Andrew Greenblatt

Exploring the security of impossibility in sports, romance

The headline read “Zaza Pachulia Headbutts Jason Richardson – Richardson smacks Pachulia.” Obviously I clicked on the article, but it wasn’t a headbutt or a smack that I saw once I saw the footage fro…

Examining the connection between improv and sports

We came roaring out of driveway hellbent on making it to Philly and back to New York again for a 5:40 flight to Arizona by way of Chicago. It was me and dad. We had no music and no sleep. I had four d…

Examining the cycle caused by stinky bracket syndrome

As the students at Swarthmore College haven’t noticed at all, the NCAA tournament is in full swing, and with this year’s unstoppable surge of basketball enthusiasm comes my yearly transformation int…

Greeny explores his crazy CrossFit adventures

It wasn’t so much the text message from Jordan Martinez that surprised me but the content itself, “Wanna do Crossfit Friday afternoon?” The simple question jaunted me out of the poisonous, sexual, sle…

Discovering, recapturing clarity key to success

Butt pressed firmly against my chair, eyes locked on my Mac, I let my focus drift from the reading I had to do towards the things I actually care about. I made the usual rounds, making sure Gmail hadn…

Applying survival of the fittest to athletic fitness

It all started with a punch in the face. Well, not exactly a punch; more like I ran my face into a defender’s hand during basketball practice, but by my semi-black eye, no one can tell the difference…

Baseball bucking trends: taking names, plastering foes

I’d call this year’s version of Swat baseball a Cinderella story but they just don’t lend themselves to that description.

These guys aren’t surviving and pulling out victories; they’re kicking a…

Shirts on, cleats off: keeping your vanity in check

As I’m hunched over in the middle of the weight room, exhausted and dripping with sweat, relief finds me unexpectedly. Matt Allen, my lifting buddy, turns to me with a smile and says, “It’s time for t…

Tayarisha vs. Chad: A cure for Stinky Bracket Syndrome

When Kansas lost this past weekend, my heart sank because it condemned me to yet another year of Stinky Bracket Syndrome and confirmed that the hardest thing in sports isn’t sinking a pressure putt or…

The student athlete abroad

Every year, circumstances demand that athletes make choices that cause them to miss games. What immediately comes to mind is an athlete electing to undergo surgery instead of playing hurt. There are a…

A basketball player’s tribute to senior teammates

After the upcoming game on Saturday, the Swarthmore basketball program will be losing two of the greatest teammates I have ever known. Seniors Matt Allen and Danny Walker will be playing their final g…

Want to enjoy Kids’ Night Out? Just “ask that guy”

In the history of Swarthmore athletics, there are two things that amaze me. The first is how Will Gates continues to survive when he thinks Gummy Bears and Sour Patch Kids fulfill a serving of fruit, …

A discourse on showers

If showering after games seems like a no-brainer to some of my non-athlete readers, let me dispel some myths. Despite what one may expect, dressing athletically is not enough to make you sweat if you …

On the yoga bandwagon

When I think of alternate training methods, the first person who comes to mind is Rocky Balboa. While his opponent Ivan Drago was preparing in a typical boxing gym, Rocky was in the unforgiving tundra…

Tweet, Tweet: A new era in sports fandom emerges

Sports fanatics, rejoice, for our time has finally arrived.

They can charge us $6.00 for a soda and schedule night games in the dead of winter, but they will never take our spirits!

Never again must w…

Squash and rugby teams face off against Haverford on club circuit

Squash team revamps, eyes Haverford

This year’s version of the Swarthmore squash team is almost unrecognizable when compared to last year’s upstart crew.

The squad kicked off its first complete se…

A reflective rebounder bares all for the sake of athletics

Sunday morning: as the hazy view of my pillow and blankets begins to take clear shape and my body slowly realizes it’s no longer asleep, the dull and lethargic fog of my hangover creeps in. I don’t ev…

Division III athletes work hard — for no money

When I tell people I’m a college basketball player, it’s always the same. I know I’m about to disappoint them. “No, Swarthmore is NOT an all girls school. That’s Skidmore.” “Yes, it’s Division…

Garnet insider: Unsung hero serves a big purpose

I’m giving up my column. This week, Life of Greeny will be Life of Yoshi. Following this kid around all week inspired me to highlight my opinions with some reporting. For those of you who don’t know A…

Must-win jam to decide lacrosse's playoff destiny

The Garnet men’s lacrosse team’s 16-5 loss to sixth-ranked Gettysburg on Saturday spoiled Swarthmore’s senior recognition day and dropped them into a three-way tie for fourth place in the Centennial C…

Lopsided halves a lingering lament for women's lacrosse

On a gray and windy day in Allentown, the Garnet women’s lacrosse team fell to Muhlenberg by a score of 13-7. It wasn’t just the inclement weather that was cold, with temperatures in the 40s — so was …

Ranked Bullets puncture women's lacrosse defense

The Swarthmore women’s lacrosse team fell to #6 Gettysburg on Saturday at Clothier field by a score of 18-6.

The margin of defeat says less about the Garnet’s deficiencies than it does about Gettysb…

Women's lacrosse undefeated after 'Tour de South'

The women’s lacrosse team returned unscathed and energized from a “Tour de South” spring break trip. The Garnet were victorious in each of two games over the break, beating Savannah College of Arts an…

Women's lacrosse downs Moravian in season opener

The women’s lacrosse team surged past Moravian this past Saturday to open their season with a win. The Garnet outscored the Greyhounds 13-5 in a game played on Haverford’s Swan Field as part of the se…

Despite adversity, emergent squash program survives

On the eve of the collegiate men’s squash nationals at Princeton University the Swarthmore squash team sat huddled in their hotel room. The group was only hours away from their first match, competing …

Playoff hopes slip away for women's basketball

The Garnet women’s basketball team fell at home last Saturday to Gettysburg College by a score of 65-78. The Gettysburg loss was the latest in a heartbreaking stretch, which includes three straight co…

Women's basketball aims for big sendoff for Grigs

“There are a couple of games that we would really like to have back, but our focus is now on these last few, none of which will be easy,” said the Garnet women’s basketball team’s lone senior, Melissa…

Bold squash team stunds Bard

Among the athletic facilities on Swarthmore’s quiet campus lies an old building. The dirty windows shroud the inside, covering the relatively unknown squash courts, the relatively unused squash courts…

Defense ticket to playoffs for women's basketball

Intense chatter floods through the canyons of Tarble Pavilion on weeknights. Those running on the indoor track, walking through the main lobby and entering the trainers’ room can hear it. The basketba…

Conference playoffs within reach for women's basketball

The Garnet women’s basketball team emerged from an active winter break with a 3-4 showing, posting a record of 2-3 against Centennial conference opponents. These results bring the women to 4-4 in con…