Hello! Welcome to campus for the 2023-24 school year. Returning students, we hope your summer was relaxing, and for new students, we hope you are enjoying your new home here at DC. This year, we will be splitting the responsibilities of The Defender’s Editor in Chief position.
To introduce ourselves,
I am Dana Peterson, a senior here at DC. I have a double major in English and Communication Studies. In my time here, you may have seen me around campus serving as a Writing Consultant, Admissions Ambassador, or Course Tutor for COMM 120. I have also spent three years as the Secretary of the Defiance College Student Senate and received the Wanda May LeMaster Service Award. Actively, I am participating in the Reeder C. Hutchinson Assistantship in the Humanities, serving as an Athletic Communications Intern, and conducting research within the Rome McMaster Learning Community.
And I am Hanna Young, a junior working towards a double major in Sports Management and Communication Studies. I am a commuter student so most of the time you see me it will be during the day, however, I am also a photographer so when I am not working for my hometown paper I am more than likely taking pictures for Yellow Jacket athletics. Last fall I was a Peer Leader for one section of FYE-100 and this semester I am a Peer Leader for a section of World Issues. Last year I was the sports photographer for The Defender.
This year, we plan to present the campus community with a broad range of articles, and we are sure you’ll find something that sparks your interest. Additionally, if you are interested in publishing articles with us, or have ideas about what you would like to see in The Defender, please contact Dana at dpeterson003@defiance.edu, or Hanna at hyoung001@defiance.edu.
I am a Disney child and am not afraid to admit it. Except for most Pixar movies, Disney has never released anything that I didn’t like. At least they hadn’t until 2016. When Disney announced they were making a live-action of The Little Mermaid, I was salty (pun intended). The Little Mermaid (1989) was my favorite movie as a child. I saw myself in Ariel. I was a pale redhead who was stubborn and didn’t want to listen to my parents. She was my idol. I would watch the movie every day, all day. The second the film ended, I would run to the VHS player, hit STOP, and then hit REWIND to watch it again. My older brother definitely hated me. I would sing “Part of Your World” by Jodi Benson like it was my job. When my family visited Disney World, we waited for what felt like forever in line so Ariel could sign my mermaid autograph book. In the summer, I would beg my brother to play mermaids with me in the pool even though I knew he would say no. According to my mother, when I was four years old, I told her I was going to be a mermaid when I grew up. Unfortunately, my tail never appeared.
I wasn’t angry when Disney announced live-action remakes of classics like The Lion King, Aladdin, or The Beauty and the Beast, but the minute I heard about The Little Mermaid, I was angry. I didn’t understand why Disney had to take what I perceived as a perfect film and redo it. My negative attitude towards the remake had nothing to do with any casting decisions or lyric changes; it was the project as a whole. I refused to watch any trailers, listen to interviews, or sing along to the new songs when they appeared on Spotify. It was childish, but I didn’t care. When the film finally came to theaters, I refused to go. It wasn’t until the remake appeared on Disney+ that I finally decided to watch it.
Before the movie started, I told my youngest brother, “If the movie sucks, we’re turning it off. If it doesn’t suck, then we’re going to watch it, and I’m going to complain the whole time.” The poor boy must have been so confused. Surprisingly, I didn’t instantly turn the film off or complain when the characters appeared. I was actually enjoying it. However, the moment of truth hadn’t arrived yet: Halle Bailey’s version of “Part of Your World.” As soon as Halle was cast as Ariel, I Googled her and listened to her music. I knew she could hold a tune and had a beautiful voice, but I was still skeptical. Jodi Benson’s version was my childhood, and nothing was going to change that, but when I heard Halle start singing during the “Part of Your World” scene, all my worries and anger disappeared. Halle was amazing. She captured my attention, and regardless of the fact a new actress was playing my Ariel, I didn’t care. I was just as amazed listening to Halle sing “Part of Your World” for the first time as I was listening to Jodi sing it twenty years earlier. Halle’s version will never beat Jodi’s in my brain, but I loved it nonetheless. The movie continued, and I was enthralled. When the ending scene with King Triton, Ariel, and the other merpeople happened, I unashamedly shed a few tears. I clicked out of the movie, hit restart on the Disney+ screen, and watched it again. I was so stuck in the past that I had told my brain I would hate the remake for years. I had to rewatch The Little Mermaid (2023) twice to appreciate and enjoy the film without prejudice. I am back in my mermaid phase and don’t care. I’m twenty years older than I was the first time, but I’m not counting. If you see me on campus with my mermaid backpack from 2003, mind your own business.
