Lehman College Basketball: The Lightning Strikes Back with a New Season

By Adolfo Miliano and Jesus Vargas

Members and coaches of both Lehman’s Men’s and Women’s basketball teams spoke about the upcoming season on Lehman's Media Day on October 18th. In this interview, players and coaches on both sides spoke about their upcoming season, their meticulous training regiments, and the goals they’re striving for. With the season starting in November, both the Men’s and Women’s teams have high expectations to go far this season, especially after last season's daunting defeat against their conference rivals, Baruch College. This year, Lehman plans to be on the other side of the history books in hopes of seizing their opportunity and once again holding the CUNYAC trophy.

Steve Schulman has been the Men’s Basketball Head Coach for Lehman College for 25 years. This new 2024/25 season brings high expectations for the men’s side, as they are looking to achieve the CUNYAC Championship title for the first time since 2004. The Men’s team fell short last season against Baruch in the CUNYAC finals, losing 71-73 by the end of the 4th quarter. That was the third year in a row that the two teams faced each other in the CUNYAC in the finals, Baruch won all three of those encounters. 

Coach Schulman spoke about these results and how he is looking to turn this loss streak around: “The key is that we don’t try to plant into that game right now,” he said. “Every season is new in basketball. You just have to grind it out and try to get better every day.” 

After these heartbreaking losses in the CUNYAC Final, Schulman assures that the team maintains its confidence despite the negative results. “The coaching staff and the players bring a good level of confidence every day,” he expressed. “We have to remember why we were able to get into those spots, which is how we practiced and how we played together.”

Schulman was the head coach during the last time the Men’s team won the CUNYAC Championship in 2004. He spoke about the 20-year drought and how it drives him to achieve greatness with the team. “It’s tough. We’ve been close so many times,” he said. “We’re going to break it, no doubt. That’s what drives me. I want to win that last game.” 

Another goal for Schulman is for Lehman to play NCAA DIII Basketball. In order to compete in NCAA DIII, his team must win the CUNYAC Championship to be seeded within the best 24 DIII teams in the country. “Lehman has never won a NCAA game, so that is the ultimate goal,” he expressed. Looking into the team, Schulman spoke about the players. “We have a really supportive group of guys who are respectful and want to win.” 

His expectations for the players are straightforward: “Win the next game, win the regular season in CUNY, with the CUNYAC Championship, and win an NCAA game.” He believes the title will return to Lehman after 20 years if the team commits. He finalized by saying: “The way we can achieve it is by not being selfish and everyone committing to the goal. We have the talent to do it, so we need to get better each and every game to make sure that we’re playing at our best when the playoffs start.” 

Brandon Marks is a Senior at Lehman College who plays as a Small Forward and Shooting Guard for the Men’s Basketball Team. Marks is also the co-captain of the Men’s side for his second year running. Like Coach Schulman and the other players, Marks has one target in mind: win the CUNYAC Championship. “This has been our goal for the past few years, we fell short, but this is a different year,” he assured. Marks spoke highly of his teammates as he believes the team has the talent to accomplish the CUNYAC title this season. 

He expressed how connected the team is, even with a handful of new recruits. “We have a lot of new guys, but you can’t even tell they are new,” he said. “There is a lot of bonding, competition, and healthy trash-talking. There are a lot of great new additions to the team; the coaches did a great job recruiting. We got exactly what we needed.” 

Brandon Marks also shared his thoughts about his captaincy role and the challenges it brought him. “Last year was very challenging. I wasn’t playing much, so it's hard to speak up when you are not playing,” he said. “This year, I feel so much more comfortable. It's not even about playing, it's being the voice of reason besides the coach.” He expressed how important it is for a captain to speak up with confidence and help the team. Marks shares captaincy with another player, Lasana Camara, and speaks about their relationship. “Lasana is my boy. I’ve been with him for three years now and trust him.” 

Marks describes his experience during the three consecutive CUNYAC finals and how it affected the players. “For some people, losing those games could make you think that once you get to the final, you’re going to lose again,” he said. “I look at things differently. This is a whole new year. Everything else before doesn’t matter.” The most important part for him is keeping a positive mindset during the season and not thinking about the previous results. “Take one game at a time, get better every day, and when we look up in February, we will be where we need to be.” Brandon Marks finalized by stating, “This is the year,” as he hopes to win Lehman’s first CUNYAC Championship title since 2004. 

Women's Basketball Team: The Goal is Gold

Women’s Head Coach Eric Harrison has been the head coach of the Women’s Basketball Team for 26 years. Harrison is no stranger to victory. He was an intricate part of capturing a CUNYAC title in 2016 and has high praise for this new team. “In 2016, the team was very great; we had some talented players who worked hard and cared about each other. They prepared every day for what would be a championship, and we hope these players carry that onto this team and emphasize the importance of practice, commitment, and teamwork.” 

Coach Harrison’s objective goes beyond a title win; he hopes to bring back relevancy to a team that people have forgotten about. “It’s been a while since this team has won. People have written Lehman off on the women's side due to struggling the past few years, but it would be great to get back and show people that we haven’t gone anywhere, and I think this year's team can do that.” 

