It's Pop vs Jock

Pop vs Jock Charity Basketball Game

On the McGill campus, the division between the jocks and the artsy musicians is usually obvious. The jocks are quite easy to spot.  Decked out in their red and white sweaters or tracksuits, they’re often carrying a gym bag, lacrosse stick or football and sometimes all three. They usually walk with their chests stuck out hoping that other students passing them on the street will take the time to read the words on their team jacket and admire the fact that they belong to a varsity squad. Jocks generally want to stand out, to be seen and to be recognized by the rest of the university community.

Music students and musicians, on the other hand, are harder to find - unless they are trying to squeeze onto a crowded bus with a giant tuba case. In general, they are much more mysterious than the jocks and may often spend hours locked away in a dark room practicing their art. They are less obnoxious, less likely to brag and much less known in comparison to varsity athletes.

                During a typical day at McGill, the worlds of the jock and the musician rarely collide. These two groups go their separate ways, working hard to reach their potential. But what happens when one world encroaches on the other? When a group of musicians decide to  beat athletes at their own game?

This is exactly what will happen right here at the McGill gym on September 24^th at the “Pop vs. Jock” charity basketball game. Win Butler of the Grammy-award winning band Arcade Fire has organized a team of musicians which includes his brother Will and Chris Tomson of Vampire Weekend. The jock team will feature NBA veteran Matt Bonner and is made up primarily of star players and coaches from the McGill and Concordia varsity squads.

                Both teams met in Love Competition Hall last Wednesday to warm up and play an exhibition match before the big day. It was very cool to see members of Arcade Fire decked out in gym clothes, shooting around like any other McGill student would do on a break between classes. The jock side of the court was also looking pretty sharp, with members of both McGill women’s and men’s teams practicing their 3-point shots. The basketball players seemed a bit star struck by the presence of Arcade Fire on their home court, since the last time many of the athletes had seen the band was when they played at Osheaga in 2010 in front of almost 30000 people.

                Besides the basketball game, this event promises to provide musical entertainment as well. Arcade Fire’s Régine Chassagne will play the organ at the game, and band member Richard Reed Parry will play a bicycle symphony during the halftime show, which will also feature Kid Koala. Proceeds from this charity event go to the DJ Sports Club, a non-profit organization that offers sports programs in the city to kids ages 7 to 17.

                Whether you are a band geek or a gym rat, a varsity athlete or a music major this event has something for you. As a Physical Education Major, a music enthusiast, a competitive runner and a pianist, I know I’m looking forward to seeing how these two worlds collide.

                And if it goes well, who knows? Maybe next up is a Battle of the Bands, Arcade Fire vs. anyone in the NBA who knows how to hold an instrument. Now that would be crazy.

Shockers Take the Win!

Last night at 11 o’clock I made the treacherous climb up to the McConnell Arena to watch the championship game of the men’s intramural hockey A league.  Hockey is one of my favorite sports to watch, but bundling up in my parka and scarf on the second day of Spring to go see this game was not appealing.  That said, I knew quite a few people on the two competing teams so skipping the game was not an option.

The competing teams were “The Shockers” and “The Big U” (it seems that each year the names of intramural teams continue to take on the most bizarre names).  Typically when I show up to watch an intramural game of any sport the mood and atmosphere is relaxed and lighthearted.  When I walked into the arena, however, members from both teams were looking very serious and intent on getting the game started.  I took my seat in the crowd amongst a few dozen other people, some noticeably students and some older people who I assume must have been parents of some of the players. 

The game started off quickly with the Shockers scoring within two minutes of the puck dropping.  The game was extremely fast paced and the skill level of the players was impressive.  The first half (intramural hockey games are divided into two twenty-two minute halves as opposed to three periods) ended with the Shockers scoring their second goal, leading the Big U by two.  During the two minute halftime over a dozen other fans showed up- better late than never.  These fans were definitely livelier than the ones already in the stands.  The fans were equipped with signs, bags of chips and some even with beer.

