You’ve probably seen me rolling around campus in my nifty black and red walker with my headphones in, or in Zorn Dining Commons with some friends.

You’ll notice that I usually am a friendly person, saying hello to those who pass by and then going about the rest of my day. A very normal day, at least for me. There are, however, some differences in how I see the world and how I do things.

I was born with a condition called Cerebral Palsy, a neurological condition developed shortly before, during or after birth, which in short is a group of movement disorders.

The severity and affected area varies on a case by case basis. For me, my legs are what are mainly afflicted. As a result, I’m forced to use a walking aid to get around, making performing  simple tasks a little more interesting.

I say interesting because much of these tasks, like opening doors, driving, making food, etc, are not hard, but I have spent a long time working very hard on improvising in order to fit my physical abilities. Generally I don’t need help with anything and, when I do, I’ve learned to swallow my pride and ask for it. However, there are some people who  are very persistent.

Several times a day, people ask me if I need help pulling out my chair, carrying my backpack, or ask me if I’m lost if I’m just sitting on my walker.

While I, and many of my handicapped counterparts, appreciate the offer, those people need to learn how to take no for an answer. I don’t mean that in a rude way, but imagine that you’re going about your day putting groceries in your car and someone approaches you and asks if you need help and you say, “No, thank you, though!” because you can do it yourself.

Then they ask again, and again, and then they just take matters into their own hands and take the bags from your hands and put them in your car anyway. This dialogue could and does happen in any situation. How do you feel about that? A little annoyed, right?

Here’s the thing, by taking matters into your own hands without permission, you’ve disregarded and undermined the hard work that I’ve put into being independent.

All the surgeries I’ve had and physical therapy I’ve done to be able to stand there, hold my balance and put those groceries away, has taken a lot of thought and hard work. I understand that you want to help and/or do your good deed for the day, but when I say I can handle doing something, treat me like anyone else and move on.

See, in my 21 years on Earth I’ve learned that many people have certain misconceptions about not only me, but many other handicapped individuals. Society tends to treat disabled people with kid gloves. Constantly asking if we need help isn’t actually helping, it’s not reality.

The goal of anybody with a disability is to be independent. The fact is that they need to adapt to what is mostly an inaccessible world.

That means a lot of blood, sweat and tears. It took me years to learn how to open a door without falling, to figure out how to carry my plate without spilling it. The reason why I was able to learn these  things is because the people around me made me do it and wouldn’t cut me any slack. So by doing the kid in the walker a favor, you’re not really doing them a favor. Life is a learning experience, that doesn’t change because of a disability.

If you see me on campus, say hello. I’ll give you a nod and maybe we’ll chat for a bit between classes. If I seem to be having a tough time, don’t immediately jump to my aid, let me struggle. In my head I’m thinking of an easy way to do it.

Think of it as the scientific method – trial and error. If I need your help, I’ll ask. If I mess up so badly that I fall, that’s fine.

Just know I’ll always get back up. With the whole not-being-able-to-walk thing going for me, I’ve gotten pretty good at it.

Jacob Barrett can be contacted at jbarrett@kscequinox.com

Jacob Barrett
Equinox Staff

The Keene State College Student Assembly met on Tuesday night for their first meeting of the month. During the meeting, one student, Senior Jessica L’Hoomedieu, went before the school’s student representatives to inform them of the growing burden that impacts nearly all of those who attend college– student debt.
L’hommedieu noted that New Hampshire receives the least amount of state funding for its public schools and as a result students are left in a financial hole coming out of college that will take them decades to pay off.
“New Hampshire does not care about our education,” L’hommedieu said.
L’hommedieu went on to tell the council about the Million Student March, a movement by students from across the country to promote change in the funding of public schools. According to L’hommedieu and the MSM website, the group wants free public-college tuition, cancellation of all student debt and a $15 minimum wage for campus workers. KSC’s Million Student March is not officially connected with the school.
Many of the representatives showed their support following the presentation, but there was no vote held. The million student march will be held November 12, with the Keene chapter marching on the KSC campus.
The newly elected first-yearclass joined the council on Tuesday as well. The first-year representatives are President Briae Robillard, Vice President Allie Tolles, Secretary Anthony Jennings, Treasurer Annie Brida and general representatives Cassie Paradis, Sarah Dugas, Veronica Reeder and Kenadee Cadieux.
Student body president Bobby Graham briefly discussed this year’s pumpkin lobotomy, which will be scaled down to around 500 pumpkins. Graham urged the council to make sure they promote good behavior this month, and said that actions can speak louder than anything that has been or will be said about the school regarding the events of last October.
The council voted unanimously to transfer $1,250 to the Kronicle organization to pay a previously unpaid e-board member.

