What did you do on January 18?

With no classes and possibly no work, maybe you went out on Sunday night and used that Monday to sleep off a hangover. Maybe you just sat on your couch and binged on your favorite Netflix TV show. Maybe you went on an outdoor adventure with your friends or family. Whatever you did, you can thank Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Honestly, you can thank him for way more than schools being closed and a short work week. There’s a reason why his birthday is dubbed a national holiday. Sometimes I think people forget about that. I know I do.

Almost a half a century after his death, we celebrate and remember a man who changed America. MLK, as most of us know, had a dream. His aspirations went farther than being rich and famous.

He wanted to make real change in the way members of society viewed  each other. He wanted to end a race war and drive not just a race, but a nation toward a common goal. MLK gave a voice to those who otherwise were being ignored.

He accomplished what he set out to do, even after hate and a bullet ended his life, his work progressed and still does today.

George amaru / Art Director

Obtaining civil rights for African Americans after years of oppression is of course something to be remembered, but do we as a people really take notice of the impact almost 50 years later?

I know for me, I don’t think much of the differences in race. Each race has its own culture in a sense, but we’re all mixed together, sharing bits and pieces of our history and social tendencies.

We are all intertwined now. There is, for the most part, no segregation of blacks and whites. While there have been hiccups of racial tension throughout present day America, most people would agree that individuals of different races are in fact the same as anyone else, and therefore have no problem treating them as such.

Now that we as a country are relatively accustomed to racial integration, the idea of integration and what it meant at the time isn’t necessarily front and center in our minds.

It’s a part of everyday life. It’s no longer taboo and a large portion of Americans today, especially those in school and in the workforce, grew up going to school with people of different races and cultures.

I don’t think many white kids my age look at their friend of a different color and go “Wow, fifty years ago we probably wouldn’t be allowed to be friends.” Instead they leave that in the past and treat each other not as black or white, but as friends. I think that was the goal of Dr. King all along.

I’m not saying that MLK shouldn’t be recognized for what he’s done for this country and the human race. He most definitely should be.

However, I don’t see a problem with using January 18 to enjoy your life a little. That’s what Dr. King fought for. He wanted everybody to be able to enjoy their lives together, without race even being the slightest of issues. There’s still work to do in that aspect, but for the most part, I think he did what he set out to do.

I would recommend that before going to the club on MLK Day, you spend a little bit of time volunteering.  Even the smallest impact rings louder than your favorite Skrillex song.

Jacob Barrett can be contacted at jbarrett@kscequinox.com

Home is supposed to be a place where you feel safe, right? The residence halls at Keene State College act as that temporary home for students attending the college.

According to the informal survey, 85 percent of individuals associated with the college feel safe on school grounds. This is no doubt in part due to the presence of KSC Campus safety, which has a roughly 80 percent approval rating.

However, according to the KSC CLERY report, a federal overview of criminal and emergency information and statistics on campus shows that the number of violent crimes on campus went up from 2013 to 2014. Depending on how the data is interoperated, the campus is either getting safer or more dangerous.

The report’s statistics could suggest that the campus has gotten less safe during the previous year. Last year, there were six reported rapes in dormitories and residence halls on campus. With only three in 2013, that number has doubled. Along with the sexual assaults in the residence halls, there were two arrests related to domestic violence charges. There were none in 2013.

George Amaru / Art Director

Finally, there were two disciplinary referrals issued to individuals with prohibited weapons in on-campus residence halls. There was also one arrest made for possession of a weapon as well, but the incident was not in a residence hall.

However, the report does not clarify why the number of reported violent crimes has increased.

Associate Dean of Students Drake-Deese said that the statistics show that the school is improving in its efforts to combat these issues, but also recognized that that is probably not the only reason why the numbers have spiked.

Drake-Deese proposed off-campus behavior as part of the reason as well. “A lot of things happen off-campus and are brought onto campus afterwards,” Drake-Deese said.

