By: Justin Parker

Alcohol and sports have a longstanding relationship. Whether it’s watching a game on TV at a bar or waiting in line at the concession stand, many spectators enjoy a drink while watching the game. This relationship gets a little bit more complicated for collegiate sports.

At a venue where a significant percentage of attendees are likely underage, it is much tougher to ensure a safe and legal drinking environment for everyone watching the game. Ultimately, everyone wants to have a good time, relax and cheer on their team. Uncontrolled alcohol use can ruin that, but a total lack of alcohol can also lessen the experience.

Currently, you can buy beer at every Marauders football game, but it must be consumed in the beer garden in the north end zone. In addition to this, there are occasional volleyball and basketball games that will offer beer to be consumed in the mezzanine while watching the games.

The selling of alcohol at all events hosted by McMaster is under limitations set by the campus-wide liquor license held by the university. A four-page administration policy for alcohol can be found online. Gord Arbeau, director of communications at McMaster University, sums up the view of the policy.

“McMaster prioritizes community safety and ensuring campus and our events are welcoming and inclusive,” Arbeau said. “The alcohol policy reflects that priority and supports this approach. Certainly, when alcohol sales are permitted by the policy, the university fully expects those permitted to sell alcohol follow our rules and the laws of Ontario.”

Being able to sell beer to fans in the stands might raise sales, but this would give the university less control over who is exactly drinking beer after it has been purchased.

While these regulations are meant to ensure a safe environment for drinking, there is also an administrative recognition that some spectators want to drink alcohol and have fun. It is a constant balancing act to ensure alcohol is not consumed in excess at events held on campus, but it is better to have spectators drinking in a controlled environment rather than an off-campus party pre-game.

“It’s just trying to balance things in terms of giving fans what they want, but also making sure we have a safe environment while trying to encourage the appropriate behaviours,” said Glen Grunwald, the director of athletics at McMaster.

Beyond ensuring a safe environment, the university also has financial considerations for these events. As it stands now, the university isn’t selling a lot of alcohol at the moment.

“We think it helps football, but when we do have it at basketball and volleyball we don’t have a lot of sales,” said Grunwald. “We’ve talked about it, but again, the cost of setting up the beer garden and hiring staff, doesn’t really justify the amount of money we make in terms of revenue and sales we have for beer.”

Being able to sell beer to fans in the stands might raise sales, but this would give the university less control over who is exactly drinking the beer after it has been purchased, so it is limited by the liquor license.

Would more alcohol lead to a higher attendance rate? For the 2016-2017 season, McMaster ranked second in Ontario University Athletics conference for football attendance. Basketball and volleyball recorded less attendance than football, but all rank in the top ten in the OUA in their respective sports (men’s basketball ranking the highest at fourth).

Offering more alcohol available wouldn’t hurt attendance, but it likely won’t significantly increase the average attendance. Having some alcohol in a controlled environment is better than nothing, and as long as fans can cheer on their team in a safe space, there is no need to increase availability.

Last week McMaster’s Athletics and Recreation departments hosted their annual Think Pink event, a week dedicated to raising awareness and funds on behalf of the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation. A part of national fundraising efforts since its inception in 2007, the event has established a tradition of bringing together student-athletes from across the university for a worthy cause. While each has been touched by cancer in a unique way, their stories offer a glimpse into how the battle against cancer unites us, and what we can do to help.

“I have had friends that have lost their parents to breast cancer,” said Rebecca Steckle, a fifth-year outside hitter on the women’s volleyball team. “To dedicate something so small, that seems so meaningless like a volleyball game... you really gain perspective. You go into [it] wanting to win and working hard and focusing so much, but to step back and say this is for something so much more… is a really special thing”

Steckle was part of a team effort that produced back-to back wins in Burridge Gym last weekend, both of which were dedicated to raising awareness for the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation. A part of the campus-wide Think Pink initiative, the women’s volleyball team played two of the eight games hosted by McMaster varsity teams over the course of three days, all devoted to the Think Pink cause. But for Steckle, her reason to participate goes even deeper than her own personal relationships.