As the two teams returned to the ice, it was rather obvious that the new fans were here to cheer on the Shockers.  The new cheering proved to be a bit of a distraction for the Shockers as the Big U slipped a goal past the Shockers’ goalie three minutes in.  This was a bit of a wake-up call for the Shockers and things on the ice began to heat up.  Within the next five minutes, both teams had received two penalties.  Although no fights broke out, players from both teams were playing extremely aggressively, provoking cheers from the guys in the stands and alarming looks from the girls.  The game was playing out to be much less of a jovial match between two teams and more of an intense display of testosterone and aggression.  With two minutes left, the Shockers scored two goals, within one minute of each other, crushing any hopes of becoming champions for the Big U.  When the buzzer went the Shockers swarmed their goalie cheering and hugging while the Big U hung their heads and removed their helmets looking ever so defeated.  I really didn't expect an intramural hockey game to evoke such emotions in the players of both teams.  Despite the sadness felt amongst the Big U, the fans seemed to enjoy themselves and the Shockers went home with not only the title of champions but also a nice mug to commemorate their efforts and teamwork.  I am confident they put their mug to good use after the game!  Congratulations, Shockers!

Appropriate Etiquette at the Fitness Centre

After a warm, relaxing and indulgent week spent in Mexico over reading break I was not looking forward to hitting the gym upon my return.  Within two days of being back in Montreal and in the midst of a serious case of beach withdrawal I decided to make my way over to the gym for a long overdue workout.  Seeing as students had already gone on vacation I figured the pre-reading week congestion at the gym would have subsided, however, I was very mistaken.  The gym was just as busy as it had been before reading week. 

It was while I was waiting twenty minutes for a treadmill that I found myself extremely frustrated with not only the wait times for machines at the gym but also the behavior of my fellow gym goers.  Although the gym can be very busy at times I truly believe that if people practiced more suitable gym etiquette, things at the Fitness Centre might run a tad smoother.

First and foremost, the Fitness Centre provides laminated scheduling sheets for each and every cardio machine.  This is to ensure that everyone is able to access the machines fairly.  Notwithstanding the existence of these sheets, I witness countless episodes of people awkwardly and sometimes not so awkwardly interrupting someone’s workout because they’re signed up for a machine that someone else is using.  Signing up for a treadmill or elliptical takes less than a minute and can save you from having your workout interrupted.  Most importantly, if you are not signed up for the machine you’re using and are force to get off, do not simply go to the next available machine! Go and sign up so you don’t have to get kicked off for a second time! 

Secondly, the Fitness Centre is not a meeting place for people to socialize.  I am certainly not suggesting that people cannot speak to each other but that twenty-minute conversation with someone in front of the treadmill I’m using is extremely distracting and unnecessary.  So many people feel uncomfortable coming to the gym as it is and certainly do not need a stranger standing right in front of them for the entirety of their workout.  Furthermore, conversations in front of the water fountain, sets of weights, entrance or exit is not acceptable! Most people want to get in and out of the gym as quickly as possible and groups of people conversing in every corner of the gym is distracting and often bothersome. 

Lastly, a small list of less serious, but nonetheless distracting tendencies gym goers should consider ditching: talking on your cell phone, “forgetting” to wipe down the machine you just used, neglecting to put back your stretching mat and/or weights, bouncing the large exercise balls as if they were a basketballs and simply failing to remember that the McGill Fitness Centre does not only belong to you, but also to the thirty-two thousand other students at McGill!

Step Up, Step Down, and Move it All Around!

This week’s pay-as-you-go mission: Monday night step class at the gym.  Since my friends had neglected their promises to accompany me at the last three pay-as-you-go classes I had attended, I didn’t even bother to ask them this time.  Besides, as far as I am concerned, I am turning into quite the pay-as-you-go fitness princess and no longer need a familiar face by my side while trying out something new.  And to be honest, the idea of a step class wasn’t that intimidating- over the course of my life I have participated in similar classes or videos (circa Jane Fonda in the 1980s, anyone?) and felt confident that tonight’s class wouldn’t be as traumatic as some of my other experiences.

The step class took place in the gym’s Aerobics room, meaning that once again, people passing by the big glass windows had full visibility of everyone participating in the class.  Lucky for me, I arrived early enough to secure myself a spot against the left side of the room by the wall where I could remain unseen by most passer-bys.

