Construction of the Fitness Center is in the final stages! The new cardio equipment is in place and we are waiting on the strength training equipment, which should arrive within the next week. The Grand Opening is scheduled for September 25th. This will give us time to train both the faculty/staff on how to run the equipment, as well as hire and train the new student monitors.
Here is video of the space as of today - 8-27-09.
This is a video of the first floor that will include the strength training equipment and the cardio equipment. Each cardio machine has an individual TV screen that has access to cable television, as well as an Ipod docking station so you can listen to your own music or watch your own shows/movies. Each machine also has a USB port that allows you to develop, record and track your workouts on-line through LifeFitness!
The mezzanine level that will include spinning bikes, stability/physio balls and dumbbells. This will also be a class space for Yoga and Pilate's.
It will definitely be a great space and we are looking forward to it opening soon!
Best,
DA
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Monday, August 17, 2009
NCAA Swim Suit Rules
Here is the link to a quick article on the NCAA Swimming Committees recommendations for swim suits. Hopefully the rules will be approved by the next level of rules committees. This is about where we were last year, when the main rules committee overturned the recommendation to ban suits.
We will have to wait and see, but I suspect this is not the last we will hear about swim suits!
Best,
DA
PS - The NFHSA just banned the suits as well.
We will have to wait and see, but I suspect this is not the last we will hear about swim suits!
Best,
DA
PS - The NFHSA just banned the suits as well.
Swimming and Diving Grabs CSCAA Academic All-American Accolades
Once again the team was recognized by the College Swimming Coaches Association of America for our team GPA. The team posted a GPA of 3.40 for the spring semester. Here is a link to the MHC article .
Best,
DA
Best,
DA
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Fitness Center Update
Hi All,
So our new Fitness Center is way ahead of schedule! Originally it was scheduled to be finished in late December. Now the push is on to finish it before the start of classes! The progress has been amazing! The new windows in the main hallway allow a beautiful amount of natural light! Nice to have that coming into our offices!
At this point construction should finish in the next two weeks with the equipment moving in after construction is complete. The final opening will depend on the delivery date of all of the equipment.
The equipment includes 36 pieces of cardio equipment - all with their own TV and Ipod connections, 10 pieces of selectorize weight machines and all new free weights! We also have a mezzanine level that will be used for yoga, Pilate's and spinning classes!
I am trying to down-load video of the project but my new computer does not seem to like flip video! So i will keep working on that!
More later,
DA
So our new Fitness Center is way ahead of schedule! Originally it was scheduled to be finished in late December. Now the push is on to finish it before the start of classes! The progress has been amazing! The new windows in the main hallway allow a beautiful amount of natural light! Nice to have that coming into our offices!
At this point construction should finish in the next two weeks with the equipment moving in after construction is complete. The final opening will depend on the delivery date of all of the equipment.
The equipment includes 36 pieces of cardio equipment - all with their own TV and Ipod connections, 10 pieces of selectorize weight machines and all new free weights! We also have a mezzanine level that will be used for yoga, Pilate's and spinning classes!
I am trying to down-load video of the project but my new computer does not seem to like flip video! So i will keep working on that!
More later,
DA
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
High Tech Suits
News from Yesterday!
It looked like FINA was taking a strong look at the newest wave of high-tech swim suits and had initially banned 100+ a earlier in the spring. See John Leonard's article "What's up with the Suits?" from March on the ASCA web site. You need to scroll down a ways to get to the initial article. There are also some other updates as you scroll.
Unfortunately, it appears that almost all of the suits have since been reinstated. Here is an article from the June 23rd edition of the Washington Post.
It is unfortunate that this controversy continues. Yes, technology will always impact sports and just about every other sport continues to evolve with technology. The big difference that I see is that we have now completely changed the goal of swimming. Until last year, the goal was how fast can a swimmer pull his or her body through the water. Now, it is more like, how fast can she pull the suit through the water. The swimmer is now encapsulated in a shell that eliminates many of the physical challenges faced before the new suits.
People have said it is all about the athlete and not the suit. Clearly you still need to be a great athlete to swim at the elite level, but just as clearly with significantly more records falling in the past year, it is about the suit. Times have dropped so significantly that it is not about some new training or swimming technique.
