Senior Greg Ruzich Tells of his Experiences in Australia

Greg Ruzich at the top of Hall's Gap at the Grampians in Victoria, Australia

Thus far my experience in Australia has been everything but ordinary. The variety of events I've attended, difference in academic experience, and the sites I would never see in Iowa have all contributed to a semester to remember.

There have been plenty of events to go to while I've been here. I've dressed like the respected and dearly missed Steve Erwin at a "stereotypical Australia" themed event, been to barbies on the beach, spent evenings on the Yarra River in toga attire, and gone to concerts of bands composed of entirely Australian musicians. These different functions and events have certainly added to my experience here but it has been the people I have met at these places have made them truly enjoyable.

My school experience is nothing like that of Grinnell. The sheer size difference was, at first, almost overwhelming: switching from a campus with 1,800 students to one with over 40,000 definitely required some getting used to. The campus here at the University of Melbourne is beautiful but you don't get the same sort of close-knit community feel that you do at Grinnell. However, it has been great being able to take courses I wouldn't be able to at Grinnell like Human Physiology, and being able to learn about Australian culture like in my Sport and Education in Australia course. It has certainly been a different experience as my Physiology lecture seats 600 students. At Grinnell, the largest course I've taken had maybe 35 students. So the differences in my educational experience have definitely been striking.

All this has been great to experience but isn't necessarily unique to Australia. However because of the flexibility of the program I've been able travel to some of the more beautiful areas of the country.  I've seen Sydney's Opera House and Bondi Beach just outside of Sydney, I've rock climbed and hiked in the Grampians, and cliff jumped into the beautiful Port Phillip Bay. Also, the city of Melbourne where I am studying is stunning. The architecture is abstract and modern with one building even showing the face of an aboriginal man if viewed from the correct angle.

Overall, the land of the 'roo has certainly treated me well and I'm excited for what the rest of the semester has in store but I am excited to get back to the states, see my friends and family, and get my final season as a Grinnell College Pioneer football player underway.  #GCPride

Senior Fitness Testing a Success!

Pioneer Footballers Grant Koch, Kent Hoover, Jacob Beecher (bottom row), Carson Dunn, and Matt Medrano (second row)

Earlier this week a group of Grinnell Pioneer student-athletes traveled to St. Francis Manor to assist with the annual Senior Fitness Testing.  As part of an ongoing program, Grinnell's Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) has assisted with the Senior Fitness Testing for the past few years.  The testing gives people a baseline to ensure that they're keeping up with their health and fitness, and provides an opportunity for our student athletes to interact with the community.  I think all enjoyed their time together! 

Elijah is impressed!

My neighbor Jack Marcum has earned Robbie McCarty's endorsement

Two-Sport Athletes, Part 3

Earlier this winter we took a look at the impact our football players were having on the track team, but it's time to recognize the efforts some of our guys are having on other sports, golf and baseball in particular.

Pioneer wide receiver Zach McGriff showing off that sweet swing

Two springs ago the men's golf team finished in fourth place at the conference tournament.  They followed that up last spring with a fifth place finish.  Currently the Pioneers sit in first place in the conference, with a team scoring average of 312.5, five strokes in front of the second place team.  Part of the team success this year can be traced back to Pioneer wide receiver Zach McGriff '17.  McGriff currently sits at sixth place overall, with an impressive average score of 77.7.  In two weeks the Pioneers travel to Rockford, IL for the Midwest Conference Championship meet, played Aldean Country Club.  Good luck to Zach and the rest of the squad.

While the golf squad is experiencing a new level of success, it seems to be more of the same old thing for the baseball team.  Consistently in the top two in the Southern Division, the baseball team looks to lock up another top finish and to qualify for the Conference Championship Tournament once again.  With safety Jacob Beecher '16 out with an injury, this year's baseball roster contains only two football players.  Jacob Bernholtz '17 has seen action in three games this year, scoring two runs as a pinch runner.  Bernholtz was also a part-timer for the track and field team during the indoor season, proving that speed is a valuable asset in all sports. 

All-Conference punter Graham Fisher '16 is having an outstanding season this spring, as both a pitcher and a hitter.  Already highly regarded as one of the better pitchers in the Southern Division, Fisher has seen increased time in the field as a junior, and has now become one of the more feared hitters as well.  Fisher is second in the conference in batting average (.441), second in slugging percentage (.735), fourth in on base percentage (.506) and sixth in home runs (4).  Pretty impressive for anybody, let alone somebody labeled as a pitcher.  Keep up the good work, Fish! 

Scarlet and Give Back Day a Success

To close out the month of March, our Office of Development and Alumni Relations challenged Grinnellians with the Scarlet and Give Back Day.  As far as I know, this was the biggest one-day push for giving in our history.  Notable alumni Daniel ’77 and Patricia Jipp Finkelman ’80 were instrumental in the challenge, pledging a gift of $250 for each unique donor.  The College received gifts totaling $136,336.10, with a total matching gift from the Finkelman's of $717,250.  The one-day total was an amazing $853,586.10! 

The official release stated "the collective impact of yesterday's effort will help support our enduring commitment to financial accessibility, academic excellence, and student success after Grinnell."  Alumni were encouraged to give to either the General Fund or to a specific program or area of their choice.  I know many former Pioneers gave back to the football program, and we appreciate their support!

Thanks to all!  It's good to be a Pioneer!  #GCPride