
Bela Kirpalani, Sports Editor
All content by 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.
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.
April 27, 2020

The Best Soccer Celebrations, Ranked
April 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?’
March 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.”
March 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.
March 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.
March 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.
March 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.
February 24, 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.
February 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?
February 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.
January 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.
December 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.
December 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.
November 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.
November 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.
November 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.
November 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.
November 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.
November 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.
November 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.
November 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.
October 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.
October 24, 2019


Staff Rants: NYU Housing
Palladium might have a failing dining hall, but it’s not the only residence hall that has issues.
October 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.
October 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.
October 7, 2019

Staff Rants and Raves: Sports
See what our staff has to say about one of NYU’s least favorite things.
October 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.
September 30, 2019

The Field as a Happy Place
For many, sports are just about having fun. And that can be really important.
September 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.
September 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.
September 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.
September 5, 2019

2019 Fall Sports Preview
September 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.
September 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.
September 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?
August 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.
August 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.
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.
April 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.
April 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.
April 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.
April 8, 2019

To Pay or Not to Pay College Athletes
Why the issue of paying college athletes is more complicated than it seems.
March 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.
March 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.
March 25, 2019

Tom Feng | The Soft-Spoken Olympian
March 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.
March 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.
March 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.
February 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.
February 21, 2019

Yes, NYU Has Cheerleaders
NYU cheerleaders put in a lot of work, between basketball games, national competitions and performances across the city.
February 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.
December 3, 2018

Early Predictions: NBA Edition
September 24, 2018

Building That Home Away From Home
September 18, 2018

Weekly Sports Update: Women’s Soccer Team Breaks Goal Record
September 17, 2018

Weekly Sports Update: Sept. 2 to Sept. 8
September 10, 2018

Students Stand With Colin Kaepernick’s Nike Ad
September 10, 2018

For LBJ and CR7, It’s a New Era
July 17, 2018

NYU Predicts: World Cup Final
July 14, 2018

2018 World Cup Predictions
June 10, 2018

NYU Tandon School of Engineering Commencement ’18
May 15, 2018

The Understated Importance of Team Managers
April 30, 2018

Weekly Sports Update: April 22 to April 29
April 30, 2018

Weekly Sports Update: April 15 to April 22
April 23, 2018

The Case for More Female Referees
April 23, 2018

New Hirings Lead Women’s Volleyball Revamp
April 16, 2018

The Hidden Injuries of Athletes
April 9, 2018

Weekly Sports Update: March 28 to April 1
April 2, 2018

Diana King, Queen of the Softball Field
April 2, 2018

NYU Reacts: March Madness Final Predictions
April 2, 2018

Video Assistant Referee in the 2018 FIFA World Cup
March 26, 2018

Catching Up With MLB Draftee CJ Picerni
March 19, 2018

Women’s Basketball Coach Earns 100th Win
March 5, 2018

Tisch Senior Reselected for US Wheelchair Basketball Team
February 20, 2018

Tandon Athletes Endure Disproportionate Struggles
February 12, 2018

Commentary: Buffon’s Last Game
November 20, 2017

NYU Campus Safety officers speak out about their frustrations toward their leadership, and how an accreditation system and the university’s COVID-19 protocols have impacted their work.

Rachel Fadem, Features Editor • May 17, 2022
Disability rights activist Judith Heumann will speak about the importance of political action and advocacy during a combined graduation ceremony for the classes of 2020 and 2021 on May 18.

Jae Jin, Staff Writer • April 21, 2022
Frustrated with the Daily Screener, students are finding ways to avoid completing it.