Sona and Matt	Sean	Sporting Activities

Sona and Matt

I was born in Kettering, Northamptonshire in England.  I went to Laxton School, Oundle before obtaining an B.A. Honors degree in Politics, Philosophy and Economics and an M.Phil. in European Politics and Society from Oxford University.  I am currently a visiting assistant professor in the Department of Political Science at the University of Iowa. I graduated from the Department of Politics at New York University. It was there that I met my wife, Sona Nadenichek.  We were married on December 26th, 1999 in her parents' living room by her grandfather.

On our honeymoon in the Lake District, England (2000)

On our trip to Trinidad and Tobago (2004)

Sean

On May 10, 2005 we had a baby boy named Sean Matthew Golder.

Sporting Activities

When I am not working I prefer to be outside doing something athletic.

Triathlons:  I have recently taken up the sport of triathlon which involves swimming, biking and running various distances.   My best achievement so far is to complete the inaugural Ironman USA (1999)  in Lake Placid (Distance 2.4m swim, 112m bike, 26.2m run) in a time of 11 hours and 33 minutes.  I expect to go faster the next time!  I also compete over shorter distances and do running races.  I completed the London Marathon in 1995 in a time of 3 hours and 23 minutes -- the next one will definitely be faster!

                    For Triathlon links, see the following sites:

                                                                                           IronmanLakePlacid
Ironmanlive.com
Bicyclesports.com
USATriathlon                                                                                          

London Marathon, 1995, New York City Triathlon 2002, Runner's World Half-Marathon 2002

Rowing: I also enjoy rowing although this is quite difficult in New York City.  I hope to be able to continue with this in the future.

                1997-98            New York University Crew Coach
                1997                 Won Head of the Connecticut in a pair
                1997                 St. Edmund Hall 1st VIII, Oxford
                1995-7              St. Edmund Hall Women's 2nd VIII Coach
                1994                 Oxford University Lightweight Rowing Club Summer Squad
                1993-94            St. Edmund Hall 2nd VIII, won Blades twice

                            For Rowing links, see the following site:
                                                                                           Row2k.com

Torpids in Oxford, about 20 seconds before we bumped and sank 4 boats!!

Oxford Summer Eights (5th on the River)

Football (Soccer): Football was what I grew up playing before school, during breaks and after school.  Unfortunately, there are not too many opportunities to play football in New York City and so my footballing career has temporarily been put on hold.  I did play for my St. Edmund Hall, Oxford where we won the League Championship in 1994.  I am also one of the few remaining supporters of Oxford United left in England (But I can remember the glory days of John Aldridge, Billy Hamilton, Ray Houghton, Malcolm Shotten, Gary Briggs, George Lawrence, Kevin Brock and many others!)

                   For Football links, see the following sites:
                                                                                  Soccernet
                                                                                  Oxford United Home Page
 

Field Hockey: Yes, men play this in other parts of the world.  Again the opportunities to play this in the US are not high for men unfortunately. However, I am very proud of my Oxford college's record at hockey.  We remained unbeaten for two and a half years, winning Men's Cuppers, the League, and Mixed Cuppers several times.
 

Hiking: I also enjoy hiking when I get the chance.  I have been involved in an Exodus Expedition in Northern India in 1996 and completed the Alfred Wainwright's Coast to Coast Walk in England.  I also like walking in the Lake District and Peak District in England.