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a, Student Life

Overheard at McGill

by Jacqui Galbraith on

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Countless McGill-themed Facebook pages have emerged over the past year; McGill Compliments, Umentioned McGill, McGill Chirps, and Spotted: McGill Library—there are also individual ‘Spotted’ pages for each McGill residence—all make for excellent procrastination material. With over 4700 friends at last count, Overheard at McGill might just be the most entertaining, but it also might just turn our student body into a mass of paranoid whisperers. Then again, that’s one way to keep it quiet in the libraries. One of the co-creators of the Overheard at McGill Facebook profile shared a little bit about what it’s like being the fly on the campus wall. 

 

McGill Tribune: So how many people run Overheard at McGill?

Overheard at McGill: Just two of us. We’re roommates.

 

MT: How does posting work—how do you guys divide it up?

OaM: We don’t really have any set schedules or anything. I mean, whenever either of us gets a free second, we’ll just go on, and sometimes we’re on at the same time. We don’t really communicate when we go on and check things.

 

MT: How much time do you typically spend working on the profile in a day?

OaM: That’s kind of hard to answer. We’ll just go on sporadically, maybe for two to 10 minutes each time, depending on how many posts there are to put up and whatnot.

 

MT: Do you have any idea of how many posts you get in an average day?

OaM: It ranges a lot. Some days we’ll only have four or five, other days we’ll have around 20. Some don’t go up, based on if they were things that were actually overheard, or if people are trying to advertise through us.

 

MT: What kind of advertisements do you get?

OaM: There were a lot of people trying to submit their platforms when they were running for different positions on different councils…. They would send us their platform for like VP internal for some sort of faculty, and try and get us to post it so everyone would see, you know, try to campaign for themselves over our page.

 

MT: What kind of screening process do the posts go through? Do you receive any submissions you deem inappropriate to post or that just aren’t that funny?

OaM: We usually let most things through. A lot of the stuff is pretty vulgar, but I mean, everyone’s over 18, so I think the R rated material’s alright. Aside from that, there are things that are obviously made up, [but] you can kind of tell when things are made up. Or, if neither of us find [the post] funny, then we just agree to not post it.

 

MT: Have you ever had to take a post down after it’s been published due to complaints? 

OaM: Yeah, we’ve had a couple of people send us messages saying that their friend got mad at them for posting what they said, even though everything’s anonymous, and we never quote anyone. People have also gotten upset at a few of the more vulgar posts, so we’ve just gone back and taken them down.

 

MT: Where did the idea for the Facebook profile come from? Are you guys at all affiliated with the little-used Twitter account of the same name?

OaM: I didn’t know about the Twitter account. I know that there used to be a website called “Overheard at McGill,” and I had seen it last year. At the start of second semester, we just thought it would be a cool idea to get this going, and it looked like a lot of people enjoy it, so we just kept it going, and it’s gotten bigger and bigger.

 

MT: Do you see yourselves bringing in more help to run the profile?

OaM: We had a third person working on it, but they weren’t really pulling their weight. They would never really go on and check or anything, so we changed the password and just kept it to the two of us.

 

MT: Have you guys run into any of the problems McGill Compliments has, in terms of Facebook designating you as spammers?

OaM: Just at the beginning, when we were trying to get the [profile] up and running. We were adding lots of people at the beginning, so we actually got banned from adding friends for about a month. But at this point we don’t add any more people, and we seem to get about 20 or 25 friend requests per day.

 

MT: What’s the best part of running Overheard at McGill?

OaM: I was actually telling my friend yesterday that my favourite part of running Overheard is sitting in the library and watching the guy next to me on the computer reading, these posts and kind of chuckling to himself. It’s sort of funny because I was posting that stuff about five minutes prior.

 

MT: Do you ever worry you’ll get caught posting on Overheard at McGill in public?

OaM: Yeah, there’ve been times where we’ve been at the library posting things, and someone will be walking by, and we’ll switch to a new window just in time.

Clément-Heydra broke out this season with 45 points. (versants.com)
a, Sports

Dynamic duo poised to return to national stage

by Jeff Downey on

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Leslie Oles and Katia Clément-Heydra formed a dynamic duo on the McGill Martlets hockey team this past season. After the team went undefeated in regular season play, Clément-Heydra finished with 45 points, second only to teammate Mélodie Daoust in the country, while Oles tallied 36 points—good for sixth highest in the nation. The Tribune had the opportunity to sit down with these two bright, young talents to discuss hockey, school, and the disappointingly early exit from the RSEQ playoffs.

 

McGill Tribune: How long have you been playing hockey? Tell us about the state of women’s hockey at a youth level.

Leslie Oles: I’ve played since I was four. I played other sports, but when I got to 15 or 16 years old, hockey just took up too much time, so I needed to make a decision. [As for] women’s hockey, it’s definitely getting bigger. Growing up, I played with the men up to two years after they were allowed to stop hitting, at about 14 or 15. That’s probably why I have the most penalty minutes in the league.

