![Kevin Ryu](https://nyunews.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/KevinRyu-900x900.jpg)
Kevin Ryu, Sports Editor
All content by Kevin Ryu
![The Bobcat has been NYU's mascot since the late 1980s. There are only two rules in mascoting — never speak when you are in the suit and do not take the suit off in public unless you are with your assistant. (Illustration by Alice La)](https://nyunews.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/image0-900x655.jpeg)
Meet the Students Behind the Mask
Here's an inside look into the lives of students who wear the Bobcat suit for NYU’s mascot team.
Kevin Ryu, Sports Editor
• September 27, 2020
![Heung-min Son is South Korea’s pride in the game of soccer, being the star forward of Tottenham Hotspurs. With the skills and traits of a top player, he challenges the Asian stereotype in the sport and so inspired numerous aspiring young talents. (Staff Illustration by Chelsea Li)](https://nyunews.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/sports-son-chelseali-900x675.png)
Why Heung-min Son Is My Favorite Player
I have watched Heung-min Son play for Tottenham Hotspurs for four years now. He has since become my favorite player.
Kevin Ryu, Sports Editor
• September 27, 2020
![NYU does not have a football team. NYU students discuss their predictions for the 2020 NFL season. (Staff Illustration by Deborah Alalade)](https://nyunews.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/football-900x593.png)
NYU Predicts: NFL Edition
With the start of the 2020 NFL season, NYU students give their predictions.
Kevin Ryu, Sports Editor
• September 20, 2020
![NYU Athletics are cancelled for the Fall. NYU senior athletes in Fall sports discuss how they have processed the canceled season. (Staff Illustration by Deborah Alalade)](https://nyunews.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/nyuatheltics2021-900x506.png)
The Bitterness of Leaving Unfinished Business Unfinished
How NYU senior athletes in fall sports are processing the canceled fall season.
Kevin Ryu, Sports Editor
• September 20, 2020
![(Staff Illustration by Chelsea Li)](https://nyunews.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/womensbball-chelseali-900x675.png)
The ‘96-’97 NYU Women’s Basketball Team Was Impossibly Good
Inside a season and a game that won NYU its first NCAA DIII championship.
Kevin Ryu, Sports Editor
• September 13, 2020
![A sport where people have seemingly forsaken creative play for optimal play is chess, after Deep Blue chess engine first defeated the chess world champion Grandmaster Garry Kasparov in 1996. Similarly, NBA audiences have raised concerns that sports are becoming increasingly homogenized as teams across sports push for an optimal style of play. (Staff Illustration by Deborah Alalade)](https://nyunews.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/sports9-13-900x604.png)
Is Creativity Dying in Sports?
As teams across sports push for an optimal style of play, people have raised concerns that sports are becoming increasingly homogenized. However, that does not mean there is no longer room for human ingenuity in sports.
Kevin Ryu, Sports Editor
• September 13, 2020
![(Staff Illustration by Debbie Alalade)](https://nyunews.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/IMG_9353-900x506.jpg)
Stuart Robinson Starts His Tenure as NYU’s Athletic Director
A New York City native brings two decades of experience and success to his new role.
Kevin Ryu, Sports Editor
• September 7, 2020
![Lionel Messi celebrating a goal against Granada CF for Barcelona back in October of 2014. Now, Messi and the club's current relationship remains uncertain after the player's request to leave was denied. (Image via Wikimedia, from L.F.Salas)](https://nyunews.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/messi-900x675.jpg)
Can Messi and Barcelona Achieve Their Perfect Goodbye?
By declining Lionel Messi’s request to leave, Barcelona has gambled both on Messi’s brilliance being enough to propel a comeback season and on having a chance at an amicable split with the soccer player.
Kevin Ryu, Sports Editor
• September 7, 2020
![NBA players strike to hold their organization and owners accountable for not taking a stand for social justice. The NBA’s lack of real action shows their progressive image is an empty promise. (Staff Illustration by Chelsea Li)](https://nyunews.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/sports-nbastrike-900x675.png)
The Reactive and Equivocal Politics of the NBA
The NBA promised to be at the forefront of movements for social justice. The NBA players’ strike is the latest reminder that their promise has not been backed with action.
Kevin Ryu, Sports Editor
• August 30, 2020
![Pictured is NYU’s Taekwondo team after practice at Palladium Gym. Athletes reflected on a premature end to their season and discussed their future plans for the sport. (Image courtesy of NYU Taekwondo Club Sport)](https://nyunews.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/tkdgroup-900x506.jpg)
Just For Kicks: NYU Taekwondo Team Discusses Their Season’s Premature Ending
With the cancellation of nationals, a temporary pause on their pursuit for a Division I promotion and even a false alarm coronavirus scare at a competition, the NYU Taekwondo team discuss their reactions to their season’s early end and reflect on their favorite memories of the season.
Kevin Ryu, Staff Writer
• April 26, 2020
![NYU's own competitive Quidditch Team reflects on the cancellation of their season. (Staff Illustration by Charlie Dodge)](https://nyunews.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Image-from-iOS-1-900x900.png)
NYU Quidditch Team Rides Out Their Season’s Premature End
Due to the outbreak of the coronavirus, the NYU Quidditch team will not be able to compete in nationals.
