldogs defeated Harvard 23-13; more than 40,000 spectators in attendance at the Yale Bowl.

ring, who ranks fourth in the conference with 63 total tackles. Along the defensive line, junior Jacob Sykes adds seven sacks, the best total on the team. In the secondary, the Crimson have two play-makers at the cornerback position in sophomore Alex Washington and senior Khalid Thomas, who are both tied for the conference lead in interceptions with three each. The Crimson pass defense has accumulated more than twice the interceptions of any other team in the Ancient Eight and has conceded the fewest passing touchdowns. The Crimson will have a tough time slowing down a Yale offense that enters the contest averaging nearly 30 points a game. The Bulldogs started the season with quarterback Griffin O’Connor ’23 as the primary signal-caller. O’Connor won the Ivy League Rookie of the Year award in 2018 after starting three games in relief of the injured Kurt Rawlings ’20. With Team 148, O’Connor navigated the Elis to a 2–2 record and was replaced at halftime of Yale’s loss to UConn by Nolan Grooms ’24. Reno later said that Grooms set himself apart in the following week of practice and earned the starting job. During his first collegiate start, Grooms led Yale in a game against Penn to a 3–1 record. The sophomore from South Carolina has won two Ivy League Offensive Player of the Week awards during the late-season stretch. Grooms will have the benefit of taking the field alongside running backs Spencer Alston ’23 and Zane Dudek ’22. The latter, who started all 10 games a season ago en route to second-team All-Ivy honors, has missed some time in the middle of this season but is expected to play on Saturday. Alston has performed admirably in relief and ranks ninth in the conference in yards per carry. Alston won Ivy League Offensive Player of the Week for his breakout 116-yard, two touchdown performance against Columbia. “I think the biggest thing when you look at it, and how we look at it week in and week out, is us being able to control the areas that are important to us,” Reno said. “A few of them are our ability to

play a physical game, and another one is our ability to respond when adversity hits and in our ability to focus on process, not outcome.” Out wide, Grooms has had the luxury to lean on some excellent weapons over the course of his four starts. Receiver Mason Tipton ’24, while ranking just 17th in the league with 24 receptions, has amassed 509 receiving yards — good for eighth among all receivers in the Ancient Eight. Tipton has been on the receiving end of many explosive plays since Grooms took over the reins on offense. In fact, Tipton’s average mark of 21.2 yards per reception is second only to teammate and co-star Chase Nenad ’24 in the whole league. Tipton arguably had his best performance during a come-from-behind victory against Columbia. On the drive that marked the beginning of the comeback, Grooms went deep on back-to-back plays to Tipton for 30-plus yard gains. While Team 148’s defense ranks towards the bottom of the league in points per game allowed, the unit features a number of standout performers. In the middle of the field, the Elis have been able to rely on the presence of captain and linebacker John Dean ’22 game-in and game-out. Dean leads the team in tackles and ranks third in the conference in this category. “All the focus is on this week,” Dean said. “I’ll leave the nostalgia to postgame. I think there’s too much preparation to be had right now to let thoughts about the last four or five years get in the way. This is a game that we really want to win … We still got unfinished business and we’re ready to do whatever it takes to play a great game.” On the line, Clay Patterson ’24 has put together one of the most dominant seasons of any defender in the FCS this year. The sophomore has registered a total of 11.5 sacks in the nine games he has started — three more than the next closest player in the Ivy League. He leads all other Ancient Eight players with 13 tackles for loss and is second in the FCS with 1.28 sacks per game. Patterson was recently added to the watch-list for FCS Defensive Player of the Year.

“My goal personally is just to play hard every play,” Patterson said following his four-sack performance against Lehigh. “When you play hard, good things will happen … it just goes to show how we have a lot of trust in each other, since we expect the person who’s open on the play to execute.” The Eli pass defense has been strong all season long — linebacker Rodney Thomas II ’22 is third in the Ancient Eight in pass breakups, defensive back Wande Owens ’23 is fifth in the same metric and defensive back Dathan Hickey ’23 leads the conference with four forced fumbles. Saturday’s game will mark the 137th running of The Game. Two years ago, Yale and Harvard delivered an unforgettable performance, which included a halftime protest and two overtimes. After the Elis and Crimson traded scores in the first overtime, the two teams marched down the field to continue play on opposite end of the Yale Bowl. “The other reason we flipped the field was because of the students’ section,” Reno told reporters in the Tuesday press conference. “And our students’ section was just off the charts, they were amazing … When you’re an opposing offense and you got to deal with a students’ section that’s pretty loud, pretty crazy, it makes your ability to handle calls and deal with things tough. So I give a lot of credit to those students who helped us out with that win.” The Bulldogs will see a number of starters play their final collegiate snaps on Saturday, including Dean and wideout Melvin Rouse II ’22, who spoke with the media on Tuesday. “This week, I’m just really trying to finish out strong, teammate wise, [for] the younger guys and everyone under me,” Rouse said. “When my name comes up, it’s not about how great of a player or the NFL, it’s just how good of a teammate I was while I was here.” The 137th rendition of the game will kickoff at 12 p.m. on Saturday from the Yale Bowl. ESPN-U will broadcast the game live. Contact JARED FEL at jared.fel@yale.edu and NADER GRANMAYEH at nader.granmayeh@yale.edu .

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YALE DAILY NEWS · FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2021 · yaledailynews.com

THE GAME 2021 SEASON

RECAP

Bulldogs young talent a highlight in mixed season // BY NADER GRANMAYEH

// MUSCOSPORTSPHOTO.COM

Team 148 entered the season with high expectations — a 16-person media panel projected the Elis would finish second in the Ivy League behind Princeton. The Elis received six first place votes, a sign of confidence in the relatively veteran squad led by linebacker and captain John Dean ’22, safety Rodney Thomas II ’22, wide receiver Melvin Rouse II ’22 and running back Zane Dudek ’22. Excitement for the season extended to quarterback Griffin O’Connor ’23, who had won the conference’s Rookie of the Year award in 2018 after three impressive starts in relief of the injured Kurt Rawlings ’20. Patriot league champions Holy Cross spoil opener After more than 600 days away from competition, the Bulldogs opened the season with an uneven performance against Holy Cross. The Crusaders were a tough opponent for Team 148 — Patriot league coaches and sports directors voted Holy Cross as the most likely to win the conference. Entering the final week of play, the Crusaders lived up to the hype, clinching at least a share of the Patriot title and holding sole possession of first place with a 5–0 conference and 8–2 overall record. The Bulldogs held a halftime lead at the Yale Bowl, but could not hold on — the Crusaders hit a game-winning field goal with less than a minute left to hand the Bulldogs a loss to start the season. Big win against the Big Red The following week, Team 148 responded in its Ivy League opener with a 23–17 win against Cornell. O’Connor led the way, throwing for 317 yards and two touchdowns. The Elis gained more than 400 yards of total offense and forced Big Red quarterback Richie Kenney into three

interceptions, two of them picked off by Thomas. Blowout in Bethlehem Building on their first win of the season, the Bulldogs traveled to Lehigh the following week and routed the Mountain Hawks 34–0 — the Elis’ first shutout since a 2017 win against Holy Cross. The blowout allowed backup quarterback Nolan Grooms ’24, who had seen limited action as a gadget player in the first few weeks, to get extended run. Grooms capitalized on the opportunity, throwing for 122 yards and two touchdowns on only eight attempts, adding 30 yards rushing. Big Green stand strong in overtime A week later, the Bulldogs traveled to Hanover, where, two years ago, they suffered their only loss of the season. The game featured a defensive battle between the two Ancient Eight foes. With eight minutes left in the game, O’Connor and the Bulldogs trailed 14–10. Team 148 put together a 14-play drive that featured three fourth down conversions, including one fake field goal with Grooms on the field and the final play of the drive that resulted in a five-yard touchdown with just over two minutes left. A few plays later, the Yale sideline stormed the field, believing their defense had just won the game after forcing an incompletion on fourth and one. The officials quickly put an end to the jubilation, as a contentious targeting call extended the Big Green drive. Dartmouth would go on to tie the game, and ultimately prevailed in overtime, handing Yale its first conference loss of the season. The Battle of Connecticut resumes The Bulldogs’ third straight road game came against an old

THE GAME 1957 The Blue and White shut out the Crimson in a historic 54-0 victory. Over 55,000 fans gathered at the Yale Bowl to witness this historic match-up.

rival: the University of Connecticut. The conference independent Huskies entered the game as arguably the worst team in the FBS, the football subdivision that hosts the country’s most elite teams, like Clemson, Alabama and Wisconsin. UConn had not won a game in two years and was riding an 11-game losing streak. The Huskies fired their coach just a few games into the season, after a loss to fellow FCS foe, the aforementioned Crusaders. Yale had not played an FBS opponent since it beat Army in 2014, but entered the contest as slight favorites. Despite that, the game was one of O’Connor’s worst as a starter. The junior threw three interceptions in the first half and accumulated only 59 passing yards. The Bulldogs entered halftime down 14–0 and let up another touchdown to extend the deficit to 21–0 shortly after the break. Head coach Tony Reno made a quarterback change at halftime, turning to the sophomore Grooms. The South Carolina native led a comeback, bringing the Bulldogs within six with a chance to win the game at the end, but ultimately Team 148 fell short in the 50th rendition of the Battle of Connecticut. Elis overwhelm UPenn Yale returned home sitting at 2–3 after consecutive losses. Despite not committing to a starter midweek, Reno told the reporters after the game that Grooms separated himself from O’Connor during the team’s week of practice. A week after almost beating UConn, the sophomore led the offense onto the field for his first career start against Penn. Yale handled the Quakers, winning the contest by two touchdowns. Grooms was awarded Ivy League Offensive Player of the Week for his performance, which featured 283

passing yards, 113 rushing yards and four total touchdowns. Bulldogs chase away Lions Yale, looking to claw its way back into the fight for the Ivy crown, hosted Columbia the following week. The Lions had just upset Dartmouth 19–0 and hoped to forge their own path to a conference title. Team 148, again led by Grooms, found itself in a hole yet again. Entering the second half, the Elis were behind 20–14 and had trailed by as many as 11 points. Grooms navigated an impressive comeback for the second time in three weeks, this time also leaning heavily on running back Spencer Alston ’23, who had been playing for the injured Dudek. Alston won Ivy League Offensive Player of the Week for his 116-yard, two touchdown effort. Wideout Mason Tipton ’24 led the Bulldogs in receiving yards with 112. Yale prevailed 37–30 through pouring rain at the Yale Bowl. Yale bears down on Brown With only three games left in the season, every game carried additional weight. The Elis were set to kick off a two-game road trip in Providence, facing FCS All-American quarterback EJ Perry. The Brown defense, which entered the contest dead last in the conference, did little to improve its poor metrics. Despite another strong effort from Perry, the Bulldogs ran away with the game 63–38. The win, coupled with Princeton’s first loss of the season, moved the Bulldogs into a three-way tie for first place in the Ivy League. Yale, Princeton and Dartmouth all entered the penultimate week with only one loss on their resumes. Title hopes fall at Princeton For the second consecutive season, the Bulldogs traveled to

Princeton to take on the Tigers in a critical Ivy League matchup. In 2019, an impressive 37-point win kept Team 147’s title hopes alive. This time around, the Tigers got the better of the Bulldogs. Yale looked like it would enter halftime leading 17–14 after a late field goal from Jack Bosman ’24, but Princeton’s senior quarterback Cole Smith put together a touchdown drive in less than a minute to give Princeton the lead and the momentum. The Tigers never looked back, stifling the Elis and outsourcing Yale 14–3 in the third quarter. The Bulldogs ultimately fell 35–20 and saw their Ivy hopes all but disappear. Despite the disappointment, the Bulldogs saw their young talent flash all season long. Defensive end Clay Patterson ’24 leads the conference in sacks and is on the watch list for the FCS Defensive Player of the Year award. Along the defensive line, the Bulldogs do not have a senior listed as a starter and Reid Nickerson ’23 had a great year in his own right, ranking top ten in the conference in sacks. In the secondary, three juniors will return to form a formidable unit next season: Dathan Hickey ’23, Miles Oldacre ’23, and Wande Owens ’23. Hickey enters the final week of the season as the conference leader in forced fumbles. On the offensive side, Alston stepped up in Dudek’s absence and solidified himself as a lead back. Tipton stepped up to fill the big shoes of Reed Klubik ’20 and David Pantelis ’25 won Ivy League Rookie and Special Teams Players of the Week awards, respectively after beating Brown. The penultimate contest against the Tigers also featured four firstor second-year starters along the offensive line. Contact NADER GRANMAYEH at nader.granmayeh@yale.edu .

