The Heights 04/12/2012 by The Heights

hidden talents

fenway’s 100th freezing over tampa

the scene

metro

sports

Who is really behind some of this century’s biggest hits? C1

The home of the Red Sox gears up for its centennial celebration, D1

BC Hockey defeats Ferris State for its third national championship in five years, B1

Thursday, April 12, 2012

Vol. XCIII, No. 20

Body in Res tentatively identified as Franco Garcia By David Cote News Editor

The body found in the Chestnut Hill Reservoir shortly before 8 a.m. yesterday morning has been tentatively identified by state police as that of Franco Garcia, WCAS ’12, who went missing on Feb. 22 after a night out with friends at Mary Ann’s in Cleveland Circle. Initial observations indicate that the body is Garcia’s, but an autopsy is necessary for confirmation. Shortly before 8 a.m. yesterday morning, a man walking his dog reported a body floating in the Chestnut Hill reservoir 20 feet offshore on the Chestnut Hill Ave. side. State police responded to the scene. “State police detectives assigned to the Suffolk DA’s office are en route to the area

Bob Woodruff will address class of 2012

of the Chestnut Hill Reservoir this morning for a report of a body in the water,” said Jake Wark, Press Secretary of the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office, in an e-mail this morning. “Procedurally, the Suffolk County State Police Detective Unit has jurisdiction over death investigations in state waters within the City of Boston, hence their deployment.” The Chestnut Hill Reservoir was the site of numerous police searches in late February after the disappearance of Garcia on Feb. 22. Garcia had not been seen or contacted since then, and the searches throughout the end of February yielded no evidence related to his disappearance. State police investigators photographed

See Garcia, A4

Daniel lee / heights editor

Divers from the state police recovered a body, which has been tentatively identified as Franco Garcia, from the Chestnut Hill Reservoir yesterday.

campus greets national champions

By David Cote News Editor

Award winning television journalist Robert Woodruff will address the Boston College Class of 2012 at the 136th Commencement ceremony on Monday, May 21. Woodruff made national headlines after sustaining a traumatic brain injury while reporting on the United States War in Iraq. Woodruff will receive an Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters from the University at the ceremony, which will take place in Alumni Stadium at 10 a.m. More than 4,400 total students will receive degrees at the ceremony. Woodruff, an alumnus of Colgate University, joined ABC News in 1996. He covered major stories for the network, including the attacks on Sept. 11, the U.S. wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, the 2004 tsunami, and Hurricane Katrina. After 9 years at the network, he was named co-anchor of ABC’s award winning news show World News Tonight in December 2005. The following month, in January 2006, Woodruff was injured by an improvised explosive device while reporting on U.S. security forces in Iraq. At the time of the attack, he was traveling to Baghdad with the U.S. 4th Infantry Division in an armored vehicle. After his evacuation, Woodruff was treated extensively in Germany and then moved to Bethesda Naval Hospital in Bethesda, Md. He was kept in a medically induced coma for 36 days. Upon his recovery, Woodruff returned

See Commencement, A4

Daniel lee / heights editor

graham beck / heights editor

daniel lee / heights editor

The Boston College men’s ice hockey team returned to the Heights with their newest hardware Monday. The NCAA national championship was celebrated with a parade and ceremony.

NCAA Division I Men’s Ice Hockey National Champions honored with ceremony at O’Neill Plaza By Greg Joyce Heights Editor

It was a picture-perfect setting to celebrate the men’s hockey team on Tuesday afternoon at O’Neill Plaza. As the sun shone down on the center stage, the Boston College community welcomed back its players, who brought with them a new piece of hardware: the National Championship trophy.

Just three days after winning the title, the team began the parade in front of Conte Forum in trollies that were decked out in BC garb. Led by the BC marching band, a convertible, and a zamboni, the trollies then took the players and staff around Campanella Way and up Commonwealth Avenue, before turning down Linden Lane. Hundreds of students, family members, and staff members met the team in O’Neill Plaza. “I’m so excited to be here and look at the setting, it’s

almost surreal,” head coach Jerry York said to the large crowd. “We’re all here celebrating something that Boston College has achieved. We’re just very, very excited to share it with everybody.” Reid Oslin served as the voice of the ceremony, as he began by welcoming the special guests, which included University President Rev. Wiliam P. Leahy, S.J., U.S.

See National Championship, B6

Namib Beetle Design wins BCVC pitch competition By Sara Doyle For The Heights

photo courtesy of the office of news and public affairs

Television journalist Bob Woodruff (above), will be the 2012 Commencement speaker.

Namib Beetle Design, a startup company dedicated to finding a way to collect water sustainably, won the Boston College Venture Competition (BCVC) last night. The startup received $10,000 to invest in their business. The company based their design on the namib desert beetle, which lives in arid climates and collects water on its back to drink. Green Lightning Surf, a company that produces eco-friendly surf boards, won the second place prize of $3,000. The third place team, Maji Bottles, a company that sells water bottles to help end the world’s water crisis, won $2,000. BCVC is an annual business plan competition, currently in its sixth year. The competition is designed to promote en-

trepreneurship among students at BC and foster constructive competition. Students work to develop as leaders in the business world throughout the year. Other programs that occur during the academic year include the first two month accelerator program, in which each of the top five teams was given $1,000 dollars and legal, accounting, and one-on-one mentoring by people from the industry in order to realize a business goal. Throughout the year, over 40 teams participated and 25 final submissions were received. The final competition, which took place yesterday in the Fulton Honors Library, featured five finalist teams, who were each given 20 minutes to present their ideas in front of a panel of six judges, consisting of members of the business community. CJ Reim, CSOM ’13, chair-

See BCVC, A4

Daniel lee / heights editor

Student startup Namib Beetle Design won $10,000 in the BCVC pitch competition last night.

TopTHREE

The Heights

Thursday, April 12, 2012

things to do on campus this week

Zaahah kickoff Friday Time: 10 a.m. Location: O’Neill Plaza

The students of Maria Sannella’s Marketing Principles class will be hosting a promotional event for Zaahah. com, a collaborative search engine that allows users researching the same keywords to communicate and work together. The event, which ends at 2 p.m., will feature food from Boloco, a DJ, and giveaways.

Religion and the 2012 Presidential Primaries

Today Time: 4 p.m. Location: Devlin 101

Jill Lepore of Harvard University, Rebecca Traister of Salon and The New York Times, and Alan Wolfe of Boston College will discuss the role and effects of religion on this year’s campaigns.

Be the Voice of Boston College

April 20 Time: All day

One male and one female student each will be selected to narrate the audio tour of Boston College. The competition is sponsored by the Office of News and Public affairs. Submissions are due by April 20.

the

University

In ws e N

Chinese students at USC fatally shot in attempted carjacking

On Campus “BC Drops the I-Word” campaign focuses on the dignity of immigrants Yesterday, the Arrupe Chiapas group launched its “BC Drops the I-Word” campaign in O’Neill Plaza. The group hopes to make people aware that using the word “illegal” when referencing undocumented immigrants is demeaning. The Applied Research Center, a racial justice think tank, wrote on its daily news website colorlines.com that the word is a “racially charged slur that opens the door to racial profiling and violence and prevents truthful, respectful debate on immigration.” The website claims that calling people “illegal immigrants” undermines their human dignity and shows indifference to laws that may be unjustly applied while also promoting unfair treatment of these immigrants. The Arrupe Chiapas group will be in O’Neill Plaza again today from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Members will be handing out stickers and encouraging people to add their signatures to a banner as a sign that they will stop using the word “illegal” to describe immigrants.

Two Chinese students, Ying Wu and Ming Qu, were fatally shot early Wednesday morning not far from the University of Southern California campus in what police say might have been a carjacking gone wrong. Both students were graduate students studying electrical engineering. Other international students have speculated that the tragedy may influence other students to stay in their home countries rather than study abroad. USC has the largest presence of international students of any other college or university in the United States, and approximately 2,500 of its international students are Chinese.

Local News Authorities investigating Boston University fraternity for hazing Police discovered five male Boston University students duct taped together and covered in food in the basement of the Alpha Epsilon Pi fraternity house when they responded to complaints about a loud party early Monday morning. Though the fraternity is not officially recognized by BU, University Spokesman Colin Riley said that the University takes the allegations seriously. Earlier this year the University ended its connection with the Sigma Delta Tau sorority, also because of its hazing rituals.

featured story

Capuano, Kennedy honored by BC’s College Democrats By Brandon Stone Heights Staff

This past Wednesday the College Democrats of Boston College honored Congressman Michael Capuano (MA-8) with the Fr. Robert F. Drinan Award and Joseph Kennedy III with the Democratic Rising Star Award. Both honorees spoke at the ceremony, which took place in the faculty dining room between 7:00 and 8:00 p.m. Th e D r i n a n Aw a rd i s given to a prominent Democrat who exemplifies Drinan’s commitment to public service and social justice. Drinan, a former dean of BC Law School, served as a member of Congress from 1971 until 1980. He was forced to resign when Pope John Paul II mandated that priests withdraw from electoral politics. Capuano, who graduated from BC Law School in 1977, is a strong supporter of wildlife and environmental conservation and the Funding to Combat AIDS, Malaria, and Tuberculosis bill. He has also been among the loudest voices in Congress calling for an end to genocide and

Daniel Lee/Heights Editor

Joseph Kennedy III spoke about his progressive ideals at the BC College Democrats’ award ceremony. slavery in Sudan. “Catholicism is one of the things that led me to become a progressive,” he said. He went on to discuss how his faith was in large part the basis for his support for universal health care. “Being raised as a Catholic

was being raised unequivocally to care about people in need, to care about your fellow man,” he said. “[That] is the Jesuit tradition.” Kennedy, who is currently a candidate for Congress in Massachusetts’ 4th district, spoke second. He received

the Democratic Rising Star Award, which is presented to a Massachusetts Democrat who demonstrates the ideals of the Democratic Party and who has the potential to accomplish even greater things in his or her career. While at Har v ard L aw

School Kennedy served as a member of the Har vard Legal Aid Bureau, a probono group that specialized in mortgage and forclosure mitigation for low-income clients that were forced out of their rooms after their landlords were forclose d upon. Later, he served in the Dominican Republic for the Peace Corps for two and a half years and said that the experience has been an influence on his current Congressional campaign. He emphasized progressive ideals as being the center of his campaign, saying that all concerns over taxation and entitlement reform “boil down to a central worry that every person deserves to be treated fairly … but there’s a sense that that won’t hold true for much longer, and that’s why I want to run for office.” Both honorees received their awards not simply because their political persuasions aligned with those of B C ’s College Demo crats , but because their commitment to public service has distinguished them as unusually worthy and caring politicians. n

Police Blotter

Voices from the Dustbowl

4/5/12-4/11/12

“Which team is going to win the Stanley Cup?”

Thursday, April 5 3:14 a.m. - A report was filed regarding an unwanted person in Walsh Hall. A student reported that her ex-boyfriend was in her room and that he had punched a hole in a wall. He was identified and issued a trespass warning. A criminal complaint may be filed. 1:15 p.m. - A report was filed regarding a fire alarm activation in a Modular apartment. The cause of the alarm was a result of burnt cooking. There was no actual fire. The area was ventilated and the system was reset. There was no fire department response.

Saturday, April 7 10:01 a.m. - A report was filed regarding assistance provided to the Boston Police with a former student who is receiving harassing text messages. None of the parties involved are affiliated with Boston College at this time and the incident occurred in the Jurisdiction of the Boston Police. 1:55 p.m. - A report was filed regarding a suspicious circumstance. 9:55 p.m. - A report was filed regarding a fire alarm activation in O’Neill Library. The cause of the alarm was a result of a light smoke condition from a broken fan belt in an air compressor that was rubbing

against metal. The Newton and Boston Fire departments arrived on scene. A Boston College H.V.A.C. Technician arrived on scene to make repairs and Keyes North Atlantic was called to reset the system.

“The Ducks.” — Jonathan Roberson, A&S ’12

Monday, April 9 8:34 a.m. - A report was filed on a past assault and battery. A detective is investigating. 11:00 a.m. - A report was filed regarding vandalism at 3 Lake Street, where it was discovered that a window had been broken.

Tuesday, April 10

“The Bruins.” —Jacqueline Pollack, A&S ’14

“The Rangers.” —Daniel Kim, A&S ’12

Wednesday, April 11 1:21 a.m. - While on patrol an officer observed several individuals standing on the ice inside Conte Forum. The individuals fled prior to being identified. There ice did not appear to be damaged.

—Source: The Boston College Police Department

“The Bruins.” —Sarah Gorsche,

A&S ’15

Today

53° Showers 49°

Friday

62° Sunny 42°

Saturday

68° Mostly Cloudy 52°

Sunday

70° Showers 52°

Source: National Weather Service

A Guide to Your Newspaper The Heights Boston College – McElroy 113 140 Commonwealth Ave. Chestnut Hill, Mass. 02467 Editor-in-Chief (617) 552-2223 Editorial General (617) 552-2221 Managing Editor (617) 552-4286 News Desk (617) 552-0172 Sports Desk (617) 552-0189 Metro Desk (617) 552-3548 Features Desk (617) 552-3548 Arts Desk (617) 552-0515 Photo (617) 552-1022 Fax (617) 552-4823 Business and Operations General Manager (617) 552-0169 Advertising (617) 552-2220 Business and Circulation (617) 552-0547 Classifieds and Collections (617) 552-0364 Fax (617) 552-1753 EDITORIAL RESOURCES News Tips Have a news tip or a good idea for a story? Call David Cote, News Editor, at (617) 552-0172, or e-mail news@ bcheights.com. For future events, e-mail, fax, or mail a detailed description of the event and contact information to the News Desk. Sports Scores Want to report the results of a game? Call Greg Joyce, Sports Editor, at (617) 552-0189, or e-mail sports@bcheights.com. Arts Events The Heights covers a multitude of events both on and off campus – including concerts, movies, theatrical performances, and more. Call Brennan Carley, Arts and Review Editor, at (617) 552-0515, or e-mail arts@ bcheights.com. For future events, e-mail, fax, or mail a detailed description of the event and contact information to the Arts Desk. Clarifications / Corrections The Heights strives to provide its readers with complete, accurate, and balanced information. If you believe we have made a reporting error, have information that requires a clarification or correction, or questions about The Heights standards and practices, you may contact Taylour Kumpf, Editor-in-Chief, at (617) 552-2223, or e-mail editor@ bcheights.com. CUSTOMER SERVICE Delivery To have The Heights delivered to your home each week or to report distribution problems on campus, contact Dan Ottaunick, General Manager at (617) 552-0547. Advertising The Heights is one of the most effective ways to reach the BC community. To submit a classified, display, or online advertisement, call our advertising office at (617) 552-2220 Monday through Friday.

10:02 a.m. - An officer filed a report on a suspicious telephone called received by a BC employee. A detective is investigating. 11:13 a.m. - An officer filed a report on a motor vehicle accident that involved property damage but no injuries.

Four Day Weather Forecast

CORRECTIONS Please send corrections to editor@bcheights.com with ‘correction’ in the subject line.

The Heights

Thursday, April 12, 2012

Alum earns fifth in Korean singing show

Romney’s deep pockets prevail

By Cathryn Woodruff Heights Editor

Sean Talia And then there was one. On Tuesday morning, Rick Santorum formally announced that he would be suspending his campaign, clearing the way for Mitt Romney, who will be the Republican presidential nominee this coming November. The news came as a major surprise, as Santorum seemed prepared to duke it out with Romney until the bloody, bitter end — or at least until the campaign funds dried up, which they apparently have. Santorum cited the health of his youngest daughter, who is three years old and was “born with a serious chromosomal disorder,” according to The New York Times. Money was clearly an issue as well, though, and in a fundraising letter he sent out, Santorum mentioned that the campaign was in debt and that it would be impossible for him to focus on defeating Barack Obama with such a burden weighing on him. Santorum had made quite a name for himself up until Tuesday morning. His supporters heralded him as the only true champion of conservative values in a field of wishywashy, center-leaning Republican candidates. Romney supporters saw him as a nuisance who served no purpose other than to take votes and media attention away from their beloved candidate, and everyone else laughed at him as a kind of comical Bible-thumping, America-loving, condom-hating Republican caricature. He was accused of being a vicious mudslinger and of using overly inflammatory rhetoric — e.g. his remarking that JFK’s speech about the importance of separation of church and state made him “throw up” — but one thing he couldn’t be accused of was being disingenuous. The man always let his opinions be known, however insane and senseless they were, providing the American public with enough meme fodder to last us decades. Now Romney is officially in the driver’s seat, though everyone knew it would eventually come to this. Romney continued to rake in millions in donations while Santorum’s funds ran dry, and by the end of February Romney had amassed over $75 million for his campaign compared to Santorum’s $15 million. And while there certainly is something to be said for campaigning well and putting up a good fight, one does not simply win in the face of that kind of disparity. As is always the case in American politics, however, the end of one drama just marks the beginning of another, and so we now turn our eyes to the presidential election this November. Romney is going to have to make moves fast, as he’s up against an incumbent who is a superior debater, who has more loyal supporters, and, most importantly, whose pockets are infinitely deeper. On top of that, Romney has done a poor job of wooing female voters, 57 percent of whom favor Obama and a mere 38 percent of whom favor Romney, according to a recent poll. Unwise as it may have been to alienate women in this way, perhaps Romney’s camp saw it as necessary in order to beef up his conservative credentials against Santorum, showing what a pernicious effect Santorum’s presence had both on American politics and on Romney’s ideology. Fortunately for Republicans, they’ll no longer have to deal with Santorum embarrassing Romney or their party. Until 2016, that is.

Sean Talia is a staff columnist for The Heights. He welcomes comments at news@bcheights. com.

Eun-Hee Kwon / For the Heights

CSOM professor Michael G. Pratt offered advice for managing diverse and opposed groups in a lecture on Tuesday.

Pratt discusses group management By Kevin Cannon For The Heights

On Tuesday, Michael G. Pratt, the man CSOM Dean Andy Boynton called the “single most productive faculty member in the Carroll School,” delivered the first inaugural O’Connor Chair address titled “Peace without Quiet: How Groups that Hate Each Other Can Work Together.” His presentation revolved around a central problem addressed frequently by business school research: how do you get internally diverse organizations and, in turn, societies, to come together to make better decisions and be more creative? “You can be more flexible as an organization when you have multiple perspectives and differing ideas being considered,” he said. “You can move, you can shift, you can change.” There are inherent challenges in bringing two or more different groups together. “These challenges are compounded to a much greater degree when these groups are defining themselves in opposition to each other,” Pratt said. Such a phenomenon is known as “mutual disidentification,” which happens when parties ignore the potential plurality of other groups’ identities. “This happens in Congress today, because part of me being Republican is that I am not a Democrat, and vice versa,” Pratt said. Groups, he said, differ in terms of how well they “mesh.” Tensions between two groups can vary widely in severity. The easier

tensions to deal with stem from combining relatively compatible groups, usually by somehow keeping both groups alive or dealing with more incompatible, differently oriented groups. Universities and conglomerates fall into this category. In this second instance, an organization is better off keep-

“You can be more flexible as an organization when you have multiple perspectives and differing ideas being considered.” -Michael G. Pratt, CSOM O’Connell Family Professorship ing each part separate from the others. Sometimes, though, management has to deal with finding a way to get diametrically opposed individuals and groups of individuals to somehow find common ground. Such opposition is often the product of a long-standing, deep-rooted, and chronically salient conflict, which renders traditional conflict management tactics insufficient. Pratt suggests a new type of thinking to combat this difficult situation: starting with appealing to these groups’ intuitions, rather than trying to use rational arguments.

“This means you have to be more like Dale Carnegie and less like Rachel Maddow or Rush Limbaugh,” he said. “Be likeable, be nice, and be friendly. Remind groups they are more than the antithesis of the other.” Moreover, this process fosters a sense of positive distinctiveness. The goal is to validate the ideologies of both groups. “Respecting your tradition does not diminish my own,” Pratt said. If this can be done effectively, then the final phase of successful conflict resolution, which Pratt terms “Peace without Quiet,” can be reached. Different parties are encouraged to both promote their own subgroups and air differences, but more importantly they are also able to embrace a common identity. Such a process reflects well on the Jesuit ideal of “living in the tension,” or being able to live peacefully while keeping tensions alive. “Peace is not holding hands or singing songs, and though there is harmony, it is peace … without quiet,” Pratt said. Pratt ended his presentation by quoting the legendary Bostonian John F. Kennedy: “So, let us not be blind to our differences, but let us also direct attention to our common interests and to the means by which those differences can be resolved. And if we cannot end now our differences, at least we can help make the world safe for diversity. For, in the final analysis, our most basic common link is that we all inhabit this small planet. We all breathe the same air. We all cherish our children’s future. And we are all mortal.” n

Few people can say they took a year off after college to pursue their childhood dream of singing. For Eric Nam, BC ’11, this dream has manifested itself in a spot on MBC Star Audition, a Korean television show similar to The X-Factor or American Idol—a journey that took him much farther than he had ever anticipated. After graduating from Boston College in 2011, Nam ended up taking a job with Deloitte Consulting agency. Nam was not ready to work immediately, however. “I felt like I needed some time off—a year off to pursue other things before I fully immersed myself into the workforce,” he said. Nam’s past involvement in international service work and his experience as an International Studies major led him to India for 9 months with the IDEX Fellowship in Social Enterprise. He worked in affordable private schools in the slums of Hyderabad, India. Finding that this experience was not what he expected and frustrated with the program he was involved with, Nam was lucky to receive an e-mail from MBC Star Audition telling him he had been selected for a second round of auditions. He had posted YouTube videos of himself singing since he was in high school, but he never thought it would take him anywhere. “I thought it was a joke,” Nam said. “I didn’t even really remember applying, but I figured if it was a scam, the worst case would be that they’d send me a fake flight and I wouldn’t go to Korea.” Although conflicted between remaining loyal to his fellowship and staying in India or pursuing a rather rare opportunity of becoming a singer, Nam considered this opportunity one to take advantage of. “I felt like I’m on a year off and I’m on it to explore everything that I want, and this is always a path that I had dreamt about—pursuing singing as a career,” Nam said. When he arrived in Korea, he was met by many other people from all over the world, all hopeful to make some sort of impression, to reach a high threshold of fame and be the new Justin Bieber of Korea. Korean Pop music, frequently known as “KPOP,” has exploded around the world, creating a buzz that has influenced every continent. “It was cool to be a part of a cultural movement that is so much bigger than I am,” Nam said of his first experiences with the beginning rounds of the Korean Idol competition. Nam passed through many rounds of auditions, a notion that never ceased to surprise him. After the first round, 140 people were pulled into the “camp,”

which was basically a boot camp for the budding singers. Next they were cut down to 75, then 34 people, which were next divided into partners for duets. Nam and his partner Su, who came from London, encountered a slight problem—they were unfamiliar with most Korean songs on the list of 20. They managed to overcome this problem and advance to the next round, however. The next step was picking a mentor—a process that Nam equated with the show The Voice. Five mentors who were the judges that started the program chose a mentee from the remaining contestants. It was then up to the contestant to choose which mentor he or she preferred. Nam and his fellow contenders then entered into a month of different challenges and auditions with their mentors watching over them. Advancing in subsequent rounds judged by legendary and famous Korean singers, producers, writers and judges, Nam finally made it to the top 12 in December, where he began performing in live shows in which judgments were made by people’s votes as well as scores from two separate panels of judges. In the top five, Nam was unfortunately voted off the show, leaving him disappointed and his supporters surprised. Although Nam’s journey with MBC Star Audition was severed, his singing career is far from over. “Right now, I’m at this point where I am talking to a bunch of record labels and trying to figure out what the right path is for me,” he said. “It’s going to take some more time for me to fully figure it out.” Nam will head back to the States to participate in Kollaboration Boston on April 21 at John Hancock Hall, an Asian American talent show and showcase that he founded during his senior year at BC. “My ideal situation right now would be to figure out a way to continue pursuing my singing while also being a part of the working world,” Nam said. His experiences with the show not only helped to refine his singing skills, but also gave him a group of friends in the top 12 that he didn’t expect to find in first coming to Korea. “I was worried that I would never find as close a group of friends as I had in college,” he said. “But the show really brought us together because we lived in a house together, and had that incredible but stressful collective experience.” “Whatever I end up doing, I will never reflect back in my 40s and say I regretted not pursuing my dreams,” Nam said. “And for that, I am incredibly grateful.” n

Reddit cofounder warns of SOPA legislation By David Cote News Editor

There are few people in the world with the ability to give a presentation covering topics ranging from a humpback whale in the South Pacific Ocean named Mr. Splashy Pants to congressional hearings on Internet piracy, but Alexis Ohanian is one of them. Ohanian, cofounder of Reddit and noted Internet activist, visited the Heights Tuesday night for a presentation sponsored by UGBC and Boston College Venture Competition (BCVC). After a brief introduction by Brandon Marianacci, UGBC director of University speakers and A&S ’13, Ohanian began his presentation, titled “Don’t Get SOPA’d.” Ohanian, 28, founded the popular Internet website Reddit with his friend Steve Huffman in 2005 upon graduation from the University of Virginia. Since then, he has focused on developing other Internet startups, like Breadpig and Hipmunk. He began his presentation with encouraging words about the tech sector, despite high unemployment nationwide. “Startups are all that I know,” Ohanian said. “And even with the economy in a bad state, the tech sector can’t hire enough tech people.” Specifically focusing on the demand for programmers, Ohanian emphasized the importance for young entrepreneurs to develop marketable, useful skills. Referencing widely popular startups like Facebook and more current developments like Instagram, Ohanian pointed out that many extremely successful entrepre-

neurs did not have a large amount of technical training. “There’s a long list of people who have created really valuable things without a background in programming, without spending 15 or 20 years in it, and they’re largely self-taught,” Ohanian said. Moving from his introduction about the tech sector and the power of small startups, Ohanian began speaking about his love for the Internet. “The Internet is the most efficient market of supply and demand the world has ever seen,” Ohanian said. “On the Internet, all links are created equal. Everyone has an equal chance. Online, I can truly believe in the American dream.” His love for the Internet was summarized in the story of Mr. Splashy Pants, a whale named by dedicated Redditors after Greenpeace allowed the name to be selected by an online poll. Ohanian pointed out that although Greenpeace initially resisted the name, they decided “to stop taking themselves so seriously” and realize “the true power of the Internet.” Ohanian spoke about the founding of Reddit, and its development into a massively popular website with over 2.5 billion page views and 35 million unique visitors per month, despite a $500 advertising budget over 6 years. He then jokingly apologized to the many Redditors present for the distracting nature of his creation. “You must all have terrible GPAs,” Ohanian said. “I’m sorry for all the wasted tuition money, Mom and Dad.” Yet, the bulk of Ohanian’s presentation concerned the Stop

Eun-Hee Kwon / For the Heights

Reddit cofounder Alexis Ohanian discussed the potentially adverse effects of SOPA legislation on social media sites. Online Piracy Act (SOPA) and its close counterpart, PIPA. Though Ohanian called the goal of the legislation (to stop online piracy) “well intended,” he described the language used as “clumsy” and pointed out the extreme danger both bills posed to Internet startups like his own websites. “Legislation like this threatens every social media site that has made the last seven years possible,” Ohanian said. “If this existed, we never would have been able to create Reddit, and we decided that we had to do something to stop it.” Ohanian said the bill was the result of massive lobbying by the entertainment industry, hoping to protect their copyright interests on films, music, and books, among other forms of media. Compared to the lobbying budgets of the technology sector, the entertainment spending

looks even more vast. The more popular Internet media becomes, the more entertainment companies lose profits. Ohanian gave the example of Louis C.K. and Aziz Ansari, two comedians who released specials on the Internet for $5 with the full knowledge that their product could be easily pirated. “[The artists] now have an opportunity to circumvent massive entertainment companies and connect directly with the people who actually love their creative work—the fans,” Ohanian said. Ohanian said the introduction of SOPA wasn’t all bad, however, “This legislation brought us to a very important and I think watershed moment in the short history of the world wide web,” Ohanian said. “All of the sudden, a bunch of geeks built websites to fight this thing together.” In response, Reddit blacked

out its pages on Jan. 18 in protest of the legislation, and Wikipedia did the same a few weeks later. “When Wikipedia went down, everyone said ‘Holy sh—,’ something’s going on here,” Ohanian said. Reflecting again on the power of the Internet, Ohanian found comfort in the fact that a group of people so diverse and so far apart could at the same time be so connected in a cause. The presentation came full circle as Ohanian returned again to the power of Internet startups. Giving advice for the young entrepreneurs in attendance, Ohanian stressed one concept: giving a damn. “Everything comes down to giving a damn,” he said. “You can really build something that people love. This new economy that’s being created is one that is awe-inspiring. Do it all like you give a damn.” n

The Heights

Thursday, April 12, 2012

Undergrads discuss research in BC Talks By Samantha Costanzo Asst. News Editor

Daniel lee / heights editor

Antonio Espinoza (above), Garcia’s uncle, spoke to reporters early yesterday morning before the body was identified.

