Athletics

What’s Bruin:
From the Desks of the Athletic Directors

Before we address the theme at hand, or a slight derivation thereof, let’s wrap up the winter.  A depleted indoor soccer squad stumbled after dominating their first three opponents, but managed to regain much of their swagger before entering the playoffs. Unfortunately, their lower seeding, in part the result of an exceedingly unlucky coin flip, matched them against the league’s third place, two-loss team. Playing tough, as is the Bruin manner, the girls leapt out to an early 1-0 lead, but eventually fell in the quarterfinal bout. With only 3 seniors among the 12-member group, the girls should rebound well entering next year. Similarly, the squash team will return all but one of their athletes next year, including their number one. For now though, they remain at least a rung below the powerhouses that dominate the league (and, in some cases, the country!).  Each of the boys’ basketball lineups deserves mention for their outstanding season. The Freshman Team, playing in the ultra-challenging B Conference Fresh-Soph league, battled into a share of second place by season’s end, but dropped the final contest on the calendar and, thus, barely missed appearing in the newly revived league championship game. The Junior Varsity had already clinched first place and were prepping for their own ultimate challenge, a Final that Park will host on Tuesday, February 14. If you haven’t already made plans to do so, please pencil in an early Valentine’s Day date at the PAC for the big game! The very next day, the plucky and determined Boys’ Varsity will begin their own playoff run. Having soared as high as a tie for first among their rivals in the C Conference, the boys are poised to challenge all comers on the way to their Final, February 19 at UMBC.
 
Girls’ Basketball warrants a discussion on many fronts. Due to injuries, illnesses, and other unforeseen circumstances, the girls’ season came to an abrupt and premature demise. The varsity and JV schedules were left incomplete when the number of healthy athletes diminished to an alarming, and unsafe, level. One would say the teams’ year in general, such as it was, was one of character building as the Bruins suffered through difficult losses and, at times, demeaning behavior on the part of some opposing teams and onlookers. Shorthanded and hurting, Park often experienced little civility on the road and even at home at the hands of visiting coaches.  While a “hostile” environment, given the most benign definition of hostility within athletics as it pertains to a boisterous home crowd, might be tolerated or even expected, mockery and dehumanizing of a team through chants and outrageous running up of scores is simply unacceptable. We as fans and participants have much to be proud of when it comes to Park Athletics. Not lowest on the list is most certainly our sportsmanship, persistently second to none. Having goodwill towards others, being well-mannered while still rooting or playing with all your heart, and remaining always respectful of opponents have long been lessons passed on to our students. The girls’ agonizing winter can at least be valued in that it once again shed light on the merit and significance of these basic tenets.  
 
See you all in the spring and, as always, GO BRUINS!