“I work with cancer patients, and I see the way they fight through their disease,” said Steckle. “It doesn’t overcome them. I see their strength… as athletes we are privileged to be here, so anything we can do to give back and use our platform to fight back is really special and we have an opportunity to do that.”

An oncology nurse in local hospitals, Steckle got involved with Think Pink through McMaster Athletes Care, a student-run organization that aims to use sport as a catalyst for inciting social change. Each year, student-athletes partner with the McMaster Athletics and Recreation department to coordinate a wide-range of fundraising events. Not only have they been able to successfully draw in local members of the community, the partnership of varsity athletes across sport has created a culture of cooperation and family, something Steckle can attest to.

“My coach said in his speech last year that ‘family is not confined to space and time, so when a weekend like this comes, and family gets back together, we have a chance to do something really impactful.”

This “family” of student-athletes has been something Steckle has been a part of from the start of her career as a marauder. When asked about any memories of Think Pink that really struck a chord, she recalled her first experience with the cause.

“In my first year we would have a game or two were we dedicate it to the Think Pink campaign. I still remember my first year, we would get shirts and get to write someone’s name or a group of people we were playing for… it was special to feel so connected to something because everyone is touched by cancer in some way.”

“Everyone is touched by cancer in some way,” said Lexie Spadafora, a fourth-year guard on the women’s basketball team. “For our team especially.”

Since arriving for her first year at McMaster in 2013, Spadafora has seen the development of Ontario University Athletics all-stars, an all-time leading scorer, and been a part of three OUA playoff runs in a deep division. But tough opponents would not be the only challenge her and her team would do battle with.

In 2015, head coach and 22-season figurehead of women’s basketball Theresa Burns would announce the return of her battle with breast cancer. Undergoing treatment throughout the 2015/2016 season, these Marauders have seen up close the fight and perseverance anyone who has been touched by cancer experiences.

“[Think Pink] means a lot to her, it means a lot to us,” said Spadafora. “It is always in the back of our mind, we are doing this for her.”

"Everyone has one goal, and that is to beat cancer. For us to do it in a sport we love, and for a coach we love and look up too... that's a good way to do it."
Lexie Spadafora
Fourth-year guard, McMaster women's basketball

Even before Think Pink, women’s basketball has been at the forefront of breast cancer initiatives. Whether it is wearing pink socks and warm-ups on game day, running the CIBC Run for the Cure, or raising over 20,000 dollars for “Team TB” in 2015, these Marauders are doing everything in their power to make a difference.

“We just want to get everyone involved as much as we can,” said Spadafora. “Everyone has one goal, and that is to beat cancer. For us to do it in a sport we love, and for a coach we love and look up to... that’s a good way to do it.”

And they aren’t alone. Over 400 fans packed Burridge Gym for the Think Pink games against York and Queen’s, a testament to the tight knit community the women’s program has created. But if there is one thing Spadafora wants to emphasis it is that those games were just a starting point.

“This is something that shouldn’t just happen this week,” said Spadafora. “It should happen all year. This week kind of promotes it, but it is important for students and members of the community to know that they are always other ways to contribute.”

“There are always ways to contribute,” said Ethan Saunders, a fifth-year veteran of the men’s rugby team. “That is one of the things that makes it so great.”

Involved with Think Pink since his first year, Saunders noticed the week as one of the volunteering opportunities brought to athletes by McMaster athletes care.

"Run in unison with marauder alumni weekend, was packed with returning players, coaches and members of the community who were able to partake in the week's fundraising initiatives."

“I was looking for a way to have an impact beyond the field,” said Saunders. “Because I realized early on that’s a pretty limited number of people I can affect there… [Think Pink] is a broader scale for sure.”

For the duration of the week, Saunders spearheaded an athlete run promotion station in the David Braley Athletic Center. Ditching his rugby gear in favor of a pink ballet tutus and matching neon tights, Saunders did everything from pass on information about the cause to selling raffle tickets and t-shirts. He also helped run daily fundraising events such as “Pink Balloon Pop”, and “Dodge For A Cause”.

“My favorite event each year has been pie-in-the-face, I find it absolutely hilarious,” said Saunders. “I had a chance to throw my first pie this year, instead of being on the receiving end of the pies… its just good to have all the other athletes out and have everyone coming by.. it is just such a good community event, what more could you ask for?”