Comparatively, Plymouth State University, another small New England school that has a similar student population as KSC, had three reported sex-related incidents in residence halls in 2013.

There was one arrest for an on-campus situation for aggravated assault at PSU in 2013.  KSC had two in residence halls, with another in a non-residential building.

There were no arrests for weapon possession at PSU in 2013.

Still Drake-Deese said that KSC is just as safe as most other schools. “I wouldn’t consider us to be particularly risky in the realm of college campuses,” Drake-Deese said.          

Resident directors, resident assistants and other individuals all around the KSC campus are trained on how to handle and help prevent incidents like sexual assault and other serious emergencies, but Drake-Deese said that all students have similar information in their student handbooks.

Drake-Deese said that no matter how you look at the statistics, the best way to keep the campus safe is to first educate students to do the right thing and make smart decisions, but the students have to be willing to learn as well.

“Everybody needs to exercise some personal discretion to keep themselves safe. Mostly relying on the institution or someone else to make you safe is probably not the best approach.”  Drake-Deese continued, “It’s kind of like locks on doors. The lock on the door only works if you lock it. If you choose not to lock it, it’s not terribly effective.”

Jacob Barret can be contatced at jbarrett@kscequinox.com

I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving holiday, I know I did. As I spent some time with family and friends, I gave thanks and appreciated the things that I have: my health, my sisters, my dogs, everything that makes my life as good as it is. You know what else I’m thankful for?

Ramps. Ramps are crucial to my happiness.

I’m thankful that I was born in an ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) America. The Law passed in 1990 that required most buildings to be handicapped accessible.

Plus the legislation prohibits discrimination in any way due to an individual’s disability seeking employment, and in other capacities as well.

This is rare for me to say but, thank you politicians, for helping to make my life easier.

Kendall Pope/ Managing Executive Editor

I always say that I want to go back in time and live during the days of classic cars and with sports on the radio. I think it would be interesting, but honestly, it’s not a good idea. It was almost impossible to live a relatively independent life.

Back in the day, people with disabilities were marked as a fatal flaw almost right off the bat. Not that I was really there, but I know people who were.

Medical technology and equipment used to assist someone with a physical disability was, for the most part, in its early stages.

From what I’ve heard and read, a lot of families put their children in homes to get care, and they were not integrated into society at large. It was seen by many as a weakness, and something to be ashamed of.

One of the most prominent examples of this would be Franklin D. Roosevelt (FDR), who was diagnosed with Polio in 1921.

FDR was confined to a wheelchair in his later years as President of the United States, but did what he could to hide it from the public, refusing to have his picture taken in his wheelchair or with his leg braces.

Maybe this was partially because of his own personal pride, but I’m sure it was also partially due to the notion that the American people would have seen him as weak and unfit to lead the most powerful nation in the world.

Nowadays, living and thriving as an individual with a disability is a source of strength and inspiration to the people around them.

Now, the many accommodations that are provided allow people who live with an impairment to be more active, involved and productive no matter what their disability is.

That’s a beautiful thing. Now there’s brail sidewalk apps that act like eyes for the blind, ramps and railings at the Coliseum in Rome, accessible transit in Germany. Pretty soon nothing will stop us from doing everything we want to do.

America really is the land of the free, regardless of physical abilities. Maybe one day the whole world will be. Until then, I’ll just be thankful for what I can do, which is quite a lot.

Because of the advances that have been made in accessibility and medical technology, those who live with a disability live incredibly normal lives and don’t think twice about it.

Can’t walk? No big deal. Can’t see? No big deal. No matter what the disability is, anyone is able to enjoy their life and do the things they want to do, for the most part.

It’s only a matter of time before stairs become obsolete. I can’t wait!

