LOOK INSIDE Cal U mourns loss of respected faculty member
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Dr. Burrell Brown, faculty chair of the Department of Business and Economics, is being remembered for his accomplishments and contributions to the University after unexpectedly passing away .
January 30, 2015
22 Pushups raise suicide awareness. Page 8
SOUTH HALL’S
EXTREME MAKEOVER
VOL 37, NO. 14
LADY VULCANS HONOR CLARK
The Cal U Women’s Basketball team honored their late team member, Shanice Clark, on Saturday evening at the first home game of the season. Read more on Page 14.
ALL FOR ONE AND ONE FOR ALL Check out how the Cal U Women’s Swimming Team worked together to bring home a victory. Pg. 15
BISTRO OPEN LATE The Bistro is extending its hours this semester, allowing students to have an additional late afternoon dining option.
Spring 2015
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MAY 1, 2015
CAL U TALKS CRIME
VOL 41, NO. 25
Crime alerts frequent Cal U email accounts, find out how students really feel about the systems in place on campus.
VOL. 38, NO.17
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NEWS: 2
MLK DAY SPEAKER VISITS CAMPUS Derric Heck, community advocate, speaks about various civil rights leaders and the importance of MLK Day.
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California dives into the river for a “Frosty Frolic” on a frigid weekend
CALIFORNIA UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA VOL. 37, NO.16, FEB. 13, 2015
WEATHER: 6
FOOD: 7
POLICE: 13
OPINION: 14
SPORTS: 18
LIFE: 6
OPINION: 10
FEB. 20,2015
NEWS: 2
SPORTS: 13
Whiteout at Cal U
LIFE: 6
OPINION: 11
SPORTS: 13
STUDENTS HEAD SOUTH FOR WINTER MISSION TRIP IN THE
A look inside the newly renovated Cal U President’s Residence. Page 3 NEWS: 2
EVENTS: 6
VOL 39, NO.18 FEB. 27, 2015
LIFE: 8
OPINION: 11
SPORTS: 13
VOL. 37, NO.15,
FEB. 6, 2015
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
LYNCHING IN AMERICA Former Cal U professor, Dr. Tim Konhaus, speaks to students about the origins of lynching. Pg. 5
Cal U’s Interim President Jones asks faculty to step up and help recruit new students.
RIGHT IN THE KISSER!
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POET VISITS CAL U Spoken word artist Drew Law hosted a poetry workshop for students prior to a performace at The Underground Cafe.
THE FINAL FRONT PAGE
Women’s Basketball standout Kaitlynn Fratz is averaging nearly 14 points per game this season. Pg. 20
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STUDENTS GET CHILLY
VOL 41, NO.20
Head coach Jess Strom
INSIDE: This the NCAA Atlantic Region Championship.
Valentine’s Day Edition
year’s hit single “Show Me” 40, NO.19, VOL. went double Platinum. MARCH 20, 2015 Pg. 10
WEATHER: 4
POLICE: 4
FITNESS: 7
MUSIC: 9
OPINION: 10
SIOUX FALLS BOUND!
LOOK INSIDE
Lady Vulcans capture
Review: Kid Ink’s new album
Our opinion editor finds out how students really feel about having to walk around in below 0 temperatures.
A student walks through a snowNEWS: squall2outside of the Natali Student Center on Feb. 18 LIFE: 6 MEDIA: 9 OPINION: 11 SPORTS: 17
cuts down the net as the
CALIFORNIA UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA release “Full Speed. ” Last
MARCH 27, 2015
AVI DEBUTS FALL 2015
NEWS: 2
FOODin PREVIEW year Cal Times
Cal U opens theater season with performance of “Proof”.
PHOTO: LAUREN GRIFFITH
Phil Tafone talks about the ins and outs of using dietary supplements the right way.
Professor George Yochum discusses the importance of Internet Neutrality.
VOL 41, NO. 20
APRIL 3, 2015
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ARMAN MARKS
Lone senior, Arman Marks, looks to help the Cal U Men’s Basketball team finish the season on a high note. Pg. 15
The Cal U Baseball team looks to return to the postseason in 2015.
CAL U REMEDIES BAD REPUTATION Cal U Women’s Basketball team sheds positive light on university with a National win.