"This is sport that used to be about technique and training and talent, and now it's going to be about technology" until the rules are tightened, said Bob Bowman, who coaches Phelps and fellow Olympian Katie Hoff, by phone. "I'm also concerned about the long-term ramifications for the sport that come out of this period of free-for-all. Once records are set, it's hard to get them back. . . . It's not going to be just six months of chaos, we're going to be paying for this for a decade." (Washington Post article).
And unfortunately, all swimmers are going to be paying for this, literally, dropping $300-$500 for a suit that lasts at best for a weekend championship. This will certainly make for an uneven playing field where results will reflect as much about the training as the ability to purchase super suits.
Hopefully FINA will realize what the focus of the sport should be!
Best,
DA
It looked like FINA was taking a strong look at the newest wave of high-tech swim suits and had initially banned 100+ a earlier in the spring. See John Leonard's article "What's up with the Suits?" from March on the ASCA web site. You need to scroll down a ways to get to the initial article. There are also some other updates as you scroll.
Unfortunately, it appears that almost all of the suits have since been reinstated. Here is an article from the June 23rd edition of the Washington Post.
It is unfortunate that this controversy continues. Yes, technology will always impact sports and just about every other sport continues to evolve with technology. The big difference that I see is that we have now completely changed the goal of swimming. Until last year, the goal was how fast can a swimmer pull his or her body through the water. Now, it is more like, how fast can she pull the suit through the water. The swimmer is now encapsulated in a shell that eliminates many of the physical challenges faced before the new suits.
People have said it is all about the athlete and not the suit. Clearly you still need to be a great athlete to swim at the elite level, but just as clearly with significantly more records falling in the past year, it is about the suit. Times have dropped so significantly that it is not about some new training or swimming technique.
"This is sport that used to be about technique and training and talent, and now it's going to be about technology" until the rules are tightened, said Bob Bowman, who coaches Phelps and fellow Olympian Katie Hoff, by phone. "I'm also concerned about the long-term ramifications for the sport that come out of this period of free-for-all. Once records are set, it's hard to get them back. . . . It's not going to be just six months of chaos, we're going to be paying for this for a decade." (Washington Post article).
And unfortunately, all swimmers are going to be paying for this, literally, dropping $300-$500 for a suit that lasts at best for a weekend championship. This will certainly make for an uneven playing field where results will reflect as much about the training as the ability to purchase super suits.
Hopefully FINA will realize what the focus of the sport should be!
Best,
DA
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Miki Yoshida Named to National SAAC
Raising Junior Miki Yoshida has been selected to represent both the NEWMAC and GNAC conferences on the NCAA Division III Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC). She will serve on the committee for the next three years. Miki also represented Mount Holyoke at the NCAA National Student-Athlete Development Conference in Orlando, Fla at the beginning of June
Miki is spending the next month in Japan working as an intern for an international rugby tournament.
See the full story.
Best,
DA
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Athletic Awards Ceremony
On Thursday May 7th the Athletic Department held it's annual award ceremony. Two seniors received the Senior Athlete Award for competing on the team for 4 years. They are Natalia Sadaniantz (pic left) and Lisa Nash. Both also served as captains this year.
Lisa also received the teams Ann C. Cummings Award for the person for "gave the most in the sport".
Lindsay Schonborn '10 received the Noll Newcomer Award, which is voted on by her teammates.
Lisa was also honored for her being named one of the NACWAA Administrator of Tomorrow. (See previous post). Lisa also received the Athletic Directors Award. This award is not an annual award but is given to student athletes that really exemplify the meaning of student-athlete and make significant contributions to the department. Lisa has worked tirelessly the last year and a half to promote student-athletes as the chair of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee and as a department intern.
Congratulations to Lisa, Natalia and Lindsey.
To see more information, click the link.
Best,
DA
Friday, May 1, 2009
Dance Studio Story
Here is the link to the story about the opening of the new Dance Studios. The dance studios where the first phase of 2 phases to complete the renovations of Kendall. Currently work to create a new fitness center is well underway. The renovations are expected to be completed by late fall. Here is a video of the current space - doesn't look to pretty right now, but is moving along!
Best,
DA
Best,
DA
Volunteering at the Peck School
Nine swimmers and divers volunteered to help out with the Peck School's after school program. Miki helped organize the team and they came up with a number of fun activities including, chain tag, the human knot, basketball, soccer and the show stopper - sponge relay. Fifteen children from the school participated. Here are two videos!
