Five Minutes With ... Jon Cripe

DePauw senior Cross Country and Track & Field student-athlete Jon Cripe

Name: Jon Cripe

Hometown/High School: Belleville, IL/Belleville West

Institution: DePauw University

Majors: Physics and Math

Sports: Cross Country and Track & Field

I am originally from ... Belleville, IL, which is near St Louis.

Why did you choose to attend a NCAA Division III institution? I wanted to go to a school with good academics and have the opportunity to be involved in multiple activities. In addition to athletics, I am involved in music, a resident assistant (RA) and president of our SAAC.

How would you describe the philosophy of NCAA Div. III? Being a student first but still having the opportunity to compete and excel in athletics.

How has your experience been in balancing athletics and academics at DePauw? I actually think having the structure of daily practice helps my academics. I have improved my time management skills and know how to prioritize the things I need to get done. Also, exercise is part of a healthy lifestyle.

How would you best describe your normal day as a student-athlete at the NCAA Div. III level? I.e. What do you do all day? Wake up and go to class during the day. In between classes I get as much homework done as possible. Practice is from 4-7ish. Then I make dinner and start on my homework again. A few days a week I do supplementary training like lifting, core, bike, etc, so I have to fit that into my schedule too. I also have a few meetings each week for the clubs that I am involved in that I need to attend.

Favorite thing about DePauw? The people

Favorite thing about the NCAC? The competition, friendly nature and professionalism of the student athletes.

What do you want to be when you grow up? Not entirely sure yet. Next year I will be in Germany doing physics research at the Albert Einstein Institute. Then I return to the states and continue graduate school for my PhD in physics. I will be a professor one day, but not sure at what point in my life.

What has been your most memorable moment in athletics during your collegiate career? Making the regional cross country team this year after battling Achilles injuries for the past two years. There were a lot of days when it hurt a lot, and I would ask myself if it was worth it or not. I wasn’t able to train as much as I wanted to. It was really hard knowing that an injury was keeping me from reaching my potential. I had to change my training to be able to continue running, and it paid off in the end!

What would be your advice for someone that is considering enrolling as a student-athlete at a NCAA Div. III institution? Do it!

Are there any major obstacles that you’ve had to overcome when as a Div. III student-athlete? Just like any other activity, if you want to be good in athletics you have to sacrifice other things. I could not be in the band or orchestra or other clubs that I might have joined. You also have to give up part of your social life. But if I had to do it again I would still be a student-athlete. The memories last forever.

What's the most impressive meal you've ever cooked? I’m not sure what my single most impressive meal is, but I cook all of my own food, and I would say it’s all pretty good. So I tend to invite people on the team or other friends over for dinner a lot.

What’s your favorite sports team? St Louis Cardinals!

First job? Working on an orchard during the summers of high school. My friend and I worked in the fields all day. It was hot, but a lot of fun.

Best/worst summer job? Physics Research assistant

Five Minutes With ... Matthew Ranck

Wooster junior men's lacrosse player Matthew Ranck

Name: Matthew Ranck

Hometown/High School: West Bloomfield, MI/Walled Lake Northern

Institution: The College of Wooster

Major: Business Economics

Sport: Men’s Lacrosse

I am originally from ... West Bloomfield, MI

Why did you choose to attend a NCAA Division III institution?  Wooster is a great school academically, especially with its Independent Study Program.  It also has a great social environment.  These factors along with the ability to play lacrosse, showed me that it was a perfect fit.

How would you describe the philosophy of NCAA Div. III? The philosophy of Div. III is awesome because all the student-athletes are playing for the love of the game.

How has your experience been in balancing athletics and academics at Wooster? My first semester freshman year was a tough adjustment.  It was tough balancing the lifestyle of being away from home, school, and athletics. Staying organized and on top of your work is key.  Each semester, gets easier and easier, though.

How would you best describe your normal day as a student-athlete at the NCAA Div. III level? I.e. What do you do all day?  Wake up at about 9:15 for class at 10.  Most days I don’t eat breakfast. Have classes until 1.  Eat lunch at 1. Then, I will just relax before practice at 4.  After practice, I will eat dinner and then think about doing hw.  Which won’t start for about 2 hours after the initial thought.

