Athletes must practice in all sorts of adverse conditions: violent wind, pouring rain, sweltering heat, and bitter cold. Maintaining a certain level of fitness despite extreme weather is representative of an athlete’s commitment to her team.
When hurricane Sandy hit New York City, causing havoc around the tri-state area, a relatively insignificant result was the cancelation of a full week of Yeshiva University’s Varsity women’s soccer season. Despite the less-than-ideal conditions, each player still had a commitment to her team to maintain game fitness for the remainder of the season, which concludes on Sunday, November 11.
Evacuated to Washington Heights, the women’s soccer team hoped to practice privately in a Wilf Campus gym. Due to Rabbinic concerns, however, the motion to allow women in the men’s basketball court was irrefutably dismissed. Making the most of limited resources, soccer players held an unofficial practice on the uneven grass outside of Rubin, the only available and safe playing area they could find.
The women’s unofficial practice elicited mixed reactions from passing men. One Yeshiva College student thanked the women for making the campus feel more like a real college. Meanwhile, another student posted a picture of the game on Facebook, criticizing the women for playing sports in front of men. After witnessing a disgruntled Rosh Yeshiva pass by, a soccer player, who wished to remain anonymous, stated, “I thought we were going to be stoned.”
Women’s soccer player Channah Esan recognized the source of displeasure among the men. She noted, however, that out of respect for the men, practice was deliberately scheduled for nighttime to reduce the number of passersby.
Focusing on footwork, the soccer players ignored the students shuffling past. Despite the surrounding atmosphere, the team put heart and determination into their practice, comforted by their unity. They began with dynamic warm-ups, ball taps, and passing and concluded with a game of possession.
A passing student cynically remarked, “Stern soccer players? I did not know those existed!”
While Yeshiva College and Stern College have separate campuses, students should feel comfortable on both, especially during such an isolated circumstance in which one campus must be evacuated. I sincerely hope that the Yeshiva University community provides more recognition and acceptance of female athletes at Stern College – and maybe even permission for Stern College athletes to use uptown athletic facilities for women-only time slots.