The big return of a big green tradition
721 days. That’s how many days the Skidmore community waited for one of its favorite traditions, the Big Green Scream, to return. This year, it was back and, emphatically, better than ever.
The tradition
The Big Green Scream (BGS) is part pep rally, part senior day, part campus-wide celebration of Skidmore Athletics. It’s also an opportunity to gather — an occurrence especially cherished now — as boisterous, proud sports fans cheering for classmates and neighbors. On BGS day, we’re all Thoroughbreds.
The traditional doubleheader, traditionally held in February, features a men’s and women’s basketball game and a showcase of talented student performers for halftime shows. The 2021 event was called off as part of COVID-19 precautions.
But, in what felt like a big green homecoming, the BGS made its triumphant return to campus on Feb. 5 with some of the most exciting basketball Thoroughbred fans have ever seen.
“I’m a junior and never had the chance to go before,” said Aaron Shellow-Lavine '23. “It was so nice to be a part of this return and finally experience the tradition.”
The games
More than 1,700 Skidmore community members and devoted college fans filled the Williamson Sports Center – vaccinated, boosted, and wearing the required KN95 masks – to witness the Thoroughbred men’s and women’s teams face off against the Ithaca College Bombers.
The men and women entered their respective games sizzling, riding winning streaks in their hunt to the playoff and both vying for the right to host the first-round game of the upcoming Liberty League Tournament.
The occasion also marked Senior Day for Clare Driscoll ’22, Toyin Koleoso ’22, Ty Lamport ’22 and Bobby Stratts ’22, who were all recognized in pre-game ceremonies.
For Stratts, who is also a member of the men’s soccer team, the BGS ranks near the top of his Skidmore memories list. Reflecting on his Senior Day moment, Stratts said, “moving to center court with Coach Burke in front of a packed Williamson Sports Center is something I will hold onto forever.”
“To me, the Big Green Scream is basically a rite of passage in the Skidmore basketball community,” Stratts said. “The atmosphere was electric, the stands were packed, and all players were extremely excited to play in front of the crowd. It was something Skidmore basketball and the whole community deserved.”
“The Big Green Scream felt like a dream. I never thought that I would be given the chance to play a game in front of my friends and family due to COVID. I was so happy to spend my last home game with all of my supporters and teammates.”Clare Driscoll '22Forward, Women's Basketball
The Skidmore women rallied from an early deficit to take a halftime lead over the second place Ithaca squad. The Bombers barged forward to win 71-60, but not without a fight. Driscoll’s last hurrah as a senior on her home turf included 16 points and eight rebounds.
The Skidmore and Ithaca men put on a spectacular show with a triple-overtime thriller. Ithaca took home the win 101-99, but the back-and-forth affair featured 20 lead changes and 13 ties. Lamport also shined in his final act at home with 22 points. The Thoroughbreds nearly sent it to a fourth overtime, but the would-be tying shot rimmed out as the clock expired.
The SPIRIT
In the end, as fans dispersed and friends from the stands went down to celebrate friends on the court, you never would have known the scoreboard showed two losses. Rather, all that mattered was that the Big Green Scream was back, and a two-year hiatus had done absolutely nothing to damper the Thoroughbred spirit.
