When Chie Sakakibara first traveled to an I帽upiaq community in Arctic Alaska as a graduate student, an elder gave her advice that would define her career.

鈥淣ever disappear,鈥� she told her.

For generations, researchers had come to Indigenous lands, documented stories and environmental knowledge, and left鈥攐ften without returning results or sustaining relationships. Community members asked Sakakibara to do something different: to document climate change from their perspective and to show that they were not simply victims of environmental disruption, but creative and resilient people adapting to change.

鈥淚 was honored, and I stayed,鈥� Sakakibara says. 鈥淧lacing yourself in a community means reciprocating and emphasizing their priorities, not just your own interests.鈥�

More than two decades later, she is still returning.

Now an associate professor of geography and the environment in the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs, Sakakibara has built her scholarship around long-term collaboration and Indigenous research sovereignty鈥攖he idea that communities themselves should guide how their knowledge is used, represented and shared. Another focus of her work: the interconnected survival of people, animals and environments in a rapidly changing Arctic.

鈥淐hie鈥檚 work is a model of what engaged scholarship looks like at Maxwell,鈥� says Shana Kushner Gadarian, associate dean for research and professor of political science. 鈥淏y centering Indigenous voices and building lasting partnerships across the globe, she demonstrates that rigorous research and genuine community responsibility are not competing values鈥攖hey are inseparable ones.鈥�

Connecting Communities

Sakakibara鈥檚 current initiative, 鈥淚ndigenous Northern Landscapes: Visual Repatriation and Climate Knowledge Exchange,鈥� connects the I帽upiaq people of Arctic Alaska with the Ainu community of northern Japan to explore environmental memory, cultural preservation and climate adaptation.

Both communities have endured land dispossession and the suppression of traditional language and faith. Both have retained and revitalized Indigenous ways of being鈥攖he I帽upiat through their relationship with the bowhead whale, sea ice and tundra; the Ainu through kinship with the brown bear, salmon, rivers and forests of Hokkaido.

鈥淭heir voices are only getting stronger through connecting and building relationships with other Indigenous communities and their allies within and beyond academia,鈥� says Sakakibara, a research affiliate for the East Asia Program in Maxwell’s Moynihan Institute of Global Affairs and a member of the Native American and Indigenous Studies Program and Center for Global Indigenous Cultures and Environmental Justice in the College of Arts and Sciences.

Her project employs repeat photography alongside community-led ethnography, fieldwork, oral history, archival research and collaborative museum curation. It emphasizes Indigenous knowledge and collaboration and juxtaposes early 20th-century and contemporary images, revealing sea ice loss, coastal erosion and shifting subsistence patterns due to environmental transformation.

Working with the University of Alaska Fairbanks and the National Snow and Ice Data Center, the project collaboratively produces environmental knowledge by interpreting these historical photographs with the Indigenous descendants of the communities where they originated.

Future work will involve storymapping, participatory digital storytelling and traveling museum curation bridging 性视界, Arctic Alaska and Japan.

Challenging the Myth

A persistent misconception frames Indigenous cultures as unchanging and separate from the modern world. Sakakibara sees that stereotype as an obstacle to effective climate policy.

鈥淲hen policymakers or scientists assume that Indigenous peoples are merely relics of the past, they fail to recognize that communities like the I帽upiat and Ainu actively observe, interpret and respond to environmental change,鈥� she says. 鈥淭hat blocks opportunities to incorporate Indigenous expertise into climate solutions.鈥�

I帽upiat hunters continuously adjust whaling routes in response to sea ice change. Ainu communities combine historical ecological knowledge with contemporary observations to protect salmon runs. These are dynamic systems of environmental monitoring refined over generations, not static traditions.

Rather than separating Western science from Indigenous knowledge systems, Sakakibara argues the two must be in conversation, especially as policymakers confront accelerating climate disruption. Climate change, she notes, is not solely a scientific challenge but a cultural and political one.

鈥淐limate disruption is among the most consequential challenges of our time, with implications that span policy, governance, culture and human well-being,鈥� says Maxwell Dean David M. Van Slyke. 鈥淥ur students benefit from the wide-ranging expertise and experiences that Professor Sakakibara and colleagues provide.鈥�

Students as Research Partners

Sakakibara brings her knowledge back to 性视界鈥攊nto classrooms, workshops and partnerships that give students direct exposure to the communities and questions at the center of her work.

In July 2024, Sakakibara partnered with public history experts from

StoryCollab to facilitate a on campus with Ainu collaborators. That same year, Sakakibara brought two Haudenosaunee undergraduate students to Japan to participate in workshops with Ainu community members, contributing to mapping projects and oral history initiatives conducted across English, Japanese and Ainu.

One of those students, Katsitsatekanoniahkwa Destiny Lazore 鈥�26, is a member of the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe and a 2025 Udall Scholar in Tribal Public Policy. Hearing the stories of 聽Ainu community members resonated in a personal way.

鈥淚t reminded me of what my own ancestors experienced, the struggle to protect culture, revitalize language and reclaim sovereignty,鈥� says Lazore. 鈥淭here was something powerful in recognizing that shared desire: the simple but profound wish to safeguard your people, your traditions and your future for the next generations to come.鈥�

Rooted in Relationships

Sakakibara鈥檚 聽project has cultivated partnerships with major institutions including the Penn Museum, the Brooklyn Museum, the Yale Peabody Museum, the National Museum of Ethnology in Japan and the Center for Ainu and Indigenous Studies at Hokkaido University.

鈥淭he core goals鈥攃entering Indigenous knowledge, documenting environmental change and supporting cultural sovereignty鈥攔emain active and impactful,鈥� Sakakibara says, adding that the elder鈥檚 advice鈥攏ever disappear鈥攔emains central to her approach. 鈥淩esearch is about relationships. And relationships require responsibility.鈥�

Story by Catherine Scott

Before the incoming class of sport analytics students take their first class in the聽, they receive a life lesson from , chair of the sport analytics department.

Paul, a sports economist, highlights how recent graduates are blazing a trail across the sports landscape. He then tells the newest sport analytics students that they, too, are destined to make a lasting impact as some of the best and brightest minds.

鈥淚t can be scary starting off at college, but when they think about all the wonderful things they are going to accomplish in their careers, it鈥檚 rewarding seeing how excited students get about their futures,鈥� Paul says. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 what keeps me going.鈥�

The message hit home for Gavin Stein 鈥�26 and Jacob Kalamvokis 鈥�26, who assembled the nomination that helped Paul receive the (SOURCE) Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Research Mentoring.

鈥淗e鈥檚 sharing how sport analytics graduates are taking over the world, and that you’re all going to continue that,鈥� Stein says. 鈥淭o an 18-year-old freshman who hadn’t even taken a class yet, Dr. Paul鈥檚 words left a lasting impression.鈥�

鈥淚 was nervous after that speech, because I was just starting here, but I was ready to run through a brick wall. I knew I could do anything I wanted to,鈥� Kalamvokis says.

An Investment in the Next Generation of Leaders

The annual SOURCE Award is based on student nominations, honoring faculty members who provide exceptional guidance to undergraduate researchers. During the ceremony, which was held on March 26, Kalamvokis and Stein presented the award to Paul, reading excerpts from their nominations to those in attendance.

