Not Such A Winter Wonderland

By: Kaitlyn Rich and Ursula Fox-Koor

(2009 Tompkins County Budget Story)

Bombers Season Ends in Playoff Opener

Mike Polak has had a monopoly on Bombers Football reports lately. After freezing on the sidelines of today's snowy NCAA playoff game, I thought I'd insert one of my own.

The Ithaca College football team saw its season end today at Butterfield Stadium at the hands of the Curry College Colonels.

Brian Grastorf's second start at quarterback was not as prolific as his first as the Bombers were upset at home by Curry by a 26-21 score. The Bombers held the lead late into the fourth quarter, only to see the Colonels seize the lead with 32 seconds remaining.

The Empire 8 Conference champions season ends with a 9-2 record while Curry advances to face NJAC champion Cortland State in the second round of the NCAA playoffs.

--Nate March

Speaker presents on The Sullivan-Clinton Expedition of 1779.

In celebration of Native American Heritage Month, Ithaca College's anthropology department has hosted a number of events on Indian issues and history. Last night the department hosted Dr. Robert Spiegelman, creator of the website SullivanClinton.com, to give a presentation on the genocide against the Iroquois, or Haudenosaunee Indians, ordered by General George Washington in 1779.

“By United Nations definitions, it is genocide,” Speigelman said about the Sullivan Campaign. “When you go and attack the very infrastructure of survival of a people…The ability of Haudenosaunee people to have endured everything, you know, when you see the backdrop of Sullivan-Clinton, is an extraordinary testimony to the Haudenosaunee people.”

The aim of the campaign was to eradicate the Indians, who were mostly allied with the British, and to use their land for political, economic, and strategic gains in war. One of the uses of the gained land was as a reward to unpaid Rebel soldiers. George Washington sent two men, Generals Sullivan and Clinton, to complete the job.

Smiegelman emphasized the absence of this enormously important historic event in the public mind, blaming the New York State school curriculum for glossing over it in classes--if it is even mentioned at all.

"It's bascially not in the textbooks," Spiegelman said. "It's pretty much off the radar."

IC anthropology professors Brooke Hansen and Jack Rossen are working to change that, speaking in elementary schools to fill in what they see as gaps in the curriculum for the students.

With greater knowledge of injustices committed against Indians during and after the war, Hansen and Rossen hope future generations will be motivated to educate others and better understand their Indian neighbors.

"We're planting the seeds," Hansen said.


Photo courtesy of SullivanClinton.com.

--Eric Raue

New Director at Hanger Theatre

- Michelle Skowronek

Hanger Theatre introduced its new Artistic Director, Peter Flynn,  last week.  This will be Flynn's first season with the theatre and Hanger's 35th. 

Flynn plans to bring  three plays and two musicals to the stage this upcoming season.  In the mix, he has scheduled performances by New York City Broadway actors, such as Nathan Lane in November.  

Flynn said the theatre's appeal depends on its interactions with the audience.

"These plays wouldn't work as well if they were movies," he said. "They require two living bodies in a room."

Flynn was referring to the relationship between the actors and the audience.

Also, Flynn is bringing for the first time ever to the Hanger Theatre stage Betrayal.  Written by Harold Printer, the play utilizes 20th century drama by telling the story of a love triangle in reverse.  

Flynn said his main goals are to bring diversity and cleverness to the stage.  He hopes to combine new and traditional programs.

Flynn told Tompkins Weekly that he is "astonished by the Hanger audiences' capacity for listening and being adventurous."

Hopefully, the Hanger Theatre will continue its success with the help of its new Artistic Director.

Story and quotes courtesy of Tompkins Weekly.

WICB Shows Off It's "Wood" Tonight

That's right, WICB-FM (91.7) in Ithaca will be receiving the mtvU Woodie Award for Best College Radio Station tonight. The show will air tonight at 8 PM on mtvU and mtvU.com.

