You Can Say that Again

�Every year we�re optimistic. The difference is that this year we�ve gone from optimism to confidence. �

-Adisa Chaney,

Junior tailback, On the football team�s mindset going into this season under new head coach Jeff Ramsey.

Saturday at 10 a.m.They set, they spike, they score. Check out all the action this weekend in Phillips. Complete listing of games and times available at Phillips Gymnasium.

What attracted you to Oberlin?
Oberlin is similar to my alma mater [UC Davis] with a strong academic reputation which gives me the chance to coach intelligent young men. We chose Oberlin to be our home because I wanted to help both the College and the community.

Given the transition between coaches, how has recruiting been going this year?
I got in after the admission deadline so it was tough. We�re recruiting for next year now so we�re just trying to get out and spread the word.

What strengths does our team have?
Their strengths lie in their hunger and enthusiasm to gain success on the field.

One hole in the team last year was the defensive line. We understand there have been improvements. Would you liken this year�s line to the �78-�79 Steelers or the �84 Bears?
The �84 Bears � lots of young guys who want success and are hungry.

We know this is a rebuilding year, but do you have an estimate on when we�ll hit, say, .500?
[When we get] a squad size of over 60. If we can recruit 40 players next year, we�ll win our division by the end of the third year.

Whatever happened to that kickoff team you were advertising about last year?
I�d still love to do it. [No applicants] have come through. I�m still looking to gain more student involvement.

What stands out most in your personal football history?
Former players who call me � to know that they�re doing well in their personal and athletic life. Playing in two championships is nothing compared to hearing from former players and knowing that they are well.

We understand you have a young son...
Two.

Two young sons? Is it easy to make the transition from working with large, sweaty males, and caring for two young sons?
It�s great being a dad, it�s like being a kid again.

Now, the cultural reference portion: The Longest Yard or North Dallas 40?
North Dallas 40. The Longest Yard is just one long Burt Reynolds cliche.

What did you think of the new �Star Wars� movie?
I haven�t seen it [raucous applause from sports editors]. I saw the first one back in the theater and saw the other two on tape and it wasn�t the same.

This Week's Events

Football

Saturday, September 4 at Swarthmore, 1:30 p.m.

Saturday, September 11 vs. Thiel, 1:30 p.m.

Saturday, September 18 vs. Earlham College, 1:30 p.m.

Satuday, September 25 vs. Pomona-Pitzer, 12:30 p.m.

Cross Country

Today at Wooster 6:30 p.m.

Women's Soccer

Today vs. Wooster, 11 a.m.

Sunday vs. Case Western Reserve, 1 p.m.

Thursday, Sept. 9 vs. John Carroll, 4:30 p.m.

Saturday, Sept. 11 at Thiel, 12 p.m.

Sunday, Sept. 12 vs. Alma, 1 p.m.

Men's Soccer

Saturday at Mount Union, 6 p.m.

Wednesday, Sept. 8 vs. Heidelberg, 4:30 p.m.

Saturday, Sept. 11 vs. Defiance, 3 p.m.

Wednesday, Sept. 15 vs. Kenyon, 4:30 p.m.

Field Hockey

Saturday vs. Wittenberg, 2 p.m.

Tuesday, Sept. 7 at Ohio Wesleeyan, 4:30 p.m.

Saturday. Sept. 11 vs. Earlham, 1 p.m.

Sunday, Sept. 12 Depauw at Wooster, 11 p.m.

Wednesday, Sept. 15 at Wooster, 4:30 p.m.

Volleyball

Today and Tomorrow- Oberlin Invitational, 5 and 7 p.m.

Wednesday, Sept. 8 at John Carroll, 6:30 p.m.

Tuesday, Sept. 14 vs. Ohio Northern, 6:30 p.m.

What are they talking about?

This is a new addition to the �Sports Shorts� page. We know that some of our readers are not completely clear on the language and terms used in various sports, so we�ve created this weekly column to clue you in on what exactly our writers are talking about. And if you�ve been waiting for an explanation of a term we haven�t covered yet, call or email and we�ll try and get you in the know ASAP.

This week...

�Bump, Set, Spike�

Sport: Volleyball

What it means: These are the three main techniques a team will use following a serve to try and return the ball to the other side of the net. The �bump� occurs when a player clasps her hands and extends her arms straight out from her body, then bumps the ball off her forearms towards the net. Before the ball drops too low, a player close to the net �sets� the ball by tapping it straight into the air off her fingers. When the ball falls back to just above the net, another player jumps and slams or �spikes� the ball downward with an open palm trying to rocket it past the opposing team.