Stein and Kalamvokis say Paul is passionate about supporting student-driven research, and that, through a willingness to lend a helping hand or offer constructive feedback, Paul exemplifies what it means to invest in the next generation of sport analytics leaders.

Paul views his role as part cheerleader, part coach: there to share his expertise and position the students in a place where they can succeed.

鈥淎s educators, our end goal is to help our students live out their dreams by working in this industry,鈥� Paul says. 鈥淭hey put their faith in us to help them fulfill those dreams. We encourage them and set them up for success once they graduate.鈥�

Wins on the National Stage

The confidence Paul instilled in them on day one has fueled their growth as researchers.

Competing head-to-head against teams of law school students from across the country, Stein and classmates Liam Roberts 鈥�26 and Sam Otley 鈥�26 became the first team of undergraduate researchers to Tulane Professional Basketball Negotiation Competition in February.

Stein and Kalamvokis have also presented their research at marquee events, including the Society for American Baseball Research (SABR) Analytics Conference, the MIT Sloan Sports Analytics Conference and the Arizona State NBA Trade Deadline competition.

鈥淔rom freshman year, I鈥檝e known I want to work in the NBA, but I truly couldn鈥檛 have imagined back then being in the position I am in now,鈥� Stein says. 鈥淭he trust and support that Dr. Paul showed in all of us from literally the second we stepped on campus is what has driven all of us to accomplish what we have at 性视界.鈥�

Kalamvokis and sport analytics Associate Professor presented 鈥淪tatistical Accuracy of Sports Betting Markets and Their Efficiency鈥� at the 2025 International Association of Sports Economists Conference in Las Vegas.

鈥淒r. Paul is a huge driving force for what the student researchers can do here. He鈥檚 such a special, unique leader,鈥� says Kalamvokis, named an inaugural Class of 2026 Falk College Scholar. 鈥淗e鈥檚 the beating heart of this program, the father of sport analytics on campus, and knowing he鈥檚 in your corner gives you freedom and the confidence to go out and pursue your dreams.鈥�

鈥淚t鈥檚 amazing to see what our students are capable of,鈥� Paul says. 鈥淕etting to watch our students grow and evolve, I鈥檓 blessed and lucky to be a part of that.鈥�

Students everywhere commonly dream of gliding straight from a high-profile internship into a job with the same employer. That dream came true for three sport management majors from David B. Falk College of Sport who interned at The Montag Group in recent years.

Based in New York City, The Montag Group represents more than 200 of the nation鈥檚 top sports broadcasters, along with coaches, chefs, and entertainers (see accompanying story). Its Founder & President is Sandy Montag 鈥�85, a highly respected 40-year veteran of the sports industry.

Using Falk College Connections

To get her internship, Caroline Johnson 鈥�21 started by connecting with Kate Ruben 鈥�15, who was The Montag Group鈥檚 intern coordinator. Today, Ruben is director of brand marketing for Excel Sports Management. She鈥檚 also a member of the , a group of Falk College鈥檚 most committed young alumni who provide guidance to current students.

Johnson interviewed and got the internship. But disaster hit only a few months before her start date. In March 2020, much of the country began shutting down due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Montag Group decided to continue its internships, but to make them remote.

鈥淚 was completely remote,鈥� Johnson says, 鈥渂ut I still loved it. They did a great job of making me feel like I was still part of the team.鈥�

The diverse projects helped her see what areas of sport management interested her the most,聽 Johnson says.

She interned from June through December 2020, an unusually long time because The Montag Group let Johnson add her capstone project to the normal three-month internship. Then near the end came a surprise: Ruben told Johnson that Sandy Montag was looking for a new executive assistant and asked if she was interested in the job.

鈥淚 obviously said yes,鈥� Johnson says.

She says she believes Ruben helped pave the way for her hiring.

Johnson still had to finish her final semester at Falk College, so between classes she had Zoom calls with Montag鈥檚 current assistant to learn the job. She started working at The Montag Group immediately after graduating.

The Montag Group was acquired in 2022 by THE路TEAM, and today, Johnson is senior manager of operations for the company’s in-house speaker鈥檚 bureau. Once a client signs a contract for a speaking appearance, Johnson takes over to handle all the logistics.

鈥淣o two events are the same,鈥� Johnson says, 鈥渟o it鈥檚 a lot of variation day-to-day, which I like.鈥�

Falk College鈥檚 sport management program is 鈥渃ompletely the reason I am where I am today in my career,鈥� Johnson says.

鈥淭he attention you get as a student is just one of a kind, and the professors are so knowledgeable and they have real-world experience,” she says. “They really stressed the importance of putting yourself out there professionally, putting your best foot forward professionally, and making connections as early as possible with people in the industry.鈥�

Johnson made many of those connections through her work with the 性视界 University chapter of , where she served as vice president and then president, and with the . In her junior year, Johnson co-chaired the club鈥檚 annual . Her work in both groups gave Johnson many opportunities to connect with Falk College alumni.

Creating His Own Job

As his remote internship at The Montag Group started winding down, Luca Giacobbe 鈥�22 was on a companywide Zoom call when someone said the agency was going to hire a couple of entry-level people.

鈥淚鈥檓 the only one on the call that wasn鈥檛 working for the company full time,鈥� Giacobbe says, 鈥淪o my alarm bells start going off. How can I get considered for one of these jobs?鈥�

He told the agency鈥檚 internship coordinator that he was 鈥渟uper interested鈥� in staying, and she told him to hang tight because they were early in the process. He continued working hard, both on projects and on developing his colleagues鈥� trust. Those efforts included spending a week in Manhattan at The Montag Group鈥檚 office so he could meet his colleagues in person.

A day or two before his internship ended, a new meeting suddenly appeared on Giacobbe鈥檚 calendar. It was with Sandy Montag.

Montag told Giacobbe that he鈥檇 done a great job, and a lot of his colleagues had advocated for hiring him. Would he like to be Montag鈥檚 executive assistant? After thinking it over, he said yes.

From that start, Giacobbe has risen to become the agency鈥檚 communications manager 鈥� a new position he created with guidance and support from his colleagues.

鈥淭here鈥檚 opportunity for our agents and our clients to be out talking about the sports industry and to position ourselves as thought leaders,鈥� Giacobbe says.

Speaking engagements, panel discussions, podcasts, social media, article placements and other outlets all offer opportunities, he says.

At Falk College, Giacobbe remembers that professors and advisors, including advisors specifically dedicated to internships, emphasized networking and connecting students with alumni.

鈥淭he biggest thing that I learned from 性视界 was about relationships and building meaningful ones, not just having a call with someone and not talking to them again,鈥� Giacobbe says.

For more than a decade, The Montag Group, the New York City agency that represents many of the nation鈥檚 top sportscasters, has been a pipeline into sports broadcasting and management for interns from the and seniors pursuing their capstone projects.

Sandy Montag 鈥�85, the company鈥檚 founder and president and a legend in the sports industry, admits he bleeds Orange. But Montag says he鈥檚 partial to 性视界 University students because they鈥檙e better prepared than students from other universities.

鈥淚 think with 性视界 interns you know what you鈥檙e getting,鈥� Montag says. 鈥淭hey鈥檙e hardworking and they really have their finger on the pulse of the industry. They鈥檝e studied it, they鈥檝e asked the right questions, they鈥檙e industrious, they take charge and they don鈥檛 always need a lot of direction.鈥�

That strong background is essential because interns at The Montag Group may undertake a variety of projects involving research, marketing, development and team building.

