6 The Voyager
Features
December 2021
Equestrian emerges as an NCAA competitive sport By ANNA LANGAN ‘22 Staff Reporter
T
he NCAA is the collegiate athletic governing body. According to the Encyclopedia Britannica, it is officially defined as the “organization in the United States that administers intercollegiate athletics.” The association manages players, coaches, teams, and scholarships throughout colleges nationwide. The NCAA is most popularly known due to college football games and March Madness, the NCAA Division 1 basketball tournament. March Madness generates Senior Anna Langan competes in an equestrian competition. national bets and attention towards Photo supplied by Anna Langan ‘22 the association, but the NCAA is not teams in the same way as each other sport competition is much just for basketball. within the association. Additionally, you more equalized and is It features dozens of less known men’s must be approved through the NCAA by based on skill, which is and women’s sports. The sports range sending your transcript, SAT scores, and commendable. from gymnastics to rowing to lacrosse resume. Rather than competand more, but I’m most focused on a more Schools can offer scholarship money for ing on your own horse, recent addition to the NCAA’s emerging riders to become members of their teams, college athletes are assports program: Equestrian. but since the sport is smaller, it is less signed the name of a Langan will continue her career in college as an Yes, a controversial one. Many people common. NCAA Equestrian teams also random horse(s) and then NCAA D1 or club athlete. Photo supplied by Anna Langan ‘22 believe that horseback riding is not a have strict GPA Regulations and grade asked to complete the ecute a prescribed set of maneuvers with sport, however the NCAA has officially standards. competition on it. precision.” labeled it an emerging Women’s college They practice regularly and work out as This subtracts the money factor and This creates a highly competitive atmosport since 1998. a team outside of their practices. showcases a rider’s ability to adapt to an sphere within the sport, but the level of This means that the sport is smaller but There’s been a recent shift in traditional animal on short notice. skill riders cultivate lasts a lifetime. still fully sanctioned with the association. horseback riding competitions towards According to the governing board, the The NCEA prides itself on “providing As of now, only Division 1 and Division being about money, like many other asNational Collegiate Equestrian Associacollegiate opportunities for female eques2 teams can officially exist under NCAA pects of the equine industry. tion (NCEA), riders are judged on factors trian student-athletes to compete at the sanction for equestrian competition. Rather than competing on level ground, such as, “consistency on course, smoothhighest level, while embracing equity, diThe recruitment process for an equestriit becomes a popularity contest for who ness, flow from jump to jump,” “accuracy versity and promoting academic and coman athlete is pretty much the same as that has the most expensive horses, equipand overall position of the rider,” “seat of petitive excellence,” and they are working of any other NCAA Athletes. You need to ment, trainers, or is friends with the judge. the rider and the correctness and effectowards achieving this! complete recruitment questionnaires, atThe intercollegiate format of equestrian tiveness of her aids,” and “ability to extend college fairs, tour schools, and meet
Nog Off: a surprising charitable tradition By TIANA CYRELSON ‘22 Media Editor
I
n November of 2018, a few upperclassmen gathered in the parking lot of the Walmart, shivering as they each held a half-gallon carton of eggnog in their hands. There was only a small group of them, maybe six or seven—but the videos they posted on their Snapchat stories that night would be viewed by over a hundred people. One of them counted down from three, and on the signal, they each raised their carton to their lips and began to chug. The goal was to be the first to finish the half-gallon of thick liquid and be crowned the Nog-Off champion. “I wasn’t there,” said Owen Donahue, the current head of Nog-Off. “I don’t remember if I knew what it was at the time it happened. It wasn’t my idea.” Donahue didn’t join in on this disgusting tradition until the following year, as the event grew in popularity. He recalls posting a flier on his story, encouraging others to come to the event. “Nobody really ran it,” said Donahue. “We just did it because it was funny,” he said. “It started as a joke.” In November of 2019, over 20 teens showed up in the parking lot. They drank nog, some threw up, and one was crowned Nog-Off champion. “It’s terrible,” Donahue says. “Friend to friend? Don’t do it. It ruins your entire night. It changes your perception of eggnog. Definitely.” As the 2020 Nog-Off season approached, Donahue recalls thinking about what he could do with the growing support for the event. He posted an announcement on his Snapchat stating, “Nog-Off is now a charity event,” along with the link to his Venmo for contributions towards Toys for Tots. “I thought I’d get like 200 bucks,” he says, “but going into Nog-Off, we were
already at $1,600.” The incredible support for the event was astounding and caught Donahue off guard. “It was so out of left field,” he described. The day of the event came with over 90 participants, $2,200 raised, and over 300 toys purchased. Owen and his friends were able to purchase over three hundred toys. Donahue recalls this moment as an important one, marking his realization of the difference he could make in the lives of underprivileged children. Then, as the 2021 Nog-Off season began to approach, Donahue remembers feeling the pressure of the upcoming event. Busy with work, school, and sports, it was difficult to plan the event. However, Donahue decided to reach out to the Berlin Farmers Market. “Last two years, the cops ended up coming after it was over. This year, if the cops came, I wanted to have backup,” he said. Much to Donahue’s surprise, the Berlin Farmers Market approved his request. With the go-ahead from the market, Donahue knew he had to go through with it. “It’s really not a well-run event,” he says. “I don’t want it to be. I don’t ever want people to feel like they have to donate or they have to give money to go to Nog-Off. If you have money to donate, please do. If not, just come to Nog-Off.” Donahue understands that not all participants are able to donate, but he appreciates their support of the event nonetheless. Nog-Off stands as an event for entertainment above all else. While he has tied in a charitable contribution, he focuses his efforts on maintaining the integrity of the lighthearted event. Two weeks later, on the night of November 27th, 2021, over 120 people gathered in the parking lot of the Berlin Farmers Market, many holding their own cartons of Eggnog. Owen Donahue, donning his Santa Suit and stepping up to the
line of contestants, waited for the count down. The guys began to chug, and John Sacco, a friend of Donahue’s, was crowned the Nog-Off 2021 champion. Although the night of festivities was over, the work was just beginning for Donahue and his friends. The boys collected over $3,000 to spend on toys and began their shopping. “My favorite memories are buying the toys,” Donahue says, “the feeling of being a kid again and buying thousands of dollars of toys with your friends and knowing that they’re going to kids who don’t have John Sacco, this year’s Nog-Off champion, raises them.” Photo by Wesley Andrews Using Sacco’s the Nog-Off trophy. employee discount at the events, Donahue enjoys furthering the the local Target, Donahue and his friends spirit of Nog-Off. “Without other people, were able to buy even more toys. They Nog-Off is nothing—so I guess everyone focused on getting a wide array, from todcoming together and contributing to Toys dler toys to tween entertainment, for boys for Tots is what it’s all about,” he said. and girls alike. The event started as a joke, but it has On December 6th, the first delivery of turned into a charitable tradition far greattoys was made to a local school district, er than expected. In the spirit of Christand the rest will follow shortly. Despite mas, people continue to gather on the his humility about his success, Donahue cold November nights, embracing the true has created an important event he hopes meaning of the holiday: drinking eggnog will last years into the future. As long as past the point of sickness. people continue to show up, he hopes to Nog-Off now stands as an opportunity continue to host these events. for teens to get together, celebrate the hol“Until people stop showing up, I feel iday season, and support a noble cause: a it’s my obligation almost to keep doing future Owen Donahue never would have it,” said the host. predicted, but is more than happy to conWhile he does not make a penny from tinue.