Jacob Barret can be contacted at jbarret@kscequinox.com

As if Keene State College Alumni and swimmer Diana Pimer hasn’t contributed enough to the success of KSC athletics, she’s back for more. Not only is Pimer an assistant on KSC’s swim and dive team, she has recently been hired as the Assistant Sports Information Director.  It seems like she has now figuratively and literally rewritten the KSC Swimming record book

Pimer was a decorated swimmer during her time with the Owls. She holds KSC records for the 200 backstroke, 200 individual medley, 400 individual medley and was a member of the KSC record setting 800 freestyle relay team. In addition to the records, Pimer helped lead her team to four straight Little East Conference titles, was the Little East Conference Rookie of the Year as a first-year, LEC Swimmer of the Year as a sophomore and LEC Female Athlete of the year as a senior. Out of the pool, Pimer was an accomplished writer for The Equinox, was the paper’s Social Media Editor, received a third place award from the New Hampshire Press Association for Best Sports Story.

With all of that in the history books and her KSC career in the pool and classroom over, Pimer said that she still wants to contribute to KSC as much as she can.

Photos compiled by Jake Coughlin / Administrative Executive Editor

“I just think that I’m lucky to be here. I think college goes by really fast. Not everyone gets to stay at their college and help people they were once peers with,” Pimer said.

With the quick transition from the coached to the coach, Pimer already had personal relationships with many of the swimmers on the team. First-year interim head coach Chris Woolridge said that having Pimer on his staff and her relationships with the swimmers currently on the team makes his job easier.

“She has [going into] four years of background on some of these guys, and for somebody that’s coming in with very little background [on the current KSC swimmers] it helps to get a little bit of insight or to at least be able to bounce some things off of her because she’s been pretty good with understanding where people are at,” Woolridge said.

Swimmer and former teammate Gabrielle Brzozowski said that having Pimer as a coach has helped her and the other swimmers as well.

“It was a bit of an interesting transition but she’s doing a really awesome job and it’s really cool to see her in a spot where she really knows what she’s talking about and she’s a lot of help and a lot of the girls feel comfortable coming to her and talking about things,” Brzozowski said.

Woolridge said that one thing that makes Pimer an effective coach is her energy. “One of the great things about Diana, she’s always positive, always upbeat, always full of energy, and that’s a big piece of it. Just coming in and being ready to go every day,” Woolridge said.

  The swim head coach said that Pimer’s dedication to the program is something that is extremely rare.

“If you just bring in some average person off the street, they’re not necessarily invested in seeing Keene State swimming succeed. They might be in it for more of something for themselves or career or whatever; and that’s not Diana.” Woolridge continued, “I think she’s here because she loves this program and wants to give back to it.”

Making her team better isn’t Pimer’s only responsibility at KSC. She has taken over the position of Assistant Sports Information Director at KSC.

As the new ASID, Pimer is responsible for covering the results of swimming and basketball, nominating athletes of the week, writing meet recaps, updating the Owls athletics website and record books, and more.

KSC Sports information Director Abe Osheyack said that Pimer was the right person for the job, and she has adjusted to the new responsibilities well.

“She’s picked up on that stuff very quickly…I think she’s been doing a fine job,” Osheyack said.

On top of her duties as an employee of KSC, Pimer has combined her love for swimming and writing as a staff writing for Swimming World, a magazine mainly devoted to swimming and diving.

With the increased workload, Woolridge said that Pimer’s dedication to the swim team has not changed.

“I don’t think that that’s made her dedication waiver at all.

She definitely prioritizes doing what she needs to do for the swim team, but then in the same manner, if she needs some time to do something else I’m fine with that because I’m happy to have her,” Woolridge said.

No matter what job she’s doing, though, Pimer said she just wants to give back to the school that has given her so much.

“I just really love Keene State. I’m glad this is where I chose to go, and if I can give back in any way, I want to because Keene State gave me a lot,” Pimer said.

Pimer continued, “I just feel like Keene State is one big happy family…being alongside them in this position is pretty cool and I’m really looking forward to it.”