Katia Clément-Heydra: Same for me. Growing up, I was the only girl playing hockey in my city [St. Bruno, Quebec]. I stopped playing with the men when they started hitting. But today, more [women] are playing, and we are starting to see totally devoted leagues.

 

MT: Obviously, this season didn’t end the you hoped it would. How did it feel to lose  only two games all year—when they were the two most important?

KCH: Worst feeling ever. Deception, sadness … it was bad. It will always be with us, until next year. But now, we’re even more pumped up for next year. It’s hard being on top for so long.

LO: Yeah, we’re just going to use it to our advantage. We’re not going to sit at home and cry about it all summer. We lost a lot of key players after the past two years—[Cathy] Chartrand, and Charline [Labonte]. We had a really young team, and I don’t think people expected us to have an undefeated season. Looking at that, it is a big accomplishment.

 

MT: Did the fact that the Montreal Carabins went on to win the National Championships change your outlook?

KCH: It’s bittersweet. Yes, the team we lost to is the best. Yet, at the same time, we knew that if we had beaten them, we would have won. So it definitely makes it bittersweet.

LO: It’s also good for our league too. I watched a couple of the CIS games, and it just kind of felt that the announcers were saying things that made the [RSEQ] sound weak, and then Montreal went on to win.

 

MT: Last year, the team won bronze; and two years ago, you won Nationals. Did pressure play a role at all in not getting there this time?

KCH: It was the first time in 12 years that we didn’t make it. The last two games were different from any other in the league. There was a big crowd, and they were all [supporting the Carabins]. In our own rink, Montreal had three times the number of fans. It was a big draw for them.

LO: I think we should have won Game 2 though. We came out and were winning 2-0, and we just started missing empty nets. I don’t know; that was ours to win. Then, they gained momentum and that was it.

 

MT: Individually, you both dominated this year. How does that factor in when you look back on the year?

KCH: It was fun, but we’re more focused on the results as a team. The end product wasn’t where we wanted it to be; so when I look back, I don’t think of how many points I had. I just really focus on what I need to do even better next year to get to where we want to be.

LO: Of course you don’t look back and think, ‘I got how many ever points,’ or ‘I won this award,’ because in the end, you’re not going to look back and say, ‘In 2013 I made the all-star team.’ No; you look back and say, ‘We won a national championship.’ You always see where you were at as a team.

 

MT: Does Head Coach Peter Smith demand a lot from you?

KCH: He’s like a father figure. He can be very strict, but at the same time, he is so nice and generous to us. He expects the best, both as a player and as a person.

LO: He does demand a lot, on the ice, off the ice, and in school. But he really just wants to maximize the potential of all his athletes. Even in school, he cares about everything. You find some coaches that all they care about is hockey; but he wants to make you a better person.

 

Oles tallied 36 points this season. (doylehockeydev.com)
Oles tallied 36 points this season. (doylehockeydev.com)

MT: How do you go about balancing being an athlete, while still maintaining a full course load?

KCH: My first year was tough; being French speaking was tough. But now I find that when hockey is done, I have so much time. When hockey is on, you just have to make time to study.

LO: Sometimes, it’s almost easier during hockey season, because you build a routine and make sacrifices. They’re not true sacrifices because we’re doing something we love. But you really have to manage your time, and do things you don’t necessarily want to do.

 

MT: I know some of the Martlets after graduation have gone on to play in the professional women’s league, often for the Montreal Stars. Is that something you see yourself doing after your McGill days are done?

LO: I will definitely be involved in hockey for the rest of my life, and I would love to continue playing. It’s small right now—[the league has] just five teams—but definitely growing. It will be hard for them next year, because all of the players will be going to the Olympics, but the year after that I don’t see why they wouldn’t expand.

KCH: Same for me. Whether it is coaching or playing, I will still be around hockey. The women’s league is starting to generate more and more attention now, even within the media. NHL teams are starting to budget them, like Calgary and Edmonton. But we’re still waiting for the Habs to get in with the Stars.

 

MT: What’s your favourite NHL team? And is there a certain professional player whose playing style you associate with?

LO: The Canadiens. And I like [Brendan] Gallagher. He kind of reminds me of myself. He goes hard to [the] net, wins his battles and is fearless, never backs down.

KCH: The Habs. I would say Jonathan Toews. Good all-around.

 

MT: Former Martlets Cathy Chartrand and Ann-Sophie Bettez made a video to try-out for Amazing Race Canada. Did you see the video? How would they fare?

LO: Yeah, it was awesome. They should make it; they’d win for sure. They’re the most competitive people I know.

KCH: I really hope they’re chosen. They’d be good on that show. So competitive, and really funny too.

a, Student Life

Ask Tribby

on

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Dear Tribby,

Lately, I’ve been really sick of my Facebook, and the feeling of being constantly connected to everything. School and social stress have really been getting to me recently, and I just kind of want to deactivate my account. But, I mean everyone has Facebook. I don’t want to drop off the grid entirely—then I’ll never hear about anything! I really feel like I could use a break though, you know? What should I do?