Favorite thing about Wooster? My favorite thing about Wooster is the close-knit community, as well as the ability to succeed in the classroom and on the field.

Favorite thing about the NCAC? The NCAC is a very competitive conference, and every game is very exciting.

What do you want to be when you grow up? I would like to work for a sports management firm directly after college, and would ultimately like to become a Sports Agent.

If you are stranded on an island, you would like to be with …… a ship builder

What has been your most memorable moment in athletics during your collegiate career?  Upsetting the No. 6 team in the nation in our first-ever home night game.

What’s currently playing on your I-Pod? Crash into Me – Dave Matthews Band

In your opinion, what is the most important life lesson you learned while competing at the NCAA Div. III level? The most important lesson I have learned would be the ability to balance all of the important things you have going on.

How many hours a week do you spend on Facebook? Too much

What would be your advice for someone that is considering enrolling as a student-athlete at a NCAA Div. III institution? You need to pick a place that fits you. Picking a school with a great education and great environment for living is key.

Who do you look up to? My Father

if you could excel at any competitive sport (other than your own) which would you choose? I would choose Golf.

Which historical sporting event would you have liked to witness? The United States Hockey team upsetting the Soviet Union in the 1980 Olympics.

What's the most impressive meal you've ever cooked? I don’t cook very often.

What’s your favorite sports team/Who’s your favorite athlete? Detroit Red Wings/Pavel Datsyuk and Johan “The Mule” Franzen

Favorite hobbies outside work/school? Hanging out with family and friends, playing and watching just about any sport.

First job? I was a caddy at a nearby country club.

Favorite ice cream? Chocolate

Five Minutes With ... Kait Fiore

Senior Kait Fiore

Name: Kait Fiore

Homecoming/High School: Millburn, NJ/Millburn

Insititution: Denison University

Major: Biology

Minor: Spanish

I am originally from ... Midland Park, NJ

Why did you choose to attend a NCAA Division III institution? I have been playing sports for pretty much my whole life and softball has become very important to me. I knew I wouldn’t enjoy my college career as much unless I was playing softball. However, I also believe that focusing on my academics is very important as well. Division III schools are perfect for allowing student-athletes to balance academics and athletics and I am currently getting a great education and I am also able to play my sport.

How would you describe the philosophy of NCAA Div. III? NCAA Division III aims to give student-athletes the ability to focus on academics as well as athletics. Student-athletes at the Division III level still train hard and are still competitive, but we are given the opportunity to be more than just an athlete. We truly define the term “student-athlete.”

How has your experience been in balancing athletics and academics at Denison? My experience has been great. My coach is very understanding and recognizes the importance of academics and my professors also recognize the importance of athletics in my life. At times it is difficult to manage my time, but with all of the support I receive from coaches and professors I have had a lot of success balancing athletics and academics.

How would you best describe your normal day as a student-athlete at the NCAA Div. III level? I.e. What do you do all day? All of my classes are in the morning so softball does not conflict with them as much. I wake up in the morning and go to class and then I go to work in the Varsity weight room where I coach other athletes at my school. Then I go to practice or my games. When I get home I make dinner and do my homework and then get ready for the next day.

Favorite thing about Denison? The athletic presence on campus. So many students at Denison play sports (Varsity, club, intramural, or just for fun) and many students who don’t play sports just enjoy watching them.

Favorite thing about the NCAC?  Our level of sportsmanship. The conference is very competitive, but as a conference we have a great amount of respect for the teams we play.

What do you want to be when you grow up? I would love to be a Physician Assistant.

 If you could trade places with someone for a day, who would it be and why? I would trade places with my grandma for several reasons. First of all, she is someone who I look up to and respect greatly. She has experienced tough times and has developed into a very strong person with a great head on her shoulders. I would love to learn the things that she has learned. I also would love to have more time to just enjoy my days. While I love playing softball and being a student, it would be nice to have more time to read for pleasure and to do more things that I’m not normally able to do.