The Women’s team has the capability to accomplish something they haven’t done in 8 years. It’s more than winning a title and hanging a banner to most. Like Co-Captain Emily Kennedy, this team is a sisterhood that cares for each other and wants to strive for excellence. She gave a daring statement to those who oppose Lehman this season. 

“Watch out for Lehman because Lehman is coming for the chip.”

Heaven Accemius, a graduate student at Lehman College and co-captain of the Women’s Basketball Team, gave insight into her experience as a D1 athlete at Hampton University and why coming to Lehman was the best move for her. “I wanted to come back home not only for graduate school but to win a title here. I think my prior experience at a D1 program will help develop the players on this team and give them knowledge that they can use in the long run.” Heaven Accemius is coming back from a season-ending injury the year before and has something to prove. “I’m Rehabbing 2-3 times a week and taking strategic measures to make sure I stay healthy this season and be there for my team when it matters.

Accemius is a combo guard with skills in ball handling and shooting. However, when asked about the other factors of the game, like rebounding, defensive pressure, and steals, she had no hesitation, saying: “My teammates got me with that and will help me throughout those areas of the game.” She puts the team before herself and is fully aware of the challenges ahead. “It would mean a lot to me to win a title here. We didn’t win the chip at my old school, and the one for CUNYAC is accessible, and it’s within reach and I think me and my team can get there.” 

She answered confidently when asked how she plans to handle the pressure this season. “What pressure?” For The Lightning, last season came to an end with a thud, falling to Baruch in the Championship game. Yet players never wavered nor hesitated when asked about their next matchup. “We want Baruch,” “We want to win a Championship,” and “We have something to prove” were all emphasized by Lehman’s Men's Team. Heaven Accemius gave a bold prediction as to how this season will go for Lehman. “We’re going undefeated and going straight to the chip.” 

Both sides are stoic about starting the new season and claiming their most desired achievement: winning the CUNYAC Championship. The players' determination and the high remarks from both coaches give Lehman the confidence to obtain both titles and qualify for the NCAA Tournament.

On your marks, set, REBUILD

By Jesus Vargas

 On September 20th, a Meridian Sports reporter interviewed track and field team members on the coming season and the challenges of a student-athlete going beyond the limits of the field. 

This season began with a new coach, just like the season prior, which is a recurring pattern for this track team. The team shattered expectations and surpassed their limits with former track coach Jelani Knight in the previous season. When asked about their experience with Coach Knight, team members acknowledged his coaching capabilities. They understood that the rigorous training sessions would help them become their best.

Statements like “It was pretty good. I felt as though Coach Knight was very welcoming.

Because it was technically my first year doing track, seeing as how I only ran three races total in my senior year of high school,” said Oludemilade Lekan Michael.

“Last year’s season with Coach Knight was successful since the main goal was to make a name for ourselves individually, breaking school records and becoming the champion of your event. Which motivated everyone even more since you’re focused on the main event.” 

“It was a good experience. I learned a lot and found an area I'm good at due to his coaching. He was respectful and knew what we all needed to work on in our specified areas.” 

With the departure of Coach Knight, the track program pivoted in a new direction by hiring a new head coach, Rene Cintron, on August 19th. The season starts with a new coach, which seems to be recurring for Lehman’s track team.

Coach Cintron’s reason for joining Lehman was his history there. “I’m a Lehman alumni that ran track in 2011 and graduated in 2013. When I heard there was a position open for a new head coach, I saw it as a way to give back to the school that gave so much to me.” He furthered his statement by saying, “There’s always going to be some challenges you would encounter coaching a new team, especially consistency. Instilling that in this team will take time, but the group of kids are excellent and are very coachable. But consistency requires them to be in shape, to have a championship mindset, but most importantly to have integrity not just to others but to each other as a team.”

Some members still feel positive about the new coach. “I could say everyone has their own way of working. Even though Coach Knight had a huge impact on my performance last year, changes happen, and you learn from them. In other words, I feel that I could learn new things from the new coach."  said a team member who wishes to remain anonymous.

When asked what the team thought their biggest challenge would be this season with Coach Cintron, they answered, “The biggest challenges would be more in the authority role because we had a different coach last year. We have a new one this year, so now it will be hard to listen to him and follow his directions. We may feel like he's doing many things wrong, but again, we must ease into many things.” 

However, Coach Cintron remains optimistic that the track team will triumph this year. “My expectation is for the team to compete at a high level. Of course, there’s a championship in mind, but every Cuny school wants that. A championship takes time, and to do that, you have to plan meticulously and be patient.”  

Other team members are focused on building team chemistry, a crucial piece of the puzzle in team sports.“Pretty much the team is moving slowly at the moment because not many are interested in the cross-country season and are waiting for the indoor and outdoor season to start. The coach is still new and adjusting to everything, but it's somewhat putting things on an unsteady surface.”