No stranger to helping others, Saunders was the recipient of an OUA community service award last year for his volunteer work with the McMaster Student Therapist program and as a team representative for McMaster Athlete’s Care.

Saunders also voiced his support for the timing of Think Pink this year. Run in unison with marauder alumni weekend, Burridge Gym was packed with returning players, coaches and members of the community who were able to partake in the week’s fundraising initiatives.

“It is cool to have [students and alumni],” said Saunders. “It is kind of a past and present thing which is very reflective of what you are dealing with with breast cancer as well, it is a unifying issue, so there is some neat messaging there… but the more people you have around campus the better”

 

What you missed in 2016:

A 12-game win streak came to an end as the Mac men dropped four games to No. 6 Brock, No. 4 Ottawa and No. 1 Carleton before the break.

While the games against the Badgers were decided by just four points, both saw Mac struggle to contest with Brock’s lockdown defence in the dying minutes of the fourth quarter, giving up two costly turnovers and a block to set their record back two games.

Second-year guard Chris Thompson was a bright spot for the Marauders, coming off the bench to put up 34 points and seven steals in the two-game series.

In Ottawa, Mac fell behind early in the first and struggled to regain control against powerful Gee-Gee and Raven teams.

Third-year forward Connor Gilmore was strong offensively in both contests, and currently sits fifth in Ontario University Athletics with 20.2 points per game.

The team rebounded with a solid 90-75 win to start the New Year against Nipissing. They stumbled to a loss the next night, dropping 95-87 result against a Laurentian team who is still finding their groove after a hazing scandal resulted in key players being suspended to start the season.

Defence continues to be a talking point for the Mac men, who have struggled to contain teams early and make critical stops late.

Against Laurentian, McMaster fell behind by 10 points in the first quarter, while relying on fifth-year forward Rohan Boney’s 14 points to tie the game at 20 apiece.

Later in the fourth, they managed to pull within three to make it a one possession game, before dropping back 11 until the final three minutes.

Boney would go on to score a game high 32 points on the night, but the Voyageurs finished with more assists and bench points.

Moving into 2017, the Marauders will to look to establish some momentum against more local OUA competition as they try to position themselves for a playoff run.

Mac has played one of the toughest schedules in the country, let alone the OUA, so their 4-5 conference record has to be taken with a grain of salt. If Mac split the series with Brock, this is a different conversation.

Expect to see more big offensive performances from the high-powered scoring duo of Gilmore and Boney, with third-year guard David McCulloch looking to make a big impact from the point guard position.

You see them on television shows, every website and pretty much everywhere you go.

Sponsorships continue to be an effective way to enhance the visibility of various brands and companies. This is especially true in the world of sports, with brands being promoted on game attire (jerseys, footwear, etc.), playing fields, and in between game breaks through various fan promotions. Partnerships with various brands gives sports organizations more funds that goes towards upgrading equipment, travel expenses, employee contracts, and other areas that require attention.

In 2014, the Athletic and Recreation Department at McMaster Universty hired Glen Grunwald, who had previously worked with various NBA teams, including stints as the general manager for the Toronto Raptors and the New York Knicks.

Grunwald’s main objective since being hired has been to increase funding to the department through corporate sponsors and Marauder alumni.

Since his hire in 2014, the Athletics and Recreation Department has secured sponsorships from notable brands such as Bio Steel and Nike. The department has recently renewed and grown their partnership with the Royal Bank of Canada, who has made its presence bigger with the addition of an RBC Automatic Teller Machine and branch in the David Bradley Athletic Centre.

A partnership has been formed on a more local level with the Westdale restaurant Basilique, which has since been added to the McMaster meal plan and is one of the main advertisers claiming to help “fuel athletes”.

For Grunwald, the key for creating these partnerships is to connect with sponsors who share similar goals with the Marauder brand.

I would like to use those funds to decrease the financial burden on our student athletes and to remain competitive with other universities in Canada.