Running sneakers or cleats? A lacrosse ball or a soccer ball? Volleys and spikes, or rebounds and slam dunks?

While many athletes play two sports in high school, some choose to drop one and keep the other once they come to college. How they decide which one to drop and which one to keep, however, is the interesting part.

This decision doesn’t exclude Keene State College athletes. With the stress and workload of college, students often choose to hang up one of their jerseys.

One of those athletes is KSC senior Eddie Mercer, who played soccer and ran track in high school but when he came to KSC, the midfielder decided not to run on the school’s track team and focus on soccer.

Mercer said the decision wasn’t a hard one, as his family is one that has a long line of soccer players.

Mercer’s father played for Springfield College and now coaches at the club level;  his older brother played for Endicott College, and his younger brother is being recruited for college squads.

“For me it was pretty easy…I’ve been in love with the sport since I was a little kid. My whole family is a soccer family,” Mercer said.

Mercer isn’t the only one who picked one sport over another.

KSC senior Nate Howard is arguably a coach’s prototypical big man. Howard, who is seven feet tall, played both basketball and volleyball before coming to KSC.

Howard is able to block shots and score under the basket, all while leading the Little East Conference in rebounding last season.  Howard said his time playing volleyball has improved his jumping ability, making him a better basketball player .

He still plays intramural volleyball, but he said that the choice to focus on basketball goes back to his childhood.

Photo editor / Tim Smith

“I’ve been playing basketball since I was four years old,” Howard said.

Howard had Division I scholarships for basketball and volleyball from Sacred Heart, but he said that Keene was the better fit.

“I just didn’t like the school.  I couldn’t see myself being there,” Howard continued, “Keene was just a great school for me…It’s just a good environment for playing basketball.”

There are, however, some players who don’t want to pick favorites

Sophomore Taylor Farland has been able to have her cake and eat it too. Well, she would, if the cake was a soccer ball and the spoon was a lacrosse stick. Farland plays both women’s soccer and women’s lacrosse for KSC. The two-sport athlete has 30 combined goals in less than two years.

Farland said that playing two sports has more benefits than consequences.

“I think that it gave me a really great, solid friend group,” Farland said. She continued, “It helped me with time management a lot because I knew I only had a certain amount of time to do [school] work. So I’d have to do my work during that time or else I knew soccer or lacrosse were going to get involved and I wasn’t going to have time to do it.”

Farland also ran indoor track in between seasons while in high school in order to stay in shape.

Even though it’s a lot of commitment, Farland said that those who want to play two sports should do so.

“Some people think that they can’t do it, but I think if they tried it, they’d figure out that they can,” Farland said.

Jake can be contacted at jbarrett@kscequinox.com

There’s Owls, and then there’s the Members of Owl Nation, who make showing school pride a priority.

Keene State College’s super-fan group, Owl Nation, is, according to its Facebook Page “A group of Keene State College students committed to attending athletic events, promoting school spirit, taking pride in our fellow student athletes sporting events and creating lasting traditions.”

Owl Nation can be found at many sports events, giving away free items, supporting KSC’s athletic teams and hyping up fans.

However, there is more to Owl Nation than booming cheers, t-shirt guns, and red and white souvenirs. There’s planning for every single event, behind the scenes work, and a true sense of school pride that needs to be present.

Especially for Gamefest, the event where Owl Nation covers three or more home games in a single day.

Photo Editor / Tim Smith

There is a lot of planning that goes into Gamefest events, according  to Owl Nation President Dayna Sylvester.

“We start planning a couple months out,”  Sylvester said.

Gamefest usually occurs on weekends where there are three games on the same day, and the fan club does whatever it can to draw students to games, offering their usual giveaways, along with amenities such as inflatables, a snow cone machine and others.

However, nothing is truly free. Owl Nation has a budget of $11,750 dollars for the year. Which, according to Owl Nation treasurer Racheal Tilbor, mostly goes to the free t-shirts and other souvenirs given away at events.

While Owl Nation does promote KSC sports teams year round, much of their effort and resources go toward basketball games.