YALE DAILY NEWS · FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2021 · yaledailynews.com

PAGE 5

THE GAME CHAMPIONS

Head coach Tony Reno reflects on 50 career wins

n a game against the University of Pennsylvania on October 23, 2021, Tony Reno recorded his 50th career win as head coach of the Yale football team. That accolade, held by only five other coaches in Yale’s history, has been nine years in the making. Reno took over as the Bulldogs head coach on January 12, 2012. Within six short years, the Massachusetts native brought home his first Ivy League championship. The Blue and White had not captured a share of the Ivy title since 2006, and had not won an outright championship since 1980, when Reno was six years old. Entering the 2017 season, Reno’s Bulldogs were projected to finish fourth in the conference. Reno navigated his team to a 9–1 record and 6–1 conference record, the only loss coming by a single point at Dartmouth. Reno’s team finished ranking 24th in the FCS after securing the Ivy title at home in a 24–3 beatdown of Harvard. In 2019, Reno captured his second Ivy title in three years and his third victory over Harvard in four tries. Team 147 went 9–1 overall and 6–1 in the conference, again only dropping a game to Dartmouth on the road. Since taking over as head coach, Reno has only posted two losing seasons and finished worse than fourth in the conference only once. Reno’s hiring in 2012 marked his return to New Haven after a three-year absence. In 2003, the Worcester State graduate joined former head coach Jack Siedlecki’s coaching staff as the wide receivers coach. The following year, he transitioned to lead the Bulldogs’ defensive backs, given his collegiate experience as a safety. In 2009, Ivy rival Harvard identified Reno’s talent and hired him as their special teams coordinator and defensive backs coach. The Crimson went undefeated in Reno’s final year with the team. “I’ve been fortunate to have some great players and some great assistant coaches,” Reno reflected after his 50th milestone win. “The success we’ve had, they’ve been a huge part of it and like I say all the time, I’m just a small piece in a great organization here. I’m very proud of what we’ve built and even more excited [about] where we’re going to take it.” Reno also said that he hopes to carry on the legacy of College Football Hall of Fame coach Carmen Cozza, who won 10 Ivy League championships and 179 wins over his 32-year career as the Bulldogs’ head coach. “Looking back at the history of Yale football and what Coach Cozza was able to do, it’s a goal of mine to be able to honor that and build on it, and just keep chasing greatness week in, week out, year in and year out,” Reno said. Coach Reno won his first game as the Bulldogs’ head coach in the 2012 season opener against Georgetown.

// BY NADER GRANMAYEH

// JESSAI FLORES

Contact NADER GRANMAYEH at nader.granmayeh@yale.edu .

former Elis’ paths to the NFL

// BY ROSA BRACERAS

Over the last six years, several bulldogs have traded their blue and white jerseys for the many colors of NFL team gear. For Tyler Varga ’15, 2015 was a big year. Not only did he graduate from Yale with a degree in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, but he also joined the Indianapolis Colts as an undrafted free agent. Three years later, in 2018, two additional Elis joined the NFL. Foyesade Oluokun ’18 and Jaeden Graham ’18 remained teammates; Oluokun was selected by the Atlanta Falcons in the sixth round of the 2018 NFL draft, while Graham was also picked up by the Falcons as an undrafted free agent. Then, in 2020, the Chicago Browns selected Dieter Eiselen ’20 in the “eighth round” post-draft period. “Our players go on to do some pretty amazing things,” Yale football head coach Tony Reno told the News in 2020. “All Yale students do, but to have [Oluokun and Graham] playing professionally is awesome for us. We’re really excited for them and their journeys — journeys that were both a little different.” While they all transitioned from the Yale Bowl to the Big Stage, each Eli took a different path to the national league.

TYLER VARGA

Tyler Varga originally played for University of Western Ontario before joining the Bulldogs for his sophomore year in 2012 as a tailback. As an Eli, Varga was one of the most successful rushers in Yale history. Varga put up 2,985 rushing yards and 31 touchdowns — the fourth- and third- most in program history, respectively. The Finnish-Canadian was named Ivy League Offensive Player of the Year his final season. After graduation, Varga joined the Indianapolis Colts. Due to a severe concussion in his third game, Varga was out for the season. As a result, Varga decided to put his health first and retire from the NFL after just one season with the Colts. At the time, Varga told the Indy Star, “Thank God I went to Yale.” He now works as a senior investment analyst at ARC Financial Corp.

FOYESADE OLUOKUN

The St. Louis native was one of the highest-rated recruits in Missouri during his high school career as a linebacker at John Burroughs School. He received offers from Harvard, Yale and Penn; naturally, he chose the Blue and White. In his first season as a Bulldog in 2013, Oluokun led the rookies in the Ivy League with 60 tackles. As an Eli, Oluokun was granted an extra year of NCAA eligibility to play football after he suffered from a pectoral tear in his chest during Week 3 of his junior season. During his red-shirt senior season in 2017, Oluokun completed nine tackles and a sack against Harvard, limiting the Crimson to just three points and securing the Bulldogs’ Ivy League title. After Yale, the six-foot-two linebacker participated in drills at Pro Day with 20 NFL scouts. He also attended several pre-draft visits with NFL teams. The Falcons drafted him in the sixth round, as the 200th overall pick of the NFL draft. “I viewed myself as an undrafted free agent, especially because I came out of a small school, so I wasn’t sure how much film they had watched of me,” Oluokun told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution after a training camp session in August 2020. “They didn’t know I had that much grit at Yale, which was all we preached there. I was ready to do whatever it took to make the team.” As a member of the Falcons’ defense, Oluokun became the first rookie since Keanu Neal in 2016 to record 89 tackles in a single season, the fourth-most tackles by a rookie in Falcons history. He is currently a starter for Atlanta in his fourth season with the team.

THE GAME 1946 Yale makes a comeback to overtake Harvard 27–14. The Elis score twice in the second quarter, exciting the 57,000 frozen fans in the stands.

JAEDEN GRAHAM

Also on the Falcons’ roster is Jaeden Graham. As a multi-sport athlete in high school, Graham had to choose whether to pursue baseball or football at the collegiate level. He ended up favoring the pigskin and the Bulldogs. After two lackluster seasons with the Elis, coaches switched Graham’s position from offensive linebacker to tight end. Although it took him a season to get a hold of the new position, Graham “simply redefined the position of tight end for us at Yale” during his senior season, Reno told the News in 2020. He led all Ancient Eight tight ends that year with four receiving touchdowns, 26 receptions and 380 yards. As a result of his historic season, Graham was named First Team All-Ivy League and First Team All-ECAC. “Jaeden has an incredible story of perseverance,” Kurt Rawlings ’20 — quarterback for the 2017 Yale team — said in 2020. “You certainly do not become an All-Ivy and NFL tight end in one season out of luck.” Graham’s hard work did not end after graduation. He managed to work his way into NFL mini-camps with the Oakland Raiders, Detroit Lions and Atlanta Falcons. Graham signed onto the practice squad with the Falcons as an undrafted free agent. During his rookie 2019 season with the Falcons, Graham stepped in after their starting tight end, Austin Hooper, was injured. In the two weeks he started, Graham obtained five catches for 94 yards and a touchdown. During his 16 games in the season of 2020, Graham contributed on offense and special teams, resulting in three receptions for 25 yards. In his two complete seasons in the NFL, Graham played in 32 games, recording 12 receptions for 174 yards and one touchdown. Currently, Graham is on the injury reserve list for the Atlanta Falcons due to a knee injury.

DIETER EISELEN

Prior to Yale, the South African grew up playing rugby. After graduating from high school, he contacted a variety of preparatory schools in the United States to see if they would accept him for a 5th year so he could play football. Choate Rosemary Hall accepted him, and Eiselen helped lead the team to the 2015 NEPSAC Championship game. In his second official year of competitive football, the six-foot-four, 300-pound Yale firstyear made an impact at his position as a linebacker. In his sophomore year, Eiselen was a gamechanger for the Elis, playing a vital role in running back Zane Dudek’s ’21 historic year of leading the league in every rushing and scoring category. Eiselen earned All-Ivy Honorable Mention the same year. For his success in his junior season, Eiselen was named Second Team All-Ivy League and Phil Steele First Team All-Ivy League. Eiselen continued to thrive with the Bulldogs and helped Yale finish out his collegiate career first in total offense in the Ancient Eight. For his efforts in his final season, Eiselen made First Team AllIvy and the AP All-American Third Team. Additionally, he was selected to play in the NFL Players Association Collegiate Bowl, which is a premier showcase for draft-eligible talent. During the game in January 2020, Eiselen helped the National Team squad to a 30-20 win as an offensive lineman. The Chicago Bears recognized Eiselen’s athleticism and talent, and picked him up as an undrafted free agent shortly after the 2020 NFL draft. “I’m extremely excited for the opportunity and ready to seize it by any means possible,” Eiselen told the News in 2020. “I cannot wait to get to work and push my mind and body beyond its limits.” Eiselen is currently in his second season with the Bears, where he played in two games. Contact ROSA BRACERAS at rosie.braceras@yale.edu .