Jacob can be contacted at jbarrett@kscequinox.com

After over 90 minutes of blood and sweat, the women’s soccer team was brought to tears when they lost to Western Connecticut with nine seconds left in the first overtime.

The Lady Owls were looking to win the Little East Conference Championship for the third straight year, but some late game heroics by West-Conn.’s Kelsey Chacho downed the Owls as time expired.

Junior Goaltender Danielle Warhall, who won LEC titles with the team in her first two years at Keene State College, said that the loss in the finals was hard to take.

“To lose like that in the finals, it’s upsetting.” Warhall continued. “It sucks [being] on the other end of it.”

Still Warhall and her teammates said they see the 2015 season as a successful one.

Photo Editor / Tim Smith

“I look at it as a very successful season,” Head Coach Denise Lyons said.

Lyons insisted that the loss wasn’t the result of not wanting the win badly enough.

“It wasn’t from lack of effort.  I think my team gave me 110 percent,”

“We played really good in the finals…every individual player stepped up and really tried, I think, as hard as they could.” Sophomore Kali Santino said.

According to the Keene Owls website, the Owls shot 12 times with three on goal, with West Conn putting eleven on goal. Despite the difference in attacking statistics, Warhall and her teammates were able to stay in the game until the final moments.

Warhall and her teammates said that they thought not many people expected the fifth seeded Owls to even make it to the finals in the first place.

“It just goes to show that our record isn’t always going to determine our success,” Warhall said.

The Owls picked up the fifth seed in the LEC playoff bracket and finished off the last three games of the season with two ties and a 3-0 loss.

Senior Shannon Summers said that the postseason gave the team a fresh start.

“We kind of had a renewed energy,” Summers said.

Sophomore Katie Silegy said that the Owls set the tempo for the rest of their playoff push after a 1-0 road win against the University of Massachusetts at Dartmouth in the first round.

“We were rolling,” Silegy said.

The Owls then went back on the road and took down top-seeded Eastern Connecticut State University 2-1 and advanced to their third straight LEC finals appearance.  However, the Owls were unable to come away with the win, and their season came to an end.

The careers of four of the team’s players also came to an end with the loss.  Summers said that while she is disappointed with the loss, she has had a lot to be proud of while a member of the Owls.   

“I think now it’s more of a reflection of my entire college career. I think at this point, I can’t just focus on that one last game…now I can just look back and look at everything I did accomplish and I can be satisfied with that,” Summer said.

The Owls are now taking a few weeks off to rest their bodies and catch up on school work, but they’ll soon be back on the field preparing for next season.  Silegy said the team plans on being in the finals again in 2016.    

“We’ll get them next year,” Silegy said.

Jake can be contacted at jbarrett@kscequinox.com

My goal in life is to be completely independent, but I never will be, and neither will you.

I wrote an Opinions piece a few weeks ago talking about how people constantly ask me if I need help, and how that can be somewhat detrimental for people with disabilities such as myself and able-bodied individuals as well.

While that remains true, it is also important to recognize that no one gets to where they are today without help.

For instance, when I was learning how to walk on my own, I had to first learn by holding on to someone’s arm while I went through the motions of taking each step.

If I fell, they were there to make sure I didn’t get hurt, and eventually I took my first steps on my own.  I didn’t realize it at the time, but I wasn’t the one doing all of the work and, even when I could bare all of my weight, there were still people who made sure I didn’t crumble as I continued to reach milestones in my life.

There have been numerous instances I really did need help to do the things I needed or wanted to do.

Tim Smith / Photo Editor

One day I was in the driveway of my friend Mike’s house and I decided I wanted to try walking a hundred steps on my own without falling.

So I basically walked aimlessly across the pavement.

Mike was standing in front of me and was walking backwards with his hands out, counting with each step.

There were a few moments when my knees buckled or I would stagger or get tripped up, but, when I would regain my composure, Mike would tell me to keep going and I did.

