Here’s to Old Orange: The Second New School Olympics Awaken Athleticism on Campus
The 13th Street Residence Hall Oranges celebrate their New School Olympics victory
A center charges up the court, darts past a point guard, and makes the lay-up. Two points go up on the scoreboard, and the crowd cheers. Just another Sunday game, at The New School?
On September 26, students from across the university gathered at Chelsea Piers for the second annual New School Olympics. Competing in teams, which represented each residence hall and one comprised of commuter students, New Schoolers played basketball, dodge ball, tug-of-war, and even battled it out in limbo and puzzle-making contests. At the end of the day, 13th Street Residence Hall came away with the overall victory. Williams Street and Stuy Park residences took second and third place, respectively.
The New School has never been known for its sports prowess. Only last year ESPN.com named Lang The Worst Sports College In The Country., But the university is speedily shaking off the stereotype. This change is coming from within, fueled by a student body increasingly engaged in sports.
There’s much more of an interest in sports and recreation here than there was only a few years before,, says Michael McQuarrie, director of Recreational and Intramural Sports, who co-organized the Olympics. Many of our undergraduates grew up playing sports, they want an opportunity to keep doing that here.,
Along with providing an athletic outlet, the Olympics and other sports programs strengthen community within The New School. McQuarrie reports that students’ sense of camaraderie was on full display at the Olympics: They designed their own T-shirts, and came up with banners before the events. They had already built communities in their residence halls, and they came together at this event.,
The Olympics aren’t the only opportunity to get active. The New School hosts intramural indoor soccer and basketball leagues and offers men’s and women’s tennis tournaments as well as weekly drop-in, pick-up table tennis and volleyball games. And if you’re not the sporting type, take heart: you can support your favorite squad at the next Olympics by helping redesign the team T-shirt.
For updates and more information, friend the Office of Recreation and Intramural Sports on Facebook at facebook.com/newschoolrecreation.