EVENTS: 4
BUDGET: 6
OPINION: 12
SPORTS: 18
news NATIONAL NCAA DIVISION II
FELLOWSHIP OF CHRISTIAN ATHLETES TRAVEL TO THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC. STORY ON PG. 2
CHAMPIONS
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SEX WEEK, SEX TRIVIA Cal TImes contributor Kielle Deanda found out what students know about sex and what they need to know.
MISS PA AT CAL U
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A Cal U Student recently crowned USA National Miss Pennsylvania 2015 tells the Cal Times how she balances her busy lifestyle.
BY KATIE DELVERNE
DAN + SHAY WHERE IT ALL BEGAN Check out a short bio on the country duo playing Steele Theater tonight at 7:30 p.m. Pg. 6
ACTING OUT AN AILMENT Our Editor in Chief questions the accuracy actors are portraying as they take on heavy and sensitive roles. Pg. 11 APRIL 10, 2015 VOL 41, NO.22
HISTORY IN THE MAKING Staff writer Matt Hagy reviews the historic season for the Cal U Women’s Basketball team.
AVI has made it their mission to meet the needs of the student population said Kiran Nunna, the Resident District Manager of AVI Foodsystems at Cal U. The organization’s goal is to provide lifestyle-based destinations in their Fall 2015 Dining Concepts. Members of Student Government gathered Monday evening for the introduction of the Fall 2015 Dining Concepts. Every year, AVI strives to give one new concept in retail
LOOK INSIDE
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that students can enjoy and utilize. However, the new dining concepts that were presented stemmed from a sixyear campaign Nunna and his food committee on campus has developed. The food committee is composed of student leaders on campus said Nunna, members of Student Government being a big contributor. This committee is given the opportunity to have special tastings of new food NEWS: 2 facilitiesEVENTS: 12 options, attend field trips of the AVI uses, and bring concerns from the student body to Nunna and his team. Nunna says that it is his goal to build the menus through
partnership with these groups in the committee. The students are essentially creating the menus and making the decisions on what they will be served. Nunna emphasized that him and his team want to reengage the students and give them the opportunity to make decisions. To follow with this goal and get real feedback from current students, Nunna said AVI has conducted 500 tastings and SPORTS: 17 30 focus OPINION:13 groups. From that came the 2015 Dining Concepts that are to appear Fall 2015. CONT. ON PAGE 3
FAKERS GONNA FAKE Celebrities are not safe from internet hackers who are determined to make a quick buck at their expense. Pg. 12
PROPOSED BUDGET ALLOCATIONS INSIDE Cal NO.23 U’s Convocation Center VOL 41, APRILsaw 17, 2015 21,000 visitors since January.
Back to the Drawing Art Show dedicates proceeds to the family of late Cal U student, Rob Potter.
Let’s talk about sex, baby. Two students debate the morality of being a sugar baby.
Women’s Basketball team advances to first final four since 2004.
THE LAST LECTURE Dr. Caryl Sheffield begins new tradition at Cal as she prepares for retirement
APRIL 24, 2015 VOL 41, NO. 24
VULCANS BEAT CAL BAPTIST with a final score of 86 -69
THE BIG EVENT
ATHLETE OF THE WEEK Vulcan shortstop Matt Peters is features as this weeks Athlete of the Weelk.
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Dan + Shay perform for a crowd of nearly 500 screaming fans.
STEP UP TO THE MIC A Cal U student talks about his first experience doing stand up at The Underground Cafe.
Student Activities Board gives us a behind the scenes look!
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DAN + SHAY Country Duo Rocks Cal U
ART OUT OF THIS WORLD Community members visit Vulcan Hall to celebrate students outer space inspired works of art . Pg. 7
THE ‘A’ WORD A new type of abortion clinic opened this week in Washington, D.C. that has spa like amenities.
NEWS: 2 Pg. 15
FITNESS: 5
WEATHER: 7
LIFE: 9
MUSIC: 11
MORBID MOURNING Editor in Chief, Taylor Brown, talks about the morbid side of roadside memorials.
