As fall comes to an end the start of a new season emerges. No, I’m not talking about the upcoming holiday season, I’m talking about basketball season. On Saturday, November 15th at 7pm, our very own Stockton Ospreys mens basketball team took the court against Wilkes University Colonels in the annual Tip Off Classic to start their season.
As I entered Big Blue on Saturday night I wasn’t quite sure what to expect; I had heard that each game brings out a large crowd, but I wasn’t expecting filled bleachers. As the warm up began, Eminem’s popular song, “Till I Collapse” blared through the speakers. Fans could see the Ospreys internalizing the lyrics and getting pumped up for the game. As warm-up ended, the Ospreys ran over to coach Gerry Matthews, and although I could not hear what he was telling his players, judging by the looks on their faces they were inspired and determine to start the season with a win.
The Ospreys started the game on a high note winning the jump ball and built a 10 point lead! The team worked hard to maintain their lead, ending the first half 34-29, not a bad start. As both teams returned to the court to start off the second half it was clear the Colonels were not giving up so easy. With the Colonels so fired up to get ahead the Ospreys had a tough time keeping in the lead. Fouls were being called left and right. It was clear each team was willing to do what ever it takes to secure the win. With five minuets left on the clock Wilkes was now in the lead 72-65, Stockton needed to get their acts together. After a short time out the Osprey’s spirits seemed to have been rallied back. Stockton returned to the court scoring ten consecutive points, re-taking the lead. Wilkes tied the game by sinking a three pointer leaving the score 75-75 with twenty-six seconds on the clock. As the Ospreys took possession they were desperate to score. Player Josh Blamon drove quickly to the net determined to score, only to be stopped by an illegal block. The Ospreys now was two foul shots away from taking hime the win.
As the foul was awarded the fans filled the gym with cheers. This was it, within the next ten-seconds or so, the Ospreys would be starting their season with a win or battling it out in overtime. Blamon stepped up to the foul line and each teammate patted him on the back: they knew he could do this. The game was all up to him at this point, the ability to win resting on his fingertips. Near silence filled the gym, us fans were doing our part to assist in the focus, all hoping he had what it would take. As the ball left his hands it was headed right for the net only to be deflected by the rim of the hoop. The shot fell short. Still tied Blamon returned to the line, one last shot to score the game winning shot. This time it was dead silent in the packed gym, any one of us could have heard a pin drop. All eyes were on Blamon and his directly on the hoop, a confident smile spread across his face, he knew this shot would make it. As the ball left his fingers again and sailed towards the hoop smiles appeared on every ones faces, the shot was perfect. The ball dropped through the hoop catching all net and the gym was filled with the cheers of fans. As the Ospreys stormed the court, it was as if each and every one of us fans were right there with them. We were just as proud of Blamon as his own teammates.
In the last few moments of the game I believe the Stockton students all came together bonding over this experience. Every one of us wanted nothing more in that moment than for the boys to take the win they deserved. The Ospreys will have ten home games throughout the season, and I urge everyone to attend!

Going to a school where there is no football team Homecoming weekend seems a bit pointless right? Wrong! During Homecoming weekend here at Stockton the Friday night lights may not have been shining, on the field but they were certainly shining elsewhere. On the evening of October 10th, Big Blue was roaring, not with the cheers of students for a volleyball or basketball game, but roaring with laughter. As part of Stockton’s Heroic Homecoming Weekend the SET Club hosted a comedy night featuring MTV’s Girl Code Nicole Byer. Having this comedy star here at Stockton was certainly the biggest event of Homecoming weekend, and in my opinion much more entertaining then a football game.
As I entered Big Blue that Friday night with a few friends, I was not expecting what I saw when I looked to the bleachers, a full house. Students had packed themselves in trying to get the best seats, and I too squeezed in like a sardine. As Nicole Byer took the stage students cheered as if it was our very own Stockton Ospreys running onto the field; they were ready for a performance of a lifetime. Byer certainly lived up to this standard. She might as well have been crowned the Homecoming Queen herself because she was the one thing everyone couldn’t wait to see. I’m pretty sure she had the whole crowd laughing, including the faculty, for an hour straight! Her set consisted of mostly her own personal comic happenings from eating french fries drunk off the ground to awkward situations with the opposite sex to interacting with the crowd, all were certainly entertaining.