In its fifth year of existence, the Woodie award recognizes several different categories of music and video success. However, this was the first year the station chose to give out an award for the Best College Radio Station. Voting was done online, and WICB had to beat out 19 other schools to earn the award. Ithaca College's FM radio station, known as "The Station for Innovation," beat out stations from schools such as Emerson College, Seton Hall, and Stony Brook in the first round before topping stations at Auburn University, DePauw University, and Sacramento State to win.

Students at Ithaca College will be hosting a viewing party for the awards show on campus this evening. All students are invited to Textor Hall Room 103 at 8:00 for all the festivities.

For more information about WICB winning the award, you can read this article in today's Ithaca Journal. You can also find out more about WICB-FM by visiting their website. And here's a link to the mtvU Woodie Awards page.

--Michael Polak

IC Women's Soccer Advances to Round of 16

The Ithaca College Women's Soccer team won the regional hosted on the South Hill. The Bombers defeated Westfield State and Roger Williams in shutout fashion, 6-0 and 2-0 respectively. Ithaca completed an undefeated home record for the season with the victories.

Up next for the Bombers is Sectional competition hosted by nationally top-ranked Williams College in Massachusetts. The Bombers will face national number three Lynchburg to open sectional play. 

The Bombers record currently stands at 16-2-2. (Picture courtesy of bombers.ithaca.edu)

-Nate March 

Adult Spelling Bee Held at IHS

The Tenth Annual Ithaca Public Education Initiative (IPEI) Adult Spelling Bee was held on Saturday, Nov. 16 at Ithaca High School. The Spelling Bee consisted of 24 teams of three who participated in four preliminary rounds. The winning team from each round moved on to the final round. The teams were sponsored by a community organization with the entrance fee set at $375, and featured team names such as the South Hill Spellicans, the All-turn-at-if-Spellurz of the Lehman Alternative School, and the Fall Creek Stingers. Proceeds from the day will be used to fund the IPEI Teacher Grant Program. After tackling words such as dolcissimo, sycophant, and perpetuity, the Spelling Hellions from eCornell took home the trophy.

-By: Maura Gladys

Bombers Playoff Bound

(Photos: Courtesy Ithaca Journal)

I was ready to do a wrap-up from the Cortaca Jug game on Saturday but figured I'd wait until Ithaca's playoff opponent was chosen. That took place on Sunday at a little after 3 PM when the Division III Selection Committee elected to give the Bombers the #2 seed in the East Region bracket and a match-up with Curry College at home this coming Saturday.

First, let's recap a bit from the Cortaca Jug. If up until game time, and literally up until the 4th quarter, you told me that the Bombers defense wouldn't give up a single touchdown, in the 50th annual Jug game, at SUNY Cortland Stadium Complex, against an undefeated Red Dragons team, I would've thought you were crazy. But that's just what happened. Ithaca's D shut down one of the best offenses in the 7th ranked Red Dragons, especially in the 2nd half when they forced 4 interceptions and a lost fumble.

If you also told me the final score would have been 35-13 Ithaca, I would've given you a strange look because these two offenses are so high powered that 70 points combined would've been low in my mind. I guess that's the product of a strong defensive effort.

On the offensive side of the ball, all the credit has to go to junior quarterback Brian Grastorf. He became the first Ithaca QB to make his first career start in the Cortaca Jug, and he could not have played much better. Grastorf was 19 for 28 through the air, throwing for 273 yards and 3 touchdowns, along with rushing for 2. His decision making was fantastic, and aside from one poor throw on a deep, off-balanced pass to Kyle Crandall that was intercepted, he was near perfect. The funniest thing was that he completed pass after pass despite throwing balls that were far from a perfect spiral. However, the receivers adjusted, made the catches despite a driving rain, and scored points. It all comes back to Grastorf's leadership which was clearly strong in this game.