What aspect of being a student-athlete at the Div. III level, do you hope to take with you into your professional life? I have learned how to interact with people better and how to be a better leader. I think these skills are very important for one’s professional life.

Do you have one coach and/or professor that has impacted your career the most at Denison? My softball coach, Tiffany Ozbun. During my years at Denison I have matured so much and I believe this is largely because of her influence on me.

What are the toughest issues facing Div. III athletes today? Respect for what we do. Many people who are not involved in the Division III community do not understand exactly what DIII student-athletes do. We practice, we lift and we condition, but we also spend a lot of time on our academics and we do it all without athletic scholarships or other aid that athletes in other divisions receive.

 If you could excel at any competitive sport (other than your own) which would you choose? Gymnastics

 What’s your favorite sports team/Who’s your favorite athlete? The NY Giants and Mario Manningham (although I’m sad that he’s no longer a Giant)

Favorite ice cream? Mint chocolate chip!

People may be surprised to know that ... I am not italian

Five Minutes With ... Michael La Londe

Hiram junior baseball player Michael La Londe

Name: Michael La Londe

Hometown/High School: Willowick, OH/ Willoughby South

Institution: Hiram College

Major: Management   

Minor: Entrepreneurship

Sport: Baseball


•    I am originally from ... Willowick, Ohio

•    Why did you choose to attend an NCAA Division III institution? Better Education

•    How would you describe the philosophy of NCAA Div. III? I get the best of both worlds. I get a great education and I get to keep playing the sport that I love

•    How has your experience been in balancing athletics and academics at Hiram? Its been easy for the most part. My coach understand that school comes first so if there is ever a conflict with both, my coach would rather have me go to class

•    How would you best describe your normal day as a student-athlete at the NCAA Div. III level? I.e. What do you do all day? Very busy ... Wake up early, go to class, lunch, go to class again, hit the gym, practice, gym again, eat, then go to a meeting for something, homework, then bed

•    Favorite thing about Hiram? The community, it’s a very small school but everyone is friendly and I know everyone

•    Favorite thing about the NCAC? The competitiveness

•    What do you want to be when you grow up? I would love to go pro, if that doesn’t work I would still like to do something in baseball, so either try to get a job with the Indians, or hopefully open up my own baseball institution.

•    What has been your most memorable moment in athletics during your collegiate career? Getting the Ace spot in the pitching staff as a sophmore

•    What’s currently playing on your I-Pod? The Thrill - Wiz Khalifa

•    In your opinion, what is the most important life lesson you learned while competing at the NCAA Div. III level? Don’t ever give up

•    Are there any major obstacles that you’ve had to overcome when as a Div. III student-athlete? Yes, I have taken on many clubs here, so I have to manage all of those, plus baseball, plus my school work. It’s very overwhelming but it pays off in the end

•    What are the toughest issues facing Div. III athletes today?  Having to face different players every year because you don’t know anything about that player so you don’t know the best tactic against them

•    Who do you look up to? My parents, they have always been a big inspiration to me and have taught me to never give up

•    What is the meaning of life? Baseball

•    if you could excel at any competitive sport (other than your own) which would you choose? Probably football

•    Which historical sporting event would you have liked to witness? Derek Jeter getting his 3,000th hit.

•    What’s your favorite sports team/Who’s your favorite athlete? Cleveland Indians and probably Omar Vizquel

•    My favorite sports memory is…? Winning a baseball tournament out in West Virgina with my old summer ball team

•    Any Pet Peeves? People who try to sing lyrics to the song, but only know two words to the song

•    Favorite hobbies outside work/school? Sleeping

•    First job? I worked at a pizza shop

•    Best/worst summer job? Working at that pizza shop

Five Minutes With ... Seri Retrum

DePauw sophomore cross country and track & field runner Siri Retrum

Name: Siri Retrum

Hometown/High School: Columbus, IN/ Columbus North

Institution: DePauw University

Major: Kinesiology

Sports: Cross Country and Track and Field


•    I am originally from ... Anderson, IN

•    Why did you choose to attend a NCAA Division III institution? I was looking for a school with a competitive sports program and challenging academics.