Each member of Owl Nation has their own reason for joining. Tilbor said the atmosphere of being at the games is what she enjoys about being a member of Owl Nation.

“I like the atmosphere. I think it’s fun to go support the teams at your school,” Tilbor said.

Sylvester said she enjoys seeing student interactions during the games.

“It’s fun to see the fan section get pumped up when we’re winning. It’s interesting to see when our teams lose it also affects the fan section. Obviously we hate when we lose, but it’s just interesting to see those reactions,” Sylvester said.

Win or lose, junior and men’s basketball player Rodney Jean-Marie said that the fan support does not go unnoticed.

“They play a huge role in big games where it comes down to the wire. They’re in it. They’re active. It is sort of motivation to be like ‘Let’s win this game for the fans. They’re supporting us. They’re rooting us on, let’s do this for them’,” Jean-Marie said. Jean-Marie also said that when he found the strong fan support to be rather unexpected

“For me, I was really surprised, because I didn’t think that many people were fans of basketball. I didn’t think we had huge supporters like the ones here at Keene. It’s a great fan-base,” Jean-Marie said.

Sylvester said that winning isn’t what being an Owl fan is all about; it is about sticking through tough times and showing support for the players that represent their school.

“Hopefully people look at it as supporting the teams instead of just going because we’re good or something like that. Yes, that’s an awesome part of it, having a good team and winning, but it’s not just about that, it’s about showing your support for the players and what they do as well,” Sylvester said

On September 26 Owl Nation will be present at the KSC mens soccer, volleyball and field hockey matches. It’s club meetings are Tuesday’s at 7:30 p.m. in the Young Student Center.

Jacob Barrett  can be contacted at jbarrett@kscequinox.com

“Loyalty leaves a legacy,” recited Diana Pimer, who read this quote shortly after joining the coaching staff of the team she once swam for.   

Two Keene State College alumni have come back to their alma mater, trading in their goggles for a whistle. Chris Woolridge, Class of 04’, has taken the helm of the KSC swim program following the departure of former head coach, Jack Fabian. In addition to Woolridge, Pimer has been brought in as an assistant coach.

Shortly after the 2014  season, Jack Fabian left KSC after receiving an offer to coach the U.S. Paralympic Swim Team at their training facility in Colorado City, CO.

With Fabian gone, a void in the head coaching position was left, an open position and an open opportunity.

File Photo / Tim Smith

Fabian recommended Woolridge himself to fill his place on the pool deck. Fabian is confident that Woolridge will  be able to continue to allow KSC Swimming to excel.

“He’s produced some of the best swimmers in the East…He gets it, he understands what fast swimming is… we’re [KSC] really lucky to get him,” Fabian said.

Packing up shop and moving back to Keene was a quick decision for Woolridge, and he realized that if he was going to make the transition, he’d have to be in it for the long haul and go all-in.

“I thought about it for about a day,” Woolridge said. He continued, “I basically quit my other career to come here and do this.  I kind of looked at that as betting on myself and saying, ‘alright, come in, do a good job, and continue to lead this program afterwards,’ so that’s my goal.”

Woolridge had high praise for his predecessor and colleague.

”He walked the walk,” Woolridge said.

KSC’s swim program has obtained numerous LEC titles, including nine consecutive titles by the women’s squad, and five qualifiers for the NCAA Division-III Championship just last year, according to the Keene State College Athletics website.

According to Woolridge, the level of competition produced by Fabian-coached swimmers is at another level compared to when he was a swimmer at KSC.

“The level of the program was nowhere near where it is now,” Woolridge said.

Although Woolridge is a new face to many of the swimmers at KSC, senior captain Madison Sestak said she’s optimistic about the coaching switch.

“Chris seems like he’s going to do a very good job.  I think we’re all really excited to see what the season is going to look like once we get started,” Sestak said.

Sestak, who was a teammate of Pimer, said the new assistant coach will fit right into her position.

“[Pimer] was an amazing captain… in my mind, she always had that coaching type of essence about her.  She really took charge of the team.  I think she’s going to do a really really good job at being a coach…  I think a lot of us are really excited about it,” Sestak said.

Fabian also had high remarks for Pimer, who he coached her entire college career.

“Diana will function at a very high level for a first year assistant coach… She cares deeply about the team, she’s very dedicated to it,” Fabian said.

Pimer, who had her own share of success while sporting a KSC swimsuit, is now learning the ins and outs of coaching.

