They're baaaack!

It is "Report Day" in Bobcatland! The weather is glorious, blue skies, abundant sunshine, dry, temperatures in the high 70's and no trace of Irene.

We have a couple of meetings this evening and testing tomorrow. Practice begins in earnest on Thursday morning at 8:30am! It feels like ages since we wrapped up the 2010 season and there is much excitement around the 2011 edition of the Bates Bobcat field hockey squad.

I look forward to updating you on our progress and to giving a much more detailed preview once Hayly, Andi and I have had a chance to actually see this team in action

Cheers,
Wynn

2011 Schedule now available- We hope to see you this fall!

Bates Allies Rally- 1st Campus-Wide Pledge-Signing Event!

Athlete Ally Hosts 1st Ever Campus-Wide Pledge-Signing Event

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Bates College Athletes and LGBT Advocates Sign Athlete Ally Pledge Together on May 12th

Athlete Ally is an incredible new non-profit organization dedicated to encouraging athletes, coaches, parents, fans and other members of the sports community to respect all individuals involved in sports, regardless of perceived or actual sexual-orientation or gender identity or expression. Athlete Ally calls on the athletic community to use its status and influence to help stop anti-gay bullying by championing respect, camaraderie and inclusion in sports.

Hudson Taylor, the Executive Director of Athlete Ally and a three-time NCAA All-American wrestler from the University of Maryland who is currently an assistant wrestling coach at Columbia University, has been a true role model for heterosexual athletes, and we are honored to count him among our NOH8 allies. We're so incredibly proud of the impressive amounts of progress Hudson has made in the short time we have known him, and we know his continued work and dedication to positively changing the sports world will leave an indelible impression.

Hudson and Athlete Ally have teamed up with Bates College to host the first-ever campus-wide pledge-signing for athletes, giving Bates athletes a hands-on opportunity to learn about and sign Athlete Ally's pledge:

"I pledge to lead my athletic community to respect and welcome all persons, regardless of their perceived or actual sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression. Beginning right now, I will do my part to promote the best of athletics by making all players feel respected on and off the field."

We encourage each and every one of you involved in a sports community -- whether you're a current or former athlete, a coach, an official, a family member, or even just a fan -- to join Bates College in signing the Athlete Ally Pledge. The work Athlete Ally is doing in pursuit of respect and equal treatment for everyone in the sports world is irreplacable, and we hope you support them as you support us.

In addition to Hudson Taylor's NOH8 participation, several other professional sports figures have come out via the NOH8 Campaign in support of the freedom to marry and in protest of discrimination both on and off the field.

Fellow participants have included San Antonio Silver Stars' Forward Chamique Holdsclaw (WNBA), Carolina Panther's Linebacker Nic Harris (NFL), out Defensive Lineman Esera Tuaolo (NFL), NY Jets Cornerback Antonio Cromartie (NFL; holds record for longest play in NFL history), Houston Dynamo Defender Mike Chabala (MLS), Terry Norris (Boxer, Four-Time World Championin Junior Middleweight Division), Lilian Garcia (WWE), Behdad Sami (1st Iranian Basketball Player to play in both the US and Portugal), Arizona Cardinals Linebacker Isaac Keys (NFL), Olympic Gold Medalist Greg Louganis (Diver), out former MLB Outfielder Billy Bean, first openly gay Mixed Martial Artist Shad Smith, and NBA Hall of Fame Point Guard Isiah Thomas.

There remains much to be done in pursuit of an equal playing field for all, but we know with professional athletes like these making their voices heard, it's just a matter of time until more supporters step forward to eradicate homophobia and bullying from the sports community.

Chamique Holdsclaw Nic Harris

Esera Tuaolo____________________________Antonio Cromartie

Mike Chabala Terry Norris

Lilian Garcia Behdad Sami

“The reason I decided to get in contact with NOH8 and show my support is because I believe it’s already tough enough for the Gay community to receive support, let alone if you are of Middle Eastern decent. There are so many middle eastern males and females around the world that have been silenced by force, not only fearing what their traditional families will think but also fearful of losing their life. In certain Middle Eastern countries, if you 'come out,' it’s a literal death sentence. This upsets me so much to think our human right to be who we are is being controlled that way.

