The Academic Quad outside of the Ithaca College Library is a bustle of activities in the warmer days leading up to winter. This fall, however, a new face has emerged as a frequent patron of the outdoors. Almost every day — weather accommodating — first-year student Ashton James sets up on the quad with his yo-yo and a pair of AirPods. James said he listens mostly to pop, some rap and whatever his favorite songs are at the time. The music is essential because happy, upbeat songs get him ready to yo-yo to the rhythm.

Freshman Donald Hodgkinson has been a competitive yo-yo player for more than eight years.