From what I remember, I accomplished my goal and then some.

Mike didn’t have to take the time to help me do that. I’m sure there was other things a nine year old could be doing besides helping his handicapped friend with something that, in reality, probably didn’t have any benefits for him, but he wanted me to reach my goal and he supported me while I did.

Looking back on it now, even though I was the one walking, I don’t think I could’ve reached that goal without him.

As appealing as it may be to say you fought your way through life on your own, or that you want to be completely independent, it’s most likely not true.

There’s always someone who has had a part of making you who you are today, someone who has helped you keep your eye on the prize, even if you did all the work to win it.

There’s always someone in your corner.

Where would Tom Brady be without Bill Belichick calling plays? Where would Don Henley be without the rest of The Eagles?

Would Mike Tyson become the Heavyweight Champion of the World without Cus D’Amato training him day in and day out?

Would I have been able to walk those one hundred steps without Mike pushing me to keep going?

Sometimes the great become even greater with a little assistance.

Life isn’t meant to be lived in a lone-wolf type way.  It’s meant to be a symbiotic relationship between us and those we come in contact with.

Although it may seem like you don’t need or want help from anyone, sometimes it makes life better and easier for all parties involved when you accept the help.

Teamwork really does make the dream work. There’s no shame in asking for a little help.

Just remember to say thank you.

Jacob Barret can be contacted at jbarret@kscequinox.com

What are you afraid of?

One of my biggest fears is ending up in a wheelchair for the rest of my life.

I’m not exactly fond of large spiders either, but that’s a topic for another column.

When I was younger, circa 2002, I got to the point physically where I could walk on my own.

Over the next six years, I got stronger and stronger until I could do laps around Wal-Mart walking solo.   

Sure, I’d lose balance once or twice but I also learned how to spring up in seconds and keep going, and it felt like I was getting stronger every day.

I was on a roll without actually rolling for once.

However, toward the end of eighth grade I started experiencing some difficulty with the walking. It had been so easy not too long ago.

I learned I’d have to have a serious leg surgery.

Tim Smith / Photo Editor

That landed me in a hospital bed for the whole summer leading up to my first year of high school.

Following my recovery I thought I’d be able to spring up out of bed and walk like I used to.

I can’t honestly say that was the case.

I ended up losing all of the leg muscle I had built that took me over half a decade to build.

I started high school in a bright yellow wheelchair that my cousin used to use.

It was a tad bit small, and sitting in it for too long made my back sore, but the lights in the wheels lit up in the dark, so that was pretty cool.

While the chair looked cool and drove smoothly, my head was a mess.

I was doing physical therapy and going nowhere. It seemed like my biggest fear would become more of a reality.    

So for a while, I ignored the fear.

Only acknowledging it to see if the thought was stilled stored somewhere in the back of my mind and then putting it away again.

That wasn’t a smart thing to do. I went downhill quickly.

Eventually I all but quit trying to improve entirely, because I hated working as hard as I did for as long as I did and  still being stuck in the chair.

At the core though, I was afraid to face my fear, and I didn’t think I could overcome it.   

One day I got tired of the fear and decided that I was going to face the it and see if I could beat it. So, I started walking with a walker at school full-time.

At first I couldn’t even make it halfway down the hall without stopping for a break.

Now, I can go about a mile without stopping, not too bad I would say. I’m still working on it, too.

Sometimes you have to face your fears to achieve something great.

If I hadn’t faced mine, I’d probably still be where I was six years ago.

Maybe your fear is water, or roller coasters or anything else that’s keeping you from living life the way you want to.

Start in the shallow end, go on a roller coaster next time you go to Six Flags (but you might want to avoid the ones with loops and corkscrews at first).

I mean, look at Bruce Wayne, he conquered his fear of bats, and now he’s Batman!

Granted, he is only a comic book character.