OPINION: 12 Pg. 15
PROBLEM GAMBLING MENTOR BY NIGHT
SPORTS: 18
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A YEAR IN REVIEW BY TAYLOR BROWN AND EMILY GEYER
FOOTBALL FIGHTS
WOMEN’S BASKETBALL MAKES PLAYOFFS
HOMECOMING October 11, 2014
October 18, 2014
THE COAL BOWL
October 2014
MARCH 16, 2015
MARCH 27, 2015
WOMEN’S BASKETBALL NCAA DII NATIONAL CHAMPIONS
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WALK A MILE
THE BIG EVENT
STUDENT MAKES WORLD ARCHERY TEAM APRIL 17, 2015
APRIL 23, 2015
APRIL 18, 2015
APRIL 10, 2015 APRIL 19-24, 2015
CHEERLEADING NATIONAL CHAMPIONS
GREEK WEEK
IN MEMORIAM SHANICE CLARK, STUDENT DR. BURRELL BROWN, FACULTY CHAIR DEPARTMENT OF BUSINESS AND ECONOMICS OFFICER MARK ANTHONY COSTELLO, UNIVERSITY POLICE ROBERT POTTER, STUDENT RALPH KRASZEWSKI, STUDENT
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A letter from the Editor in Chief Dear Cal Times Reader, If you are reading this, you are reading my last issue of The Cal Times as Editor in Chief. That sentence is hard to type, because I haven’t accepted the fact that in a few short days I will no longer be a student here or a part of this publication. Four years ago, when I started here as a freshman, I was declared as a journalism major but had no idea what it meant to be a journalist. My first journalism class here put me in tears. The idea of becoming involved with the Cal Times scared me. The thought of someone actually reading something I wrote, that wasn’t for a grade, sent me into a panic attack. To say that I jumped into the newspaper all at once would be an understatement. The first article I wrote for my Journalism I class, to my surprise, was published. The first time I saw my name in a byline, I was hooked. I went from barely writing, to becoming a staff writer, to serving as the opinion editor, and for my last semester serving as Editor in Chief. I have not quite figured out who I am going to be when this publication is no longer a part of me, but I am excited to find out. As I am preparing to graduate, looking back over the last four years in my initial decision to come to Cal, I never thought I would be where I am today. Originally, I didn’t want to come to Cal. It was a practical decision that I made at the time, but it has turned out to be one of, if not the best, decisions that I have ever made. I have been so fortunate with the opportunities that have been given to me by being involved with the newspaper. I have been given chances here at the Cal Times that I would have never gotten at a bigger university. I have met people here that I will be friends with for the rest of my life. While it does sadden me to think that I will no longer be a part of the Cal Times, the people that are coming back next semester, the people I have worked with every day will continue to produce a stellar publication for you. To those of you who are coming back next fall, part of me envies you. My only advice is to become involved, make more friends, and make memories. I know that sounds overly cliché, but if you are doing something that you love and surround yourself with people that you love, like I have during my time here, you will leave with very few regrets. To those of you who will be graduating with me next Saturday, I hope you find the happiness in life that I have and wish you the best of luck as you start your next adventure. More than anything, I want to thank all of you for reading our publication every week. I have loved writing for you, and I hope you have enjoyed reading as much as I have enjoyed writing these stories for you. You are and will continue to be the reason that we are able to do what we do. You are the reason we write, the faces behind the stories we cover. Have a fantastic summer!
Sincerely, Taylor Brown Editor in Chief
STAFF
CALTIMES.ORG CALTIMES@CALU.EDU 724.938.4321
TAYLOR BROWN EDITOR IN CHIEF
JOSE NEGRON SPORTS EDITOR
STETSON PROVANCE NEWS EDITOR
LAUREN GRIFFITH LIFESTYLES EDITOR
EMILY GEYER OPINION EDITOR
JEFF HELSEL DIRECTOR OF PUBLICATIONS
PHIL TAFONE, MATT HAGY, DAN CARMICHAEL, AARON SPECHT, Josh Herman, Nicollette bragnano, sports info
POLICY: The California TIMES is a publication of the Student Association, Inc. and is distributed throughout the university campus and the Monongahela Valley area most Fridays of the academic year with the exception of holiday breaks. Any member of the university community may submit articles, editorials, cartoons, photographs or drawings for consideration. Deadlines are as follows: All written copy, announcements , e-mail (caltimes@calu.edu) and advertising submissions are due at Noon on the Monday before publication. Exceptions to these deadlines must be arranged with the editor. All submissions are the opinions of their creator(s). The California TIMES reserves the right to edit or refuse a submission as it sees fit without offering justification for content or advertising sections.