PAGE 6

YALE DAILY NEWS · FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2021 · yaledailynews.com

THE GAME 2021 OP-EDS

Harvard:

Stuck in the Shadows // BY GRIFFIN WONG Dear Elis, I know all about what it means to go to Yale. I’m the baby of my family, saddled with the weight of my bigger, more successful and more famous older brothers’ accomplishments. I got it in high school (“oh, you’re Justin’s brother”) and even a little bit here at Harvard (“hey, I know Dylan!”). All throughout high school, I wished that I could forge an identity independent of my brothers. So, I feel you. It’s hard to be looking up all the time, knowing that to all your peers you’re never going to be as big, as successful, as famous, as respected, as those who were smart enough to get into that school 130 miles to the northeast. Yet, you can’t escape these shadows, because you’re inextricably tied because of some self-perpetuated rivalry that’s not even a rivalry when, frankly, it’s pretty one-sided. Let’s take a look at some media outlets’ rankings of universities. QS has Harvard third and...Yale, 17th. U.S. News? Harvard first and Yale all the way at 12th. Forbes? Harvard, first again, and Yale eighth. I could continue, but they all say the same thing. So, instead of poring over some abstract, subjective rankings (where, by the way, our football team grades higher than yours), let’s talk about people who have actually been to our schools. Let’s see… Harvard has produced seven American presidents, and Yale merely five. Three current senators went to Yale, which you think is impressive until you realize that six attended Harvard. We boast 12 Fortune 500 CEOs, dwarfing your five. Thirty-eight Nobel Prize winners were associated with Harvard at the time they won the award… Yale, a paltry nine. That’s fewer than Columbia and Stanford, and the same as Cornell. I could continue, but I don’t want to beat a dead horse… ahem, bulldog. It’s almost getting to the point where you’re not just the little brother, you’re being straight-up sonned. One stain on your institution, Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh (yikes, glad we don’t have to claim him), once said, “I like beer.” Perhaps that was born out of attending college in New Haven, Conn., where fun goes to die. After all, what else is there to do in New Haven besides drinking your

jealousy away? I looked on a map of your city for Chinatown and was confused as to why I couldn’t find it. Then I realized, while Harvard students like me can survive the winter by going and exploring cultural neighborhoods like Chinatown and Boston’s North End, you have, well, nothing. By the way, we have good pizza too — don’t try me with that. To adapt a quote from Joakim Noah, “I never heard anybody say, ‘I’m going to New Haven on vacation.’” If anyone did, it was probably some stressed-out 17-year old who decided to explore their backup plan because they were worried they couldn’t get into Harvard. When I was growing up, my parents always told me not to compare myself against the best. They said that I should just be proud of myself for being who I am, and honestly, you guys have a lot to be proud of. You go to the second-best college — in the state of Connecticut (shoutout to Central Connecticut State). Where did we go wrong that 4,703 sets of parents neglected to teach their current Yalies the same lesson? Alas, like bulldogs, you’re stubborn (and honestly, kind of ugly). So, since you’re so insistent on pretending you can match us, let’s talk about football. We boast the winningest team in Ivy League matchups since conference play began in 1956. We have six players in the current NFL, which is five more than you do. This century, we’ve won eight Ivy League championships. You? Just three. Since 2001, we’ve won 76.6 percent of our games, the fourthbest rate in Division I. The three ahead of us? Let’s just say Yale isn’t one of them.. In that span, we’ve had just one losing season. You’ve had five. Look, I get it. Being the little brother is frustrating. My brothers did better than I did in school. They’re taller, more athletic, stronger, funnier, and they had more friends. They left bigger shoes for me to fill. I felt a lot of pressure to live up to the standards of those who were, in most ways, better than me. But at the end of the day, my brothers and I can bond over one thing. For all the undeniable anxiety and frustration that I put myself through, there is one silver lining. At least none of us had to go to Yale.

// CECILIA LEE

THE GAME 1976 Yale beat the Crimson 21-7 at Soldiers Field before 42,000 attendees. This victory allowed Yale to share the Ivy League crown with Brown.

Contact GRIFFIN WONG at griffin.wong@thecrimson.com .

// CECILIA LEE

Yale:

Veritas needs Lux // BY MELANIE HELLER Dear Crimson, I understand how great it must feel to be listed ahead of Yale alphabetically; I can barely contain my excitement with our dominance over York College of Pennsylvania. I know this little win is what lets you sleep at night, but you just have to know that there are other ways of measuring which school is better. We’re all smart here, so let’s start out with some statistics. This weekend is the 137th iteration of The Game, and so far, Yale is leading 68–60–2. Remember in 1957 when the Elis won 54–0? Neither did I, but Wikipedia remembers. Since The Game became an official Ivy League competition in 1956, Yale has won 27 times. Do you know what other noted team has won 27 times? That’s right, the Yankees. For those of you who do not know, the Yankees are the best team in baseball history with their 27 World Series wins. They are from New York, wear blue and their logo features a Y. Their rivals, the Red Sox — obligatory ew — are from Boston, wear red and their logo features a pair of dirty, smelly socks. I know of a liberal arts school in Connecticut that lies in the New York metropolitan area and has a logo that is a blue Y. Its rival also happens to be red, dirty, smelly and from Boston. I am sure you have heard of Handsome Dan. You know, that slobbery, loveable little bulldog who has been the face of Yale since 1889. Dan was the pet of one of our football players, and the team loved him so much that he was raised to the podium of the first college mascot ever. Schools and teams across the country loved Dan so much that now the bulldog is the most popular high school and college mascot. Handsome Dan is a living being who we personally know, respect and admire for his professional commitment to our cause. Now. Crimson. What is a crimson? Are you too good to say your color is red? Is it to establish dominance over noted safety school Corn-L? Yale has its own proprietary color too, but we are not known as the “Yale Blues.” “But we have John Harvard!” You mean a person dresses in a costume to look like another person? Is that supposed to instill fear in your opponents? Sure, bulldogs are not the biggest of breeds but they were bred to fight bulls, which I think is pretty badass.

I had the distinct displeasure of driving up to Cambridge last month to watch the Head of the Charles Regatta. My friends and I spent the afternoon in Boston watching the boats go by. After our lightweights finished first, we crossed the river and infiltrated your home. We witnessed block after block of red brick buildings on your “campus.” How are we supposed to tell your residential colleges — sorry, I mean houses — from your libraries or classroom buildings? They all look the exact same. Yale has some brick, but we also have … not brick. Before we headed home, we passed Harvard Stadium. The concrete monstrosity only seats 30,000 people — less than half of the Yale Bowl’s capacity. Was the incomplete bowl layout a ploy to make it look like you have a full house, even though your student body is too busy studying to ever have fun? What a relief it was to find out The Game would be hosted by Yale for two competitions in a row — probably the one good thing to come out of the COVID-19 pandemic. Remember the 2019 Game? You know, where we came back from behind and won in double overtime? I do not think we are ever going to let that one go. Sure, it was just one game. But you know what? I do not slip in where I go to school in every conversation. I do not go to the quintessential stick-inthe-mud legacy school. That is why it is such a big deal to beat the obvious supervillain. If we are the underdogs, then we are exactly who audiences root for. The underdog always wins. Even when they do not win the battle, they win over the hearts. Go, run along with your tail between your legs after we beat you again this weekend. Scurry back to the second best school in your suburb so you can get to class on Monday. Simply put: your veritas sucks if you ain’t got that lux. Go Blue, The Yale Daily News Note: Your editorial to the Yale Daily News is 776 words long. This piece is 777. Contact MELANIE HELLER at melanie.heller@yale.edu .

YALE DAILY NEWS · FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2021 · yaledailynews.com

THE GAME 2021 TOP

PAGE 7

TEN

TEN PLAYERS TO WATCH // BY JARED FEL AND NADER GRANMAYEH

#2 Defensive Lineman Reid Nickerson ’23

#12 Quarterback Nolan Grooms ’24 Grooms entered the season as Yale’s backup quarterback. Head coach Tony Reno primarily used the sophomore as a change of pace running quarterback in limited action for the first few weeks of the season. After a strong showing in extended action against Lehigh, Grooms’ talent was hard to ignore. He took over the position at halftime of Yale’s battle against UConn, and earned the starting job in practice the following week. The South Carolina native is now 3–0 in his first three career starts. Leading up to his start against Brown, he had helped lead the offense to average almost 40 points a game and had shown himself to be a true dual threat player — completing 67.9 percent of his passes and amassing 153 yards on the ground. “I really pride myself on being a passer first,” Grooms said. “But then, once stuff breaks down, you gotta be able to move a little bit, so I got to be decisive … I got to keep working, gotta keep my eyes downfield as a passer, but as soon as I personally pass the line of scrimmage, it’s time to go.”

#1 Wide Receiver Mason Tipton ’24 While just 15th in the league with 24 receptions, sophomore receiver Mason Tipton’s ’24 509 receiving yards is good for fifth among all qualified receivers in the Ancient Eight. This is evidence of the fact that Tipton has been on the receiving end of many explosive plays since Nolan Grooms took over the reins on offense. In fact, Tipton’s average mark of 21 yards per reception is second in the league only to teammate and co-star Chase Nenad. Tipton arguably had his best performance come against Columbia. On the drive that marked the beginning of the comeback, Grooms went deep on back-to-back plays to Tipton for 30-plus yard gains.

This junior defensive lineman has had his fair share of brilliant defensive moments throughout Team 148’s campaign. In the season opener against Holy Cross, after Yale’s defensive line forced a fumble, Nickerson came away with an impressive recovery that prevented the Crusaders from putting any points on the board, capping off a first-quarter shut-out. The Texas native has also registered four sacks on the year, good for sixth most in the Ivy League. Half of those sacks came in a matchup with Lehigh, helping the Bulldogs post their first shutout in nearly four years.

#97 Defensive Lineman Clay Patterson ’24 When looking at the numbers put up by sophomore defensive lineman Clay Patterson ’24 in 2021, one could make a strong case that he is one of the best defenders in the League. Against Lehigh early in the year, the Texas native brought in a game-high nine solo tackles and four sacks, for which he was recognized by the Ivy League with Defensive Player of the Week honors. “Clay [Patterson] has done an amazing job of growing week in and week out,” Reno said after the Lehigh matchup. “You can see how he’s been playing more freely and more confidently as the season has been progressing. He’s a very athletic interior defensive lineman and has a skillset that’s really tough to handle if you’re an offensive lineman. Patterson has since gone on to register a total of 11 sacks, six more than the next closest player in the Ancient Eight. He is fourth in the nation with 1.36 sacks per game and has helped lead his defense to have the second highest efficiency in the league.

#26 Linebacker Rodney Thomas II ’22 Thomas’ defining moments of the season came in the Ivy League opener against Cornell. In that contest, Thomas picked off two passes — one of which he would have taken to the house for a touchdown if not for a holding penalty. Thomas also recovered an onside kick attempt and ran it back 48 yards for a touchdown, putting the game out of reach for the Big Red. For his defensive masterclass, The Pennsylvania native earned FCS National Defensive Player of the Week honors. Entering week eight, Thomas was tied with teammate Wande Owens for second in the Ancient Eight and 22nd in the nation with 1.1 passes defended per game.