I’m not saying you should run around fighting crime with a cape on, I’m just saying that when you look your fears in the eye, you can end up accomplishing some incredible things you didn’t even know you were capable of.

Start living life the way you want to. What are you afraid of?

Jacob Barret can be contacted at jbarret@kscequinox.com

Those who wear an Owl Uniform don’t just take pride in competing for their school, but in working for their community as well.

Each of the Owls athletic teams have their own way to serve their community. For instance, the women’s basketball team holds an annual car wash to support a local organization or family in need. The initiatives range from fighting cancer to feeding the homeless to helping a grieving family.

Woman’s head coach Keith Boucher said he tries to tell his players the importance of giving back. “I tell my players, I want you to do three things for me.  I want you to be a good person first, a good student second, and then a good basketball player.” Boucher Continued, “Good people give back, because somebody has given you something in your life. Pay it forward and I think they understand that. ”

“My athletes get more out of it than they give back,” Boucher said.

Chris Fecteau, the head coach for the cheerleading squad, said that having an impact in the community is one of a cheerleader’s top priorities, and that student athletes realize the importance of community service.

“We’re not just representing cheerleaders, we’re representing school spirit, school pride, the traditions that we have here, all of the alumni that have come before us and the student body,” Fectaeu said.

Fectaeu and his cheerleaders are at events such as the Demar Marathon in Reading, MA cheering on runners as they cross the finish line.  The cheerleaders collect money for the Keene Cancer Society as well.

Student-athletes are also taking initiative on their own. The Student Athletic Committee (SAC) is working with Sodexo to help feed the homeless. According to Brittany Cardente, who is a member of SAC, the fellow members are encouraging the other Owl athletes to donate one of their Zorn Dining Commons swipes to local food banks. The money that pays for that swipe will go towards purchasing food to feed the homeless and less fortunate this coming holiday season.

Most of KSC’s teams take to the streets with trash bags to clean up the community which they share with the locals.

Senior baseball player Cody Dube said the trash collection helps his team grow as a unit.

Art Director / George Amaru

“It’s kind of cool, because when you get into an atmosphere like that I think it helps team bonding. We’re all just there for the same purpose. Trying to clean up and do our best to help the community,” Dube said.

Junior field hockey player Kayla Renaud said she wants to be able to interact with those who aren’t exactly sports fans, and get to know them as people.

“It’s good to reach out and try to do things in the community so people who aren’t involved in Keene state sports get to see us do something else too,” Renaud said.

Cardente, Renaud’s teammate, said her goal isn’t just scoring one in a game.

“We don’t just focus on the sport, we’re here to help people,” Cardente said.

Boucher also said he wants the community, and most of all his athletes to realize it’s more than just what these athletes do on their respective playing surfaces.

“They are thriving as an athlete, more importantly as a student, and more importantly as a person.” Boucher continued, ”I think that anybody that takes the time to get to know any of them on any of the teams will realize that and will see that a lot of the good they’re doing in the community.”

Jake can be contacted at jbarrett@kscequinox.com

Keene State College’s cheer squad had a pair of championship cheerleaders on the mat with them in the Spaulding gym last weekend of October 17.

The team hosted sisters Alyssa and Taylor Calixto, two well-decorated accomplished cheerleaders who work with high school and college student-cheerleaders on their technique, routine and confidence. Taylor was a gold medalist with the United States National cheer squad in 2015.

During the two-day clinic, the Owls cheer squad worked eight hours a day on their routine for the upcoming Universal Cheerleading Association National Championship in January.

Taylor noted that during the clinic, the team had made progress in not just the physical aspect of the sport, but the mental components as well. She said this is one of the reasons why  she works with young athletes.

“I think that they get a lot of motivation and encouragement and that it’s been done before [and think] ‘I can do it too’,” Taylor said.

Besides her gold medal, Taylor also won three national titles at the UCA Championships with her alma mater, Hofstra University, including one of those UCA Championships with KSC Head Cheer Coach Chris Fecteau as her teammate. 