Glen Grunwald
Director of Athletics and Recreation
McMaster University

“We are trying to target good companies with good brands that share the same values as us,” Grunwald said. “It is tough out there because there are a lot different people looking for advertising and sponsorships, so it’s very competitive. We still work with the local community, and will continue to work with the local restaurants and small businesses.”

While students and spectators see the finished result of these partnerships through advertising and branding, few understand how these deals are made in the first place. The end product that is seen today is the result of a lot of work behind the scenes between various groups to iron out contracts and agreements.

“There are more people seeking sponsorships than there are sponsors, so we have to be aggressive in trying to identify companies that fit the bill,” Grunwald said. “We do a lot of research on them in terms of what their products are, their marketing strategies, how they might benefit associating with us and what their visions and values are as well. We then try and tailor a program that satisfies what they want to do to help them attain their goals, while at the same time providing real value to us and our students.”

These partnerships do not necessarily mean one side giving money to the other. For example, Basilique’s partnership with the Marauders offers student athletes post-game meals as an in-kind partnership, as opposed to a monetary one. BioSteel also provides their hydration and nutrition products to Marauder athletes during and after practices and games.

Since his arrival in 2014, Glen Grunwald has made good on his promise to bring in more sponsors for the Marauders. While the money from their sponsors goes towards the general funding the overall recreation and sports programming at McMaster University, there are areas where Grunwald would like to see more money spent.

“Like a lot of Canadian university athletic programs, all of our sports are at least partly funded by our student-athletes themselves, through direct fees and/or their own fundraising efforts,” Grunwald said in a separate email. “I would like to use those funds to decrease that financial burden on our student athletes and to remain competitive with other universities in Canada. In addition, we would love to better subsidize the cost of our intramural and instructional programming so that our fees to our students on the recreation side could be reduced.”

“We still need to get more sponsors, but I think we are in good shape and we just need to keep working at it,” he said.

The women’s team continued their dominate season with four solid wins against Brock, Guelph and Ottawa before being handed their first loss against the University Sports No. 2 ranked Carleton Ravens. After a 35-point blow-out against the Badgers, Brock was out for vengeance when they returned to Burridge gym, rocketing to a 64-53 lead at the end of the third quarter.

But the Marauders clawed back from as much as 15 points in the fourth as fourth year guard Danielle Boiago scored 15 of her career-high 39 in the last eight minutes to tie the game at 79, before turning around to block Brock’s final shot attempt and force overtime.

The Mac women sealed the win behind Linnea Harper’s double-double performance (21 points, 11 rebounds) and clutch free throw shooting at the end.

Unfortunately, it was after a 19-point win against Ottawa that Mac would come up short against a versatile Carleton team. Struggling defensively against an established Ravens frontcourt, McMaster had no answer for Carleton’s 6’3 Ontario University Athletics all-star fourth year Heather Lindsey, who had 25 points and 17 rebounds on the night. Her performance was part of a much larger battle on the glass that saw McMaster grab just 27 rebounds to Carleton’s 50. They also gave up eight threes while shooting an uncharacteristic 31 per cent from the floor. The loss would temporarily cost them their No. 1 national ranking, as they slipped to third behind No. 2 Carleton and No. 1 ranked Laval.

But after a quick holiday break it was back to business as Mac added five more wins to their record, starting with a three game tournament sweep at the Thunder Selects Holiday Classic in Halifax. The tournament included a come-from-behind victory against Acadia powered by Boiago’s 32 points, followed by a clean win over Dalhousie to earn a finals birth against St Mary’s. Putting together a strong defensive performance the Marauders held the Huskies to just 24 per cent from the three-point line while forcing 19 points off turnovers on route to a 72-67 victory.

They also added a valuable piece in the play of fifth-year veteran Vanessa Pickard, who is back on the court after a series of knee surgeries kept her sidelined for 14 months. Since her return, they have won their last two games of league play by 82 points, and will look to run the table against OUA competition as they gear up for the post-season. Expect the Marauders to continue relying on their depth, defense, and sharpshooting backcourt as they head into a jam-packed winter schedule.

By: Eamon Hillis

The first year of many students’ post-secondary experience is often defined by enthusiasm and promise.