– Plugged in

 

Dear Plugged in,

You should definitely try this program called SelfControl! With it, or others like it, you’re able to block multiple websites for a pre-set amount of time. This way you’ll be able to block Facebook and other websites that are distracting when you feel like you need a break. The best thing about these programs is that once you set the time, there’s no way you can access any of the websites you blocked on your computer until the time is up—even if you restart your computer or delete the application.

If you choose to deactivate your Facebook account, be prepared for people to ask you why you did it. But don’t feel pressured to have an account, just because everyone else does. During finals season, it is especially common for people to deactivate their accounts. Actually, people often deactivate their Facebook accounts during this time. Plus, aside from Facebook, there are so many more ways to communicate with your friends, like texting, emailing, or even—unconventional, I know—just meeting up with them.

I totally understand why you want to block Facebook, because so many of us waste numerous hours on there each day—don’t expect that just because you deactivated your Facebook account everything will be solved. Blocking Facebook is just one of the steps to solving your problem.

Yours truly,

Tribby

 

 

Dear Tribby,

I’ve been really homesick lately and unsure if I should transfer back home to UBC in Vancouver. I really like McGill, but I miss home, maybe too much. What should I do?

– Missing the coast

 

Dear Missing the coast,

You say you’ve been really homesick “lately.” Has this feeling been going on for a while?  Or was this caused by something that happened recently? Being homesick is something that all of us experience at some point in our lives, especially in the first year of university. Before you make your decision about transferring, I suggest you stop and think about what your reasons are for wanting to do so. Do you want to transfer only because you miss home? Or is it for academic purposes as well? As someone who went through a serious homesick phase, all I can tell you is that it does get better. At some point, you will realize that Montreal has slowly become your home.

For me, when I went home the first time after coming to university, it felt really weird. It felt great to be home, but it’s not the same anymore. My high school counselor told me: “When you leave the school, it goes on without you; it’s not going to pause when you leave, and start again when you’re back.” It actually really helped put things in perspective for me. You might think you’re homesick, but you might actually be nostalgic instead. All I can tell you is that after you leave home, everything that you experienced a year ago will have changed.

Sometimes, it’s not really homesickness that’s upsetting you. It’s the pain of letting go of the past and moving on. If you do transfer home next year, are you going to miss McGill? Try talking to your parents and friends about it. Reach a conclusion that is based on both academic reasons and personal accounts. If the only reason you want to move home is because you miss home and want to be back, make sure you think about what’s going to happen once you make that choice. My biggest advice is to think it through; not just what’s going to happen the moment you get home, but think about what’s going to happen in the next five years. Your choice now will affect many more choices later on in your life.

 

Yours truly,

Tribby

 

Got problems? E-mail us at [email protected].

a, Student Life

Last minute Montreal chores and must-sees

by Philippe Wen on

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If Montreal is not your hometown, you’re probably leaving in late April or the beginning of May—or maybe for good, if you’re an exchange student like me. Here are seven tasks to take care of—administrative and otherwise—before you go! 

 

Find a solution for your accommodation:

If you live off-campus and your lease will extend beyond your departure, you should consider a sublet, or a lease transfer. The Off-Campus Housing office provides information on its website, and plans sessions on Fridays in order to help you in your search for the right sub-tenant. This way, you won’t have to pay rent while you’re not there.

 

Redirect your emails to another email address:

During the summer, you probably don’t check your McGill email account on a daily basis. So, you can change the delivery destination of the emails to another address: the IT Knowledge Base has a tutorial for that purpose. Then, Minerva notifications for course waitlists—and other administrative emails—will be received directly by whichever account you choose.

 

Return books to the library:

Don’t leave Montreal before you make sure that all the items you borrowed have been returned. McGill libraries and the Grande Bibliothèque du Québec will remain open during summer. Thus, library fines will continue to accrue! Since the fine for an overdue book is $5 per day, the total fine can really take its toll. As for the textbooks you bought this year, you can re-sell them next September if you don’t want to hang onto them.

 

Pack as soon as possible:

In order to prevent last-minute madness, prepare the items you will bring on your travels far in advance. Select what will be taken home and what remains in Montreal. Then you’ll be able to know if you need to consider shipping anything or bringing an extra suitcase with you.

 

Visit the Redpath Museum:

Maybe you’ve experienced a lecture in the Redpath Auditorium, but why don’t you go upstairs? Dinosaurs, stuffed animals, and mummies await you. Unlike most other museums, the Redpath Museum is free, and right here on campus!

 

Visit the Espace pour la vie:

It’s much more pleasant to go to the Botanical Garden when it gets warmer and sunnier. But the Butterflies Go Free exhibition closes on Apr. 28, so if you’re one of the lucky ones whose finals end a little early, try to sneak in a visit. The Rio Tinto Alcan Planetarium is also located two steps away and opens on Apr.  6. Both are at the Viau metro station. Similarly, going to the Île Sainte-Hélène can be nice, as snow will have melted.