So now, with the Cortaca Jug still in Ithaca's hands, the Bombers return to the playoffs for a second-straight season and face a much easier opponent. The Curry Colonels, out of Milton, Massachusetts, went 9-1 on year, earning an at-large bid as Plymouth State, the only team they lost to, earned the New England Football Conference's automatic bid at 10-1. However, the NEFC is a much weaker conference than the Empire 8, and it shows in strength of schedule. Ithaca's is ranked 9th, Curry is 149th. The fact that the game is at Butterfield Stadium helps too. Either way, keep your eyes posted for a preview of the game later this week.

Here are some links to important information regarding the Cortaca Jug and Playoffs. You can find a recap of the Jug game from the Bombers website here, from Cortland's website here, and from the Ithaca Journal here. For information on Ithaca's playoff game vs. Curry, you can read this. For a downloadable and printable bracket, visit this site (it is a pdf file). To see the rankings for strength of schedule, you can see this page. And finally, for pictures from the Cortaca Jug game, you can go here.

--Michael Polak

SUNY Cortland Grad Becomes First Female 4-Star General

A 1975 graduate of SUNY Cortland is in the national spotlight after becoming the country's first female four-star Army general.

55-year old Ann Dunwoody received the historic nomination from President George W. Bush in June, and graduated Cortland expecting to someday work in physical education. Instead she stayed in the Army, ascended the ranks, and at her promotion ceremony said she was "humbled" when President Bush gave her the nomination.

Dunwoody was sworn in as commander of the Army Materiel Command on Friday.



Photograph from the Associated Press.


--Eric Raue

Cortaca Jug '08: Live Updates

We're live here at the SUNY Cortland Stadium Complex on what is a rainy, sloppy, perfect November day in Central New York. Some of the players are out on the field getting warmed up and beyond the field, there are tons, and I mean TONS, of people tailgating and getting set for what is sure to be a great game!

As a special treat to our loyal Tracking Tompkins County readers, I will be doing my best to provide live updates from today's contest. It will be hard to do as I will also be calling the game on WICB Radio, but I'm up for the challenge.

The game can also be viewed on Time Warner Cable Channel 26 and will also be webcast by Cortland. You can get a preview of the game from my previous post here.

Should be a great game, I will be back right around kick-off for the contest. Enjoy the Game! It is one of if not the best match-ups in Division III football!

UPDATES:
10 minutes to Kickoff: The stands are packed, the Cortland Seniors are being introduced to the crowd, a great environment here at SUNY Cortland Stadium Complex. We'll be back in the first quarter for an update. Enjoy it everyone, this is what D-III football's all about!

Coin Toss: Dick Carmean and Tom Decker are on the field for the coin toss. These were the two captains back in 1959 who bought the Cortaca Jug and decided to play for it. Very nice to have the back here for the game today. The Bombers have won the toss and they elect to receive. Let's get this thing started!!

9:44 Left in 1st Q: Brian Grastorf, who is making his first career start, hits Kyle Crandall in the back corner of the end zone on a fade rout to give the Bombers a 7-0 lead. The 14-yard catch capped a 10 play, 78-yard drive. Excellent decision making from Grastorf and a big start for the Bombers.

End of First Q: Bombers lead 7-0 in what has turned into a defensive battle. IC gets a big stop on defense on fourth down as the Red Dragons tried to convert. Then, Ithaca was helped by a personal foul penalty on Cortland but the drive stalled out when Grastorf fumbled the snap on 3rd and 2. He recovered, but the Bombers had to punt.Cortland starts at their own 36 yard line in the 2nd Quarter.

10:51 Left in 2nd Q: Jeffrey Lang comes on to kick a 39-yard Field Goal to cut the Bombers lead to 7-3. It capped an 8 play 42-yard drive which was fueled by a couple good runs from Andrew Giuliano. Bombers defense did a good job on 3rd down to force an incomplete pass and prevent a touchdown.

9:00 Left in 2nd Q: After the Bombers go 3 and out, Cody Allen blocks the Toporoff punt and Bill Smith returns it for a TD. Cortland lead 10-7. Bad special teams mistake for Ithaca.