鈥淚 have found that 性视界 students are the best positioned to really jump into a company and do some real work while they鈥檙e here,鈥� Montag says.

Some Falk College interns slide straight into full-time jobs at The Montag Group when their internships end.

Most of The Montag Group鈥檚 200-plus clients are sportscasters, including industry leaders such as Bob Costas 鈥�74, Mike Tirico 鈥�88, Scott Van Pelt, Beth Mowins G鈥�90, Jim Nantz, James Brown, Tracy Wolfson, Rebecca Lobo and Julie Foudy. It also represents entertainers, chefs, coaches and athletes in their off-the-field projects.

Communication is key to the agency鈥檚 business, and Montag says 性视界 students have better communications skills than most others.

鈥淪ome students that come in want to tell you everything that they know,鈥� he says. 鈥淚 was taught that you learn more by listening than by talking. 性视界 students ask really good questions, not just how I got started but questions specific to our industry about representation and what we look for in a good broadcaster. I like inquisitive people who ask good questions and who you can tell have a real interest in what you鈥檙e doing.鈥�

A large majority of The Montag Group interns are from 性视界, Montag says. Most are from Falk College, although some come from the . The agency typically has one or two interns each semester and two or three in the summer, along with capstone students.

Learning the Business With John Madden

Montag was a sports nut from a young age. He remembers at age 8 waiting after the end of basketball games at Madison Square Garden so he could snag the notes and stat sheets of his idol, Marv Albert 鈥�63, commonly known as 鈥渢he voice of basketball鈥� for his broadcasts of NBA games. Ironically, years later Montag became Albert鈥檚 agent.

He was on the varsity basketball and soccer teams in high school but didn鈥檛 play much. While on the bench, he kept stats. He also started writing game stories for his local newspaper.

The powerful relationship between Montag and 性视界 University almost didn’t happen. Dreaming of a career in sports broadcasting, he applied for admission into Newhouse. The alternative that was presented to him by 性视界 was a degree in speech communications in the , which he accepted, knowing he could still take a few classes at Newhouse outside of his major.

“I quickly pivoted into production and stats work,” he says.

Montag honed his resourcefulness during his years at 性视界. He got a job writing for the , the independent student newspaper. When a guy in his dorm who was the lead football manager said the team needed another manager, Montag jumped at the opportunity.

As he worked in the athletic office one day, someone said ESPN was on campus and needed a person to do stats for that night鈥檚 basketball game.

鈥淚鈥檓 like, I鈥檒l do that in a second,鈥� Montag remembers.

He sat in the front row at the game next to broadcaster Dick Vitale, to whom he fed point and rebound stats. ESPN paid him $50. Forty years later, Vitale has been a longtime client and friend of Montag.

The ESPN producer said he鈥檇 pay Montag $100 the next week for two days鈥� work if he could get to Pittsburgh. Recalling that an upstart airline, People Express, had an ad in the Daily Orange offering an hourly wage and free travel to employees, Montag hustled to the 性视界 airport. He got a job doing reservations one day a week and made it to Pittsburgh.

It was the first of 100 such assignments that eventually found him working stats after graduation for John Madden, who had shifted from an accomplished NFL head coach to sportscaster. That led to him becoming Madden鈥檚 assistant, traveling with him from game to game by train (Madden鈥檚 preferred mode of travel). Without the distraction of cell phones and other electronic devices, they talked, played cards and drank beer.

鈥淲e hit it off and developed a relationship,鈥� Montag says.

Before the start of the Spring 2026 semester, members of the (GMB), a registered student organization (RSO), traveled to Panama with a shared goal of providing essential medical care and conduct community health research in rural areas.

The expedition offered 37 students a unique opportunity for experiential learning, cultural immersion and leadership development outside the traditional classroom setting.

A Global Effort for Local Impact

Global Medical Brigades is a student-led organization dedicated to providing sustainable health care to under-resourced communities abroad. By mobilizing student volunteers and health care professionals, the chapter works to improve health outcomes and empower local communities through education and medical assistance.

鈥淭he 性视界 University chapter of GMB is part of a larger international movement that has facilitated over 1.5 million patient consultations globally over the past 20 years,” says Keona Bukhari-Adams 鈥�27, the newly elected president of the chapter.

During the week-long brigade, students assisted health care professionals in treating over 250 community members who face significant barriers to medical access.

鈥淕lobal Medical Brigades is a small part of a much larger global effort to assist rural communities with extremely low physician densities,鈥� Bukhari-Adams says. 鈥淚t has reshaped my understanding of culture and solidarity in ways that challenge traditional perceptions of what it means to live a life of wealth.鈥�

Community-Driven Fundraising

To finance the mission, 37 student volunteers raised a total of $90,000, each with a $2,430 donation goal. Through local partnerships and personal advocacy, students engaged the 性视界 community to fund trip costs and essential medical supplies.

Becky Roby 鈥�26, the chapter鈥檚 vice president, raised $2,030, while Ava Mastalir 鈥�28, the vice president of membership and outreach, raised $2,500 through outreach to family and friends.

鈥淭his experience alone made me want to fundraise and participate in our next brigade,鈥� Roby says. 鈥淓very trip is special in its own way and I was grateful that I was able to have another experience in Panama.鈥�

On campus, the organization hosted several benefit nights where a portion of the proceeds supported the trip, including events at Chipotle, luv handlz and Purple Banana.

Clinical Care, Field Research and Community Engagement

The trip focused on clinical support and patient care. Students took vitals, assisted doctors in dental extractions for children and helped treat older patients who had not received physical checkups in years.

Students also participated in public health research and spent an entire day conducting community health surveys. This research involved interviewing local women about menstrual and sexual health to understand existing education gaps.

Participants sharpened their professional skills by navigating language barriers and learning local dialects to better console and educate patients. The brigade also worked with local leaders to ensure that disease prevention and hygiene education would have a lasting benefit for the community long after the students departed.

鈥淭he primary skill I learned in Panama was how to interact with patients who were nervous or confused, and how to care for them even with the challenge of a language barrier,鈥� Mastalir says.

Leadership Opportunities and Friendships

The experience also served as a catalyst for student leadership on campus. Many participants, motivated by previous trips to Guatemala, utilized the Panama brigade to further their commitment to global health. Roby says the trip provides 鈥渉ands-on experience in global health and service that cannot be replicated in a classroom.鈥�

Beyond clinical experience, the brigade fostered a strong sense of community among the students themselves. For students considering future brigades, participants emphasize the value of stepping outside one’s comfort zone.

鈥淚 loved the friendships I built during the trip, and we still constantly stay in touch,鈥� Roby says. 鈥淏eing part of something so meaningful created a strong sense of community and belonging for me on campus.鈥�

The 性视界 University Global Medical Brigades chapter continues to welcome students of all majors who are interested in global experiences and meaningful service.

Story by Kate Jackson 鈥�26, S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications and Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs

In Jamaica, where track and field stars like Usain Bolt (eight-time gold medalist) and Elaine Thompson-Herah (five-time gold medalist) captured national glory at the Summer Olympics, children grow up wanting to emulate their heroes.