 

Rent a BIXI:

Many students do not have bicycles in Montreal during the winter because black ice and snow make riding more hazardous. But how  do you find a bicycle for a few weeks in April or May? You’re in luck; BIXI stations are currently being reinstalled. Get a 24-hour pass (or more, depending on your plans), make sure that there is a BIXI spot at your departure and arrival points, and then enjoy! Your BIXI can serve for casual trips and longer entertainment rides.

 

montreal summer fireworks
a, Student Life

Take advantage of Montreal’s vibrant summer season

by Emilio Assuncao on

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Exams are close on the horizon;  and before you know it, they’ll merely be a painful memory. With the long-awaited end of Winter semester, some of you might be homesick and itching to get back to your family and friends. Others  might be shackled to school for another month (or two), earning some summer credits. Still others might be hanging around a little longer to finalize living arrangements for next year. Finally, there are some of us who live in this city year round. Whatever your situation, having chosen to attend McGill, you should commit at least one summer to discovering the exciting summer life Montreal has to offer.

Montreal is beautiful in the summer. Needless to say, the weather is categorically different from what you’ve gone through in the past few months. With humidity, temperatures in Montreal range from 25 to 40 degrees Celsius. Also, the city’s apparent population doubles. By about April—current, unpredictable weather aside—the drudgery of snow and gray skies are replaced by warmth and equally warm people. Montrealers seem to crawl out of hibernation and fill the streets, alongside tourists who come in droves. You’ll see a lot more people than you’re used to while walking along major streets and relaxing in parks. Montrealers are a friendly bunch, and you’re bound to meet new people if you give it a try.

In addition to the relaxation, there is also a lot to do here. Montreal attracts a considerable amount of tourism around the summer months for a number of reasons, among them: the festivals. This city is home to the largest Jazz festival in the world. Even if you’re not an enthusiast, Place des Arts is spectacular when JazzFest rolls around, it is not to be missed. In years past, a number of major artists have put on free shows in the Quartier des Spectacles; and based on personal experience, they are a must-see. This summer you can look forward to more than 450 free outdoor performances as part of the JazzFest. Other major festivals include Just For Laughs, the Fantasia Film Festival, Osheaga, and the Montreal International Fireworks Competition, the largest of its kind. Did you know there are fireworks displays in Montreal at least once a week from the middle of June to the beginning of August? Now you do.

Only minutes away from campus, Mount Royal park is a great place to spend any and all of your free time this summer. Every Sunday a drum circle forms around the George-Étienne Cartier Monument, a tradition called Tam-Tams that dates back to 1978. If you haven’t seen it already, you should find time to experience this staple of Montreal culture. On any given day you’ll find thousands of people on either side of Avenue du Parc. It’s a great place to catch some rays, hang out with friends or read a book. Fun fact: In Quebec, alcohol can be consumed in parks if it’s part of a meal. Picnic away, my friends.

If you’re looking to get some exercise, you’ve got your pick of outdoor activities. You can go virtually anywhere in the city by using the city’s extensive bike paths. You can also bike, blade, or walk along the St. Lawrence river by the Old Port. For joggers, Mount Royal is a great place to go for a run, and don’t worry about getting too hot—the trail is covered by a thick layer of trees. Also, the McGill recreational facility remains open all summer, and memberships are offered at a special rate.

You also might want to find a job in Montreal. Universities offer many work opportunities for students over the summer. If you’re lucky you can find an administrative or research position on campus. McGill also hosts a number of summer camps for children, and they are staffed by McGill students; if you’re looking for a fun summer job, look no further. Otherwise, a lot of businesses are looking to hire students over the summer, although for jobs outside McGill, French language skills tend to be a requirement. If you’re feeling confident with your French, however, you might want to apply to work at a restaurant, which tend to get really busy when tourists come around.

You’re at McGill, so that must mean you know Montreal’s got a nightlife. Many McGillians leave in May, but the nightlife only gets better from there. Think about it—school’s out, and it’s nice and warm outside; what’s bound to happen? You’ll find everything from a busy club scene, open-air bars, and parties on the roof when the sun sets over the city.

Finally, for the sports fans, the Montreal Impact hosts games at the Saputo Stadium all summer long. Recently promoted to Major League Soccer (MLS) the Impact is currently near the top of the standings. Tickets are relatively inexpensive, and the ambiance at the Saputo is great, with or without alcohol. If you prefer football, starting in June, the Montreal Alouettes play in our very own Percival Molson Stadium, though it’ll cost you a little bit more than a Redmen game to get in.

Summer’s almost here, so whether you’re making a plan to fill your schedule with local activities, or find yourself looking for a bit of excitement one dull afternoon, keep these tips in mind for a truly Montreal experience.

a, Student Life

Côte-des-Neiges’ hidden gem serves up treasure trove of Caribbean cuisine

by Alycia Noë on

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While Montreal is known for classics like poutine and bagels, there are many unexpected culinary delights to be discovered around the city. The Côte-des-Neiges neighbourhood is brimming with chefs eager to share their creations, making it an ideal location to discover different types of cuisine. Deep within this diverse community, an unassuming Caribbean restaurant, La Maison du Cari des Caraïbes, serves up the finest island cooking I have ever had anywhere, period. Their vibrant and lively flavours are characterized by invigorating spices and freshly made product.