Did you know that “Fun Facts About Tacos That You Probably Never Knew” states that “According to NationalTacoDay.com, Americans are eating billions of tacos every year, 4.5 billion to be more specific?” Americans love Taco Bell and around half of the U.S. population will visit a Taco Bell once every eleven days. Another interesting fact is that Taco Bell actually started as a burger chain in 1954 and changed to selling tacos because they were located in a Hispanic neighborhood.
Tacos have been around for hundreds of years, and the biggest taco ever made was on November 20th, 2011, in Queretaro, Mexico. This taco was an amazing 246 feet long and was made with carnitas as the filling. Every year, national Taco Day is celebrated on October 4th. In 1966, the first taco truck originated in New York, and it didn’t have a full kitchen but was mainly used for catering.
Another interesting fact is that according to “Fun Facts About Tacos That You Probably Never Knew” states, “According to Mexican traditions, seafood tacos are meant to be eaten at lunch, while antojitos are to be eaten at dinner time.” The word “taco” is translated as “light lunch,” which is quite ironic when you consider the fact that people like to fill their tacos with all kinds of different things. Some of these different things include pork, chicken, beef, fried grasshoppers, and different salad toppings such as lettuce, shredded cheese, and tomatoes. Another interesting fact about tacos is that they have their own tv show on Netflix called Taco Chronicles.
To finalize, tacos have been around for hundreds of years, and thousands of people will enjoy eating tacos.
I would like to introduce you to our 19th President and first female president of the college, Dr. Richanne Mankey. In January, she started her eighth year at Defiance College. She was elected the president in the fall of 2015. She felt an “essence” during her interview at the college. She loves that the people at the college are serving the students and are dedicated to them and their success. Her favorite part about working at Defiance College is all of the people, including the students, faculty, staff, and trustees. Growing up Dr. Mankey lived in Tiffin, Ohio. She came to Defiance, Ohio from Buffalo, New York.
President Mankey went to Ohio Northern University for her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. She also finished her Sociology degree in her post-graduate studies. After attending Ohio Northern University, she attended the University of Dayton for her Master of Science in Education with a focus in Counseling. Lastly, President Mankey attended Teachers College at Columbia University for her Doctor of Education in the Organization and Leadership AEGIS program.
Growing up President Mankey always looked up to Queen Elizabeth I. Queen Elizabeth I was born in 1533. Then she ascended to the throne in 1558. Dr. Mankey states that “when she assumed the throne and was successful in a male-dominated world by being diplomatic and by living the values she held.” Some of President Mankey’s hobbies include home renovation. Dr. Mankey and her husband like to buy an older home and fix it up. If President Mankey could travel anywhere in the world she would want to go to New Zealand. She stated that “I have a high school exchange sister on the North Island, and I would take any opportunity to see her and her family again.” Her favorite animal is an owl because it symbolizes wisdom.
Some questions about advice were asked to President Mankey. Some advice that President Mankey wanted to share with college students is “No matter whether or not you like the class, activity, or event, find at least ONE thing you can learn from each experience. I would also say that finishing (at least) the bachelor’s degree is important, and something that you will appreciate having completed as your life journey unfolds.” President Mankey was asked for her own definition of success. She states that “You can only lead from who you are and when you have the confidence to do that it facilitates being able to engage others in important discussions around problem-solving and ideas that help to improve the human condition whether an organization, family, or community.”
President Mankey left me with one piece of inspirational advice to share with everyone. An African proverb that has always inspired President Mankey is If you want to go fast, go alone; if you want to go far, go together.
Postponed to Wednesday, May 3rd at 4pm due to the rainy conditions.