But for every Bolt or Thompson-Herah, thousands of aspiring track and field athletes will never qualify for the Olympics. For them, they compete because they love their sport, not because they envision winning a gold medal.

Recognizing the important role support systems play in the development of teenagers into adults, a team of three students in the built a holistic vision for supporting elite youth athletes in Jamaica during the Grand Final of the fifth annual in Lausanne, Switzerland.

鈥淥ur focus was on preparing these students for a future outside of athletics. We wanted to give them the support they needed to succeed where they were at, but also to experience success once they鈥檙e done competing,鈥� says Cooper Feldstein 鈥�28, a sport management major.

The Falk students were invited to compete in the undergraduate event at the Grand Final after claiming first place in the semifinals back in December. , assistant teaching professor of sport management, served as the group’s advisor throughout the process.

Helping Athletes Feel Heard and Supported

At the Olympic Museum, Feldstein, Noah Bair 鈥�28 and Angel Rooks Orton 鈥�28 applied the lessons learned through their Falk College classes and presented their solution to a contemporary challenge in sports management.

The group selected Jamaica because of the country鈥檚 recognizable brand and success on the global stage, but also because of the national pride its citizens derive from the sport, and because of how many children take up sprinting.

To learn more about Jamaica’s youth track and field landscape, focusing on athletes ages 15 to 18, the students interviewed former Jamaican sprinter Kemardo Tyrell, now an assistant professor of research at Temple University鈥檚 School of Sport, Tourism and Hospitality Management. Tyrell spoke to the unique pressures facing Jamaica’s youth athletes.

The group focused on increasing athlete retention (especially among girls), improving academic success and programming, enhancing sport participation and addressing growing mental health challenges.

Knowing most won鈥檛 make a successful career in athletics, the Falk team 鈥渨anted to help ensure that these elite athletes feel heard and are protected while they are committed to their sport,鈥� Bair says.

鈥淲e wanted to look at what the path of a youth athlete looks like, not only in terms of athletic success and accomplishments, but in their academics and their life outside of track,鈥� says Bair, a sport analytics major. 鈥淲hat we found was there are wide gaps in how well students can build a sustainable and enjoyable career in athletics.鈥�

Prioritizing Mental Health and Well-Being

Their research into the trends among Jamaica鈥檚 youth track and field competitors showed that if an athlete didn鈥檛 develop a positive mindset from an early age, they wouldn鈥檛 be able to handle the pressure of competing at the highest level.

鈥淲e needed to understand how we could provide them with the stability that they would need to perform to the level that they can actually get to, with how much pressure these kids are facing every day,鈥� Feldstein says.

As one of their cornerstones, the team proposed developing an app as an all-encompassing support system, serving as a communication tool between coaches and their athletes.

Wanting athletes to stay present and in the moment while balancing academics with athletics, the trio came up with weekly mental wellness check-ins where the youths could discuss what鈥檚 on their mind.

鈥淭hese elite athletes are facing a ton of pressure to succeed,鈥� says Rooks Orton, a sport management major. 鈥淭here are needs we鈥檙e trying to meet in Jamaica, and the app can help athletes stay in their program longer, enjoy their sport more and build habits to be successful in sports and in life.鈥�

Leveling the Playing Field

According to research conducted by the group, once a female athlete turns 13, the chances of her quitting her sport are two times greater than those of her male counterparts.

鈥淭hese females often get discouraged from competing because there isn鈥檛 a great support system in place, and because, for many girls, they don鈥檛 have examples of successful female athletes to look up to,鈥� Rooks Orton says. 鈥淲ith the app, girls can ask questions, learn from successful women athletes and get the support they need to stay in sports at a high level.鈥�

While the Orange trio didn鈥檛 win the Grand Final, the lessons learned from this global experience will stay with them as they prepare for a career in sports.

鈥淭his has been a formative experience,鈥� Feldstein says. 鈥淭he opportunity to work on this high-level professional project will prepare us for the future.鈥�

鈥淚t was an honor representing Falk College and 性视界 on the world stage,鈥� Bair says. 鈥淲e put our best foot forward thanks to the incredible work we鈥檙e doing at Falk.鈥�

Rooks Orton agrees. 鈥淚t鈥檚 cool to be in a position where we鈥檙e constantly learning about the industry,鈥� she says.

This experience was made possible by the generosity of Jeff and Andrea Lomasky, whose son, Marc Lomasky ’12, is an alumnus of the sport management program.

A climate finance pioneer. A diplomat who helped evacuate thousands from a war zone. A champion of global school nutrition. A trailblazing scholar of equity in public administration. A leader in the federal inspector general oversight community.These are the five alumni who will be celebrated at the annual Awards of Excellence on Thursday, April 30, in Washington, D.C.

The event, to be held at the 性视界 University Washington, D.C., Center in the heart of Dupont Circle, will also serve as an opportunity for the Maxwell community to reunite and celebrate the school鈥檚 enduring commitment to engaged citizenship.

Established in 2022, the Awards of Excellence program celebrates the contributions of the school鈥檚 alumni and friends to their fields, communities and society through work that reflects the Maxwell School mission and values. Recognition categories include the 1924 Award, Bridge Award, Charles V. Willie Advocate Award, Compass Award and Spirit of Public Service Award.

鈥淲e are honored to welcome members of the Maxwell community to join us for an evening of celebration and reflection,鈥� says Dean David M. Van Slyke. 鈥淓ach year, this event reminds me of why our mission endures. This year鈥檚 honorees have built careers spanning climate finance, diplomacy, food security, public administration and the law鈥攁nd in every case, they have used their Maxwell education as a foundation for making the world more sustainable, more humane and more just. I look forward to celebrating them and to welcoming our community back to Washington, D.C.鈥�

The five 2026 honorees are Jeff Eckel G鈥�82,聽 George Farag G鈥�02, G鈥�07, Emily Fredenberg G鈥�16, Susan Gooden G鈥�95, G鈥�96 and Roslyn A. Mazer 鈥�71.

Jeff Eckel鈥擝ridge Award

For his commitment to improving our climate future, Eckel is the recipient of the 2026 Bridge Award, which honors exemplary leadership across sectors while advancing the Maxwell School鈥檚 mission of making the world a better place.

Eckel, who earned an M.P.A. from Maxwell, has spent four decades advancing climate-positive investing with the view that climate change is among the greatest challenges of our time. As chair of HASI and its CEO for the previous two decades, he pioneered the use of finance to accelerate the adoption of low-carbon climate solutions in the United States and the developing world.

He developed the HannieMae Trust, a first-of-its-kind investment vehicle for funding energy-conservation projects, oversaw HASI鈥檚 2013 public offering as the first dedicated climate solutions investor, and created CarbonCount, a tool that measures how efficiently capital investments reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

George Farag鈥擲pirit of Public Service Award

Farag is the recipient of the Spirit of Public Service Award, which honors individuals whose work has had widespread global impact and reflects the ideals of the Maxwell School. For more than 25 years, he has worked at the intersection of diplomacy, immigration and national security to advance U.S. interests and protect American lives. Farag earned master’s degrees in public administration and international relations and Ph.D. in anthropology from the Maxwell School.

