Reported by: Kayla Murphy
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Linda Cohn Earns a Sub at the Oswego Sub Shop
OSWEGO, N.Y. – Linda Cohn, the Oswego alumnus and sportscaster celebrated her 5,000 episode on ESPN’s SportsCenter on Sunday. Cohn became the first SportsCenter anchor to reach such a mark. Cohn has been a trailblazer for women in sports, but there was still one goal she longed for. Getting a sub named after her at the famed Oswego Sub Shop.
The staple in downtown Oswego is one of the most exclusive clubs for Oswego alumni like Cohn. From Al Roker to Steve Levy, the Oswego Sub Shop is where SUNY Oswego graduates come to be enshrined, in a sandwich.
When skimming the menu, Cohn’s name was nowhere to be seen, but one fan and fellow alumnus is looking to change that.
“She was like, actually I haven’t reached that celebrity status yet because I don’t have a sub at the Oswego sub shop,” said Paul Esden.
Esden, a producer at ESPN radio in Syracuse, N.Y. spoke to Cohn and started the trending topic.
Paul said, “I made the hash tag, I made the meme, and I was like let’s just see what happens. Cohn’s hash tag #GetCohnASub, has Oswego alumni rallying around her and the sub shop making plans.
“We’d definitely get her input and design it accordingly,” said William Green, the once owner of the Oswego Sub Shop. He sold the family restaurant to his son just a few years back.
Green said, “I had no idea that she was that popular or did that many shows.”
He remembers when Al Roker and Steve Levy got their subs and hopes Cohn will be the same kind of ambassador, they’ve been.
“They never come in here asking for anything, they’re doing it just out of the gratitude and respect of the sub shop,” said Green.
Odds are Cohn shouldn’t have to wait long. Green added, “I wouldn’t be surprised if we had a sub named after her, within the week.”
Cohn’s much-deserved sub is waiting. The Sub Shop even has a spot reserved. -
Oswego Swimmer Breaks Barriers
Tomas Rodriguez was born with a medical condition called Hydrocephalus, the condition means he was born with water in his brain. Rodriguez was treated with it since birth and has had six brain surgeries.
The Spain native held 16 Madrid records in 16 different events, even breaking those broke multiple times. He was also the national record holder in the 200 IM. Rodriguez said his greatest achievement didn’t come as a win, but for his effort.
“I also achieved, something I’m proud of… the bronze medal in the open body swim, that was huge for me.” Rodriguez said.
He moved to the United States in 2017 with his family. He’s been part of a club team in Florida, the U.S. Paralympic team and as of recently the Oswego State Lakers swim team.
Rodriguez trains with teammates without disabilities. His coach Michael Holman has positive things to say about him.
“He is far more put together and on top of managing his daily life and school and other activities than athletics, he more kids I deal with, he’s on top of it.” Coach Michael Holman says.
“So, what may seem to be my disability out of the water become my ability when I dive off the block/six brain surgeries didn’t change my life, you know swimming did.” Rodriguez said.
Rodriguez is training for the 2019 Can-Am Para-Swimming championships in Vancouver. He is also going to train with his club team in Florida, hoping for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.
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Oz Speaks: Taking a Knee opens discussion on racial inequality
Written by Stefanie Sciolaro and Abbey Buttacavoli
OSWEGO, N.Y.– Almost all 150 seats in SUNY Oswego’s Marano Campus Center auditorium were filled Wednesday for the first Oz Speaks event of the fall semester. The event was a panel discussion talking about 49ers starting quarterback Colin Kaepernick kneeling during the national anthem before a game last year. Oswego professor, Brian Moritz, moderated the panel which included SUNY Oswego professors, Bonita Hampton, Kenneth Marshall and ESPN Radio Syracuse’s Brent Axe.
Each panelist gave information on the historical roots involving racial inequality in America. In regards to Kaepernick taking a knee, Dr. Kenneth Marshall said, “about time. From 1619 to 1865 when lincoln signed the paper freeing black people. 3.5 million black people who worked for free, America had 246 years as a nation of oppression and approximately 152 years as a nation of liberation, so we are better at oppression than liberation, that’s who we are.”
Axe said that he has talked to people who feel that football Sunday is no time for political statements, but people react one of two ways. Either they immediately are angered, or they think that maybe it is something they should listen to.
Bonita Hampton said for students to educate themselves that that they can fight racial inequality in America.
Axe explained that Kaepernick had taken a knee before, and no one had noticed. However, once the cameras captured an image of him down on one knee, there was proof, and it took hold. Axe concluding by telling the audience to “never underestimate the power of a powerful image.”
Other Oz Speaks topics this semester include freedom of speech and social awareness. Dates are still being determined.