(Tuesday, April 25th) Softball vs Kalamazoo College
Canceled due the rainy weather conditions.
Transylvania University 6 vs Defiance College 1
The Defiance College baseball team traveled to Transylvania University on Saturday for a two game series. The game was silent until the Yellow Jackets struck in the bottom of top of the fifth inning when sophomore Gunner Gregg crushed the ball over the fence in left center field (0-1). Transylvania answered Gregg’s home run by scoring several runs in the bottom of the next inning. A single by Henry Mitcham scored Bryce Dreher (1-1). Then an Austin Taylor single scored Henry Mitcham which was followed by a Houston Manning homer to score himself, Walter Munday, Austin Taylor (5-1). Transy added another run in the bottom of the seventh inning when Henry Mitcham homered (6-1). Defiance recorded 8 hits in the contest including: one from Mitchell Roever, Hunter Bostater, Trent Murdock, and Gunner Gregg, while Alex Morr and Josh Vischer lead the way with 2. The Yellow Jackets had three pitchers see action in the first game on Saturday. The starting pitcher was senior Cohen Nies, he faced 29 batters throwing 102 pitches with 68 of those being in the zone in his 6 innings of work. Junior Johnny Hammerstein faced 5 batters in his 1 inning on the bump, throwing 19 pitches with 12 of those being strikes. The last pitcher to see action was junior Jeremy Russo, he faced 3 batters throwing 12 pitches with 7 of those being strikes in his one inning of work.
Transylvania University 9 vs Defiance College 4
In the second matchup between Defiance College and Transylvania University on Saturday, the Yellow Jackets came short. Transylvania started off the game hot, scoring on back to back doubles, Henry Mitcham doubled to score T Youngbloo then Austin Taylor doubled to score Mitcham (2-0). The Yellow Jackets tied the game in the top of the next inning after sophomore Gunner Gregg hammered the ball over the left field fence to score himself and sophomore Jacob Hild (2-2). Transy tacked on some more runs in the bottom of the second inning after a Braden Becker bunt and a throwing error Houston Manning scored which was followed by a balk to score Walter Munday (4-2). Calvin Schubert singled to score T Youngbloo and Braden Becker (6-4). Defiance scored again in the fifth inning when freshman Ethan Jenkins doubled to score Gunner Gregg (6-3). Henry Mitcham stole home in the bottom of the fifth inning (7-3). Transy added their last runs in the bottom of the sixth inning when Calvin Schubert reached home on a muffled throw and then Zach Forner homered (9-3). The Yellow Jackets tacked on their last run in the top of the ninth inning after senior Hunter Bostater grounded out to score junior Trent Murdock (9-4). Defiance had 7 hits in the contest Mitchell Roever, Jacob Hild, and Ethan Jenkins each had one and Trent Murdock and Gunner Gregg each had two. Two pitchers saw action for Defiance. Starting pitcher, freshman Blake Bowman faced 27 batters throwing 91 pitches with 54 of those being strikes in his 5 innings. The next pitcher to spend time on the bump was sophomore Tyler Dehan who faced 12 batters, throwing 45 pitches with 33 of those falling into the zone in his 3 innings pitched.
(Saturday, April 29th) Softball vs Franklin College
Postponed to Sunday, May 7th at 1pm and 3pm due the inclement weather.
Men’s Track & Field at the HCAC Outdoor Championships
The Defiance College Men’s Track & Field team rounded out their season at the HCAC Outdoor Championships on Saturday. Freshman Marlon Brown competed in the 400-meter dash running a time of 49.36 seconds. He also competed in the 200-meter dash finishing with a time of 22.61 seconds which earned him 5th place. Senior Ja’Qway Janvier also ran in the 200-meter dash finishing with a time of 22.74 seconds. Sophomore Gavin Maratea competed in the 100-meter dash finishing with a time of 11.57 seconds earning him a new PR. Freshman Landon Sensmeier competed in the 100-meter dash finishing in 12.65 seconds earning a new PR. He also competed in the javelin throw, finishing with a distance of 24.87 meters earning him his second PR of the meet. Freshman Isaac Miler competed in the long jump jumping 6.13 meters which earned him a 10th place finish. Junior Ron Scott competed in the shot put, discus, and hammer throw finishing with distances of 11.35 meters, 28.33 meters, and 24.73 meters. Earning him 13th in shot put, 18th in discus, and a PR in the hammer throw. The 4×100 meter relay team of Ja’Qway Janvier, Marlon Brown, Gavin Maratea, and Isaac Miler finished with a time of 43.90 seconds earning the group 7th place.