"The expectations for some on the team are low after winning the bronze last year; some see it as a rebuilding year. This is 100% a rebuilding season. We’re coming for our comeback. Every team is always striving for gold, including us. Many people want to engage, so I think this could be very helpful to be better this season, said Oludemilade Lekan Michael.

Others seemed hopeful and are relishing in what the new year has to offer. “It is definitely a rebuilding season since more than half of the team are freshmen.” Michael continues, “They have a lot of talent, which could help us bring back a chip. However, some members are trying to pick up the pieces of an already dismantled team.”

Coach Cintron says “This team has to be willing to sacrifice not only the coaching staff but the runners as well. The team has already initiated a rigorous weight training program for a month. With the indoor season being 3 weeks away, I’m positive that we will be ready by then. My motto for this team is getting 1% better every day because only then can this team reach its fullest potential. 

As the new season approaches, uncertainty looms over the fresh lineup of runners. While optimism sparks among some team members, the true test will come when they face off against seasoned competitors. Will their hope sustain them in the heat of competition, or will reality temper their enthusiasm? Only time will tell, but one thing is for sure: the journey ahead promises valuable lessons and growth, regardless of the outcome. As they lace up their shoes and hit the track, the team stands at the threshold of potential, embracing whatever challenges lie ahead. With this rebuild, some track members are in high spirits: "We're 100% going to the podium this year.” However, can this team reclaim their championship glory as they did in the 2023 season, or will they have reached the end of the line?

Lehman’s Swim Team: Lifeguard Shortage

By: Safiya Richards 

On October 17th, the swim team coach and members were interviewed about the shortage of lifeguards in the APEX due to COVID restrictions, which could potentially impact the swim team.  

There were more lifeguards before COVID-19, and organizations like the Red Cross did training.  

Peter Kiernan, Aquatics Director and Head Swim Coach, stated there was a decline in lifeguards due to the pandemic. “There was something called COVID-19. There were no classes until November 2021.” There weren't a lot of focus classes, so there was a big break. The cities were more restrictive than the outside. According to Kiernan, 35% of the Caucasian population, 50% of the Asian population, and 75% of African Americans don't know how to swim because of the lack of opportunity. The older students go to college, graduate, and go on to their careers, so learning opportunities are no longer available.  

There are three stations for the lifeguards, and there would be another lifeguard in other designated areas of the pool in every area, as well as a fifth at the first aid station for restoration. So, the lifeguards will rotate every 30 minutes. It's called the stationary code, which goes by surface area. “So, if you have a certain area of the pool open 3000 square feet or less, you need one lifeguard.” He states that for every 3000 square feet in space it is required to put another safety personnel. “There are different categories of lifeguards. Supervisory level one and supervisory level two depend on the qualifications. They have lifeguard certification and CPR, which is first aid training for a professional rescuer.”  

Swimming classes are now open for anyone who wants to learn. Peter Kiernan stated, “There are 130 people learning to swim. They do a swim test, but I offer an opportunity for anyone in college to do a job.” Some of the swimmers are lifeguards with qualifications. The coach encourages students to sign up for swimming lessons from Monday to Friday, 12 pm - 3 pm.  

Navigating the Dual Challenge of College Life and Athletics

By: Adolfo Miliano

The life of a college student can get rather hectic when you combine school, work, friends, and personal matters. You must learn how to manage your time well to deal with everything and, if possible, have time for yourself and relax. But what if you add sports to the equation? Apart from dealing with the matters already stated, student-athletes have to include sports in their busy schedule. That means adding practice, game days, and longer commuting hours for away games. How do they manage it? What or who helps them keep track of everything? Does it ever get easier? Some Lehman athletes spoke about their experiences and the strategies they implemented to help them handle their busy agenda.

	Emmanuel Oladosu, a senior student-athlete who plays on the Men’s Volleyball team for Lehman College, joined the team in the Fall semester of 2021 and has been a part of the team since. On top of academics and Volleyball, Oladosu also works part-time in IT support at MetLife Stadium during the weekends. Oladosu revealed various strategies he implements to balance sports and academics simultaneously. He mentioned how he takes advantage of the off-season to take more classes to work towards his Computer Science degree and fewer classes during the Volleyball season to be able to make it to practice and games. He also mentions that this is an approach many other student-athletes take as well. “In order to play, you need to take 12 credits minimum,” Oladosu mentions. “Last year, I took about 18 credits in the Fall [of 2023], and in the Spring [of 2024] I took 12 credits.” 

Knowing what to prioritize is also crucial to having a cohesive schedule. In Oladosu’s case, choosing the right professor for his classes is his top priority. “If there’s a professor that’s really good, and I know I’m going to learn best from that professor, I’m probably going to take that class,” he said. “I want to have a good GPA. Computer Science is such a competitive market, and once I graduate, I’m going to be in that field. I don’t want to be stuck.” Being a student-athlete is not only about being good at sports. A good academic record is needed for students to be eligible to play for any sports team in CUNY, with a minimum of a 2.0 GPA average required.