Inspired by the Sept. 11 attacks, Farag joined the U.S. Department of State as a diplomat and consular officer in 2002. During five years of service in some of the world鈥檚 most volatile environments, he helped lead the evacuation of 15,000 Americans during the 2006 Lebanon War and was among the first U.S. diplomats to enter Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom. In 2013, he founded Silverline Strategies, a consulting firm whose operations now affect more than 3 million visa applicants each year across 15 countries. Farag received the Department of State’s Superior Honor Award and Meritorious Honor Award.

Emily Fredenberg鈥擟ompass Award

Fredenberg, who holds an M.P.A. degree and a master’s degree in international relations, is the recipient of this year鈥檚 Compass Award, given in recognition of her exceptional accomplishments and impact as an early-career alumna. In the 10 years since earning her Maxwell degrees, she has built a career dedicated to strengthening food security among some of the world’s most vulnerable populations.

Fredenberg is currently senior officer of programs and advocacy at the Global Child Nutrition Foundation, where she cultivates global partnerships to advance sustainable school meal programs worldwide. She previously served as a project manager at The Rockefeller Foundation, overseeing grants focused on combating the global food crisis. Before that, she spent six years with the World Food Programme, serving in Lebanon鈥攈elping the response to the Syrian refugee crisis鈥攁nd in Rwanda, where she led communications strategy for the nation鈥檚 home-grown school meal initiative.

Susan Gooden鈥擟harles V. Willie Advocate Award

Gooden is the recipient of the Charles V. Willie Advocate Award, which recognizes alumni whose contributions reflect Maxwell鈥檚 commitment to creating an environment that is welcoming to all and oriented toward engaged citizenship. The honor recognizes her excellence in leadership, teaching and scholarship advancing inclusive governance and equity in public administration.

Gooden, who earned both a master’s degree and Ph.D. in political science at Maxwell, is dean and professor of the L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs at Virginia Commonwealth University, where she co-founded the Research Institute for Social Equity.

She has authored six books and more than 100 academic journal articles and reports and is a founding editor of the Journal of Social Equity and Public Administration. An elected fellow of the National Academy of Public Administration, she is a past president of the American Society for Public Administration, which honored her with the 2025 Dwight Waldo Award recognizing more than 25 years of preeminent contributions to the field.

Roslyn A. Mazer鈥�1924 Award

Mazer is the recipient of this year鈥檚 Maxwell 1924 Award, which honors graduates for distinguished and sustained professional or civic leadership in the spirit of the school鈥檚 mission.

After earning a bachelor’s degree in political science from Maxwell, Mazer went on to provide vigorous oversight of government programs as inspector general of the Federal Trade Commission, inspector general of the Office of the Director of National Intelligence and special investigative counsel in the Department of Justice Office of the Inspector General. Earlier, she served in the Department of Justice, including as deputy assistant attorney general, guiding federal judicial nominees through the confirmation process.

Before entering public service, Mazer was in private law practice specializing in media and First Amendment law. Notably, she represented the Association of American Editorial Cartoonists as friend of the court in Hustler Magazine Inc. v. Falwell, the landmark Supreme Court ruling affirming First Amendment protection of satire. Today, she continues to advocate for cartoonists鈥� rights and free expression.

性视界 University is home to more than a dozen registered dietitians spread across the , , , and the . Recently, they started meeting as a cross-campus coalition.

The group came together through Molly Morgan, associate director of in Human Resources, who joined the University last year and quickly realized that dietitian colleagues were embedded across a range of schools, colleges and units.

She floated the idea of regular meetups, and the response was unanimous. The coalition鈥檚 goal: foster collaboration, align on best practices and amplify the collective impact of their work across the campus community.

As we celebrate in March, six dietitians with wide-ranging expertise share the myths they spend the most time correcting鈥攁nd the tips they wish more people would actually try.

Myths Worth Busting

鈥楴补迟耻谤补濒鈥�=贬别补濒迟丑测

The word 鈥渘atural鈥� on a label feels reassuring, but it鈥檚 an overgeneralization. Plenty of natural substances鈥攍ead and arsenic among them鈥攁re anything but good for you (remember the apple juice scare of 2024?). Meanwhile, some artificial additives serve real purposes: extending shelf life, improving texture or boosting a food鈥檚 nutritional profile. The takeaway? Read the full label, not just the buzzword. 鈥� Nikki Beckwith, M.A., RD, CDN, director of the master of arts in nutrition science program, Falk College

Carbs Are the Enemy

A lot of people think that carbohydrates make you gain weight, but in reality they are the body鈥檚 main energy source. Whole carbs like fruits, vegetables, beans and whole grains deliver fiber, vitamins and sustained energy. The real issue isn鈥檛 carbs themselves; it鈥檚 the type and quantity people reach for. 鈥� Ashley Russo-Leone, M.A., RD, CDN, CNSC, assistant director of nutrition management, Campus Dining

Your Body Needs an Annual Detox or Cleanse

A common myth is that you need to detox or do a 鈥渃leanse鈥� at least once per year. The human body has its own detoxification crew working around the clock: the liver, kidneys, lungs, lymphatic system, colon and skin. Most healthy bodies do not need help eliminating toxins and harmful substances. They need consistent, balanced nutrition. 鈥� Ashley Russo-Leone, M.A., RD, CDN, CNSC, assistant director of nutrition management, Campus Dining

A 鈥楴utritionist鈥� and a 鈥楻egistered Dietitian鈥� Are the Same Thing

In most states, anyone can call themselves a nutritionist鈥攏o degree, no exam, no oversight required. Becoming a registered dietitian (RD) or registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN), on the other hand, requires rigorous education, supervised practice hours, a credentialing exam and ongoing continuing education. If you鈥檙e managing a health condition, navigating food allergies or fine-tuning athletic performance, that distinction matters. 鈥� Molly Morgan, RDN, CDN, CSSD, associate director of health and wellness for faculty and staff

Tips Worth Trying

Think 80/20, Not All-or-Nothing

Dietitians are not the food police. A more sustainable framework: about 80% of the foods you choose should align with your health goals and nutritional needs, leaving 20% for flexibility. Perfection isn鈥檛 the point, consistency is. 鈥� Jessica Garay, Ph.D., RDN, CSSD, CSCS, FAND, assistant professor of nutrition and food studies, Falk College

Push Back on the Protein Hype

From protein coffee foams to meat add-ons at every counter, today鈥檚 marketing makes it seem like more protein is always better. It鈥檚 important, sure, but excess calories from protein can lead to weight gain just like excess calories from anything else. Most people can meet their daily needs without the extras, and over-focusing on protein can crowd out variety and other essential nutrients. Unsure how much you actually need? A registered dietitian can help. 鈥� Nikki Beckwith,聽M.A., RD, CDN, director of the master of arts in nutrition science program, Falk College

Breakfast Breaks the Fast鈥擫iterally

After a full night of sleep, your body鈥檚 energy tank is running on empty. Skipping breakfast extends that deficit and can leave you dragging well into the afternoon. It doesn鈥檛 have to be elaborate. Even a small meal with protein and complex carbs can make a noticeable difference. 鈥� Jessica Garay, Ph.D., RDN, CSSD, CSCS, FAND, assistant professor of nutrition and food studies, Falk College

Feeding Kids? Stock Smart and Let Them Play

When it comes to young eaters, two strategies go a long way. First, focus less on curating a perfect diet and more on what鈥檚 visible and convenient in the house. Kids tend to grab what they see, so keeping fruit, yogurt, nuts and whole-grain snacks at eye level鈥攚hile limiting ultra-processed options鈥攓uietly shapes better habits without mealtime battles.

