Bleacher Report - Articles by Hilary Sheinbaum

FSU Women's Rugby: A Day in the Life of Amanda Ogle

Hilary Sheinbaum — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 16:44:03 -0400

32 years ago, Women's Rugby Football Club was founded at Florida State University. Ironically, the club was not started by females, but rather the FSU Men's Rugby Club. The boys' team decided to create the organization as an attempt to meet girls.

Since their initial efforts to pick up ladies, the women's team has won the national championship four times, and the club's alumni have played for the United States national team.

"Rugby culture is just unlike any other. We meet so many different types of people out there on the pitch and from so many places in the nation. We will often times even meet ruggers from abroad too," Women's Rugby Club Vice President and FSU senior Jocelyn Karpy said. "It really takes a fellow rugger to understand why we love to play as much as we do."

The "pitch" is a playing field and a "rugger" is the British term for a rugby player. There are about 30 ruggers on the team, and nine club officers. One of the officers is FSU senior Amanda Ogle, the organization's President.

Ogle, who is an English education major from Thomasville, N.C., started playing rugby when she came to FSU freshman year.

"I was walking out of the gym my freshman year and the girls playing then had a table set up," Ogle said. "They asked if I wanted to play and to come out to practice that night. That's pretty much how it started."

Ogle states the team's biggest rival is the University of Central Florida. To be able compete with the Knights, the girls practices on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 7 to 9 p.m. and participate in fitness practices Mondays and Wednesdays from 7 to 9 p.m.

"Rugby games are 80 minutes in length so the players have to be able to give 100 percent during that time or they could cost the team points on the board," Women's Rugby Secretary and FSU junior Corrie Coates said. "Endurance is a huge factor but not the kind of stamina that is static. You are constantly sprinting full speed."

Rugby can get rough. Tackling is a part of the game. Injuries occur, and although bumps and bruises may be typical for most contact sports, Ogle has experienced more severe physical harm.

She has sprained her MCL on her left knee as well as a thumb from trying to catch a ball. The 21-year-old has also broken a couple bones in her right foot, as well as a toe from being stepped on. A few popped blood vessels in her right leg is another form of damage this player has endured.

"My least favorite part of playing rugby was trying to convince my parents that a hospital bill for a rugby induced injury is part of the 'college experience,'" Women's Rugby Match Secretary and FSU senior Liz Frostenson said.

Ogle loves nearly everything about Rugby, including an appreciation for her teammates.

"I really didn't know anyone when I began at Florida State because I was from North Carolina and I was lonely," Ogle said. "Once I started playing rugby the girls on the team made me feel like I belonged to a group and really helped me to establish myself at the school. That sense of family is really the best thing about being on the team. Well, that and getting to legally hit someone with all the force you have."

Issue date: 10/15/07 Section: Arts & Life

Can't Take the Heat: How Florida Gator Fans Can Avoid Heat Illness

Hilary Sheinbaum — Tue, 23 Sep 2008 05:26:53 -0400

While nearly every fan in The Swamp was on their feet awaiting kickoff, Erin Maloy sat in the stands feeling lightheaded. As a freshman in 2007, Maloy was attending her first UF game vs. Western Kentucky. Fearing she might faint if she walked back to her dorm in the heat, she decided to stay put.

“I waited until the game was over,” Maloy said. “I didn’t know they had first aid available.”

Each game, 200-250 fans visit the first aid stations due to a heat-related illness at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Heat-related illnesses include dehydration, fainting and heat stroke. During past football seasons, the smallest number of people treated during a game was 100 and the largest was 600, said Dan Shaeffer, Alachua County District Chief.

There are six first aid locations, according to a stadium map on the Gator Zone Web site. The Web site advises that those with a history of heart, lung, stomach, or intestinal problems have a greater risk for heat illness. If an individual is feeling sick, they should notify event staff.

Alachua County paramedics, emergency medical technicians, and volunteers with various degrees in advanced first aid are on duty. Additionally, Shands physicians are available at two first aid locations, Shaeffer said.

“The highest percent of people we see in the aid station is for fluid depletion,” Shaeffer said.

While some fans think drinking water at the game is enough to keep hydrated, it is important to consume non-alcoholic fluids ahead of time, said Janis Mena, Gatorwell Health Promotion Services Nutritionist.

“At the event it’s a little too late,” Mena said. “Your thirst can’t keep up with the amount of water you lose.”

Mena also suggests that game attendees wear hats, stay in the shade, and take advantage of the free cups of ice and water fountains in the stadium. Lightweight clothing should be worn. Jeans, layered clothing, and heavy garments should be avoided.

The heat can be dangerous, but when fans consume alcohol it can make situations worse.

“At a game, I was walking back to my seat and noticed a girl throwing up all over herself,” said UF sophomore Jessica Babcock. “She did seem intoxicated.”

Alcohol enables individuals to urinate more than they should, and this dehydrates the body, said Cheree Padilla, Sports Medicine Fellow M.D.

If someone feels faint, Padilla recommends they lie down, bring their knees up to get blood to the brain and that the individual drinks fluids, like Gatorade, to replace electrolytes.

Regardless of medical emergency, whether heat related or not, the first aid stations in the stadium are there to help.

Behind the Scenes with the Florida State Student Boosters

Hilary Sheinbaum — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 14:39:37 -0400

There is an organization on campus dedicated to promoting school spirit, increasing attendance at sporting events, and rewarding students based on their dedication to Florida State Seminole Athletics.

They can be spotted at every home game, and across campus. They currently have over 1,600 members and by 2008 they hope to represent 2,000 'Noles as fellow Seminole Student Boosters.