1:26 Left in 2nd Q: Bombers defense forces a Cortland punt after a nice drive and on the first offensive play, Brian Grastorf and Kyle Crandall hook up for an 80-yard TD pass. It was a short 15-yarder over the middle but Crandall got great blocking and broke down the left sideline for a score. The two have had such a good connection over the last 3 games.

HALFTIME: Ithaca Bombers 14 - Cortland State Red Dragons 10
The Bombers forced the Red Dragons to punt after putting pressure on QB Ray Miles three straight plays, and then just ran out the half. So the Bombers lead at the half which is exactly what they wanted against the #7 team in the nation. Kyle Crandall has been the big playmaker for IC with 4 catches for 111 yards and 2 touchdowns. Typical numbers for him. Brian Grastorf has done a good job in his first career start, going 10-16 for 177 yards and 2 scores in the first half. As for Cortland, Andrew Giuliano has ran well on the ground and totaled 81 yards on 12 carries. The biggest thing is that Ithaca's defense has yet to allow a touchdown, in what was supposed to be an offensive showcase. The D has stepped up when needed and that's why the Bombers are in front. I expect a great shootout in the second half. Cortland gets the ball first so the Bombers need to make the first key stop. Don't go anywhere, this will be a good one!

11:31 in 3rd Q: Jason Chier comes up with a big pass break up on 3rd and 4 from the 5 and forces the Red Dragons to settle for a 22 yard field goal from Jeffrey Lang. Bombers still in front by just 1 and now it's up to the offense to get the points and momentum back.

6:50 left in 3rd Q: The Bombers have arguably their best drive of the game as they go 71 yards on 10 plays and cap it with a 32 yard touchdown pass to Dan Ruggiero. Grastorf was under pressure, rolled out to his right, then dumped a pass to the sophomore who got great blocks and found the end zone. Bomber fans are pumped up and they should be.

In addition, Alfred is leading St. John Fisher 23-14 with 3 minutes left in the 2nd quarter so great news for the Bombers if they want to get in via the Automatic Bid.

12:22 Left: Brian Grastorf rushes it in from 1 yard out to give the Bombers a 28-13 lead. A great drive again by the Bombers goes for 10 plays and 80 yards for the score. Ithaca is in a great spot right now and a couple more stops by the defense could give Ithaca the lead.
Also, 23-14 Alfred at the half. Good news as well for Ithaca!

6:07 Left: Another fantastic drive for the Bombers ends in a 1 yard score from QB Brian Grastorf who has 3 passing touchdowns and 2 rushing. A tremendous day from him in his first career start and in the Cortaca Jug no less! Unless Cortland can get a score quickly, the Jug will be going back to Ithaca. The drive was just 35 yards, but last 8 plays and killed 4:37 of game clock.

FINAL: BOMBERS WIN 35-13
Ithaca shuts the door and routs the Red Dragons at the SUNY Cortland Stadium Complex. A tremendous performance all around by the Bombers against a very good Red Dragons team. Ithaca improves to 9-1 on the year, almost certainly will get a playoff game, and could even get a 1 or 2 seed. Here are my players of the game:

Offensively: QB Brian Grastorf- In his first career start, he completes 19 of 28 passes for 273 yards and 3 passing touchdowns. He also ran for two scores in the game. To put up those numbers in a first career start, on the road, in the Cortaca Jug, is just unbelievable.

Defensively: CB Jason Chier- The senior did a fantastic job leading his troops and made a statement. He had 3 interceptions, all of which were in the second half, and broke up a couple of passes to go along with 7 tackles. The defense had been criticized all year long and Chier did a great job along with the whole defense in not allowing Cortland a single touchdown.

So the Bombers win Cortaca for the second year in a row and retain possession of the Jug. Ithaca will find out who they will play in the playoffs tomorrow afternoon, and it is likely they could get a home game in the first round. We'll just have to wait and see.

Thanks for reading the blog today, and we hope you enjoyed another memorable Cortaca Jug match-up!