BC community mourns loss of Garcia Garcia, from A1 the scene before going to retrieve the body. The body was removed from the water in a white bag shortly after 10 a.m. The area the body was found in had heavy weeds and was approximately seven feet deep. Members of Garcia’s family gathered at the edge of the water before the body had been identified. “He’s a very nice kid, a very nice human being,” said Antonio Espinoza, Garcia’s uncle. “He was the best nephew, the best son, the best brother. These weeks have been very hard on the family.” The Twitter account @FindFranco, managed by friends and family, tweeted at 11:34 a.m. “Prayers and tears. We’ll love and miss you forever, Franco. #RIPFRANCO.” In a 12 p.m. press conference yesterday, state police at the scene stated that preliminary results, including items on the body, clothing, and physical description, indicated that the body was Garcia’s. “The body found fits the general description of Franco Garcia,” state police spokesman David Procopio said at the noon press conference.

“The clothing on the body is consistent with the clothing that Mr. Garcia was wearing on the night that he disappeared, and items found on the body indicate that the body is likely that of Mr. Garcia. Identification can only be confirmed by an autopsy, which will take place later today, tomorrow, or Friday.” Procopio extended thanks to the Newton Police Department, the Boston Police Department, and the BCPD for their assistance and cooperation in the investigation. State police will confirm the identity more fully after an autopsy has been performed. State police at the scene did not rule out the possibility of foul play, stating that an official autopsy is necessary to determine the cause of death. “Authorities are not commenting on specific evidence except to say that they hope to determine the facts and circumstances of the fatality and ultimately decide whether criminal charges are warranted,” Wark said. The Boston College community has reached out to the Garcia family for support. A mass was held in memory of Garcia last night at 7 p.m. at the Parish of St. Mary in

Waltham. Counseling services are also available for any students who require them. “The University extends our deepest condolences and most heartfelt sympathies to Luzmila and Jose Garcia and Franco’s friends and classmates who are grieving at this time,” said University Spokesman Jack Dunn. “We offer our prayers to the extended Garcia family in Massachusetts and Peru and join them in mourning the apparent loss of this accomplished young man.” After the body was removed from the water, Rev. Donald MacMillan and Rev. Tony Penna blessed the body and thanked the many law enforcement agencies for their cooperation. “The news of today causes deep sadness, and our hearts go out to the Garcia family and his many friends at Boston College,” said University President Rev. William P. Leahy, S.J. “More than ever, we need to remember them in our prayers.” Elise Taylor and Austin Tedesco, Heights Editors, contributed to this report. n

Boston College students discussed everything from brain function to the way businesses should operate at the second BC Talks last Tuesday night. The undergraduate lecture series gives students a chance to share their research and interests in 15-minute lectures, similar to the popular TED Talks. The program was founded in fall 2011 by Lisa Piccirillo, A&S ’13, and Conor Sullivan, LSOE ’13. “BC Talks provides a forum for students to learn from their peers,” Narintohn Luangrath, director of BC Talks and A&S ’14, said in her introduction. After going through a rigorous application process in which their proposed talks were reviewed by both students and professors, 11 students got the opportunity to present. “When I stumbled across the BC Talks website last semester, I thought it was a really cool idea,” Max Ade, founder of Maji Bottles and A&S ’12, said in an e-mail. Ade spoke about his own company and

how others, such as TOMS shoes and SEA hats, are helping create a demand for social responsibility in companies and businesses. Emilie Josephs, A&S ’13, discussed the important function the brain plays in seeing and the various brain pathologies that have helped scientists better understand this process. Josephs is currently conducting further research on this topic as a research assistant in BC’s Vision and Cognition Lab. To demonstrate, Jo s e phs showed a very blurred picture of an object, then zoomed out to show that the object was sitting on a bathroom sink. The audience agreed that the object was a hair dryer, but when the same blurred bject was shown in a hardware shop, it appeared to be a drill. “The only reason it works is because we’re familiar with the context,” Josephs said. “If memory is this important … at what point is vision, vision?” Iulia Padeanu, A&S ’12, spoke about the Holocaust in Romania, her home country, and the roots of anti-Semitism there. She said that she was inspired to research this

subject when she visited Romania and one of her classmates declared that every generation should have a Hitler. She traced anti-Semitism back to Romania’s fear of invasion and loss of territory during World War II and the threat many Jews seemed to pose. “In order for this chapter to become a reconciliatory chapter, education has to make sure there are no people like my friend who believe in a Hitler every generation,” she said. Other speakers and their topics were the ways in which social media sites invade privacy, by Courtney Kuhn, A&S ’13; turbidity in the Connecticut River estuary, by Mike Cuttler, A&S ’12; attitudes toward violence in the Middle Ages, by Kevin Hall, A&S ’12, the Kennedy family’s faith and its impact on its members’ political careers, by Elizabeth Wall, A&S ’13; language and mobility in Palestine, by Matt DeMaio, A&S ’13; how the NCAA exploits its players, by Pat Kessock, A&S ’13; the effects of brain cooling, by Kyle Marra, A&S ’12, and the cost and future of U.S. relations with China, by Sam Shriver, A&S ’14. n

natalie blardony / for the heights

Undergraduate researchers spoke at BC Talks last Tuesday, discussing their research in short, 15-minute presentations.

Student startups win cash prizes BCVC, from A1

natalie blardony / for the heights

BC students gathered last Tuesday to rally in support of Trayvon Martin, the young black man killed in February.

Students rally for Trayvon Martin By Samantha Costanzo Asst. News Editor

For one, Trayvon Martin’s tragic story hit too close to home. For another, social activism has always been a part of life. But for all of the participants in last Tuesday’s rally to raise awareness for Martin’s case, justice was the end goal. United Front, a coalition of various Boston College clubs and organizations that represent the African American community at BC, organized a rally on Tuesday in front of Corcoran Commons to raise awareness for the need for justice for Trayvon Martin, who was fatally shot on Feb. 26. The shooter, George Zimmerman, claimed that he fired in self-defense because the hoodie-wearing Martin looked suspicious. “The frightening, but honest reality is that we both could have easily been Trayvon,” co-presidents Phillip McHarris, A&S ’14 and Ben St. Gerard, CSOM ’13, said in a joint statement via e-mail. “We organized the rally to raise awareness about the case and demand justice for Trayvon Martin, to humanize Trayvon and show the world that black and brown lives are just as important as any other life, and to stand against the cultural and social realties that gave birth to Trayvon’s death and the injustice that occurred after: the failure to arrest and convict George Zimmerman.”

Participants in the rally wore hoodies and held signs bearing slogans such as “Do I look suspicious?” and “It’s not just black and white–we want to end the injustice!” “It took a long time to get people to care like they should,” Tyler Carter, BC ’11, said. Carter, who happened to be on campus for the rally, said that he lives about 15 minutes from where Martin was murdered. “My family has always been involved in movements,” Ariel Perry, A&S ’14 said. “My mom was in the Civil Rights movement and was thrown in jail for justice.” Perry said that she considers Jesus a social activist, which has influenced her as well. Shaima Alawadi, an Iranian mother of four who was beaten to death near San Diego, Calif. on Mar. 21, was also represented at the rally. Supporters of both Martin and Alawadi have seen connections between the two cases because Alawadi, who wore a hijab, or religious headscarf, was also a victim of racial profiling. At Tuesday’s rally, Fatin Yousif, A&S ’15, spoke about the media’s inability to demand justice for these victims and about what people can do to prevent such injustices in the future. Yousif, an African American, Muslim female, said that she hoped to bring a sense of continuity to the rally. “I’m outraged by what has hap-

pened in the past few weeks and the little to no response that Shaima Alawadi’s incident has been receiving in relation to Trayvon Martin’s incident,” she said in an e-mail. “I do not associate myself with just one of these incidents but both of these incidents and the many more that have occurred in our society because I’m a human being and to me every human matters. Everyone should stand together to demand justice for human life because we are the ones who shape this earth and the ones that will lead generations to come.” United Front plans to continue its support for Martin and Alawadi. “Luckily, we have a cadre of dedicated and passionate students whom we are working with,” McHarris and St. Gerard, who both stressed that this group of students was instrumental in the rally’s success, said. “We have decided to lead a campaign, BC Students For Trayvon Martin, throughout the rest of the semester. We will work to help Trayvon Martin’s family achieve justice for Trayvon, and doing what ever we can to push for the arrest of George Zimmerman.” The two hope that the coming events will shed light on the social factors that contributed to Martin and Alawadi’s deaths and help members of the BC community think about the ways in which they might unknowingly be perpetuating injustice. n

man of BCVC, said, “One thing that’s important to touch on is the judges who have come in today. They are very prominent in the Boston area, and it speaks to how important this competition is.” The six judges were Greg Dracon, Principal .406 Ventures; Hugh Crean, BC ’93, EIR, General Catalyst Partners; Lee Hower, Partner, NextView Ventures; David Orfao, Managing Director, General Catalyst Partners; Dan Nova, BC ’83, Partner, Highland Capital Partners; and professor Mike Naughton, Physics Department Chair and Co-founder of Solasta, Inc. These judges were given opportunities for question-andanswer sessions with each of the groups, and then selected the

winners. The top three teams were awarded cash prizes. The finalist teams consisted of the projects Neurotone, Namib Beetle Design, Maji Bottles, Per Diem Connect, and Green Lightning Surf. Although the focus is business, any undergraduate student from any of BC’s schools can participate in BCVC. “People often think you have to be in CSOM to be in it, but we want to change that. Everyone can be a part,” said Rich Rines, CSOM ’13, a member of the BCVC Team. BCVC receives support from faculty and entrepreneurs in the community, many of whom are Boston College alumni. “Everyone is so willing to help out,” said Mateusz Kaliski, CSOM ’13, also a member of the BCVC Team. “We have lots of alumni who come in to give advice to students throughout the year.”

The BCVC competition has grown incredibly since its first year. “Our first year here was two kids and a PowerPoint at the final competition. Now we have multiple teams, and they’ve probably pitched these ideas 10 times,” Reim said. “These teams have been working all year to be the best they can be.” The initial number of 13 teams seen in the first year has grown to the over 40 who participated this year. “It’s the best,” Rines said. “You learn so much, and you meet so many great people.” Last year, the first place winners and recipients of the $10,000 prize were Jebbit and My Savvy Shoes. Moglo Apps took second place with the cash prize of $3,000. David Cote, News Editor, contributed to this report. n

BC will award five honorary degrees Commencement, from A1 to ABC News to chronicle his experience and recovery, and founded the Bob Woodruff Foundation. The foundation advocates on behalf of injured service members, and is a “national nonprofit that helps ensure our nation’s injured service members, veterans, and their families return to a home front ready to support them,” according to the foundation’s website. The foundation educates Americans about the needs of injured service members as they attempt to reintegrate after return-

ing from service. Since returning to the air, Woodruff has reported from around the world, including Syria, Jordan, and North Korea. Woodruff and his wife, Lee, have four children. Their daughter, Cathryn Woodruff, is a member of the BC Class of 2015. In addition to the honorary degree awarded to Woodruff, the University will recognize four other guests with honorary degrees. Joseph A. Appleyard, S.J., BC ’53, former vice president for University Mission and Ministry and now executive assistant for the New England Province of the

Society of Jesus, will receive a Doctor of Humane Letters. Former BC football assistant coach and current chairman of Intuit, Inc., Bill Campbell, will receive a Doctor of Business Administration. Navyn Salem, BC ’94, who founded a nonprofit that manufactures food for preventing malnutrition, will receive a Doctor of Social Science. Finally, Liz Walker, an awardwinning TV news anchor and ordained minister who focuses on international education, will receive a Doctor of Humane Letters. n

photos courtesy of the office of news and public affairs

Bill Campbell, Joseph Appleyard, and Liz Walker (L-R), will receive honorary degrees at the 2012 Commencement.

The Heights

Thursday, April 12, 2012

Sophomore founds clothing brand By Brigid Wright Heights Staff

amy hachigian / heights editor

Juniors visit JFK presidential library By Amy Hachigian Heights Editor

Last night, buses left from Conte Forum at 5:30 p.m. to transport 375 BC students, faculty, and administrators to the JFK Museum and Library in Boston to celebrate the Sesquicentennial Junior Class. Upon arrival, students were encouraged to walk through the museum and enjoy artful, historical displays. After moseying through the museum, students were excited to enjoy a gourmet four-course meal, while listening to speakers, featuring Rev. Michael Himes. The night opened with Patrick Rombalski, vice president for student affairs, congratulating the men’s hockey team on their victory in Florida and recognizing the devastating loss of Franco Garcia, WCAS ’12. Rev. Joe Marchese then led the audience in both a blessing of the food and in a moment of silence in memory of Garcia. He then addressed the sesquicentennial class. “You are the new energy,” he said. “You are the new vision. You are the hope.” As students, faculty, and administrators conversed over their chocolate desserts, Himes addressed the room with three questions: “What is your joy? What are your talents? Whom needs it from you?” Himes talked about the importance of looking beyond oneself and forming a community with one another

and the significance of a civic life. He cited “the essence of a University is conversation” and how students and members of society “desperately need to be educated on how to converse.” The circular tables BC students shared with other members of the community provided an intentional space for conversation to occur throughout the night. “Perhaps the greatest gift we give one another is attentive hearing, to genuinely listen, and to respond with civility,” Himes said. “If we cannot do that, BC has failed.” Mer Zovko, the assistant director of the Student Programs Office, helped coordinate and plan this event starting in November. Zovko said that the goal was “to create a space where students, and administration and faculty could gather together” outside classrooms and offices where “people weren’t students and administrators or students and faculty, they were people getting together sharing a meal sharing wonderful conversations in a beautiful and historic building with very, very special and deep meaning to people here in Boston.” After choosing the JFK museum and library for its location and historical content, Himes was chosen as the keynote speaker as he “speaks to everyone” and “is beloved” by the entire community. “Father Himes is certainly a notable professor who we felt could draw many students to hear him speak,” said Kevin Berry, an organizer

of the event and A&S ’13. ”Father Himes’s talks on discernment are appealing to many juniors as senior year approaches and we continue to think more about life after BC. Kate D’Angelo, Resident Director of the Vandy/90 community, was also a large contributor in planning and coordinating the event. “I do not think that all of the students realize why the school cares so much about the Sesquicentennial,” D’Angelo said. “It is such an important part of history and the school wants to recognize that and to celebrate that.” Students responded positively to the museum, food, and speakers of the night. Kudzai Taziva, A&S ’13, thought the night was a “great way for juniors to get together, as there’s not a lot of opportunity to get with your class.” Marissa DiGirolamo, A&S ’13, thought the event was a “ good way to be a part of celebration and tradition and to what BC as accomplished over the last 150 years.” As a response to the exclusivity of the event, Vincent Coleman, CSOM ’13, felt that “everyone experiences the same thing each year,” but by being a part of the sesquicentennial class, the “new events makes the class stronger and makes me feel special.” As Himes concluded his speech, he left the junior class posing, “When you leave as the sesquicentennial class, I hope you know how to talk to one another, and not at one another.” n

amy hachigian / heights editor

Members of the class of 2013 took a bus trip to the JFK Presidential Library last night for sesquicentennial celebrations.

Jumpstart not just for LSOE students Wide variety of Boston College students volunteer at local low-income preschools By Samantha Costanzo Asst. News Editor

For the 50 volunteers, workstudy students, and PULSE program students who serve as corps members for the Boston College chapter of Jumpstart, there is no better job or volunteer placement than at one of the three preschools served by the program. Jumpstart, a national early education nonprofit, pairs college students and other community members with preschool students in low-income areas. The BC chapter matches corps members to the Baldwin Early Learning center in Brighton, Associated Early Care and Education at Castle Square in the South End, and the Wang YMCA in Chinatown. “It’s a really fun work-study job, but we’re also making such a big impact,” volunteer coordinator Emily Olson, A&S ’12, said. Corps members commit to 300 hours of service, except for PULSE members, who commit to 200 hours. These hours consist of twice-weekly structured classroom time, which includes reading books to their partner children; leading children in songs, poems, or alphabet games; and supervising a play time that can include anything from dramatic play to art or puzzles. In addition to this structured time, corps members commit to four extra hours in a different classroom each week. “It’s a really cool supplement to your experience, because in that setting I just get to play with the kids and see how the classroom

teacher runs her classroom,” Rachel Sellstone, A&S ’15, said. “Then I can use her skills or her approaches that I see that really work in my own work with the kids.” Though Jumpstart does seem tailor-made for Lynch School of Education students, students from every BC school participate in the program. “I think something that a lot of people forget is that there is something in it for people who aren’t in Lynch,” Liz Blesson, LSOE ’15, said. “You build leadership skills, and the bonds that you create with these kids aren’t made just because you want to be a teacher. That’s something that I feel is appealing to whoever no matter what your major is.” The unique work-study job and community service opportunity also appeals to many students. “I’m not in Lynch and don’t really want to go into education, but I’m really into community service so this was the best of both worlds,” Sellstone said. Because Jumpstart is an AmeriCorps program, volunteer and work-study students who complete 300 hours of service also receive an education award of $1100, which they can use for school-related expenses. Students can receive this award each year that they are a part of Jumpstart. Students who cannot commit to a full 300 hours per year, or who are not accepted as a corps member during the competitive application process, can volunteer on a more temporary basis. “What we’re looking to do is

bring in more people even as one time or two time volunteers,” Olson said. “We had a donation supply drive and helped package all the donations together to send to our preschools, we had a resource creation event where we helped create materials for our sessions, and we also had 10 or so volunteers who came in to do a Dr. Seuss day. They got to come in and work with the kids too, and even though it was just for the day it was really nice because the kids got to do something different and more fun for them.” To this end, BC Jumpstart hopes to expand its resources, leadership team, and eventually the amount of schools it can serve. “Now that education has become a hot-topic issue, we’re realizing as a nation that we really need to make things better,” Olson said. “I’ve seen a lot of studies that have said that early education is what works, and you need to start early so you can prepare these kids for the future, otherwise they’re just going to get left behind. So a program like Jumpstart is really important. I think we can all say that we’ve seen how it works and seen the changes that these kids have been able to make in their learning and social skills and that wouldn’t necessarily have happened if they didn’t have a program like Jumpstart.” “There’s just so much that changes,” Marika Hyland, LSOE ’14, said. “You wouldn’t think that a five-year-old is someone you could have a good conversation with. This one girl who went to visit her grandma in Portugal was telling me all about it, and I was like, ‘You’re five!’ But we had this really great conversation about it.” n

In November 2011, a young Boston College entrepreneur invested his life’s savings in the establishment of a new clothing company. Andrew Veneziano, CSOM ’14, created One and Done, a brand intended to convey a message of taking risks and getting the most out of life. The t-shirt line, right now consisting of selected designs and styles (fewer than 100 of each), are unique, with a specific message of individuality and escaping comfort zones. A project that initially started as a marketing academy project, Veneziano discovered his passion when he was approached to design t-shirts for CSOM students. After the project fell through, Veneziano found himself attached to the idea of design, and developed a logo of his own, which became One and Done’s brand insignia. “I originally pursued the idea as something for me to wear,” Veneziano said. “I don’t have [clothes] that mean anything to me, nothing that separates one from another.” With an interest and talent for creative writing, Veneziano combined both poetry and art design to develop a clothing line for young people to inspire a life lived to the fullest. Each t-shirt has a design and saying on the front, and on the inside, an original poem by Veneziano that enhances the unique meaning of the shirt.

“When you date someone, you don’t date them solely on looks,” Veneziano said. “Their personality makes them who they are. That’s what the shirts are like. The outside design is what attracts you, but the poem provides a different message or meaning. I wanted to change the way clothes are perceived.” Veneziano has big ideas and plans for the future of the company. Aside from the standard Facebook and Twitter promotions, Veneziano has approached bands, as well as reached out to organizations in the Boston community to help deliver not just the clothes, but also the message. As an avid hockey fan, Veneziano approached Restore-Hockey, a nonprofit organization based in Boston, which provides money and equipment to youth hockey programs in the area. Veneziano called attention to both the program and his brand with contests such as donating a dollar for every “like” the One and Done Facebook page gets during the NHL playoffs while the Bruins are competing. Veneziano also has contacted local and up-and-coming bands to wear his t-shirts and endorse the brand while performing. Connecting with BC campus bands, as well as musicians on Tufts’ campus, Veneziano gave out free samples of the shirts for them to wear. The Chicago-based band, Late in the Playoffs, expressed interest in Veneziano’s endeavors

and was given free gear in hopes they would endorse the company while on stage. The company, run by Veneziano alone, is supported mostly by word of mouth support. “My little brother has a box of shirts he’s been giving out at school, but aside from that, it’s just me. My family and friends are helping me spread the word.” Accompanied by the t-shirt designer and printer, Veneziano developed a website where patrons can place t-shirt orders. The website also features something Veneziano feels passionately about as well—creative writing. With a unique blog feature, visitors can email poetry, prose, or any creative writing, and have Veneziano post them to the site as an outlet for expression. “When I first got into writing, I had no way to share it. People can send me anything, and I’ll post it,” Veneziano said. He mentioned the possibility of a contest as well, where submissions would be up for the potential of being made into t-shirts. The shirts are made with environmentally friendly, waterbased ink . With professional photo shoots and a commercial filming scheduled for after finals, Veneziano plans to pursue his venture with a creative product and message. For more information about One and Done, visit oneanddonebrand.com. n

The Heights

Editorials

QUOTE OF THE DAY

Post-tragedy, let us remember one of our own

Thursday, April 12, 2012

“I don’t think about the miles that are coming down the road, I don’t think about the mile I’m on right now, I don’t think about the miles I’ve already covered. I think about what I’m doing right now, just being lost in the moment.” -Ryan Hall (1982—), American long distance runner

With the death of Franco Garcia, we must come together to remember the inspiring Boston College student Yesterday, Massachusetts State Police Spokesperson David Procopio and Defense Attorney for Suffolk County Daniel F. Conley announced the preliminary examination results for a body found in the Chestnut Hill Reservoir. Physical attributes, clothing, and items on the body all match descriptions of missing Boston College student Franco Garcia. Although the identification will not be official until later today or tomorrow when the autopsy is completed, The Heights would like to take this time to reflect on the loss of an exemplary BC student. A talented clarinetist in the BC Marching Band, Garcia was described as quiet, funny, and overall a truly good person. He was also said to be a serious student who maintained a close and tightknit relationship with his family and friends. Franco was a dedicated, creative, and integral part of the BC community, and his presence will be forever missed.

As new details continue to emerge in the coming days, we ask all students to come together for support. This is a trying and tragic time for our school, and we hope that those seeking solace will find it in the arms

“ Franco was a ded-

icated, creative, and integral part of the BC community, and his presence will be forever missed.”

of their classmates, University counselors, and peer ministers. We also extend our condolences to the Garcia family during this exceedingly difficult period. Our thoughts and prayers are with you, always.

National Championship is a victory for all The men’s hockey squad should be recognized for their high level of excellence this season The Heights would like to congratulate the Boston College men’s hockey team for winning the 2012

“This accomplishment is a testament to a whole season of hard work and determination.” National Championship. This accomplishment is a testament to a whole season of hard work and determination. Head coach Jerry York has created a winning atmosphere at Kelley Rink, and his efforts have not gone unnoticed.

Whether it be captain Tommy Cross’ leadership, Parker Milner’s midseason turnaround, or freshman Johnny Gaudreau’s emergence, this year ’s team had all the elements necessary for a championship. The Eagles’ 19-game win streak to finish the season proved to be the best in college hockey this year, and no game was as exciting as the 4-1 finale versus Ferris State. The Heights applauds every member of the squad for buying into York’s winning system, and maintaining a level of excellence at all points in the season. As players move on to the professional level, The Heights wishes you good luck and thanks you for bringing another trophy home and acting as an example of sportsmanship that we may all follow.