My favourite dish, the boneless curried chicken roti, offers a satisfying and crave-worthy meal for an incredibly reasonable price (ranging from $4.30 to $8.00, depending on the filling). A roti is a crêpe-like flat top grilled dough, made with various spices and split peas that is filled with curried potatoes, topped with curried chicken, beef, goat, mutton, seafood or chickpeas. Once assembled, it resembles a sandwich that can either be eaten with your hands, or enjoyed with a knife and fork. The roti is the perfect dish for anyone; it can be mild or spicy, and can be stuffed with meat or vegetables.

I always get the chicken filling—the juicy chicken is perfectly tender, and falls apart at the first bite. I also enjoy extreme spice, so I always ask for extra of their homemade hot sauce, which is made with secret spices and scotch bonnet peppers. This sauce is not for the faint of heart, so dive in at your own risk.

In addition, the restaurant serves up better-known Caribbean dishes, such as rice platters, ox-tail stew, and jerk chicken. Many regulars often indulge in the jerk chicken that undergoes a long marination process in a pepper sauce. Every one of these meals offers a generous portion of meat, rice, peas, salad, and fried plantains. Another simple option includes Jamaican patties that are essentially piecrusts filled with chicken, beef, or vegetables, and vary in spiciness from mild to extra hot. As a tip, I would order a roti—assuming that’s your favourite dish—at La Maison du Cari, but walk just across the street to Boulangerie Spicee to purchase your patties. For just 50 cents a patty, you can pick up the superior quality on the other side of the block.

La Maison du Cari des Caraïbes is one of the hidden gems of the city; but be prepared, it is not a fancy restaurant. You will be surprised by the appearance; but inside, you will find remarkably friendly staff that will remember you after a few visits, and food unlike anything else you have ever tried before.  I encourage you to be adventurous, and take the metro to the Plamondon stop, and explore this cultural epicenter of the city of Montréal.

 

La Maison du Cari des Caraïbes

6892 Avenue Victoria

Hours: Monday – Saturday 11 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.

Tel: 514 733 0828

a, Student Life

Top 8 things we can learn from our Kiwi counterparts

by Rebecca Babcock on

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I have been in New Zealand on a student exchange for just over a month now. It’s interesting to notice the small things that are different from your home university, but that add up to make a hugely different and amazing environment, which makes being a student, shockingly, quite enjoyable.

 

They eat in the library without shame:

Can you imagine not having to hide your food while you secretly eat it in McLennan? These students pull out food and eat it in the open without fear, and are better nourished, and probably more focused because of it. Probably.

 

They live in the moment:

We students are under a lot of stress about grades, assignments, careers, family issues, relationships, friends, and everything else. I think it’s high time we get on the same wavelength as the New Zealanders, and start relaxing a little bit. If you are at a party, and have an assignment due soon, enjoy the party for what it is and worry about the assignment tomorrow. Simply put, try being in the moment because you will have time to worry about everything else later.

 

They walk around in bare feet:

Kiwi students walk around the library, go grocery shopping, and skateboard all with bare feet. Now, we Montrealers may be limited to the summer months to do this, but nothing is stopping us from wearing comfy wool socks, taking off our shoes in McLennan, and embracing the feeling of not having cold feet from our wet boots.

 

They embrace the  music:

I don’t think there has been a time since I’ve been in New Zealand where a party has been broken up by the police due to a noise complaint. People here embrace—perhaps unexpectedly—loud music, instead of fighting it. In fact, the music becomes quite comforting to fall asleep to, eventually.

 

They aren’t afraid to crash a party:

If Kiwis still cannot fall asleep because they are bothered by the music from a particularly loud party, they will just go crash it and meet new people. I cannot tell you how many new and interesting people I have met because their plans fell through, then they heard our music, and came to join the party.

 

They have BBQs on weekdays:

On a whim, friends will be invited over to celebrate the school day being done and told to bring something delicious to share. The evening will then be enjoyed hanging out with friends over some tasty barbequed goods.

 

They pack away the headphones and pay attention on the street:

I am astounded when I am walking to school in New Zealand and people make eye contact with me and smile. That rarely happens in Montreal because everyone is so often stuck in their own little stressed-out world. But sometimes, all you need is a smile from a stranger to let you know that you just need to relax.