--Michael Polak

These Are the Moments We Live For

And so it all comes down to this. The 50th Annual Cortaca Jug takes place on Saturday afternoon from the SUNY Cortland Stadium Complex and this year's match-up could not be any better.

The Ithaca Bombers come into the game 8-1 on the year and off a thrilling 43-35 win at Empire 8 rival Alfred last week to clinch a share of the conference title. As for the Cortland State Red Dragons, they come in unbeaten at 9-0, looking to put the capper on a perfect regular season. Something will have to give.

Last year's meeting featured a tremendous all-around effort from the Bombers as they steamrolled the Red Dragons 40-17 at Butterfield Stadium to regain the Jug after 2 straight overtime wins by their Route 13 counterparts. Ithaca quarterback Dan Juvan had a great game, completing 12 of 16 passes for 306 yards and two touchdowns. He also ran in for a score on a beautiful 35-yard carry. It was a great day for Bomber fans and helped secure the team a playoff spot.

This year's game features postseason implications as well. While Cortland has already earned a spot in the NCAA Tournament via an automatic bid for winning the NJAC title, the Bombers are still fighting for a berth. This game could prove meaningless for just a spot in the postseason if Alfred beats St. John Fisher, which would leave the Bombers with the best conference record at 5-1 and the automatic bid. However, if Fisher is to win, then they would get the bid and Ithaca would need to hope for an at-large berth. And that is where Ithaca's performance could become a major factor.

As for this year's game, I expect to see an absolute shoot-out between the two squads. Both have very dynamic, high-scoring offenses. Ithaca has outscored its opponents 344-203 while Cortland has dominated 313-178. Both have great runningbacks who have compiled over 1200 yards rushing this season and over 20 touchdowns a piece!! Finally, both have great receivers as well as quarterbacks who are capable of hitting them with accuracy.

On the other side of the ball, both defenses have shown strength on the front line but weaknesses in the secondary. Both run a 4-3 set, with the front four combining for a total of 35 sacks this year (15 for IC, 20 for Cortland). However, both secondaries are still very young and have given up several long pass plays throughout the season. It is without a doubt both teams biggest weakness.

So when it comes down to it, it really is just not clear who will come out on top. The Red Dragons are ranked 7th in the nation; the Bombers 17th. Clearly, Cortland has had the better season record-wise, but they have yet to face a team like Ithaca's. Both teams are very similar on paper. Cortland's at home, so that goes to their advantage. Ithaca has more to play for, so that's a positive on their side. When it comes down to it, the defense that makes the fewest mistakes will come out on top in this game. The way I see it...

**Ithaca Bombers 37 - Cortland State Red Dragons 31**
-And don't be surprised if we get a rematch in the postseason!

If you are looking to see or listen to the game, it will be televised on Time Warner Cable Channel 26 in the Central New York area. You can also listen to the game on Ithaca's radio station WICB at 91.7 FM or Online. In addition, Cortland will be webcasting the game here

Below, I have included a map showing how close the two schools are. If you zoom in, I have also labeled both teams' home stadiums.


View Larger Map

ENJOY THE GAME EVERYONE!!

-Michael Polak

College Theater in Tompkins County

With the biting cold finally starting to kick in next week, fighting the winter blues is just a little easier with the theatrical offerings of Ithaca College, Cornell University, and SUNY Cortland.

At Ithaca College, "The Wild Party" continues performances in IC's Dillingham Center , with one tonight at 8 PM, and another tomorrow at the same time. There will also be a matinee tomorrow at 2 PM. Keep your eyes open next month for "Metamorphoses," which will preview December 2nd at 8 PM.
For tickets call 607-274-3224 or you can buy them at the Dillingham ticket office.

At Cornell, performances of William Shakespeare's comedy Love's Labor's Lost will show November 20-22 at 7:30 PM, December 4-6 at 7:30 PM and December 6 at 2 PM.
For a light, kid-friendly show, check out Willard Straight Theatre tomorrow at 2 PM, where a screening of "Eyeball Eddie" will show for $3 adults and $2 kids 12 and under. Cornell alum Bill Gilman, who did the special effects for the film, will be giving a talk about his work aimed at the 7 and up crowd.