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Lavender Graduation honors LGBTQA graduating seniors BY LAUREN GRIFFITH
This past week California University of Pennsylvania was covered with the colors purple and lavender. The purple ribbons and signs were for Relay for Life, and the lavender signs and chords were a part of the Lavender Graduation ceremony. The ceremony, held on April 21, at 11 a.m. in the north wing of the Convocation Center, recognized
Photos by Lauren Griffith
Shawn McCoy, a Lavender Graduate and current grad student, spoke about the meaning behind the ceremony.
Cal U’s graduating seniors who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, or asexual. This was the second year for the Lavender Graduation ceremony, which included guest speakers, awards, honors, and a catered lunch from AVI. The Lambda Bridges office was responsible for hosting this year’s event. The event featured three seniors, who were welcomed to invite parents, friends, professors, and/or mentors. Roughly 30 people attended the event. The event opened with Shawn Sheleta Webb, Coordinator of Lambda Bridges, helped to McCoy, a Lavender Graduate welcome graduates, their family, and mentors into the from last year and a graduate ceremony. student, introducing the event and what the ceremony was about. Tim Susick, about the mentors they had at Cal U. Dr. McClintockAssociate Vice President of Student Affairs, and Comeaux, and Sheleta Webb were just a few of the Sheleta Webb, the coordinator of Lambda Bridges, mentors at that were named. The seniors were given parting gifts, and lavender gave their welcoming remarks. The three graduating seniors were then welcomed chords to wear at the commencement ceremony on to speak about their experience as LGBTQA, and May 9.
Fitness Corner with Phil Tafone: KEEPING TRACK OVER SUMMER
As we conclude another great semester, I want to wish everyone a happy, safe summer, and well wishes to those who are moving beyond Cal U. I am one of those who will not be seen on campus in the fall and I feel it is my duty to leave those in need of fitness advise the best tools I can think of. For those who have read “The Fitness Corner” on a routine basis, you may know that I emphasize safety and longevity. In this day and age of immediate imagery and questionable web info, it is important to remember that there are right ways and wrong ways to achieve your goals. Sadly, there are less and less tools to support the right way every year. For this reason, I give you these web tools to ensure you stay on the right track. EXRX.net This web site is one of the first to emerge in fitness/exercise information and is one of the best in terms of reliability and accurate information. Notice the lack of bells and whistles, sexy graphic design, or even sexier fitness models. Here you will find anatomy names and searchable exercises. Personally, I find one of the more important features of this
web site to be their “Strength Standards” page. Here you can find a good gauge of what you should be lifting for select exercises, based on your gender. This is important because at a certain point, gains will just slow or stop. You may need to realize that this is normal. The Url is: http://www.exrx.net/ Testing/WeightLifting/StrengthStandards.html Vega Sport Blog Yes, Vega is a protein and supplement company that makes vegan products. No, you are not a wuss or disgrace to your beef-grinding, milk-guzzling family if you look at their web site. Other than plant-based protein many of their products (joint relief, pre-workout, etc) would not stem from animals anyway. More importantly, I find that the blog portion of their website is fairly authentic in that not all roads lead to a sale (as would be the case with GNC, Bodybuilding.com, Onnit). At Vega, much of their web content is geared toward beginner or intermediate fitness participants seeking strength and vitality, but not necessarily so much strength that they could carry a cow away from the slaughterhouse to safety.
Enjoy some fitness ideas at: http://vegasport.com/vega-life/ vega-blog/ My Youtube Channel Just as ExRx is a simple resource for trainers and enthusiasts to find exercises, my Youtube channel is embarrassingly not geared toward getting millions of views and earning a living via the web. What you will find is a number of videos I have created to help students interested in using equipment at the Herron Rec and Fitness Center. As of this writing I am creating a sort of QR Code “menu” or “key” that would provide instant access to videos instructing the most popular weight machines at Herron. Be sure to look for it or ask for it when you return from break. If you can’t wait, my channel can be found at: https://www.youtube.com/ channel/UCMWRFINUgV5fOdwv9Z1DlpA The best advice I can give you, my unknown reader, is to create a realistic goal, and take whatever crazy steps you must to reach it. There will be naysayers and haters, but remember they are speaking out of fear. Never let this stop you.