Second, let little ones explore. Touching, smelling, squishing, and yes, making a mess with food are legitimate steps toward acceptance. Food play is food learning, and pressuring a child to 鈥渏ust take a bite鈥� often backfires.聽鈥� Maryam Yuhas, Ph.D., RD, assistant professor of nutrition and food studies, and Lynn S. Brann, Ph.D., RDN, FAND, associate professor of food and nutrition studies, Falk College

Hungry at Night? Eat. (Just Eat Smart.)

Hunger is hunger, regardless of what time the clock reads. If you鈥檙e genuinely hungry at night, eat something, ideally a reasonable portion with both carbohydrates and protein. Protein promotes fullness and helps slow the rate at which carbs hit your bloodstream, which beats the alternative of raiding the chips bag on autopilot. 鈥� Jessica Garay, Ph.D., RDN, CSSD, CSCS, FAND, assistant professor of nutrition and food studies, Falk College

Since Russia invaded Ukraine just over four years ago, roughly 500,000 soldiers and civilians have been killed and 1 million people injured. Millions of Ukrainians currently live under Russian occupation. At least 20,000 Ukrainian children have been kidnapped and deported to Russia. Millions have fled the country.

These sobering statistics were shared by Brian Taylor, professor of political science and director of the Moynihan Institute of Global Affairs, as he introduced Oxana Shevel, a leading scholar who grew up in Ukraine, for a talk reflecting on the ongoing war and the possibilities of what鈥檚 to come.

Before Shevel took the microphone, Taylor, a renowned expert on Russian politics himself, asked the audience to observe a moment of silence 鈥渇or those who have suffered as a result of this war.鈥� Students, faculty and staff who filled the Hall of Languages conference room quietly bowed their heads.

Shevel, who grew up in Kyiv during the Soviet era, directs Tufts鈥� International Relations Program, is president-elect of the Association for Slavic, East European and Eurasian Studies and vice president of the Association for the Study of Nationalities. Her talk at 性视界, titled 鈥淩ussia鈥檚 Invasion, Ukraine鈥檚 Resistance and Prospects for Peace,鈥� was hosted by Moynihan’s Center for European Studies with support from the College of Arts and Sciences鈥� Russian Program within the Department of Languages, Literatures and Linguistics.

The talk was the latest in a series of events and initiatives by the Maxwell School intended to expose community members to unique perspectives and lend greater understanding to the conflict鈥檚 legal, strategic and humanitarian dimensions. Maxwell is home to a community of faculty including Taylor, Michael Williams, the Hon. James E. Baker and Vice Admiral Robert Murrett (U.S. Navy, retired) who research the rule of law, international politics, and peace and security, and are helping build networks of scholarship and training to support democracy in Ukraine. They have spearheaded programs such as the US-Ukraine Veterans Bridge to support the country鈥檚 bourgeoning veteran population and have contributed to research and commentary in major media outlets.

Growing Identity

During her talk, Shevel shared a view from her co-authored book, “Russia and Ukraine: Entangled Histories, Diverging States” (Polity Press, 2024), that the roots of Russia’s war on Ukraine lie not in NATO enlargement but in the growing identity and regime divergence between the two states since 1991. She cited Russia鈥檚 confidence in its security, the improbability of Ukraine鈥檚 NATO entry from the beginning, and Russia鈥檚 desires for far more than Ukrainian neutrality.

鈥淩ussia is deporting children, trying to re-educate them, banning Ukrainian books, destroying Ukrainian culture,鈥� she said. 鈥淭hese actions have nothing to do with hard security and everything to do with identity.鈥�

The lecture centered on what Shevel calls the 鈥渆scalatory cycle鈥濃�攖he cycle of events and growing differences between Russia and Ukraine that eventually led to war. 鈥淚t progressed gradually,鈥� she said. 鈥淭he more Ukraine pulled away, the more Russia pushed. The more Russia pushed, the more Ukraine pulled away.鈥�

Throughout the escalatory cycle, Shevel identified several critical junctures鈥攖imes of ideological split between Russia and Ukraine that could have been mended, but were not. Each was an opportunity to end the cycle, and each an identity divergence that built on the last, leading to the point of no return, she said.

The start of the cycle came with the 1991 Soviet collapse, often called a 鈥渃ivilized divorce,鈥� dissolving the 15 united republics peacefully. 鈥淚n Russia, this was seen not as a divorce, but as an opportunity to draw closer together again later, perhaps not in the Soviet Union, but in some other form,鈥� she said. 鈥淭he idea that Ukraine would permanently separate was not widely accepted in the Russian political class.鈥�

As Shevel identified further critical junctures鈥攕uch as the 2004 Orange Revolution and 2014 Euromaidan protests鈥攈er own experience of the post-communist region offered a personal dimension.

鈥淚 remember how things were taught,鈥� she explained. She recalled clicking to the presidential website after Yanukovych’s election and finding that all mention of the 1932-33 Ukrainian famine had vanished.

War Not Likely to End Soon

Shevel expressed doubt that the Russo-Ukrainian war is likely to end anytime soon.

鈥淭he war has been horrendous for Ukrainian society. The people are tired. I have family there, sleeping in tents in Kyiv,鈥� she said.

Though data shows that Ukrainians are slowly becoming more open to compromise in some areas, they do not believe that negotiations alone will lead to peace. 鈥淯krainians know what they鈥檙e fighting for,鈥� she said.

When her formal remarks concluded, several students asked Shevel a range of questions, including about the role of the United States in supporting Ukraine.

Shevel said the U.S. could help Ukraine by applying greater pressure on Russia. 鈥淲e do have leverage,鈥� she said, 鈥渂oth economic and military鈥攚e just aren’t using it how we should be.鈥�

Shevel ended the lecture on a note of hope. For the war to end, she said, Russia needs a fundamental mindset shift鈥攚hether that comes from new leadership or outside pressure. Russia needs to understand it will not gain more than it already holds.

鈥淭here has to be a leader in Russia who decides Russia can still be important without Ukraine,鈥� she said.

Story by Catherine Scott

After years of podium finishes and back-to-back undergraduate team titles, the in the Falk College of Sport has made winning at the (NCSAC) into a habit. This year, the program didn鈥檛 just return to the top鈥攊t dominated.

Senior Austin Ambler captured the overall undergraduate individual title, and the team of Ambler, Daniel Griffiths and Daniel Baris claimed the undergraduate team championship, with all three landing in the top 10 聽in overall points.

For the four sport analytics majors who made the trip, Ambler, Griffiths, Baris and Jessica Fackler, the result was the payoff of a disciplined, collaborative preparation process built around one guiding principle: do the work before you ever step in the room.

鈥淲inning the overall undergraduate individual title was incredibly rewarding,鈥� Ambler says. 鈥淭he competition featured so many talented and high-performing students, so being named first among them is something I鈥檓 truly proud of. It validates the hard work, preparation and support system that went into getting to that moment. Representing 性视界 and Falk College means a great deal to me.鈥�

Preparation Was Key

The students鈥� preparation was shaped by weekly sessions with , who led the group through practice data sets, varied prompt scenarios and repeated five-minute presentation drills in the months leading up to the competition.