Best,
DA
Best,
DA
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Relay for Life
The Swimming and Diving Team is once again participating in the Relay for Life to support the American Cancer Society. The event will be held this weekend Friday 4/24 and Saturday 4/25.
This is the 4th year the team has particpated!
To make a donation, click here.
Best,
Dave
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Swimmer Wins NACWAA Award
Senior Captain Lisa Nash was among the five very special young women who were chosen to receive the National Association of Collegiate Women Athletics Administrators (NACWAA) Administrator of Tomorrow Award. The honor recognizes outstanding leadership in intercollegiate athletics by an undergraduate student, graduate student, intern or volunteer. Recipients have demonstrated leadership on campus, in a conference office or organization and in the community. Nash will be presented with her award at the College’s annual Athletic Banquet on Thursday, May 7.
“NACWAA and Jostens are proud to recognize these young aspiring individuals as they prepare to become our future leaders,” said Jennifer Alley, Executive Director of NACWAA.
This year’s winners include Amy Wilson (Graduate Student - University of Iowa – Division I-FBS), Christina Wright (Graduate Student - Ohio University - Division I-FCS), Carly Chudej (Student - University of Texas at San Antonio – Division I) and Alicia Lawrence (Student and Intern - Northern Kentucky University - Division II) in addition to Nash.
Nash was the recipient of the Division III Administrator of Tomorrow Award. In addition to being a four year member of the Lyons swimming and diving team, she also assumed several leadership roles within the College’s athletics program. She participated in the 2007 NCAA Regional Leadership Conference, served as Vice Chair of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) in 2007-2008, interned with the Department of Athletics in the summer of 2008 and currently serves as the Chair of the SAAC. The Shorewood, Wisconsin native was a co-captain of the 2008-09 swimming and diving team.
“Lisa is exactly the type of candidate that I had hoped might consider sports administration or coaching. She is a great leader, because she is comfortable creating more leaders. She prepares others by being clear about her expectations, being available for consultation and letting go of the tasks so the new leaders can take ownership,” said Mount Holyoke Associate Director of Athletics Lori Hendricks.
Administrator of Tomorrow Award is presented to an undergraduate/graduate student, intern or volunteer who aspires to a career in intercollegiate athletics. The award, which recognizes involvement and/or leadership roles on campus, conference office or organization and in the community, is presented to an undergraduate/graduate student intern or volunteer in NCAA Football Bowl Division, Football Championship Division, Division I; II; III; NAIA/NJCAA/CC and Conferences/Organizations categories. Up to seven national honorees can be selected and presented with their awards on their campuses, in their conference offices, at their organizations or at select conference/organization events of choice.
Founded in 1979, the National Association of Collegiate Women Athletics Administrators (NACWAA) is the only nationally recognized collegiate professional membership organization whose mission is to enhance and promote opportunities for women in intercollegiate athletics administration. With nearly 2,000 members, NACWAA promotes the growth, leadership and success of women as athletics administrators, conference commissioners, professional staff, coaches and student-athletes. It is a not-for-profit membership organization dedicated to providing educational programs, professional and personal development opportunities, information exchange and support services to enhance collegiate athletics.
For more information visit the NACWAA website (http://www.nacwaa.org/).
“NACWAA and Jostens are proud to recognize these young aspiring individuals as they prepare to become our future leaders,” said Jennifer Alley, Executive Director of NACWAA.
This year’s winners include Amy Wilson (Graduate Student - University of Iowa – Division I-FBS), Christina Wright (Graduate Student - Ohio University - Division I-FCS), Carly Chudej (Student - University of Texas at San Antonio – Division I) and Alicia Lawrence (Student and Intern - Northern Kentucky University - Division II) in addition to Nash.
Nash was the recipient of the Division III Administrator of Tomorrow Award. In addition to being a four year member of the Lyons swimming and diving team, she also assumed several leadership roles within the College’s athletics program. She participated in the 2007 NCAA Regional Leadership Conference, served as Vice Chair of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) in 2007-2008, interned with the Department of Athletics in the summer of 2008 and currently serves as the Chair of the SAAC. The Shorewood, Wisconsin native was a co-captain of the 2008-09 swimming and diving team.