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CAL U WEATHER Data by Cal U Weather Center
CAL U POLICE REPORTS
Fri: Mostly Cloudy Fri Night: Partly Cloudy
High 62 Low 43
Gee Whiz On April 21 at 12:00 p.m. a subject urinated in the west elevator of Guesman Hall.
Sat: Partly Cloudy Sat Night: Partly Cloudy
High 69 Low 47
Sun: Partly Cloudy Sun Night: Mostly Cloudy
High 70 Low 46
Shots Fired On April 18 at 10:15 a.m., Borough police retrieved information from California Police about an incident in the borough. According to the report, a subject pulled out a handgun and fired a round into a ceiling Royal Rumble On April 18 at 7:26 p.m., a large fight occurred at Vulcan Village. Don’t Stand So Close to Me On April 21 at 6:45 p.m., a male subject reported being followed by a female subject on campus. Snapchat harassment On April 19 at 2:25 p.m., two female subjects were reported for harassing another male subject on Snapchat.
Bad Breakup On April 22 at 4:22 a.m., police assisted a female subject with retrieving items from a room after a breakup with her boyfriend.
Guten Tag! (Photo to the right) Guests enjoy traditional German cuisine at the Cal U International Club’s annual dinner on April 19. This year’s banquet, “Germany: Freistaat Bayern,” was held in the Cal U Convocation Center, South Wing.
Mon: Mostly Cloudy High 70 Mon Night: Cloudy/Showers Low 57
Friday Saturday Sunday Monday
53 54 56 62 37 37 36 40
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Top Campaign Consultant Mark Weaver Talks Politics, Social Media As politics and enterprise expand their usage of social media, users have less privacy BY STETSON PROVANCE, NEWS EDITOR
We are merely the products of social media. That’s the message Mark Weaver, affectionately called “the most important person in Ohio state politics” by Melanie Blumberg, Director of the American Democracy Project on campus, said during his “Yik Yak Super Pac” presentation April 23 in Eberly Hall. Weaver, who has won 16 awards for his TV, radio, and print ads, stressed throughout his presentation many political campaigns (and companies in general) understand TV ads are becoming less and less effective due to things like DVR and Netflix. As a result, they are heavily targeting social media to sell their candidates or products to an ever-growing user base. “In today’s world, social media allows campaigns to get to a large number of voters directly,” Weaver said. “I mean, look at Facebook. There are 1.3 billion people on Facebook worldwide. That means if Facebook were a country, it would be the third most populated country in the world.” Weaver, who suggests all campaigns actively use the “big three” platforms (Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram), said as time has progressed, staffers tasked with handling social media have found ways to maximize its usage. “Now, if you like a candidate’s page on social media, they can make it to where content and status updates from the candidate appear right on the middle of a user’s page, next to statuses and Tweets from the user’s family and friends,” Weaver said. Campaigns have also pinpointed what types of social media to use to appeal to what types of voters. For example, because statistics show nearly 80 percent
of Pinterest users are female, Weaver said campaigns attempt to target women and young mothers with the ads they run on the platform. And, because a large majority of Tumblr users are from younger demographics, ads on the website will try and target college voters. Obviously, the fact those selling content or candidates have the ability to target social media users isn’t ground-breaking. As the race for the 2016 Presidential election heats up, candidates are using social media more than ever. Hillary Clinton and Ted Cruz both announced their presidential aspirations on Twitter. Rand Paul has been using Snapchat to connect with his supporters. However, Weaver said some might not realize just how extensive Facebook can go in gathering things like a user’s personal information and Internet browsing history. “Everything you do on Facebook and almost everything you do on the Internet is available to Facebook,” Weaver said. “Every website you visit, every link you click on that website, and everything you watch or read on that website can be used by Facebook to better target users interests.” According to Weaver, Facebook even has the ability to access most of the things you decided to avoid posting. “Let’s say you go on a rant on Facebook about how much you hate squirrels, but then decide it is against your better judgment to post it,” Weaver said. “Well, after you posted the fifth character of your rant, Facebook saves what you typed.” According to Weaver, even trendy apps like YikYak and Snapchat mimic Facebook’s data collecting protocols.
