Sports
Geneseo softball wins nine games straight
The Geneseo softball team has been on a hot streak for over a week now, winning nine consecutive games. Their run began in their second game of a doubleheader against Oswego on Monday, Apr. 15, and progressed to nine games with a sweep against Potsdam on Saturday, Apr. 27.
NFL draft’s winners and losers of round one
The National Football League (NFL) commenced the NFL draft on Thursday, Apr. 25. The first round has given us a plethora of new NFL superstars. The 32 players who got their names called Thursday night will have the opportunity to become part of a decorated history, but not everybody will. Here are the 2024 NFL Draft winners and losers from round one.
The greatest UFC fighters of all-time
The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) has been around for over 30 years and has seen no shortage of great fighters. With experts in a variety of martial arts, the UFC is often regarded as the highest level of competition within the world of fighting—despite other well-respected promotions in the sport. As an avid fan, I have constructed a list of the top five greatest fighters ever to sport the UFC gloves.
PWHL draft: What to look forward to
After the creation of the Professional Women’s Hockey League (PWHL) last year and Minnesota making history in the inaugural draft on Monday, Sept. 18, 2023, in Toronto with the first pick of the draft being named homegrown forward Taylor Heise, the PWHL has just announced the 2024 draft to be held in Minnesota. While a date and a specific location have not yet been set, it is only right that the second annual draft is held in the state known for its hockey.
Ranking NHL Calder Trophy finalists
On Apr. 30, 2024, the National Hockey League (NHL) announced the finalists for the 2024 Calder Trophy, awarded to the league’s top rookie. In the running, as voted on by Professional Hockey Writers Association members, are Chicago Blackhawks center Connor Bedard, Minnesota Wild defenseman Brock Faber, and New Jersey Devils defenseman Luke Hughes. I thought it would be fun to rank the finalists for a very much coveted award amongst NHL newcomers.
John Sterling, Voice of the Yankees, retires after 36 seasons
Longtime New York Yankees play-by-play commentator John Sterling abruptly announced his retirement after 36 years on Monday, Apr. 15. Sterling, who will turn 86 on July 4, 2024, cited fatigue as his reason for the decision, despite many speculating he was quietly struggling with health concerns. No matter the reason, Sterling is both a New York and baseball legend who will be remembered by Yankees fans for years to come.
Sabres bring back Lindy Ruff as head coach
After becoming associated with the National Hockey League’s (NHL) record playoff drought of thirteen seasons, Buffalo Sabres’ general manager Kevyn Adams decided to relieve head coach Don Granato of his duties after more than three seasons on Tuesday, Apr. 16.
Arizona Coyotes to relocate to Salt Lake City
On Thursday, Apr. 18, the rumors circulating the National Hockey League (NHL) proved true, as the Arizona Coyotes announced they would be relocating to Salt Lake City, Utah effective immediately. The NHL Board of Governors voted unanimously to approve the $1.2 billion sale and relaxation of the Coyotes from Alex Meruelo to Utah Jazz owners Ryan and Ashley Smith of Smith Entertainment Group, jumpstarting the franchise’s move to Utah for next season.
Is Blake Griffin Hall of Fame worthy?
Longtime big-man Blake Griffin retired from the National Basketball Association (NBA) on Wednesday, Apr. 16. Griffin had a 13-year career in which he played for the Los Angeles Clippers, Detroit Pistons, Brooklyn Nets, and the Boston Celtics. Griffin is among the many current NBA stars who are very talented players but have never won a ring. Naturally, the basketball community has raised the question; should Blake Griffin be inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame?
Previewing Round One of the NBA Playoffs
The National Basketball Association (NBA) playoffs will begin on Saturday, Apr. 20, and are expected to be fairly exciting this year. Each conference has some new faces, and both even have a new top dog as opposed to last season.
Knights earn SUNYAC honors
On Monday, Apr. 15, the State University of New York Athletic Conference (SUNYAC) announced its weekly honors. Three of those awards were given to athletes of SUNY Geneseo: sophomore Alaina Reina, junior Penelope Greene, and senior Zoe Connor. Reina earned Women’s Lacrosse Offensive Player of the Week, Greene claimed her second Track Athlete of the Week honor this season, and Connor was named the Field Athlete of the Week.
Athletics’ owner John Fisher is a disgrace
The Oakland Athletics franchise has officially reached a new low. On Thursday, Apr. 4, the team’s official X account posted, “Sutter Health Park in West Sacramento will host the A's for the 2025-27 seasons - ahead of the team's move to Vegas in 2028.” This report came nearly one year after the team first gained funding to begin building a new stadium as part of their proposed relocation to Las Vegas for the 2028 season.
Pioneers claim NCAA Men’s Hockey Championship Title
This past Saturday the University of Denver Pioneers made history by taking down the Boston College Eagles 2-0 to take home their tenth national title, setting the National College Athletic Association (NCAA) record. The Pioneers were previously tied with the University of Michigan for the college men’s hockey record with nine championships.
The rise of Pat McAfee
From 2009 to 2016, Pat McAfee was most well-known as the punter of the Indianapolis Colts. As a member of the team, he earned first-team All-Pro honors in 2014, and two Pro Bowl appearances in 2014 and 2016. With his accolades at both the collegiate and professional levels, McAfee has claimed his spot as one of the greatest punters of all time. As his football career has since passed him by, though, he has become a jack of many trades.
Softball claims first home wins
This past weekend, SUNY Geneseo’s softball team swept SUNY Fredonia in their conference-opening doubleheader, while claiming their first two home wins in the process. The Knights ended the first game in five innings with a dominant 11-3 victory before completing their sweep by winning their second game 10-5.
March Madness concludes in big way
Monday, Apr. 8, marked the thrilling conclusion of the NCAA March Madness tournaments. In a stunning display, the University of Connecticut clinched the men’s tournament trophy for the second consecutive year, triumphing over Purdue. In the women’s bracket a day earlier, the South Carolina Gamecocks etched their name in history, securing their third national title and an undefeated season with a resounding victory over Iowa.
Diggs trade: Addition by subtraction for Buffalo
The Buffalo Bills traded four-time Pro Bowl wide receiver and team captain Stefon Diggs to the up-and-coming Houston Texans on Wednesday. Apr. 3. While it may seem at first thought that any Super Bowl-caliber team giving away their number-one receiving option for a second-round draft pick is counter-productive, that simply is not the case with the Bills and Diggs. There are two main effects of the trade that will prove to be positive for the future of the franchise: locker room cohesion, and a fresh start for one of the best quarterbacks in the game.
UFC 300 predictions: Weili and Pereira set to pick up huge wins
Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) 300 is set to take place on Saturday, Apr. 12. The widely anticipated card will consist of 18 ranked fighters and two champions competing across the 13-fight card. The card seems to be stacked up from start to finish, which is very fitting for the UFC’s 300th pay-per-view event.
Women’s rugby takes on the weekend
Geneseo’s women’s club rugby team had a packed schedule this past weekend. On Saturday, Apr. 6, the team’s “B” side had a non-league 10s scrimmage against Buffalo State, where they put up a valiant fight against the Banshees. Although they did not come out victorious, the team enjoyed their time on the pitch; for some, it was their first time.
Iowa advances to the Final Four
The Iowa Hawkeyes are officially in the Final Four of the women's National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) basketball tournament. Iowa has been the focal point of sports coverage for years, with superstar guard Caitlin Clark constantly breaking records wearing the black and yellow. Their Elite Eight game against LSU was the highest-viewed collegiate women’s basketball game of all time, while also recording more viewership than last year’s World Series and NBA Finals.