When asked about the hardest part of balancing everything out, Oladosu revealed that the mental aspect plays a big role in student-athlete's mind. “Having doubts like ‘Am I good enough?’ or ‘What if I fail?’ or even developing your own career can occur. What if I don’t build the career I want for myself?” he pointed out. Oladosu expressed that as much as he loves the sport and representing the school team, he constantly thinks about his life after college. He prioritizes his academics over sports to make sure he has a proper foundation to become successful in the future. “I don’t want to have this ‘prime’ of my life in college, and then after graduation, I’m working minimum wage, living check to check.” Ultimately, Oladosu shared a piece of advice that all student-athletes should follow. “Truly do your best,” he expressed. “Put in 100% effort in everything you do so that you won’t have any regrets later on like ‘I could’ve done better,’ because those regrets stick with you.” 

	Patria Sanchez, one of the captains of the Women’s Softball team at Lehman College, shared her experiences about being a student-athlete. Sanchez is a junior student-athlete majoring in Exercise Science and is also enrolled in a work-study program on campus. Sanchez had connections with Dily Felix, the assistant coach of the Softball team, before joining the team in her freshman year. She talked about some similar strategies to Emmanuel Oladosu’s, like taking classes in the morning in order to make it to practice and taking advantage of the off-season to work on her Exercise Science degree as she has more time to do so during the Fall semester. Sanchez opened up about her struggles in her first semester as she was adjusting to college life.“My first semester as a freshman, I fell below a 2.0, so I wasn’t able to play in the Spring,” she confessed. “I fought for my grades because I thought that I could’ve done better. I was able to bring it to a 2.0, and I was eligible to play. I think that is something that happens to freshmen- it gets overwhelming.” She talked about how the transition from high school to college can be challenging for student-athletes as they have the pressure of maintaining a 2.0 GPA to be part of the team. She also expressed how it has gotten more manageable through time.“Me, being in my third year of college, I already know how to adjust my schedule. I know the timing of when to attend  practice when to study…” Sanchez spoke about being a captain of the Softball team and her relationship with the rest of the players. Having prior experience as a captain with her travel team, the Lady Twins, she already knew how to take on the role of a leader within the team. “I brought the same attitude and leadership skills from the Lady Twins and brought into Lehman,” she said. “I don’t see ‘captain’ as just one person. ‘Captain’ can be anybody; leadership skills can come from anybody.” She emphasizes how important it is for the team to trust and rely on each other and how she doesn’t view herself as the main person on the team. “Being able to turn to each other to speak about certain issues they are not comfortable with the coaches is something that I love that they do.”

Student-athletes, just like any regular student, have to excel in their academics to obtain their pursued degrees. However, they also have the extra responsibility of their respective sports. Oladosu and Sanchez showed us a glimpse of what a student-athlete goes through and how they manage to fit sports into their already busy schedule. Knowing how to manage your time is crucial for student-athletes as sports commitments can take up most of their time throughout the week. Representing your team, however, makes all those hours of practice worth it in the end.

Coach Gojcevic and Lehman Soccer Teams Seeking CUNYAC Championship Double

By Adolfo Miliano  

The Fall semester is fast approaching, and that means it's almost time for the Lehman soccer teams to compete again. With a fresh season in sight, both the Men's and Women’s  

soccer teams will try to surpass last year’s results and hope to get their hands on the CUNY Athletic Conference Championship title. But how are the teams preparing for the Fall 2024 season, what are their goals, and how do they aim to achieve them?  

The Men’s team started the 2023 CUNYAC season strong. After a 4-0 win over City College (CCNY) in the opening game, the Lightning went on to finish first in the CUNYAC standings with a comfortable record of 6-1. This would place them directly in the semifinals of the CUNYAC Championship against Brooklyn College. Unfortunately, they were knocked out of the running when Brooklyn College's Bulldogs beat them 1-0. Toma Gojcevic, Lehman’s Head Coach for the Men’s and Women’s soccer teams, reflected on the result. “It was weird the way we lost,” he explained. “The Brooklyn goalkeeper had a great game. The way I look at it, we didn’t lose. The goalkeeper beat us. We out-shot them 18 to 4 shots. In soccer, sometimes the best team doesn’t win.” The Men’s team was also knocked out of the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) in the first round following a 3-1 defeat against St. Elizabeth University. When asked about the early exit, he claimed, “We should have won 7-3. We missed two penalties, and we hit the post three times.” He addressed the lack of leadership in the team and intends to improve it this coming season. 

The Women’s team also started the 2023 CUNYAC season strong after a captivating 5-1 win over Brooklyn College in the opening game. They went on to finish third in the CUNYAC standings with a 3-2 record, qualifying for the CUNYAC Championship semifinals. The season ended in the Semifinals for the Women’s team as well, after a 5-1 loss against John Jay College. “The Women’s team has been a work in progress,” Gojcevic said. “This year, we will get better with the new recruits coming in. I think this year is going to be a different outcome.” 