It is a time rich with opportunity, and one that often bestows upon the student substantial changes in their academic and social environments. It brings with it new expectations, and in those expectations, new challenges. It can prove to be a difficult transition at times, as student leave behind familiar things and wade into the unknown. There is often struggle, but many still thrive.

There is perhaps no better illustration of the transition from high school to university than what is seen in the experiences of the varsity rookie.

It can be a rewarding time, and a challenging one, but often one in which senior athletes look back fondly upon.

For nearly all first-year varsity athletes, regardless of sport, the university circuit marks a significant step up in competition. The other athletes are older, stronger and much more experienced than they are. Depending on the sport, rookies often take a season or two to grow acclimatized to the level of play and to improve to the point where they begin to see success. Despite this, some still prosper early.

For McMaster baseball rookie Lucas DaSilva, this was certainly the case. DaSilva won this year’s Ontario University Athletics rookie of the year award for his outstanding season. He achieved a .406 batting average through 18 games, and excelled at shortstop, a notoriously demanding position. Like other talented rookie athletes, DaSilva recalls being the target of special treatment from opposing players looking to test him.

“I did not know what it would be like going in to the season,” DaSilva said. “But the competition was a lot better [than in high school]. Players are smarter and know the game better. The difference in pitching was noticeable, and the other players were overall much stronger. I saw a lot of fast balls just because I was a rookie and I batted second in the order, so they weren’t going to throw the first pitch off-speed. As the season went on though, I began to see many different pitches.”

Trials such as these can be vexing for rookies, especially those given important roles on their team. There is an inherent anxiety that accompanies any first-year athlete, but for those who find themselves in key positions early, there is an added level of pressure.

William Kelly, fly-half for the McMaster men’s rugby squad, knows this pressure well. Like DaSilva, Kelly also won 2016 OUA rookie of the year honors for his performance this season. With regards to the pressure he felt starting as fly-half, Kelly acknowledges the important role that some of the senior players had in helping him feel relaxed on the field.

“In the game of rugby, fly-half tends to be a leadership role, much like quarterback,” Kelly said. “I was pretty nervous the first game of the season against Western. The first few minutes were a bit hectic. I believe the first play we ran we had a knock on and I threw a forward pass. It was guys like fifth-year centre Jamie Leveridge who really eased me into it. They said ‘we know you are good, just have confidence in your skills and play by feel’. As the season went on, I got more and more comfortable with my role on the team.”

Beyond the tribulations that rookies may face on the field, many also come to know burdens within the classroom. The academic strain on the student-athlete is much greater than in high school, and this is recognized well by McMaster administration. Coaching staff and academic advisors understand the time commitment of varsity sports, and it is often recommended for athletes to spread out their academic career to five years, so not to be overwhelmed.

Heavily-recruited rookie wrestler Ben Zarah, a life science major, understands the importance of balancing training and his academics.

“We have a lot of guys on the team who are in demanding faculties and care a lot about academics,” Zarah says. “Many of them have tough course loads like myself and have learned how to manage it. I’m currently taking a reduced load, and I’m planning on extending my time at Mac to five years.”

Zarah is currently mid-season, and is showing great promise so far. He acknowledges the quality training that he is getting from his teammates in practice, and finds that he has improved greatly from his time as a Marauder.

Rookie athletes, like all first-year students at McMaster, understand the many toils and delights that attend ones transition from high-school. It can be a rewarding time, and a challenging one, but often one in which senior athletes look back fondly upon.

“Don’t be too nervous,” DaSilva advises future rookies. “Focus on your game, don’t change anything.  Just stay positive and focused, and don’t let the big guys overlook you.”

Content warning: This article discusses scenarios of homophobia and uses language that may be triggering for some readers.

“Hey faggot, you run like a girl.”

What may seem like a chilling statement to some has become all too common for others.

A 2015 study entitled “Out on the Fields” examined the affects of homophobia in over 7,125 LGBTQ participants across six English-speaking countries. The results were unfortunately conclusive.

Of the Canadians surveyed, 81 per cent had witnessed or experienced homophobia, while 84 per cent of gay men and 88 per cent of lesbians had encountered homophobic slurs. 66 per cent claimed they would feel “unsafe” in spectator areas if they were open about their sexuality, suggesting the culture of discrimination extends far beyond the athletes themselves.