鈥淭his year鈥檚 team had strong analytical skills and was eager to discuss how to improve,鈥� says Rafique. 鈥淭he students were very engaged in discussing strategies to optimize their points. We had a good plan going into the first day of the championship. However, some delays and obstacles forced us to improvise, and the students did an amazing job of maintaining their composure and persevering throughout the day.鈥�

Rafique鈥檚 teaching emphasizes not just technical proficiency, but the ability to communicate findings clearly and persuasively under pressure.

鈥淭he weekly preparation sessions with Dr. Rafique completely changed how I think about data storytelling,鈥� Griffiths says. 鈥淭he check-ins and iterative feedback meant that by the time we got to competition weekend, we weren鈥檛 starting from scratch, we were refining. That preparation gave us a massive advantage compared to teams who were building everything last-minute.鈥�

Fackler described a similar transformation in how she approached the competition鈥檚 core challenge.

鈥淚 originally had a completely different perception of what the competition was about,鈥� she says. 鈥淭hose sessions made me quickly realize I needed to pivot. They taught me that I needed one simple idea and basically sell it to the judges.

Competition Strategy

Beyond the preparation, the 性视界 team arrived in Nashville with a collective strategy for the competition weekend itself. NCSAC features not only the signature presentation competition but also a series of side events and challenges, and the four students approached each one with intention.

鈥淭he team dynamic was both competitive and highly collaborative,鈥� Griffiths says. 鈥淲e pushed each other internally to be better, but we were also very intentional about optimizing how we worked together.鈥�

For Ambler, the hours of weekly preparation paid dividends from the first moments of competition.

鈥淚 immediately felt my preparation click into place once the competition began,鈥� he says. 鈥淓lements from my practice presentations translated directly into my final delivery, and having a strong foundation from the practice data, study guide, and weekly prep sessions allowed me to start confidently. This head start let me focus on refining and building upon my presentation rather than starting from scratch, which made a noticeable difference in my performance.鈥�

For Baris, the competition鈥檚 most memorable moment came from watching his own growth across rounds. 鈥淲hat stands out the most to me is probably my presentation,鈥� he says. 鈥淚 felt like it improved every time I presented it as I got more and more comfortable.鈥�

Griffiths found his most striking moment in the broader picture of what NCSAC represents. 鈥淭he moment that stood out most was realizing, right before my presentation, just how diverse the field of sports analytics really is,鈥� he said. 鈥淪eeing 50-plus students compete with backgrounds in marketing, engineering, business, fan engagement, it made the experience feel bigger than just the competition itself.鈥�

鈥淏eyond the win, I hope students leave with confidence that they can tackle complex, real-world problems and compete at a high level,鈥� says Rafique. 鈥淓xperiences like this build resilience, teamwork and the ability to communicate ideas clearly under pressure. I hope they see themselves not just as students completing a project, but as emerging professionals who can meaningfully contribute to the field of sports analytics.鈥�

Griffiths offered a challenge to the next generation of Falk competitors. 鈥淚t takes more than just coding and analytical skills to compete at this level,鈥� he says. 鈥淚t requires determination, adaptability and the courage to make decisions under uncertainty. This competition is designed to identify future leaders in sports analytics. If that mindset excites you, then this is absolutely the competition for you.鈥�

, Distinguished Professor of Anthropology and professor of international relations in the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs, has received the 2026 Sol Tax Distinguished Service Award from the . The award ceremony will take place March 20 in Albuquerque, New Mexico, during the organization鈥檚 86th annual meeting.

Presented each year to a member in recognition of long-term and outstanding service, the award is named for Sol Tax, a pioneering anthropologist who advanced the concept of 鈥渁ction anthropology鈥� emphasizing collaborative, community-engaged research designed to produce practical benefits. Tax played a key role in institutionalizing anthropology, including founding the journal聽Current Anthropology.

The Society for Applied Anthropology works to address local and global challenges through anthropology, and to deepen understanding of the world through sociocultural and environmental lenses. It promotes research, education and practice that serve the public interest through awards, meetings, mentorship, networking, professional development and publications.

Rubinstein previously served on the society鈥檚 Founders Endowment, Public Policy and Sol Tax Award committees. He was also a founding board member of the Higher Education TIG, an interdisciplinary group that connects anthropologists with higher education scholars, practitioners and administrators from various fields, and dedicated long-term leadership to the Commission on Peace and Human Rights of the International Union of Anthropological and Ethnological Sciences.

Rubinstein is a senior research associate for the , the , the and the .

He specializes in political and medical anthropology and has conducted research in the United States and internationally, including in Egypt, where he resided for four years, as well as throughout the Middle East, Belize and Mexico.

In July 2025, Rubinstein was honored with the Wasserstrom Prize for Graduate Teaching. Awarded annually to a faculty member from Maxwell and the College of Arts and Sciences, the prize honors the legacy of the late William Wasserstrom, a noted professor of English at 性视界 University who died in 1985. Wasserstrom was known for his broad intellectual interests, profound impact on learning and dedication to the graduate seminar.

Story by Jacob Spudich

Behind the scenes of every skating routine, ski jump and slalom race at the 2026 Winter Olympics, sophisticated analytics are at work, turning super athletes into record-breakers鈥攁nd helping fans understand what makes these games extraordinary.

, assistant professor of sport analytics in the , studies how data transforms both athletic performance and sports storytelling. He shares in this SU News Q&A how analytics are changing the Olympic experience for fans and athletes.

Every four years, millions of people around the world find themselves glued to their televisions, watching athletes slide massive stones across sheets of ice while teammates frantically sweep in front of them at the Olympics.

What makes curling so appealing?

Members of the explain what entices people into the sport that is part ice, part strategy and part finesse.

鈥淭here鈥檚 just something special about curling. The novelty and the silliness of the sport draw you in. Every four years we just have to watch curling at the Olympics,鈥� says Adam Wingert 鈥�27, a member of the 性视界 University club curling team and fourth-year architecture student in the .

鈥淕rowing up, I would watch curling at the Olympics with my parents and I often thought, 鈥榊eah, I could do that,鈥欌�� says teammate Alex Reid 鈥�26, who is studying computer science in the .

Before this year鈥檚 Winter Olympics in Milan and Cortina, Italy, Wingert and Reid share what viewers can expect and invite community members to try their own hand at some of the team鈥檚 open lessons.

The Basics of Curling

Traditional curling features four-person teams taking their turn sending a massive stone down a thin sheet of ice while teammates frantically clean and sweep as the stone slides towards its target, known as a house.

Sweepers utilize a broom to melt the top surface of the ice as the stone is hurtling toward its target. But don鈥檛 let the name fool you: there are no bristles on these brooms, just a thin fabric covering over a foam pad.

Sweepers use their brooms to control the stone’s speed and trajectory by reducing friction with the ice鈥攎aking it slide farther, curl less or curl more depending on strategy.

Stones can be used to either knock an opponent鈥檚 stone out of the house, or to position it strategically in the house to amass points. Teams score points for each stone closer to the center of the house than their opponent’s best stone.

Debunking Misconceptions

Despite competing on ice, the athletes don鈥檛 wear skates when they throw the stone. Instead, Orange student-athletes either wear sliders or specialized nonstick shoes made from Teflon that provide grip and traction.

