Army - Navy Basketball (again). West Point, NY 11•Feb.•12

I've been quietly waiting a year to get back into Christl Arena at the United States Military Academy in West Point to work another Army - Navy basketball rivalry. Since I didn't have to opportunity to cover what would've been my fifth Army - Navy football game in FedEx Field last December in Washington, DC, I knew this assignment yesterday was going to be big. For the past few days I'd been playing out different scenarios in my head, and my mind's eye on how to go about covering another big basketball day with two games. Hauling in a full set of arena strobes was a given. (5) Five cameras bodies was also an easy item near the top of the checklist. (I work with four throughout the day.) Enough lenses ranging from a fish-eye to the 'long' 300mm f/2.8AF easily make the cut too. Besides, I'd worked last year's matchup between these two service academies, so I felt a little more comfortable knowing I had a good reference point for logistics in the venue, complete gear selection, shooting positions, strobing the arena again, and of course utilizing at least one remote camera. You can see last year's post on how I covered the games by clicking HERE. Arriving a little more than 3 hours before the start of the women's game at noon, meant at least 4 trips to the top rows of the empty arena to securely install the strobes in each corner. Since both games were on national TV, I hesitated in attempting to install a remote camera behind the backboard glass without a helper, and since the TV guys were still using a large ladder to install their audio equipment on both baskets, I decided not to waste too much time waiting for them and even dismissed the idea of installing a low angle remote camera on the backboard stanchion as I'd done last year. It'd have to be a remote camera from the stands with a telephoto zoom on this day (at right). My "ah-hah" moment didn't come until almost tip-off of the women's game at noon when a fellow photographer took his position on the floor nearby and asked, "Hey Chet, Where's your remote...?" I reminded myself that I'd already been in the building before 9AM... ~cg.

Just another few days at "The Office..." July 2011

(2) Newburgh City Police SWAT Team officers outside 260 First Avenue during a drug raid in Newburgh, NY on Friday, July 15, 2011. Five individuals were taken into custody including one female and a 15 year-old juvenile. CHET GORDON/Times Herald-Record

Newburgh City Police SWAT Team officers take a woman into custody during a drug raid at 260 First Avenue in Newburgh, NY on Friday, July 15, 2011. Five individuals were taken into custody including this woman and a 15 year-old juvenile. CHET GORDON/Times Herald-Record

(2) Soniel "Sonny" Ayala is taken into custody by Newburgh City Police officers at the intersection of First and Carpenter Avenues in Newburgh, NY on Friday, July 15, 2011. Ayala was wanted for a stabbing during an armed robbery earlier this morning. CHET GORDON/Times Herald-Record

Tommy Bell on the field in Michie Stadium at the United States Military Academy in West Point, NY on Thursday, July 14, 2011. Bell was Army's first 1,000-yard rusher in 1954, but isn't in the Army Sports Hall of Fame. CHET GORDON/Times Herald-Record

(2) Michie Stadium at the United States Military Academy in West Point, NY on Thursday, July 14, 2011. Army will host San Diego State in their 2011 home opener on Saturday, September 10th. CHET GORDON/Times Herald-Record

West Point today. 7•July•11

Spent the morning in the field with Army cadets at West Point during their Soldier First Responder Training at Camp Buckner at the United States Military Academy in West Point, NY on Thursday, July 7, 2011. The Army has implemented a tourniquet-first policy in training new soldiers because so many are "bleeding out" from IED (Improvised Explosive Device) wounds on battlefields in Iraq and Afghanistan. ~cg.

"Pomp..." Graduation Week. June 2011.

It's graduation week here in my newspaper's coverage area. After the college ceremonies from last month have become almost a distant memory, we're still faced with the one of the busiest weeks of the year documenting numerous commencement ceremonies during this next to last weekend in June. I'll post more of my select images from the four schools I've covered this week. Stay tuned... ~cg.

Alyssa Fortino waits to enter Eisenhower Hall with her classmates prior to James I. O'Neill High School's 2011 Commencement Exercises at the United States Military Academy in West Point, NY on Thursday, June 23, 2011. CHET GORDON/Times Herald-Record

"All for the Corps..." West Point, NY.

Today is Army Graduation Day at the United States Military Academy in West Point, NY. It'll be my fifth Army graduation I've covered since joining the staff at this newspaper, so obviously I've been thinking a lot about all the preparation that goes into an assignment like this. The ceremony is one of the two biggest days I work all year (the other being the Army - Navy Game in early December). Ironically, both days start about 4AM for me and involve the USMA. Here's a look some of the gear I've utilized and a few favorites from previous graduation and commissioning ceremonies in Michie Stadium... ~cg

2010.