“One thing about growing up, particularly little boys, we aren’t raised to value vulnerability,” said LGBTQ activist Wade Davis. “There is no currency in being vulnerable as a kid, and when you play sports vulnerability is a form of being weak. You can’t show weakness in football.”

Wade Davis is a former NFL player and one of only a few openly gay men to play professional sports, spending time as a member of the Tennessee Titans, the Washington Redskins and the Seattle Seahawks. In 2013 he was named executive director of the You Can Play Project, a national advocacy group working for the equality of LGBTQ athletes in sports.

“Part of our work is to redefine what it means to be a man, and what it means to be masculine,” said Davis. “A lot of people think of football as the keeper of masculinity… so the idea of having a gay player in sports just doesn’t fit.”

Unsurprisingly, 86 per cent of Canadian gay youth and 89 per cent of Canadian lesbian youth confirmed they were not open about their sexuality with teammates, citing fear of rejection (33 per cent) and bullying (19 per cent) as their primary concerns. But open players like Davis are trying to change that.

“Most LGBTQ kids, they quit paying sports right in high school, because high school is a space where that locker room is unsafe,” said Davis. “There is not a lot of policing of language, so to raise awareness is a big deal.”

Youth recreation statistics are particularly alarming, with 73 per cent of participants citing youth sport (under the age of 22) as not safe or welcoming for LGBTQ people. On US college campuses, one in four LGBTQ student athletes felt pressure to remain silent about their identity.

“Our work is to tell athletes and coaches that gay players do exist,” said Davis. “I played in the NFL, I was one of them. But I didn’t see myself. There was no Michael Sam or Jason Collins, you just didn’t think that was possible. So part of our job becomes visibility… so players know they can be open in their sport.”

Here at McMaster, student advocacy groups like the Queer Students Community Center have worked hard to change the landscape of LGBTQ athletics through education and subsidized intramural programs, but it is not an easy task.

Advertising can be challenging, as the majority of LGBTQ athletic promotions are only published within regular QSCC media. Welcome Week and other promotional events are also used to generate interest, but maintaining campus wide awareness over the course of the year can be difficult.

“There are limited numbers of teams and locations,” said QSCC athletics executive Ashley Kraftcheck. “It is tough when you have just the minimum number of people, and it can be disheartening to folks that do want to participate.”

Spreading the word about inclusive sports programs is only one way students can change the culture of athletics on campus. Taking steps to further your own knowledge and the understanding of those around you are also crucial, as Hamilton Tiger-Cat and McMaster alumnus Mike Daly pointed out.

“I have been in a locker room full of guys from everywhere, and I just don’t think there is enough awareness,” said Daly. “The way a lot of guys are raised, its not even talked about. They’ve never had this conversation before. You bring it up and guys are backing up and sneaking out of the room… I am not a fan of hate in the world and this is a form of that.”

Earlier this month Daly participated in a training session facilitated by Davis within the Tiger-Cats organization. Over the course of the program, Ticats players and administration worked collaboratively to address LGBTQ perception and treatment in sports.

“[We] want to be involved because it’s an overall issue,” said Selby Vilneff, the coordinator of event execution and community relations. “It comes down to respect. Everyone needs to be respected, and that needs to be translated to sports.”

The involvement of one team may seem like a small contribution, but the impact can be transformative. As a community stronghold, local sports organizations can model more inclusive behaviour to young players and shape the way fans perceive the game.

“Immediately after the conversation, four or five guys said they are thinking of [working with the organization],” said Davis. “Maybe they felt empowered, but all it takes is one person to raise that level of mindfulness. The biggest thing is a player will come back and say ‘hey man, we stopped using the word faggot in our locker room.”

If every locker room is one counter in a much greater fight, there is still a long road ahead. But if there is one thing LGBTQ athletes know how to do it’s persevere.

MacPride brings together students, faculty, and staff who represent LGBTQ+ communities and their allies to celebrate gender and sexual diversity, and to demonstrate McMaster's attitude of acceptance of all identities. You can attend MacPride events until Nov. 5, or check out the QSCC in the MSU service directory and on Facebook for more details.