Otto Fritton PZ ’27 likes to look at the “what-if.” Few careers saddened him more than that of Neymar da Silva Santos Júnior, a man who influenced an entire generation without ever quite fulfilling his potential. Yet, despite his shortcomings, Fritton wonders if it even matters. Perhaps Neymar shouldn’t be judged on what he didn’t accomplish, but on the generation he inspired.
Commentary
Biggest Game of the Year, 5C style
On Sunday, Feb. 8, millions of Americans, including many in Claremont, will tune in to the most widely watched American sporting event of the year: Super Bowl LX. This year’s contest is a rematch of eleven years ago, when the New England Patriots dramatically defeated the Seattle Seahawks in the last drive of the game. This year, the Patriots can mark the beginning of a new era, or the Seahawks can look to reclaim the Lombardi Trophy for the first time in 12 years.
Behind the scenes: The Pomona-Pitzer student athletic trainers powering Sagehen football forward
Behind the 90-person Pomona-Pitzer football team, which practices daily and competes weekly, are the student athletic training staff who work behind the scenes to ensure the season runs smoothly for the players. The full-time football athletic trainer (AT), Lane Fishburn, currently employs three student ATs to help her with operations.
Whistle of bias: Racial inequity in sports officiating and commentary
When a referee’s whistle blows, everyone expects a fair call, free of external biases or decision-making mechanisms that may influence the quality of the game. However, Mooke King PO ’28, a Division III athlete and intramural referee, has found that such expectations often fall short in the face of referees and commentators who struggle to identify their implicit biases.
These 5C dining staff bleed blue: A Dodgers victory and the fans behind it
The Los Angeles Dodgers won the World Series for the third time in five years, highlighted by stars like Shohei Ohtani and Freddie Freeman. However, the three Commissioner’s Trophies are partly thanks to the fans both at Dodger Stadium and those who cheer on, even in Claremont. For Miguel Menjivar, the general manager of McConnell Dining Hall, his tenure at Pitzer has fostered a tight-knit community of Dodgers fans, as he frequently hosts watch parties for games.
Chasing the ghosts of Mourinho’s Chelsea: Arsenal’s impossible task
Sitting atop the Premier League, Arsenal is currently facing the impossible task of breaking Chelsea’s record-breaking 2004-05 season, in which they conceded just 15 goals. Ten games into the season, the Gunners have conceded three goals in 10 games, and are currently on track to break the record. Otto Fritton PZ ’27 discusses Arsenal’s true chances of breaking the records, as well as the problems they may face en route.
The Smashing Machine: The Rock’s fragile reinvention of a MMA Fighter
Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson showcases his bravado and vulnerability in “The Smashing Machine,” Benny Safdie’s bruised and beautiful directorial debut that follows the life of MMA legend Mark Kerr. Lavanya Aditi Puri CM ’29 writes that, even despite the fact that the film detracts from MMA competition and the intricacies of Kerr’s life, The Rock’s delivery was notably powerful.
Let’s get local: How to admire more than just the headlines
In today’s competitive sports landscape, the tracking of young talent can at times seem overly transactional; athletes are assigned a given number of “stars” as an attempt to generalize the many factors that contribute to their value and potential in recruiters’ eyes. For journalist Eric Sondheimer, who has covered high school sports in Southern California for the past four decades, such an approach is an alarming indication of the rising pressure that high school athletes face from coaches and recruiters.
Baila, Vini: Is it all too much, too soon for the Madrid star?
Vinicius Jr.’s rise to the top has been nothing but ordinary, from setting the record as the second-most expensive Brazilian Serie A transfer to fighting the racist Spanish crowds amid his world-class performances. However, Lavanya Aditi Puri CM ‘29 writes that despite his pronounced ups and downs as a footballer, the documentary “Baila, Vini” was too premature for a career nowhere near its end.
Running on empty: F1: The Movie is all show, no speed
Despite a Hollywood cast that boasted the likes of Brad Pitt and a production crew with the creative mind of Sir Lewis Hamilton, F1: The Movie didn’t live up to its expectations. Lavanya Aditi Puri CM ‘29 recounts her disappointing viewing experience as an avid F1 fan.