

Bela Kirpalani, Sports Editor
All content by Bela Kirpalani


Bela Kirpalani
Bela Kirpalani
• May 8, 2020


























How Can Athletes Trust USA Gymnastics?
Following multiple abuse scandals and a lack of transparency, the sport’s national authority has failed to prove that it will protect its gymnasts.
Bela Kirpalani, Editor-at-Large
• May 4, 2020


























These Sports Stories Should Have Their Own Documentaries
After all the buzz for “The Last Dance,” it’s time for new documentaries starring women athletes.
Bela Kirpalani, Editor-at-Large
• Apr 27, 2020


























The Best Soccer Celebrations, Ranked
Bela Kirpalani, Editor-at-Large
• Apr 6, 2020


























A Reflection on Lost Endings
Following cancellations and postponements in sports and everything else, the perfect ending has been taken away from so many athletes, coaches and fans alike. All that we’re left with are questions of ‘What if?’
Bela Kirpalani, Editor-at-Large
• Mar 30, 2020


‘Tanking to the Top’ Author Yaron Weitzman Talks the Philadelphia 76ers and the Process
NBA writer and author Yaron Weitzman talked with WSN about his new book, “Tanking to the Top,” a riveting insider’s look at the Philadelphia 76ers organization and the implementation of “the Process.”
Bela Kirpalani, Editor-at-Large
• Mar 26, 2020


























Let Me Tell You About Your Favorite Pro Athletes
While some people have spent their time at home bettering themselves, Sports Girl has been watching every single one of GQ’s “10 Essentials” videos. Spoiler: JJ Redick eats a lot of beets. Like a LOT of beets.
Bela Kirpalani, Editor-at-Large
• Mar 23, 2020


























The National Women’s Soccer League Still Has Work to Do
During a busy off-season period, the National Women’s Soccer League has taken big steps to increase its brand and better market its game. However, issues like player salary and maternity leave still loom large ahead of the league’s eighth season.
Bela Kirpalani, Editor-at-Large
• Mar 9, 2020


























Is This the End of Smart Sports Commentary?
The cancellation of ESPN’s smartest television show, “High Noon,” is just the most recent example of a shift away from nuanced discussions about the intersection of sports, politics, race and culture.
Bela Kirpalani, Editor-at-Large
• Mar 2, 2020


























Manchester City’s Greed Made Them Invincible — Until It Didn’t
After Manchester City won four Premier League titles from 2012 to 2019, the team was dealt a two-year ban from Europe’s top competition. Now, one of Europe’s richest clubs is facing a crisis.
Bela Kirpalani, Editor-at-Large
• Feb 24, 2020





NBA All-Star Weekend Is Fun
Some thoughts on the All-Star Weekend.
Bela Kirpalani, Editor-at-Large
• Feb 18, 2020


























The Return of the XFL Highlights the Lack of Support for Women’s Sports
The XFL is back after it failed nearly 20 years ago and lost $70 million — this time it has the financial backing of WWE CEO and chairman Vince McMahon. Meanwhile, the WNBA, NWSL and NWHL have received little support from investors and the media since their individual inceptions.
Bela Kirpalani, Editor-at-Large
• Feb 10, 2020





The USWNT Is Simply Too Good
The U.S. cruised through Olympic qualifying despite playing far from its best. As we look ahead to the SheBelieves Cup and beyond, how will the team stack up under its new manager?
Bela Kirpalani, Editor-at-Large
• Feb 3, 2020





The Olympics’ Ban of Protests Is Hypocritical and Unfair
The International Olympics Committee is asking to remain a politically neutral stage. Aside from infringing upon the free speech rights of its competing athletes, the move also ignores the political history of the competition.
Bela Kirpalani, Editor-at-Large
• Jan 27, 2020


After 24 Years, NYU Athletic Director Will Step Down
Christopher Bledsoe will continue in his role until Aug. 31, 2020. During his tenure, NYU won three national championships and 37 conference championships.
Bela Kirpalani, Sports Editor
• Dec 13, 2019


























Monday Musings: On Colin Kaepernick, Harden’s Heroics and the Internet’s Favorite NBA Player
Our sports editor tackles what is happening — or rather, not happening — with Colin Kaepernick and the NFL, the conundrum that is James Harden and Alex Caruso, the Lakers’ cult hero.
Bela Kirpalani, Sports Editor
• Dec 2, 2019