This Marathon Monday, respect tradition While celebrating, realize that negative actions could have an impact on the day itself

This Monday, Boston College celebrates its most famed and spirited tradition: Patriots’ Day. A holiday that every BC student and alumnus discusses with the zestiest passion, Marathon Monday has long been the beloved highlight of each school year. The Heights would like to remind all students to take precautions regarding their behavior. As always, security will be increasingly prominent in and around campus . Any inappropriate behavior on behalf of a BC student could result in repercussions, harming both yourself and the reputation of the school. Yet, it is not just our personal and institutional status that are at risk with improper actions, but the tradition itself. As we have all seen through the cancellation of the Fall Concert, the administration has begun cracking down on situations that could possibly cast the school in an unflattering light. No one wants the atmosphere of Marathon Monday to

be hampered by increased restrictions or bans due to negative events that might occur on the 16th. The Heights urges all students to be smart, safe, and most of all, respectful. Lastly, we congratulate those students running in the marathon this

“It is not just our personal and institutional status that are at risk with improper actions, but the tradition itself.” year. Whether it is for personal pride or charity, it is quite the admirable feat. Everyone should acknowledge the tireless effort these students are putting forth, and also wish them good luck as they run 26.2 miles on Monday.

The Heights The Independent Student Newspaper of Boston College Established 1919 Taylour Kumpf, Editor-in-Chief Daniel Ottaunick, General Manager Lindsay Grossman, Managing Editor

Patrick Hughes/ Heights Illustration

The following are comments from our website, www.bcheights.com. All comments are posted anonymously. In response to “Administrators Weigh In On The Rising Cost And Questionable Benefit Of A College Education,” by Darren Ranck: Given the astronomical price of a Boston College education today, and the lengths state universities across the country are going to in order to stay competitive, BC had better do everything possible to justify its pricetag. To ignore the economic and political trends pushing for transparency and tangible value is to risk relegating the BC experience to little more than a quaint, but elitist, dance with the classics. In response to “Communication Dept. Loses More Classes, PR and Ads Gone,” by Andrew Milette: I think this change is completely unfair to those who are sophomores or older and have already been locked into their major. Many students in communication planned on concentrating in Public Relations or Advertising and telling them halfway through that those classes will no longer go towards their major is absurd. The communications department should definitely reconsider this decision. How is journalism not communications This seems ridiculous to me.

In response to “BC Dining Transparency may decrease unrest,” by The Heights Editorial Board:” As a student, I understand the frustration that comes with running out of money on your meal plan or wanting more financial aid. However, you have to understand that BC Dining is its own company if you will. BC Dining is its own entity with its own set of funds, and they work very hard to not only provide us with food, but also provide the same full set of benefits that other faculty receive here. Moreover, student meal plans are one of the biggest ways that BC Dining makes money. However, they rely on this money up front in order to have a proper budget for quality food, new silverware, special meals like sushi night, or renovations in the dining halls themselves. When you buy your meal plan at the beginning of the semester, you are guaranteeing BC Dining that money so that they can bring you all of those things and still pay their employees living wage. Therefore, my only advice to you is: spend that money. BC Dining wants you to use up all of your dining dollars, and I understand that tuition is a sensitive subject, but to deny employees the proper benefits is not fair. They work really hard to bring us quality food from 7 a.m. to 2 a.m. Be appreciative of the services that are provided to you.

Have something to say? Send a letter to the editor. editor@bcheights.com

The Heights welcomes Letters to the Editor not exceeding 200 words and column submissions that do not exceed 700 words for its op/ed pages. The Heights reserves the right to edit for clarity, brevity, accuracy, and to prevent libel. The Heights also reserves the right to write headlines and choose illustrations to accompany pieces submitted

to the newspaper. Submissions must be signed and should include the author’s connection to Boston College, address, and phone number. Letters and columns can be submitted online at www.bcheights.com, by e-mail to editor@bcheights.com, in person, or by mail to Editor, The Heights, 113 McElroy Commons, Chestnut Hill, Mass. 02467.

Business and Operations

Editorial Eleanor Hildebrandt, Copy Editor David Cote, News Editor Greg Joyce, Sports Editor Therese Tully, Features Editor Brennan Carley, Arts & Review Editor Charlotte Parish, Metro Editor Elise Taylor, Opinions Editor Molly Lapoint, Special Projects Editor Jae Hyung (Daniel) Lee, Photo Editor Maggie Burdge, Layout Editor

Woogeon Kim, Graphics Editor Katie McClurg, Online Manager Michelle Tomassi, Assoc. Copy Editor Chris Grimaldi, Asst. Copy Editor Andrew Millette, Assoc. News Editor Sam Costanzo, Asst. News Editor Chris Marino, Assoc. Sports Editor Austin Tedesco, Asst. Sports Editor Alexandra Schaeffer, Asst. Features Editor Taylor Cavallo, Assoc. Arts & Review Editor

Dan Siering, Asst. Arts & Review Editor Marc Francis, Asst. Metro Editor Graham Beck, Asst. Photo Editor Mary Rose Fissinger, Asst. Layout Editor Joseph Castlen, Asst. Graphics Editor David Riemer, Asst. Online Manager Devon Sanford, Editorial Assistant Cathryn Woodruff, Executive Assistant

Jamie Ciocon, Business Manager James Gu, Advertising Manager Adriana Mariella, Outreach Coordinator Amy Hachigian, National Sales Manager Daniel Arnold, Local Sales Manager Natasha Ettensberger, Collections Manager DJ Terceiro, Asst. Local Sales Manager Christina Quinn, Project Coordinator

The Heights

Thursday, April 12, 2012

Opinions

Thumbs Up Day for the Ages – Boys and girls, time to break out your neon spandex and pinnies, because the only day that puts Aaron Carter’s party to shame is finally here. To the student runners, we respect the hell out of you and wish you godspeed in your 26.2 mile trek. For the rest of us, let the games (in 70 degree weather, no less) begin. May the odds of avoiding authority be ever in your favor. Nearing the end- Praise the lord, we finally have a tenative victor for the GOP primary now that Santorum’s campaign has been suspended. Finally, the name calling, crappy tax plans (9-9-9 anyone?), and unflattering pictures of candidates eating or shirtless will cease to emerge. But seriously, if we see one more picture of a presidential hopeful eating a corndog we will straight up vom. Enjoy this small break while you can, because it is the calm before the ObamaRomney storm of 2012. Celeb Shot- So everyone and their mother has heard that Kanye and Kim are dating, and rumors have begun to surface that Kanye will appear on the next season of Keeping Up With the Kardashians. Yes, we get an alloted time slot of Kanye doing horribly innappropriate things and disregarding every common social norm. How long before he says “I’m really happy for you Kourtney, but Mason has to be one of the hairiest babies of all time?”

A third dimension for Titanic

Katya Rucker 3D is Hollywood’s latest cash cow—the industry is revamping old favorites with a few technical adjustments, charging moviegoers $15 to $18 for the privilege of putting on plastic, tinted glasses to watch them, and expending absolutely nil for creative screenwriting or casting to make it all happen. For new movies shot using 3D technology, there’s a sense that a lot can be done to enhance the theater experience. But what about our favorite movies of the ’90s and beyond? The industry is betting it can draw people for nostalgia’s sake, showing favorite classics on the big screen without really offering much in the way of digital enhancements. And it’s betting correctly. Despite my general criticism toward all that 3D entails, I was among the modest crowds that turned out to watch Titanic in 3D last weekend. My sister was the one who planted the first seed of inception. “Honestly, I HAVE to see it in 3D. The sinking of the Titanic is going to be so much crazier. What about the underwater view of the sunken Titanic? The Jack and Rose ‘I’m flying!’ scene?” Her excitement was contagious. To hype it up even more, Kate Winslet had attended a screening and said the 3D made her feel like she was “a part of it.” As if she didn’t feel that way before the latest version came out. At the time, it wasn’t so much the promise of jaw-dropping graphic effects that drew me to the theater that night. I was reminded of the

William Mooney Sloneker

Tragedy- Yesterday, BC lost one of its own far too soon. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Garcia family, and we hope the BC community can all come together during this difficult time. Confusing purchases- On Tuesday, Facebook bought Instagram for a cool billion. Seems like a lot for an app designed to make emo 14-year-olds feel like artsy hipster photographers when they really blow chunks, but what do we know. Must be a part of Zuckerberg’s plan for world dominiation. Losing the name game- We love him dearly, but University President Rev. William Leahy, S.J.’s blunder during the pep rally was flat out embarrasing. Especially since the football team is more likley to win a Nobel Prize for Literature than a national championship. Not quite the worst- Careercast.com ranked Lumberjack, Dairy Farmer, Oil Rig worker, Soldier, and Reporter as the worst jobs. We’re sorry, but there is no way “Reporter” is one of the worst occupations. We can think of a lot crappier jobs. Like a tollbooth collector. Or a deep fryer at Long John Silvers. Or the janitor that has to clean the O’Neill bathrooms.

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largest moving object man had ever made. The story of the tragedy has gained renewed interest this year. The History Channel is airing a TV special on April 15, called “Titanic at 100: Mystery Solved.” The $189 million, 5,500-artifact collection from the wreckage site has been auctioned off and the winning bid was announced yesterday. And the 3D epic that I saw last Saturday is doing pretty well at the box office. So what is it about this 100-year-old event that keeps us coming back? The film Titanic places romance at the heart of one of the most unexpected tragedies in recent history, telling a story that will always be salient. “The fate of this unfortunate colony has fascinated people for four generations, and since the tragedy of 9/11—another huge loss of innocent lives—it seems to have a new resonance,” writes Michael E. Ruane of The Washington Post. We experience the consequence of humans believing their creation to be invincible, only to come face to face with their own mortality. We see the stark contrast between rich and poor—first-class and steerage—that was so ingrained in early-20th-century society. We recognize a sense of powerlessness when man becomes vulnerable to the unforgiving forces of nature. It’s not a story that needs a third dimension to help make an impact on audiences. Sure, its producers are making money for their largely insignificant adjustments 15 years after its original release. But Titanic, as an infamous legacy, as a calamity of unimaginable proportions, and as a love story whose “Heart Will Go On,” needed no excuses to make its latest theatrical debut. Katya Rucker is a staff columnist for The Heights. She welcomes comments at opinions@bcheights.com.

The casino’s coming

Natty Champs- A million thumbs up to our men’s hockey team and a straight up hug to Parker Milner. Boys, you always do us proud.

Thumbs Down

scenes of my childhood, and amazed that it had been 15 years since I had seen the original version in theaters, at age seven. Sure, I had probably watched Titanic a hundred times since then, and had a vivid recollection of my home-video performance of belting “My Heart Will Go On” at the top of my lungs. But I knew I couldn’t be that disappointed by whatever was in store the second time around. Nevertheless, I found myself feeling hypocritical as I filed into the theater that night, having condemned 3D as a marketing ploy with no real value many times before. But this was different, I told myself. After sitting through the three-anda-half hour epic that night, however, I had to admit that it really wasn’t different—3D had very little impact, good or bad. But seeing Titanic on the big screen was still amazing. And apparently the stars were actually aligned this time—the original version had them incorrectly positioned for the day of the sinking, much to the disgruntlement of avid astronomers. But I still feel off the hook about giving in to the 3D aspect, because honestly, the new effects were nothing special. Converting a movie filmed in 2D to 3D has inherent limitations. In this case, the screen appeared darker behind the glasses and most effects were subtle at best. Perhaps the most noteworthy 3D scene was the part where the ship rises vertically as it sinks and Leo and Kate are clinging to the front of the rail looking hundreds of feet down to the water below. But I think James Cameron, who oversaw the making of the newly released version as well, was confident he’d have an audience. Now we’re three days away from the 100-year anniversary of the sinking of the real Titanic, a behemoth vessel that was, at the time, the

As a native Cincinnatian, I often cannot help but to make fun of Cleveland. This is a habit I had to repress when I led an Appalachia trip to the city. Quips about Brady Quinn and burning rivers were muted for the sake of a sober examination of the Rust Belt brand of economic distress that has, perhaps unfairly, become the reputation of the former sixth-largest city in the United States. The resident Cleveland, however, will have you know that the city is on the precipice of a Renaissance, regardless of where LeBron James plays basketball. One pillar of the ongoing effort to revitalize downtown is the Horseshoe Casino opening next month. Casinos have been frequently employed over the past 25 years as tools for economic growth and development. It started in 1976, when New Jersey legalized casino gambling to promote tourism in Atlantic City. The expansion, though, really took off in 1989 when Iowa legalized riverboat casino gambling in response to a downturn in its riverside manufacturing as well as competitive pressures from prospective Native American casinos in Minnesota and Wisconsin. Since then, casino gambling has been legalized in 21 other states and Native American tribes have built hundreds of casinos on reservations all over the country. In 2010, there were a total of 941 casinos in 40 states. The most recent legalization occurred here in Massachusetts. In November, Governor Deval Patrick signed a bill authorizing the licensing and construction of three land-based casinos—one in the Western part of

Bazoomie Wagon

the Commonwealth, one in the South and one in the Boston area. Massachusetts’ motivations for adopting casino gambling are the same as any other states: to attract and retain revenue. For too long, Massachusetts has watched resident casino patrons cross state lines to gamble away money at Foxwoods or Mohegan Sun. Now the Bay State wants its share of the winnings. Originally, politicians had to be more discreet and cautious about being pro-gambling. Gambling is a vice or “sin industry,” so policymakers and casino developers had to emphasize the economic benefits of gambling to a skeptical populace while belaying concerns about its tentatively destructive impact. Iowa’s riverboats were the conservative strategy for the legislature to introduce casinos to the Midwest. They married the deviousness of gambling to a romantic nostalgia for the old west. The water created a distance between the gambling and the rest of society, making it a more permissible activity. The format also established clear parameters. Initially, patrons could only bring a limited amount of money on board, and games lasted only as long as the vessel was sailing. Casino proponents no longer have to be so coy. Patrick was quite open about his desire to bring casinos to the Commonwealth. He instigated a years-long legislative battle to make his vision a reality, but now Massachusetts is poised to make a killing on three casino licenses that will stuff hundreds of millions of dollars into the state coffers. Accompanying this open advocacy of casino gambling are more liberal attitudes about the size and location of casinos. As casinos spread across the Midwest, they gradually creep onto land and into more central locations. Cleveland’s Horseshoe Casino will open later this year in the Higbee

BY BEN VADNAL

Building—an old department store located in the heart of downtown. Movie-goers, sports fans, tourists and anyone else who heads downtown will be just a stone’s throw away from a gambling venue open 24/7. The casino intended for Boston will offer similar accessibility but to a greater metropolitan area and greater volume of tourists. The perks of new jobs, new entertainment, and a better-financed state budget should not be allowed to blind the casual observer to the potential drawbacks of building a casino in our backyard. The primary concerns cited by casino opponents are problem and pathological gambling behaviors. Pathological gambling is an impulse control disorder formally recognized by the American Psychiatric Association, and it affects 1 to 2 percent of the population. Problem gambling—which is marginally less severe—affects an additional 2 to 3 percent. One study estimated that they account for between 25 and 45 percent of casinos’ annual revenue. They tend to be younger, poorer and uneducated, and they often have a history of behavioral disorders. While it is easy to celebrate the arrival of a new, fun public attraction, we should acknowledge the risk associated with betting on casinos. The Horseshoe Casino will help reinvigorate downtown Cleveland, but at what cost? More relevantly, what are the perils of a casino in Boston? This is a city with 250,000 students, some of whom might be desperate for a little extra spending money or convinced they have the savvy to beat the odds. This school has already had its own embarrassing gambling scandal. Here’s hoping that the new casino doesn’t bring out the worst in future Eagles. William Mooney Sloneker is a staff columnist for The Heights. He welcomes comments at opinions@bcheights.com.

Return to Neverland

Noora Bass A professor in my communication class asked a student what he’d do if he made billions, and he stood there completely bewildered and shot back a “whatcha talking bout Willis” gaze as he ummed and ahhed for a painful 20 seconds. While I thought the question was an easy one, he still struggled. “Today is the oldest you’ve ever been and the youngest you’ll ever be.” Where are you, Peter? No amount of Neverland could arraign this claim. When I first heard this I was overcome with a pang of guilt for ever questioning the correlation between alcohol and skin aging. They were right. We all looked so much older. Yet it wasn’t just our physical appearances, I guess we were maturing too. And what was to come after this? Many of my guy friends cringed at the idea of commitment, let alone the prospect of marriage. Most of them would have easily traded in their anniversary gifts for a supplementary addition of skoal and called it a successful night. Nice one, boys. And while we were indeed getting older, we were also becoming more ambitious. At least one in three Boston College students have a bucket list. One in three BC students look like a walking hangover without the J. Crew. There’s no truth to either of those claims but there is truth in acknowledging that we all have goals and when tested, they’re almost always met. Our school is filled with talented and driven individuals who are never satisfied with a simple ‘no.’ Instead they question the obvious answers, withstand complex assignments and continue to meet the most intricate of tasks all for the pursuit of a greater knowledge. In the rush of our routine demands, its easy to expect a little more for ourselves. The reality however, is that most of us set goals that are either too elaborate to meet or the stark opposite: little to no goals at all. It amazes me that in the midst of the student clubs and organizations determined to set the world aflame you can still find no spark. Yet I was still confident that everybody had at least one thing going for him that instilled him with some sense of fulfillment. As I looked around though, it appeared that while students had a lot going on, there were only a few things of actual substance that made them happy, and what was the use in that? It seems as though there’s a hidden pressure to get involved with different causes and organizations and keep a busy schedule, but in retrospect, time’s really too precious to waste. You have the rest of your life to undertake tedious endeavors and pile it all on your plate, but you may have limited time in finding something that you love doing and that’s worthwhile. “Today is the oldest you’ve ever been and the youngest you’ll ever be.” Today is the youngest you’ll ever be and probably the only time in your life where you can sport that sequined vest, obnoxiously tell people you’re from Amurika and relentlessly tire the Tebow pose all at once. Today is the youngest you’ll ever be, you don’t need 10,203 goals to meet, you just need at least one thing you’re actually passionate about. For the hopeless guy who struggled for an answer on what do to with his billions: hang in there homeslice, you may have a ways to go but soon enough you’ll find your zest. Noora Bass is a staff columnist for The Heights. She welcomes comments at opinions@bcheights.com.

The Heights

Thursday, April 12, 2012

SPORTS The Heights

Thursday, April 12, 2012

Five-Starred Eagles soar past Ferris State for another National Championship By Greg Joyce Sports Editor

TAMPA — They had their eyes on it all season. They were never caught looking past a single game, but the National Championship trophy was always Boston College 4 in their peripherals. 1 Ferris State Now, that trophy is in their hands. For the third time in five years, and the fifth time in program history, the Boston College Eagles are National Champions. A 4-1 win over Ferris State on Saturday night gave BC the hardware it had been playing for all year. “I couldn’t be happier right now, obviously,” said senior captain Tommy Cross. “I can’t believe I get to win the National Championship in my senior year, the second of my career. I feel honored and privileged to be able to be a part of the BC program and the University and specifically the hockey program with Coach, the opportunity he gave me to come here. And I keep thinking of my teammates—best teammates I’ve ever had. The closest team I’ve ever been on. “We just had something in our mind that the season was only going to end one way. And that was our main focus.” The Eagles battled all game long, carrying

1949

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i nside S ports this issue

2008

Young LBs emerge against NU

Luke Kuechly, Dominick LeGrande, and Alexander DiSanzo stepped up last game......B5

a 2-1 lead into the third period. In those final 20 minutes, Ferris State had chances, but the Frozen Four’s Most Outstanding Player, Parker Milner, turned away shot after shot. The championship was all but won with 3:02 remaining, when freshman phenom Johnny Gaudreau turned in a highlight-reel goal to make it 3-1. Gaudreau dangled his way by two Bulldog defenders before backhanding the puck into the net. “I was coming through the middle of the ice on this great breakout pass by Destry Straight,” Gaudreau said. “And I was thinking in my head, maybe I should probably get this deep. Four minutes left in the game, and I didn’t go with what I was thinking. I just went with it. And luckily, it happened to work for me. I saw the goalie put his shoulder down and I tried to backhand it off the top shelf, so luckily it went in.” Two minutes later, Steven Whitney added an empty-netter, and just over a minute after that, sticks, gloves, and helmets went flying into the air. “It’s incredible,” said senior forward Paul Carey. “I couldn’t ask for anything better right now, any better teammates. It’s just a great feeling.”

See Five-Starred, B6

2010 Jagodzinski handed another a pink slip

Former BC coach Jeff Jagodzinski has been fired by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers......................B6

2012 Editors’ Picks..............................B7 BC Notes.....................................B7 graham beck / heights editor

The Heights

Thursday, April 12, 2012

how they got there

graham beck / heights editor

Milner, Carey lead Eagles past Minnesota and into championship By Greg Joyce Sports Editor

This article was first published on Thursday, April 5. TAMPA — Boston College made it look easy. It wasn’t, but that’s what great teams do. And now, the Eagles are headed to the National Championship. BC shut down the Minnesota Gophers in the Frozen Four semifinal round, 6-1, on Thursday night, thanks to another clutch performance from goalie Parker Milner and a key final three minutes of the second period. “It feels awfully good to have practice tomorrow,” said head coach Jerry York. “We’re very excited about the possibility of winning a National Championship. It’s something we look forward to from the start of the year, and it’s going to be right there in front of us.” Milner racked up 30 saves in the victory, but he made one late in the second period that seemed to change the momentum of the game. In the latter half of the frame, Minnesota was dominating puck control, and Jake Hansen nearly capitalized with 2:40 remaining. Instead, Milner made the point-blank save, turning away yet another Gopher shot. Twenty-five seconds later, the Eagles took the energy from Milner’s save and turned it into their third goal of the game. Destry Straight gained control of the puck after a Minnesota turnover in the neutral zone. After he skated past the blue line, Straight zoned in on the goal and patiently waited before he sent a perfect pass to Chris Kreider, who was a few feet behind him. Kreider took the puck and one-timed

graham beck / heights editor

The Eagles celebrated their semifinal victory over Minnesota, sending them to the title game. it top-shelf to put his team up 3-0. Then, with 17 seconds left in the frame, BC made sure it went into the locker room with all the momentum. Johnny Gaudreau flew down the slot, and while a Minnesota defender dragged him down, he was able to pass the puck to Pat Mullane while his full body was on the ice. Mullane quickly tipped it over to Paul Carey, who was by himself with a wide open net and tucked home the score for the 4-0 lead. “I kind of got hauled down from behind, and I was just trying to throw it back towards the front of the net and, luckily, it went through a couple of defensemen’s legs and hit Paul Carey back door,” Gaudreau said. At the start of the third, Minnesota

came out and made sure it did not go down without a fight, as Hansen scored 1:26 into the period. The Gophers’ momentum wouldn’t last for long though, as the Gaudreau-Carey connection was highlighted again just 22 seconds later. Gaudreau had the puck behind the net and sent a beautiful pass to Carey out front, who flung it right over Minnesota goaltender Kent Patterson’s right shoulder. That made it 5-1 BC, and all but won the game for the Eagles. “Paul Carey, it’s so easy to find him, the way he uses his voice,” Gaudreau said. “He’s always open somewhere, the way he positions himself.” “I didn’t think we’d score six,” Carey said.

“I didn’t really set a number. We just thought we’d come out on top. I thought that our puck management is what led to that. And guys just kept fighting all night. Minnesota kept coming at us, but we just kept pushing.” York noticed the change that Carey’s snipe made on his team’s play, as it put Minnesota in a tough spot down four goals again. “The goal that made it [5-1] in the third period, I thought all of a sudden the energy level was changing, we had to bounce back right after that, I think it was by Paul, and that was a key, key goal,” York added. The Eagles added to their lead late in the game with a score coming off the stick of Brian Dumoulin. While the defenseman spent most of the game shutting down the Gopher offense, he took advantage of a rifled shot from the point, deflecting it off a Minnesota skate and finding the net. Every time it seemed like the Gophers were about to come back in the game, Milner was there to make a clutch save and secure the win for the Eagles. “I don’t think you can be a top-end team unless you’ve got a remarkable goaltender,” York said. “I think that’s so essential to being the type of club we’d like to be. And Parker, he’s become [Corey] Schneider, [John] Muse, [Scott] Clemmensen. His March and April have just been outstanding. Look at his stats and save percentage. He’s going to be ranked right up with those players.” The BC defense helped Milner out, keeping pucks to the outside so that the Gophers were unable to get off many grade-A chances. When they did, though, Milner bailed them out.

“I thought we did a good job of keeping things to the outside for the most part. And when they did penetrate and get inside us, Parker was there to make some big saves,” said senior defenseman Tommy Cross. “Our defense is working to keeping the outside, but we’re certainly not perfect. When they get inside, Parker has been huge.” “I think the difference is looking at this game in particular, aside from a few chances in the first, I don’t think they got very much, at least from my perspective,” Milner said. “If I give up a rebound, it’s right to the corner. The shots are from the outside.” The Eagles’ first goal came off their signature speed and perfect passing six minutes into the opening frame. After Dumoulin shut down a 2-on-1 chance for the Gophers, Bill Arnold got the puck and passed it up to Barry Almeida. The senior captain fired a puck on Patterson, as Steven Whitney used his lightning speed to crash the net and send home the one-timer. The second goal came in the middle period. After BC won a faceoff, Cross controlled the puck at the top of the zone and sent a pass over to Whitney. The junior skated forward a few feet, then slid the puck over to a cutting Kevin Hayes, who rocketed a wrister into the back of the net. After a hard-fought win, BC will be taking part in the most special practice of the year on Friday. “We always talk to our team about the very best practice is the one between the semifinal game and the national championship game,” York said. “That’s a special one. And Ferris and ourselves are both going to get a chance to have that very best practice you can.” n

York’s microscope / telescope mindset guides BC to title game By Greg Joyce Sports Editor

This article was first published on Friday, April 6.

graham beck / heights editor

The D12 Derby pits the goalies against the rest of the team, and in the final practice of the year Friday, the goalies won it.