Women’s Track & Field at the HCAC Outdoor Championships
The Defiance College Women’s Track & Field team completed their season at the HCAC Outdoor Championship on Saturday. Sophomore Hailei Haynes competed in the 100-meter dash finishing with a time of 13.06 seconds earning her 7th place and a new PR. Senior Lisa-Maria Markau also competed in the 100-meter dash completing the race with a time of 12.38 seconds capturing 2nd place and a new PR. She also competed in the 200-meter dash finishing with a time of 26.01 seconds earning her second PR of the day as well as 3rd place. Sophomore Shanti Elkins also tackled the 200-meter dash finishing with a time of 27.57 seconds. The last Yellow Jacket to compete in the 200-meter dash was freshman Shyla Pemebrton who finished in 27.62 seconds earning her 9th place. Sophomore Lexi Coward captured a new PR in the 800-meter run finishing with a time of 3:15.54 which also earned her 16th place. Senior Brianna Snider earned a new PR in the javelin throw by hitting 22.96 meters. The 4×100 meter relay team made up of Lisa-Maria Markau, Shanti Elkins, Hailey Haynes, and Shyla Pemberton finished with a time of 49.87 seconds earning them 2nd place marks. The 4×400 meter relay team composed of Lisa-Maria Markau, Shyla Pemerbton, Brianna Snider, and Lexi Coward finished with a time of 4:58.34.
Mount St. Joseph University 10 vs Defiance College 2
Senior Alex Morr awaits a pitch against Mount St Joseph on Sunday.
Defiance College faced off against Mount St. Joseph University on a rainy Sunday at Defiance High School. Mount St. Joseph got off to a hot start scoring five runs in the first two innings. Patrick Murray and Tyler Herbers both walked with bases loaded to score Kevin Schaaf and Ethan Mason (2-0). Then a single by Andrew Clements scored Patrick Murray and Carter Owen (4-0). Then on a fielding error Ethan Mason earned first base while Anton Mere scored (5-0). In the bottom of the second inning Defiance put their first score on the board when sophomore Gunner Gregg doubled to score junior Trent Murdock (5-1). In the top of the seventh inning Mount St. Joseph added three more runs when Tyler Herbers singled to score Carter Owens and Ryan Murray and then Jordan Harley singled, scoring Herbers (8-1). In the top of the ninth inning Mount St Joseph scored their last runs after Andrew Clemons singled to score Tyler Herbers and Patrick Murray (10-1). Defiance scored their last run in the bottom of the ninth inning after Trent Murdock doubled, scoring senior Alex Morr (10-2). The Yellow Jackets recorded 6 hits in the contest: one coming from Tim Bobeck, Austin Horning, Gunner Gregg, and Trent Murdock. Alex Morr paved the way and recorded two hits. Two pitchers saw action in the first game. Starting pitcher sophomore Sam Thombs faced 28 batters, throwing 122 pitches with 63 of those being strikes going 5.2 innings. Junior Johnny Hammerstein came in in relief throwing 3.1 innings, facing 21 batters. He threw 76 pitches with 47 of those falling into the zone.
Mount St. Joseph University 15 vs Defiance College 3
Junior, Mitchell Roever prepares to swing at a pitch in the game against Mount St Joseph on Sunday.