Staff Rants and Raves: Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving is a divisive holiday, to say the least. Here’s what our staff has to say about it.
Alexandria Johnson, Mandie Montes, Ethan Zack, Sam Klein, Bela Kirpalani, and Abby Hofstetter
• Nov 27, 2019





Didn’t See That Coming! Three Shockers in the NBA
One month into the 2019-20 NBA season, our sports editor gives her opinions on the league’s biggest surprises so far.
Bela Kirpalani, Sports Editor
• Nov 24, 2019


























Monday Musings: On Melo’s Return, the Spurs’ Coaching Dilemma and Lamar Jackson
This week, our sports editor muses about Carmelo Anthony’s long-awaited return to the NBA, Gregg Popovich’s successor and Lamar Jackson’s case for MVP.
Bela Kirpalani, Sports Editor
• Nov 18, 2019


‘Man, I’m Going to Be a Meme’: The Story Behind the NYU Swimmer That Went Viral for His Workout
After NYU Strength and Conditioning posted a video of NYU swimmer Nathan Huot doing an odd-looking exercise, it was picked up and made viral by popular Instagram accounts like Complex and Barstool Sports.
Bela Kirpalani, Sports Editor
• Nov 15, 2019


























Monday Musings: On the Ducks, NBA Kicks and the Knicks’ French Connection
This week, our sports editor writes about the legendary Sabrina Ionescu, her favorite basketball kicks and the Knicks’ best option at point guard.
Bela Kirpalani, Sports Editor
• Nov 11, 2019


Staff Rants and Raves: NYU Facilities
NYU owns a lot of property, from residence halls with no heat to libraries that block out the sun to dining halls that can’t pass inspections. Read what our staff has to say about NYU’s campus.
Bela Kirpalani, Victor Porcelli, Anna-Dmitry Muratova, Sam Klein, Bella Gil, Ishaan Parmar, and Alexandria Johnson
• Nov 8, 2019


Battling Rain and Wind, NYU Quidditch Crowned Regional Champs for First Time
NYU is now the No. 1 ranked college quidditch team in the country.
Bela Kirpalani, Sports Editor
• Nov 4, 2019


NYU Students Conquer New York City Marathon
Over 50,000 people run the New York City Marathon every year. These are the stories of four NYU students who took part on Sunday.
Bela Kirpalani, Sports Editor
• Nov 4, 2019


























Monday Musings: On Fantasy Football, Baseball and the Knicks
In the latest edition of The Sports Girl, our sports editor riffs on assorted topics.
Bela Kirpalani, Sports Editor
• Oct 28, 2019


Staff Rants and Raves: Twitter
Twitter: Where memes come to life, where movements come to fruition, and where presidents come to rant. Hear what our staff has to say on what might be both the most multifaceted and divisive form of social media.
Ethan Zack, Calais Watkins, Ishaan Parmar, Mandie Montes, Anna-Dmitry Muratova, and Bela Kirpalani
• Oct 24, 2019


























The Sports Curse: Fact or Fiction?
It’s spooky season, kiddos.
Bela Kirpalani, Sports Editor
• Oct 15, 2019


Staff Rants: NYU Housing
Palladium might have a failing dining hall, but it’s not the only residence hall that has issues.
Calais Watkins, Ronni Husmann, Ishaan Parmar, Melanie Pineda, Anna-Dmitry Muratova, Sam Klein, Alexandria Johnson, and Bela Kirpalani
• Oct 9, 2019


























This Is the WNBA’s Moment
As the 23rd WNBA season winds down, it’s the perfect time to examine how the league can build off its success and better itself for the future.
Bela Kirpalani, Sports Editor
• Oct 7, 2019


NYU Hockey Opens Quest for Redemption With Win
The Violets started off their season with a 5-2 win over William Paterson University on Friday night.
Bela Kirpalani, Sports Editor
• Oct 7, 2019


Staff Rants and Raves: Sports
See what our staff has to say about one of NYU’s least favorite things.
Abby Hofstetter, Bela Kirpalani, and Benjamin Michael Davis
• Oct 2, 2019




Ultimate Goal of Frisbee: Find Family
The Violet Femmes, NYU’s club women’s frisbee team, have established a community of amateur and experienced players who love the sport and each other.
Bela Kirpalani, Sports Editor
• Sep 30, 2019


























The Field as a Happy Place
For many, sports are just about having fun. And that can be really important.
Bela Kirpalani, Sports Editor
• Sep 23, 2019