In total, the Men's Lightning have been crowned CUNYAC Champions 4 times, with Toma Gojcevic serving as head coach for the most recent three. They earned their first title in 2011, won back-to-back championships in 2016 and 2017, and most recently in 2022. When asked about the three championships he witnessed them win, Gojcevic praised his players. “You have to give it to the players. Of course, coaching is big because you make the decisions. But you have to have good players.” A former player himself, Gojcevic expressed his admiration for all of CUNY's athletes. “The CUNY Athlete is an amazing athlete,” he claimed. “Not only they are students, but they are athletes, they are working, some of them are taking care of relatives, some of them have kids. So I appreciate these students and the CUNY athletes like no other coach.”  

Winning each title made the Men’s soccer team eligible to play for that year’s NCAA Division III (DIII) Championship, but they struggled to get past the first round each time. In 2011, they lost 3-0 against Stevens Institute. Rowan University beat them 4-0 in 2016, and the following year they lost 2-0 against Lycoming University. In 2022, they fell short against Johns Hopkins University, finishing 3-0 in favor of the Blue Jays. Gojcevic spoke about the differences between the CUNYAC Championship and the NCAA DIII Championship. “CUNYAC is not the toughest conference in America,” he assured. When CUNYAC teams like Lehman College play against NCAA teams, “we play against the top teams in the country. John Hopkins was ranked 8th in the country.” What sets teams in different conferences apart, Gojcevic emphasized, is the difference in quality and resources. 

The Women’s team has yet to bring home their first CUNYAC Championship title. Each of the three times they made it to the Championship finals, they finished as runners-up. First, in 2015, they were defeated 2-1 in overtime by the College of Staten Island (CSI). Two years later, the Lightning and CSI faced each other in the finals once again, and a 2-0 win for CSI's team had them crowned champion for the 8th time in their history. The Women’s team played their most recent CUNYAC Championship final in 2021, ending in a narrow 1-0 defeat against John Jay College. 

Gojcevic's goals for the Fall season are to “win the CUNYAC Conference, win the CUNYAC Championship, and win the first round of the NCAA DIII. No CUNYAC team has won the first game in NCAA DIII in Men’s Soccer. That’s what drives me. I would like to be the first coach to do it. I want Lehman College to be the first team to ever do it.” Gojecvic mentioned how the Men’s squad was transitioning away from the team that won the CUNAYC Championship tournament in 2022 and is very confident about the team he has built for the upcoming season. “This might be the best team I ever had this year. I’m bringing 16 new players. Me and my team recruited well this year. I think technically we are going to be better. The team has changed.” 

Gojcevic is also pushing to bring the Women's team their first CUNYAC title. “With the recruits that we got this year, the goal is to get to the final,” he said. “We’ve been in the semifinal two years in a row. It’s going to be hard, but winning the first title would be awesome.” 

Inside The Game with Kai Parris

By: Jesus Vargas  
On Thursday, May 2nd, the Meridian Sports reporter interviewed Lehman’s rising basketball star, Kai Parris, who was recently named 2nd team All-Met, an award of recognition for being one of the best athletes in the entire metropolitan area. Kai is a Junior majoring in Recreational Education whose love for the sport is instilled in his daily routine.  
The Meridian: What interested you in joining the Lehman basketball team?  
Kai Parris: I began my journey when I attended Westchester Community College. Shortly after my season ended, Lehman's basketball head coach Steven Schulman showed interest in me and wanted to recruit me. I was hesitant at first and was unsure of what school I would attend. Midway in September 2022 I reached out to Coach Schulman and said “I wanna play.” Basketball has impacted my life as a student in a positive way. You have to stay focused on your grades and keep your head down in the books. It teaches discipline and accountability.  
No one man is above the team.  
Through his journey, Kai battled adversity. “It’s different when you're not scoring as much and other teams aren’t paying you mind versus them having a specific game plan just for you.”  


The Meridian: How do you balance individual performance with playing as part of a team?


Kai Parris: You have to go out there and try and win no matter what. My mindset in the game is to help my teammates get better as the game progresses.  
This year, I did have to adjust to the different plans and strategies other teams would throw at me. Coming into the 2024 season, I needed to hit the weight room and build strength because I was getting tired of being pushed around in the game. I needed to get used to playing with two people in front of me instead of one to sharpen my skills.  


Kai’s greatest strengths on the court are his mid-range shot and athleticism. Weighing 185 pounds and towering over the court at a height of 6' 7", he can jump explosively and block shots. Even so, he never settles for less than perfection. Right now, he's looking to improve his 3-point shooting and handling the basketball.  
  
The Meridian: How do you feel about this past season and the way it ended?  
Kai Parris: Truthfully, I think this was a great season. As a team, we overcame adversity and persevered throughout that entire season. We started 0-5 ...  and nobody thought we were gonna make it to the championship, let alone the playoffs. As for the championship game, I'm still upset about that. I feel like we could have won, but I can't dwell on it now. ... I gotta move on to next year.  
  