#25 Linebacker Micah Awordian ’22 Despite missing some time in the middle of the season, Awordian is second on the team in tackles and fifth on the team in tackles for loss. The senior has been a staple of the Yale defense his whole career. Last year, captain John Dean referred to Awordian as “the absolute heartbeat of our whole entire football program.” In the lead-up to the 2020 election, the Illinois native also came up with the initiative to get all eligible Yale student-athletes and coaches eligible to vote. The Bulldog Ballot Challenge was an enormous success, getting 100 percent of eligible members registered. “That’s just something that I really hold dear — to really make sure that everyone’s having their voice heard and affecting their immediate community as much as they possibly can,” he told the News.

#4 Defensive back Wande Owens ’23 Owens enters the second-tolast week of the season as fourth on the team with 38 tackles. The junior has impressed in his first year as a starter. He is one of only four Elis with an interception so far this season and the Maryland native is also tied for third in the conference with seven pass breakups. Owens has been a critical player in a Bulldogs secondary that has given up the third-fewest passing yards in the conference entering the final two weeks of play.

#7 Wide Receiver Melvin Rouse II ’22 Rouse has worn many hats for the Bulldogs over his career. After graduating high school in North Carolina as a four-time All-State athlete, Rouse entered his first year at Yale as a wide receiver. By the end of the year, he had converted to also playing running back after the Elis’ depth chart thinned. The following year, Rouse took the season’s opening kick-off 100 yards for a touchdown, tying a Yale football record. As a junior, Rouse again showed his versatility, converting to cornerback and playing in all 10 games as a starter. This year, the senior is second in the team in receiving yards and added an 86-yard punt return touchdown, the third longest in team history. The electric return earned Rouse Ivy League special teams player of the week honors, an accolade he downplayed. “At the end of the day, we’re all winners around here,” Rouse said. “We just care about Ivy League championships and putting banners on the wall. So individual accomplishments and recognition just lets us know we’re doing our job.”

#43 Linebacker Captain John Dean ’22 At the end of the 2019 season, Yale announced that Dean would serve as the team’s next captain. The talented linebacker had to wait until after the pandemic to assume that mantle, but has been a key player for the Bulldogs his entire career. Dean saw playing time as a first-year, recording 15 tackles in nine games. He pushed for more playing time the following year, bringing that tally up to 41 as a rotational player. Reno described Dean, who leads the Bulldogs in tackles this year with over 20 more than the next closest player, as a “classic old-school linebacker.” Dean entered the season’s penultimate week third in the conference with 62 tackles.

#24 Running Back Spencer Alston ’23 Alston entered the year splitting backfield responsibilities with Zane Dudek ’22. With Dudek missing some time in recent weeks, Alston became a feature of the Bulldog offense. The junior had a breakout game against Columbia, when he rushed for 116 yards and two touchdowns, earning Ivy League offensive player of the week. “I’m grateful for the award,” Alston told the News. “It’s a good feeling, obviously, anytime you get recognized, but … we like winning. Things come with winning. So you know, that’s just always the main focus, everything else on the field will take care of itself. We take it one week at a time and obviously the big goal is to put that ring on our finger at the end of the season.” Alston’s game against Columbia featured a 54-yard touchdown run, one of his six rushing touchdowns of the year. The Virginia native leads the Bulldogs in rushing yards with 321, an average of 4.9 yards an attempt. Contact JARED FEL at jared.fel@yale.edu and NADER GRANMAYEH at nader.granmayeh@yale.edu.

// COURTESY OF YALE ATHLETICS

THE GAME 1972 On This Day in Yale History, 1972 Yale breaks its three-year the Game losing streak as the Blue and White top Harvard 28–17.

PAGE 8

YALE DAILY NEWS · FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2021 · yaledailynews.com

THE GAME 2021 OFF

THE FIELD

“Thinking of an idea and then turning it into an image”: Oso Ifesinachukwu discusses his charcoal art // BY TAMAKI KUNO

This weekend, Oso Ifesinachukwu ‘23 is taking the field at the Yale-Harvard football game as a defensive end. When not playing on the football field, Ifesinachukwu is an artist. With the warmth of a big brother and charcoal as his medium, he aims to inspire people to “talk about things that are uncomfortable.” As a senior in high school, Ifesinachukwu was inspired to take up drawing. He learned to draw almost entirely on his own. He has shared his artwork on the Instagram page @ doodleswithoso. His initial drawings were portraits of his favorite figures, but he soon began using his art to think through what bothers and what matters to him — his pieces range in focus from poverty in the Nigerian Civil War to confrontations of race in modern-day America to abstractions of Biblical figures. Ifesinachukwu primarily creates black and white sketches. He said it “make things a lot more dramatic when the brain only has to process darkness and light, not different colors and shades.” On the team, Ifesinachukwu is “a leader who young and older guys look to,” “a bright spot,” and “loving on and off the field,” according to his friend and teammate Melvin Rouse ’22. Still, his art impresses on a different level. “His art amazes me because he himself is a fun guy, but his art speaks to his [and others’] pain and emotions,” Rouse said. “It’s special how he can channel all those feelings through a pen and paper.” One week before the Yale-Harvard game, Ifesinachukwu sat down with me to discuss his artistic practice and its connection to football. Could you tell me about your background? I’m first-generation and my parents were born in Nigeria. I was born in Lubbock, Texas, and then moved to Austin when I was nine or so. I spent pretty much my whole life in Austin. What is your creative process like? Unfortunately because of football and school, I don’t have a lot of time to draw during the school year. Usually in winter and summer breaks, I have time to draw. Between [the breaks] I usually write down notes of what I think of drawing. I have very brief notes trying to describe what I’m seeing in my head, and usually I’ll come up with an idea that’s bothering me or an emotion I’m feeling and then try to represent that as an image. Thinking of an idea and then turning it into an image helps me be more clear with what emotion is in my head instead of going for an image and then thinking of how an idea or feeling can work with it. How do you decide your objects and themes? I think it’s just observing — a lot of the [works] that aren’t personally about me come from observing my environment. Especially the one that is about a Black woman — seeing things happening to my mom, my sister or people that I really care about compels me to do something about it. I feel like drawing is just a way to express what I feel is important or express what I [myself] am feeling. Then the ones that are more personal — it’s usually just any mental health stuff that I’m going through that I feel more comfortable drawing. I feel like drawing is going to become a source of therapy for me.

“Erasure” by Oso Ifesinachukwu, graphite and charcoal. On @doodleswithoso, the caption reads: In light of so many issues to which I was previously ignorant, I wanted to make a piece for black women. I know that I can never fully understand what issues any demographic

//COURTESY OF OSO IFESINACHUKWU

apart from my own faces, but I can offer my empathy and support. ... Blackness, and especially for black women, is only seen as acceptable when it conforms. Black women’s hair is only seen as professional when it is straightened or cut short. Black women’s voices are only heard when they talk how people want them to talk. Stay yourself. You are beautiful”

feeling that they have to show that they are okay on the outside or show that they are some perfect figure like David was, while in reality they are struggling on the inside.

What message do you want to convey to an audience through your art? I want people to feel comfortable talking about things that are uncomfortable. [For example], mental health is a very sensitive topic — it’s something that a lot of people want to hide inside themselves and not talk to anybody about. I want my art to serve as [something that] somebody can see and take comfort in, knowing that somebody else is going through the same thing and they don’t have to feel alone in whatever they’re going through. Can you choose your favorite piece and talk about it in detail? My second-to-last drawing. That was the first drawing I used the least amount of reference for, so it was a big step creatively for me. It was about depression and mental health — I looked to the Bible and thought about the story of David and Goliath. I always felt that the Bible is to be taken metaphorically rather than literally. When I think about the story of David and Goliath, I think about somebody conquering a task that seems greater than themselves. I find that the figure of David is so interesting because he’s made out to be an incredible figure with incredible strength, but I look at it through the lens of a personal battle. It’s more like David overcoming a mental health struggle — something personal rather than external. That’s what I try to represent by the eye inside of the statue:

THE GAME 1955 In a snowstorm, the Elis topple Harvard 21–0. Yale entered the Game as the favored winner, due to the consistently strong performances the past several years

“David and Goliath” by Oso Ifesinachukwu, Graphite and Charcoal, 11x14 Could you tell me what your art means to you? Whenever I have something on my mind, something that’s letting me down, knowing that I can just sit by myself for however many hours it takes, I just work on something. Then I have a bit of the manifestation of whatever I was going through, and have something positive come out of that. That’s what I eventually want to get out of it — [art is] important to me because it becomes so therapeutic. Eventually [art can help] other people when they’re going through similar things or different things.

Does your art have any connections to football? Surprisingly, there is: art, especially the type of drawings that I make, takes a very long time. I start from the corner and then slowly work my way up. The last drawing that I did was three feet by four feet. It took around 300 hours — I started it this May and finished this August. The hardest thing to do in anything is taking the first step. Drawing something where that first step is extremely small, seeing how much work it takes and the fact it will get completed helps my mentality in football. I work all year-round for 10 games a year, and knowing that the little bit of work I put in after the season will pay off however many months later is directly the same as drawing. My work is going to pay off in the long run, so hoping to see the big picture draws a line to football. What are you going to do in the future with art? I have a list on my phone of what I want to draw, but it’s painful that I don’t have enough time to draw them all. I have to pick and choose which ones I can draw. I always want to keep [art] a hobby because it’s been a source of peace and comfort; I don’t want to make it my main job. I seriously want to sell my work for charity so [my art can] be a source of absolute peace for me — but also a source of good in the aspect of somebody having a positive reaction or emotional catharsis from it, while also being monetarily helpful to other people. This interview was lightly edited for clarity and flow. Contact TAMAKI KUNO at tamaki.kuno@yale.edu .

YALE DAILY NEWS · FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2021 · yaledailynews.com

THE GAME 2021 ATHLETE

PAGE 9

ACTIVISM

Micah Awodiran ’22: student-athlete, activist and more

// BY DREW BECKMEN

As the fallen leaves scatter the sidewalks outside of the Yale Bowl, the seniors on the Yale football team, including linebacker Micah Awodiran ’22, prepare for their final matchup against rival Harvard. Awodiran is the creator of the “Bulldog Ballot Challenge,” a department-wide initiative that succeeded in getting every eligible student-athlete and coach at Yale registered to vote. The challenge was led by Yale Bulldogs for Change, a coalition of 16 student-athletes across nine teams to improve the experience of Yale athletes of color. “Everyone has a civic duty to go out and vote and, obviously, there’s going to be a way,” Awodiran said. “So I really just wanted to lead an initiative to where everyone who was eligible to vote on campus had the resources to cast their ballot because it was such a pivotal election.” At an August brainstorming meeting with the YBC, Awodiran suggested creating a challenge between teams to incentivize voter registration. This effort ultimately led to a total of 739 students and coaches registering to vote. Along with Awodiran’s initiative, the NCAA also later passed legislation to give all student-athletes the day off from practice and competition on Nov. 2 to grant them the opportunity to exercise their civic duty. “You know how competitive we are, and also it’s a very big election, so we wanted to get as many people to vote as possible, and this is a great way to do it,” Yale football assistant head coach Derrick Lett said to the News in 2020. “We were all very pleased and very impressed with the idea, and we took it and ran with it.” Before beginning his work with the Bulldog Ballot Challenge, Awodiran started an organization called “Students of the Diaspora,” through his involvement with the

Afro-American Cultural Center. The purpose of the club was to create a common space for West Indian, African American and first-generation African students. A political science major studying African American history, African history, women’s, gender and sexuality studies, in addition to other disciplines, Awodiran has also participated in community action and protest, including Yale: Respect New Haven initiatives. “I’ve definitely admired my peers as far as their ability to organize and use their voices to move important issues forward,” Awodiran said. “So for anywhere that I could be an active participant, I always wanted to make sure that I was kind of [there and] doing that.” Awodiran is not only an advocate in the Yale community, he is also a leader on the field. He described his experience with the seniors on his team when he was an underclassman, and how they inspired him to “bring younger guys into the fold” and create a team culture of dedication. In a team with two classes of rookies with little to no collegiate experience, Awodiran is focused on getting them acclimated to the program and maintaining the success the Elis have had in past years. “For him to step up and realize that he can make a real difference and get 739 people in the athletics community to register to vote, that just speaks to the leadership abilities he has and how special he can be,” linebacker John Dean ’22 said in November 2020. “So for me, I’m not shocked, but extremely impressed, and I love what he’s doing.” Awodiran recorded a season-high 13 tackles in a game against Penn earlier this season.

