Before attending the Rose Cafe with Paul Wilcox, I did not actually know what the Transatlantic Series was. However I did remember hearing about the “British track team” being at Cornell and seeing them in the dining halls, without really knowing why they were here. People told me it was to train and compete, but I had no idea that this was a long-standing tradition that started before the Olympics.

The history described by Wilcox was very interesting, and it was obvious that Wilcox is passionate about the Transatlantic Series. It was very interesting to see the progression of the sport through the lens of the Series and it’s connections to Cornell. They were some of the first international sporting matches ever, and Charles Sherril, a competitor in the series, started the starting squat that all track athletes use today. Many of the athletes have gone on to be Olympic champions and world record holders. I think the most interesting thing about this series is the connections made between the schools involved. To be able to bring these teams together, to both combine and compete against one another and be completely immersed in the culture of the school traveled to would be a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and makes the sport even more worthwhile. Being an athlete myself, there is no stronger connection than the shared love for a sport between people. Bringing these two teams together fosters not only skill and strong competition for an exciting meet but creates a bond between these two groups.

I’m glad to have learned about the Transatlantic Series as I now know why there were members of the Oxford track team in Becker for breakfast last week. I think it’s awesome that this tradition has been continued and think that it really enhances not only the experience of the athletes that participate, but the community as a whole by immersing the athletes who don’t attend that school in the culture and practices of the school. The exposure to a different educational environment is mutually beneficial for all involved.