“It’s interesting to learn everything that goes on behind the scenes,” Pimer said.

As the season prepares to get underway, the two new coaches are ready to start in a new, but still very familiar environment.

“As an alumni of the school and of the program, I’ve been excited to see how it’s grown since I left, and I’m just excited to be a part of that and continue building it,” Woolridge said.

Pimer shares the same enthusiasm as her fellow KSC Alumni.

“I think that I’m very lucky to still be able to be here in Keene,” Pimer said. She continued, “There isn’t another program that I would want to coach. If I’m going to help college swimmers progress and grow, I want it to be the team that I was a part of.”

Jacob can be reached at jbarrett@kscequinox.com

“So-and-so from another zip code,” sports broadcasting commentator Brian Clemmenson said as a Keene State Owl sunk a three-point shot.

Keene State College has given students the opportunity to call games like Jerry Remy or Jim Nantz from the sidelines, sporting a headset, relying every moment of KSC Owls action to viewers and listeners.

The program started in the mid-2000s by  Eugene “Gino” Vallante as a way for students to gain experience in sports broadcasting.

Upon his departure in March 2014, Sports Information Director Abe Osheyack took over responsibility of the program.

Since the beginning of his tenure as head of the broadcasting department, Osheyack has made some upgrades to improve the quality of KSC broadcasts, such as providing HD video and improving online streaming through a newfound partnership with Stream Internet, online streaming provider that has been working with KSC over the past year.

Philip bergeron / graphic design editor

Osheyack said he’s happy with the changes they’ve made.

“I think the program is really starting to take off. I looked at this year as kind of a bit of an experiment so to speak. I’d say it’s been a largely successful one,” Osheyack said.

The new upgrades in technology aren’t the only things that makes a broadcast go smoothly. On-air talent such as Brian Clemmenson, Billy Hartmann and Mike Miezejeski all contribute to the quality of the broadcasts.

“I think they’ve done a great job,” Osheyack said.

Broadcasters are not only in charge of calling the games which they cover, but also preparation, a process which Clemmenson and Miezejeski said can take hours of work for a single game.

The broadcasters must look up stats for each team, each player, find interesting stories and facts about each team and do everything they can to avoid silence while on air.  Clemmenson said that a loss of words has never been a problem for him.

“I’m sure he [Miezejeski] will tell you I never shut up,” Clemmenson joked.

The work is well worth it according to the two, who said their favorite part of the job is being able to enjoy the games.

“Just being there at the games. . . Sitting court-side, kind of getting wrapped up in the moment and being able to bring it to people watching is kind of a cool experience,” Miezejeski said.

Broadcasting is something that both commentators said they wanted to go into almost right from the start.

“I knew from a young age that I wanted to do it,” Miezjeski said.

Hartmann, who is also a player on the KSC baseball team, got involved with the broadcast crew after a season-ending injury, and called multiple baseball games with Clemmenson.    

“I just went up there to have some fun because I know about the game. . . Being a baseball player, I had a lot of knowledge about the game,” Hartmann said.

Hartmann now covers fall sports, when he’s not lacing up his cleats for the Owls, and said his favorite part of his job is the conversational piece that goes along with calling the games.

“Sometimes me and [Clemmenson] just kind of shoot the [expletive] on the air when there’s downtime in a game,” Hartmann said,

Another aspect of their job description is to travel with teams for away games. Clemmenson went to Florida with the men’s baseball team over spring break and called 11 games, as well as spent quality time with players — something that he said has enhanced his ability to call baseball games for the Owls.

“You really get to know them that way and that way you can get some good stories,” Clemmenson said.

The broadcast team puts in numerous house and travels thousands of miles to call strikes, balls, home runs, three pointers, every play of almost every sport available on campus. To them, watching the game is more than just something they do with their buddies, it’s their job.

Jacob Barrett can be contacted at jbarrett@kscequinox.com

The Keene State College men’s soccer team fell just short of winning the Little East Conference championship  title this year. 

In their championship match-up against top-seeded UMass Boston on Nov. 8, the KSC Owls came up short in a low-scoring 2-1 affair that required the match to go into overtime.

Kyle Bailey / Photo Editor

The loss left the team, according to Senior Captain Brett Sullivan, in a state of disappointment.