•    How would you describe the philosophy of NCAA Div. III? Being able to excel as a collegiate athlete while pursuing high academic goals.

•    How has your experience been in balancing athletics and academics at DePauw? Having practice nearly everyday of the year keeps me on a strict schedule. Fitting in running, lifting, classes and studying makes my schedule very regimented which helps me manage my time to accomplish everything.

•    How would you best describe your normal day as a student-athlete at the NCAA Div. III level? I.e. What do you do all day? Depending on the day I wake up at 7 a.m. and run a few miles, shower and go to class. After lunch I will go lift before I go to the rest of my classes. Then at 4 pm I go to practice until 6 pm. After dinner I will study until I get my work done then I go to bed.

•    Favorite thing about DePauw? The close- knit nature of campus. Walking to classes it is common to see at least 10 people I know that I can say hi to.

•    Favorite thing about the NCAC? The friendly and competitive spirit at all sporting events.

•    What do you want to be when you grow up? A nurse

•    People may be surprised to know that …… My name is Norwegian.

•    What’s currently playing on your I-Pod? Keith Urban

•    Who do you look up to? My sister Becky, she started her own business by herself.

•    if you could excel at any competitive sport (other than your own) which would you choose? Triathlons

•    What's the most impressive meal you've ever cooked? Grilled salmon, roasted rosemary sweet potatoes, salad, and grilled asparagus

•    What’s your favorite sports team? The Colts

•    Favorite hobbies outside work/school? Cooking, spending time with family and friends, biking, swimming, reading, and playing on the lake

•    First job? Life guard

•    Favorite ice cream? I love all ice cream!!

Five Minutes With ... Kevin Snyder

Allegheny sophomore tennis player Kevin Snyder

Name: Kevin Snyder

Hometown/High School: Medina, NY/Medina

Institution: Allegheny College

Majors: Political Science and Communication Arts

Sport: Tennis


•    I am originally from ... Medina, NY. It’s a really small town on the Erie Canal in between Buffalo and Rochester.

•    Why did you choose to attend a NCAA Division III institution? The chance to play tennis while getting a great education was an opportunity that I couldn’t pass up. I really valued the small campus at Allegheny as well.

•    How would you describe the philosophy of NCAA Div. III? Division III is all about playing for the name on the front of our jerseys. We play our sports because we love practicing and competing, and we also do it because our school, teammates, and friends are important to us. We also realize that academics are our top priority while at college and we treat it as such.

•    How has your experience been in balancing athletics and academics Allegheny? It’s not easy, but it is doable. Allegheny is a tough school and in order to do well in the classroom and on the field I’ve had to really maximize my time when I am free, even if that means taking less naps! The professors at Allegheny are supportive of the student-athletes and when I do have to miss class for matches, they understand, but I still have to get the work done.

•    How would you best describe your normal day as a student-athlete at the NCAA Div. III level? I.e. What do you do all day? I usually wake up, get some breakfast, and then head to class. After class I work at my work study job in our Office of Student Involvement. After that I either get some homework done or get some extra practice in with my coaches before our team practice. After practice, we usually get dinner as a team and then I head to the library to finish up my homework. Then I repeat.

•    Favorite thing about Allegheny? The greatest thing about Allegheny by far is our community. That is something that set it apart from other schools for me. It’s special and when we say “We Are Allegheny,” we mean it. We are one big community and we support each other in the things that we do.

•    Favorite thing about the NCAC? The competition of the conference is awesome. Being able to go up against some of the top tennis teams in the country is challenging but great at the same time. We are definitely one of the best tennis conferences in the nation.

•    What do you want to be when you grow up? I’d love to work in Marketing and Public Relations. But I wouldn’t pass up a job in college sports.

•    If you could trade places with someone for a day, who would it be and why? Jay Carney, he is the White House Press Secretary. I’ve always loved that job and if I was to go into politics, it would be my dream to do that.

•    People may be surprised to know that ……All the names in my family start with the letter K. Even our pets.