An inside look: the D12 Derby By Greg Joyce Sports Editor

This article was first published on Friday, April 6. TAMPA — For the first 30 minutes of Friday’s practice, the last one of the year, it was more of the same for Boston College. There were drills utilizing odd-man rushes, with Eagles flying down the ice like lightning. There were drills practicing faceoffs to gain offensive possession off the wins. And there were drills working on creating chances when the puck was dumped into the corners. Following that, head coach Jerry York brought his team over to the sideboards, where he had his whiteboard hanging. While his players took a knee, York diagrammed a play on the board in the way that any coach would in a classic hockey movie. The Eagles were locked into their coach’s explanation and drawing, as they prepared for the biggest game of the season. And then, it was time for the D12 Derby. “Every year, the day before a game we have a shootout. It’s called the D12 Derby,” explained senior Barry Almeida. The contest was set up with a goalie in each net, as the players took a knee along the boards in the neutral zone. All the pucks were gathered at center ice. One by one, starting with the freshmen, a player would pick up a puck and skate into the zone in a shootout with the goalie. Dekes, dangles, and stick work were all on display, as the Eagles tried to sneak a goal by the netminder. If they did, they’d skate back to center ice and take a puck in the other direction for another shootout attempt. First, the freshmen took their aim. Destry Straight, Cam Spiro, and Mark Begert all got the first goal, but none of them could convert on the other end. The same went for Kevin Hayes, Isaac MacLeod, and Brooks Dyroff, though Dyroff came the closest to scoring the finisher. Finally, Patch Alber came through and lit the lamp on both sides of the ice. After hearing the cheers of

his teammates, he skated over to the sideboards across from where everyone else was set up. Next was Almeida, who nearly joined Alber in the final round. He scored on his first shot, but was snubbed the second time around, as fellow senior Chris Venti got a stick on the puck right before Almeida was about to sneak it by him. “Yeah, Venti … ” Almeida said, laughing. “He had the poke check there … he can’t do that. No, I’m just kidding, it was a good stop.” Tommy Cross then took aim and capitalized on his first attempt, before getting stuffed on his second shot. That finished the first round, leaving Alber as the only shooter left standing in the final round. Alber had a chance to win the contest for his team. With Pat Mullane starting it, the Eagles (including the coaches) chanted Alber’s name while slapping their sticks on the ice at the same time. Alber took off into the zone, with York and the rest of the team following in behind him. A few dekes later, Alber took his chance but was stopped at the net. The four BC goaltenders erupted in celebration while the rest of the team looked on. The winners then posed for a photo with their goalie coach, Jim Logue, as the shooters looked on, booing. After that, the Eagles finished up a few final shooting drills before heading back to the locker room. The title of the event gets renamed each year, as a senior winner gets to pick the name. “At the beginning of the year, a senior goes and gets to name the belt,” Almeida said. “Tommy Atkinson won it this year, and named it the D12 Derby because all of our seniors live in D12 Rubenstein.” The energy and excitement on the ice was high throughout the hour-long practice, as the Eagles were soaking up their last one before the National Championship on Saturday night. “It’s the best practice of the year, just because it’s our last one,” Almeida said. “It’s the last possible practice you could have. It was a lot of fun, and there was a lot of energy out there today.” n

TAMPA — Before Boston College hit the ice for one final practice on Friday afternoon, head coach Jerry York and his players took some time to talk about the game they’ve been looking at from afar all year: the National Championship. York trains his players to see the season using a microscope and a telescope. The microscope is zoomed in on each game of the regular season and each passing trophy the Eagles can win, while the telescope is always set on the national title. It’s all about the trophies for BC, and the team will have the chance to get the most important one Saturday night. “The microscope and telescope idea has really been important for our team this year,” said senior captain Tommy Cross. “I think as you move along during the course of the year, the microscope and the telescope start to come together a little bit to the point where right now, essentially they’re the same thing. I think that work that you put in, every team puts that work in, and it gives you

graham beck / heights editor

York had his team mentally focused throughout the year.

a sense of confidence going into a game. That work’s been done, but I think the most important work will be tomorrow night on the ice.” BC’s backstop, Parker Milner, echoed Cross’ sentiment the morning after making 30 saves against Minnesota. “Coach talks about the microscope and the telescope. And we’re right here, right now, and that’s incredibly exciting for us,” Milner said. “We know that we’ve put in the extra work, and if we continue to do that, it’s going to be really exciting to see that work go into action on Saturday night.” Now, there is only one game left in the season, and the Eagles will turn their full attention to a Ferris State squad that beat Union 3-1 on Thursday. In that game, the Bulldogs played a slow, defensive style of hockey. While BC won its game with a high-paced 60 minutes, Cross addressed the two different playing styles, and how his team would deal with Ferris State. “Focusing on our game plan and our approach and what we do,” Cross said. “You’ll become familiar with the personnel of your opponent and their tendencies, in this case Ferris State, and what they do. But, at the same time, a lot of our attention is geared towards our own performance, the way we’re playing and the way we’re handling certain situations. When you focus your own game you dictate how the game’s going to be played rather than letting it get dictated by someone else.” Nobody has more respect for Ferris State than York, who saw plenty of the Bulldogs when he was a coach at Bowling Green, a fellow CCHA team. “We’re playing an outstanding hockey team here, that’s ranked nationally No. 1 during the course of the year,” York said. “And Bob Daniels—the national coach of the year for the second time in the last seven or eight years—has done an unbelievable job at Ferris. There is a lot of respect from our staff toward Bob, and we have our hands full. But, we’re prepared to really focus on the Bulldogs and come out of the gate really, really strong tomorrow night.” Caught up in the importance of this Frozen Four stage is the fact that the Eagles have now won 18 straight games, the streak dating back to Jan. 21. Yet BC has been able to look past that win streak, and instead focus on the bigger picture. “I don’t think we talk about it much,” York said of the streak. “You know, here’s our next opponent. And like Tommy [Cross] said, we play so many different opponents in hockey that you can’t adjust to every team you play. So you better keep your own ship ready, you know. So we work on fundamentals. We work on ‘here’s what we do.’ And, we’ll tweak a little bit. “Ferris is a little different than Minnesota. Minnesota is a little different than the University of New Hampshire. But I think our focus now is pretty easy. You have one game to win a trophy. We’re looking at that shiny trophy.” n

The Heights

Thursday, April 12, 2012

Trophy comes with many changes Chris Marino Amidst the parade, autograph sessions, and team celebrations, several members of the Boston College men’s hockey team have quietly been receiving calls. While they would surely like to spend more time relishing their National Championship victory, core members of this year’s team were being given the opportunity to join professional teams. Tommy Cross is going to the Bruins’ system. Paul Carey is on his way to Colorado. Barry Almeida signed a contract with the Capitals’ AHL team. Brian Dumoulin is now a minor leaguer for the Hurricanes. Chris Kreider, the team’s leading scorer, will most likely become a key part of the New York Rangers’ playoff run. These past few weeks have probably been the biggest whirlwind of their lives. First, they’re taking classes in Fulton, studying in Bapst Library, and playing in front of Superfans at Kelley Rink. Next, they’re in the national spotlight, playing for the title of best team in the country. Now, they’ll be the small fish in the big pond. They’ll leave everything they know, and become the “new guys.” After every individual interview I have with a BC player, I ask him what his career aspirations are. Every time the players reply with a smile, and say that they would love to play professionally. Then there’s always a “but.” That “but” is followed by the player’s true sentiment, that his focus is completely invested in bringing home a National Championship. I’ve never had a player from this team sound insincere with this response. They truly love every aspect of playing for the Eagles, but now it’s their time to move on with their careers. They’ve done what they set out to do here, and their efforts are being rewarded. This year’s team members reached the pinnacle of their collegiate careers, and now some of these players are having their dreams come true. They’re being placed on professional rosters, nearly tasting the NHL. Kreider is already with the Rangers, as they prepare to make a strong playoff run. They’ve played their whole lives for this opportunity. Every shot taken, every extra hour of skating, and every early morning set in the weight room has been for this opportunity. These days have been very bittersweet for me. I’ve come to love this team. The dynamic that each player adds has culminated in my love for Eagle hockey, even more than in the past. Especially after last season’s devastating loss in the regionals, this team’s comeback was unbelievable. Even during their midseason slump, they were invested in the system. They never gave up, and you could tell with the utmost certainty that they were dedicated to the Heights. Not only were they talented players, but they also truly seemed to care about the game, each other and the state of BC hockey. They put their individual accolades aside and focused on the team. Now look at them. National Champions. The best team in the country. It’s tough to watch these players leave, but it is also exciting to see them continue their careers. It’ll be a totally new team on Kelley Rink, but one thing will remain constant: Jerry York. He’s never let us down before. No matter who’s on the ice, if he’s one of York’s guys, he’ll be a highcharacter player. He produces the kind of players that professional teams can rely on in the clutch, and we are seeing that right now. That’s why they’re receiving these calls. That’s also why it’s so difficult to see them depart on their separate ways. The team we’ve all invested all of our time into this season is dissolving before out eyes. No longer will we see Cross rip a slap shot from the circle, or Almeida cut across the ice for the breakaway score. Kreider’s pure talents will be viewed by the Big Apple, while Dumoulin and Carey will hopefully become staples of their respective teams in the upcoming years. Except for Cross, who is playing in my hometown Boston Bruins’ minor league system, the players I once called members of my team will be spread across the league. Some (without mentioning names … Kreider) will be playing for teams that I despise. But they’ll still be in the hearts of us Superfans. They’ll still be York’s guys. And, no matter where they are, they’ll always be the guys that brought us the National Championship. These three seniors and two juniors have brought us so much joy over the years, and now it’s time for them to reach their goal and become professionals. Congratulations on the championship. Thanks for all the memories. And good luck as you follow your career ambitions. You’ve made us proud.

Chris Marino is the Assoc. Sports Editor for The Heights. He can be reached at sports@bcheights.com.

graham beck / heights editor

The senior class—(from left to right) managers Chris Malloy and Samson Lee, Edwin Shea, Tommy Cross, Chris Venti, Paul Carey, Barry Almeida, and Tommy Atkinson—provided leadership all season.

Senior leadership proves key in championship run By Greg Joyce Sports Editor

TAMPA — You couldn’t have scripted a better way for the 2012 Boston College senior class to end its college hockey days. A 4-1 win over Ferris State on Saturday night in Tampa gave the seniors their second National Championship, and sent them out on top. Leaving Chestnut Hill with an overall record of 110-42-1, including a 22-2 mark in the postseason, this senior class—composed of Tommy Cross, Paul Carey, Barry Almeida, Edwin Shea, Chris Venti, and Tommy Atkinson—has certainly made its mark on the program. “They’ve been excellent,” said head coach Jerry York. “They’ve had a terrific impact, even on the 2010 team. This year, there were Paul Carey, Barry Almeida, Edwin Shea, Tommy [Cross] … Those are really good players.” Some games this season, the seniors would light up the stat sheet. Other nights, they might not figure into the scoring at all. But their leadership has consistently been there night in and night out, something that the underclassmen have certainly appreciated throughout the year. “The group, the eight of them [seniors]—including the two managers—have been such an integral part of this team and this school,” Mullane said. “Since I arrived on campus, they’ve been such good mentors for the younger guys and for me. Guys like Tommy Cross and Paul Carey and Barry Almeida, they’re easy to look up to and they’re easy to emulate. They bring so much to this locker room and to this school—it’s awesome. I couldn’t think

of eight guys more deserving of a National Championship.” This year’s freshman class had a big impact throughout the course of the season, but they realize they might not be basking in the spotlight of the National Championship if it weren’t for their senior leaders. “Coming into BC as a freshman class, we looked up to all the other guys,” said freshman standout Johnny Gaudreau. “Most of them won a National Championship already. And we were following in their footsteps, and they taught us nothing but great things. And I don’t think we’d be here today if we didn’t get great leadership through the sophomores all the way to the seniors. And we freshmen gotta thank them for helping us along the way.” That senior leadership bringing along the underclassmen is a staple of York’s programs at BC, and proved key once again to a successful season. “I know all the underclassmen really wanted to get this one for the seniors because they’ve meant so much to this program, and they mean so much to us,” said the Frozen Four’s Most Outstanding Player and junior Parker Milner. “So I’m glad we could do it as a whole.” It wasn’t always easy success for this class, though. Their freshman year, the group was a part of a team that played its final game in the Hockey East semifinal round, bowing out to BU 3-2. It was after that season ended that a meeting may have turned their career at BC from an ordinary one to a special one. “I remember our freshman year, we didn’t get off on the right foot in our career,” Cross said. “And I remember a talk we had with Coach [Mike Cavanaugh], probably in

June after our freshman year, and he said, ‘You’ve got to realize what you’re a part of and turn some things around if you want to be a winning class, because winning classes are defined by the big trophies.’” Cross and his classmates took Cavanaugh’s encouragement to heart, and three years later, they’ve racked up their fair share of trophies: three Beanpots, three Hockey East Tournament championships, and most importantly, two National Championships. “The class last year, with Gibby and Whit and them, they had two trophies,” Cross said. “And we have two of our own now. It feels unbelievable.” “It’s something special,” Carey added. “I thought we had a great team last year, and I was really close with some of the seniors. We didn’t want to go out the same way they did, and I think we learned from our mistakes. Now we’re going out as champs.” This year’s team could have been another ordinary one if it had not been for the senior leadership. Before the season began, York was unsure of what his team was capable of, having to replace an important senior class. He thought it could have been somewhat of a rebuilding year for the Eagles, thinking the team might be down a notch from the previous year. In mid-January, it looked like York’s thoughts may have been turning out to be true. BC had just been swept at Maine, and the Eagles were enduring a tough stretch in which they went 6-9-1. It was after that weekend, though, that Cross called a team meeting, and along with his classmates, that senior leadership turned the season around. Nineteen games later, the Eagles still

haven’t lost, and they have another piece of impressive hardware to add to the trophy case. “It’s unbelievable,” Shea said. “Words can’t really describe it. It feels like one of those NHL commercials where everyone’s holding the Cup and they’re speechless. You can’t ask for anything better than going out on top.” “It’s been an unbelievable four years,” added Almeida. The senior class’ record, especially in the postseason, speaks for itself. But during all four years of their college career, it was always about remaining focused on winning trophies for these seniors. Now that they have two National Championships to look back on as they leave the Heights, they can finally begin to realize what they’ve just accomplished. “It’s unbelievable,” Cross said. “Coach said you don’t really appreciate it until you win your first and you look back on it. That’s so true. We were young when we were sophomores. And I have to mention Cam Atkinson and Jimmy Hayes. Those guys were a huge part of our class, and they obviously aren’t here this year, but they’re still a part of it for us. And Cam was obviously a huge player our sophomore year, and Jimmy was, too, and I think the rest of us were a little more secondary roles. So to have primary roles for a lot us of the second time around is unbelievable.” There is no doubt that the seniors played primary roles on the ice for BC this year. But they also played primary leadership roles within the locker room all season long. And for that, they leave BC knowing they are two-time National Champions. Not a bad way to go out at all. n

Captain’s emotions provide perfect ending to the season

Greg Joyce Twenty minutes after he skated off the ice for a final time wearing the maroon and gold, Tommy Cross entered the press conference room. As usual, he joined his coach and two of his teammates at the table. But this time, something was different. The first thing I noticed was the big piece of hardware Cross brought with him. It was his baby—his grip on that thing was unreal. He finally loosened up on the National Championship trophy, as he put it right next to Jerry York on the table for all to see. “Is it okay if I put this here?” Cross asked the moderator, with a wide grin on his face. That was the second thing that was

different. Cross was having a tough time keeping from smiling throughout the entire press conference. For the first time that I can remember, Cross displayed his raw emotion in front of the media. It wasn’t the case at all that he was impersonal all those other times, but on Saturday night, Cross let everything go. Pulling his new National Championship hat down over his eyes, Cross admitted the notable difference in the room. “I feel like I can let my guard down a little bit in here, which is nice, finally,” Cross told us. It’s true. At all the other press conferences leading up to this one, Cross maintained his professional composure. He remained focused and humble as always on Saturday, but his answers were more candid than ever. It was the most enjoyable postgame press conference I’ve ever been at, with much thanks to Cross. While York, Parker Milner, and Johnny Gaudreau answered questions about the game, Cross sat there with the brim of his hat pulled down, creating a dark shadow

over the eyes that had remained focused all season. But despite many attempts to avoid it, Cross’ pearly whites were showing the whole time. The senior captain could no longer contain his emotions as he had all season. When he was not answering the questions directed at him, Cross kept on wiping his face. It could have been just sweat still dripping down his face, but part of me believes that he was wiping away a few tears. Imagine that. It only makes sense though, right? There Cross was, a 22-year old college kid who had just finished leading his team to BC’s fifth national title. Only four other senior captains can say they’ve done that. More than that, only a select few can say they’ve gotten their fingerprints on two National Championship trophies. I think that was all starting to set in for Cross. His mind was on that goal all year, but the postgame press conference was the first time Cross was able to fully bask in the reality of it all.

graham beck / heights editor

Tommy Cross could not contain his smile throughout the entire postgame press conference, showing his emotions after winning it all again.

As Gaudreau explained his highlight-reel goal, admitting that he probably should have dumped the puck into the zone instead of dangling through defenders before scoring the goal, Cross leaned over to York and shared a laugh. If this had been any other game, I can almost guarantee you Cross would have remained stoic, not showing a bit of emotion. Throughout the whole time Cross and his teammates were on the stage, there was a sense of relief in the room. The Eagles never doubted themselves in their attempt to bring home another championship, but they never took their talent for granted either. That attitude started from the top, with York instilling that mindset in his players all year. While many thought Ferris State would just roll over in the title game, York knew better, and prepared his team for the biggest challenge of the year. That’s what championship coaches do, and York is the ultimate example of that. But in that press conference and in the locker room after, the Eagles finally were able to gush about what they had just accomplished. Led by their captain, every single player on that team came together as one over the final three months of the season. Winning the National Championship was the pinnacle of that journey. “It’s just 25 brothers,” Cross said of his team. After those words came out of his mouth may have been when everything set in for the defenseman. Whether or not he was wiping away tears or sweat, I guess we’ll never know. But in that moment, I swear they were tears. That’s what made it perfect—Cross’ raw emotion and the sheer joy written all over his face, provided the picture-perfect ending to a storybook season.

Greg Joyce is the Sports Editor for The Heights. He can be reached at sports@ bcheights.com.

The Heights

Thursday, April 12, 2012

Eagles lax teams compete to fight CF By Frank Nemia For The Heights

Graham Beck / Heights Editor

The Eagles were able to create a strong presence in the offensive zone, outshooting the Terriers, 32 to 21, behind impressive shot opportunities by players like Brittany Wilton.

Women’s lacrosse takes down Comm. Ave. rival BU

By Austin Tedesco Asst. Sports Editor

The women’s lacrosse team took care of business yesterday afternoon on the road against the Boston University Terriers. Boston College handily defeated BU by a margin of 18-9, holding a solid lead on the Terriers throughout the game. Graduate student and midfielder Kristin Igoe had a huge game for the Eagles, contributing four goals on only six shots while also tallying five assists and an incredible six draw controls. Junior Brooke Blue matched Igoe’s impressive point total with four goals and three assists of her own on just five shots. The Eagles outshot the Terriers 32 to 21 and dominated on draw controls by a margin of 21 to seven. Igoe opened up the game with a goal 30 seconds into the contest. A turnover by BU’s Molly Swain led to another scoring opportunity for the Eagles as Blue took advantage attacking the net. After having one of her shots saved by Terrier goalie Christina Sheridan, senior midfielder Brittany Wilton scored a goal of her own to put BC up 3-0. Igoe then went on to assist a goal to senior Sam Taylor giving the Eagles a four point lead only five minutes into the match. BU responded with two goals of their own, but a strong offensive attack from BC headed by Taylor and Blue gave the Eagles an 8-4 lead forcing a Terrier timeout. Igoe, Taylor, and Blue all scored after the timeout, starting a route that BU wouldn’t be able to come back from. BU and BC traded goals in the second half, but the large margin from earlier in the game gave the

Eagles a comfortable enough cushion to cruise to the win. Senior goalie Catherine Conway started her first game in the net for the Eagles after a long stretch of freshman Emily Mata owning the starting spot. In BC’s last match, Mata gave up 11 goals to then-No. 6 Duke while accumulating two saves. Conway allowed five goals while tallying eight saves in 42 minutes of play before being replaced by Mata for the remainder of the

game. Mata gave up four goals in only 18 minutes as goalie which might indicate that Conway will continue to be the starter down the road. The Eagles have one more game against Cal on Saturday before the Quarterfinals of the ACC Tournament begin next Friday. So far they have dropped plenty of close games to ACC foes, but a strong end of season push might be able to give them the extra push to make a run in the conference tournament. n

Graham Beck / HEIGHTS EDITOR

Kirstin Igoe had no trouble moving through Boston University defenders, as she contributed four goals on six shots.

This weekend the men’s and women’s club lacrosse teams will be facing off against the University of Pittsburgh and Northeastern University in a doubleheader to benefit Cystic Fibrosis (CF). CF is a fatal genetic disease that affects the lung and digestive system. The disease causes abnormal amounts of mucus to be generated, which both clogs the lungs and blocks the pancreas, preventing enzymes from breaking down and absorbing food. Today CF affects about 30,000 children and adults in America. The funds raised from this double-header will be donated to the Boomer Esiason Foundation (BEF) and the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation (CFF), two leading charities in the fight against CF. In the 1950s it was rare for children with CF to live past elementary school, however, thanks to the work of charities like BEF and CFF, CF patients today frequently live into their 30s and 40s. CF is a cause that is especially close to the club lacrosse family at BC. Numerous players are close to individuals afflicted with the disease and have witnessed its affects first hand. After planning for the last few months both teams are hoping to kickoff Marathon Monday weekend with a strong showing at both the women’s game at 5:00 p.m. and the men’s game immediately after (7:00 p.m). For the men’s lacrosse team this game is also a Top 20 matchup. “Last week we had an excellent team victory against Michigan State,” said junior Kyle Ostroff. “Our attitude, from the bench to the starters on the field, has been superb all season. We’re excited to start our home schedule off with a big win against the Panthers.” The Eagles hope a win against Pittsburgh will strengthen their National Tournament resume and build on their list of quality victories against Clemson, Florida St. and Michigan St. The women’s team is looking to send their seniors out on a high note with one last victory at the Heights. Sophomore midfielder Sydney Esiason spoke about the matchup, one of the Eagles’ tougher games this season “We’re excited to play our east coast rivals on Alumni and celebrate our seniors’ last home game, all while benefitting a cause close to our hearts,” Esiason said. The teams hope that the Superfans can attend both games. Fight CF wristbands and Team Boomer t-shirts will also be available in the stands in exchange for donations. For more information about the disease or how to become more involved in the fight against CF visit www.esiason.org or www.cff.org.

Johnson takes helm after Crawley By Greg Joyce Sports Editor

SPORTS in SHORT

Erik Johnson has been named the new head coach of the Boston College women’s basketball team. Athletic Directo Gene DeFilippo made the announcement last Wednesday, nearly three weeks after Sylvia Crawley resigned from the position due to health reasons. “We’re thrilled today at the Heights to announce that Erik will be our new head women’s basketball coach,” DeFilippo said in a teleconference Wednesday. “We had a lot of very, very talented candidates for this position. A lot of men and women wanted to coach in the Atlantic Coast Conference. I think what it came down to was that we knew Erik, we knew what kind of person he was, we knew his love for Boston College, and we knew he loves to teach people.” Johnson is no stranger to BC, working as an assistant coach for the Eagles from 2006-2008. For the last four years, Johnson served as the head coach of Denver University. There, he inherited a team that had gone 11-19 in the previous season, and turned around the program to achieve four consecutive winning seasons. While he was an assistant at BC, Johnson played a key role in recruiting stars like Carolyn Swords, Stefanie Murphy, and Jaclyn Thoman. DeFilippo called Johnson “instrumental” in bringing those three players to BC. “It’s a great day,” Johnson said in the teleconference. “I can’t thank Gene DeFilippo enough. This is a huge, huge dream of mine to return to Boston College.” Johnson noted that his ties to Chestnut Hill played a big role in his desire to come back to BC, as well as players

he will get the chance to coach. “I’ve maintained good relationships with people at BC,” Johnson said. “A huge, huge formative time of my career was my time at Boston College. My mentors are Gene and his staff at BC. I was thrilled to hear from him. When Boston College calls you, it’s Boston College. It’s a great, great place with great people.” Though he will now face the challenge of taking over a new team, Johnson displayed confidence in his players, and brings an excitement factor to the future of the program. “There’s always some growing pains, but there’s some talent, some young talent, and there’s leadership,” he said. “They seem like they’ve really bonded together through this experience [of having a coaching change]. “I think the good news is the talent we have at Boston College fits the way I like to coach really well.” That style of play, according to Johnson, is an unselfish brand of basketball. He stressed “really efficient ball movement,” as a key, with high assists and a high shooting percentage each game. Johnson said he expected to see a lot of drive-and-dishes, and the use of screens would be important in his system. This afternoon, Johnson sat his team down at Denver and told them of his decision. He said he would now be flying out to Boston immediately to start working with his new team. “As soon as humanly possible,” Johnson said as to when he’d be making the move out to Boston. “Next week, we’re going to be in full swing with the workouts.” Noting that he loves teaching his players, Johnson said that this offseason is a special time for him. “This is a great time of the year,” he said. “I can’t wait to get to work. We can be a Final Four team. Let’s go do it.” n

ACC Women’s Lacrosse Standings

North Carolina Duke Maryland Virginia Virginia Tech Boston College

Conference

Overall

5-0 3-2 2-2 2-3 1-3 1-4

13-1 10-5 12-3 10-5 9-5 7-7

AP Photo

Erik Johnson developed head coaching ability while at Denver University, and will now test his skill set in the ACC.

Quote of the Week

Numbers to Know

The number of National Championships won by the men’s hockey program after Saturday’s win over Ferris State.

The number of consecutive victories for the men’s hockey team after its National Championship victory.

110

The number of career victories for the senior class of the men’s hockey team, including two National Championships.

“We just had something in our mind that the season was only going to end one way. And that was our main focus.” Tommy Cross on the national championship

—

The Heights

Editors’ Picks

Thursday, April 12, 2012 The Week Ahead

Standings

Baseball hosts Florida State for a series this weekend, and then faces URI next Tuesday. Lacrosse will host Cal on Saturday. Softball has a home series with Virginia Tech beginning on Saturday. The Boston Red Sox have their home opener against the Rays in a four-game series.