THE GAME 1952 The Bulldogs crush Harvard 41-14. The Elis threw four touchdown passes to rack up the scoreboard.

Contact DREW BECKMEN at drew.beckman@yale.edu .

// COURTESY OF YALE ATHLETICS

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YALE DAILY NEWS · FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2021 · yaledailynews.com

THE GAME ATHLETE

PROFILES

Nolan Grooms takes reigns of Yale offense // BY JARED FEL AND NADER GRANMAYEH Sophomore Nolan Grooms ’24 entered Team 148’s season solidly placed as the back-up quarterback. Junior Griffin O’Connor ’23, meanwhile, entered the year as starting quarterback, with high expectations after setting a Yale record for single-game passing yards en route to his Rookie of the Year award in 2018. O’Connor had been sitting behind Ivy League Offensive Player of the Year Kurt Rawlings ’20 and was ready for his first full season at the helm. To begin the year, head coach Tony Reno used his creativity to keep Grooms involved. The sophomore was sprinkled into the offensive gameplan, similar to how the Saints used Taysom Hill while he played with Drew Brees. Grooms flashed as a runner to start the year and took advantage of his first extended action as a passer. Against Lehigh in early October, Grooms threw for 122 yards and two touchdowns. Two weeks later, O’Connor had arguably the toughest start of his career against UConn, throwing for only 59 yards on 23 attempts and three interceptions. Grooms replaced O’Connor at halftime, spurring a second half comeback and pushing the game to the final play. In the week that followed, head coach Tony Reno said, “Nolan really distanced himself [from O’Connor] this week in practice and in the second half of the game against UConn … Griffin is an extraordinary player, and he’s a huge part of this team. We just felt that Nolan gave us a better chance to do what we needed to do offensively.” Making the first start of his collegiate career against Penn the following weekend, Grooms put together a dazzling display of offense to lead his team to a 42–28 victory. When the final whistle blew,

Grooms had thrown for 283 yards, two touchdowns and just one interception, adding a team high 113 rushing yards and two touchdowns on the ground. For his performance, Grooms was awarded the I v y

League Offensive Player of the Week accolade. “I really pride myself on being a passer first,” Grooms said. “But then, once stuff b rea k s d ow n , you gotta be able to move a little bit, so I got to be

// ZI LIN

decisive … I got to keep working, gotta keep my eyes downfield as a passer, but as soon as I personally pass the line of scrimmage, it’s time to go.” In his following start against Columbia on a rain-filled afternoon, Grooms helped lead the way for Team 148 in what was its most complete game of the season — putting 37 on the board against a stingy Columbia defense that had only allowed 16 points per game entering the contest. “Coming into the game, we knew they were going to give us one on one, especially with the rain,” Grooms said. “We knew if we won a couple of one on ones, we’d win the game.” In a must-win game against Brown the following weekend, a cold Saturday afternoon in Providence stood no chance of cooling off any of the fire that had been building under Grooms throughout the season’s second half. The South Carolina native passed for a careerhigh 330 yards to go along with three touchdowns and 31 rushing yards en route to a 63-point shellacking of the Bears. Grooms improved to 3–0 as a starter and took home his second Ivy League Player of the Week accolade of the year for his performance. “Obviously game reps are very important for a quarterback,” Grooms told the News after the game. “But I feel like here we do a great job sort of simulating the game situation in practice … it’s easy to play quarterback when you’ve got guys like Melvin Rouse … [and] Darrion Carrington.” Following last week’s loss against Princeton, Grooms is 3–1 as a starter in his collegiate career. Contact JARED FEL at jared.fel@yale.edu and NADER GRANMAYEH at nader.granmayeh@yale.edu .

Clay Patterson grows as defensive leader // BY JARED FEL

// DAVID SCHAMIS

When looking at the numbers put up by defensive lineman Clay Patterson ’24 in 2021, it is not surprising that he was named to the Buck Buchanan Watch List for being the best defensive player in the FCS. As a senior at Frisco Reedy High School in 2018, Patterson put together a season of defensive dominance that saw 13 sacks, 76 tackles and 22 tackles for loss. After deciding to take his talents to New Haven with the Blue and White, Patterson served as a reserve defensive lineman in 2019 with the expectation that he would enter the defensive line rotation in 2020. This expectation would not become a reality until 2021 following the COVID-19cut 2020 season. When Ivy football made its

highly anticipated return in September of this year, it did not take long for Patterson to show Ancient Eight offensive coordinators that he was more than deserving of a starting spot on the defensive line. A week after notching two sacks in the season’s Ivy League opener against Cornell, the Texas native would go on to have a performance for the ages, securing a gamehigh nine solo tackles and four sacks against Lehigh University — earning him Ivy League Defensive Player of the Week honors. “I think that, as a whole, our defense played great against Lehigh,” Patterson said when asked to comment on his performance. “My goal personally is just to play hard every play. When you pay hard, good things will

THE GAME 1977 Yale wins the Ivy title and beats the Crimson 24–7. A fake punt and a 64-yard rush mark the most exciting play of the Game for the Elis.

happen. On the [defensive] line we do a lot of movement on third downs. We also have a lot of different guys, whether it be the ends or interior linemen, working to get others on the line open. It just goes to show how we have a lot of trust in each other, since we expect the person who’s open on the play to execute.” Since then, Patterson has gone on to register a total of 11.5 sacks in the eight games he has started — three more than the next closest player in the Ivy League. He leads all other Ancient Eight players with 12.5 tackles for loss and is ranked fourth in the nation with 1.36 sacks per game. On the year, Patterson has compiled a total of 42 tackles, good for 22nd in the league, and has been one of the driving

forces behind a Bulldog defense that has put together one of highest efficiency ratings in the Ancient Eight. “Clay [Patterson] has done an amazing job of growing week in and week out,” Reno said after the Lehigh matchup. “You can see how he’s been playing more freely and more confidently as the season has been progressing. He’s a very athletic interior defensive lineman and has a skillset that’s really tough to handle if you’re an offensive lineman.” Patterson will be in action at 12 p.m. this Saturday for the 137th rendition of The Game. Contact JARED FEL at jared.fel@yale.edu.

YALE DAILY NEWS · FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2021 · yaledailynews.com

PAGE 11

THE GAME 2021 TAILGATE

It’s Yale-Harvard, and that means tailgating is back for a week

// BY ANDREW CRAMER

For 362 days out of the year, the Yale community and the athletics department stay mostly separate. The annual Yale-Harvard football game, however, changes everything. School spirit reaches an all-time high in the days leading up to the game. Students who don’t know the difference between a home run and a touchdown spend their days tailgating and proclaiming “Beat Harvard!” Tailgating, that nearly-lost tradition on Yale’s campus, makes a grand revival every year at The Game. During the football season, only about 40 students will make the trek to the Yale Bowl to partake in burgers and beer before each game. Against Harvard, however, most of the student body partakes in some form of tailgating. Linton Roberts ’24, President of Yale’s tailgating club, the Whaling Crew, spoke about the environment at the game.

“Every student group on campus is throwing parties before and after the game,” Roberts said. “The alumni association typically throws a massive tailgate… If I was a student going to the game for the first time, the best thing you can do is just show up to everything. That’s the most fun part.” The Game — along with the tailgates and parties that come with it — is one of the biggest community events of the year. To many, the actual athletic competition is far outweighed by the time spent with friends and fellow members of the Yale community. Most groups hold open Yale-Harvard events. Students do not have to plan out their day, but can float between groups enjoying various activities and social scenes. Carla Sanchez-Noya ’22 spoke of the welcoming and fun nature of these events.

“It was really great when I was there, [the official tailgate] was organized by college,” Sanchez-Noya explained. “Everybody really wanted to be there. And you’re hanging out with people in your college… Everybody just wants to have a good time and beat Harvard.” While Sanchez-Noya and Roberts have experienced Yale tailgates before, a large segment of the Yale community has not. Firstyears and sophomores who did not take gap years have not attended Yale-Harvard before. For them, the week marks an entirely new experience. Some, like Eli Buchdahl ’25, expressed excitement about experiencing the tailgating and pageantry surrounding the game. “I’m really excited for the experience of the entire school coming together in a spirited way where we are really one community with one goal and one enemy,” Buchdahl said.

He also explained that he was excited “to get some of that big-school football Saturday vibes that Yale isn’t exactly known for.” According to Judy Schiff — Yale Library’s chief research archivist — the tradition of tailgating ahead of sporting events started at Yale. “Not only did football start at Yale with Walter Camp… but also the custom of tailgating,” Schiff told NBC Connecticut in 2019. Then, those who wished to see the Bulldogs take on the Crimson would either take the train or drive their newfangled automobiles to New Haven and potluck ahead of the kickoff. Yale tailgates can be traced back to 1906, eight years before the Yale Bowl was constructed. Contact ANDREW CRAMER at andrew.cramer@yale.edu .

The Yale football alumni experience at The Game // BY SPENCER KING Team 148 is set to face off against Harvard in the 137th playing of The Game on November 20. For alumni, The Game is a massive draw to return to campus, especially for those who once played on the football team. One of the most important traditions for many former football players is the tailgate before the game. Outside of the Yale Bowl, Lots D, F and H are overrun with football alumni as early as 10 a.m. “If you just go between Lot F and Lot D, you’re gonna see, you know, 75 people you played football with. They’re all gonna be over in that area,” said offensive lineman Steve Webster ’96. The opportunity to see old teammates at the annual meeting of the Bulldogs and

the Crimson is something that former players look forward to. Every year, alumni come from all corners of the country to gather in New Haven or Cambridge. For alumni, The Game is both a time to reconnect with old friends and teammates, and also a chance to cheer on the current team. Many alumni look back on fond memories of past victories over that school up the river. “I remember our junior and senior year we won. I remember my junior year, I sacked the Harvard quarterback to end the game, and we won 33 to 31. That was the last play of the game,” said defensive lineman John Lykouretzos ’95. “It was kind of a coverage sack, I won’t take all the credit.”