•    What’s currently playing on your I-Pod? “Mind Your Manners” by Chiddy Bang

•    Do you have one coach and/or professor that has impacted your career the most at Allegheny? Jared Luteran, my Head Coach has definitely impacted me. He has taught me a lot about not just tennis but attention to details in life, which is something that I will use forever. He’s also helped me establish a good work ethic on the court and in the classroom. As far as Professors, Jim Bulman in our English department was my first experience with a college professor, and he was fantastic. He taught me what Allegheny was really about and how to make the most out of my time here. He was my advisor for my first year and a half, and the advice he gave me was gold.


•    What would be your advice for someone that is considering enrolling as a student-athlete at a NCAA Div. III institution? Do it. It’s the best possible decision you could make. I’ve made lifelong friends on my team, developed great habits, and am doing something that I love to do. There isn’t much that beats competing for your school. I could not see myself not being a student-athlete.

•    Who do you look up to? My Dad. He is one of the wisest people that I know.

•    if you could excel at any competitive sport (other than your own) which would you choose? I’ve always wanted to play volleyball. I’ve always had fun playing it.

•    Which historical sporting event would you have liked to witness? The 1993 Wild Card Playoff game between the Bills and the Oilers. You can’t beat great comebacks.

•    What’s your favorite sports team/Who’s your favorite athlete? The Buffalo Bills are my favorite team, and my favorite athlete is Sam Querrey.

•    My favorite sports memory is…? Playing at the National Tennis Center in New York City.


•    Favorite ice cream? Chocolate Panda Paws.

Call Me Maybe - Dueling WLAX Spring Break Videos

There's plenty of time on spring trips for teams to have a little fun. The Allegheny and Ohio Wesleyan women's lacrosse teams both share some of their recent fun in dueling Call Me Maybe videos. Who had more fun? Might be a toss-up!

Allegheny Gators:





Battling Bishops:

Five Minutes With ... Molly Goolman

Kenyon College sophomore softball player Molly Goolman

Name: Molly Goolman

Hometown/High School: Lancaster, NH/St. Johnsbury Academy (VT)

Institution: Kenyon College           

Majors: Biology and History

Sport: Softball

·       I am originally from … Lancaster, NH

·       Why did you choose to attend a NCAA Division III institution? The ability to play sports while studying at a top-tier school drew me to Division III immediately. I can’t imagine college without sports.

·       How would you describe the philosophy of NCAA Div. III? Division III allows students to use sports to prepare them for life after college, in addition to the benefits gained from the classroom. The nature of Division III athletics invites students to apply lessons learned on the field or court to situations that follow graduation.

·       How has your experience been in balancing athletics and academics at Kenyon? Kenyon is an extremely strong academic setting, but I find my time management skills to be much better when I’m in-season than when I’m out of season. It helps that many of the professors here are some of our biggest fans!

·       How would you best describe your normal day as a student-athlete at the NCAA Div. III level? I.e. What do you do all day? It’s pretty simple: Class, practice, homework. It sounds monotonous, but the fact that I’m surrounded by friends and fellow student-athletes all day makes it easier.

·       Favorite thing about Kenyon? The best part about Kenyon is that it’s full of Ivy League-caliber students who don’t need the label of a more widely known institution. It also happens to be one of the most beautiful places on Earth.

·       Favorite thing about the NCAC? It’s small, so you really get to know the teams and even the individual athletes you compete against.

·       What do you want to be when you grow up? A patent lawyer for a pharmaceutical company

·       If you could trade places with someone for a day, who would it be and why? Kate Middleton. Who doesn’t want to be a princess for a day?

·       People may be surprised to know that ……I’m a black belt in Shotokan karate.

·       If you are stranded on an island, you would like to be with ……My mom. We could make each other laugh the entire time.

·       Do you have any hidden talents that very few people know about? I’m a pretty decent welder.

·       Do you have one coach and/or professor that has impacted your career the most at Kenyon? Biology professor Kathy Gillen. She’s always around to help me make decisions, or at least listen to me argue with myself about them, whether it’s about school or sports or life in general. Once I make up my mind, she’s always really supportive. She’s even made it to a few softball games!