Once the stone has been released, Reid says another misconception鈥攖hat the stone will automatically go where you intend it to鈥攊s also quickly debunked.

鈥淧laying conditions on the ice change over time,鈥� Reid says. 鈥淏y the nature of the sport, the same exact shot is not going to wind up in the same position as the competition advances. Curling gets down to the minutiae, and every moment has to be perfect.鈥�

What to Know 性视界 性视界 Curling

The 性视界 Curling Club has nine co-ed student-athletes, practices at the Utica Curling Club and competes in tournaments (called bonspiels) as part of both the regional Grand National Curling Club College League and USA Curling. At each competition, teams earn points based on their performance that determine which schools advance into the National Championship.

性视界 recently placed second at the Yale Curling Club鈥檚 SuperSpiel tournament in Bridgeport, Connecticut, and is preparing for the Northeast Regionals tournament this weekend in Utica, New York. If 性视界 places in the top two teams at regionals, it will automatically qualify for the 2026 National Championship, March 12-15, in Schenectady, New York.

鈥淲e鈥檙e able to come out and represent 性视界 and be part of the club鈥檚 proud history,” Reid says. “To be able to say I made my mark is a really special feeling.”

After each tournament, a Spirit of Curling award is presented to the team that best embodies sportsmanship and professionalism while helping to grow the sport. Teams will then stack their brooms on the table and celebrate the end of a hard-fought game by getting to know a little bit more about their opponents.

鈥淭hat speaks to the broader culture of curling,” Wingert says. “Curling is a competitive sport, and we want to win, but being part of this tight-knit community comes first. Curling is about doing better every single time and being the best person you can be.鈥�

鈥業鈥檓 Part of Something Bigger Than Myself鈥�

Determined to spread their love of curling across campus, the club team runs free learn to curl classes at the Tennity Ice Skating Pavilion on South Campus. At these sessions, which normally occur in September and October, all the necessary equipment is provided, free of charge.

That鈥檚 how Reid became involved and now he鈥檚 a key contributor to the team that has its sights set on representing the University at the upcoming national tournament.

鈥淥nce I tried the sport, what made me stick around was this understanding that I was part of something that was bigger than myself,鈥� Reid says.

Wingert, who fell in love with the sport when he was a child growing up in Southern Ontario, Canada, says nearly every member of the club team had zero curling experience before coming to campus.

鈥淭he learn to curl sessions are great because it helps us recruit for the club while spreading our love of curling on campus,鈥� Wingert says.

For more information or to fill out an interest form, visit the .

When the puck drops for women’s ice hockey at the , three members of the Orange community will be competing for gold, representing Canada, the United States and Japan.

The University鈥檚 women鈥檚 ice hockey coach will be serving as an assistant coach for Hockey Canada, 鈥�16 will be working as a video coach for Team USA and ’15 will be playing defense for Team Japan.

Seeing Smith and other members of the Orange鈥檚 hockey alumni community on the Olympic stage is 鈥渁n amazing feeling,鈥� says current defensemen 鈥�26.

鈥淚t’s awesome to see how far the game has grown,鈥� she says. 鈥淥bviously, everyone dreams of one day playing in the Olympics. So knowing your coach is there, some of the teammates you played with before are there, it just represents something bigger than yourself. And it’s really motivating to see the younger girls and the younger generations really get inspired, hopefully, to have the same dream that we all did of hopefully making it to the Olympics.鈥�

Gendron says she hopes others watching women鈥檚 ice hockey know they can stay motivated and determined in pursuit of their own dreams of Olympic gold.

鈥淏elieve in yourself, be confident and you’ll succeed if you just keep working hard every day,鈥� Gendron says. 鈥淥ne thing I really learned at 性视界, especially, is there’s always something bigger than yourself. So remind yourself when you play, always play for something bigger than yourself and for the people around you.鈥�

The 性视界 women鈥檚 ice hockey team is planning big watch parties with their coaches to cheer Smith on in particular, she says.

鈥淲e’re obviously very happy and proud for her, and we just can’t wait to watch her succeed,鈥� Gendron says.

Below, learn more about Smith, Piacentini and Hosoyamada:

Smith, the second head coach in Orange women’s ice hockey program history, has worked in coaching positions for Hockey Canada since 2014. A native of Port Perry, Ontario, Smith was a Top-10 finalist for the 2010 Patty Kazmaier Memorial Award while a defenseman at St. Lawrence University. She was an assistant coach at Clarkson for eight years, taking the reins at 性视界 in May 2022.

She and Hockey Canada took silver at the 2025 IIHF Women’s World Championship in Czechia in April, falling only to the United States in an overtime classic for the Gold Medal Round.

“Representing Canada on the international stage is both humbling and exciting, and I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunity to contribute alongside some of the most accomplished athletes and coaches in the game,鈥� Smith in a statement when her Olympic position on the team was announced in July.

Smith said she looks forward to returning to 性视界 鈥渨ith valuable experiences and insights that will further benefit our team and the continued growth of our program.鈥�

Piacentini ended her senior season playing forward for 性视界 as the program鈥檚 all-time leader in career points (112, accounting for both goals and assists) and was the recipient of the . She also won the award in 2016.

After graduating, she played professionally for the EVB Eagles S眉dtirol (formerly the EV Bozen Eagles) in Bolzano, Italy, winning the Italian league crown in 2017.

A native of Weymouth, Massachusetts, she served as a video coach for the 2024 U.S. Under-18 Women’s National Team and is currently the assistant coach for the .

Hosoyamada will represent Team Japan for the at the Olympics. A team member since 2017, she previously competed as a defender in Pyeongchang (2018) and Beijing (2022).

During her time at 性视界, Hosoyamada played five seasons after redshirting during her sophomore year and served as team captain during her redshirt senior year. During her college career, she played 151 games, tallying 10 goals and 51 assists.

Hosoyamada told 性视界 University Today that representing both Team Japan and the University brings reflection and responsibility.

Playing for the Orange, she says she learned to trust her instincts and 鈥渆mbrace the process.鈥� She says she鈥檚 carried that mindset with her after graduating, to the Olympic bench and Team Japan.

With each Olympic appearance, she says her understanding of what it means to wear her jersey has 鈥渄eepened.鈥�

鈥淚鈥檓 proud to represent Team Japan鈥攏ot just as a player, but as someone who understands the history, the growth and the responsibility that comes with it,鈥� she says. 鈥溞允咏� University will always be a huge part of who I am. It鈥檚 where I learned how to compete, how to lead and how to handle adversity. Those lessons have stayed with me throughout my career and continue to shape how I approach moments like this. Standing on the Olympic stage again, I feel grateful, grounded and motivated to give everything I have鈥攗sing my experience to help the team and to perform at our best when it matters most.鈥�

Hosoyamada says her biggest advice to young athletes dreaming of competing in the Olympics is to not give up when you encounter adversity.

鈥淔or me, there was a season when I felt like giving up completely,鈥� she says. 鈥淏ut instead of walking away, I gave myself another chance鈥攐ne more season, one more push. Looking back, that decision changed everything. Growth often happens right at the point where things feel hardest, so trust the process, stay patient and keep showing up, even when it鈥檚 tough.鈥