Giving
Mind-Body Challenge Newsletter
Issue 6
From the Director’s Chair:
It’s a Family Affair…
One of the most heart-warming aspects of our athletic program is our long-standing policy of allowing direct family members of tutors, students, alumni and staff to play in our games. Sentimentality aside, I’ve been wondering lately as I’ve watched these blood relatives play basketball together, if their consanguinity gives them any kind of competitive edge. Here are the responses I’ve received.
Tutor and alum Joe MacFarland plays with his son Neil on the Guardians. Here’s Mr. Macfarland’s response to my query:
“Competitive edge… I’d like to say that being father-son does give us a competitive edge, but looking at our games together, I’m not really sure it’s the case. We’ve had a couple good give-and-go’s, but that’s about it. The Guardian games are mostly fun for the extracurricular time with students, both students on the team and on the teams I’m playing against (since in some ways you end up closer to the guy you’re trying to box out or guard). But it seemed odd to leave my family on a weekend to hang out in the gym with students, so I have really liked being able to play with both students and with Neil and my daughter, Sophie, at the same time. Finally, I like to have Neil spend time with the students because I want him to see what our students are like, to like and respect them the way I do, because I think they’re a little different from the kids he knows from school (and certainly different from a lot of the kids he’s played ball with). There a variety of students on the court whom I would like to think Neil might come to mirror, in time, in his own way. I know this is a major reason my wife likes Neil to play with the team, and it’s one of the reasons that we’ve brought Sophie to both fencing (more last year than this year) and to Kunai. And when Neil moves on from high school, I expect I’ll bring Sophie to the Guardian games. I should add one more thing: it’s much more fun to play on a team with Neil than to sit in the stands watching him play in his rec league (and then go to my own game), and it takes a program like ours to make such a thing possible.”
The sister duo of Rachel Ulrich & Leah Lasell not only compete together in the women’s league on the Amazons, but also take advantage of the gender barrier having been broken long ago in our men’s basketball league and play for the Guardians. Miss Ulrich, who is a current junior, has this to say about playing with her older sister:
“It’s something that I’ve never been able to do before because of our difference in ages. I think we have better chemistry on the court because we’re sisters. I definitely trust her, and am willing to give her the ball more. And I really enjoy watching family members play together. Like the Russells, for example.”
Turns out Ms. Lasell is the wife of tutor Brendan Lasell, who is ALSO an enthusiastic Guardian. When the Guardians play, it truly is a family affair for the basketball playing Lasells as they bring their two little daughters in tow to the gym for their games. Ms. Lasell has this to say about playing with her husband, and the whole family dynamic:
“We do read each other’s minds. I know just how fast he runs, and just how high he jumps. And I also know I want to stay out of the way of those elbows of his! I think my little girls are the best cheerleaders. I think the students really like the kids sitting on the bench with them, and being a part of them growing up. It's really funny to see the faces on 19 year old boys when you hand them a newborn baby to look after while you play; they're usually shocked, worried, and a bit incredulous that we would entrust them with something alive. Both our girls love coming and are just starting to pretend to play basketball at home. Just today, Madeleine was running around and flopping on the ground. When I asked her what she was doing she said, `I'm falling down because Winnie-Pooh pushed me.’ We're playing real basketball."
And finally, back to the Russells, the four sons of tutor George Russell—all Johnnies in their own right—who have long been a fearsome—and fun-loving-- presence in our Temple. One such player with their family trait of quickness, speed, desire, and athleticism would be enough for any team to compete against. Just imagine what it’s like when ALL FOUR Russell brothers take the court against you at the same time. Tobias has this to say about playing on the Hustlers with his brothers Dan, Luke and James: “We’re very comfortable playing with each other. We kinda know what each other is going to do. Plus, it’s just a helluva lotta fun!”
Any comments? I would love to hear from you. Write me at leo.pickens@sjca.edu.
St. John’s, the Temple, & Me:
By: Chester Burke
I’ve spent a good part of my life in the St. John’s gymnasium, known as Iglehart Hall or Temple Iglehart to the initiated. It’s a building that you can never forget once you’ve set foot into its distinctive enchantment: the polite student assistant in the entrance room translating his or her Greek assignment, the enthusiastic cheers spurring on an intramural basketball game, the spectacular overhead track which at least part of you fears will collapse in the next few seconds, the hiss of the radiators (which were recently replaced by the non-hissing variety), the intense sunlight streaming through the overhead windows, and since the mid 80’s, the clanging of weights in a room which used to house only ping pong tables.
In my student days, a few of us used to climb up the side of the gymnasium and through a narrow window to play ping pong after seminar. It’s no longer necessary to resort to such drastic measures, as the gym is usually open after seminar for those who believe that human beings need to exercise both mind and body. In fact, from early in the morning to late at night, the noble Iglehart Hall is used by students, faculty, and staff for an unlimited number of health providing reasons. At the noon hour there are a wide variety of exercise classes, which not only keep the body in shape, but also provide an occasion for members of the St. John’s community to get to know one another.
The soul of the gym is of course the intramural sports program. I’m happy to report that it is thriving and, under the indefatigable leadership of Leo Pickens, is accomplishing the many great things which all of you remember from your student days. Following the example of the late Bryce Jacobsen and adding his own touch, Leo has preserved exactly the right amount of competitiveness in the St. John’s athletic program. I speak firsthand, because due to a great deal of fortune I have been able to keep playing basketball with the team which drafted me in 1971, the Guardians. One of my happiest activities at the College is sitting on the athletic bench, talking with a student whom I’ve never had in a tutorial or a seminar.
Why am I telling you these things? The struggle for excellence requires intelligence, courage, and funding. Our gymnasium is beautiful and well maintained by the buildings and grounds staff. The budget for equipment, carefully gone over every year, is by no means excessive. Obviously it is an area which is always in need of support, especially in difficult economic times. The College is putting together an endowment, the interest of which will be used for equipment and repair. Would you be willing to make a contribution to this worthwhile project? If so, click here
March Madness:
NCAA and NIT tournaments can not even begin to compete with the fierce competition displayed by St. John’s participations. Students, faculty, and staff put their team’s honor to the test by placing it all on the line for the college’s ultimate reward; being named the 2009-2010 Iglehart Basketball Champions! For those familiar and unfamiliar of our March Madness traditions, take a peak at the enthusiasm, excitement, and skill that surrounded the Temple last March by clicking here.
Mind-Body Challenge Tent:
This year at Croquet, the Mind-Body Challenge Tent will host a Silent Auction with all proceeds benefiting the Mind-Body Challenge. Some of the items to be auctioned away are a designated parking spot for 1 month in Campbell Parking Lot, 1 year membership for St. John’s College Executive Seminar Program, a signature piece of art from Jo Ann Mattson, and lunch with Chris Nelson.
If you would like to donate an item for the silent auction, please contact Danielle Werner at 410-295-5532 or Danielle.Werner@sjca.edu.
Strengthen and Support the Mind-Body Challenge Campaign today
Click Here to donate.