·       if you could be a superhero which special power would you choose to have? The ability to zap myself anywhere whenever I want.

·       Which historical sporting event would you have liked to witness? The New York Mets beating the Boston Red Sox in Game 6 of the 1986 World Series. Bottom of the tenth with one strike left? That’s why we play sports.

·       What’s your favorite sports team/Who’s your favorite athlete? The Minnesota Vikings. Being a Vikings fan is a lot like breaking up with your boyfriend every week for 16 weeks, but when they pull out a win I smile all week long.

·       Any Pet Peeves? When cars don’t stop for people waiting at crosswalks. That’s just rude.

·       Favorite ice cream? Rocky Road

Hiram, NCAC React to D-III Texting Deregulation

The Electronic Sports Production class at Hiram produced their first video. The topic? The recent NCAA Division III legislation regarding the use of texting in recruiting. The class is taught by Audrey Cunningham, a Hiram Faculty Athletics Rep, and Alex Dellas, a former Terrier women's basketball player who is using the course as data for her master's project at Kent State.

What do you think about texting in the recruiting process?

Five Minutes With ... Robert Wolf

Kenyon senior track & field student-athlete Robert Wolf

Name: Robert Wolf

Hometown/High School: Cleveland, OH/ St. Ignatius

Institution: Kenyon College

Major: Biology

Sport(s): Indoor/Outdoor Track and Field

I am originally from ... Cleveland, OH

Why did you choose to attend a NCAA Division III institution? I chose to come to Kenyon because of the high academic standards demanded by the institution.

|How would you describe the philosophy of NCAA Div. III? People who choose DIII schools seem to participate in athletics because they want to as opposed to fulfilling a scholarship. It is based only on the enjoyment that student-athletes derive from working hard and trying their best.

How has your experience been in balancing athletics and academics at Kenyon? Kenyon is a very demanding school and at times it has been extremely challenging academically. However, our coaches know what is expected of us academically and therefore are very lenient when we need more time. They always stress that academics come first.

How would you best describe your normal day as a student-athlete at the NCAA Div. III level? Class in the morning, homework and studying until practice, and homework after practice.

Favorite thing about Kenyon? The availability of professors to help their students. And, the close-knit community between students, faculty, and alumni.

Favorite thing about the NCAC? The fact that all schools are equally competitive in the conference.

What do you want to be when you grow up? Special agent for the FBI.

If you could trade places with someone for a day, who would it be and why? LeBron James. He is the most gifted athlete in the world.

If you are stranded on an island, you would like to be with …… Object: Bible ... Person: my little brother

What aspect of being a student-athlete at the Div. III level, do you hope to take with you into your professional life? The work ethic that goes into both my academics and athletics.

What has been your most memorable moment in athletics during your collegiate career? Breaking the Kenyon College 4x200 record at the conference meet and being named All- Conference.

What would you like to accomplish, both in academics and athletics, before you graduate? Some school records are attainable for my team this year. I want to help get them as close as possible to breaking some of those records.

What’s currently playing on your I-Pod? The Beatles “Hey Jude”

Do you have one coach and/or professor that has impacted your career the most at Kenyon? Coach Craig First

What is your most prized possession? My iPhone 3GS. I know there are better models, but my phone is the best. No question. 

In your opinion, what is the most important life lesson you learned while competing at the NCAA Div. III level? First, a team that will stick together through thick and thin is the best team you can be on. If you want something bad enough, go and get it.

Who do you look up to in life? My father

If you could be a superhero which special power would you choose to have? All of Spiderman’s powers

If you could excel at any competitive sport (other than your own) which would you choose? Basketball

Which historical sporting event would you have liked to witness? Michael Jordan’s first title.

What's the most impressive meal you've ever cooked? Toast

What’s your favorite sports team/Who’s your favorite athlete? St. Ignatius Wildcats/ LeBron James

My favorite sports memory is…? My high school 4x800 relay team at St. Ignatius.

Any Pet Peeves? People invading my personal space.