“[The team was] very disappointed. I think everyone had the same goal in mind — make it to the NCAAs and win the game for the seniors. So there was a lot of disappointment on the team’s part. But I think we regrouped quickly and I think we’re all ready for next year — ready to move on,” Sullivan said.

Sullivan is a senior this year, but due to an injury last year he has gained an extra year of  eligibility and will be able to suit up for the Owls again and will return to the team next fall.

Regardless of the talent that will graduate from KSC in May, Sullivan said that the goal of the team remains the same.

“Win it. Same as it was this year — get back to the finals and win it,” Sullivan said.

Men’s Soccer Head Coach Rick Scott said that despite losing many members of his team next season, he thinks that next year’s effort will still be influenced by those who had to hang up their Owl gear.

Sullivan said that seeing the seniors leave the team is tough, but he’s looking forward to seeing who will step up and become leaders.

Promise Kpee, a first year forward,  recently earned LEC Rookie of the Year.

In addition, rookie Cameron Rogers and Junior Eddie Mercer were also named to the All-LEC Second Team.

Plus returning players Brett Sullivan and Ian Downing were also named to the All-LEC First Team, meaning these players were selected as the first or second best player for their position in the conference.

Scott said these five, along with other members on the team, are expected to  make an impact in next year’s season.

“I think the seniors all the way around provided an awful lot of leadership for our young team … I think we’re going to be strong because the seniors are leaving their mark on this program. They turned it around,” Scott said.

Scott noted the change of success in the team this season compared to that of 2013.

In 2013, the men’s soccer team held a record of 7-12 including postseason games, whereas by the end of this year, the team held a combined record of 12-7-1, and winning nine of their last eleven games.

“[The team] had come so far,” Scott said.

As the seniors move on, so does the team. Senior Captain Yazid Eideh said that he expects the younger members of the team to take what it learned from the veterans and use it as motivation next year.

“I think we set a good example of what the standard is … And now they know what they have to do to reach the level that we’re at,” Eideh said.

Eideh later expressed what being a KSC Owl has meant to him.

“To play for Keene State, it’s been an honor … To be a senior captain of this team, a program like this, it’s been a huge honor, I’ve been very grateful for it,” Eideh said.

Scott and his team are already getting ready for next season, scouting new recruits and training to get ready for 2015.

Scott said that his team’s loss in the LEC Finals will only fuel the fire in his players to do better for next year.

“We were knocking on the door this year.  This young team, they got a taste of it.  I hope that taste stays in their mouths for a long time because it will only serve as motivation down the road,” Scott said.

That taste is all but evident in Sullivan, who looks to make it back to the LEC title game again in 2015.

“We’ll be back next year,” Sullivan said.

Jacob Barrett can be contacted at jbarrett@keene-equinox.com

The men’s soccer team at Keene State College is shooting for the top of the Little East Conference. 

The Owls, who currently hold a record of 8-5-1, which includes a 2-2-1 record against LEC opponents, have won six out of their last eight  games and just ended a five-game winning streak after finishing their match with UMass Boston in a tie on Saturday afternoon.

The team, however, got off to a rocky start, racking up three losses in the first four games of the season, and all but one of the team’s losses have been by a single goal.

Close games like these, according to Head Coach Rick Scott, are starting to end with KSC on the winning end.

“Now we are winning those one-goal games, which shows me some maturity and our mental toughness is getting stronger,” Scott said of his team’s current success.

The KSC men’s soccer team, according to Scott, has a real shot at winning the rest of their games.

Kyle Bailey / Photo Editor

In order to do so, the first-year head coach said that teamwork will be key.

“I think we need to play well as a team, we need to work hard as a team, and we need to show up to play as a team.  If we show up and we are mentally ready to play, we are a very good team,” Scott said.

Furthermore, players on the team, such as Senior Captain Brett Sullivan, saw the Owls’ current success as a product of the formation as whole playing together.

“[We’re] just connecting all the pieces that we have together so far.  We weren’t scoring too many goals to start off the season, so we’ve really built a lot of team chemistry and everyone is finally on the same page, so hopefully we can keep rolling and put the ball in the back of the net,” Sullivan said.

The mental aspect of the game, according to Sullivan is the difference between a win and a loss throughout the course of the game.

“Come in mentally prepared, show up [to] every game in shape, you know, but it’s just the mental piece that has to be there, we have to want to be there putting in the work,” Sullivan said.

Along with mental toughness, team chemistry is also something that has been clicking for the team according to fellow Senior Captain Yazid Eideh.