Recap from Last Week

Chris Marino

32-18

Heights Staff

31-19

Greg Joyce

29-22

Austin Tedesco

27-24

Baseball took two games from Maryland to win its series while Virginia proved to be too much for softball in its series. The Cavaliers also beat lacrosse in a two goal game on the road. Men’s tennis upset Miami. Kentucky defeated Kansas in the National Championship.

Guest Editor: Mary Rose Fissinger

Series of the Week Baseball

Florida State vs. Boston College

Asst. Layout Editor “I run.”

Greg Joyce Sports Editor

This Week’s Games

Chris Marino Assoc. Sports Editor

Austin Tedesco Asst. Sports Editor

Mary Rose Fissinger

Asst. Layout Editor

Baseball: BC vs. No. 1 Florida State (Series)

FSU

Baseball: BC vs. URI

Lacrosse: BC vs. Cal

Cal

Virginia Tech

Rays

Red Sox

Rays

Softball: BC vs. Virginia Tech (Series) MLB: Boston Red Sox vs. Tampa Bay Rays (Series)

FSU

This weekend, the Boston College baseball team (13-20, 4-11 ACC) will host the top ranked Florida State Seminoles (27-5, 15-0) in a threegame series. Florida State brings its undefeated record to Chestnut Hill facing a struggling Eagles squad. BC started off strong in ACC play, but was recently swept by Virginia Tech in four-run losses each game of the series. The Eagles also lost to Harvard 5-2 on Tuesday in a disappointing effort during the first round of the Beanpot. BC will look to get back on track against the nation’s top team.

Fri. 2:30 p.m.; Sat. 1:30 p.m.; Sun. 1:00 p.m.

No alarms and no surprises with the departure of Matt Humphrey Austin Tedesco I sat down with Matt Humphrey in late January, 30 minutes after Boston College lost a disappointing game to Wake Forest, 71-56. Humphrey shot 3-of-8 for seven points in the loss. After talking about how he thought the season was going, I asked him about his new role on the team. Here’s how the exchange went. “What do you think Coach Donahue wants from you on the team? What role do you think he has in mind for you?” “I haven’t really talked to him, but I would say to play defense and rebound. Try to limit the mistakes on the floor and

be one of those guys.” I was slightly taken aback that Humphrey would say he hadn’t talked to Donahue, but in retrospect, it makes the recent reports from CBS’ Jeff Goodman that Humphrey has chosen to transfer hardly surprising. Humphrey’s game and character isn’t designed to be “one of those guys,” a phrase he said with obvious pain and frustration in his voice. For the first month of the season, Humphrey, whether he was asked to or not, took it upon himself to be the team’s go-to scorer. He and head coach Steve Donahue would butt heads over and over again on the sideline over some of Humphrey’s shot selection, and it usually ended with Humphrey on the bench, head held low, giving that classic look of wide-eyed disbelief on his face. He didn’t know any better. Those wide eyes expressed that he whole heartedly believed all of his shots were good ones,

graham beck / heights editor

His emotive and confident nature on the court make Humphrey an unforgettable player.

and he was always confident they were going to fall. Once Humphrey realized Donahue wouldn’t stand for that play out of the junior forward, he adjusted his game to at least stay on the court. Humphrey began shooting a lot less in January, and instead became a reliable defender and excellent rebounder. He kept his starting spot and solid playing time with the adjustment, but his new role killed him. My most vivid memories of Humphrey on the court are of him working his butt off for a defensive rebound, sprinting down to the corner, spotting up wide open with his eyes nearly bursting outside his head in excitement, and then having to watch his teammates ignore him only to pass the ball elsewhere usually finishing the possession with no points. Humphrey was always our photographer’s favorite player because of his emotive nature on the court. He played with incredible passion and swagger, making him a joy to watch and it will definitely be missed next season. When I asked Humphrey what his outlook for the team was heading into the season, he referenced Kemba Walker and UConn. He believed that his scoring ability could carry a squad full of inexperienced and young players just like Walker had the year before. This may seem irrational to some, but from Humphrey’s perspective it makes perfect sense. He had spent the past year imitating opposing team’s most elite scorers in practice, and was ready to step into that role on the court. The problem, though, was that last season wasn’t about Humphrey, but instead it was about everyone else. The young players took their time developing skills and comfort for the college game, something that would have been difficult to do with Humphrey handling every possession. Donahue realized that and kept Humphrey from hindering the development of his freshmen, but it would come at Humphrey’s expense. A nearly season-ending injury to Patrick Heckmann was the main reason Humphrey even stayed in the starting lineup during

graham beck / heights editor

Humphrey should be able to step into his desired primary scoring role wherever he ends up. the second half of the season. BC and Humphrey weren’t a good match, and they were just never going to make it work. He didn’t fit in with the huge crowd of freshmen on the squad, but he also didn’t fit in with the older group of John Cahill, Peter Rehnquist, Salah Abdo, and Deirunas Visockas. When talking about the older players bonding over the age difference between them and the rest of the team, Cahill and Rehnquist both left Humphrey’s name out. During water breaks at practice Humphrey could be found in his own corner with his own water bottle away from the rest of the group. Humphrey has dreams of making the NBA, and I hope that he chooses a school that will help him get there. I always felt like he was misunderstood at BC, and

once he realized it wasn’t the right fit it was too late for him to get out. It was admirable of him to sacrifice his game and his future in the League in order to help this team win and this group of young players improve until he had his opportunity to transfer at the end of the season. He should find a school that will use him as their primary scorer, because that is what his game and his personality are suited for. He’s making the right decision by leaving, and that’s not a negative reflection on the program or Donahue. It’s just what he needs to do. Good luck, Humph, and thank you for keeping things interesting.

Austin Tedesco is the Asst. Sports Editor for The Heights. He can be reached at sports@bcheights.com.

Crimson upset slumping Eagles By Robert T. Balint Heights Staff

The stage was set in the bottom of the ninth inning for a dramatic comeback, but the Eagles could not put the finishing touches on a late-game rally. The baseball team loaded the bases with one out against the Harvard Crimson (6-22), but two relief pitchers struck out the next two batters to ice a 5-2 victory over Boston College (13-20, 4-11 ACC) in the first round of the Beanpot on Tuesday afternoon at LeLacheur Park in Lowell, Mass. Down by three runs going into the bottom half of the final frame, the Eagles’ lineup took one last shot. First, Matt Pare drew a walk off of Harvard relief pitcher Matt Doyle. Next up, Andrew Lawrence smacked a single up the middle, and pinch hitter Marc Perdios, who came in to replace John Hennessy at the plate, followed suit with a hit that found its way through the left side. It was an unorthodox move to bring up Perdios, who hits righty, against a right-handed pitcher, but head coach Mike Gambino was confident in bringing in Perdios. “He’s done a really good job coming off the bench,” Gambino said. “He’s been good in the pinch-hitting role.” With the bases loaded and one out, things looked hopeful. Harvard head coach Joe Walsh decided to go to the bullpen, bringing out Andrew Ferreira, a lefthander, to face left-handed batter Tommy Bourdon. The center fielder had been the main source of trouble for the Crimson all game long, with three hits and an RBI. Now, the hitter who leads the team with six home runs represented the go-ahead run. Bourdon worked the count to 2-2, but Ferreira finally managed to strike him out swinging. “The kid moved around his pitches,” Gambino said. “He performed well.” With two outs, Blake Butera stepped up to the plate. The freshman had provided the walk-off hit in more than one situation this year, bringing in the winning run

in a 4-3 win over Georgia Tech on Mar. 24. The Crimson brought in another reliever, right-hander Zack Olson, to deal with the right-handed second baseman. With the bases loaded and the winning run for the Eagles again at the plate, Olson fired down three sidearm pitches with some “funk,” as Gambino described it, and got the punch-out to shut down the Eagles’ last stand. Olson’s performance in the ninth capped a strong outing for the Harvard pitching staff, which managed to end Butera’s and Rob Moir’s hitting streaks at 13 and 11 games, respectively. Starting hurler Matt Timoney threw 7.1 innings and allowed both of the Eagles’ runs, one unearned. Bourdon singled to right field in the bottom of the third, and thanks to a bobbled ball by Harvard’s right fielder Ethan Ferreira, Hennessy was able to score from first base to make the score 3-1. The Eagles’ second run came in the fifth inning, after Lawrence singled to right field, then stole second base to get into scoring position. Bourdon came up to bat and belted a double to right field, plating his fellow outfielder and bringing BC to within two runs, the closest the team would get. After the fifth, the Harvard bullpen shut down the Eagles’ bats. The Crimson built its lead by bits and pieces, beginning with a two-run first inning against Eagles’ starter Eric Stone. Nate Bayuk came on to replace Stone, who was hit with his first loss of the season, and pitched a scoreless second inning. John Gorman, who filled in for Bayuk in the third, gave up a run off of a sacrifice fly by Harvard catcher Jon Smart to increase the lead to 3-1. Two more insurances runs, one in the sixth and one in the ninth, gave Crimson its 5-2 lead going into the ninth inning. “Not to take anything away from [Harvard], but to be honest, they didn’t do anything special,” Gambino said. “As a ball club, they threw strikes and made plays.” The Crimson advances to the finals of the Beanpot, where they will face UMass, who defeated Northeastern 4-1. n

Daniel Lee/ Heights Editor

After a strong start to conference play, BC has hit a skid lately that included a loss to Harvard on Tuesday in the Beanpot.

The Heights

Thursday, April 12, 2012

Eagles grind their way past Ferris State for third title in last five years Five-Starred, from B1 “I don’t even know right now,” senior forward Barry Almeida added. “It’s unbelievable to have a chance to share this with all my teammates. We worked so hard together all year.” Head coach Jerry York knows how hard his team had to play against the Bulldogs, despite many thinking the game would be a cakewalk for the Eagles. “I don’t think most people understood, outside of the real hockey community, how tough a game this was going to be,” York said. “I thought our team stayed patient through the first two periods and got an incredible goal from Johnny Gaudreau to break open the game there. But during the course of the game, Parker Milner once again was extremely strong in the net.” Milner finished the game with 27 saves,

giving him 57 during the Frozen Four. “You can’t describe how excited we are,” Milner said. “First of all, hats off to Ferris State. They’re a heck of a team, and they gave us all we could handle. As far as our team goes, our coaching staff, the way they lead, I’ve never been around a coaching staff with such positive energy. And my teammates, I can’t say enough about them.” The Eagles got on the board first, 3:18 into the game. Ferris State tried to clear a puck right in front of the net but failed, and Almeida was right there to pick it up. He calmly slid the puck over to Whitney, who backhanded it into the back of the net for the 1-0 lead. Just over two minutes later, though, Ferris State came right back and showed it wasn’t going to roll over. Andy Huff took a shot on Milner that he originally saved with his left pad. But the rebound hung around in the

crease long enough for Garrett Thompson to skate in and slap home the puck under Milner’s leg. BC managed to light the lamp once more in the first on a power play, with 9:27 remaining. Brian Dumoulin received a pass at the point from Pat Mullane, and fired off a slap shot on the net. While the puck was in the air, Paul Carey got a piece and redirected it into the net, ultimately proving to be the game-winner for the Eagles. The second period didn’t feature any goals, but that was in part due to the strong penalty kill of BC. Ferris State had three power plays in the period, but could not convert on any of them, thanks to Milner and the PK unit. York credited the success of their play to his coaching staff. “Our assistant coaches are one of the reasons we’re so successful,” York said. “We’re going to keep them a long time. They’re not

graham beck / heights editor

Tommy Cross skates off the ice with the National Championship trophy, his second title.

graham beck / heights editor

Milner made save after save on Saturday night, and was named the Frozen Four’s Most Outstanding Player for his 57-save weekend.

rushing off to any other spot. Mike Cavanaugh works the PK. They pressure very well. No. 4 [Chad Billins] for Ferris is awfully difficult to handle. He’s very shifty in the point. But I think we did a reasonable job on him tonight. And then Greg Brown works the power play. Both those units were instrumental in the win tonight.” Dumoulin was a key part of the defense all game, especially on the penalty kill. He too credited Cavanaugh. “We’ve had a great penalty kill,” he said. “Coach Cavanaugh works with us every week on penalty killing. That’s one of the things that wins games and loses games and makes or breaks a big game like this. Fortunately enough we killed all of them. Everyone worked at it

so hard. Everyone made the right decisions and we were fortunate enough to kill off all of our penalties.” When the final horn sounded, the Eagles could finally bask in the enjoyment of a victory. All year, wins were important, but the team’s sights were always set on trophies. Saturday night, BC got a hold of the coveted one. “There aren’t any words,” said junior forward Chris Kreider of winning it all. “It’s the pinnacle, it’s the best feeling in the world. It’s absolute bliss.” For the first time all season, the Eagles are not looking down the telescope at the big trophy that comes at the end of the season. That’s in their hands now. And they’re not letting go anytime soon. n

National Champions welcomed home by the BC community National Championship, from A1 Senator John Kerry, Newton mayor Setti Warren, and athletic director Gene DeFilippo. Then each of BC’s national championship teams were introduced, with a few players from each team walking down the steps of O’Neill Plaza with their respective trophy in hand. Carrying the trophy from the 1949 team was Len Ceglarski, Ed Casey, and Fran Harrington. Tim Kelleher, Bobby Allen, and Justin Dziama presented the 2001 trophy. The players from the 2008 team that brought down the trophy were Matt Greene, Andrew Orpik, Kyle Kucharski, and Ken Ryan. Finally, Cam Atkinson, Matt Lombardi, and Ben Smith carried down the 2010 trophy. Then it was time to introduce the most recent national champions, as everyone from head coach Jerry York to the team bus driver was welcomed one by one. After everyone was announced, the team captains—Tommy Cross, Barry Almeida, and Paul Carey—presented the trophy to Leahy and DeFilippo. “It’s truly an impressive sight, the sun is shining on this wonderful [hockey] team,” Leahy said. “Jerry, I thank you.” In his speech, Kerry was able to capture the journey that BC has been through over the past three months, and the special meaning of yet another national championship ceremony. “It’s a pleasure for me to be able to be here at the Heights to celebrate a really extraordinary team,” Kerry said. “I can only imagine what it was like when these guys left Maine back in January for a long and tough ride home. I know that Tommy Cross got the team

together and had a conversation and they haven’t lost since. That’s leadership, and it’s also teamwork. These guys came together like magic. I don’t know if there’s something that Jerry puts in the water here or what. “But there’s something about Boston College hockey. You look at the hardware over here, they’re going to have to call Conte Forum ‘The Jerry York Hardware Store’ pretty soon.”

Kerry then announced that he had been in touch with the White House, and that President Barack Obama was looking for ward to welcoming the Eagles there soon. Warren spoke next, and declared April 10 “National Championship Boston College hockey day” in the city of Newton. York and Cross spoke last, before DeFilippo presented the 2012 National

Championship banner that was draped off the top of O’Neill Library. “It’s a remarkable achie vement that we have players here from the ’49 team, the ’01 team, the ’08 team, the ’10 team, and the ’12 team,” York said. “We’re extremely proud of all those champions. But we’re also very proud of anyone that’s donned a maroon and gold sweater in the history of Boston College.

graham beck / heights editor

Tommy Cross was greeted by the BC faithful on Tuesday, as he made his way down the stairs of O’Neill Plaza to the center stage.

“I want to tell you how pleased I was and how proud I was of these young players. They’ve done some remarkable things, these seniors over their four years. But this particular year was something that we’re extremely proud of.” Cross also acknowledged the former players in attendance, before thanking the fans for their season-long support. “I’d like to thank the former players that are here today,” Cross said. “It’s from you guys that the guys down here wearing the jerseys and myself learned the tradition and what it takes to bring trophies home. “It’s been unbelievable to see the support that our team has gotten this year. The trophy is here for you guys.” Cross experienced the parade and ceremony back in 2010 as well, but said after Tuesday’s event that he appreciated this one a little bit more as a senior. “It’s incredible,” he said. “Just the number of people here, the enthusiasm, it’s just so much fun to bring a trophy back here. In 2010, I thought the experience couldn’t have been any better. I think as a senior, you cherish it a little more and it means a little more. I can’t say enough, today was an unbelievable day.” The ceremonies ended with the players going into the crowd to sign autographs and take pictures with fans, but before they did, York had one last line to ignite the crowd. “I want to thank you for a terrific day,” York concluded, “and we’re going to have many more champions here in the future.” n

Days after winning it all, five Eagles sign professional contracts By Greg Joyce Sports Editor

Just days after winning a national championship for Boston College, five members of the hockey team have signed contracts to begin their professional careers. Adding to their whirlwind of a week, each player has either already left to start suiting up for their new team, or will be doing so in the coming days. On Monday night, Paul Carey, Barry Almeida, and Chris Kreider went to Cityside with their agent, and talked over their deals together. Carey and Almeida, who are roommates and captains together, made their signings official in a special way. “I’m lucky to have the same agent as Barry and Chris, so we all met up,” Carey said. “I was [Barry’s] witness, he was mine, and we signed.”

Carey signed with the Colorado Avalanche, and left Chestnut Hill on Wednesday morning at 5:50 a.m. to join their AHL affiliate, the Lake Erie Monsters. “It’s amazing. It’s a lot of stuff going on all at once. You get the signing and the trophy and stuff like that. It’s just all coming at me so fast, I really haven’t had time to relax, but it’s a great feeling.” After going undrafted, Almeida was offered a contract by the Washington Capitals, and the second team AllAmerican accepted the offer. “The Washington Capitals organization offered me a contract, and it was a good offer. I’m very pleased to be a part of their organization,” Almeida said. “It’s crazy. This week has just been surreal so far. I take off next week and start my new chapter, I guess.” Almeida has been assigned to the Capitals’ AHL team, the Hershey Bears.

He will join them next Monday or Tuesday, and will suit up with his cousin, T.J. Syner. “It’s going to be pretty cool,” Almeida said about playing with his cousin. The other three Eagles all signed their contracts on Tuesday. Cross made a visit to the Boston Bruins in the morning, and officially signed his contract with the defending Stanley Cup champs after being drafted by them in 2007. “It’s special,” Cross said. “It’s an honor to sign with such a great organization. “I think right now, it hasn’t really settled in. My mind is still here at BC. I’ve had four unbelievable years here, and it’s sad to see it come to an end. But when one door closes, another door opens. But I’m still not shutting the door here yet. I love it here, and a part of my heart will always be here.”

Cross is expected to make his professional debut on Friday night with the Providence Bruins, Boston’s AHL squad. The two juniors to leave were Kreider and Brian Dumoulin. The two have long been coveted by the New York Rangers and the Carolina Hurricanes, respectively, and they finally made it official on Tuesday. Kreider signed his contract with the Rangers, and has since joined them in New York as the team prepares for the Stanley Cup Playoffs. It is yet to be determined whether or not he will suit up for the Rangers in the playoffs, but his contributions to winning teams at BC certainly helps his chances. “You can’t emphasize enough how important it is how much winning [Kreider] has done already in his career,” Rangers assistant general manager Jeff Gorton said in a statement. “When you

win consistently at a young age like Chris has, it becomes your mindset. In addition, we love his desire to consistently try and improve his all-around game.” Dumoulin signed a three-year entrylevel contract with the Hurricanes a few hours before Tuesday’s parade. “It feels good, especially going out as a winner,” Dumoulin said. “I’m excited about the opportunity.” The big-frame defenseman left yesterday to join the Charlotte Checkers in the AHL. “Brian is a big, puck-moving defenseman who achieved at a high level throughout his time at Boston College,” said Ron Francis, Carolina’s director of Hockey Operations, in a statement. “His success there speaks for itself, and it is important for his continued development that he now begins his professional career.” n

music column

NO DIRECTION

WHY THE BOY BAND CRAZE IS BAD FOR MODERN MUSIC, page C5 Like this? Try THAT!

BETTY WHITE ROCKING If You enjoyed ‘punk’d’ check out the new nbc comedy, page C4

album review

nicki minaj

the new york shock rapper mixes electro, pop, and hip hoP on her sophomore album, C3

Thursday, April 12, 2012

WOOGEON KIM / heights photo illustration

Making a little sense of fashion

The Heights

Thursday, April 12, 2012

Scene and Heard

BY: CHARLOTTE PARISH

Brennan Carley Well, folks, I promised I would try my hand at it in the beginning of the semester, so today I’m going to put my best Sperry forward and talk about fashion. I’ll admit that a couple of years ago, I was in no place to comment on this topic. My typical weekday garb was sweatpants, a t-shirt (usually a concert T, or this white one that featured some pretty cool logos from some Italian soccer team that’s now stained). I was the kid who woke up 10 minutes before class, threw on some crummy sneakers, never ran a comb through my hair, and didn’t really care about what I wore. Coming to Boston College from a Catholic high school with a dress code (collared shirt, slacks, crewneck sweaters acceptable in place of shirts), I was ready to burn the khakis and pick up the sweats. Then I got a girlfriend—how she saw past the layers of lumpiness I’ll never know. Without forcing anything on me, she slowly suggested some minor changes that eventually turned me, if not stylish, then certainly at least less sloppy. The most important thing she introduced to my wardrobe was some color. I was so content just to traipse around with a bunch of white and grey t-shirts, some basic jeans, very simple white sneakers and white gym socks. She brought me to Urban Outfitters and fixed the sock situation pretty quickly. In case any guys are actually still reading this, order some Happy Socks from UO’s website— they’re super comfortable, cheap, and come in patterns that aren’t too wacky. These socks are definitely a step up from the Hanes ankle-high white gym socks I’d been rocking with confidence. I think on the whole she taught me to be a heck of a lot sleeker when it comes to what I wear. I used to wear some pretty form-unflattering things (plain t-shirts don’t look flattering on anyone, really), one of the most heinous of offenders being a pair of pocket-spackled cargo shorts that were all frayed along the bottom. They went in the trash pile pretty quickly, as I traded them for some tighter salmon shorts from J.Crew that made me, if nothing else, feel like I fit in on a campus that gets increasingly more salmon as the temperature rises. Other than integrating color into my clothing, I think it’s fair to say that most of my friends would identify me as the “stripe guy.” When she saw that I had picked up a striped shirt at Uniqlo (one of my absolute favorite stores for the basics, likes tees and sweaters) last month, my mom shouted to my brother from upstairs “Chris, he got another striped shirt!” I’ll admit that it’s becoming a bit of a habit, so much so that several people who dressed as me for the annual Heights “Dress As Your Editor” party last fall merely had to toss on a striped t-shirt and it was instantly apparent who they were. Though I pale in comparison to a lot of guys I see wandering the streets of New York City when it comes to my fashion sense, I like to think that I at least understand now what constitutes a good-looking outfit. One of my favorite stores in the world is Topman, an offshoot of Kate Moss’ popular line Topshop. Although the chain hasn’t made its way to Boston yet, it’s worth checking out if only for the ever-changing array of clothing online. Last week, I hit up the SoHo store with a coeditor and wound up buying a red checkered button-down and some “cobalt blue” khakis—two things I never would have bought for myself had my girlfriend not instilled in me the confidence to try new things. If you take anything from this, it’s that guys shouldn’t be afraid to switch up their wardrobe a little bit. On the whole, we’re an extremely stylish campus. Though I know I’ll never end up on the BC Sartorialist’s website—says the kid who went to a Major Lazer concert in a white button-up and blue sweater, and was subsequently shamed on stage in front of the audience—I’m proud of the strides I’ve taken in sprucing up my style.

Brennan Carley is the Arts & Review Editor for The Heights. He can be reached at arts@bcheights.com.

1. ONE FOR THE MONEY One Direction–boy band, pop stars, and teenage heart-throb extraordinaires–have just been sued by … One Direction. An American band by the same name (which purportedly formed in 2009) and with exceedingly less popularity is suing their UK counterparts for stealing the trademarked name. It’s the group’s first scandal, and a mild one at that since the U.S. One Direction is mainly seeking $1 million in damages from Simon Cowell’s record label and Sony Music, not suing the boys as individuals.

2. LEVINE IS SINGLE

Adam Levine may be heartbroken, but thousands of his screaming female fans are ecstatic that the Maroon 5 hottie is back on the market after a surprising split with his model girlfriend, Anne Vyalitsyna. Sources close to Levine say that he was not expecting the breakup at all. At the very least, Maroon 5 could follow up on their fourth studio album, Overexposed (coming out June 26), with Songs about Anne, harking back to their debut.

3. SELECTING BEGINS Because of the craze surrounding The Hunger Games,

the CW is jumping on the bandwagon with their own dystopian drama television show, called The Selection, set to air this fall. Although this new show is also based on a book (by Kiera Cass), it is a less graphic battle than The Hunger Games: heroine America Singer (to be played by Friday Night Lights’ Aimee Teegarden) is fighting for a prince’s hand in marriage, battling in a war-ridden society in what the author’s agent calls The Hunger Games meets The Bachelor.

4. ETHRIDGE FIGHTS EX

The battle between Melissa Ethridge and her former domestic partner, Tammy Lynn Michaels, over custody of their children rages on as Ethridge released insulting documents sent by Michaels to her and claimed that Michaels accidentally burned one of their children with a cigarette. In the documents, Michaels’ vitriol focuses on the fact that Ethridge never carried the children and that she is on the road too often to provide a stable lifestyle (a more reasonable argument). Melissa calls Tammy “angry and vindictive.” A hearing is set for May 29 to straighten things out.

5. HILARIOUS HILlARY The Secretary of State has quite a vibrant sense of humor. Despite taking a lot of personal shots about her age and stiffness during her presidential bid, Hillary Clinton has embraced the recent “Texts from Hillary” meme that has exploded on the Internet. Clinton even invited the meme creators (Stacy Lambe and Adam Smith) to come meet with her and visit the State Department, and offered up a suggestion for a hilarious meme, poking fun at her fashion faux-pas scrunchies.

@F—Ktyler (tyler the creator, rapper)

Attend our Sunday meetings in McElroy 113 at 4:30 p.m. and try your hand at writing for the most fun section of the paper.