Although these memories of The Game were from decades ago, nothing can dull the reminisces of glory against the Crimson. The Bulldog alumni still feel a part of the team and the long tradition of Yale football. Every former player seems to remember every snap they ever played in The Game, without fail. “I just think it’s good to see how the program continues to build and evolve and it’s always encouraging to see that it’s, at the same time, kind of honoring and remembering the former teams, especially on the plaza at The Bowl. It’s always fun to go find your name,” said former center Jay Sturhahn ’95, “To feel like you’ve got a connection to the current team. It’s a really good experience and I really have enjoyed sharing it with my kids too.”

For these alumni, one constant will remain in the years to come — the singular goal: beat Harvard. Above all else, the competitive spirit of Yale versus Harvard prevails. Whether on the playing field or up in the stands, Yale football players of all ages never lose their love for The Game. “I think it’s a homecoming, and a phenomenal opportunity to come back and watch the competition, cheer against Harvard, and reconnect with friends and meet a lot of new people,” Lykouretzos said. This year’s matchup will be the 137th iteration of The Game. Contact SPENCER KING at spencer.king@yale.edu .

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YALE DAILY NEWS · FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2021 · yaledailynews.com

THE GAME 2021 PANDEMIC

PAGE 13

IMPACT

The economics of The Game back to normal after a rocky pandemic year // BY EDA AKER After a one-year hiatus from in person-athletics events, the most attended Yale athletics game — the Yale-Harvard football game — will once again take place in-person and Yale Athletics is instituting a similar business model to past years. Last year due to the pandemic, Yale Athletics suffered “millions” in lost revenue, according to Director of Athletics Vicky Chun. A significant amount of these losses were due to the cancellation of sports games based on COVID-19 transmission concerns. Revenue from ticket sales, sponsorships and merchandising from athletic games contributed to the losses. This year, Yale Athletics the Game will follow an economic structure similar to pre-pandemic years and demand for tickets is as high as ever. “With nearly 50,000 fans attending The Game in New Haven every two years, the economics and finance that the event affects are vast,” Associate Athletics Director for Strategic Communication Mike Gambardella wrote in an email to the News. “While tickets and concessions sales rise for each Game, so does the infrastructure and staffing required to host a production of this size.” Gambardella added that, apart from normal yearly adjustments to budgets and operating procedures, there will be a similar pricing structure to what was used in 2019. Gambardella wrote that there are no attendance restrictions for outdoor events, and that while vaccinated guests are encouraged to wear a mask, unvaccinated guests are “required” to do so. “There is close to no economic significance on why The Game is held,” Roger Noll, Professor Emeritus at Stanford, who has written books on the economics of sports books and worked on the antitrust NCAA Supreme Court case, told the News. Noll added that due to the elite status of Harvard and Yale, The Game is not used to increase enrollment to Yale or Harvard.

Rather, attendance is based on tradition and school pride, according to Noll. Since Yale and Harvard are non-flagship universities, Noll said that events like The

are attendance, licensing of products and alumni donations motivated by athletics. Meanwhile, the costs generated from Games for the most part do not depend on

// VAIBHAV SHARMA

Game are not “life or death” for attracting students to the Universities, and that student athletes’ futures are not dependent on “how well they do as college football players.” He said he feels as though Ivy League universities have an “alternative way” of thinking about college sports that has historically been “healthier.” Noll added that the main sources of revenue from athletics events such as The Game

how many fans attend. These fixed costs come from equipment, uniforms, security, facility renovations and coaching staff. Paul Oyer SOM ’89, an economist who has written on sports economics, told the News that potential concern for attendance this year could be due to the fact that Harvard students cannot stay in dorms, disencouraging students from coming.

Nevertheless, Gambarella wrote that as with past years, Yale will supply the standard amount of 4,000 tickets to Harvard visitors. Although Yale did not cut any athletics teams last year to compensate for losses, schools such as Stanford and Brown did so to compensate for the losses from sports game cancellations. In general, Andrew Zimablist, economist and Harvard alum, estimated that Yale Athletics loses around 40 million dollars a year and that Yale football “probably breaks even.” Though the revenue from The Game is “pure” surplus, Noll noted how normally very few college football teams generate more revenue than costs. Traditionally, a certain percentage of revenue from The Game has been given to Connecticut food banks. Noll and Oyer both agreed this is not conducive to efforts to combat income inequality but is still a worthwhile donation. There is a larger problem with athletics in play beyond the “blip” year in losses the pandemic created. The long run effect of COVID-19 on college athletics is near zero, according to Noll, there are serious concerns surrounding athletics games in general. “I think the big threat to revenue from college sports in the long run is not the pandemic,” Noll said. “I think it’s whether the demand for college sports will be sustained, whether it will decline because of lots of events that have transpired in recent years that have diminished the popularity of college sports attendance.” Among these problems, he cited NCAA’s dealings with sexual assault and the way which the public increasing views football as an unsafe sport. In 2019, Yale beat Harvard at The Game with a score of 50-43. Contact EDA AKER at eda.aker@yale.edu .

Despite restrictions, many Harvard students plan to spend night in New Haven // BY SANCHITA KEDIA Despite the joint Yale and Harvard decision to avoid hosting students on Yale’s campus due to COVID-19, many Harvard students plan to come to New Haven on Friday and stay overnight before the game on Saturday. For the 2021 Yale-Harvard football game on November 20th, the first since the pandemic, Harvard students will not be permitted to stay in Yale dorms due to COVID-19 restrictions. Harvard students have been encouraged to leave Cambridge for Yale on Saturday morning. For this reason, Harvard’s shuttles that are usually offered on both the Friday and Saturday of the weekend of the game are only being offered on Saturday, and in minimal capacity. Previously, Harvard students would often come to Yale on the Friday before the game and stay in Yale dorms. Despite these restrictions, many Harvard students told the News they are still attending the game, and that many are choosing to still arrive on Friday. “I think this new plan disadvantages students who cannot afford rides/places to stay overnight and people who do not know individuals at Yale especially since students from Ivy League feeder schools have more friends at Yale,” Andrea Liu Harvard ’23 said. Liu said she has friends who attend Yale, and has friends from Harvard who live in New Haven. She plans to come to Yale on Friday afternoon and stay at her Harvard friend’s New Haven house. Liu believes going on Friday is a “better plan” than taking one of the Harvard shuttles on Saturday; she was worried about not arriving at The Game on time.

THE GAME 1967

Liu says many other students at Harvard are also coming on the Friday before The Game. Some are planning to rent AirBnBs, and others

are looking to stay with off-campus students, she said. “[We] are not sure about the consequences and are not worried about them, but rather our

The Yale Bowl holds 68,000 spectators for the 84th Game. The Crimson scores their final touchdown in the last four seconds. Yale scrapes out a win 24–20 over Harvard.

larger fear is, what if Yale doesn’t let us in [to dorms],” Liu said in regards to her decision to avoid staying with friends on campus at Yale.

Kalyan Palepu Harvard ’23 has a similar plan. He plans to come on Friday and stay with the family of a friend who lives in New Haven. Palepu believes most Harvard students are coming to New Haven on Friday. “I have to believe that Yale won’t force Harvard students who come on Friday hoping to sleep at Yale to not have a place to sleep for the night,” Palepu wrote in an email to the News. This is especially worrisome for students on financial aid, Diana Meza Harvard ’23 said. Meza is a student on financial aid and is planning to stay with friends at Yale. She said Harvard offered free round-trip transportation on Saturday to students eligible for the Harvard Student Events Fund, but that those tickets were sold out by the time Meza tried to purchase them. Meza still hopes to come and is looking for the cheapest bus tickets, and is planning to stay at least one night at Yale or elsewhere in New Haven. “I would think that since this is Harvard’s most notable football game, they would put in more effort [into] making this game accessible to students, especially those of us on financial aid,” Meza wrote in an email to the News. “We should not face negative consequences for staying overnight with Yale students because Harvard isn’t even providing us with enough shuttle tickets in the first place.” Tickets for the Yale-Harvard game // DANIEL ZHAO will be available for pick-up at various athletic events over the next week and at She said that at Harvard, security Payne Whitney Gym from November 15 - 18th. guards were stationed outside gates and checked for Harvard IDs. She assumed Contact SANCHITA KEDIA at this would be the case at Yale, as well. sachita.kedia@yale.edu .

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THE GAME 2021 HOST

YALE DAILY NEWS · FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2021 · yaledailynews.com

PREP

New Haven businesses gear up for Yale-Harvard Game // BY SARAH COOK On Nov. 20, New Haven will host Harvard and Yale fans for the highly anticipated Yale-Harvard Game. As the game-day approaches, hotels are booking up and popular local spot Claire’s Cornercopia is stocking up on coffee cake. Last year, the event was slated to take place in Cambridge, but was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Yale-Harvard Game brings together alumni from both schools, students and faculty in an annual event. This year, since the Game will be hosted in New Haven, business owners expressed excitement for the crowds the weekend will bring, especially since the event was canceled last year. “This has been a long, long road,” said Claire Criscuolo, Founder of Claire’s Cornercopia. “We could use a break or a boost. Having the Harvard-Yale game is the boost we need.” Claire’s has been in business for 46 years, so Criscuolo said they have plenty of experience with preparing for The Game. According to Criscuolo, Claire’s is preparing to make sure they have plenty of baked goods for the weekend, especially the famous Lithuanian coffee cake — which Harvard fans will want when they lose, Criscuolo told the News. “Coffee cake is the most important thing,” Criscuolo said. “We cannot run out of baked goods. That said, [Harvard and Yale fans] eat everything. Everything becomes portable when it comes to the Game.” In addition to the highly anticipated football game, Criscuolo said that Claire’s is “extra excited” about all events this year because of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the past two years. She said that they are most excited for Yale alumni reunions to be back in person as well. New Haven’s hotels are also excited for the business. Even more than normal years, Harvard fans and students will need a place to stay since Harvard students are prohibited from staying in Yale dorms over the weekend. “The past year has been challenging overall and we missed the excitement felt throughout the hotel in general, especially during these important athletic weekends,” Heather

// KAREN LIN

Gayatgay, director of brand marketing and communications at The Study at Yale, wrote to the News. According to Gayatgy, The Study at Yale is completely booked for the Game. Gayatgay said the bookings filled up quickly after Yale announced its outdoor attendance policy at athletic events. “Guests are eager to attend events in-person again, interest is even stronger during high profile games such as Yale – Harvard,” Gayatgay wrote. Heather added that The Study has an “extensive” waitlist for rooms. She does not think people will get off the waitlist before the game. Dana Zimmerman, director of sales and marketing at the Omni Hotel in New Haven, also wrote to the News that the hotel is very busy the weekend of the Game. According to

Zimmerman, the Omni is completely sold out on Nov. 19 and has been for several months, but there are still rooms left for Nov. 20, which is game-day. Zimmerman wrote that the hotel will offer a “lobby experience of complimentary beverages” before The Game as people start pre-gaming. Hotel room demand for the day of this year’s Harvard-Yale game is on par with 2019’s iteration, according to Zimmerman. There is currently no more room on the waiting list at this point. Zimmerman wrote that the event is “very exciting for the staff.” Similarly, The Graduate New Haven is fully booked both Friday and Saturday. Chelsea Rosenberg, public relations and communications manager at Graduate Hotels, wrote that the hotel typically sees bookings begin to fill up in late spring or early summer for the weekend of The Game.