I am honored to be apart of this campaign and plan to help and be apart of anything NOH8 has for me in the future. I pray this can raise more awareness not just for the Gay communities around the USA but for the silenced people of the Middle East and the rest of the world.” - Iranian Basketball Player Behdad Sami

Isaac Keys Greg Lougainis

Billy Bean Shad Smith

"[I] posed for the NOH8 Campaign because [I] believe that all hate and discrimination is wrong. It is time for full equality and equal rights for everyone, regardless of race, sexual orientation, religion, or gender." - NBA Hall of Famer Isiah Thomas

How can college athletes get involved with Athlete Ally and show their support?

Athlete allies are coming together in full force to show support for the LGBT community. On Thursday, May 12, 2011, Athlete Ally, a non-profit organization dedicated to challenging homophobia and transphobia in sports, will host its first ever campus-wide pledge-signing event at Bates College in Lewiston, Maine. The event will conclude the college’s first Pride Festival and is sponsored by OUTfront, a student-run LGBT justice and support group, as well as the Bates Athletic Department.

The Athlete Ally Pledge encourages all members of the athletic community to promote the best of athletics and commit to making all players – LGBT and straight – feel respected on and off the field. Currently, close to 200 members of the Bates athletic community including athletes, coaches, administrators and fans, have signed the pledge.

“We couldn’t be more excited about this event,” said Hudson Taylor, Founder and Executive Director of Athlete Ally. “It’s our goal to encourage all athletes to stand up for respect, dignity and inclusion. It’s my hope that this campus-wide event will inspire other schools and athletes to commit to this cause. Bates is a huge role model here.”

Taylor, who is also a three-time NCAA All-American wrestler from the University of Maryland and currently an assistant wrestling coach at Columbia University, will kick off the pledge-signing event with an address to the students on what it means to be an Athlete Ally. Taylor will also participate in a panel discussion on the theme “Respect for All Individuals,” and there will then be an opportunity for all attendees to sign the Athlete Ally Pledge in person. The pledge-signing will take place at 6 pm on the Library Quad on the Bates campus and is open to the public.

G.A.M.E. DAY!

G.A.M.E. Day 2011



GAME ON!

Join Friends of Bates Athletics and the Bates Career Development Center for

G.A.M.E. DAY
Career Guidance and Networking for Student Athletes
Panel discussion, networking exercise and
mock interview demonstration

G.A.M.E. Day is designed to strengthen connections between student athletes and alumni, while also helping students practice networking skills. Our goal is to help students understand that the leadership, discipline, commitment, desire to win, and competitive skills they develop as athletes are desirable professional skills readily transferable to the “working world.”

Sunday, May 15 2011
9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Alumni Gym

A limited number of rooms are available
at a group rate at the Hilton Garden Inn, Auburn
by calling 207-784-4433 and mention Bates Athletics.


Please click the registration button above to register online.
To register by phone please contact
Sheila Anderson at the
Bates Career Development Center
at 207-786-6233 or via email at sanderso@bates.edu

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A limited number of rooms are available
at a group rate at the Hilton Garden Inn, Auburn
by calling 207-784-4433 and mention Bates Athletics

There are other events happening on campus!

Join fellow alumni for the Volunteer Leadership Summit, May 13 & 14th
Click here for details.
and
Reunion Planning Workshop for class years ending
in 2 and 7 on May 14th.
Click here for details.

Contact Information
Primary Contact
Sheila Anderson
207-786-6233
sanderso@bates.edu

Profile: Bobcat Abroad

Bobcat Abroad: Amanda Brusca

Age: 22

Nickname: Brusca

Location Abroad: Rome, Italy

Other Countries You Have Visited While Abroad: France, Ireland and the UK with trips planned to Spain and Greece!

Institution Where You Are Studying: Trinity College Rome Campus

Favorite Class: Urban and Global Rome

Last Meal You Ate: Amazing sandwich from Volpetti’s with turkey, pesto, mozzarella and sun-dried cherry tomatoes!

Last Historic Site You Visited: Casually walked by the coliseum yesterday

Favorite National Artist (Music, Arts, Etc.): Caravaggio even though he’s a little before my time

Favorite National Athlete: Too many to choose from.