As expected, the equipment required for this class was the elevated platform routinely used in a step class, and risers were available as an option depending on how challenging you want the class to be.  Seeing as I will be donning a bikini in two shorts week on my vacation in Mexico, I decided to take the risers for the extra challenge.  As soon as everyone had their platforms and risers set up, the instructor, an incredibly enthusiastic, middle-aged blond woman, began to lead a warm-up.  The warm-up, accompanied by a song straight out of the 90s, consisted of some basic aerobic steps and a variety of stretches.

From prior experiences, I have learned that aerobic classes can be one of two things; they can either be more like a dance class with short dance-like sequences or a class more geared towards high energy punches and kicks.  This step class was definitely closer to the former.  As I mentioned in my Zumba post, I’m not that great of a dancer and I found myself spending more time trying to nail down a lot of the steps in this class than actually getting a workout.  My frustrations were high but my heart rate- not so much.  Notwithstanding my experience, everyone else in the class (all girls) seemed to be really enjoying themselves.  The mood was light, the music upbeat and the instructor could not have been more outgoing or friendly.  If I’m ever feeling sluggish on a Monday and not in the mood for a routine run on the treadmill, I will definitely consider returning to the gym’s Monday evening step class.   

Spinning Class: No Ride in the Park!

In keeping up with my goal to try out all the “pay-as-you-go” classes McGill Athletics has to offer this semester, I decided to test out the waters of a spinning class yesterday evening.  Spinning, similar to Zumba last week, was a workout I had yet to experience.  Biking has never been my favorite pastime or means of exercising, but I had heard great reviews about spinning as a workout from friends, so I figured I might as well try it out at least once.

Not surprisingly, the friends who had promised to tag along bailed on me at the last minute and I found myself once again trying something for the first time all on my own.  Luckily I was feeling very optimistic and thankful that it wasn’t a dance class; the likelihood of me embarrassing myself was much smaller than it was last week.

When I got to the spinning room the instructor and around a dozen other people were already setting up their bikes.  Unlike the Zumba class, there were already some males who had shown up, looking ever-so intense and experienced as they adjusted their seats and handle bars on their bikes.  It was at this moment when my optimism for the class was quickly replaced with skepticism- I had absolutely no clue how to adjust my seat or handle bars on the bike, let alone to what position.  It must have been obvious that I was completely clueless and new to the class, because the instructor, a very fit, young and blonde girl, came over to assist me.  She asked me if this was my first time at a spin class and I did not hesitate to admit that yes, it was my first time spinning.  She enlightened me on how and where to adjust the seat and handlebars of the bike, and within minutes I was on the bike, with my feet tightly fastened into the paddle straps, ready to spin.

The total workout was just over forty-five minutes long, however it felt as if it went on for hours.  After the first song I was already drenched in sweat and completely out of breath.  The way spinning works is that there are four positions you take- sitting, squatting, sprinting or standing.  I found each position challenging and the more tension you added (by turning the tension wheel one spin around or backwards at the discretion of the instructor) the harder pedaling became.  Sprinting with added tension was definitely not my strong suit, however, I managed to somewhat successfully tackle the standing position.  The squatting position is one to which I hope to never return.  The pain that position brought me is indescribable.  Had my mother been there I probably would have removed myself from the bike and run into her arms for comfort- it was that bad.

When the class was finally over and I stepped off the bike, my legs were shaking to the point that I didn’t know whether or not I could walk.  I consider myself a rather fit individual but this class literally took everything out of me.  Walking up to the stairs to the girls change room was unbearable and I could not stop sweating.  When I got home to my apartment the only thing I could do was lie on my bed.  Notwithstanding the fact that when I woke up this morning my legs hurt even more than they did after the class ended, I’m also positive that the spin class will become routine on my Friday evenings.  Friends have told me that spinning becomes a little bit easier each time you go and I am hoping that this is true. 

Zumba, Zumba!