According to Rosenberg, The Graduate New Haven has a short waiting list, but the hotel does not expect cancellations. She also wrote that The Graduate New Haven’s bar, Old Heidelberg, will open at 9 a.m. instead of 4 p.m. on the day of the Game to accommodate hotel guests and sports fans. “We are excited to see travel demand climb to pre-COVID levels, and this weekend is no exception,” Rosenberg wrote to the News. “The Harvard-Yale rivalry brings travelers from across the country to New Haven, and after a challenging year, this year’s game feels especially significant for the community.” The Game will take place at 12 p.m. on Nov. 20 in the Yale Bowl. Contact SARACH COOK at sarah.cook@yale.edu .

YALE DAILY NEWS · FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2021 · yaledailynews.com

THE GAME HANDSOME

PAGE 15

DAN

Adorable Ugly Healthy Handsome Dan // BY DANTE MOTLEY In the University’s Visitor Center sits a miniature blue-and-white house adorned with Ys and bones. It’s the brand new home of our school’s cute and slightly contentious mascot, Handsome Dan. Officially, this iteration is Handsome Dan XIX, but the dog’s given name is

Kingman. Instated in March after Handsome Dan XVIII retired to New York, our current canine mascot was chosen from a healthier, more athletic breed of bulldog than past Handsome Dans — an aesthetic that is proving to be divisive. Kingman is the son of Salty Sarah and Johnny Lightning and cousin of Handsome Dan XVIII, and he was chosen at only seven weeks old. His breed is The Olde English Bulldogge — a variety of bulldog intended to be healthier and more athletic than other breeds. But he has been getting some flack lately for aging badly. However, his loyal supporters see through his wrinkled exterior into the dog’s natural enthusiasm. “Most of my

// SOPHIE HENRY

friends think he was cuter as a puppy,” Ashley Tanaka ’24 said. “But he reminds me of my dog whom I love dearly because he so ugly that he’s cute. Kingman’s goofy grin always makes me smile.” Kingman has been a visible campus figure, with his handler, Kassandra “Kassie” Haro ’18, writing in an email to the News that the goal for her has always been “to make Handsome Dan a very present Yale community mascot.” The two attend many campus-wide and athletic events. Handsome Dan has a Twitter and Instagram, to which Haro posts fairly frequently. Kingman shows off his encounters with Yale students, collection of bow ties and affinity for naps. In more posts than not, he asks for his favorite “snackie” — peanut butter. His Instagram offers unique insights into his life. Kingman was born in Bristol, Maine, and we see him on occasional playdates with other puppies from his litter in his posts. According to Haro, Handsome Dan’s sister’s name is Yael and she also lives in Connecticut. Kingman has met her a few times. One of his brothers, who still lives in Maine, has also come down for a reunion. And his Instagram comment section gives unique insight into his online fellow dog friends. @JudgeJudyTheBulldog commented on a post with Yael, “@ handsomedanyale i am your sister also. Your big bossy older sister. My name is Judge Judy. Nice to see you looking cute like me.” @MerkelPug commented, “I work next door to the visitors center. My life is better knowing I am in the same block as this Good Boi.” Kingman’s popularity among other pups comes from his demeanor. Haro describes him as “lovable, inquisitive, goofy, and very playful” and says he loves other dogs––with an affinity for Labradors specifically.

“I love the response he gets on social media. A lot of bulldog accounts follow him and it’s very enjoyable to watch them interact with his page,” Haro said. Olde English Bulldogges are an acquired taste. The breed is considered healthier than other bulldog breeds, and they tend to live longer. They are characterized by their muscularity, less wrinkly skin, longer muzzle,wider nostril, and an eighteenth century British bulldog look. “I love him unironically,” Emily Zenner ’24 said. “Everyone is always like Handsome Dan is so ugly. I think he’s adorable. I like that he is an The Olde English Bulldogge because he’s a little healthier which makes me feel good.” Having a healthy mascot should be a priority, as past Handsome Dans have been plagued by health issues and misfortune. Historically, the mascot has been an English Bulldog, a breed that suffers from many more health issues, until Handsome Dan XVIII. Handsome Dan IV died after being paralyzed in a car accident. Handsome Dan VIII fell into a pool of mud, and had to be resuscitated only to die a short time afterwards. Handsome Dan XI retired due to arthritis. And Handsome Dan XIV and XVII died of heart attacks. However, Kingman stands a better chance due to his breed. And now that he is in his young and wild days like the college students that surround him, Kingman’s personal health and proper bulldog behavior are likely not at the top of his mind. “He does not know how to behave,” Zenner said. “He’s like untrainable. The handler walks him in Silliman, and she’s always calling him to sit and be calm and he just doesn’t. So he’s like a menace. I really appreciate that.” Not-so-Handsome Dan — a menace here for a good time regardless of his health. What a great representation of the Yale community.

GAME PREDICTIONS Peter Salovey, President of Yale University, Chris Argyris Professor of Psychology: 18–14 Yale: It all comes together against the Crimson. The defense hangs tough, as they have for so much of this season, and our offense balances a great, left-handed passing attack and a multi-dimensional running game on a crisp and dry autumn day. Melanie Boyd, Dean of Student Affairs, Senior Associate Dean, Yale College: Taking the flu shot data as my guide, I predict that Yale will start strong, scare us with a mid-game lull, and then run away with it at the end: Yale by two touchdowns! Kassandra Haro, Handsome Dan XIX Handler: 17–3 Yale: 17 is my favorite number and three is my least favorite. Burgwell Howard, Senior Associate Dean of Yale College: Another victory for the Bulldogs! Another great offensive outing for Team 148 and some defensive magic will yield a 31-17 victory over the “school from up north”. Marvin Chun, Dean of Yale College: Back at the Bowl, Yale delivers another heartbreaking loss to Harvard: 34-27. Ryan Chiao, Managing Editor: 0–0: Long live The Game.

THE GAME 1994

Laurie Santos, Head of Silliman College, Professor of Psychology: 19–10 Yale: I picked this because it’s the number of years of Harvard-Yale games that I’ve been affiliated with each school — 10 years as an undergrad and grad student at Harvard, and 19 years as a faculty member at Yale since. All this goes to say, these days I’m now cheering almost twice as hard for Yale. Roll dogs! Thomas Near, Head of Saybrook College, Professor and Chair of the Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology: 24–17 Yale: I predict a tight game. Yale’s offense is effective as evidenced by several high scoring efforts, but Harvard’s defense is going to provide a challenge. Harvard has several scoring threats and our defense needs to step up. In the end I see the Bulldogs pulling out a great win. John Witt, Head of Davenport College, Professor of Law at Yale Law School: 22–19 Yale: Bulldogs win! Why? My boys’ favorite sports jersey numbers! Stephen Davis, Head of Pierson College, Professor of Religious Studies: Yale 21, Harvard 0, The Delta variant 0. A decisive double rout: “Bulldog, bulldog, bow wow wow!”

The Blue and White steamrolls Harvard 32–13. Yale’s running game and special team success accounts for this year’s strong showing.

Drew Beckmen, Basketball Reporter: 42–41 Yale: Harvard kicker misses last minute extra point attempt after ferocious bark from Handsome Dan. Andrew Cramer, Basketball Reporter: 27–24 Harvard: I believe in sports jinxes, and so I don’t wanna be the overly optimistic kid who’s responsible for us losing. Melanie Heller, Sports Editor: 23–19 Yale: I’m expecting a defensive showdown. Ultimately, Yale always wins. Spencer King, Ice Hockey Reporter: 34–21 Yale: Yale offense explodes and defense gets a pick six while Harvard team looks ahead to school on Monday. Rosa Braceras, Ice Hockey Reporter: 49–37 Yale: The past two years The Game has been high scoring and Yale will have the home field advantage after a tough loss against Princeton on the road that the team will want to bounce back from. William Kline, Track and Field Reporter: 28–24 Yale: Harvard kicks a field goal last play of the game to cover the spread and make their alumni happy so they keep donating. Handsome Dan XIX, “Kingman”: 100–0 Yale: Bow wow wow.

Contact DANTE MOTLEY at dante.motley@yale.edu.

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YALE DAILY NEWS · FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2021 · yaledailynews.com

THE GAME 2021 INNER

WORKINGS

Training, injury and recovery on Yale’s football team // BY SOPHIE WANG AND ALEX YE

// COURTESY OF DAVID SCHAMIS

Throughout the year, the Yale football team members pay attention to their physical health in all its forms — not only gritty training, but also rest, diet and, for those dealing with injuries, recovery — to make sure that their bodies are in shape for games. At the core of Yale football’s regimen is a regular training schedule, during which players attend various lifting workouts, film sessions, practices and more. In addition to keeping in shape, the team members also take steps to preserve their physical health. Healthy diets are maintained through regular breakfast checks and supplemental drinks, and frequent meetings with medical staff help players take preventative measures against injury. According to players interviewed by the News, a strong sense of community also makes players feel supported, both on and off the field. Their typical training schedule follows a similar pattern every week. According to Ruben Valenzuela ’25, a defensive back on the team, Sundays are of a “slower tempo” that allows players’ bodies to rest and heal from the previous day’s game. On those days, the team usually does a morning lift and a walkthrough to correct any mistakes from the game. He noted that Mondays are the players’ day off, but Tuesdays and Wednesdays are more intense, when the team usually does Tuesday morning lifts and attends various meetings and

practices from 2-7:30 p.m. on both days. Then on Thursdays, the training is “lighter on [the players’] legs,” and Fridays are “more like a walkthrough” where the team goes over schemes for the next day’s game. “Usually some guys stay after practice to go do treatment,” Valenzuela said. “Each position group on the team has different goals for that week. Sometimes, for example, my goals for the week could be going to the training room three times a week, just to make sure our bodies are always in tune so we can prevent injuries in the future. That’s what I like about [the training room], it’s always open and the resources are always there.” During lifting workouts, Valenzuela said that players get classified into three groups: offense, defense or injured. According to Valenzuela, based on these categories and by how sore each player feels, the trainers will then create a workout that allows for all the players to get “a kind of individual workout.” When asked about Yale athletic’s approach towards training the football team, Mike Gambardella, associate athletic director for strategic communications, referred the News to a feature published in July. According to the feature, the athletic department emphasizes the importance of creating an “individual connection with each student-athlete.” Furthermore, the staff members strive to effec-

THE GAME 1946 Yale makes a comeback to overtake Harvard 27–14. The Elis score twice in the second quarter, exciting the 57,000 frozen fans in the stands.