Kai scored more than any other player on either team in that game with a total of 23 points, 4 rebounds, and 1 assist. He leads his team in points, free throws, and minutes played, and he’s 3rd in rebounding and 2nd in blocks. Whenever people ask him how he handles the pressure, he responds saying he "[doesn’t] see it as pressure, it's all about performing my best and trying to win.”  
  
The Meridian: When asked about the rivalry between Lehman and Baruch’s basketball team Kai said;  
Kai Parris: we're the 2 best teams in CUNY and it’s always been the two best teams going at it for the past few years so I guess you could call it a rivalry.  
The Meridian: Are there any last words you'd like to share on the upcoming season and whoever Lehman plays?  
Kai Parris: They better be ready, 'cause I’ll be ready.  

Lehman vs Baruch, CUNY’s Powerhouse Rivals

By Brian Cortes

	The thrill of beating your opponent while representing your team is a challenge that excites both players and fans alike. And this is especially true for the biggest rivalry in CUNY Athletics, Lehman vs. Baruch. These two sides are not only constantly battling it out, but they are also consistently at the top of their division. They compete across multiple athletic fields, often competing for equipment, making every game’s result that much more impactful. This rivalry has kept both sides on their toes, as neither side has fallen out of their high level of performance. It seems that they don’t want to miss each other, and if the past is any indication of the present, this rivalry will see both teams become bigger giants in their division.

I was able to speak with Ryan McCarthy, the Director of Athletics and Apex facilities, who oversees various aspects including the facilities, teams, coaches, and everything in between. When asked about his views on  the rivalry between Lehman and Baruch, he commented “Three weeks ago today they beat us in the CUNY AC (Athletic Conference) Men’s Basketball Championship by two points, which is especially heartbreaking because it’s the third straight year in which they’ve beaten us.” Despite Baruch having more wins in the rivalry, both schools demand to see each other constantly at the finals. However, there is a more competitive aspect to the bigger picture.  As McCarthy later comments, “Two years ago we beat them in the CUNYAC Men's Soccer Championship. Then last year Baruch was the first-place Baseball team in CUNY AC, but we beat them in the Cunyac baseball playoffs to go to the baseball championship.” The competitiveness of both schools spreads across multiple CUNY athletic conference sports, contributing to the growing rivalry between both sides. 

Throughout this long competition, both schools will find themselves changing their position in the rankings, exchanging the lead. It is normal for any team to go through. At times, Lehman teams may find themselves experiencing a low point. Ryan explains the difficulty of guiding the team out of that position. He says “That [doing this] could come in a lot of ways you know, I think it’s about showing support. Whether that's at an individual basis to students, on a team basis, whether it’s for coaches, whether it’s from coaches whether it’s from my administrators and I.'' It's clear that all parts of the Apex show up and tend to all aspects of their teams, making sure they can be present and put in all their effort to participate in this rivalry. I later asked Ryan what he thought about the rivalry, and he responded “It’s been a friendly and competitive rivalry at the same time,” and “There's no bad blood, it's more out on the court or out on the field.” Rivalries in sports tend to get nasty and build up real animosity between the participants. Luckily, both schools can focus on the pros of being rivals and get positive things out of it. The last few years have left a clear track record of the effects of this rivalry. 

To build a long-standing rivalry like the one that Lehman and Baruch have begun, the results of their games must be more than just for bragging rights. The track record shows that the competitiveness between both schools frequently includes a championship element, which has become a recurring feature of the rivalry. In collegiate sports, it’s a process to establish a system that consistently produces competitive teams.  One of the main factors is that after four seasons, athletes graduate and new student-athletes join the team. These newcomers must succeed players and assume the role of trying to emulate the same or higher performance levels. When speaking to Ryan about this, he explained what he thought was a key factor in dealing with this process: “Most teams are only successful as their recruiting is” he later added, “No coach at any time is done recruiting cause the minute you’re done for this year you're already starting for the next year.” The Apex and all its facilities constantly have their foot on the gas to grow and cultivate a winning culture across their various sports teams. The rivalry between Lehman and Baruch looks to deliver showcases of performance and looks to continue the trend this season.

Lehman College Pep Rally

 By Adolfo Miliano

Lehman College held its 2024 Pep-Rally for the Spring semester on February 29th, at the Main Gym of the Apex building. 71 students participated in the event and cheered for their fellow student-athletes. The college hosts Pep rallies at the beginning of every semester to promote the sports teams. 

Upon arriving at the Pep Rally, students were provided with food and beverages at the entrance of the Main Gym. During the event, students were introduced to the Spring Sports teams playing this semester, which include Men’s Volleyball, Baseball, and Women’s Softball. Soon after, the audience got to engage in many activities organized by the sports teams. A total of 7 mini-games took place, ranging from Volleyball to Tennis, from Baseball to musical chairs. All students participated in these activities and connected with their peers. At the end of each mini-game, the winners were awarded prizes like keychains, stickers, and water bottles. Overall, these activities familiarized students with Lehman’s sports teams and provided them with a fun afternoon.