In the second game of the day Defiance grabbed a lead early, however, they could not hang on to it. Mount St Joseph scored in the top of the first inning when Ryan Murray grounded out to score Kevin Schaaf (1-0). Sophomore Gunner Gregg doubled to score senior Alex Morr and junior Mitchell Roever (1-2). Senior Hunter Bostater then grounded out to score Gunner Gregg (1-3). Started chipping away at Defiance’s lead in the top of the second inning when Luke LeGault doubled to score Jordan Sanders (2-3). Then in the top of the next frame Ryan Murray singled to score Kevin Schaaf (3-3). Mount St Joseph jumped into the drivers seat for the rest of the game putting up 12 runs in four innings. In the fourth inning Jordan Sanders homered, followed by an Anton Mere singled that scored Jordan Harley, a double by Ryan Murray scored Ethan Mason, and a sacrifice fly by Andrew Clements scored Ryan Murray (9-3). In the fifth inning Anton Mere tripled to score Jordan Harley, then Kevin Schaaf doubled scoring Anton Mere, and then Carter Owen grounded out to score Kevin Schaaf (12-3). In the sixth inning a throwing error Jordan Sanders scored then Anton Mere hit a sacrifice fly that scored Jordan Harley (14-3). Lastly, in the seventh inning Max Kline doubled to score Carter Owen (15-3). The Yellow Jackets recorded 6 hits in the contest. Garret Long, Jacob Hild, Alex Morr, and Mitchell Roever each contributed one, while Gunner Gregg added two. Five pitchers saw action in the second game on Sunday. Starting pitcher sophomore Tyler Sickmiller faced 17 batters throwing 38 pitches with 32 of those being strikes in his 3.1 innings on the bump. Freshman Ethan Jenkins faced 6 batters in his 0 innings pitched, throwing 29 pitches and 15 strikes. Then sophomore Jeffrey Varga threw 32 pitches and 21 strikes while facing 10 batters in his 1.2 innings pitched. Junior Jeremy Russo threw 1 inning, facing 7 batters, throwing 23 pitches with 13 of those falling in the zone. The last pitcher to see action was sophomore Damarius Taylor who faced 5 batters in his 1 innings pitched, throwing 15 pitches, 10 of those being strikes.
(Next Week May 1st – May 7th)
*Home Events are indicated in purple*
(Tuesday, May 2nd) Baseball vs Ohio Northern University
Location: Rutter Field
Time: 4pm
(Wednesday, May 3rd) Baseball vs Kalamazoo College
Location: Kalamazoo College
Time: 4pm
(Wednesday, May 3rd) Softball vs Anderson
Location: Sal Hench Field
Time: 3:30pm and 5:30pm
(Saturday, May 6th) Baseball vs Hanover University
Location: Rutter Field
Time: 12pm and 3pm
(Saturday, May 6th) Softball vs Mount St Joseph University
Tim Rickabaugh – Sociology of Sport (SPMT 320) instructor
Recently (April, 2023) the US House of Representatives passed a Transgender Sports Ban Bill with no member voting across party lines on the controversial issue (219 Republicans “for” and 203 Democrats “against”). This bill states that, “Transgender athletes whose biological sex assigned at birth was male would be barred from competing on girls or women’s teams at federally funded schools and colleges”. Being that this is an issue central to the study of sport sociology, our SPMT 320 course discussed the bill and then voted on it as a class.
Despite 95% of our SPMT students personally supporting transgender individuals and rights as a whole, the class voted 16 to 3 in favor of the transgender sport ban. At face value, this would appear to be quite a contradiction, however, our students focused upon the central issue of fair competition when voting on the ban instead of placing judgement on transgender persons. In fact, 90% of our students felt that deciding whether to support the sport ban should require deep self-questioning and self-reflection upon one’s personal beliefs and attitudes.
What the class found to be most alarming was that it appeared that not a single member of the US House of Representatives appeared to question their own personal beliefs or to struggle with the issue; They simply voted along party lines. When questioned if the House vote indicated that politicians display fixed/rigid beliefs on issues related to the rights of transgender individuals, 85% agreed that our representatives cared more about voting along party lines than individually considering the importance of the issue. Both sides, Liberals and Conservatives alike, failed to show any true appreciation of the delicate balance between fairness in athletic competition with the inherent right of all individuals to participate in sports.
If Defiance College sport sociology students can take the time to personally consider, and struggle with
such a complex issue, why can’t our elected members of the US House of Representatives?