 

They don’t take where they live for granted:

Although I am a visitor and am trying to see as much as I can, I find that New Zealanders also embrace where they live. They go to the same beach that they’ve been to hundreds of times, yet they also explore the city for new things to do. Having lived in Montreal for three and a half years, I can say that I have never gone to any of the museums or tried to find a cool new bar that might be out of my area. I think sometimes people forget that there can be tons of cool places to explore right in their own backyard.

a, Sports

Top 5 McGill Athletics Moments 2012-2013

by Compiled by: Jeff Downey on

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Honourable Mentions

Steven Bielby’s last lap:

McGill graduates one of their most storied athletes in recent memory, as swimmer Steven Bielby’s career comes to a close. Over his five-year career, Bielby amassed 13 CIS medals—eight golds, one silver and four bronzes.

McCuaig the Rhodes Scholar:

Cross country star and science senior Sarah McCuaig embodied the true spirit of a student athlete when she became the 13th McGill athlete to be anointed the illustrious Rhodes Scholar.

McGill football winless no more:

The streak is over. Redmen football finally snapped their winless streak against both CIS and RSEQ competition. To go along with this, rookie Shaquille Johnson claimed CIS Rookie of the Year honours, and the team advanced to the playoffs, before bowing out after a hard-fought loss to eventual national championship winners Laval Rouge-et-Or.

 McGill skiers shred the slopes:

David Apap won McGill’s first individual RSEQ men’s title since 2005, while Allene Kennedy came third in the RSEQ scoring race.

 

5 – Grand’Maison claims three medals in London

McGill swimmer Valérie Grand’Maison participated at the 2012 Paralympic Games in London. She won gold in the 200IM visually impaired class in world record time. She also claimed silvers in the 50m and 100m freestyle. Grand’Maison won six medals at the 2008 Paralympic Games in Beijing, including three golds.

 

4 – Baseball national championship run

Baseball shook off a slow start to the season to advance to a semifinal national championship appearance. Struggling at the beginning, and losing their first four of five, McGill peaked at the right time. The team swept their divisional semifinal against Ottawa, and repeated the performance in the finals versus Carleton. Their Cinderella comeback story was finally stalled in the national semifinal, when they met St. Clair College, dropping the game 4-2.

 

3 – Rugby redemption

Scandal marred the first half of the Redmen’s rugby season. Forced to forfeit their first four matches of the year—all victories—due to an ineligible player, the team needed to piece together wins in all of their remaining matches to qualify for the playoffs. In typical Redmen rugby fashion, they did, sweeping through all of their remaining competition to capture their seventh consecutive RSEQ championship.

 

2 – Basketball heads of the RSEQ

What a year for the hoopsters. McGill basketball dominated all year in a tough RSEQ division to claim the men’s and women’s RSEQ banners and a pair of national championship berths. Martlet Miriam Sylla was particularly strong throughout and her performance earned her a CIS Rookie of the Year award.

At nationals, both teams fought for the respect they deserved around the country. Both dropped exciting first-round matchups to gain the opportunity to fight for a consolation fifth-placed finish and a chance to play on Sunday. Both teams succeeded in this quest, snagging for themselves, and all of McGill, a pair of consolation finals wins.

 

1 – Lacrosse breaks through

In unbelievable fashion, the Redmen finally vanquished their national championship disappointments and claimed the very first lacrosse national banner for McGill. The Redmen swept all competition in the tournament, and captain Jishan Sharples scored the game-winning overtime goal in the national championship game. This was a long time coming for McGill, who had made it to the finals before, but had never won. They will now look to avoid complacency and to establish a dynasty.

a, Behind the Bench, Sports

Taking pride in those who represent us

by Adam Sadinsky on

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When you finish something you were heavily invested in, it’s natural to question whether it was all worth the effort; and if you’re a journalist, it’s natural to write a column like this. In my four years at the Tribune, I’ve had the opportunity to do some incredible things. I’ve interviewed professional athletes and coaches, seen the guts of NHL arenas, and rubbed shoulders with well-known sports journalists in both the press box and post-game scrums. Those things are exciting, but there’s something more, something deeper.

When I look back on the experience, those moments may last in the ever-increasing number of quick “I was here” photos on my Blackberry, but they won’t bring back the same kind of feelings as others. Some are simple ones, like the smell of popcorn, or the “creative” chants of a well-lubricated Carnival Game hockey crowd. Other memories are more poignant: the jubilation of a Martlet soccer penalty kick to send the team to the national semifinals on home turf; the unbridled joy of our hockey players winning trophy after trophy; the determination of a written-off basketball team at its first national tournament in decades; and yes, the overwhelming despair as seagulls flew out of Molson Stadium to avoid watching another football blowout at the hands of the Rouge-et-Or.

Few McGill students remember these things, aside from those who were involved. Each of us has our own individual experiences, which together form the stories of our time here. These memories are important, but the ones that are more powerful are those shared with others, when we feel like we’re part of something greater than ourselves.

I have found that belonging in the world of sports. As student journalists, our experience is experiencing and describing yours. As a sports journalist, mine has been closely woven with those of so many student athletes. Almost none of them know my name, and many of you don’t know theirs; but what links us together is that we feel proud when they succeed; when they win, they feel like they’re doing it for us.