“Yik-Yak is tied to a mobile phone number and can be used for micro targeting. And, concerning Snapchat, you know how it is believed that if a Snapchat isn’t saved by the person who received it, it disappears? Well, I just found out a couple weeks ago unsaved Snapchats could be retrieved, too.” In a world where nothing is really free and profit margin is far and away the barometer of a successful business, users can expect to see social media platforms take more and more measures centered on monetizing their platforms. “Micro targeting is very important in today’s world,” Weaver said. “Eventually, in order to successfully micro target, apps like Yik Yak will need to monetize and include ads. And, every time we click I agree, or no worries, we are letting social media companies use our info to help sell ads.” So, moving forward, do users have anything to be excited about? According to Weaver, there may be one small victory for users. Much like in the 1960s and 1970s when candidates like Bill Clinton and George Bush were absloved of bad behavior because it was indicative of the time period, college students in the public eye may get the same reprieve when it comes to past social media use. “Don’t get me wrong, one of the first things an employer will do is a background check on your social media usage, and that could cost you a job,” Weaver said. “However, if one of you were to, say, run for office, you would probbably find that your peers would be much more forgiving of your past transgressions on social media. They would be able to relate to the issue.”
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S ’ B U L C G TIN F I L R E W O HRFC & P ION T I T E P M O C S S E R P H C BEN Winners for each weight class were awarded certificates, and the overall winners were also given gift certifificates to Dick’s Sporting Goods.
Nicholas Rossi is caught in a laugh before one of this bench attempts.
Jordan Welker sets up for his final bench attempt.
Zack Petrick, a Cal U graduate, returns each semester to judge HRFC’s competitions. Petrick shouted, “Press!” when the bar came to a pause on the lifter’s chest.
Victoria Kuntz, a class instructor at the HRFC, completed a 115 pound bench press. The lifter could recieve a lift-off from the spotter, Grey Sungala. who would then help remove the weight from the rack.
PHOTOS BY LAUREN GRIFFITH
Page 9 May 1. 2015
Therapy dogs bring students relief BY NICOLLETTE BROGNANO, FOR THE CAL TIMES
Manderino Library was filled with excitement on Tuesday when The Pittsburgh Chapter for Therapy Dogs International came for a visit to take part in a day of ‘Stress Relief’. “The part of the day that always draws a big crowd is when the dogs from Therapy Dogs International come to visit,” said Monica Ruane Rogers, assistant professor and instruction librarian, who also organized this event. This is the third semester working with the dogs and according to Briana O’Neal, work study student at the library, and Esin Yildirim, graduate assistant, there were 60 students who arrived early to this event and the numbers kept on growing. “By the time everything got started more and more people were coming through and it was hard to keep a head count,” said O’Neal who was also in charge of advertising for this event. Yildirim was in charge of contacting Therapy Dogs International and getting them to come to cal. Also involved was Loring Prest, electronic resources librarian and library chair, who mentioned how much of a pleasure it was to see the student interaction and how many people arrived early just to see the furry friends. There were five friendly dogs that showcased their stress
Photo Credit: CC Flickr
relieving capabilities for the students: Spirit an Airedale Terrier, Maxie a Standard Poodle, Tinkerbell and Izzy who are Chihuahuas, and Evey a Golden Retriever. Each had a specialized handler, they are in the same order as the dogs: Linda Brendlinger, Mary Ciesar, Kim Guseman, Wilma, and Ann Selby. Linda Brendlinger is the founder and director of the Pittsburgh chapter of Therapy Dogs International. She has been an owner of a therapy dog for eleven years and is proud of the dogs she has worked with.
Some of the dogs from this group visit Children’s Hospital and various schools to engage in the “Tail Waggin Tutors” program. They have also been featured on WQED’s Public Broadcasting Channel for “The Purpose of Therapy Dogs.” She mentioned how these dogs put several hours of work into the therapy programs and have to pass evaluations, so in other words, not every dog can do it. Brendlinger’s current therapy dog, Spirit, who took the impressed students with her ‘card reading’ tricks. Students held up a booklet with different commands and watched as Spirit read and obeyed the commands shown. Brendlinger explained how it is scientifically proven that just by petting a dog it will decrease stress levels. When Brendlinger was asked about her favorite part of the job she responded, “It’s the smiles. We come through the doors and everybody always smiles immediately, and it’s just so rewarding and satisfying.” The immediate encouragement that was generated by these dogs was so easy to see in the faces of all the students that embraced them with comfort.