Photo Editor / Tim Smith

“She’s very much the all-around cheerleader,” Fecteau said.

Fecteau said he has seen a change in the mindset of his athletes since the Calixto sisters arrived on the KSC campus.

“We have absolutely progressed,” Fecteau said, “We’ve seen the actual skills progress, but we’ve seen attitudes, culture and those kinds of things progress as well.”

Fecteau said that seeing that kind of improvement in his athletes is something that makes him enjoy his job so much.

“The biggest moments as a coach to see is when you believe in something before they do, and then seeing them believe in it. And that’s been fantastic to see this weekend, just to start to see those things they didn’t believe in right away come to fruition,” Fecteau said.

Taylor’s sister, Alyssa, who has a number of accolades on her cheerleading resume, including competing in the cheerleading world championships five times and acting as a judge in numerous cheer competitions, said that the Owls are on their way to being where they need to be to become one of the best squads in the country.

“I think they are a great group of girls who are motivated and really working hard to get to that next level and try to be better than the year before,” Alyssa said.

The Owls’ goal, according to Fecteau and his athletes, is to place in the top three at the National Championship in less than three months.

Sophomore cheerleader Alyssa Flattery said she sees that goal as more reachable now.  “I can see the bigger picture and I can see the potential…If we can clean everything up and do what we need to do I think we can make top three,” Flattery said.

The Owls will be competing at the UCA National Championship in Orlando, Florida on January 16, where they will both metaphorically and literally try to climb the pyramid to reach their goal.

Jake can be contacted at jbarrett@kscequinox.com

Keene State College athletes have the privilege of playing competitive sports, yet some athletes throw that away for a weekend of partying. In order to keep KSC athletes focused on athletics there are rules and penalties about drinking and partying during their playing season.

According to the student athletic handbook, policy number E-4 states that an athlete who is caught drinking while under the age of 21 will be suspended for two games or ten percent of the season, whichever is less depending on where the team is in its season.  The handbook also states that coaches have the ability to impose certain rules to coincide with KSC’s athletic policy.

One of these rules that could be imposed is the 48-hour rule, which prohibits the coach’s athletes from consuming any alcohol 48-hours before a game or match.  Men’s Soccer Head Coach Rick Scott said  he holds his athletes to this standard.

Scott, who graduated from KSC in the 70s, said that the drinking culture hasn’t changed all that much since he went to the school, but the rules themselves have changed- for the better.

“I think when [I] was in school here, we had a lot more leeway. I think you need those strict policies. I think they’re necessary,” Scott said.

Senior baseball player Keith Simpson said that the rules and regulations surrounding athlete-drinking at KSC make sense and are for the best.

“It keeps us [athletes] out of trouble,” Simpson said.

Photo Illustration by Kendall Pope / Photo by Tim Smith

“It’s pretty strict, but I think it could be a little more strict,” Simpson continued, “We come to college to play a sport and many people are like, ‘it’s D-III, it’s D-III,’ but it’s still a college sport and we’re privileged to play a college sport.”

Simpson said he would like to see a two-strike system, where players are kicked off the team as the final strike.   

When they do get in trouble, Scott said he has had to bench his players for a couple games as a result of drinking policy violations.  However, Scott also said that he has never had a repeat offender.

“They sit right behind our bench on the bleachers with their Keene State jacket on and people look [and ask], ‘Why aren’t you playing?’… I think it really bothers them after the fact… They are remorseful and they do feel like they let down the team and that’s probably why we haven’t had any repeat disciplinary consequences,” Scott said.

When all is said and  done, Scott said players who are committed to their team will do what they have to do to put their best effort forward.

“If you have a committed player, they will take care of themselves,” Scott said.

Cross Country head coach Tom Pickering was requested for an interview but declined to comment on the subject of this article.

Jake can be contacted at jbarrett@kscequinox.com