“dude, i really like that ‘beez in the trap’ song” @perlapell (paula pell, writer ’30 rock’)

“who’s gonna finally throw a baby shower for me? it’s so clear i’ve been six months pregnant since college. do you people have eyes?” @lilbthebasedgod (lil b, rapper)

“i’m the first rapper to adopt a tabby cat. i adopted it straight from the aspca, you feel me?” @morgan_Murphy (morgan murphy, comedian)

“please take a moment to say a prayer for the duty free whiskey i had to transfer to my checked luggage during my connection in san francisco.” Submit your favorite tweets of the week for consideration at artseditors11@gmail.com.

The Heights

Thursday, April 12, 2012

Nicki Minaj’s sophomore effort is better than expected Despite several missteps, Minaj manages to bring her music to the next level on ‘Roman Reloaded’ By Brennan Carley Arts & Review Editor

Perhaps it was Aristotle who said once that “haters just gonna hate,” and oh, how the fountains of discontent have rapidly burst forth following the release of Nicki Minaj’s sophomore album, Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded. A twotiered effort that demands listeners’ attentions and repeated listens, Reloaded is a record bound to be misunderstood by critics and fans alike. At times overzealous in its attempts to get noticed, a snag that plagued Lady Gaga’s Born This Way and Minaj’s fellow Super Bowl performer M.I.A. on her atrocious MAYA, the album suffers from a severe lack of editing—a problem that weighs it down with lumpy, half-baked songs that don’t live up to the unusually high precedent the rapper set for herself with her verse on 2010’s “Monster.” If only Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded

it, but it’s easy to sense her lack of confidence in her own vocal abilities. Mary J. Blige, Burger King commercial aside, she is not. Ever since critics harassed Minaj for a debut album light on rap, heavy on pop, the superstar promised fans a return to “mixtape Nicki” on her second effort, but the only noticeable attempt to win back her early fans is a flat-out bore. Featuring mentor Lil Wayne and nobody Bobby V (really, Nicki, you couldn’t have called up Usher, or even Gyptian to return the favors they owe you?), “Sex In The Lounge” is stale, trite, and in-

Roman / Take a short vacation Roman / You’ll be ok”), surely an homage to Minaj’s theatrical background, and some seriously fierce lyrics slung at the listener in rapid succession over nary more than a minimal drumbeat. “Anyway stylists go get Bulgari / I am the ultimate Svengali,” she raps as alter ego Roman, providing a whirlwind of a high point that the album frequently manages to keep up with. It’s a legendary performance that slays on every level. Minaj follows “Holiday” up with three of her sharpest tracks ever. “Come On A Cone” offers the rapper a chance to prove her status as she points out, “Pink Friday 2 milli / “Super Bass” Triple plat / When you see me on Ellen / Just admit that I’m winning.” The track’s ludicrous chorus, a gibberish half-scream half-chicken

At times overzealous in its attempts to get noticed, a snag that plagued Lady Gaga’s ‘Born This Way’ and Minaj’s fellow Super Bowl performer M.I.A. on her atrocious ‘MAYA,’ the album suffers from a severe lack of editing—a problem that weighs it down with lumpy, half-baked songs that don’t live up to the unusually high precedent the rapper set for herself with her verse on 2010’s “Monster.” had been trimmed down from its whopping 22 songs—the disc offers more than enough spirited and well-executed songs from the reigning queen of hip-hop. I’ll admit, I’m biased in my truly never-ending adoration of the star—I once woke up at 3 a.m. to see her perform on Good Morning America, so yeah, it’s kind of a big deal—so it’s best to rip the Band-Aid off clean and start with the bad, of which there is much to speak of. There are some real clunkers on Roman Reloaded, almost all of which feature Minaj half-heartedly singing in an over-autotuned fashion. Her duet with Chris Brown, “Right By My Side,” is a formulaic flop that has generated a stunning amount of airtime on mainstream radio for a song that sounds like a thin wisp of Beyonce’s worst material. “I’m pouring out my heart / Oh boy” the rapper mechanically croaks, albeit passionately. The deeper album cut “Marilyn Monroe” sounds l i k e a d e m o M i n aj might have recorded for another star (like the time her “Saxon” w a s re worke d a s “Red Lipstick” for Rihanna, a more capable singer with better producers at her disposal)—it’s by no means a bad song, and Minaj does her best to do something fresh with

COURTESY OF YOUNG MONEY records

your-face garbage with weak rhymes and weaker melodies. Likewise, the already questionable talents of dancehall rapper Beenie Man are put to waste on “Gun Shot,” an impassioned track that strains t o b e s i g n i f i c a nt b u t should have been abandoned on the cutting room floor alongside “Fire Burns,” another misguided attempt at sincerity. On “Gun Shot,” Minaj’s vocals work well with the heavily produced number, but her lyrics are garbled and lost in the mix in a cute attempt to grasp her Trinidadian roots that falls short of inspiring. Many critics have note d that the album follows two distinctly dif ferent p aths — the f irst ten tracks veer heavily toward Minaj’s rap and R&B styling, whereas the latter half plants her firmly in the clubs. The rap side starts off with a bang on “Roman Holiday,” the frenetic number she performed on this year’s Grammy telecast to many harrumphs. It’s clear in listening to the recorded track that it’s hard to pull off live, a decision Minaj claims that the Grammy pro ducers made. It’s a whiplash of a track , jumping between a cockney c h o r u s ( “ Ta k e your medication

running around with its head cut off chant of “It should come on a cone / Yeah my ice is so cold / It should come on a cone,” applies the same principal as Elmo in its alluring but inexplicable silliness. “I Am Your Leader” features frequent Minaj collaborator Rick Ross in one of his best verses in years, followed up an appearance by Dipset legend Cam’ron, who reminds listeners who may have forgotten why he has been called one of the best living rappers. Minaj lyrically holds her own next to the two big guns, “Saint Nick / Ross / Hey Rick / I just bought got a toy / cost / eight-fifty / now I’m in the hood / n—s is getting woodies / hit up Hot Topic / Nicki Minaj hoodies.” It’s funny and tart, self-effacing and congratulatory in one spectacularly entertaining breath. The last of the three, “Beez In The Trap,” is as sparse as sparse gets, spiraling icy metronomes providing the only background noise as Minaj and 2 Chainz idly rap with aplomb. It’s the one song on the album that offers something completely original. It’s hard not to jump immediately to the pop side of the album, because it features some of Minaj’s finest moments. “Pound the Alarm” and “Whip It” seamlessly integrate the fast-paced rapping fans expect with the up- tempo,

club-ready beats that “Super Bass” commanded the airwaves with less than a year ago. It’s important to note that on these “sell-out songs,” Minaj never falters from her self-proclaimed brand, a strong sense of self made up of years of struggling on the streets to make it in the industry. Her thick New York accent never fades under the heavily produced numbers. While Katy Perry and Jessie J fell victim to crimes of pop-anonymity on their recent singles, there’s no mistaking Minaj’s acidic tongue and firm grasp on her lyrics. Here too, Minaj’s voice is overworked with autotune, but it works wonders for some reason, the clear result of proper editing and Dr. Luke’s impeccable production. Always one to quip, Minaj demands haters to “Jump in this ride / It’s real nice and slippery inside / Boys, boys come get this pie / Ride it in style,” a lyric that mocks cookie-cutter pop stars’ “I’m trying to be sexy but not too sexy” acts (I’m looking at you again Katy Perry), and instead slams the listener with an intentionally over-the-top laugh. Sure, the whip sounds might be hyper-literal, but Minaj is always two steps ahead of us, giggling from atop her pink-frosted throne as audiences try to put her in a box. In a similar vein, “Automatic” and “Young Forever” are smartly executed songs destined to be Minaj’s fifth and sixth singles as the summer months wind to a close. They’re both catchy and inherently hummable tracks that scream Top-40’s name. Some may call them ploys, surefire grabs at chart domination, but who are we to beat the girl up for wanting her album to sprout legs months after its release? The iTunes version of Roman Reloaded features three bonus tracks. The first, “Turn Me On,” is a David Guetta leftover that has already had its time in the spotlight. The last of the three is “Masquerade,” a cute track that Britney Spears was rumored to be a part of, a deal that fell through somewhere along the line—probably for the best. The best of the bonus tracks—and perhaps the album’s absolute best track, and certainly destined to be one of Minaj’s biggest smashes—is “Va Va Voom,” a single that was shelved at the last minute in favor of radio-friendly “Starships.” I’ll never understand the decision, unless Minaj wanted to give other musicians a chance to hit number one before she stomped along with this toe-tapping, neck-twisting number that screams perfection from its oldschool opening notes. “Va Va Voom” is snappy and darkly hilarious, though listeners may never pick up on its nuances, that offers a married man “One last option / I-I-I wanna give you one last chance / If you’re looking for the main attraction / Just hold on tight and let me do my dance.” There’s no question the hook was crafted by some of Hollywood’s most ingenious writers, as it picks up on the ground paved by Rihanna’s “S&M” (“Na na na na na come on”) and Minaj’s very own “Super Bass” (“Boom ba-doom / B oom boom ba-doom / Boom bass”). It’s almost guaranteed that this summer, at every intersection and stoplight, the sweet sounds of “Va Va Voom” will be blasting from every window: “If you want it / I’m gonna be / Va Va voom voom / If you got it / You got it / You got that voom voom.” It’s so perfect I might cry. D e s p i te i t s o b v i o u s missteps , P ink Friday : Roman Reloaded cements itself as one of 2012’s best pop albums and certainly wipes away any fears that Minaj had lost her edge. It’s a near perfect blend of pop-rap perfection, a love letter to the Barbs that have had her back since day one. Nicki Minaj is destined for superstard o m — Ro m a n Reloaded brings her r ig ht to the edge. n

Director Allen epitomizes New York City spirit and sensibilities Taylor Cavallo New York City is the best city in the world. This isn’t my pretentiousness shining through, or my bias because I’m lucky enough to call it home, it’s just a fact. I could go on and on, rambling about how the city is an epicenter of art, music, fashion, and almost anything else you can imagine, but I won’t. Anyone can travel to New York and experience that for himself; that’s the tourist experience, if you will. Being from New York is a cliquey phenomenon of sorts—even though it’s a huge city, meeting someone from our neck of the woods evokes an undeniable feeling of camaraderie. Once people tell me they’re from New York City, I know they’ll understand my obscure references, my humor, and especially, for better or worse, my occasionally volatile temper and fragile equilibrium of patience. Don’t worry, I’m really not as pompous as I seem at this very moment, but this has all been proven. Along with this solidarity, there are certain things all New Yorkers love (although there are probably more they all mutually hate), which bind them together: dollar pizza on St. Marks, Seinfeld, and Hari Krishnas in the Union Square subway station. One of these innumerable things is, of

course, Woody Allen: perhaps the most famous person who truly embodies the quirky New York reputation that precedes him. Despite his relatable yet hilarious demeanor, his films are universally poignant. In almost all his movies, Allen explores the depths of the human psyche and the subtleties of interpersonal relationships—the euphoric highs and the devastating lows of the ever-changing social world in which human beings are thrown. Allen’s films are filled with philosophical themes, literary references, constant shoutouts to psychoanalysis (my personal favorite) and thought-provoking situations. Perhaps this is further evidence of my New York bias, but it’s not just that. Allen’s films are social commentaries that tell us things we might not always want to face about human nature, and therefore ourselves. However, amidst all the “ugliness” that potentially resides within us, Allen simultaneously highlights the true beauty of what it means to be a living, breathing, and most importantly, a feeling, person. However ugly, tragic, or pathetic it might be. Allen’s classic films, such as Hannah and Her Sisters, Husbands and Wives, and of course, the masterpiece, Annie Hall, are at the essence of his film career. These films are all perversions of the generic genre they em-

body. Hannah and Her Sisters, the year-long chronicle of a family, not only highlights the real bonds between the three sisters, but also the jealousy, adultery, and deception that are maybe indispensable in sibling relationships. Husbands and Wives tells the story of two couples—not only how they learn from one another’s mistakes or support each other, but emphasizes the very real paranoia that arises when surrounding relationships fail, making couples question the stability of their own connection. Annie Hall, a film that describes one of the most dynamic and beautiful relationships, is retrospective not of its joy, but its demise, and ends with the protagonist (Allen) only reliving the relationship’s memory through playwriting. While his films may not be the happy endings many people long for in movie-going experience, this is what makes them what they are: compelling and real. This column about my love for Woody Allen isn’t entirely random. Maybe I was looking for an excuse to write about him, but it is timely. Allen’s new film, To Rome With Love, is set to release on April 20, and from the looks of the trailer, we can expect more of what we love from the NYC film genius. It does seem similar to Midnight in Paris in many ways (which is definitely not a bad thing), in that it is set in a

romantic European city. Despite this similarity, along with the general idea that characters are traveling to a foreign place and learning things about themselves, there are new things to be excited about. To Rome With Love is Allen’s (far superior) version of movies such as New Year’s Eve and Valentine’s Day that seem to pack as many stars into them as possible. Along with the man himself, the April film stars Ellen Page, Alex Baldwin, Penelope Cruz, Roberto Benigni, and Jesse Eisenberg. I anticipate only great things.

The epitome of this New York camaraderie has never been as apparent to me as the moment I met Woody Allen. It was on 9th street, between 1st and 2nd Ave. He was sitting outside in a cafe. I recognized him immediately, felt my heart skip a beat, and then, went up and approached him, because I knew, being a New Yorker, no matter how famous he was, he wouldn’t be annoyed to talk to a fellow New Yorker fan. And he wasn’t—he was much more annoyed at the tourists that quickly scooted past me.

Courtesy of Medusa Films

Baldwin and Eisenberg are the latest in the long list of actors to collab with the vetern Allen.

The Heights

Thursday, April 12, 2012

Keeping with the current

Star value by Carolina Del busto

Miley Cyrus’ boy toy Liam gets Hollywood footing A closer look at a cult rock classic Australian born actor Liam Hemsworth got his first big break when he played Miley Cyrus’ love interest in the Nicholas Sparks film adaptation of The Last Song in 2010. Their relationship made its way off the screen and on to real life. The two have reportedly been on-and-off since 2009, but are currently at a steady go. For a while, Hemsworth was notable for being Cyrus’ boy-toy, or the brother of Thor’s Chris Hemsworth. That is, until the premier of the highly anticipated The Hunger Games this past month. Even though Hemsworth had a minor role as Gale, he has signed on for the sequel, Catching Fire, in which his role will be much greater. Catching Fire isn’t the only film in the works for this actor on the rise, according to IMDb.com. Hemsworth has five other films he is working on that are set to be released between this year and 2014. His striking good looks and charm will certainly be in his favor as Liam Hemsworth makes his mark in Hollywood.

Dan Siering

Photos courtesy of columbia pictures

Fashion Forward

Spice up your standard Superfan garb Fashion can be yet another way to express pride for your alma mater

Therese Tully Coming off the big hockey championship, it seems there is school spirit everywhere. It’s kind of contagious. It is just so wonderful to see our school getting some acclaim and some praise. It’s nice to remember that our sports programs can have their successes, and we all get to be a tiny little part of that when we support our teams. It has been a difficult year for Boston College in numerous ways, but this small success leaves me, and all of us I think, ready to celebrate. What better way to show some school spirit than to don some BC duds of course! Whether you pick up a National Championship t-shirt, or just rock your Superfan class tee, it all is about being part of the school, the spirit, and the feeling. But how does one rock BC maroon and yellow without being just one of the crowd or looking totally cheesy, you may ask? Well, there are a few options. First, think about the color scheme. Superfan yellow is hard to pull off (as pointed out in the hilariously true “Sh*t BC Girls Say” video on YouTube), so if this is the case for you, play up the maroon. Luckily, sweaters, sweatshirts, tees, and sweatpants all come in a hue other than vibrant yellow. But maroon is a great color, and it’s easy to get creative. Pair that Superfan shirt with a pair of Nantucket Red shorts this spring at any sporting event, top with a few preppy details (think Sperry’s and pearl studs perhaps), and the look is complete. Or find yourself a nice maroon cardigan to go with the yellow tee for chillier days. Another way to stand apart from the crowd, while fitting in perfectly, is to find yourself some vintage BC apparel. Did your parents, aunts, uncles, cousins, or grandparents go to BC? Hit them up for some of their old gear. These vintage BC pieces will look classic next to today’s Under Armour ones. Older pieces just scream cool, and the designs are a good retro/vintage mix-in with your daily jeans. Side note, anyone got a lot of vintage BC garb? Hit me up, I am definitely in the market. What’s old is new again, so sport all the vintage you can. But for those of us without the Eagles’ legacy and the great retro apparel at our fingertips, the Bookstore offers some modern versions that look a bit distressed. Usually from ’47 Brand, these modern textiles have an older feel with faded colors and vintage inspired logos and designs. Though not quite the real thing, they will do for now I guess. One of my favorites are any tee or tank that sports the old BC Eagle that looks more like a squawking chicken than a majestic bird. Now take the pieces you have so carefully chosen from the Bookstore or your mom’s closet and integrate them

into your daily wardrobe. One doesn’t need to show his or her Superfan spirit from head to toe all days of the week, though if you are feeling it, go for it, and power to ya. A cool tee tucked under a cardigan and paired with a great pair of jeans lets everyone know that you have school spirit without having to paint your face or get one of those Yellow Man suits. It’s a lot more functional and subtle for classes, the library, and dinner—basically everything. But sometimes on those game days, you just have to go big. And though this may not be the most fashionable day of your life, it is sure a great one. Let yourself get sucked into the spirit and go all out. In fact, I have seen some people get quite creative with the humble yellow Superfan shirt that we all begin our freshman years with, turning them into tanks with braided straps. The craftsmanship and creativity are surely impressive, and remind us that this BC fashion can be a little bit crazy and free. Though I am not one to sport BC apparel every day of the week, or even once a week for that matter, it is nice to belong to all of this. Standing out in O’Neill Plaza to celebrate with the hockey team made BC feel like a community, and even though I was in my gym clothes, I threw on a BC sweatshirt to get in the spirit. It was actually the first BC item I ever purchased. My parents bought me that sweatshirt on Accepted Eagles Day two years ago, and it still makes me as excited as ever to belong. So even though I may not love all the apparel and hardly deck myself out in it too often, it serves an important purpose. If we can just figure out how to wear it in a cool and fashionable way, it will be all the better. The apparel makes us one in our maroon and gold get-ups, and these four years are all about doing that–discovering who we are and separating ourselves–but remembering that it is BC that allows us to do this, and gives us the opportunity to figure it all out.

Therese Tully is an editor for The Heights. She can be reached at arts@bcheights.com.

Top:Vintage washed t-shirts are stylish alternatives to the overly bright Boston College tees and sweatshirts. Bottom (left): Everyone’s favorite preppy company Vineyard Vines released special Boston College apparel, incorporating their famous prints with some of our school spirit. Bottom (right): The staple of every BC student’s wardrobe is the brightly colored Superfan shirt. Paired with choice pieces, it is an item that can be dressed up, despite its shocking yellow.

LIKE THAT? TRY THIS! by Allie broas Punk’d holds a very special place in the hearts of many of our generation as a conversation starter at middle school dances. The thrill of watching people get pranked from the comfort of your living room was unprecedented and wonderful. Certainly it would sadden many fans to find that Punk’d has now assumed the role of time-filler between episodes of Where are they now: Wilson Phillips on the TV guide network. Although MTV has recently begun airing a new version of Punk’d geared toward the Bieber-generation, pretending that it is a remarkable feat to “punk” Snooki is ridiculous and not worth anyone’s time when America’s sweetheart stars in a much better and more entertaining show. Betty White has proven time and again to be the reigning queen of Comedy, and her new show Betty White’s Off Their Rockers is no different. Off Their Rockers is a hidden camera show where the elderly play pranks on members of younger generations. They pull out their teeth in public and bowl cantaloupes in supermarkets with seemingly no consideration for their surroundings, so naturally it is one of the most enjoyable reality shows on television. If you liked Punk’d, you should tune in to Off Their Rockers, because your taste should’ve matured by now to enjoy more sophisticated humor. Like a blind man pouring birdseed on people.

Many consider it the greatest rock musical of all time. It’s the film that, after knocking the mighty Ghostbusters off the top of the summer box office charts, transformed a timid, aspiring musician into a cultural icon. I’m talking, of course, of Albert Magnoli’s infamous cult classic Purple Rain, the film that introduced the world to the Midwest rocker simply known as Prince. For those not familiar, Purple Rain is a film that, in 1984, emerged from low-budget obscurity to become an unexpectedly popular and influential film. Set in the brisk streets of Minneapolis, Purple Rain tells the story of The Kid, a troubled but brilliant musical talent who emerges from an abusive home to battle for the spotlight against rival musicians. The Kid eventually meets the gorgeous singer Apollonia, and the two engage in a tumultuous courtship. On top of the romantic perils, the musician also has to deal with his abusive father, friction within his band, and his archenemy Morris Day. Chock-full of eccentric characters and outrageous stage-wear, Purple Rain displays an onslaught of melodrama and more than a few memorable musical performances, highlighted by Prince’s legendary performance of the film’s title track. Now I’m not rambling on about Purple Rain just because I think it’s a film everyone should watch or because I think Prince is a legend or because it was filmed in my home state. I bring up this somewhat forgotten cult hit because of the release of a recent book by John Kenneth Muir titled Music on Film … Purple Rain, which tells the surprising, enthralling tale of the making of the film. The short novel focuses on Magnoli, a young director at the time, who came across Williams Blinn’s original script after almost every experienced director in Hollywood had turned down the project. With Prince’s name attached, Magnoli, who knew little about the flamboyant rocker, viewed hours of concert footage, as he attempted to explore ways in which he could make Prince connect with a wide audience. Seeing Prince’s androgynous and unconventional style, Magnoli saw the task of making the singer relatable as near impossible. Magnoli also notes that on his way to the airport to meet Prince in Minneapolis, the director asked the cab driver if he knew who Prince was. The driver replied that he did. When asked what he thought of the singer, the driver said that he believed Prince to be gay and couldn’t see himself being convinced otherwise. Magnoli, courting a generation that was still apprehensive toward homosexuality, saw this as another obstacle to achieving mainstream success. Yet Magnoli claims that all these trepidations were wiped away the instant he saw Prince walk into the meeting: “I ended up filling [in] the whole story based on him walking across the lobby. Because what I saw was extreme vulnerability, in spite of all the bluster and the costume and the music. This was a vulnerable young man. I saw all the heart and soul.” At the dinner meeting, Prince asked Magnoli what he thought of the script, which at the time was titled Dreams. The director bluntly replied that he thought, “it sucked.” After a moment of awkward silence, Magnoli went on the pitch his version of the story. There was once again silence, ultimately broken by Prince suggesting that he and Magnoli go for a ride in his car. “So I was thinking, ‘He didn’t like the story . . . and now I’m dead. I can die right now, and no one will know. . . .” noted Magnoli after Prince began speeding down a pitch black road. But it soon became apparent that Prince was interested in changes. Magnoli assured the musician that if he was willing to have his character succumb to the abuses of his father, then they would be able to make a great film. The timid singer readily stated that he was “willing to take that hit,” which for Magnoli was a both literal and metaphorical compliance with the director’s script changes. The novel goes on to discuss the shooting of the film and the difficulties that Magnoli faced when working the film’s musicians, who for the most part had never acted before. Apparently, Morris Day was a disaster to work with and, if you have seen the film, this shouldn’t be a surprise. Muir’s novel cements Purple Rain as a landmark in the rock opera genre and a must watch for anyone who enjoys the fusion of film and music. For me, the film has the allure of Top Gun, a film that is so definitively ’80s and extravagantly melodramatic that it is, well, cool.

Dan Siering is the Asst. Arts & Review Editor for The Heights. He can be reached at arts@bcheights.com.

The Heights

Thursday, April 12, 2012

The Crows’ covers album is a breezy blast from the past

Chart Toppers

By Sean Keeley

1 We Are Young fun. 2 Somebody That I Used To Know Gotye 3 Boyfriend Justin Bieber 4 What Makes You Beautiful One Direction 5 Starships Nicki Minaj 6 Call Me Maybe Carly Rae Jepsen 7 Glad You Came The Wanted 8 Wild Ones David Guetta 9 Part Of Me Katy Perry 10 Stronger Kelly Clarkson

Heights Staff

Since the mid-’90s, the Berkeleybased band Counting Crows has established itself as a force to be reckoned with, an alternative band with popular appeal. The band, led by lead singer and songwriter Adam Duritz, is equally comfortable with simple, catchy pop-rock songs (“Hanginaround,” “Accidentally in Love”) and more complex, folky material (“Mrs. Potter’s Lullaby,” “A Long December”). While Counting Crows’ popularity has waned, the band continues to soldier on with its new release Underwater Sunshine (Or What We Did On Our Summer Vacation). As that title suggests, the new album has a tossed-off, casual quality—in fact, it’s a covers album, perhaps intended to tide fans over until the band’s next batch of original material. While Underwater Sunshine is unlikely to gain Counting Crows any new converts, it is an enjoyable trip that showcases the band members’ musical abilities while paying tribute to the musicians and songs that have inspired them. One of the reasons Underwater Sunshine works is that the songs chosen are not too familiar. There are no standards here—for the most part, the band chooses songs by semi-obscure contemporaries like Coby Brown and the Scottish band Teenage Fanclub, along with some older, forgotten groups like The Faces and Pure Prairie League. The relative obscurity of

the material allows Counting Crows’ treatments of the songs to stand on their own merits, without comparison to the original versions. As a result, the album feels like an authentic Counting Crows album and not merely a dutiful homage. In fact, there’s nothing dutiful about this release: it plays like an impromptu jam session, with the band trying its hand at a bunch of its favorite songs. The best tracks on Underwater Sunshine have an appealingly laid back feeling: from the up-tempo country tune “Amie” to the catchy “Ooh La La,” which features members of the band strumming on multiple guitars and trading off vocal solos. These two tracks are examples of the album’s country flavor. Country as a genre seems dominant here, and Duritz’s voice at times carries a slight Southern twang. However, there is some variety: “Coming Around,” a song written by the Scottish band Travis, has high vocals and harmonies that recall the Beach Boys, while “Hospital”—a cover of an unreleased Coby Brown demo—has a jittery, distressed quality brought on by a harsh electric guitar that cuts in intermittently. “Hospital” is also one of the few tracks that carries an evident personal meaning: the band recorded it while Duritz was recovering from an addiction to prescription medications, so its tale of sickness and suffering takes on a special charge. But most of the songs here don’t explore such dark territory. They are

Underwater sunshine counting crows produced by Collective sounds released April 10, 2012 Our rating B-

courtesy of Collective sounds

Singles

Top Albums

Counting Crows takes pleasure in covering their favorite songs on ‘Underwater Sunshine,’ an enjoyable effort. instead breezy and pleasant, and that’s both the blessing and curse of the album. It’s clear that the band has a lot of fun tearing through catchy, campfire sing-along kinds of songs, whether it’s “Ooh La La” or the playful, jaunty Bob Dylan song “You Ain’t Goin’ Nowhere.” But on some level, the album’s songs tend to blur together into an agreeable but not always memorable haze. The album has 15 songs, and is altogether too long to sustain the

mood. There are real gems scattered throughout Underwater Sunshine, but there are also a number of songs that—while not complete duds—are somewhat forgettable and so get lost in the shuffle. Still, Underwater Sunshine is a reminder of Counting Crows’ musical strengths. The band is equally adept at playing quiet acoustic numbers as it is rollicking rock songs. There is a real energy to these songs, and

Duritz’s impassioned, inspired vocal deliveries sell them each time. In short, the band never sounds like it’s going through the motions, even when it is. Overall, Underwater Sunshine is a thoroughly enjoyable album, but it’s also a bit inconsequential in the scope of the band’s career. If this is what Counting Crows did over its summer vacation, then here’s hoping what the band does next will be even more worthwhile. n

1 Roman Reloaded Nicki Minaj 2 21 Adele 3 Changed Rascal Flatts 4 Tuskegee Lionel Richie 5 Up All Night One Direction Source: Billboard.com

M. Ward fills much needed rockabilly niche with ‘Wasteland’ By Darren Ranck Heights Senior Staff

While there’s no denying the thrill of getting drenched by the blaring buzzers and whirs of dubstep or sweating to the pulse of Top-40 bass, it’s comforting to know that M. Ward forever lives in

the heyday of rockabilly and blues. His music fills an atypical niche in the music industry. It conjures nostalgia with its classic sound, yet acts as a progressive soundtrack for the modern man. Ward’s melodic growl strikes the perfect tone of weariness and youthful optimism, making him a much-needed twist

on an aging genre. Despite his influence in the industry, though, Ward began to fall into a creative rut after the critical success of 2006’s Post War. His last solo album, 2009’s Hold Time, possessed the signature elements of Ward’s music, but Ward himself admitted it was a phoned-in effort.

