The Ithacan

The final pitch of the at bat

By Cory Francer, Columnist • May 5, 2010

Well, here it is. It’s hard to believe, but it’s time to face the fact that this is the last time my name will appear in The Ithacan. It’s been a wild ride, and I’m honored to have helped bring sports news to Ithaca the past four years.

Sharpest fan in the crowd

By Cory Francer, Columnist • April 28, 2010

In a showing of fanhood that has seldom been rivaled, there is one supporter of the women’s lacrosse team that has not missed a game in four years. He sits silently, patiently observing his favorite team in action, until the end of the game when it is then decided which member of the team he…

Taking the boy out of Boston

By Cory Francer, Columnist • April 21, 2010

As a Massachusetts native, Patriots’ Day, otherwise known as Marathon Monday, is one of the most important days of the year. Schools and businesses close and streets are blocked off across the region as Bostonians crowd the course to catch a glimpse of the athletes.

Taking the road less traveled

By Cory Francer, Columnist • April 14, 2010

"I got so much trouble on my mind. I refuse to lose. Here’s your ticket. Hear the drummer get wicked.” Never before have I had a class begin with a professor playing Chuck D’s booming baritone rhymes, but this was no ordinary class. It was the beginning of a path that changed my perspective on…

MLB strikes out on opening day

By Cory Francer, Columnist • April 8, 2010

Is nothing sacred anymore? Opening day of the baseball season used to be one of the purest experiences in sports. It symbolized everything great about the game — playing in the daytime sun without the excessive pageantry that has become so prevalent in the playoffs.

Biggest battle in sports media

By Cory Francer, Columnist • March 31, 2010

Sports writers are the ones responsible for documenting the history of athletic competition. So while we scribes are documenting the history of others, who will be preserving our history — the history of sports journalists?

Big Red finds the Sweet spot

By Cory Francer • March 24, 2010

Since I’ve been at Ithaca College, most of my friends have traveled back to their respective hometowns to see a championship parade. I’ve seen the Boston Red Sox and Celtics win it all, New Yorkers have celebrated Giants’ and Yankees’ victories, and Philadelphians have partied on Broad Street for the Phillies. But now, there is…