Favorite Local Eatery: La Fraschetta – best bruschetta in the world, and Taverna Fori Imperiali – pesto ravioli is the best food I’ve ever eaten in my life.

Favorite National Fashion Trend: Anything the Italians try to pass off as gym clothes, and Euro jackets

Favorite Foreign Word (in your host country’s native language): ciao!!! Applies in any situation

Describe Your Favorite Experience To Date: Visiting Ireland was without a doubt my favorite thing I’ve done abroad so far. Everything about the country was beautiful, homey, and it was just a very relaxed lifestyle. It felt like stepping back in time and was a very welcome vacation from the busy city of Rome.

What You Miss Most About Bates: Its proximity to Dairy Joy and Sunday Brunch.

Profile: Bobcat Abroad

Bobcat Abroad: Lyndsay Beaton

Full Name: Lyndsay Beaton

Age: 21

Nickname: Beats

Location Abroad: Rome

Other Countries You Have Visited While Abroad: So far I have gone to Denmark, Switzerland, Ireland, but I am also going to Spain and Greece

Institution Where You Are Studying: Trinity College Rome Campus

Favorite Class: Italian 101 or Ancient Art of Rome

Last Meal You Ate: Salad with Prosciutto and Mozzerella

Last Historic Site You Visited: St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Dublin, Ireland

Favorite National Artist (Music, Arts, Etc.): They listen to pretty much all American music so I’m not really sure what to write on this one!

Favorite National Athlete: Francesco Totti

Favorite Local Eatery: Tony’s

Favorite National Fashion Trend: Marshmallow Puff Coat, or as we like to call it the Nano-Puff

Favorite Foreign Word (in your host country’s native language): Ciao!

Describe Your Favorite Experience To Date: This is a tough one! I would either say skydiving in Interlaken, Switzerland or when I went to the Aran Islands in Ireland and biked around the island for the day with Amanda and our friend Clare! They were both absolutely amazing!

What You Miss Most About Bates: Hanging out in JB with my team and friends, eating in Commons (and not pasta!!)

Profile: Bobcat Abroad

Bobcat Abroad: Sarah Merullo

Full Name: Sarah Lauren Merullo

Age: 20

Nickname: Merullo, Skunkerullo, Rah, Surah

Location Abroad: Madrid, Spain

Other Countries You Have Visited While Abroad: France, Austria, going to Italy

Institution Where You Are Studying: Hamilton College Academic Year in Spain

Favorite Class: Poesía Contempóranea Espanõla

Last Meal You Ate: cheese omelette (for dinner….at 930 pm….thats how the Spanish roll)

Last Historic Site You Visited: Los Jardines del Palacio Real (Royal Palace gardens)

Favorite National Artist: Enrique Iglesias (I guess?)

Favorite National Athlete: Casillas, Real Madrid goalie (muy guapo)

Favorite Local Eatery: El Tigre – it’s a tapas bar that serves very large mojitos and gives you free tapas with your drink – like a huge plate of chicken wings or these delicious things called croquetas which are mashed potatoes cheese and ham all mixed together then fried.

Favorite National Fashion Trend: I’m going to go with my least favorite here: all the Spaniards wear literally 6 million layers of clothing and huge scarves – even when its 70 degrees and they don’t even look like they sweat at all...also when large spanish men carry small dogs. Also when these dogs wear scrunchies or hairclips.

Favorite Foreign Word (in your host country’s native language): phrase: EN SERIO (seriously)

Describe Your Favorite Experience To Date: Tough choice. I mean I haven’t gone skydiving or canyon jumping so Beats has got me beat (haa) with the intensity and extreme sports factor….one of the coolest experiences was going to my host mother’s grandaughter’s baptism and after-fiesta with her family. We went to a Spanish catholic baptism (I pretended to know what was going on with my host sister’s 7 ft tall german boyfriend who was just as confused as I was) and then had a celebración with tons of delish Spanish food. My host mom’s granddaughter is also the cutest thing ever and scoots around on her butt and screams the whole time. Entertainment + delicious food = great experience.

What You Miss Most About Bates: Bates field hockey tailgates. The lockerroom. Athletic wash. Speaking English all the time. Commons. TEAMMATES.