Published: 7/20/2018 2:15:33 PM
Modified: 7/20/2018 11:51:09 PM
Bradford, Vt. — The Oxbow High School and River Bend Career and Technical Center School Board intends to fight efforts by the United States Olympic Committee to force Oxbow High to give up its Olympian identity.
The board decided in a meeting on Thursday night in the Oxbow High library to seek legal counsel with the intent of keeping the nickname by which Oxbow student-athletes have been identified since the school opened in 1971. The USOC sent a letter to Oxbow Principal Jean Wheeler last month demanding the school drop the nickname, which the organization considers an infringement of exclusive rights granted to the Colorado Springs, Colo.-based group by an act of Congress in 1978. The USOC wants Oxbow to eliminate the name by next June; it is willing to wait until June 2023 for the school to replace protective wall pads in Mona Garone Gymnasium that bear the words “Oxbow Olympians.”
In an email on Friday, Orange East Supervisory Union Superintendent Emilie Knisley said the members of the School Board “do not want to change the mascot.” Knisley indicated she's seeking someone to take the case on a pro bono basis and is optimistic about confirming that situation soon.
The USOC contacted Oxbow in 2010 about removing an adapted five-rings logo employed on football helmets. School officials at the time consented but asked to retain the Olympians nickname.
— Greg Fennell
NECBLNighthawks 6, SteepleCats 4
North Adams, Mass. — Ty Adcock’s eighth-inning double scored Matt Tarabek to snap a 4-all tie and give Upper Valley (19-16) the win over North Adams (12-22).
The Nighthawks remain two games behind Sanford and Keene for one of the NECBL Northern Division’s two wild-card playoff berths.
Down 2-1, Upper Valley plated three runs in the seventh to take a 4-2 lead, highlighted by Christopher Berry’s two-run double.
The SteepleCats tied the score in the bottom of the frame on three hits and an error against Nighthawks pitcher and Hartford High graduate Jordy Allard, who nonetheless earned his first win of the season after Upper Valley’s eighth-inning rally off Alex Simon (0-1), who was making his debut for North Adams.
Nighthawks starter Levi Thomas allowed five hits and two runs in six innings, while striking out eight and walking two. Adcock, Berry and Austin Wilhite had two hits apiece for Upper Valley.
The Nighthawks greet Sanford tonight, at the Maxfield Sports Complex, with Cole Stetzar (1-1, 2.18 ERA) making his fifth start of the season for Upper Valley.
Men’s HockeyKalk Joins Solar Bears
Orlando, Fla. — Recent Dartmouth College graduate and Big Green alternate captain Corey Kalk signed with the ECHL’s Orlando Solar Bears, the team announced on Thursday afternoon.
Kalk completed his Dartmouth career last winter, seeing action in 117 games and amassing 33 goals and 37 assists. As a senior, Kalk was third on the team in scoring with 21 points on eight goals and 13 helpers.
Orlando has been the ECHL affiliate of Kalk’s hometown Toronto Maple Leafs the past five years. The Solar Bears will be allied with an as-yet-to-be-determined NHL franchise this season.