This morning I put the dancing skills I have never had to test at the fitness class Zumba, offered as a one of the drop-in fitness classes at McGill.  A huge part of me did not want to go to this class.  Not only am I a terrible dancer but I was forced to go to the class on my own since all my friends were snuggled up in their beds after a night out in the cold at Igloo-Fest.  Despite the fact that I consider myself quite independent and adventurous, when it comes time to trying something new and out of my comfort zone I would much rather do so with a familiar face by my side.  Nevertheless, I sucked it up, made my way up the hill to the gym, and put on my running shoes, anxiously anticipating and dreading the unexpected.

When I got down to the Aerobics room I was relieved to see no one I knew.  I was a bit early so lucky for me, my awkwardness immediately kicked into high gear as I stood in the corner trying to come across as the girl who wasn’t there for her first time or alone. As more girls showed up the instructor signaled for everyone to choose a spot on the floor.  I strategically went as close to the far wall as possible, nowhere near the front or back- drawing attention to myself was the last thing I wanted to do.  The music started with an upbeat exotic-sounding song, and the instructor led our warm-up, which consisted of fairly simple steps.  I tried not to get too excited over the simplicity of the steps because I knew as soon as the song was over the instructor would be switching into a high-intensity Zumba mode.

If I was not determined to master the steps of Zumba I was determined to give off the impression to others that I at least knew what I was doing.  As we started into the first song after the warm-up, I soon realized how ambitious I was being.  It’s not that the steps were extremely challenging, but as soon as I got the hang of some of steps after a few tries, our instructor would start into a new routine. I was relieved however, when I looked around and saw that almost every other girl there was equally if not more confused and uncoordinated as I was.

As far as steps go, the class included a lot of booty shaking, twirling of the hips, fist pumping and clapping.  As soon as I started to get the hang of the steps a bit more I found that I was actually enjoying myself!  And the more I was able to nail down the moves, the more of a workout the class became.  Within twenty minutes I had worked up quite a sweat and needed some water.  The instructor was extremely encouraging and made my first Zumba experience not only less intimidating than I had originally expected, but also a lot of fun! Not one girl in the room didn’t have a smile on her face and giggling could be heard from all directions as girls tripped over their own feet or bumped into one another.  What started off as a very nerve-racking experience ended up being a very enjoyable time.  I am determined to return to Zumba next week to master some of the steps, and this time I am definitely bringing along some friends.

Shoot for the Cure!

Last Thursday night, members of McGill’s women’s basketball team laced up their kicks and swapped their traditional red and white jerseys for flashy cotton candy pink and white uniforms to take on the Concordia Stingers at the annual “Shoot For the Cure” double header game in McGill’s gym. 

Despite the fact that basketball happens to be one of my favorite sports, not only to play but also to watch, this was my first time attending a basketball game at McGill.  I showed up to the game excited to support a fundraiser for breast cancer and to reconnect with a sport that once my occupied a significant amount of my time back in high school.  And to be perfectly honest, I was definitely looking forward to enjoying my first hot dog of the year from the concession stand at the gym.  So with my hot dog in hand, and my newly purchased pink ribbon pinned to my sweater, my friends and I found a seat in the middle of the stands surrounded by some familiar and unfamiliar faces.  The Martlets weren’t the only ones dressed for the cause.  Many female fans were wearing pink shirts or sweaters and men jazzed up their customary dull suits with pink ties.

The game got off to a quick start with the Martlets throwing up six points in a row to take an early lead against the Stingers.  As I watched the energetic Martlets run up and down the court, I couldn’t help but notice how chic the girls looked in their pink uniforms next to the Stingers in their boring black uniforms with only a hint of red and gold.  I felt quite empowered by the players while although donning their overly feminine outfits were also kicking some serious butt on the court, showing the Stingers they weren’t about to get beat on their home court.

The excitement and pace of the game persisted even as the girls rested for a time-out or at the end of each quarter with regular performances given by McGill’s cheerleading squad. During half time an exceptional and heartwarming number performed by McGill’s very own Tonal Ecstasy entertained the crowd.  As the game continued, more McGill fans showed up, creating a Valentine’s Day effect amongst the crowd, some wearing red and white, others wearing pink.  Although the Martlets held the lead for the entire game, the last ten seconds were as exciting as a championship game.  The Martlets not only scored themselves another win for their undefeated season, they also raised breast cancer awareness, and they did so in style.