Relayers again walk to find a cure for cancer at Cal U BY EMILY GEYER, OPINION EDITOR
This year’s Relay For Life was held on Saturday at Hamer Hall Gymnasium. It had a 80s theme with Rubik’s cubes and Pac Man decorations surrounding the marked track. for walking The event originally was to be held outside at the Phillipsburg Soccer Field; however, due to rain being in the forecast it was relocated to Hamer Hall. Students, faculty, and even members of the surrounding community came walked in support from 12 p.m. until 12 a.m. There were a total of 26 teams that participated in the walk, and a total of $4,192 rose to help the American Cancer Society find a cure for cancer. Most of the 26 teams were made up of different clubs and organizations on and around campus. The top team for the event was the CCAC/Cal U RN c/o 2015 and 2016, who raised $1.029. During the duration of the event, the coordinators had various activities planned to keep walkers entertained while they were not walking. Some of the activities included, various DJs, life size
Photo Credit: CC Erin Keller
Angry Bird, life size Jenga, Twister, and more. They also had other activities held through the event, like a scavenger hunt, a highlighter tribute, and the annual survivor’s walk that honors those who have won the fight with cancer. The event ended with a closing ceremony, and a final lap around the track, thus ending this year’s Relay.
Page 10 May 1, 2015
Cal U’s 180th commencement scheduled for May 8 and 9
Alumnus Thomas M. Rutledge ‘77 will address Cal U graduates
California University of Pennsylvania will mark its 180th Commencement with separate ceremonies for undergraduate and graduate students. Ceremonies for graduate students will be held at 7 p.m. May 8 in the Cal U Convocation Center. Master’s degree candidates will be vested in their academic hoods during the ceremony. Ceremonies for bachelor’s and associate degree candidates will begin at 10 a.m. May 9, also in the Convocation Center. Interim University President Geraldine M. Jones will confer the degrees and personally greet each graduate who walks across the stage. Graduates’ families and friends are welcome to attend. More than 900 undergraduates and 325 graduate students will receive their degrees, although not all will attend the ceremonies. In keeping with Cal U’s tradition of inviting distinguished
alumni to address the graduates, Thomas M. Rutledge, Class of 1977, will speak at both ceremonies. Rutledge is president and chief executive officer of Charter Communications Inc., a leading broadband communications company and among the largest cable operators in the United States. Prior to joining Charter in February 2012, Rutledge served as chief operating officer of Cablevision from 2004-2011. His 37-year career in the cable industry also includes serving as president of Time Warner Cable. He began his career in 1977 at American Television and Communications Corp., a predecessor company of Time Warner Cable. Rutledge, of Greenwich, Conn., serves on the board of directors of the National Cable and Telecommunications Association, where he was chairman from 2008-2010. He also is a member of the boards of CableLabs and C-SPAN. In 2011, he received the NCTA’s Vanguard Award for Distinguished Leadership, the cable industry’s highest honor. He has been
inducted into both the Cable Hall of Fame (2009) and the Broadcasting and Cable Hall of Fame (2011). Rutledge received a bachelor’s degree in economics from California University in 1977. He and his family have been generous supporters of scholarships for Cal U students, including the Rutledge Internship Award, which provides financial support so juniors and seniors can accept unpaid or low-paying internships outside the local area.
WALK A MILE IN HER SHOES
The event, held by The End Violence Center, occured on April 23 at 11a.m. The idea of the event is to open up the lines of communication about domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking. Groups, clubs, and fraternities all took part.