Some Lehman students shared their thoughts about the event. “It was a fun gathering,” said Lehman student Zakh Duncan. “We got to play games and meet new people.” Another student, Angel Matute, shared: “I feel like this is a way to get people active. College can be stressful so maybe this can get them energized.”

Osman, a sophomore who is part of the Volleyball team, said, “I liked that every team tried to make a cohesive event for people to come and enjoy. It's not every day that people can come to the campus and have an organized event to relax at.” Additionally, he also reflected on how these kinds of events can help the school teams perform better, especially on home grounds. “I think this can be a morale boost,” he said. “Playing on the court you practice on is a very big positive. It boosts your confidence.” The Men’s Volleyball team played against Baruch College on the same day as the Pep Rally, with a final score of 3-0 in favor of the hosts.  Throughout March, Lehman College hosted 6 Volleyball games, 4 Baseball games, and 3 Softball games.

Ryan McCarthy, the Director of Athletics at the Apex Facilities, expressed, “I think it is a really good event because it unites students from between teams who might not get a chance to meet and interact with other students, and students from outside of athletics who might not get to interact with student-athletes.” he highlighted. “So being a commuter campus, it’s probably all more important to do these kinds of events. They’ve been really well attended by both athletes and the student body.” The next Pep-Rally student can look out for would be during the beginning of the Fall Semester, where students will be introduced to the Fall Sports Teams which include Men’s Soccer, Men’s Basketball, Men’s Cross Country Women’s Volleyball, Women’s Basketball, Women’s Soccer, and Women’s Tennis.

The APEX at Lehman College

By Jaylin Parris-Ross

The APEX at Lehman College is an exceptional hub for sports and fitness. The facility is accessible free of charge to all currently enrolled Lehman students. Additionally, members of the CUNY faculty and staff are eligible to join. The APEX  has a range of amenities including a pool, fitness center, weight room, indoor track, basketball courts, racquetball rooms, and dance studios.

Ryan McCarthy: Director of Athletics and The Apex

Ryan McCarthy has been the Athletic Director for Athletics since March 2022, overseeing the APEX facility and the 18 lightning teams. His responsibilities encompass coaching student-athletes, and ensuring the efficient operation of the APEX at an institutional level. Before his role at Lehman, McCarthy was the Director of Athletics at Bronx Community College; he held the position of Associate Director at Pratt Institute. In addition to his leadership roles, McCarthy has been involved in sports statistics since 2013, working as an in-game electronic statistician for both professional and collegiate basketball games at Madison Square Garden and the Barclays Center. He is also the official scorer for the Brooklyn Cyclones, a Single-A affiliate of the New York Mets, and a statistician for the NBA's Brooklyn Nets. McCarthy obtained his B.A. from the Jandoli School of Journalism and Mass Communications at St. Bonaventure University, followed by an M.S. in Student Personnel Administration from Buffalo State College of the State University of New York.

Lenn Margolis: Assistant Athletic Director for Sports Information and Intramurals

Since October 2015, Lenn Margolis has been a member of the Lehman Athletics team, serving as the Assistant Athletic Director for Sports Information and Intramurals. Margolis contributes to the daily operations of the APEX and is responsible for managing all facets of public relations for the athletics department. His duties include administration of the athletics website

Lehmanathletics.com, the management of athletic social media accounts, etc. Margolis also brings personal athletic experience to his position, having been a soccer player for his university team. He earned his B.S. in Sports Management 1984 from the University of Massachusetts.

Georgia Efthalitsides: Associate Athletic Director

Georgia Efthalitsides, is Associate Director of Athletics, joined the APEX in September 2020.  Efthalitsides has a list of responsibilities similar to the Athletic Director.  NCAA/CUNYAC Compliance is her primary function and responsibility as he am the sole person in this role/function.  Efthalitsides also serves as faculty advisor for the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC), supports the administration and leadership of Lehman's eighteen varsity sports, and represents the company at various conventions. Additionally, she provides academic advising to ensure student-athlete success. Efthalitsides holds a bachelor's degree in criminal justice from Mercy College (2006) and a master's degree in physical education and sports pedagogy from Manhattanville College (2013).

Durval Morgan: Head Athletic Trainer

Since August 2014, Durval Morgan has served as the athletic trainer for Lehman Athletics, providing medical support for over 200 Apex athletes participating in 18 sports. Morgan manages the medical care of student-athletes, including injury prevention, assessment, and emergency care. Additionally, he assists in the process of medically clearing athletes recovering from injuries. 

Bob Harris: Fitness Center Manager

Bob Harris: Fitness Center Manager Robert 'Bob' Harris has been integral to the Apex Fitness Center since its inception in 1994, serving as the fitness center manager. Harris is not only responsible for the daily management of the facility but also for the creation and implementation of innovative programs, such as 'Lehman's Biggest Weight Loss & Fitness Challenge.' His educational background is solidly rooted in the field, having obtained a Bachelor's degree in Physical Education from SUNY Cortland and a Master's degree in Kinesiology from the University of Connecticut. This academic foundation has been pivotal in Harris's ability to effectively lead the fitness center and contribute to the well-being of its members. 