Kevin Ryu, Staff Writer
• April 19, 2020
![With the abrupt end to their athletic season, NYU athletes find creative ways to remain active at home. (Staff Illustration by Charlie Dodge)](https://nyunews.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Image-from-iOS-900x900.png)
NYU Athletes Discuss Their Quarantine Routines
In this article, NYU Athletes talk free time without sports and dealing with training setbacks.
Kevin Ryu, Staff Writer
• April 12, 2020
![Stern sophomore women's golfer Arshia Mahant has represented India for international tournaments. She started the "Adopt a Golfer" initiative to promote golf in India. (Image via NYU Athletics)](https://nyunews.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Untitled-1-900x660.png)
On and off the Course, Golfer Arshia Mahant Excels
Stern sophomore Arshia Mahant wins golf tournaments and creates her own initiative to spread the game of golf in India.
Kevin Ryu, Staff Writer
• April 5, 2020
![Steinhardt junior Haley Will, back row center, is ready to make a comeback on the basketball court. Will has been injured during most of her career at NYU, but her passion for the sport won’t let that hold her back. (Photo courtesy of Haley Will)](https://nyunews.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/DSC_9812-900x596.jpg)
No Obstacles Can Stop This Junior Guard
Despite an asthma condition that has limited her playing time for the women’s basketball team, Steinhardt junior Haley Will’s passion for the sport has driven her to be the best teammate she can be.
Kevin Ryu, Staff Writer
• March 29, 2020
![Gallatin senior Lily Hitelman and CAS junior Alexandra Daley are co-captains of the NYU equestrian team. The team had four riders qualify for their regionals. (Staff Photo by Jake Capriotti)](https://nyunews.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/DSC_4591-900x600.jpg)
Yes, NYU Has an Equestrian Team
Under Gallatin senior Lily Hitelman, the NYU Equestrian Team has been preparing for the March 29 Equestrian Regionals.
Kevin Ryu, Staff Writer
• March 8, 2020
![Tandon senior Riley Demps dribbles the ball, looking for a chance to pass during practice. The men's basketball team ended a tough but rewarding season. (Staff Photo by Jake Capriotti)](https://nyunews.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/DSC_3469-900x600.jpg)
NYU Men’s Basketball’s Disappointing End
Due to injuries and close losses, the men’s basketball team finishes their season with an 8-17 record. However, the team’s optimistic about the next season.
Kevin Ryu, Staff Writer
• March 2, 2020
![NYU President Andrew Hamilton stops to view a particularly intense table tennis game. Representatives from each NYU school participated in various sports at the All-University Games. (Staff Photo by Alex Tran)](https://nyunews.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/MG_0588-2-900x642.jpg)
NYU Students Exhibit School Pride Through All-University Games
On Tuesday, Feb. 18, NYU students from all schools traveled to Chelsea Piers for the Violet 100 All-University Games.
Kevin Ryu, Staff Writer
• February 24, 2020
![CAS senior Grant Williams is the co-captain of NYU's fencing team. He hopes to qualify for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. (Staff photo by Chelsea Li)](https://nyunews.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/IMG_4582-900x600.jpg)
CAS Fencer Grant Williams Aims to Compete in 2020 Olympics
After taking a year off of school to train for the Tokyo Summer Olympics, CAS senior and fencer Grant Williams is finally ready to achieve his ultimate goal: making the U.S. Olympics team.
Kevin Ryu, Contributing Writer
• February 18, 2020
![The NYU Men Volleyball team is off to a good start. They have stayed undefeated this new season. (Photo by Julia Moses)](https://nyunews.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/042318_recap_julia-moses-900x675-1.jpg)
Men’s Volleyball Bump, Set and Spike Its Way to an Undefeated Start
With blowout victories over their opponents, the men’s volleyball team is proving to be a powerhouse in Division III.
Kevin Ryu, Contributing Writer
• February 9, 2020
![NYU students share favorite memories of Kobe Bryant after his sudden death. (via Needpix.com)](https://nyunews.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/kobe-bryant-729572_1280-900x675.jpg)
NYU Students Share Their Favorite Memories Of Kobe Bryant
Kobe Bryant’s sudden death has left the world in shock. Kobe inspired many, so we asked NYU students to share their favorite memories about the Black Mamba.
Kevin Ryu, Contributing Writer
• February 3, 2020
![Athletes Are Human Too](https://nyunews.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Contributing-Writer-Image-1-475x369-1.jpg)
Athletes Are Human Too
The recent outrage over Kyrie Irving’s Instagram post showcases the problems with the discourse surrounding sports and mental health.
Kevin Ryu, Contributing Writer
• December 3, 2019
![(Joshua Plutchik for WSN)](https://nyunews.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/news-religionlawsuit-1200x799.jpg)
Graylin Lucas, Contributing Writer • February 11, 2025
![(Alex Woodworth for WSN)](https://nyunews.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/ops-politicalstereotyping-1200x800.jpg)
Jake Christy, Contributing Writer • February 11, 2025
![(Kiran Komanduri for WSN)](https://nyunews.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/sports-coach-barber-feature-1200x800.jpg)
Brian Sanchez, Contributing Writer • February 11, 2025
![(Ray Qian for WSN)](https://nyunews.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/news-nyuad6g-1200x801.jpg)
Vaishnavi Girish, Contributing Writer • February 11, 2025
![(Ivy Chan for WSN)](https://nyunews.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/arts-visual-framing-fashion-1200x800.jpg)
Skylar Boilard, Staff Writer • February 11, 2025