Sports have always been a testament to human potential, showcasing the limits of physical and mental abilities. However, the factors that determine an athlete’s performance remain a subject of intense study and debate. While some attribute success to natural talent or genetics, others emphasize the importance of training, nutrition, and psychological factors. In reality, the interplay between nature and nurture is complex, with a growing body of research shedding light on the role of genetics and training in elite sports.
The Role of Genetics in Athlete Performance
Genetics plays a crucial role in determining an athlete’s physical attributes, such as height, muscle mass, lung capacity, and metabolism. However, the extent to which genes influence performance varies depending on the sport and the individual. For instance, height and body size are advantageous in basketball and volleyball, while endurance and aerobic capacity are crucial in long-distance running and cycling. Moreover, genetic variations can affect an athlete’s susceptibility to injuries, recovery time, and response to training.
Recent studies have identified several genes that are associated with athletic performance, including ACTN3, which is linked to fast-twitch muscle fibers, and ACE, which affects the body’s response to training. However, the influence of these genes is limited, and their expression is also affected by environmental factors, such as training and nutrition. Therefore, while genetics can provide a blueprint for an athlete’s potential, it is not a guarantee of success.
The Importance of Training and Nutrition
Training and nutrition are critical factors that can enhance or limit an athlete’s performance, regardless of their genetic predisposition. Training involves a systematic and progressive approach to improving physical and mental abilities, such as strength, speed, agility, and decision-making. Effective training programs incorporate periodization, which involves varying the intensity, volume, and frequency of training to optimize performance and prevent injury.
Nutrition is equally important, providing the fuel and nutrients that support an athlete’s physical and mental demands. Proper nutrition involves a balanced and personalized approach, taking into account an athlete’s energy needs, nutrient requirements, and individual preferences. In addition, hydration is critical for maintaining fluid balance and preventing heat-related illnesses.
The Role of Psychology in Athlete Performance
While genetics and training are critical factors, the role of psychology in athlete performance cannot be overlooked. Mental skills, such as motivation, focus, confidence, and resilience, are essential for athletes to perform at their best under pressure. Moreover, psychological factors can affect an athlete’s decision-making, risk-taking, and emotional regulation, which can impact their performance and well-being.
Effective mental skills training involves techniques such as visualization, goal-setting, self-talk, and mindfulness, which can enhance an athlete’s mental toughness and performance. In addition, sports psychology can help athletes manage stress, anxiety, and other mental health issues that can affect their performance and quality of life.
Conclusion
In conclusion, athlete performance is a complex interplay between genetics, training, nutrition, and psychology. While genetics can provide a blueprint for an athlete’s potential, it is not a guarantee of success. Effective training and nutrition programs can optimize an athlete’s physical and mental abilities, while mental skills training can enhance their mental toughness and well-being. Therefore, a holistic approach that considers all these factors is essential for athletes to reach their full potential in sports.
According to “Everything You Need to Know About Brownies” states that “Brownies have two of their own holidays: National Brownies Day on December 8 and National Have a Brownie Day on February 10th.” Brownies first appeared in cookbooks in 1904 and walnuts are the most popular brownie mix-in.
Although the origin of brownies or where they came from is unknown, some theorists believe that they were created after a chef made a mistake. Another interesting fact about brownies is that the classic recipe only consists of five ingredients including butter, sugar, chocolate, eggs, and flour.
Some brownies turn out chewy as a result of adding in extra eggs and a combination of different chocolates. Brownies are also considered a “comfort food” which means that whenever they are eaten, they provide a sentimental feeling to the person eating it. Most people know of the traditional chocolate brownies, but there are also brownies that are called “blondies”.
These blondy brownies are known for their golden brown color and are made with brown sugar, vanilla, butter, and eggs; however, no chocolate is needed. The term “brownie” could also be used to address a mythical creature. These brownies are small and can secretly carry out good deeds under the cover of darkness.
The largest brownie ever made weighed in at three thousand pounds and was served at the Hudson Valley Chocolate Factory in 2001. This brownie included 850 pounds of sugar, 750 pounds of chocolate chips, 500 pounds of butter, 500 pounds of flour, and 3,500 eggs.