A Wasteland Companion M. Ward produced by MERGE released March 20, 2012 Our rating B+

courtesy of merge records

M. Ward, half of the popular She & Him, returns with his ode to the days of nostalgia with his stellar ‘Wasteland Companion’

Three years later, Ward returns with a new solo effort that sounds refreshed. The album A Wasteland Companion allows Ward to break free from the expectations of his music and create a work that adds new facets to his repertoire. To a certain degree, credit can be given to Zooey Deschanel for drawing Ward out of his slump. The two form the folk duo She & Him, and Ward’s music never felt more exciting than when he worked with the doe-eyed chanteuse. Certain songs feel influenced by Deschanel’s girl group style and no-holds-barred approach, but Ward still gives these songs a certain measured grace. The toe-tapper “I Get Ideas,” originally sung by the legendary Louis Armstrong, exemplifies this newfound freedom. The rollicking guitar lick leads into a jaunty verse delivery by Ward, and suddenly the listener is transported to a prom in the early ’60s. Ward’s alacrity and playfulness gives the antique tune a unique facelift, but it still maintains its vintage appeal. A song like “I Get Ideas” was written for fun and courtship, so Ward naturally finds freedom

in its subtle swing beat. The fact that Ward maintains this natural sound on nearly every track is the true surprise. This album doesn’t suffer from the heavy and laborious strains like the songs on Hold Time. Rather, the tracks have room to breathe in their subtle nuances, depicting the open wasteland that Ward refers to in the album’s title. The opening track “Clean Slate” perfectly sums up what’s in store for the listener. It’s a gentle opener that relies only on Ward’s acoustic guitar and a bit of falsetto as he croons, “I only have to wait a little while until I get my clean slate.” In retrospect, it feels like the album’s thesis statement. “Clean Slate” then fittingly segues into the first single “Primitive Girl,” a song that falls in line with She & Him’s repertoire but sounds nothing like the typical M. Ward solo track. Pervasive piano chords offer a pleasing punch to the track, while Ward tackles the lyrics with frankness and a hint of wit. The one-two punch of “Clean Slate” and “Primitive Girl” marks the album’s early high point. The problem with such a strong start, however, means that expectations are set high. Ward continues

to carry the album reasonably well. He breaks out songs with more harsh and crisp rhythms, which gives his vocals a new and welcome sense of urgency rather than his usual ambling speech. The song “The First Time I Ran Away” is particularly strong, as Ward’s acoustic guitar drives a song so wonderfully dreamy and lush in production that it warrants a repeat listening. Each song offers something interesting and worthwhile, but the album does wear its welcome by the end. Ward frontloaded the album with the most upbeat songs, leaving five ballads to sleepily wrap it up. In terms of organization, it’s not the smartest move. The major issue with the album stems from its lack of cohesion. The parts do not add up to a satisfying whole. The bookend tracks “Clean Slate” and “Pure Joy” suggest that Ward doesn’t truly care about that, though. He wanted to step outside of his self-imposed box and enjoy the experience of making this album. He can consider that mission accomplished. While this step in a different direction is not perfect, it’s a reason to look forward to what Ward does next. n

The return of the boy band craze is something music doesn’t need Matt Mazzari Okay, reader, let’s play a game. On the count of three, we’ll both name a musical phenomenon that, at all costs, should not be permitted to make a comeback. Ready? 1, 2, 3 … boy bands! You didn’t say anything. What’s the matter with you? Do you not enjoy games? The “boy band” is a trend we’re all quite familiar with. Despite the vagueness of the term, the modern “boy band” structure is strictly formulaic. The arrangement consists of an all-male cast in which there are no official musical designations, such as lead or rhythm, because none of the members actually play instruments. Though people often mistake early Beatlemania for the common symptoms of boy band fever, a better but antecedent comparison would be to their celebrated imitators, The Monke es . Whereas the young Beatles performed their catalogue live and in studio, true “boy bands” by the modern definition are selected according to a predetermined image

for music they will neither write nor play. The streamlined boy band concept is the Reality TV of the music world: it requires no celebrity, no talent, and no actual appeal other than shallow, ambivalent media attention. The best possible outcome for a newage boy band’s longevity is infamy, because “all press is good press” and because Boy Band producers subsist on harvested tears. We know where this is going. The latest resurgence of the trend to come thundering across the Atlantic like a super-disappointing storm is British pop sensation One Direction, produced by XFactor creator and professional jerk-face Simon Cowell. Though they’ve yet to make an American tour, they’ve already broken top-10 charts internationally with their single release “What Makes You Beautiful” and their dubiously named album Up All Night. What do you suppose the intended connotation of that title is? Is it sexual? Or is it just, like, “drank-too-much-caffeine-I’mgonna-hurl-with-excitement”ual? Either way, the appeal is questionable. The album, which presents

itself like an advertisement for a Ralph Lauren Just-for-Kids line, has generated quite the buzz. It triumphantly debuted at No. 1 on U.S. billboards, which is pretty remarkable considering its crippling lack of substance. But the music is far from being the only draw. A commenter on the official music video for “One Thing ” has remarked, “LOUIS HAS THE MOST UNIQUE STYLE!!!!!!! I’VE NEVER SEEN ANYONE DRESS LIKE HIM!!!!” in response to the band member’s red pants. Another dedicated musical aficionado, and also my roommate’s girlfriend, has reportedly declared: “They look like babies.” Succinctness is important to her. I’d have to agree with her, though, as the entire style and sound of the project appears to be a sort of puppy-dog approach to ensnaring listeners. For the most part, One Direction stands out from its genre only for its sheer, monomaniacal precision with which it is generic: the sound is polished to such a point that the surface of the acoustics shimmers, and the songwriting is collectively safe and reticent. Yet, the new boy

band look seems to have wandered from the ’N Sync and Backstreet Boys vein of chisel-chinned young men to soft and skinny adolescents who like to run around on the beach. The most provocative pose in the group’s vocabulary is the token “doofy” member flashing the camera a suggestive thumbsup from behind the playground.

The producers of the original boy bands wrote similarly simplistic and shiny music, but the ultimate goal was to subtly gesture to Nick Carter. One Direction is more concerned with playing with sparklers after being really close to a girl’s mouth. Is One Direction going to evolve? Or is this the latest move-

ment of Bieber-esque entertainment? The age-regression of pop music is disconcerting in many senses, but mostly because it represents an even further simplification of the subject matter. The return of the boy band with an even less mature foundation is the last thing that modern music needs.

Courtesy of columbia records

The adolescent boy band One Direction brings back unoriginal style and sounds that do nothing for the industry.

Radio singles by allan guzman Kanye West “Mercy”

Jai Paul “Jasmine”

Jason Mraz “Everything Is Sound” Kanye West is continuously evolving the sound of rap. His newest single, “Mercy,” brings a glimpse of the future. West employs the help of Big Sean, Pusha T and 2 Chainz for the verses as they rap over a thumping bass beat. Toward the third verse the song takes a turn towards an electronic vibe, signaling the coming of Kanye’s verse. “Mercy” is a track that will make full use of your hearing—and your subwoofer.

Jason Mraz has established himself as a crooner whose way with words immediately make girls’ hearts melt, and he does it again in this upbeat tune. His smooth-as-silk voice is what gives the song vibrancy, and he sounds undoubtedly chipper as he sings “If you’ve had enough / Well you can empty your glass and we can fill it back up.”

Not much is known about British songwriter and producer Jai Paul, but he has recently made waves with his unique blend of soulful and electronic sounds. “Jasmine” is a subtle, lounge-friendly effort. The lyrics are almost incomprehensible, but they’re not the focus. The compelling rhythm of the electro beats is what drives the song, as well as the desire to find a way to move to it.

CLASSIFIEDS

The Heights

Thursday, April 12, 2012

Community Help wanted Have you thought about ADOPTION? Loving and devoted married couple hoping to adopt. We hope you will consider us in your options. To learn more, please call us toll-free at (877) 8413748, or visit our website www. roseanneandtim.com. Please be assured all conversations are held in strict confidence.

Volunteers Volunteers needed for circusthemed birthday party. Looking to have several face painters on hand. Prior experience is a plus. Paints will be supplied at the event. Ability to juggle would also be a valuable secondary skill. Email: cmq22@aol.com.

help wanted Fundea — a new mobile game company, is looking for a part time assistant in Marketing & PR. Call: Ruth Rosenberg (617) 2445423 or email: fundea@comcast. net.

Check out the B-Line at theb-line.tumblr.com

Directions: The Sudoku is played over a 9x9 grid. In each row there are 9 slots, some of which are empty and need to be filled. Each row, column and 3x3 box should contain the numbers 1 to 9. You must follow these rules: · Number can appear only once in each row · Number can appear only once in each column · Number can appear only once in each 3x3 box · The number should appear only once on row, column or area.

Thursday, April 12, 2012

The Heights

Thursday, April 12, 2012

Music’s secret superstars

By bRENNAN cARLEY | aRTS & rEVIEW EDITOR, Taylor Cavallo | Assoc. arts & review editor, Dan siering | asst. arts & review editor Pop music is an industry, and only the glitziest get their moment in the spotlight. It shouldn’t come as any surprise that Rihanna doesn’t write her own lyrics, but listeners might not know that her doppelganger Ester Dean has basically written every female-driven Top-40 hit in the past several years. Likewise, everyone thinks Kanye West produces all his own music—after all, he carved out a career for himself producing for Jay-Z at his prime—but lately he’s deferred to up and comer Hit-Boy for his beats. This week’s Scene looks to explore musicians who fly under the radar but keep the industry ticking.

T-BONE Burnett

You can’t talk music production without mentioning the name T-Bone Burnett. Having his name attached to an onslaught of hits from the last 40 years, Burnett is one of the most acclaimed producers and writers that the music world has ever known. Despite writing songs right out of high school, Burnett’s fist significant contribution came as a musician, as he caught his big break when he began touring with Bob Dylan’s Rolling Thunder Revue in 1976. When the tour ended, Burnett formed The Alpha Band, which released three semi-successful albums. The guitarist then embarked on a brief solo career but eventually found his footing as a record producer. Throughout the ’80s and ’90s, Burnett produced albums for such acts as Elvis Costello, The Bodeans, and The Wallflowers. In the past decade, Burnett has gained fame for his production of notable film soundtracks, highlighted by his collaboration with the Coen Brothers in The Big Lebowski and O Brother, Where Art Thou, the latter which won him a Grammy Award. Burnett today continues to be a big contributor to both the music and film industry. With his patented dark rimmed sunglasses, T-Bone Burnett seems to be perfectly comfortable producing hits from afar.

Diplo

JAMES CAMERON

Hit-Boy While his name might sound like that of a back-alley superhero, the producer (whose real name is Chauncey Hollis) has been quietly racking up the hits over the past several years. Though Hollis is only 24, he is responsible for such smash songs as the Throne’s “N—s in Paris,” Rihanna’s “Watch n’ Learn” and Kelly Rowland’s “Lay It On Me.” Hit-Boy might not be the most talked-about producer in the game right now (Dr. Luke and Darkchild steal that throne), but he’s about to blow up with tracks on Nicki Minaj’s new album (like the not so subtly titled “Come On A Cone”) and, most importantly, Kanye West’s stunning new song “Theraflu.” Hollis claims to have first sent the track, minus vocals, to DJ Khaled for use on his new album, who turned around and delivered “Theraflu” right to Kanye’s mailbox. In turn, Kanye went into the studio and released the song a scant seven days later. The New York-based radio station premiered the track last Wednesday to impressive fanfare, and in the days since Hit-Boy was picked up by MTV for a prominent interview. His tracks epitomize simplicity and allow the artists to steal the spotlight as they rightfully should, but his beats are stars in their own right.

Her voice makes up perhaps the most recognizable drop in all of rap music. I’m not talking about Nicki, or even the oncepopular Lil Kim. You’ve certainly heard her at the beginning of every Rick Ross or MMG track, but you just had no idea who this unknown female was. She is a staple of the Maybach label—the infamous, one and only, Maybach Music girl. Simply stated, she is the girl who says “Maybach Music” at the start of each MMG song. The Maybach girl is Australian model of Singaporean-Chinese descent, Jessica Gomes. Maybe male readers wouldn’t attach her face to her subtle MMG proclamation at the start of every Rozay track, but they might recognize her face. Gomes has appeared in each Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue since 2008, and graced the cover of Maxim in November 2011. She is a minor celebrity of sorts in Korea, having appeared on the Korean Dancing with the Stars and various commercials. No wonder the Teflon Don chose this girl to be his Maybach main squeeze. Gomez only recently identified herself as the Maybach girl, after realizing just how much Maybach was using the clip, which was first heard on the Ross song “Maybach Music” featuring Jay-Z. In this song, her Australian accent can truly be heard. Ironically, Gomes claims she and Ross are not friends, stating that she “doesn’t even know him.”

Tom Pentz, better known by his stage name Diplo, has been working steadily behind the scenes in the electro music industry for more than a decade. Originally gaining fame at Temple University with his infamous DJ house parties, Diplo began releasing mixtapes in the early 2000s. He became a major player in the industry with his 2003 release titled Never Scared, which was named one of top ten albums of the year by The New York Times. Gaining worldwide attention, the DJ began touring across the globe. It was during this circuit that he met performer M.I.A., who had heard and enjoyed Diplo’s unique sound. Thus, the two came together to collaborate on a variety of tracks with the highlight of their partnership being the mega dance hit, “Paper Planes.” With the success of his work with M.I.A., Diplo got gigs producing tracks for some of the music industry’s big hitters, including Snoop Dogg, Kid Cudi, and Bruno Mars. The Florida DJ has also gained a large following in recent years due to his collaboration with fellow house DJ Switch, who named their pairing Major Lazer. While he’s been lurking in the industry shadows for years, look for Diplo’s name to emerge as a major player in forthcoming years.

Jessica Gomes

Canadian director James Cameron is famous for many of his endeavors within the world of film: Spider-Man, The Terminator, Rambo, Aliens, Avatar, losing the Academy Award for Best Director and Best Picture to his exwife, and of course, Titanic. Even so, Cameron has a secret passion in which he is a pioneer: underwater research on the wreck site of the Titanic. The Titanic disaster has been an interest of Cameron’s for a while, as he made clear with the critically acclaimed and crowd favorite film. His interest goes beyond Hollywood, however. On Mar. 7, 2012, Cameron submarined down to the bottom of the New Britain Trench in a solo dive, making him the first person to accomplish this on his own. His recent discoveries and new information gathered from the Titanic wreck site have led him to reanimate the wreck scene in the film, making it more accurate in terms of the ways in which the ship broke and the angle at which it sunk. While he will not re-release the film, despite his new knowledge and computer animation, he discussed his findings on a National Geographic Sunday special titled, “Titanic: The Final Word with James Cameron,” which aired on Sunday, April 8, 2012.

ESTER DEAN It would be hard to make a case that there’s any harder-working person in the industry right now than Ester Dean, who is singlehandedly responsible for writing Christina Aguilera’s “Not Myself Tonight,” Beyonce’s “Countdown,” and countless Rihanna (“S&M,” “Rude Boy,” “Talk That Talk,” among others) and Katy Perry (“Firework” and “Peacock”) tracks. She sang the chorus of Minaj’s “Super Bass” and even wrote the victory anthem for last year’s American Idol champion, Scotty McCreery. Last month, The New Yorker did a fascinating article about Dean’s process when she hits the studio—clearly something is working for her to have written so many Top-40 hits. She had her own hit (“Drop It Low”) and has enough connections to craft her own album if she so chooses, a career path that looks as if she plans to follow after leaking the song “Gimme Money” featuring her pal Minaj. If possible, seek out the smoky-voiced demos that have found their way to YouTube, especially her unfinished pre-Rihanna version of “What’s My Name.” If she does decide to drop a solo disc, she’ll have all the resources in the industry at her disposal, but needs to step out from her more famous friends’ shadows, which shouldn’t be hard considering Rihanna’s recent nasty behavior. Now is Dean’s moment to shine.

metro The Heights

Thursday, December 8, 2011

Thursday, April 12, 2012

Wicked Cultured

Beacon Hill debasement Charlotte Parish There has to be a point at which Massachusetts stops electing officials with the tendency toward stealing from the public. It may be funny to remember that a former mayor of Boston, James Curley, was first elected to the position of alderman while serving out a jail sentence, but it’s also a sad reflection that things have not improved much since the start of the 20th century. Since Curley, Boston has had a discouragingly large number of corrupt politicians, the recent list of suspicious faces including House Speaker Sal DiMasi, former state senator Dianne Wilkerson, Senate President Terry Murray, House Speaker Robert DeLeo, former speaker Tom Finneran, and Lt. Gov. Tim Murray. All of these men have been under serious accusations, ranging from driving to endanger to pocketing public funds to nepotism. But they have also, for the most part, gotten away without investigation or serious damage to their public image. Now we can add to that list a former state treasurer Tim Cahill. Cahill has been accused of using about $1.5 million in public funds (money from the state’s lottery advertising budget, which he was in charge of at the time) to run ads that nominally promoted the Lottery. However, Cahill made a calculated mistake (a mistake only in that he got caught) by changing the script of these ads to boost his image and running them at the lowest point of his floundering gubernatorial campaign in 2010. The circumstances were so conspicuous at the time that several senior staff members reportedly had arguments with Cahill and objected to the changes. The question is: was Cahill really so deluded that he considered this practice acceptable, or was he so egotistical that he thought he could blatantly abuse public funds and his position without getting caught? Given Massachusetts’ (greatly absent) record with persecuting misbehaving politicians, it was probably the latter. Luckily, Beacon Hill seems to be changing its tune: Cahill is scheduled to have a day in court on Sept. 24 after Attorney General Martha Coakley pursued the rumors about Cahill and found evidence to support. Additionally, then, these allegations were made public despite the defense attorney’s objections. If these allegations prove true, Massachusetts needs to wring Cahill out to dry on this case. While it is a valid argument that his actions were no worse than other politicians over the years, and we willingly let them go with a light slap on the wrist, I think this is a moment to actually act on the call for transparency and accountability that have been buzz words without any weight to them for the past decade. For example, Scott Brown and Elizabeth Warren are actually making good on their public declarations to bring campaigns back to their basics and not accept outside ad money. So why shouldn’t we demand equal (or even higher) amounts of commitment to integrity from the rest of our political field? But the most frustrating aspect of this whole affair is that if Cahill is convicted, he will have squandered public funds in three different ways. First, there is the $1.5 million that he actually spent on the ads. Then, the price of what will most likely be a long court case with plenty of halts and delays for political positioning. Last, if he is sentenced to jail, Cahill will be using public money during his stint in prison. And he will never pay any of it back. Obviously, we should not drop the case to save money (which I personally think is a significant reason that other cases have been ignored over the years). But it’s infuriating that politicians can make lofty claims about working for the people, for the voters, for the good of the public, and then try something so underhanded. That is why Cahill has to be the example that no one wants to follow anymore. We have to make corruption and underhandedness not pay out, or else we will continue having Curleys and Cahills for another century. Charlotte Parish is the Metro Editor for The Heights. She can be reached at metro@bcheights.com.

By Tricia Tiedt Heights Staff

The Green Monster (excuse me, Monstah). 4 Yawkey Way. America’s most beloved ballpark. One of the most notable landmarks in all of Boston, Fenway Park, is easily a New England classic. Home of the Boston Red Sox since 1912, the ballpark will celebrate its 100th anniversary next week on April 20. The center of “Red Sox Nation” plans to celebrate this historical and much anticipated milestone accordingly. Last April, on the 99th anniversary of the park, Red Sox president and CEO Larry Lucchino an-

nounced Fenway’s plans, including a new webpage devoted to the celebrations to take place this year. At fenwaypark100. com, fans can find pictorial histories of the park, a digital map, 100th anniversary commemorative items, biographies of Fenway’s MVPs, and a message board to relive their favorite Red Sox memories. The schedule of events to commemorate the anniversary began in January as colleges from around New England competed in the hockey tournament Frozen Fenway (The Boston College Eagles defeated the Northeastern University Huskies 2-1 on Jan. 14, tying the Eagles’ game record with that of the Boston University Terriers to lead the Hockey East conference). Friday, April 13 will mark the Red Sox home opener against the Tampa Bay Rays. Next week, Fenway will be holding

Courtesy of AP Photo

a free Open House for Red Sox fans and baseball fanatics alike. Tours of the park (including areas usually restricted from fans), meet and greets with Red Sox legends, and historical displays will be available throughout the park on Thursday, April 19. The following day, Fenway Park will celebrate its hundredth year as the Boston Red Sox face off against the New York Yankees–the same two teams who played in the first game Fenway ever hosted. The New York Highlanders (who later became the Yankees) lost that 1912 game to the Red Sox 7-6 in 11 innings. Both teams will sport “throwback” uniforms as the Red Sox hope for a similar victory one hundred years later.

See Fenway, D3

Courtesy of AP Photo

Police pioneer house party program

“Run For Your Lives” race invades Boston

Violators of underage drinking laws perform community service in lieu of appearing in court

By Lauren Totino For The Heights

stylists, deals, a braid bar, and an RV full of the latest denim styles. The tour stops in Harvard Square on April 14 and 15, providing the perfect opportunity to check out Madewell’s offerings for spring. Made well has held a variety of events and promotions in recent years, from “Denim After Dark,” which offers denim, desserts, and music, to a collaboration with style star Alexa Chung. Madewell has run tours similar to the Denim Roadtrip in the past, driving cross-country to share new styles with

Last Saturday night, zombies invaded Harvard Square. No, this is not a late entry in The Heights April Fools’ edition. Indeed, the “Brews and Brains” bar crawl kicked off across the Charles River in Cambridge in anticipation of “Run For Your Lives” (RFYL), a zombie-themed 5K obstacle race coming to the Boston area Saturday, May 5. Following an unusual recent trend of obstacle course races, and on par with the ubiquity of zombies and other supernatural creatures in popular culture, RFYL presents the rare chance for both runners and zombie fanatics to come together for a weekend melee of athletics, mild horror, and parties. Derrick Smith and Ryan Hogan of Reed Street Productions, a company that deals with event management, design, production, and marketing, designe d the distinctive 5K race. AMC’s The Walking Dead served as their inspiration and culminated in the incorporation of zombies. The idea also came about as a way to promote Hogan’s athletic clothing line, Warwear, which will sponsor the event. The first race was held in Darlington, Maryland last October and attracted close to 10,000 participants, with runners and spectators ranging in age from 14 to 55. Throughout this summer, other states across the country, including Minnesota, Colorado, Washington, California, and Florida, will host similar RFYL races. Although the actual race takes place in about a month, the RFYL creators and promoters put a spin on the event’s tagline, “The virus is spreading,” by starting early in Harvard Square to spread the news of the race to Boston-area folks. Saturday night, John Harvard’s Brew House, Tommy Doyle’s Irish Pub and

See Madewell, D2

See Zombie 5K, D2

By Caroline McManus For The Heights

courtesY google images

Many Boston College students go off campus their junior or senior year, living in the surrounding towns of Brighton and Allston. Off-campus students become neighbors to a diverse body of non-University-students, and are forced to understand the importance of maintaining low noise levels and develop a sense of cleanliness. In the past, students who threw parties and were not able to keep the noise and littering to a minimum were charged with keeping a disorderly house. This resulted in the students

The Brighton Police Department has initiated a new amnesty program that promotes volunteer work. being brought before a judge and, if convicted, having a criminal record. Last spring, the Brighton Police Department changed their policy, however. First-time offenders of a violation of disorderly house would have the choice to either go before a judge, the same as before, or perform 30 hours of community service. According to Sergeant Michael O’Hara, who is part of the Brighton Police Department, this change in policy helps both the community and

the students: “The students won’t get a criminal record and they aren’t tying up the courts.” The 30 hours of community service consist of the students working in the Brighton and Allston communities doing landscaping, cleaning up trash, and painting over graffiti. They are put into situations that enable them to interact with their communities and see how they directly affect them.