It’s time we were more vocal of our pride in these remarkable men and women, each of them students, but in reality much more. Branded as jocks and slackers, athletes don’t get much sympathy from the McGill community. But think, for a moment, what these athletes—our classmates—are doing. We should not be under an illusion that they are akin to their NCAA counterparts, with lucrative contracts and endorsements awaiting upon graduation. Our athletes devote incredible amounts of time to their respective sports, but even more to their schoolwork. They, like us, will all need to find jobs when they graduate. For all but a miniscule fraction, that job will not be in sports. They devote their time because they love their sport, and they take pride in pulling on the red and white and representing us on fields, courts, and rinks across the province and country.

Over Reading Week I had the privilege to travel to Ottawa to cover the Redmen basketball team’s experience at the National Championship tournament—their first in over 30 years. In their second game, they faced the Cape Breton Capers, a school of just 2,000 students, nearly 10 per cent of whom had travelled two days by bus to support their team for the weekend. McGill’s fans came on Friday, and then left. Cape Breton’s fans took pride in their team and in their school. There may be better talent at the Bell Centre, and more things to do in Montreal than Sydney, Nova Scotia, but we should still ask ourselves: why isn’t it cool to take pride in our teams?

The first ever hockey player I interviewed as a Tribune reporter was Redmen goalie Hubert Morin. I interviewed him again after his last game at McGill, which consequently was also mine. When I finished my questions I thanked Hubert, and he thanked me. Though we know nothing more about each other than that we each like hockey and go to McGill, our experiences over four years were somehow tied. There was an invisible and unmistakable bond between us.

If I’m back here in 10 years smelling the popcorn and watching another hockey game, I’ll be proud of those players, too. Why? Because we’re part of a community greater than ourselves, of people who applaud when others succeed. Our university could use a little more of that.

Redmen Hockey (Jesse Conterato / McGill Tribune)
a, Sports

Winter Sports Report Cards

by Compiled by: Mayaz Alam, Remi Lu, David Stein, Steven Lampert, Adam Sadinsky on

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Redmen Hockey: B

The Redmen ended their season on a disappointing note with a loss in the rubber match of the OUA quarterfinals to Nipissing. However, this was a rebuilding year, after last year’s national championship squad lost numerous key members upon graduation. This year’s team only loses three players—goalie Hubert Morin, captain Patrick Belzile, and right-wing Marc-Andre Daneau—and is primed to bounce back strong.

Injuries were unfortunately the story this past season. By the final few games, defencemen were forced to play on the forward lines, as skaters were spending more time on the trainer’s table than on the ice. Ryan McKiernan was a bright spot for the team, finishing with 21 points from the blueline en route to Second Team OUA honours.  Patrick Delisle-Houde, a freshman winger, led the team in points and was instrumental in the team’s attacking success; he parlayed this to a spot on the OUA All-Rookie team. The future looks bright for the Redmen, and they look primed to taste CIS glory sooner rather than later.

MVP: Ryan Mckiernan

Athlete to Watch: Patrick Delisle-Houde

 

Martlet Hockey: A-

After a remarkable RSEQ regular season in which the Martlet hockey team went undefeated, there was a lot of excitement surrounding this group as they headed into the playoffs. Unfortunately, McGill was unable to sustain their dominance against the Montreal Carabins in theiRSEQ finals. Losing on home ice in dramatic fashion, the Martlets did not qualify for the CIS Nationals, an extremely disappointing result.

However, despite the season’s unexpected ending, it would be unfair to discount all of their success from the entire year. In particular, the trio of Melodie Daoust, Leslie Olse, and Katia Clement-Heydra combined for 102 goals and 227 points, capping off three outstanding campaigns, all of which merit MVP status. Gabrielle Davidson from notched 27 goals and 15 assists in her rookie season with the Martlets, and it is clear that she will be an important piece of the puzzle going forward for McGill. With their core players still on the roster next season, this year’s devastating loss to the Carabins will undoubtedly motivate the Martlets.

MVP: Mélodie Daoust

Athlete to Watch: Gabrielle Davidson

 

Martlet Basketball (Anna Katycheva / McGill Tribun)
Martlet Basketball (Anna Katycheva / McGill Tribun)

Martlet Basketball: A-

In a year that saw the Martlets graze the championship round at the CIS Final 8, the basketball team stood out for their impressive effort on the court, and their united locker room environment.

The Martlets had an outstanding season, with an overall record of 21-12, and finished atop the RSEQ. The year’s highlights included a 29-point scoring explosion by freshman Mariam Sylla against Laval on Jan. 12, and a 72-31 pounding of Bishop’s University on Feb. 16. Sylla also received the CIS Rookie of the Year award, due to her impressive scoring efforts and unmatched rebounding presence during the season.

The team qualified for the CIS Final 8, where they lost to eventual finalist Regina in the quarterfinals, after leading 39-33 late in the third quarter. The Martlets would go on to trounce Fraser Valley and Ottawa in the consolation games to finish in fifth place overall.