“Team chemistry wise, everything is going well … Mentally we set a goal for ourselves each week,” Eideh said.

The goal each week, according to the players, is just to win games.  On the streak they are on, Eideh said that he and his team could continue their win streak if they execute their skills well.

“I think that overall, we’re a solid team … We have plenty of chances, it’s just putting the ball in the back of the net,” Eideh said.

Coach Scott said he continues to have high expectations of his team and wants his players to play at an even higher level than they have been during their successful run this season.

“They’re getting there. The thing is, they have showed me some very, very good soccer so, with a coach’s mindset, I guess to expect that more often [if not] all the time,” Scott said.

As of Oct. 19, the KSC Owls sit tied for fourth place in the standings according to the LEC website.

The team has two more in-conference match-ups this year against Western Conn. and Southern M.E.

Jacob Barrett can be contacted at jbarrett@keene-equinox.com

A Keene State College coach has been allowed a great opportunity and honor. Only a handful of coaches across the country get to do what this coach was offered.

Jack Fabian, head coach of the swimming and diving team, was asked to speak at this year’s  American Swimming Coaches Association World Clinic in Jacksonville, Florida.

Fabian was one of two division III coaches chosen to give a presentation at the clinic and was in the company of coaches from the top-collegiate swimming schools in the country.

The KSC swim coach said he gave his presentation on distance training in a division III season, which is relatively shorter than division I and II. Despite the shorter season, Fabian, along with his assistant coaches, had managed to mold many of his swimmers into All-American athletes.

In 2013, Fabian’s team ranked ninth place in division III schools in the country at the NCAA tournament.

Emily Fedorko / File Photo

Coaches around the country came to the clinic and got to see Fabian give his presentation. Fabian said that the speech he gave was nerve-racking, but ultimately ended up being the best talk that he had ever given.

“It’s been one of the highlights of my career,” Fabian said. Fabian also added that he learned from the other coaches attending the clinic and applying that knowledge to his practices.

“If I stop learning, I’ll stop coaching,” Fabian admitted.  Fabian said that he’s also looking to absorb new knowledge on the sport that will benefit his team.

Assistant coach Dan Morse, who swam for Fabian from 2008 to 2011 and has now been his assistant for three years, said that it came as no surprise that the seasoned swim coach was asked to speak in Jacksonville.

“Look at his results throughout his career,” Morse said.

Morse also noted that Fabian’s men’s squad has been the highest-scoring public institution the past two seasons and he has coached seven All-Americans during that time as well.

According to keeneowls.com, Fabian received his doctorate in molecular biology from the State University of New York in Buffalo. Whether it be under the microscope or in the pool, Fabian is as thorough as possible.

“Very intelligent, very scientific—very scientific in his approach to the sport, more so than any other coach I’ve met … always has a season-long plan,” Morse said. He continued, ”He always knows exactly what kids should be doing for each stroke.”

Lindsey Day, a senior captain on Fabian’s team, mentioned the differences between Fabian and her past coaches.

”He’s much more technical than most coaches … he’s trying new stuff every day. It’s never repetitive with him, it’s never boring, it’s always to make us better,” Day said.

Morse, along with Day, both credited Fabian’s scientific and well-prepared approach to the sport as a key factor in making the Owls one of the top division III swimming and diving teams in the country.

Fabian said that working out and training are two different actions and he does his best to challenge his athletes to be more focused and driven.

“People can just work out or they can train. When people train, it’s a performance practice,” Fabian said.

He continued, “They’re very engaged in that. The amount of neural activity is at a much higher level—that type of performance practice carried out over numerous times of the week will take a kid to the next level. That’s what we need in a nineteen week season.”

He also added a bit of his goals for this coming season.

”I would like this team to be the best team I’ve ever coached,” Fabian said.

In order for this to become a reality, Fabian said that students need to be taking care of themselves when they are out of the pool or training with the team.

That part is up to the athletes themselves, but if this year is going to be anything like last year, the Keene State Swimming and Diving team, along with the school itself, has something to look forward to.

Dr. Fabian also has a hand in coaching an Olympic hopeful, but this one is a little closer to home.

Fabian’s daughter Eva is also an accomplished swimmer, winning the 10K race at the 2011 USA Swimming Open Water National Championships.

She also took home a gold medal for her performance at the 2010 Open Water World Championships, as well as many other accolades. Although talent runs in the family, Fabian is just as dedicated to each of his swimmers at KSC.