See Police Program, D2

Madewell beckons fashionistas with denim tour By Molly Shea For The Heights

There’s no use in repeating the old cliche about the excess of J.Crew outfitting Boston College students— step one foot on campus, and it is clear that our love of the preppy closet staples runs deep. Over the past few years, however, Madewell 1937 has begun to claim its own spot as a BC favorite. Madewell, the

i nside Metro this issue

younger, trendier sister store to J. Crew, has been a Newbury Street favorite since its opening in 2009. The store offers a 20 percent discount to college students, making its already lust-worthy clothing even more appealing. The company, which offers on-trend wardrobe staples perfect for any college student, has kicked off a “Denim Roadtrip,” bringing its popular jeans on a cross-country tour, complete with

courtesY of google images

On the Flip Side

Is citywide control of cable rates in Boston beneficial to citizens or is it an infringement on businesses?.........................................D3

Restaurant Review: Tasca.............................................................D4 Person to Watch: Yolanda Coentro.... ..........................................................D2

The Heights

Subway Series

America reconstructs its freedom

Thursday, April 12, 2012

Madewell RV to loiter at Harvard

Marc Francis Freedom—it’s found in every city across the United States. Americans can wear what they want, talk how they see fit, and follow their dreams. The USA has become identified with this “free to be me” attitude nowadays more than ever before. Freedom has been at the center of debate since the beginning of time, and there are literally thousands of different interpretations of this ideal. The Bible puts forth ancient, religious interpretations of freedom, including statements like “I will walk in freedom, for I have devoted myself to your commandments” (Psalms 119:45). But in more modern times, we have influential, global megastars like Madonna urging the population to attain freedom by “expressing ourselves, so we can respect ourselves.” Symbols of a particular, unique American freedom exist in Boston and New York. Here, I’d like to focus on the Freedom Trail and the currently-in-progress Freedom Tower. The former symbolizes tradition, while the latter captures a futuristic essence of the term. Boston’s Freedom Trail is a 2.5-mile stretch of red brick, leading its followers to 16 famous, historic sites throughout the city. Some of the stops include Paul Revere’s home, the Old North Church, and the Bunker Hill Monument. Most of these sites commemorate events that occurred during the Revolutionary War, a time that marked America’s first venture into what has culminated in our modern conception of freedom. We celebrate American freedom and the establishment of a sovereign United States of America attained through the signing of the Declaration of Independence every Fourth of July. In fact, one of the stops along the trail is Old State House, whereby one can see the balcony where the Declaration of Independence was first read aloud on July 4, 1776. The declaration represents the kind of freedom that enables me to write this very column, study the academic subjects of my choice, and ultimately make all of my life decisions. For years, this freedom reigned in the United States without a single fear within the hearts of its citizens until a tragedy struck New York City, along with the rest of the country, on Sept. 11, 2001. Freedom was no longer a simple embodiment of the Bible’s order to follow the commandments or the essence of carefree songs like “Express Yourself ”—it became an entity that required protection. The day the Twin Towers were attacked, the very symbol of the Freedom Trail was violated. It is quite paradoxical—for many people, freedom is the ability to live without fear, but currently, many of us carry out our lives making sure no one is invading our free will. The freedom that was declared on July 4, 1776 is not indestructible—this is a very difficult concept for many people to cope with. It is an ideal that must be upheld and protected by the American people. The Freedom Tower, now known as One World Trade Center, is near completion. It will tower over the New York skyline, replacing the Empire State Building as the city’s tallest structure. The new tower is to serve as a memory of the horrific events that took place over 10 years ago; but in my opinion, it will more importantly function as a beacon of hope and progression. Life must go on, and the tower will replace a former world that was lost years ago. New York’s newest and grandest structure also boasts some remarkable innovations. The base of the tower is bomb-proof, the elevators will allegedly move at the fastest rate in North and South America, and there will be a state-of-the-art safety system installed throughout the skyscraper. Visitors and workers will be capable of contacting both the fire and safety departments via a wire system that will run throughout the entire building. A new conception of freedom was formed as a result of a tragedy, but with this new vision comes a revitalized sense of American pride. Boston’s Freedom Trail alludes to the original Americans’ journey to independence—the Freedom Tower is simply an extension of this journey.

Marc Francis is the Asst. Metro Editor for The Heights. He can be reached at metro@bcheights.com.

Courtesy of Google images

Owned by J. Crew, Madewell is aimed at a less preppy demographic.

Madewell, from D1 cities across America. This time, however, the company is adding a twist by offering five pairs of free jeans per stop, although shoppers will have to work for their denim. Madewell representatives will be hiding vouchers in a one-block radius around the RV, so those seeking a free pair of jeans should make sure to arrive early. For those not lucky enough to snag free denim, the tour will also feature exclusive discounts on this season’s jeans. Stylists will be on hand to fit shoppers in their perfect pair of denim, advise on outfit pairings, and provide personal style tips. To top it off, a braid bar will provide shoppers with new hairstyles to match their denim picks. The RV will be parked in Harvard Square for the weekend, providing the perfect opportunity to stock up on spring basics. Madewell will be tweeting from @madewell1937, so follow for roadtrip updates. For those in search of a fresh new spin on spring shopping, be sure to stop by. n

Zombie 5k invading on May 5

Courtesy of google images

Underage persons caught throwing house parties may not face a record.

Police aim to better community relations Police Program, from D1 O’Hara, who runs the community service program along with Sergeant Samil Silta, said that they develop a rapport with the students: “[We’re] making sure they understand that this is a community where people live, that by acting the way they do they are taking away from the police services.” Often patrolling Boston Police District 14 (Allston/Brighton), especially on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights, are party cars, some of which are funded by the Boston Police Department or funded by the different local universities. These party cars respond to disturbance calls and make sure that parties in District 14 are under control. It will be a few years before the Brighton Police Department has enough data to measure the effectiveness of this relatively new program. O’Hara said, however, that from what he can tell, the amnesty program does seem to be working. According to O’Hara, the most important thing is communicating a message of respect to the students: “The problem isn’t going to go away, but it is important that students understand that they are living in a community where people live and work and have property that they live and work for. It all comes back to one word—respect.” This new amnesty policy for a violation of a disorderly house does not only apply to BC students but also Boston University, Berklee College, Bay State College, and Emmanuel College students. n

Courtesy of Google images

Participants in the Run For Our Lives race will be dodging undead actors while running through Amesbury Sports Park.

Zombie 5k, from D1 Restaurant, Grendel’s Den, and Charlie’s Kitchen successfully hosted over 100 bar-hopping undead enthusiasts. Participants not only enjoyed zombie-themed drinks and specials, but many also became “zombified” with the help of makeup artists, reported Ryan Secret, the head of operations for RFYL. Representatives from Jagermeister, the official sponsor of the Saturday event, took part in the “zombiefication” process as well, joining the costumed crowd and adding to the eerie but exciting atmosphere. Those who registered for the bar crawl also received a “Brews and Brains” souvenir pint glass and t-shirt. RFYL crewmembers were on hand at the participating establishments to provide prospective runners and spectators with information and discounts for May’s race. The 5K will be held north of Boston at Amesbury Sports Park in Amesbury, Mass., with races both Saturday and Sunday, May 5 and 6. To enhance the physical challenge of a typical 5K, the racecourse features 12 manmade and natural obstacles integrating mud, water, and, of course, a surfeit of artificial blood. As if all the crawling, ducking, and diving that runners will have to endure is not enough, volunteers decked out as “flesh-

Person to Watch Yolanda Coentro is a 2000 graduate of Boston College with a Bachelor of Arts in sociology, as well as a 2001 graduate of BC’s Graduate School of Social Work, where she obtained her Masters Degree. This past December, she was appointed as the vice president for programs at the YWCA Boston in December. Leaders in the abolition and suffrage movement established YWCA Boston to address the social justice issues prevalent at the time. Currently, YWCA Boston works to eliminate racism, empower women, and promote peace, justice, freedom, and dignity for all. Additionally, it is the only organization in the city that is systematically working for social, racial, and gender equality. Their goal is to increase access to better health, make neighborhoods safer for everyone, and close the educational achievement gap. In a press release, YW Boston president and CEO Sylvia Ferrell-Jones stated, “We are not your mother’s YWCA, and Yolanda is not your everyday program leader. With a plan to systematically improve racial, gender, and social disparities in public education, public health, and public safety, we need a seasoned executive like Yolanda with proven leadership in these areas.” In this capacity, Coentro will oversee the suc-

cessful implementation of the organization’s expanded program and strategic plan. Prior to her appointment as vice president of programs, Coentro worked for a variety of nonprofit organizations in the Boston area. Most recently, she served as the program director for The Home for Little Wanderers, a non-profit child and family service agency that, according to their website, works to “ensure the healthy behavioral, emotional, social and educational development, and physical wellbeing of children and families living in at-risk circumstances.” Here, Coentro oversaw the Who: Yolanda Coentro `00 What: Coentro was recently appointed the vice president for programs at the YWCA Boston. Where: Coentro has been involved with several of Boston’s non-profit organizations, including the Family Centered Services Project. Why it matters: Coentro exemplifies BC’s tradition of societal commitment and steadfast work ethic as her projects produce positive results for the Boston community.

starved” zombies will stalk and chase runners in attempt to capture the runner’s two flags, worn on a belt in the style of flag football. The flags represent the runner’s health, and in order to make it to the finish line “alive,” the runner must have at least one of these flags intact. Two swiped flags indicate the runner’s official zombie status. The top three placing women and top three men of each age division receive awards and prizes. There is even a special military division for active-duty participants. Like the bar crawl, the 5K race doesn’t let participants walk away empty-handed. Runners get a Warwear performance tee, a racing bib, a medal signifying either survival or zombie transformation, and admittance to the Apocalypse Party, complete with live entertainment, games, and even celebrity appearances. Presumably, the purpose of the party is to celebrate the survival of the “apocalypse” that was the zombie-infested obstacle race. Interested participants should register online at runforyourlives.com by April 13. They have the choice of purchasing weekend packages, which include a slot in one race wave, a camping spot, and Apocalypse Party admission. All college students can receive $20 off of the race on Sunday, May 6, by entering the code “WickedGoodBrains” during the registration process. n

By: By: Arjun Jacqueline Gajulapalli Parisi

organization’s largest program sector with a staff of more than 80 and a budget of $4.7 million. Coentro has also served as an associate for the Family Centered Services Project, an organization dedicated to enhancing agencies’ ability to develop family-centered philosophy and practice through training, organizational consultation, and ongoing assistance. They provide training in mental health, child welfare, health care, and educational settings as well as organizational consultation to support family-centered practices. Coentro is a 2011 graduate of Boston University’s Non-Profit Management and Leadership Program for which she now serves as an advisor and mentor. Her experience does not end there, however. She is also a certified trainer in violence prevention and coalition building, serves on the statewide health disparities council for children’s behavior health, has overseen the development of program measurement and evaluation efforts, and has also served as a consulting clinician to Carney Hospital and Boston Medical Center. With specialties in diversity, coalition building, workforce development, and clinical best practice training, Ferrell-Jones added, “We are delighted to have someone of [Yolanda’s] caliber and commitment join our senior team.” n

The Heights

Thursday, April 12, 2012

Fenway and BC celebrate milestones Sox fans await the upcoming 100th anniversary game Fenway, from D1 Fenway Park is the oldest ballpark stadium in Major League Baseball still in use. Only two “classic” parks are left in the nation: Fenway and Wrigley Field, home of the Chicago Cubs. Although one of the most prominent

baseball landmarks in America, Fenway Park has the fourth lowest capacity of any MLB stadium: it is one of seven parks that cannot hold 40 thousand fans. The unusually small size and downtown location of Fenway has called for numerous renovations over the years, including additions that have become Fenway trademarks in themselves. “The Triangle,” “Pesky’s Pole,” “Williamsburg,” and the “Lone Red Seat” are all beloved and undoubtedly quirky features of Fenway, but the most famous gave Fenway its second

Courtesy of Google images

Drafted in 2002, pitcher Jon Lester has been a key figure in the Sox’s success.

name. The left field wall, commonly referred to as the Green Monster, stands over 37 feet in the air. The Green Monster is the highest standing wall among fields in the MLB. While the wall itself was part of the original construction, the scoreboard was added along with tin and concrete covering in 1934. The wall was not actually painted green until 1947, and seats were installed atop the wall in 2003. The scoreboard is still manually operated at every Red Sox game. As Fenway celebrates its 100th season, BC will celebrate its own 150th anniversary this upcoming academic year. The two celebrations will collide as BC opens the sesquicentennial year with a mass at Fenway Park on Sept. 15, 2012. The mass will be officiated jointly by members of the Jesuit community and alumni priests and open to all BC students, faculty, alumni, and their families, with walking tours of the park for those in attendance. Registration for this one-time only event will open in June. The Red Sox were swept by the Detroit Tigers last weekend, losing all three games as they opened their season on the road. A lukewarm comeback is currently in the making in their series against the Toronto Blue Jays this week, with the first win of this season on Monday night. Fans eagerly await both Opening Day and the 100th Anniversary game against the New York Yankees on Friday, April 20. Fenway has proven itself to be an American classic over the past 100 years. Both Bostonians and baseball fans nationwide have an appreciation for Red Sox Nation and the beloved ballpark in which the Red Sox find victory. The celebrations surrounding Fenway Park’s 100-Year Anniversary are both well publicized and well deserved. This milestone will only enhance the ballpark’s prominence and historical significance in Boston. n

Courtesy of Google images

Red Sox pitchers Jon Lester and Josh Beckett have become athletic icons.

Courtesy of Google images

Fenway Park has housed the Red Sox since their first game in 1912.

THE ISSUE:

For almost one year, Mayor Menino has been advocating for control over basic cable rates. Comcast has had a firm hold over the Boston population. Menino has considered this to be a major problem since rates have continued to rise over the last decade, and Bostonians have no other option but to stick with their current cable provider since television has become a necessity for many. The FCC has granted Menino’s request, but Comcast refuses to back down. They have appealed the FCC’s decision to give Menino control over rates. Comcast believes that rates should be determined by natural market forces, not as a result of government regulation. It also rebukes the idea that competition is one-sided, claiming that Comcast continually fights for new customers.

Courtesy of Google images

Menino limits market forces FCC ousts unfair monopoly Graham Beck While the FCC granting cable rights to the city of Boston appears to be a victory in the classic case of government protecting its citizens from greedy corporations, it really amounts to very little, and could prove to be useless as well as inefficient in the hands of the public. The ability to regulate basic cable rates means a lot of things for Boston’s citizens. Lower rates means less cash is shelled out every month to the cable company, and yet this really is not as simple of a benefit as it appears. The FCC has granted Boston the ability to control rates on basic cable television, not the whole package. While the whole idea is not to make people pay through the nose to watch the Sox game or the CBS Boston broadcast, having the FCC grant this power to the city of Boston does present other challenges as well. The city now bears the burden of passing legislation that regulates rates of cable for basic users, which, while it has not been tested quite yet, could prove slow and inefficient. In addition to this new responsibility, Mayor Thomas Menino is

also pushing for Verizon, Comcast’s competition, to be more of a presence in Boston and thus provide another means of keeping rates low. The plan all depends on the cooperation of Verizon, however, and its own decision to compete against Comcast rather than go in a direction that would effectively make them business partners. While this would also seem like progress forward, it is essentially a step backward, since the FCC revoked Boston’s privileges to regulate cable rates back in 2001. While the cable rates have increased significantly since then, the only reason is that Comcast is really the only major cable powerhouse providing service in Boston. Competition, rather than glorified but useless responsibilities, is key to keeping rates low. The FCC should be helping Boston, rather than passing off their responsibilities and making it seem like step in the right direction. Menino’s intentions are in the right place, but an alternate and more effective solution exists besides these responsibilities. Graham Beck is an editor for The Heights. He can be reached at metro@ bcheights.com.

Marc Francis The Federal Communications Commission’s decision to allow the city of Boston to control basic cable rights will result in lower cable bills for the city’s residents, as well as an evening out of competition within the television industry. Mayor Menino requested the allocation of such authority to the city over 11 months ago, and he finally received his desired result. The mayor of Boston had control over prices until 2002, when cable provider RCN entered the market. This prompted the FCC to conclude that natural competition would force prices to linger at reasonable rates. However, Comcast remained a dominant force in the industry and has raised its prices by more than 80 percent over the last decade, as reported by The Boston Globe. Comcast essentially has a monopoly over the Boston population. Because there is no serious competition, it can set its rates as high as it desires. Such dominance over a market limits growth within an industry and combats the essence of capitalism. When a monopoly exists in almost any industry, technological growth is usually limited as a result of the dominant company’s complacency.

Menino recently stated: “We’re pleased that the FCC recognizes what we’ve been saying all along — cable isn’t competitive in Boston. Comcast’s disproportionate rate increases on basic cable service put an undue burden on Boston’s working families, who rely on this service for essential local news and programming. They are upset and frustrated with increasing rates and a lack of choice in cable providers.” His statement also alludes to the deadweight loss present when a monopoly exists within an industry. When one single company can charge whatever price it deems most profitable, customers that do not value the service as highly as its cost will abandon it altogether. This results in a loss of potential gains for the company, and potential benefits for the consumers. Yet, because television has become a near necessity, deadweight loss is probably not a key issue in Menino’s fight to control rates. Rather, he places emphasis on digging the Boston population out of economic turmoil and paving the way for future companies to rise to prominence within their respective industries.

Marc Francis is the Asst. Metro Editor for The Heights. He can be reached at metro@bcheights.com.

The Heights

Thursday, April 12, 2012

BY JAE SHIN

Touring Boston through the eyes of a student As of Mar. 25, college acceptance season is officially underway, and hordes of high school seniors are flocking to Boston to see which colleges will be deemed worthy of their attendance. They’re roaming around the beautiful city, taking tours, observing the student populace, eating, and eventually

heading back home with college decisions weighing heavily on their minds. This “tour” doesn’t have to be restricted to high school seniors, though. It’s easy for Boston College students to get caught up in the “BC Bubble” and not get out to town enough, but if you’re willing to take some time off from O’Neill, it’s easy to do! One way to effectively get the “tours” that high school seniors get is to pick a few institutions, parks, and eateries, and go at it for a day. Start off the day on the outskirts of town, at Wellesley. Twelve miles away from Boston is short enough to take a bus but far enough

Courtesy of Google images

The majestic Boston Public Library attracts students from all of Boston’s major universities.

to be relatively isolated from the city. Breakfast at The Cottage is the quintessential American breakfast. If you’re in the mood for something sweet, their stuffed French toast with strawberry compote and mascarpone cheese have gotten rave reviews from Wellesley’s students. If you’re hankering for more savory foods, the All-American Breakfast with sausage and eggs will hit the spot. After finishing, meander over to Wellesley and gawk at the foliage, Lake Waban, and the Tower Court that stands majestically on campus. After walking alongside the Wellesleyans, stomachs will growl for luncheon. Go from the Ville on the Wellesley commuter rail into Boston to Newbury where the shopping mecca will astound with its array of shops, from Chanel to XXI. There are many places to eat within all price spectrums. If you’re looking for a highend quality, but still reasonably priced meal, Stephanie’s on Newbury is the place to go for Italian-American cuisine. If you’re looking for something more exotic, Thai Basil’s mango curry is the way to go, but if craving something sweet and light, ice cream places like Emack and Bolio’s abound. Shop a bit and then head on over to Hynes, to the Berklee College of Music. While it isn’t much to look at on the outside, venture into the winding staircases, the confusing corridors, and the plethora of instruments that reside here. Then hop onto the T to go to the Prudential Center, where the Boston

Allston-Brighton Crime Reports 3/19/12 — 3/27/12

Shoplifting of merchandise at local CVS pharmacy

Public Library awaits. Most college students outside of Boston don’t get time to appreciate its many nooks and crannies, and it’s a nice diversion from the outside world. Go upstairs into the “world” section, go downstairs into the kids’ area, or even take some time to soak in the small

and their patties are juicy and perfectly tender. Topped with your choice of fixin’s, and with burgers named after schools like BC, it’s an eating experience never to be forgotten. Head two doors down to J.P. Licks for a refreshing dessert. Finally, stroll around Harvard Square, ice

Courtesy of Google images

A novelty shop for food lovers, Cardullo’s is Harvard Square’s oldest delicatessen. pond out in the courtyard. Dinnertime! Head on down to the Red Line to Harvard. Go into The Yard, touch John Harvard’s foot (it’s a tradition!), and then hurry to get seating at Mr. Bartley’s Burgers—the most renowned burger place in Boston. Their buns are lightly fried with the slightest crunch,

cream in hand, popping into Cardullo’s Gourmet Shoppe to take a whiff of cheese or chocolate and be transported to food heaven. No matter what school you attend, going into Boston is a grand time and allows one to become nostalgic for the high school years. n

Restaurant review

Scrumptious feast from Tasca’s tapas

About 12:50 p.m. on Monday, Mar. 19 officers responded to a radio call for a larceny in progress at the CVS Pharmacy at 177 Brighton Ave. Upon arrival, officers spoke with the CVS store manager, who made the phone call. She stated that the unnamed suspect is a repeat offender and that he had come to the store on Friday, Mar. 16 at 3:30 p.m. and 3:50 p.m., and had stolen about $680 worth of merchandise in razor blades and lotions. She stated that she did not call the police last Friday because she did not realize that items were missing until the morning of Saturday, Mar. 17. She also stated that she had intervened on Monday at 12:45 p.m., and the suspect was unable to flee with the merchandise. She further informed officers that the suspect was wearing a black and grey jacket, black pants, black sneakers, and a black baseball cap. The suspect fled the scene prior to police arrival. The suspect is reported to have said to the manager: “I was going to pay for it. I’m drunk.”

Victims assaulted by gang of males in Brighton About 10:33 p.m. on Mar. 20, a unit responded to a radio call for an assault and battery in progress at 233 Cambridge Streeet, Brighton. Upon arrival, officers spoke with the victim who stated that while he was standing with the witness a tall, unknown male wearing all black clothing walked up to him and asked for a lighter. The victim stated that when he was reaching for his lighter the male punched him in his face. The witness and victim stated a group of males ran toward them and tried to attack them. The witness stated that he ran into his residence at 77 Empire St. and the victim ran into the Allston Food and Liquors to attempt to flee the gang of males. The victim stated that he ran into the store and screamed for help from the people inside. The victim stated that the gang of males followed him inside and struck him with a brick on his head, causing minor injuries. The witness stated that the males ran by his rear window and threw the brick into his residence, which caused the window to shatter. They then ran away into the alleyway, heading towards Empire St. Both parties were advised to call the police if they get any information about the suspects.

Merchandise stolen from mobile retail store About 1:57 p.m. on Tuesday, Mar. 27 an officer was approached by a man who wanted to file a report that his vehicle that had been broken into on 145 N. Breacon St. in Brighton. He stated that someone broke into his mobile retail store and stole about six baseball hats that were worth about $100 in total. He stated that he parked the mobile retail store on Monday, Mar. 26 at about 1:00 p.m., and he discovered it had been broken into on Tuesday, Mar. 27 at about 11:00 a.m. The suspect remains unknown.

- Courtesy of the Boston Police Department, District 14 Gathered by Marc Francis, Asst. Metro Editor

HOUSE AD

Courtesy of Google images

By Natalie Blardony For The Heights

Tasca: the golden, worn name of the restaurant plastered above the windows in vintage lettering give a traditional feel as diners approach the restaurant. This old-world feel then greets you as you enter, and you are instantly transported to Spain’s countryside. Although the three booths along the left wall take center stage when patrons first enter, the unqiue decor around the bar quickly grabs your attention. With only seven stools, it can be a little tightly spaced. But the warm lighting, brick walls, and Spanish paintings compensate by adding to the comfortable atmosphere. The coziness of the bar is complemented by the open dining area just a few steps down, which offers more open seating. Traditional music emanates from the speakers, but if you come on Sundays between 6 and 9 p.m., there is a live classical guitarist who adds to the authenticity of the restaurant. In fact, Tasca offers other enticing events such as Flamenco dancers, sangria and tapas night, and wine and tapas night. This is all before you even get to the food, which makes up for any misgivings some diners may have about the intimate setting. Starting off with a staple pre-meal basket of freshly baked bread, olive oil, and hummus, you can almost fill yourself up on this before any orders are even placed. Nonetheless, it helps to curb your appetite before the meal begins. Tasca prides itself on being a tapas restaurant, and as such is most widely known for these small plates. As a result, their full sized entrees aren’t as appealing or as satisfying as the house specialties. Mediocre at best and ranging between $12.95 and $19.95, the entrees are not Tasca’s finest offerings, and it’d be best to stick to what they’re known for: the tapas. Despite the small size of the tapas dishes, the pricing is almost too good to be true. To please a hungry stomach, two plates per person is the near average as the waiters may very well tell you. If you then feel a sudden onset craving for another, an additional $4.50 to $7.95 could leave you satisfied. One of their must-try dishes is without a

doubt the Jamon Serrano y Queso Manchego. It is on the lighter side of their many different tapas offerings, but well worth the $7.95. Comprised of extremely thin slices of cured, perfectly aged ham and Manchego cheese, this is a staple specialty of Spain that Tasca makes to near perfection: a to-die-for dish, most definitely. Accompanying this delicious meat is a slice of crisp, warm tomato-toasted crostini. Breaking off small pieces of the bread Location: 1612 Commonwealth Ave., Brighton Cuisine: Spanish Signature Dish: Crepe Helado Atmosphere: 6 / 10 Price: $$ Overall Experience: B -

as you slowly savor the ham and Manchego makes this a mouth-watering dish that can be a perfect start or an ideal end to any meal. Their desserts vary, as specialties change on a weekly basis, but their flan (while a clear delicacy) isn’t something that’s worth the money. The Crepe Helado, on the other hand, is another one of their must-haves. As their menu says, it is “cookie ice cream rolled in a thin crepe and smothered in a chocolate and amaretto sauce with toasted almonds.” With a description as savory as that, and the accompanying price tag of $5.95, it should not be passed over. If you lack a sweet tooth or wish to indulge in other things, it’d be wiser to invest in their other tapas dishes or a pitcher of their sangria, if age allows, as it is a widely popular choice at this restaurant that lives up to the reputation of the drink. Affordable, conveniently located off the B-line (Washington Street stop), and serving food with tastes straight from Spain, Tasca should be a go-to place for all looking for an unforgettable night and satisfying meal that will have you coming back for more.

Thursday, April 12, 2012

The Heights

Thursday, April 12, 2012