To finalize, brownies are a popular comfort food that has been around for hundreds of years.
I would like to introduce you to Kathryn Phillips. This year she was the Krieger Visiting Scholar in Religious Studies. Next year, her title will be Assistant Professor of Religious Studies. She has been at Defiance College for 2 years. She decided to come to Defiance College because Defiance Collegel is focused on teaching. She knew she wanted to work for a school that was focused on teaching. She knew she really wanted to be in the classroom with the students. Her favorite part about working at Defiance College is the smaller class sizes, so she can get to know her students. She worked for a large state school and some of her classes had almost 200 students in one class. Kathryn got her PhD in Religious Studies from the University of California, Riverside.
Dr. Phillips grew up in Southern California in Riverside County. She lived more inland and closer to the deserts. She did live close to the beach and Hollywood, but it took a couple of hours to get to those places. She lived about an hour and a half away from Disneyland. She had an annual pass for a few years to go to Disneyland.
Kathryn’s favorite food is carne asada fries. She said they are similar to steak nachos but with French fries. They are hard to find outside of Southern California. She also really likes pizza and buffalo wings, but she needs blue cheese with her wings. Dr. Phillips does like to collect more books than she can ever read. She also collects Funko Pop figures. She has close to 100 of the Funko Pop figures. She likes to collect the Funko Pop figures from The Office because that is one of her favorite shows. She is very passionate about teaching, but she is also about LGBTQ+ issues. She is currently the advisor for DC Pride on campus. She is very passionate about “creating safe environments and communities for people to be their authentic selves.” She thinks she is more of a night owl because she hates waking up early. Lastly, her favorite season is fall. Halloween is her favorite holiday because she loves dressing up and decorating for it.
It was a warm June night in 1998, when the Chicago Bulls faced the Utah Jazz in Game 6 of the NBA Finals at the Delta Center. The Bulls were leading the series 3-2 and had a chance to clinch their sixth championship in eight years. The Jazz were trying to force a Game 7, and they had home-court advantage. The game would end up being a thriller, with both teams playing at a high level and exchanging the lead numerous times.
The Jazz led 86-83 with less than a minute left in the fourth quarter, and they had the ball. They were looking to extend their lead and put the game away. But then, something happened that would change the course of NBA history.
The Bulls’
Scottie Pippen stole the ball from Karl Malone, and passed it to Michael
Jordan. Jordan dribbled up the court, and made a layup to cut the deficit to
one point with 37 seconds left.
The Jazz called a timeout and inbounded the ball to John Stockton. Stockton brought the ball up the court and ran down the clock. He passed it to Malone in the post, who was guarded by Dennis Rodman. Malone tried to back down Rodman, but Rodman held his ground.
With 18 seconds left, Jordan came from behind Malone and stripped the ball away. He grabbed the loose ball and dribbled up the court again. He crossed half-court with 10 seconds left and slowed down near the top of the key. He was guarded by Bryon Russell, who had been his nemesis throughout the series.
Jordan dribbled to his right, then crossed over to his left. Russell stumbled, and Jordan pulled up for a jump shot from just inside the three-point line. He released the ball with 5.2 seconds left and held his follow-through as he watched it fly through the air.
The ball swished through the net, giving the Bulls an 87-86 lead. The crowd was stunned, as Jordan pumped his fist in celebration. The play would become known as “The Shot”, and it would be replayed over and over again as one of the greatest plays in NBA history.
The Jazz still had a chance to win the game, but Stockton missed a three-pointer at the buzzer. The Bulls had done it. They had beaten the Jazz and won their sixth championship.
“The Shot” was more than just a game-winning basket. It was a crowning moment for Jordan’s legendary career. It marked his sixth NBA title, sixth Finals MVP award, and second three-peat. It was his last shot as a Bull, as he retired after the season (although he would come back later with the Washington Wizards). It cemented his place as one of the greatest players of all time.
“The Shot” is still remembered today as one of the most memorable moments in sports history. It is still celebrated every year on June 14th, the anniversary of the game. It is still featured in movies, documentaries, and books. It is still cherished by those who witnessed it live or on TV.