"The most difficult part about being involved with Seminole Student Boosters for me is just keeping track and trying to stay up to date with our 1,600-plus members," said Athletic Events Associate Director and FSU junior Katie Min Holmstrom. "We are the largest student organization. I am very proud of our member population and their school pride."

Freshman Arielle Haynes is the Special Events Associate Director. She became involved through her interest in obtaining tickets to go to the games. Haynes applied during the summer to be involved in the organization.

After receiving an e-mail regarding open positions for Executive Board, she jumped at the opportunity and signed up for an interview.

"I've always wanted to join Seminole Student Boosters and I finally became a member after I made friends with members on the 2006 executive board," said FSU junior Tiffani Dishner. "Hearing their experiences with Seminole Student Boosters, I decided that I wanted to become more involved with it and ran for the Ticket Director position."

Aside from being a full-time student taking 15 credit hours, Haynes is dedicated to HT3, which promotes diabetes awareness, and was inducted at Torch Night for her involvement in high school.

As the Special Events Associate Director, Haynes is one of 20 on the Executive Board. The Tampa native is responsible for assisting the Event Planner and overseeing the Special Events committee of 16.

One event they put on is Senior Send Off, another is Champions forum. A Boosters' polo with khakis is the required uniform of the Executive Board at special events.

"If I wasn't on student boosters I don't think I would have been able to find out about a lot of the different things that go on around campus," said Haynes. "I've been able to meet a lot of the different coaches and the older Boosters who have a big influence on Florida State."

Seminole Student Boosters is also involved with community service projects such as Dance Marathon. A big event for the organization is Seminole Uprising, their Fall pep rally. Being engaged with so many gatherings, people, and objectives, sometimes unfortunate occurrences come up that are beyond their control.

"The craziest mishap would have to be my first year when we tried having Seminole Uprising in Dick Howser," said President and FSU senior Joe Mahshie. "The weather was horrible and we went back and forth all day whether or not to have the pep rally or to postpone it.

"It was so nerve-racking that by the end of the day I think each student involved would have been out there if there was a tornado or whatever. Now we don't have to worry so much about weather since Uprising is held in Tully."

Besides attending sporting events, there are plenty of benefits to being involved in Seminole Student Boosters.

"I think getting a behind-the-scenes look on what goes on in athletes' lives and being able to be on board with athletes is a great perk," said Haynes. "You hear their perspective and you hear how much it means to them."

Originally published in the FSView, Issue date: 4/12/07 Section: Arts & Life

RBI: Remarkable Baseball Involvement

Hilary Sheinbaum — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 10:27:56 -0400

Every year, a group of girls are chosen to represent Florida State on the baseball field. They don't practice, but they do attend meetings and games. Instead of cleats, they wear sneakers, and proudly promote school spirit. This year, few less than a hundred girls tried out to be a part of an FSU tradition. Only 16 became Bat Girls.

"The most difficult part is the selection process for Bat Girls," director of promotions for Seminole Athletics and Bat Girls coach Jason Dennard said. "There are so many qualified girls on campus."

Bat Girls are chosen in September of each year. Some applicants are recruited by word of mouth, and others find information via the Internet. Sophomore Leila Cutshaw became interested after seeing a flyer advertising try outs.

"Freshman year, I didn't know anyone when I came up here" Cutshaw said. "I decided that I really wanted to get involved."

The 20-year-old chemistry major from Tampa attended a group meeting, also referred to as a "Tea Invitational" at the University Center. Cutshaw met others interested in becoming Bat Girls.

Here, the President and Vice President informed the attendees of their mission, and girls had the opportunity to ask questions. At the end of the meeting, Cutshaw signed up for an interview.

A photo, application, $20, and a 2.0 grade point average are required to apply. The Invitational is generally held on a Sunday, and interviews can be set up for Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday of that week. Thursday or Friday, applicants find out if they made the cut.

"When I found out, I was the last name on the list my freshman year" said Cutshaw. "It was absolutely horrifying."

As a Bat Girl, one is required to attend meetings where the president and vice president review dates and times of games. The new Bat Girls learn their duties at the 'Garnet and Gold game' held in the fall. The girls assist in the dugouts, on the foul lines, and sell programs to fans.

"My favorite part about being a Bat Girl is getting to work with the fans," Ashley Miracl said. "They are all so supportive and excited about the team."

Two girls are stationed in both home and visitor dugout. They pick up bats after players hit. Those in the home dugout bring the umpire game balls.

"My favorite part of being a Bat Girl is being right in all of the action," said Shellie Trejo. "I love being in the dugouts and knowing that I have the best seat in the house."

Every Bat Girl knows how to do each task and rotate responsibilities each game. They treat every game with dependability and consistency.

"When you're on the foul line, you're responsible to run and get the balls if the baseball players don't do it," Cutshaw said. "Sometimes you'll get half way out their and they'll grab it."

Occasionally, there are injuries. Cutshaw experienced half her fingernail getting ripped off by trying to catch a line drive. A friend and fellow Bat Girl also got hit with a baseball, but in the throat. Personal experience and learning from others, confirms it is beneficial to pay attention.

"The most difficult part of being a Bat Girl is being alert the entire game" Bat Girls vice president Jonae Papac said. "You never know when a ball is going to fly at you."

As a uniform, the Bat Girls are given two polo's, two t-shirts, and one draw string backpack, all sponsored by Nike. They also receive complementary Nike Shox. The girls are required to wear khaki bottoms: pants, Capri's or shorts. They wear Garnet and Gold with pride.

As for those who are interested in becoming part of the tradition in the future, current members have helpful recommendations.

"My advice for girls who want to be Bat Girls is: be yourself in the interview. Don't say something you think they're looking for," Leanne Lorenz said. "Be yourself."

Orignially published in FSU's FSView, Issue date: 1/8/07 Section: Arts & Life