Staff Rants and Raves: NYU Dining
Lots of things related to food at NYU have changed recently. Hear what our staff has to say about it.
Alexandria Johnson, Bela Kirpalani, Sam Klein, and Abby Hofstetter
• Sep 19, 2019


























Concussions Are Not Just a Football Problem
Too often, the conversations around head injuries and CTE are rooted in football, but the reality is that athletes in sports like soccer and surfing are just as susceptible — and more often overlooked.
Bela Kirpalani, Sports Editor
• Sep 16, 2019


Staff Rants & Raves: Welcome Week Edition
Welcome Week might technically be over, but it lives on forever in the hearts of our staff. Here’s why.
Sam Brinton, Ethan Zack, Anna-Dmitry Muratova, Alexandria Johnson, Bela Kirpalani, and Diya Jain
• Sep 5, 2019


2019 Fall Sports Preview
Bela Kirpalani and Alana Beyer
• Sep 4, 2019


NYU Predicts: NFL Edition
With the 2019 NFL season on the horizon, we asked NYU students to give us their predictions and hot takes.
Bela Kirpalani, Sports Editor
• Sep 3, 2019


























Male Athletes Are Still Stuck in the Closet
Male sports culture in the U.S. is problematic and doesn’t allow athletes to fully express themselves on and off the field.
Bela Kirpalani, Sports Editor
• Sep 3, 2019


























The Problem With Kobe Bryant’s Support of Women’s Sports
Why do female athletes and leagues like the WNBA continue to prop up men with questionable pasts?
Bela Kirpalani, Sports Editor
• Aug 24, 2019


Former USWNT Goalkeeper Prepares for Fifth Season Coaching at NYU
NYU men’s soccer head coach Kim Wyant, who was a member of the first United States women’s national soccer team, reflects on her journey as she prepares to lead NYU back to the NCAA tournament.
Bela Kirpalani, Sports Editor
• Aug 24, 2019


























Don’t Punish Female Athletes for Being Too Good
The case against Caster Semenya is discriminatory and highlights the need for a deeper understanding of gender in the rule-driven world of sports.
Bela Kirpalani, Deputy Managing Editor
• May 6, 2019


Forget Hogwarts — NYU Quidditch Is Flying High
The NYU Quidditch team finished in fourth place, its best-ever performance, at the U.S. Quidditch Cup 12 last weekend.
Bela Kirpalani, Deputy Managing Editor
• Apr 22, 2019


























The WNBA’s MVP Is Out for the Season. Now What?
Reigning WNBA MVP and Finals MVP Breanna Stewart’s injury before the start of the WNBA season highlights an underlying problem with the league’s business model.
Bela Kirpalani, Deputy Managing Editor
• Apr 22, 2019


























Avenatti’s Not the Story. Nike Is.
Nike and other sports apparel companies have long been engaged in some pretty sketchy behavior surrounding high school athletes and the college recruitment process.
Bela Kirpalani, Deputy Managing Editor
• Apr 15, 2019


























Despite Its POC Star Players, Sports Has a Race Problem
The racial abuse suffered by black Italian soccer player Moise Kean last week is just the latest example of the enduring history of racism in sports.
Bela Kirpalani, Deputy Managing Editor
• Apr 8, 2019


























To Pay or Not to Pay College Athletes
Why the issue of paying college athletes is more complicated than it seems.
Bela Kirpalani, Deputy Managing Editor
• Mar 31, 2019


Community Reflects on NYU Hall of Famer Cal Ramsey’s Passing
Larger-than-life New York City basketball great Cal Ramsey passed away on Monday.
Bela Kirpalani, Deputy Managing Editor
• Mar 27, 2019


























The Finish Line Is Further for Women
In the first edition of The Sports Girl column, our Deputy Managing Editor reflects on the accomplishments and coverage of women in sports.
Bela Kirpalani, Deputy Managing Editor
• Mar 25, 2019


Tom Feng | The Soft-Spoken Olympian
Bela Kirpalani, Deputy Managing Editor
• Mar 14, 2019


The MTA — and New Yorkers — Must Step Up
Deputy Managing Editor Bela Kirpalani discusses the problems with MTA in New York and why something needs to be done about them.
Bela Kirpalani, Deputy Managing Editor
• Mar 4, 2019


Hockey Closes out Season With Exciting Overtime Win
The NYU Ice Hockey team enjoyed an exciting end to the regular season, with President Andrew Hamilton and several members of the Board of Trustees in the stands on Friday night and a dramatic overtime win on Saturday night.
Bela Kirpalani, Deputy Managing Editor
• Mar 4, 2019