tively train each player by “getting to know the student-athletes on multiple levels.” For the players, success on the field relies heavily on their diet. Valenzuela explained that on every day of the week except Monday, players have to undergo a “breakfast check” to ensure that they are “up and ready for the day.” Between 7:30-9:30 a.m., a coach will sit with the players while they eat breakfast, Valenzuela added. Skipping a breakfast check can have consequences, such as having to do conditioning. According to Valenzuela, even injured players are required to complete breakfast checks. “Breakfast kind of gives us that kind of foundation of our day, keeps our schedule going for the day,” said Valenzuela. “So get an early start in the morning, get the food we need to get.” In addition to their regular meals, players are also given a supplement following team workouts. According to Valenzuela, after every practice, the players are given “puppy chow,” a drink with around 1,000 calories consisting of “oil, milk, protein, cinnamon and sometimes fruit.” The players are allowed to drink as much as they want, with some players taking two or three servings at a time, Valenzuela said. Players are also given magnesium pills, and the trainers always make sure that the team members are drinking enough fluids

and getting enough electrolytes, according to Valenzuela. “If . . . they want us a certain weight in maybe by next season or they want us at our goal weight to become our prime shape, they’ll prepare us because in football, they want us to have a certain amount of body fat because of the amount of hits we take,” Valenzuela said. “It just helps us kind of cushion our muscles . . . it is that armor that is added on to us to help us prevent injuries and stuff like that . . . they always give us the right nutrition throughout the week . . . so they give us everything we need to be successful.” Another notable aspect of the Yale football program is the relationship between players and the medical staff. “We have a really good relationship with them, we see them before every practice,” said Connor Smith ’25, an offensive lineman on the team. “They’re really good. Really nice guys.” According to Valenzuela, part of the reason for the bond between team doctors and players is the frequent interactions between the two. Valenzuela explained that players meet with medical staff as often as an hour or two a day. Throughout the week, he noted, the doctors and trainers “always work with” the players to “make sure [their] bodies are right.” Indeed, Smith explained that before every game, the medical staff helps to ensure that players are equipped with “game readies,”

or leg sleeves that utilize pressure to alleviate soreness. Valenzuela said that the trainers are always there at every practice and at every game, even the travel ones. “We’re always talking to them, we’re always with them,” Valenzuela said with regards to the team’s relationship with medical staff. “So we’re really close to them.” Furthermore, Smith added that the team surgeon, Elizabeth Gardner, has always been “super helpful” in preparing players for surgery and scheduling the necessary MRIs or X-rays. According to Valenzuela, the football team supports each other through the “ubuntu mentality,” where the players believe that “I am because we are.” “Ubuntu” is defined as “embodying the various values and virtues of essential humanity.” In other words, players are encouraged to better each other instead of only focusing on individual gain. This includes supporting fellow teammates, both on and off the field. “As a teammate, you don’t want to see anyone down,” Valenzuela said. “It hurts to see anyone get injured because it could be anyone’s last play.” The 137th playing of the Game is scheduled for Nov. 20. Contact SOPHIE WANG at sophie.wang@yale.edu . Contact ALEX YE at alex.ye@yale.edu .

YALE DAILY NEWS · FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2021 · yaledailynews.com

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YALE DAILY NEWS · FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 19, 2021 · yaledailynews.com

THE GAME 2021 SPORTS

CULTURE

IS YALE-HARVARD ENOUGH? Margaret Hedeman

Ask the stranger next to you in class if they are going to the Yale-Harvard game. Chances are, they plan on it, as long as they can get their hands on a coveted ticket. Perhaps they will even wait hours in line. Ask them again if they have gone to another Yale football game this year. Most likely, they will shake their head no. It is no campus secret that the shift in enthusiasm for Yale football in late November is not because of increased interest in the sport itself. Rather, Yale students are looking forward to the spectacle of the Yale-Harvard game: the atmosphere, the activities, the crowd. So what does the annual event mean in the context of sports culture at Yale? For Whaling Crew President Linton Roberts ’24, who grew up in Alabama and played football at an elite level in high school, the presence of a strong sports culture at Yale is a wistful dream. To him, The Game is much bigger than just a spike in Yale sports culture — it fills a gap in the community. “It’s one of the few big events here at school where everyone gets into it,” Roberts said. “It’s really nice that everybody, despite varying backgrounds, can sort of get behind something together. As silly as it is that it’s a football game, it’s nice to see here because we don’t get a ton of that. As fun as it would be to have a thriving football culture here at Yale, I don’t really know if that’s realistic … people are get-

ting out there and just having fun, and I think that’s enough.” Though Roberts said that he personally cares about the outcome of the matchup, other Yalies agreed with the senior’s argument that the school spirit and community aspect of The Game is what really compels students to attend. Others cited the presence of rival team Harvard as the spark pushing Yalies out of bed on the cold November morning of The Game. Typically at the University, games against Harvard have the highest turnout, regardless of the sport. “When we play Harvard, there’s always an extra special meeting to it,” volleyball outside hitter Cara Shultz ’25 said. “From a volleyball perspective, we always get a little bit of a bigger crowd, and the energy in the gym is electric. And from a football perspective, like that is The Game, that is what everyone waits for, and win or lose it’s fun, but we want to win. It’s just the highlight of the year.” Students also mentioned that Yale-Harvard coming at the beginning of Thanksgiving break allows them to fully enjoy the experience. “It’s a great outlet for people who have been stressed with classes and midterms and clubs and what have you, to sort of let loose,” Roberts said. Especially for students who did not grow up surrounded by a strong sports culture, Yale-Harvard is an anomaly. Lauren Song ’23 said that her first

year, the “newness” of the Yale-Harvard scene was the most exciting part for her since she did not attend a high school with sports teams. In 2019, 44,989 fans gathered in the Bowl to watch the Yale-Harvard football game. One tenth of that crowd — 4,475 attendees — watched the Blue and White’s most recent home game with fair weather against the University of Pennsylvania. Other schools, like UConn or Michigan for example, show a much smaller deviation between regular games and rival matchups. “If I’m being honest, I’ve heard it’s like the only sports event people go to,” Ana Castro-Rodriguez ’25 said. “I don’t find athletics incredibly significant here just because a lot of people go to study here mainly.” Song said that she recalls attending one other football game during her time at Yale, but has not attended any other sports events this year. The Game highlights the stark contrast between attendance and enthusiasm for the Bulldog-Crimson football matchup compared to most other athletics events. But students regard Yale-Harvard as an overwhelmingly positive experience. For many students, the current level of sports culture feels normal. To Mark Chung ’25, school spirit at Yale is “sizable,” and he added that athletes at the University are a “good addition to the community” and that Yale does a “good job integrating everyone.”

Non-athletes such as Chung hear about some sporting events from friends or suitemates, and go to a few games during their years at Yale but generally do not concern themselves too much with sports culture. And they are perfectly content with that. Even Team 148 is generally unconcerned with the lack of consistent attendance and instead are focused on playing their game. “It would be nice to have more people in the Bowl just because obviously you want to play in front of people,” offensive lineman Bennie Anderson ’24 said. “But at the end of the day … the main thing for us is that we want to play for each other, win for each other.” As the Yale football team geared up for its Princeton match the weekend before Yale-Harvard, The Game was “on the back-burner of everyone’s mind,” he said. For most Yalies, Yale-Harvard is enough. It satisfies their school spirit threshold and goes above and beyond for some. Yale-Harvard is about setting aside preconceived notions of one another and coming together for an American tradition. Though maybe saddening for the most avid sports fans, perhaps Yale-Harvard is not a time to dwell on a lack of sports culture across the League — it is about appreciating what we do have. Contact MARGARET HEDEMAN at margaret.hedeman@yale.edu . // SOPHIE HENRY

New Connecticut name, image and likeness law proves profitable for student-athletes DREW BECKMEN

// ZOE BERG

Since June 30, 2021, when Connecticut governor Ned Lamont signed into law an act allowing student-athletes to profit from their name, image and likeness, Yale’s student-athletes have explored a number of ways of benefiting from the now-legalized practice. After Lamont signed the bill into law, Yale Athletics developed and released its own name, image and likeness policy. Now written as a four page document on the Yale Athletics website, it governs all NIL agreements for Yale student-athletes, including those who compete outside of the NCAA. The document emphasizes that the “NIL landscape for collegiate student-athletes is still developing,” so the policy is subject to change. For women’s golf captain Ami Gianchandani ’23, the new NIL policy offers opportunities that were inaccessible under previous regulations. Gianchandani is the co-founder and CEO of Accel Golf, a company that specializes in providing golfers with custom analytics to help improve their performance. “Before I wasn’t really able to tie my name or my image to the business,” Gianchandani said. “But now that I am, I’m able to reach a much bigger customer base and have some credibility… I can attach my name,

THE GAME 1952 The Bulldogs crush Harvard 41-14. The Elis threw four touchdown passes to rack up the scoreboard.

my school, my sport to the information in my bio, so that’s been a huge help.” Gianchandani explained that her newfound ability to promote her own business is somewhat of an unconventional NIL deal. For most student-athletes, the process of engaging in an NIL deal starts with contacting established brands or businesses. According to Gianchandani, these endorsement deals take a variety of forms — for example, student-athletes might be compensated for a post on social media or they might agree to wear a brand’s logo. Bennie Anderson ’24, an offensive lineman on the football team, has engaged in multiple NIL agreements. Anderson stressed the importance of developing a consistent personal brand on social media platforms so companies feel confident when facilitating a partnership. The Missouri native also emphasized the need to partner with trustworthy people and companies. “My NIL deal with State Farm is through a person who I knew from back home who I trust,” Anderson said. “I think that’s probably one of the more important things.” Other members of the Yale football team are also finding ways to benefit from their NIL. In October, Anderson was approached by representatives from Playbooked, an online platform for collegiate athletes to field NIL deals offered by different brands. They proposed a partnership between Anderson and Crypto.com, a cryptocurrency trading company. When talking with Crypto.com, Anderson noted that other members of the team would be interested in joining the partnership. Soon thereafter, Anderson and more

than 20 other members of the football team each agreed to post on Instagram to promote the cryptocurrency app. Associate Athletic Director Mike Gambardella told the News that student-athletes are “responsible for ensuring their NIL activities do not violate NCAA regulations or applicable state law.” Although the onus ultimately falls on student-athletes, Yale Athletics offers the staff in its Compliance Office as a resource for student-athletes. All student-athletes must report any NIL engagements to the Yale Athletics Compliance Office so staff can review the contracts. Yale’s policy notes, however, that Yale Athletics is unable to provide advice on NIL opportunities outside of compliance concerns. When asked about the rollout of the new NIL policy, Gianchandani praised the University and emphasized the ever-changing landscape of NIL in collegiate athletics. “Everyone’s policies right now — the schools’ specifically — are pretty general because they’re still leaving room to figure out what works for student athletes and how the rules are being interpreted,” Gianchandani said. “So I think Yale’s policy did a good job of outlining the basics, and definitely gives a good summary of information for student-athletes to go off of.” Anderson echoed Gianchandani, explaining that the information athletes need is “readily accessible.” The Yale Athletics Compliance Office is led by Jason Strong. Contact DREW BECKMEN at drew.beckman@yale.edu .