Cortland Colleges' Choral Union will be holding a concert November 18th at 8PM in the Dowd Fine Arts Concert Hall. Also, December 2 at 8 PM, Cortland will be hosting another Holiday Concert. Both events feature free admission.

Image courtesy of cortlandchoral.com

Top image courtesy of aikenperformingartsgroup.org






--Eric Raue

ID Access Implemented

As I reported earlier here on Tracking Tompkins County, Ithaca College has begun piloting their identification access system for residence halls.

As a resident of Garden 25, I have been using the ID access for almost two weeks. From a convenience standpoint, I find it highly useful. No more fumbling with keys while standing in the cold outside of the building.

Below I have posted a video of the ID access scanner outside of Garden 25.

--Nate March

Pressure Is On For Cortaca Jug!

- Michelle Skowronek

This past weekend clarified the need for a Bomber victory over the Red Dragons this weekend.  Assistant Running Back Coach, Brian Horner, said that due to the Bomber's 8-1 regular season record, the Bombers will need to win this Saturday in order to clinch a spot in the playoffs.

"If we win this weekend, we will get a spot in the playoffs," he said.  "If St. John Fisher loses this weekend, we should also get a chance."

Coach Horner said that because Ithaca College lost to St. John Fisher earlier this season, if both teams come out with the same record things could get sticky.

"Because Fisher beat us head-to-head, they would get the seed if we came out with the same overall record," he said.

According to Coach Horner, the Ithaca College website's most recent post about Bomber football is incorrect.

"After this weekend we will know if we 'clinched a share' of the Empire 8 title," he said.  "As of right now we have not."

Coach Horner recalls playing in the Cortaca Jug two years ago.  He said it was an indescribable event, but hopes this year turns out better than the last away game at Cortland State.

"Playing in the Cortaca Jug is like nothing else," Horner said.  "There is nothing else like it, but the last time we were at Cortland we lost on a ridiculous call by the ref.  I hope this year's officiating doesn't cost us the game."

Cortland beat Ithaca by a field goal in overtime in 2006.  According to Ithaca College fans, the Ithaca College defense snagged the ball out of a Cortland State offensive player's hands before being tackled.  The defense then picked up the football and ran for a touchdown.  Officials ruled that the Cortland player was down before the loss of the ball; therefore, the Red Dragons still had possession.  From there, Cortland went on to kick a field goal, devastating the Bombers.

The 2008 Cortaca Jug is this Saturday, Nov. 15 at Cortland State!

Veteran's Day in Ithaca

Ithaca College will be holding another Veteran's Day celebration this year. At 1:00 PM in Ford Hall in the Whalen Center for Music, guest speaker David West will be making his presentation. West is the director of the Bath VA Medical Center.

IC Quilters will be presenting West with a quilt for a patient at his hospital. There will also be a book for writing notes of appreciation to the veterans.

For off-campus visitors, a shuttle will be running from the IC visitor's parking lot to the Whalen center.

Cornell's Veteran's Day celebration will be held at 11:00 AM in the West Campus courtyard. James Nault, a retired Captain in the US Navy, will be presenting a speech on veterans from the Cornell University community. There will be music and a post-speech luncheon.

--Eric Raue

Election Day '08

By: Tracey A. Casseus

Ithaca College was brimming with several Election Day events designed to help members of the campus community vote, celebrate the election, and watch the results on a day destined to be in the history books.

Throughout the day,9 a.m.–5 p.m, school sponsered Voter Vans shuttled students to and from the Ithaca College Circle Apartments Community polling place.

To get students really into the voting spirit there was a "Parade to the Polls" that took place at around 12:15 p.m. starting at Free Speech Rock infront of Campus Center and ending at the Circle Apartments Community center. The student group Fifes and Drums of Ithaca, along with President Tom Rochon, led voters through the academic quad to get voters excited about going to the polls.