Despite Byer being a fabulous form of entertainment, I believe that within her set was a deeper message to be left in our minds. This message was to be confident with ourselves despite what others see us as. Byer possesses the ability to laugh and poke fun at herself, which I think is a good quality to have because the world’s going to have their opinions, so why not be confident enough to make a joke out of them. Byer started her set off by telling the crowed how she realizes she is a, “Sassy, fat, black chick” and loves that about herself. She shared that even though many people try to get under her skin by making jokes about her size and skin color, she doesn’t care because she loves who she is and is now able to turn it into jokes making herself and thousands of people laugh. She turned a situation which could easily have gone bad into something good. She left the students of Stockton with the message to love themselves and turn negative influences into positive ones.
So who needs a football team to have a good Homecoming? Absolutely not Stockton! People bond over laughter, and that exactly what happened among Stockton students when Nicole Byer took the stage. Together students enjoyed some laughs, I laughed so hard at one point tears were coming from my eyes, but together we also learn an important lesson in life: to love ourselves and turn bad vibes into good situations. Overall Homecoming weekend was a blast, but the comedy show was by far my favorite event!

As the Stockton Field Hockey team takes their first steps onto the field for warm up, fans cheer from the bleachers because they too know all that is at stake in the first conference game of the season. Matched up against William Patterson as their debut NJAC game, nervousness and determination was apparent among the girls. This time last year and in many past years the Ospreys had fallen to the Pioneers, but this year was going to be different.
As the girls took their places on the field, I could feel the desire to win from the sideline. This was going to be our game. With just six minuets on the clock, Riley Ruff scored off of a beautiful corner play, putting Stockton in the lead. The girls were able to gallantly hold onto this lead until a corner was called with fifteen minuets left in the first half, and with Stockton man down, the girls did everything they could to prevent a goal, but outmatched William Patterson scored their first goal tying the game. For the remaining time in the first half Stockton held possession, making many attempts to score, the half was called.
Returning to play, Stockton was able to keep offensive motion, giving up only three shots on goal until once again a defensive corner was called. With ten minuets remaining in the game William Patterson sent in a roaring hit from the top landing in the back of the cage. Stockton was now down by one goal. After Coach Michelle Anders called a time out, the girls returned to the field not with looks of defeat but of determination inspired by their coaches confidence in their abilities. You could tell they were ready to score. Leah Davis traveled down the sideline with phenomenal speed as captain Colleen Knight rushed to meet her by the cage. Once reaching the circle Davis passed to Knight supplying her with the opportunity to score. With only four minuets left, Knight nailed the ball sending it past the opposing goalie pushing Stockton into overtime.
After a long back and forth battle of one fifteen minuet overtime it was obvious both teams were exhausted but the score was still 2-2. The next fifteen minuets would result in one teams success and the other’s failure. For the final time that day both teams took their starting positions, both exhausted, both determined but, Stockton seemed to have one thing William Patterson did which was heart. The opponent was acting out of frustration and fell apart as a team allowing Stockton to come together as one. They remained positive and encouraged one another that winning was possible if dug deep enough. Two minuets ticked away and the teamwork was apparent throughout the Stockton line up. Knight headed for the goal as teammate Ruff called for the ball, working together Knight was able to set up the perfect opportunity, and Ruff had the skill and will to fulfill it. A loud bang was all that could be heard followed by the immediate cheering, Ruff had scored the game winning goal.
The whole team stormed the field together as one creating a sea of blue and black, filled with the sense of not only accomplishment but what it felt like to be a team. Coming out of that win was not only a large confidence boost but proof showing that Stockton had what it takes to be winners. The Stockton Ospreys were currently 1-0 in their conference and more then ready for what was to come next.