2009.

"Baby, It's Cold Out There..." New York. Jan. - Feb. 2011.

The cold weather has been a real bear here in the Northeast the past few weeks. Here's a brief look at what I've been shooting lately. (How many days until pitchers and catchers report in MLB Spring Training...?) ~cg.

United States Coast Guard Cutter Sturgeon Bay (WTGB 109) of Bayonne, NJ steams upriver to clear the shipping lanes of ice along the Hudson River in West Point, NY on Thursday, February 3, 2011. Temperatures reached into the 30˚'s in the Hudson Valley region after a two-day storm brought snow, sleet and freezing temperatures from the Southwestern states to New England. CHET GORDON/Times Herald-Record

United States Coast Guard Cutter Sturgeon Bay (WTGB 109) of Bayonne, NJ steams downriver to clear the shipping lanes of ice along the Hudson River in Cornwall, NY on Thursday, February 3, 2011. CHET GORDON/Times Herald-Record

City of Newburgh Department of Public Works (DPW) snow plow driver Paul Taylor is seen reflected in the mirror of Ed Mitzner's truck as they plow streets in the City of Newburgh, NY on Wednesday, February 2, 2011. CHET GORDON/Times Herald-Record

Vehicle buried in snow on Crescent Avenue in the City of Newburgh, NY on Wednesday, February 2, 2011. CHET GORDON/Times Herald-Record

Eastbound traffic (left lanes) on Route 84 in Newburgh, NY on Wednesday January 12, 2011. The third major snowstorm of the winter has blanketed the East Coast from Georgia to New England. CHET GORDON/Times Herald-Record

A man shovels the sidewalk in front of his Liberty Street home in Newburgh, NY on Wednesday January 12, 2011. The third major snowstorm of the winter has blanketed the East Coast from Georgia to New England. CHET GORDON/Times Herald-Record

West Point in January.

Spent all day yesterday at the United States Military Academy in West Point, NY. This is the beginning of what may possibly be nearly 30 hours of coverage over these two days at the Academy, on two big assignments. So I wanted to start with my initial and closing images from the first day on post. More to come - stay tuned... ~cg.

9AM. Two cadets walk on The Plain (parade grounds) near the Superintendent's residence at the United States Military Academy in West Point, NY on Friday, January 21, 2011. Upwards of 6" of snow fell throughout the Hudson Valley region during the fourth snowstorm in January. CHET GORDON/Times Herald-Record

5:15PM A statue of Gen. Dwight Eisenhower faces The Plain (parade grounds) with the Superintendent's residence in the background at the United States Military Academy in West Point, NY on Friday, January 21, 2011. CHET GORDON/Times Herald-Record

Russian "Red Stars" Hockey vs. Army @ West Point. 28•Dec.•10

With more than 20" of snow blanketing major parts of the Northeast after a blizzard on Sunday evening, what better thing to photograph (besides more folks out in the elements) than a Russian All-Star hockey team mixing it up with the cadets here at West Point Tuesday night. I think by the second period of their exhibition game, I realized how cool it was to be photographing players from another part of the world again, particularly when I'd been to some of their regions in Siberia, as sort of an homage to my four visits to the Russian Federation throughout my career. Here's a few favorites from the first two periods of the game. Oh yea, final score: Red Stars 11 - Black Knights of Army 4. ~cg.

Russian Red Stars players gather around goalkeeper Roman Smiryagin (#62, center) prior to their exhibition game against Army in Tate Rink at the United States Military Academy in West Point, NY on Tuesday, December 28, 2010. The Red Stars defeated the Black Knights of Army 11 - 4.

Army forward Jack Barnes (#19, left) scores past Russian Red Stars goalkeeper Roman Smiryagin (#62, right) during the first period of their exhibition game in Tate Rink at the United States Military Academy in West Point, NY on Tuesday, December 28, 2010. The Red Stars defeated the Black Knights of Army 11 - 4.

Army forward Mark Dube (#15, center) watches the puck as Russian Red Stars goalkeeper Roman Smiryagin (#62, right) makes a save during the first period of their exhibition game in Tate Rink at the United States Military Academy in West Point, NY on Tuesday, December 28, 2010. The Red Stars defeated the Black Knights of Army 11 - 4.