“Lisa is exactly the type of candidate that I had hoped might consider sports administration or coaching. She is a great leader, because she is comfortable creating more leaders. She prepares others by being clear about her expectations, being available for consultation and letting go of the tasks so the new leaders can take ownership,” said Mount Holyoke Associate Director of Athletics Lori Hendricks.
Administrator of Tomorrow Award is presented to an undergraduate/graduate student, intern or volunteer who aspires to a career in intercollegiate athletics. The award, which recognizes involvement and/or leadership roles on campus, conference office or organization and in the community, is presented to an undergraduate/graduate student intern or volunteer in NCAA Football Bowl Division, Football Championship Division, Division I; II; III; NAIA/NJCAA/CC and Conferences/Organizations categories. Up to seven national honorees can be selected and presented with their awards on their campuses, in their conference offices, at their organizations or at select conference/organization events of choice.
Founded in 1979, the National Association of Collegiate Women Athletics Administrators (NACWAA) is the only nationally recognized collegiate professional membership organization whose mission is to enhance and promote opportunities for women in intercollegiate athletics administration. With nearly 2,000 members, NACWAA promotes the growth, leadership and success of women as athletics administrators, conference commissioners, professional staff, coaches and student-athletes. It is a not-for-profit membership organization dedicated to providing educational programs, professional and personal development opportunities, information exchange and support services to enhance collegiate athletics.
For more information visit the NACWAA website (http://www.nacwaa.org/).
Saturday, March 28, 2009
Student Athlete Advisory Committee
Here is the link to a story about the Mount Holyoke SAAC. This student run committee is chaired by swimmer Lisa Nash '09!
The SAAC has really been influential the past couple of years in helping to raise the profile of Mount Holyoke Athletics!
Best,
Dave
The SAAC has really been influential the past couple of years in helping to raise the profile of Mount Holyoke Athletics!
Best,
Dave
Winter Academic All-Conference Teams
The NEWMAC Conference recently released the names of the winter athletes that mad the Academic All-Conference Team
Honorees must have met the following criteria: earned a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5/4.0 scale for the 2008 fall semester, achieved second year academic status, and been a member of the varsity team for the entire season.
Congratulations to :
Michelle Kroll
Lisa Nash
Lindsay Schonborn
Sarah Schultz
Read the Full Story on the athletic's web page here.
Honorees must have met the following criteria: earned a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5/4.0 scale for the 2008 fall semester, achieved second year academic status, and been a member of the varsity team for the entire season.
Congratulations to :
Michelle Kroll
Lisa Nash
Lindsay Schonborn
Sarah Schultz
Read the Full Story on the athletic's web page here.
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Alumnae Quarterly
so here is another attempt to post a link to the Alum Quarterly. This LINK is to the Alumnae Association web page and look under the MHC Students link.
See if this works.
DA
See if this works.
DA
Monday, February 16, 2009
Swimming with Sharks!
Once again, posting is "hard work" and often left a little behind. Oh like two months or so! Oops! Sorry about that.
Anyway, just a quick update on our training trip to FL in January. We were in Juno Beach, FL from January 7 - 15th. The weather was beautiful the entire week. Even when the cold front came through it was still in the mid-60's. Funny to see the lifeguards bundled up with down jackets while we were in shorts.
The highlight of the trip was snorkeling about a mile off of Pompano Beach. It included a stop at a ship wreck and a spot that had a number of nurse sharks. Very cool to see sharks up close and personal. Even though they are not very dangerous, it certainly had an element of "fear". While snorkeling, the waves were between 2-3 feet. Not really that big, but being in the water, it gives you a whole new perspective on the power of the ocean and what people can go through in the open ocean.
We will be returning to the same place for 2010.
Best,
DA
Anyway, just a quick update on our training trip to FL in January. We were in Juno Beach, FL from January 7 - 15th. The weather was beautiful the entire week. Even when the cold front came through it was still in the mid-60's. Funny to see the lifeguards bundled up with down jackets while we were in shorts.
The highlight of the trip was snorkeling about a mile off of Pompano Beach. It included a stop at a ship wreck and a spot that had a number of nurse sharks. Very cool to see sharks up close and personal. Even though they are not very dangerous, it certainly had an element of "fear". While snorkeling, the waves were between 2-3 feet. Not really that big, but being in the water, it gives you a whole new perspective on the power of the ocean and what people can go through in the open ocean.
We will be returning to the same place for 2010.
Best,
DA
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