At 4 p.m. in the Handwerker Gallery, associate professor and chair of the Department of Strategic Communications, Steven Seidman, lead a discussion on political marketing and the 2008 presidential election entitled "Political Marketing and the 2008 Campaign." Seidman is the author of “Posters, Propaganda, and Persuasion in Election Campaigns around the World and through History.”

The Tuesday Salon is a Handwerker Gallery program aimed at providing students, faculty, staff and members of the local community with a forum outside of the classroom for intellectual discussion and debate.

To cap the festivities there was an "Election Results Viewing Party" from 9 p.m.– Midnight held at IC Square in Campus Center. There all was welcomes to watch the election results on CNN, ICTV, and WICB

Natural Beauty Campaign

- Michelle Skowronek

The IC Feminists are hosting a Natural Beauty Campaign this Thursday, Nov. 13.  From 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. the club will be discussing the affects of cosmetics on our environment and our personal psyche in the Clark Lounge. 

Along with IC Feminists, the event is sponsored by the IC Environmental Society and Colleges Against Cancer.  

This event should bring more awareness among students, faculty, and staff at Ithaca College.  Beauty products have a commanding role in our society.  Advertisements tell us that we smell bad, look ugly, and can't take care of ourselves in our natural state. 

The Natural Beauty Campaign hopes to expose the campus to organic make up, chemical free hair dye, and environmentally conscious beauty supplements. 

For more information check out the Ithaca College website.

The event should be a great way to discuss how beauty products control the lives of women and should offer some new insight for beating out cosmetic companies.

Ithaca College's Club Field Hockey Takes Second In The State

By Kaitlyn Rich

This Sunday Ithaca College's Club Field Hockey team left campus early to compete in the playoffs for the New York State Club Field Hockey League held at Cortland. The playoffs featured the top seven teams in the New York area. Teams attending the playoffs this Sunday were Cortland, LeMoyne, Cornell, Buffalo, Syracuse, Binghamton and Ithaca. 

Ithaca College came into the playoffs first in the division and easily beat their first opponent Buffalo four to nothing. The win which sent them to the championship game against Binghamton was the teams third final appearance in the past four years. Binghamton, the only team to beat IC in regular season play, however took the championship three to one. The win caps a three year championship win streak for Binghamton, IC being the last team to have one the championship in 2005. 

America Recycles Day

By Kaitlyn Rich

This Saturday the Ithaca Mall (formerly the Pyramid Mall) hosted an important environmental event- America Recycles Day. The mall invited area volunteers, ranging from Ithaca College's REMP to the ASPCA. The event which featured dozens of stands was part of the National Recycling Coalition. The actual national event is on November 15 but the mall chose to hold theirs slightly earlier an organizer said. 

The stands offered those in attendance recycling bins, tips on composting, and even a couple furry friends who needed to find a new home.

For more information on the national America Recycles Day check out this link.

Students Remember the Lost One

- Michelle Skowronek

This Thursday, Nov. 13, Ithaca College will be hosting a memorial service for Willie Jacobson. Even though the Jacobson family did not practice a specific religion, they wanted to hold the service at the Ithaca College Chapel.

Last spring, a freshman went missing after what seemed to be a normal weekend. Ithaca College students, faculty, staff, Campus Safety and the Ithaca Police department searched for Willie Jacobson, the missing freshman, for three days. Eventually, they found him at the bottom of the pond between the Park School of Communications and the Public Safety Office.

Within a day, majority of the campus fled to the Chapel to mourn the death of the lost classmate. Now, about seven months later, the campus continues to remember Willie's memory. Last year's service chimed on Willie's short-lived yet meaningful contributions to the Ithaca College Campus. Friends, professors, and those who did not even know Billy had words to share. This year's service hopes to bring comfort to those still dealing with the unimaginable loss of a fellow peer.

All regularly scheduled Thursday events in the Chapel will be cancelled, and all are encouraged to come a celebrate the remembrance of Willie.

For more information, read the Ithacan article that helped uncover the mysterious death.