“Every kid counts,” Fabian said.

That dedication to coaching is what Fabian said keeps him motivated and always looking for new methods to put his team in the best position to win.

Jacob Barrett can be contacted at jbarrett@keene-equinox.com

According to Keene State College Director of Athletics John Ratliff, along with most schools in the country, KSC has a separate drug policy from the NCAA [National Collegiate Athletic Association]. 

Keene State holds a penalty of 4 games, or 25 percent of the season, whichever is less for a single and positive drug test.

That penalty jumps to 8 games or half of the season for a second offense and finally, complete termination from any athletics and permanent ineligibility for a third slip-up.

Three strikes and you’re out.

It’s not as harsh as the hammer brought down by the NCAA, but players, coaches and administrators find that it is effective.

The NCAA [National Collegiate Athletic Association]  has amended the drug policy, according to a “Roll Call” document provided by Director of Athletics John Ratliff.

As it stands now, the “Roll Call” states if a student-athlete tests positive for  nonperformance enhancing drugs or PEDs [performance enhancing drugs]  at championships, the athlete is immediately suspended for the equivalent of an entire season and loses a full-year of athletic eligibility.

This document indicates a difference from the previous protocol in that the NCAA’s punishment for the use of street drugs has now been cut in half.

The “Roll Call” testimony found that students who tested positive for street drugs often never returned to intercollegiate sports and withdrew from the academic institution altogether.

It showed that with a lesser but still serious penalty, student-athletes are more likely to return to competition and stay in school.

Ratliff said that he agreed with the NCAA’s new drug consequences.

Philip Bergeron / Graphics Editor

“You’re cheating … you’re trying to gain a competitive advantage,” Ratliff said, referring to PEDs.

Rob Colbert, head coach of the men’s basketball team at Keene State, also holds a strong opposition to the use of PEDs.

“If someone truly is engaging in PEDs, that’s cheating.  I think the number-one thing we have to protect is the integrity of our contests and our games and our championships and if someone’s cheating, you know, that’s the cardinal sin,” Colbert said.

Fortunately, Keene State athletes have never had a problem with PEDs or NCAA testing according to the athletic department.

Ratliff confirmed that no student has ever tested positive for any banned drug on a NCAA drug test.

The consequences have been an effective deterrent for students.

Cody Dube, a junior on the baseball team, commented on the drug policy.

“It keeps people in line,” Dube said.

Dube said that the looming consequence of suspension is a factor, but he said there’s also the publicity of it that makes athletes shy away from drugs as well.

“I think it makes them think twice … if they get caught for drugs everyone is going to find out.  You know, coaches, players, teachers, people will just know the decisions that they made,” Dube said.

In light of the recent suspensions in professional sports, it is uncertain whether it is fair to impose such strict penalties for a single offense while the professionals get a slap on the wrist for the same type of offenses.

”I would think that it should be similar to the major leagues.  I think it’s weird that kids in college are held to a higher standard than people who are being paid millions of dollars to do that but on the other hand, we don’t get tested as much … I think it should be tested more, ” Dube said.

However, Colbert said he disagrees.

“It would be a mistake to make them alike for the sake of making them alike because they’re two different organizations and two different missions,” Colbert said.

Noting that the goal of professional sports is mainly business-oriented, while the goal of collegiate sports is to develop the student both athletically, socially and academically.

Another topic among the Keene State athletic staff has been marijuana use.

Since becoming legal in multiple states across the country, Ratliff said he has been considering lessening the penalty of a positive-test for marijuana from 4 to 2 games.

Then it would be the same penalty as if a student-athlete were to be caught drinking while underage.

There have been no steps taken to make that happen, but Ratliff said that a change in the school policy is possible.

The NCAA, KSC, as well as many institutions across the country have been doing their best to prevent drug use in student-athletes.

The scare-tactics of up to year-long suspension for a first offense may be severe, but by all accounts, it seems to be working.

“I think one of our jobs as educators is to reinforce well-being, wellness and to help kids in staying away from some of those choices they could make that wouldn’t be good for them…” Colbert said.

Colbert continued, “No one is going around saying that stuff is good for you, and we’re all about kids being healthy, making good choices and holding them accountable when they don’t so as to reinforce the educational message.”

Jacob Barrett can be contacted at jbarrett@keene-equinox.com