Army forward Mike Henderson (#12, right) checks Yaroslav Alshevskiy (#88, center) of the Russian Red Stars as Army's Mark Dube (#15, left) watches during the second period of their exhibition game in Tate Rink at the United States Military Academy in West Point, NY on Tuesday, December 28, 2010. The Red Stars defeated the Black Knights of Army 11 - 4.

Army goalkeeper Jay Clark (#35, left) reaches to make a save on a shot by Anton Lazarev (#91, center) of the Russian Red Stars as Army's Bill Day (#23, right) defends during the second period of their exhibition game in Tate Rink at the United States Military Academy in West Point, NY on Tuesday, December 28, 2010. The Red Stars defeated the Black Knights of Army 11 - 4.

Russian Red Stars goalkeeper Roman Smiryagin (#62) splashes his face with water during a break in their exhibition game against Army in Tate Rink at the United States Military Academy in West Point, NY on Tuesday, December 28, 2010. The Red Stars defeated the Black Knights of Army 11 - 4. CHET GORDON/Times Herald-Record

"More Summer Football..." Aug. 2010

Kingston High School junior varsity running back Jerred Beniquez (center) runs wind sprints with the varsity players during football practice at Ascot Park in Kingston, NY on Wednesday, August 18, 2010. CHET GORDON/Times Herald-Record

Mid-August, and it's still hot. Which means more football practice still to cover for the upcoming seasons, daily and preview sports stories our guys are writing on; both at Army and our local high schools. Here's a take from 3 practice sessions this past week. (Army opens on the road two weeks from today at Eastern Michigan and the local HS season begins on Friday evening, Sept. 3rd.)

Army quarterback Trent Steelman (#8) walks to practice in the Foley Athletic Center at the United States Military Academy in West Point, NY on Thursday, August 19, 2010. Army opens their 2010 season on the road at Eastern Michigan on Sept. 4th., and their home opener against Hawaii on Sept. 11. CHET GORDON/Times Herald-Record


*It has taken awhile for things to sort of set in this early season, but by continually paying attention to all the back stories with some of these teams and key players, it's (finally) shaping up to be an interesting Fall for upcoming sports coverage. Time to start re-checking the backup camera bodies, long & short lenses, remote radio transmitters & receivers, monopd(s) and camera remote mounting hardware, knee pads, rain gear, luggage cart, and all the other extra "do-dads" and "whatchamacallits" I work with for football game coverage... ~cg.

*(Use the arrow at the bottom left of the player or click the image to start the slideshow. Enable full screen viewing by clicking the 4-way arrow icon above the credits button at lower right of the player. Pause the portfolio slideshow in the right column by clicking the "II" pause button. )

For 1st. Lt. Daniel Hyde. USMA, West Point, NY. 8•Aug.•10

Glenda Hyde of Modesto, CA holds a graduation photograph of her son, then a 2nd. Lt. Daniel Hyde after his graduation from West Point in 2007. The Hyde family of Modesto, CA were at West Point on Sunday, August 8, 2010 for the Hyde Challenge presentations to the Class of 2014, which was renamed in honor of their son, 1st. Lt. Daniel Hyde, a 2007 West Point graduate who was killed in Iraq in March of 2009. CHET GORDON/Times Herald-Record

In my four years now of covering the United States Military Academy at West Point, I never knew cadet Daniel Hyde. He was a senior when I started at this newspaper, and his graduation was the first I'd covered. This past weekend I got to meet his parents and sister from Modesto, California. Finally. Brian, Glenda and their daughter, Andrea were here at West Point for a very special presentation ceremony this past Sunday. You see we've sort of "known each other" kind of informally the last three years or so via email. A photograph of mine (above held by Glenda and the original below) that I'd made of their son Lt. Daniel Hyde three years ago, also here at West Point is what makes this one of the most important and unique assignments I'd ever been a part of since working at this newspaper, and quite possibly in my career. The story of our connection begins at Army graduation three years ago, where after photographing the ceremony, which included then Vice-President Dick Cheney delivering the commencement address, the traditional "hat toss" (at right) and immediately after images of cadets hugging, celebrating, and in the case of Daniel Hyde, a quick frame while he knelt in prayer.


Within a few days after graduation, I received a very nice request from Glenda Hyde, as she'd clearly identified her son in the photograph on our website's photo gallery. (Thank goodness for internet serches nowadays I remembered thinking). As things are quite hectic after the hat toss, I hadn't spoken to Daniel to ask his name, hometown, etc. Now a few years later, I don't actually even remember making the above image. Another one of those "instinct" or "auto-pilot" images I guess you could say.Then last Spring the heartbreaking and shocking news was also delivered here to my email in-box, when I'd received a message from Lt. Hyde's best man that he'd been killed in Iraq. That email stopped me cold and I included my thoughts at the time, as the West Point beat reporter and I were working on a special project on the sixth anniversary of the war in Iraq. You can view that post HERE and our initial stories on these links:
West Point graduate killed in Iraq West Point cadets honor fallen classmate and Soldiers in Iraq hold memorial for West Point grad.