Staff Rants: Tech Edition
To quote Patrick from “Spongebob Squarepants”: we have technology! As the WSN staff will soon tell you, it’s an everyday part of our lives that ends up being more frustrating than not.
Sakshi Venkatraman, Pamela Jew, Bela Kirpalani, Melanie Pineda, and Yasmin Gulec
• Feb 28, 2019


Getting Creative in the Bedroom
They say you shouldn’t mix work and home life, but for these students, that’s impossible. After all, their roommates are their collaborators.
Bela Kirpalani, Deputy Managing Editor
• Feb 21, 2019


Yes, NYU Has Cheerleaders
NYU cheerleaders put in a lot of work, between basketball games, national competitions and performances across the city.
Bela Kirpalani, Deputy Managing Editor
• Feb 19, 2019


The NFL Fails to Punish Violence
Examining the NFL's action with Kareem Hunt after a video of him physically abusing a woman was released by TMZ.
Bela Kirpalani, Contributing Writer
• Dec 3, 2018


Early Predictions: NBA Edition
Bela Kirpalani, Editor-at-Large
• Sep 24, 2018


Building That Home Away From Home
Bela Kirpalani, Editor-at-Large
• Sep 18, 2018


Weekly Sports Update: Sept. 2 to Sept. 8
Bela Kirpalani, Editor at Large
• Sep 10, 2018


Students Stand With Colin Kaepernick’s Nike Ad
Bela Kirpalani, Editor-at-Large
• Sep 10, 2018


For LBJ and CR7, It’s a New Era
Bela Kirpalani
• Jul 17, 2018


NYU Predicts: World Cup Final
Bela Kirpalani, Editor-at-Large
• Jul 14, 2018


2018 World Cup Predictions
Bela Kirpalani, Editor-at-Large
• Jun 10, 2018


NYU Tandon School of Engineering Commencement ’18
Bela Kirpalani, Deputy Sports Editor
• May 15, 2018


The Understated Importance of Team Managers
Bela Kirpalani, Deputy Sports Editor
• Apr 30, 2018


Weekly Sports Update: April 22 to April 29
Warner Radliff and Bela Kirpalani
• Apr 30, 2018


Weekly Sports Update: April 15 to April 22
Warner Radliff and Bela Kirpalani
• Apr 23, 2018


The Case for More Female Referees
Bela Kirpalani, Deputy Sports Editor
• Apr 23, 2018


New Hirings Lead Women’s Volleyball Revamp
Bela Kirpalani, Deputy Sports Editor
• Apr 16, 2018


The Hidden Injuries of Athletes
Bela Kirpalani, Deputy Sports Editor
• Apr 9, 2018


Weekly Sports Update: March 28 to April 1
Warner Radliff and Bela Kirpalani
• Apr 2, 2018


Diana King, Queen of the Softball Field
Bela Kirpalani, Deputy Sports Editor
• Apr 2, 2018


NYU Reacts: March Madness Final Predictions
Warner Radliff and Bela Kirpalani
• Apr 2, 2018


Video Assistant Referee in the 2018 FIFA World Cup
Bela Kirpalani, Deputy Sports Editor
• Mar 26, 2018


Meet Kayleigh Fournier, the Head Strength and Conditioning Coach at NYU
Bela Kirpalani, Deputy Sports Editor
• Mar 26, 2018


Catching Up With MLB Draftee CJ Picerni
Bela Kirpalani, Staff Writer
• Mar 19, 2018


Women’s Basketball Coach Earns 100th Win
Bela Kirpalani, Staff Writer
• Mar 5, 2018


Tisch Senior Reselected for US Wheelchair Basketball Team
Bela Kirpalani, Contributing Writer
• Feb 20, 2018


Tandon Athletes Endure Disproportionate Struggles
Bela Kirpalani, Contributing Writer
• Feb 12, 2018


Commentary: Buffon’s Last Game
Bela Kirpalani, Contributing Writer
• Nov 20, 2017


Tori Morales, Deputy Managing Editor • Mar 31, 2023




Mick Gaw, Staff Writer • Mar 31, 2023


Yezen Saadah, News Editor • Mar 31, 2023


Max Getty, Contributing Writer • Mar 31, 2023


Ania Keenan, Features Editor • Feb 6, 2023


Ania Keenan, Staff Writer • Nov 3, 2022