Moving forward, the Martlets have a great mix of experienced and younger players. While graduating veteran Anneth Him-Lazarenko will be sorely missed, the team has an extremely promising future. Look for the 2013-2014 season to be a good one.

MVP: Anneth Him-Lazrenko

Athlete to Watch: Miriam Sylla

 

McGill Swimming: B

The Redmen and Martlet swimming teams brought back a strong core for the 2012-2013 season, and the results showed. The teams finished third and second, respectively, at the RSEQ championships, before sending 19 athletes to the CIS National Championship in Calgary. There, both teams claimed eighth place.

A number of impressive individual performances supplemented the teams’ success. Fifth-year veteran Steven Bielby—whose graduation will be an enormous loss to the program—led the Redmen throughout the year. He won two gold medals at Nationals in the 200m and 400m individual medleys, while Marc-Andre Benoit, Pierre-Alexandre Renaud, and Erik Cheng round out a strong group of returnees.

On the women’s side, the Martlets compiled another successful season on the back of breakout rookie star Katie Caldwell. The 18-year-old was named RSEQ Rookie of the Year and RSEQ Athlete of the Year in one of the most impressive debut seasons in recent McGill swimming memory. Aside from Caldwell, other notable Martlet seasons came from Jennifer Darling, Rebecca Cheverton, and Taryne Landry.

While the team loses an irreplaceable swimmer in Bielby, the other Redmen should pick up the slack, while the Martlets, led by Caldwell, should challenge for an RSEQ title next season.

MVP: Steven Bielby & Katie Caldwell

Athlete to Watch: Pierre-Alexandre Renaud & Taryne Landry

 

 

Track & Field (Alexandra Allaire / McGill Tribune)
Track & Field (Alexandra Allaire / McGill Tribune)

McGill Track & Field: B

Although the McGill Track & Field team may not have finished the season as well as they would have liked at Nationals, the 2012-2013 year was still a success by any standard. The Martlets claimed their first RSEQ title in six years, while the Redmen finished third in the division. However, both teams had a number of individual results which highlighted the season.

Toronto native Alana Battison kicked off the year with a strong effort at Tomlinson Fieldhouse. Her gold medal finish marked the beginning of a career year, as she would go on to claim two more golds, three silvers, and a bronze. Battison finished the season at Nationals with a team-high fifth-place, recording a personal-best of 3558 points.

The Martlet team had other notable podium finishes as well, with team captain Sarah McCuaig winning two golds, freshman Caroline Tanguay with one gold, and a relay team that finished atop the podium twice.

On the Redmen side, the relay team, comprised of Vincent Parent-Pichette, Benjamin Raymond, Nathan Goldstein, and Michael Abramson, was also impressive, winning gold at the RSEQ championships. They finished sixth overall at Nationals.

The graduation of both Battison and long-distance runner McCuaig will be a tough pill to swallow, but the team has a solid core of top-athletes for next year.

MVP:  Alana Battison

Athlete to Watch:  Vincent Parent-Pichette

 

Redmen Basketball (Luke Orlando / McGill Tribune)
Redmen Basketball (Luke Orlando / McGill Tribune)

Redmen Basketball: A

Before this season, the last time the Redmen qualified for the CIS National Championship tournament was before any member of the current squad was born. The young but growing team under third year head coach David DeAveiro was locked in a see-saw battle with the Bishop’s Gaiters atop the RSEQ standings all season. When all was said and done, the Redmen won their first regular season crown in 12 years. They parlayed the home-court advantage into their first RSEQ title since 1986, and a ticket to Ottawa for Nationals. After a loss to the third ranked Ottawa Gee-Gees, McGill took down Cape Breton and Victoria for a fifth-place national finish. Seniors Winn Clark and Aleksandar Mitrovic graduate, but the new generation led by Adrian Hynes-Guery and Vincent Dufort will set out to solidify McGill’s place at the national table for years to come.

MVP: Adrian Hynes-Guery

Athlete to Watch: Vincent Dufort

 

Martlet Volleyball (Anna Katycheva / McGill Tribune)
Martlet Volleyball (Anna Katycheva / McGill Tribune)

Martlet Volleyball: C+

After an incredible 2011-2012 season, in which the Martlets came out of nowhere to shock the nation and claim third place at Nationals, the team was looking to ride their momentum to more success this season. Unfortunately, a number of injuries and a lack of team chemistry prevented them from repeating such a performance.

The Martlets finished a disappointing 8-12 in RSEQ play, and failed to make the conference playoffs.

Despite the disappointing team result, the Martlets featured a number of breakout stars. First-year power hitter Ashley Norfleet was named to the CIS All Rookie team after an extremely impressive debut season. She should continue developing and hold a spot in the lineup for years to come.

Captain Genevieve Plante compiled another impressive season, and will be relied upon even more next season to lead this young Martlets sqaud.

The most notable departure is Marcela Mansure, who has served as the team’s setter for the past five seasons. Finding a replacement will be key next season, if the Martlets plan to return to national prominence.

MVP: Genevieve Plante

Athlete to watch: Ashley Norfleet

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