The 18 sports offered at Lehman College encompass women’s softball, men’s baseball, basketball, cross-country, indoor and outdoor track, soccer, tennis, volleyball, and swimming and diving for both men and women.

Does Lehman have a Cheer Team?

By Astride Toh

"Lehman has a cheerleading team?!" is an exclamation often heard from Lehman students. However, walking the halls of the APEX center, you will see posters of teams from past decades. Teammates are seen sporting blue, white, and gold uniforms, with varying designs.  The team was formed in 1994; they placed in the top three cheer teams six times and won four conference championships. During the beginning of the pandemic they remained active, with their last update being a post on their Instagram from 2020: (“Tryout videos due JUNE 12th (Friday) ... Email for all the information you will need!” read the post. While Lehman’s athletic teams resumed their seasons in 2021-2022, the Lehman Lightning cheerleaders did not. However, two seasons later in 2022-2023 they returned as the Lehman Cheer Squad.   

During the pandemic, sports seasons halted due to the college’s shutdown. However, the cheerleaders continued training. Jasmine, a senior, joined the team as a freshman in the summer of 2020. "We all met on the running track near Yankee Stadium, and we had practiced there once a week.” The practice consisted of stretches, cardio work, dance numbers, and stunts. Jasmine joined the team through virtual tryouts. Interested students “were sent a video of a cheer, chant, and a [step by step] dance routine” to copy. This experience offered some enjoyment for Jasmine, who started her freshman year remotely. She described being on the cheer team to be "really fun".    

 Why did the team continue operating during a time of uncertainty for sports? Former coach and Captain Natalie Leon were unresponsive. However, the predecessor coach Juliette St. Fleur who assisted the team explained: "…We thought there was a possibility of the season resuming as did many athletes." Ironically, COVID had little to do with their disbandment. The main cause was “a couple of the captains graduated, and the coach is no longer around”, explained St.Fleur.   

In Fall 2022, Zayneb, a junior, received a text, “Hey, I’m restarting the cheer team. Would you be interested in joining?” The text was from her high school friend, sophomore Mijhani, who previously held an interest in joining the cheer team. While the team was skilled and dedicated, it did not have the inclusion she expected. The pictures and videos of previous teams showed members that had a range of similar physiques. “So, I wanted to make a team where more students saw themselves,” Mijhani admitted.   

Due to Mijhani not being a licensed coach, this athletic team became a student club, hence the name “Lehman Cheer Squad.” Director of Athletics, Ryan McCarthy, further explained the difference. “A student club is not funded by the athletic department nor compete against teams in the National Collegiate Athletics Association [or the CUNY Athletic Conference].” However, cheer teams can participate in CUNY’s athletic conference, CUNYAC, because the NCAA does not have a cheer division. Unfortunately, because cheer programs dissipated across CUNY, the conference’s last competition was in 2019.    

“The cheerleaders have always been under athletics, so this is the first time we have them under the Office of Campus Life (OCL),” explains David Charcape, Assistant Director of the office. They formed an executive board with Ryan McCarthy as their club advisor to establish themselves as a club.  The budget for student clubs was cut short this year, with the OCL notifying clubs of smaller funds. Normally, unused funds are transferred to the following semester. However, this year’s cuts eliminated that option. Even before the cuts, the funds could not cover the cost of their uniforms, which is $66 for a complete set.  For a team of 12 to 26 individuals, the total ranges from $792 to $1,716 per semester. To subsidize the cost, the cheerleaders have bake sales and sell cooked meals on campus.   

Their efforts have brought vibrancy to the Lehman campus. They hosted a cooking competition, a holiday show, and a self-care event.  They also cheered at home games and performed at the school’s pep rally and holiday show. Their impact has gained recognition. “We in Athletics are really glad to have them at our games.” expressed McCarthy.  “They were the best part of the prep rally,” expressed an attendee. Despite their celebrated performances, Mijhani expressed a desire for more support saying, “The road’s been rocky, but enjoyable …it’s the love for what the team does.”  

 In Fall 2022, the team faced a decision whether to search for a coach and become an official athletic team or continue as a club. Mijhani declared, “I’ll stand by whatever decision the team takes.” Ultimately, the team decided to remain a club, defending the collective dedication and the team bond they developed.  

Their dedication and teamwork of the cheer squad are constant. “They have really strong student leadership, have been very self-sustaining, and …  progressed a lot,” testifies McCarthy. Zayneb, the Vice President of the squad, said “Cheer is my way of being active…I don’t want to leave college not doing anything.” Freshman Gwendelyn supports the statement adding “Being part of a team, preparing for a game, attributes to fun in college, and gives something to look forward to.” Jaylin, also a freshman, believes that being part of a team teaches one how to stick together and the importance of boundaries, ending with “don’t let the stigma of cheerleading scare you. Presentation does matter, as you see our outfits or attitude but get to know us.” Jessica, a freshman, verifies that “getting to know them opened her up to not being scared to converse with other people.”