Athletic Department hosts annual BBQ for new athletes

Some came for the opportunity to meet fellow freshmen, some came to have an informal conversation with their new coach. Still others came for the free barbecue on Franklin Field. Whatever the reason, 70 freshmen and transfer students gathered for the new student athlete orientation and barbecue yesterday. The orientation, located in the Towne Building, enabled all new members of Penn athletic teams to meet one another in a casual environment and learn some of the history and tradition behind Penn athletics. According to Athletic Director Steve Bilsky, the format of the orientation combines a "serious message with entertainment and fun" and enables student athletes to "get together and see the scope of the [athletic] program." The program began with a video that chronicled the accomplishments of various Penn athletes and coaches. Among the renowned alumni featured in the 20 minute film were former Quakers coach and current NBA coach Chuck Daly, as well as three-sport superstar and current lacrosse player for the Philadelphia Wings Chris Flynn. After the orientation, Tom Huntoon, a College freshman and new member of the crew team, applauded the video's educational value. "I really didn't know anything about the history of athletics at this school, so it was cool to see and hear about it," he said, adding that the film made him "psyched to go see a football game." Following the video was a short presentation made by Megan McKay and Reggie Brown, co-presidents of the Student Athletic Advisory Committee. McKay explained that the committee is composed of elected representatives from each varsity sport who address the issues and interests of Penn athletes. Two of these members are elected to the Ivy Board and serve as representatives of the University to the rest of the Ivy League schools. Brown, who spoke after McKay, reminded the students that playing sports at Penn is a "special honor," and an opportunity to create "friendships that will last a lifetime." The new students then filed onto Franklin Field, where they were greeted by free food, free T-shirts and an opportunity to watch the football team practice. Due to several scheduling conflicts, the attendance at the orientation was well short of the expected 250 new student athletes. Those students who did attend, however, welcomed the social opportunity to intermingle with other new athletes. "I wanted to have an opportunity to get to meet athletes I wouldn't ordinarily meet," explained Aparna Wilder, a freshman field hockey player. Besides the opportunity for social interaction, several coaches and administrators stressed the importance of helping student athletes properly budget their time between academics and athletics. Larry Connell, coach of the freshman crew team, hoped that the students would learn from the orientation to "balance their academic and athletic pursuits." Athletic Department administrator D. Elton Cochran Fikes agreed. "Hopefully, the program will give student athletes an understanding of Penn's athletic history, expectations of Penn's student athlete and make them aware that they're under a microscope," he noted.