The Student News Site of Ithaca College

The Ithacan
46° Ithaca, NY
The Student News Site of Ithaca College

The Ithacan
The Student News Site of Ithaca College

The Ithacan

Sports Features

After Susan Bassett ’79 announced her plans to retire at the conclusion of the 2024-25 academic school year, the college prompted a search committee to find the best possible candidate. The committee includes current athletes, coaches and faculty members.

IC strives to cover all bases in search for its next director of athletics

By David Schurter, Assistant Sports Editor • April 30, 2025
The changing of the guard is an important step in determining the future of a program. For a department with a rich history such as the Department of Intercollegiate Athletics at Ithaca College, the search for the next athletic director is underway with a deadline of July 1, according to the athletics department. 
Junior pole vaulter Robert George made his long awaited return to the runway April 4 at the Cortland Red Dragon Open with a winning jump of 4.00 meters. George suffered a herniated disc in his back as a first-year and has struggled to get back to full health.

Pole vaulter gets closure after over a year on the sidelines

By Khari Bolden • April 30, 2025
Junior pole vaulter Robert George set the bar high for himself as a first-year athlete before a career altering back injury kept him off the runway for nearly one-and-a-half years. His unlikely return to competition this spring was met with immediate placements at the top of the podium and, as his athletic career potentially winds down, a chance at the closure he was very nearly robbed of.
The spring sports season has provided strong performances by many first-year student athletes across Ithaca College athletics. Ivan Kisic of the men's tennis team has stepped up for the program thus far.

First-year student-athletes headline strong spring sports season

By Khari Bolden • April 16, 2025
As the 2024-25 academic year comes to a close, the student-athletes of Ithaca College find themselves amid another season of spring sports. For several Bombers teams, they have looked toward first-year players for immediate contributions and their faith in recent recruits has been rewarded. 
The Ithaca College baseball team boasts four catchers on its roster. Senior Tyler Pugliese throws the ball back to the pitcher in a game against the St. Lawrence University Saints on March 22.

Baseball uses catcher carousel to bolster roster

By Billy Wood, Sports Editor • April 16, 2025
From 2020-23 the backstop at Freeman Field was primarily protected by the prowess of catcher Gil Merod ’23. Now, the Bombers have leveraged a four catcher rotation to try and replace Merod, creating a competitive bond that has pushed the team throughout the season.
Women's swiming and diving senior diver Kailee Payne clinched her third and fourth individual national championships in 2025. Payne reflects on her career as well as her struggles with mental health on her way to becoming a national champion.

National champion diver reflects on her career and mental health

By David Schurter, Assistant Sports Editor • April 10, 2025
The sport of diving is characterized by living life on the edge. Making the right decisions in the right moment can make or break a routine. On the edge of the platform, multiple thoughts run through a diver’s head, questions of whether it is possible to achieve the goal at hand or are they good enough to complete the routine. When they hit the water, it is all in the past.
Junior Grace Murray concluded the Ithaca College gymnastics team's season with her third individual All-American honor, where she competed in the floor event.

Murray caps off gymnastics season with All-American honor

By David Schurter, Assistant Sports Editor • April 5, 2025
As the sun sets on the Ithaca College season, the gymnastics team sent six athletes to compete at the National Collegiate Gymnastics Association championship in St. Peter, Minnesota, to cap off its bounce-back season. Following a 3-7 duals record in 2024, the Bombers had half as many duals this season, but finished with a 2-3 record and a higher team scoring average.
The Ithaca College men's tennis team boasts the likes of three international players. Sophomore Emiliano Pedrero is one of two athletes on the team from Mexico.

International trio serves up diverse culture for men’s tennis team

By Jacob Infald, Co-Sports Editor • March 26, 2025
While the Ithaca College men’s tennis team has the smallest roster out of the 11 varsity men’s teams at the college, it boasts the largest international student-athlete presence. Out of the nine players on their roster, three of them played high school tennis outside of the United States. 
The Ithaca College softball team completed its spring break trip with a 9-1 record. The team returns to action March 29 at SUNY Oneonta.

Softball team uses spring break trip to serve up success

By Isabella McSweeney, Staff Writer • March 26, 2025
As the seasons change and clocks reset, the Ithaca College softball team is springing ahead of the competition. Spring break meant the Bombers went down to Orlando, Florida, for a breakneck 10 games in five days and one-of-a-kind team building opportunity.
The Ithaca College women's wrestling program is entering its first season in the 2025-26 academic year. High school senior Delaney Bisaillon is one of two incoming athletes currently committed to the program.

Women’s wrestling welcomes first two commits

By David Schurter, Assistant Sports Editor • March 6, 2025
Being the first official member of a team holds a significant place in that program’s history. The Ithaca College women’s wrestling team will enter its inaugural season during the 2025-26 academic year. In leading up to the season, the team is coming together because its first athletes have committed to the college.
Star senior running back Jalen Leonard-Osbourne makes a move during a game against Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute on Oct. 19. Now, Leonard-Osbourne has his sights set on the professional level

First-year strength and conditioning coach prepares his former teammates for the NFL

By Jonathan Falco, Staff Writer • March 5, 2025
When people watch senior athlete Jalen Leonard-Osbourne, whether it is on the football field or running track, they see a national champion who has won numerous other awards. With the help of his strength and conditioning coach and a fellow teammate on a similar path, Leonard-Osbourne sets his sights on the NFL after five prolific years at Ithaca College. 
The Ithaca College rowing teams split its practice times between the boat house and on campus. The women's team practices at the Kelsey Partridge Bird Natatorium

Rowing teams break the ice with preseason training

By David Schurter, Assistant Sports Editor • February 20, 2025

Winter on South Hill can bring below-freezing temperatures and poor weather conditions, leading to a frozen Cayuga Lake, impossible to launch a boat onto. For the Ithaca College rowing teams, the task...

Senior pole vaulter Shaun Herlihy clears a bar at practice at the Athletics & Events Center. The team captain is hoping to return to his old form, while continuing to lead the team as he has from off the track

Senior vaulter looks to clear new heights after surgery

By Billy Wood, Sports Editor • February 19, 2025

During Fall 2023, Ithaca College then-junior pole vaulter Shaun Herlihy was not leaping for glory. Instead, he was just trying to get back on his feet after suffering a torn lisfranc.  During the 2023...

Load More Stories
Donate to The Ithacan
$3125
$3500
Contributed
Our Goal