Andrea Hyde kisses the casket of her brother, 1Lt. Danile Hyde, as her parents Brian and Glenda watch in Modesto, California in this undated photograph. 1Lt. Hyde was serving as a platoon leader assigned to the Army’s 2nd Battalion, 35th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team in the 25th Infantry Division when he was killed by an RPG in Samara, Iraq on March 7, 2009. (Photographer unknown.)

Back to present day: About two weeks ago I received another email concerning Lt. Hyde, this time from his godmother informing me that the family would be traveling to West Point for a presentation to new cadets completing field training. West Point had named part of their summer training course, "The Hyde Challenge" after 1LT Hyde. I knew this would be an emotional time for me, whether I'd show it or not. Fortunately my editor allowed me to cover the presentation ceremony on Sunday with the new class of 2014 cadets preparing to leave the field after their first summer training. Here's the story that our paper published on the "Hyde Challenge" and was reprinted in the Hyde's hometown paper, the Modesto Bee in Modesto, California.

Brian Hyde admires a ceremonial guidon streamer, coin and medallion presented to he and his wife Glenda (left) during a presentation ceremony marking the end of Cadet Basic Training at the United States Military Academy in West Point, NY on Sunday, August 8, 2010. The Hyde's of Modesto, CA were at West Point for the Hyde Challenge presentations to the Class of 2014, which was renamed in honor of their son, 1st. Lt. Daniel Hyde, a 2007 West Point graduate who was killed in Iraq in March of 2009. CHET GORDON/Times Herald-Record

*As I told Brian Hyde while we walked quietly together after the family gave a few brief interviews to the media, "I am honored and humbled to meet your family. This is more than just the job for me - I wanted to be here..."

Semper fi. ~cg.

*"It's August & It's Hot: Must Be Time For ARMY Football...!" 4•Aug.•10

A quick look at my take on ARMY Football practice today at the United States Military Academy in West Point, NY. 90+ degrees with extreme humidity. Only got to spend about an hour in the Foley Athletic Center and outside in the sun on the practice field. The artificial turf was so hot, my feet were actually beginning to burn. The Black Knights of ARMY open their season on Sept. 4th. at Eastern Michigan. They also face Rutgers at the new Meadowlands Stadium on Oct. 16th., Notre Dame at Yankee Stadium on Nov. 20th., and the Annual ARMY v. NAVY Game in Philadelphia on Dec. 11th. ~cg.

Army players huddle around head coach Rich Ellerson during practice in the Foley Athletic Center at the United States Military Academy in West Point, NY on Wednesday, August 4, 2010. Army opens it's 2010 season on the road against Eastern Michigan on Sept. 4th. CHET GORDON/Times Herald-Record

Army quarterback Trent Steelman (#8) runs upfield during practice in the Foley Athletic Center at the United States Military Academy in West Point, NY on Wednesday, August 4, 2010. CHET GORDON/Times Herald-Record

Army quarterback Trent Steelman (#8) throws a pass during practice in the Foley Athletic Center at the United States Military Academy in West Point, NY on Wednesday, August 4, 2010. CHET GORDON/Times Herald-Record

Army nose tackle Mike Gann (#93) during practice in the Foley Athletic Center at the United States Military Academy in West Point, NY on Wednesday, August 4, 2010. CHET GORDON/Times Herald-Record

Army quarterback Chip Bowden (#10) during practice in the Foley Athletic Center at the United States Military Academy in West Point, NY on Wednesday, August 4, 2010. CHET GORDON/Times Herald-Record

Army middle linebacker Stephen Anderson (#50, center) follows nose tackle Mike Gann (#93) during practice at the United States Military Academy in West Point, NY on Wednesday, August 4, 2010. CHET GORDON/Times Herald-Record

Army defensive end Josh McNary (#44, center) during practice at the United States Military Academy in West Point, NY on Wednesday, August 4, 2010. CHET GORDON/Times Herald-Record

Army football players leave the Foley Athletic Center for a break in practice at the United States Military Academy in West Point, NY on Wednesday, August 4, 2010. Army opens it's 2010 season on the road against Eastern Michigan on Sept. 4th. CHET GORDON/Times Herald-Record