Photos by Aaron Specht
Page 11 May 1, 2015
Cal Times album of the week: Alabama Shakes and Joywave BY DAN CARMICHAEL
Sound & Color – Alabama Shakes The Alabama Shakes debuted in 2012 and have been on the rise since then. With their bluesy, soulful, rock sound, lead singer, Brittany Howard displays powerful vocals for this group to latch on to and create a large sound. After a review from 34 major critics, this album had an average rating of 76, creating high anticipation for their second LP. “Sound & Color” starts with a track the same as the album title that leads in with a xylophone like sound followed by a bass heavy drum beat and the very expected powerful vocals that Brittany has displayed so much in the past. The next song is also the only single off this album, “Don’t Wanna Fight.” The song starts with a funky bassline and gets the album jumping to an upbeat vibe. This song seems to pave the way for the rest of the album. Only a few songs take a slow approach as most of them keep a nice upbeat soulful, rock vibe. The 12 track, 47 minute long album goes by as a quick listen in one sit down. It definitely does not feel like it takes as long as it does to make it the full way through. This may be due to the fact that they transition the tracks well with each other and move efficiently from one sound to the next. If you are into a different approach to rock, take a listen to this album. You get a handful of fresh sounding drum beats mixed well with crisp guitar sounds and solid basslines. Not to mention, Brittany Howard’s vocals are unique and something that rock music has not seen for a while. Female singers have taken a more “pop” conscious route recently when it comes to popular music and the “top 40” type playlists. Another positive to this group is that the lead singer, Brittany Howard, wrote and composed every track on the album with only the help of one other person for three of the tracks. At the rate the Shakes are going, expect it to be another 2 to 3 years before another album comes out but expect the same soulful sound as was offered in this one. Average Critic Rating: 80/100 My Rating: 75/100
How Do You Feel Now? – Joywave I have been excited for the release of this album since I learned who Joywave was late last year. Many of their fans had to wait three years before finally getting a taste of what a full length album would sound like. Joywave is new to the music scene as far as popularity and recognition goes, but they have been creating music since 2012 when they released their first EP entitled “Koda Vista.” Two years later, they released their second EP that resembled a lot of what was to come for their first full length album. This EP was called “How Do You Feel?” I jumped on this album, and in support, purchased the vinyl almost immediately after finding out about this group. I am a big fan and think they are different and fresh. “How Do You Feel Now?” provides a mostly electronic, indie-rock sense and it is very apparent in any of their songs. Many of the songs use a large amount of sound effects and synthesizers. The thing I really enjoy about their music is the drumming. The beats are quick and a little complex and after watching some live videos of the group, you can tell that the drummer is very in tune with the music they create. The lead singer has nice vocals to listen to. I am not big on the amount of effects he uses. I know it comes with the territory of electronic music but I would have enjoyed hearing a little bit more of a pure sound from him. The sound on each song on this LP is very full. There is always something new to listen to and pick up on when listening to any given song. After a couple of play throughs, I can still manage to pick out new details to the songs I have listened to multiple times. For a freshman album, I think this was the perfect start. They mixed in a good amount of old songs with their new, completely unheard songs. This drew in all of their past fans as well opening up the door to new fans to come. If you are a fan of Big Data, you may already know who this band is and if not, you will eventually find out about them. They worked with him on a song called “Dangerous,” which reached number one on the Alternative charts in the U.S. If you want to check out a fresh sound in the electronic genre of music, look no farther. This album will open up a new horizon of music for you. If you are a music collector, you can check out their website to find more of their music on CD, vinyl and yes, even Cassette. Joywave will not be making any stops in Pittsburgh in the near future but they will be touring in New York, Philadelphia, Virginia and Maryland. Average Critic Rating: N/A My Rating: 77/100
Page 12 May 1, 2015
Photo Credit: CC Flickr
Think before you (use your right to) speak BY TAYLOR BROWN, EDITOR IN CHEIF
Our parents teach us from a young age, to think before we speak. I don’t think children are able to grasp the idea of words being utilized as weapons, but as time goes on, through adolescence, the sting of words and judgment becomes a very real thing. During the years when pimples seem to never go away and your jeans never fit just right, it is in high school where you start to learn who you are. You start to drift away from your parent’s guidance and restrictions, and start to become your own person, form your own thoughts, your own opinions. The First Amendment has served our country well, giving us the freedom to have these opinions and voice them as we see fit. This freedom does not go away or dwindle for students entering the public school system. Since 2001 The Gay, Lesbian, and Straight Education Network has been organizing ‘A Day of Silence’ celebrated nationally on April 17 since 2001. The day is meant to support those in the LGBTQ community who have not self-identified or who have suffered harassment for being a part of the community itself. Students at McGuffey High School celebrated the day by wearing black, not speaking and painting rainbows on their cheeks. These same students returned to school the next day only to find a group of at least 20 students wearing flannel shirts, with ‘Anti-Gay’ written on their hands in permanent marker. Bible verses were taped to lockers, names were called, things were said that couldn’t be taken back, and for students who
are part of the LGBTQ community not easily forgotten. Our parents teach us to think before we speak, before we act. The First Amendment allows us to act upon these thoughts. Just because the freedom to act is there, does not mean that you should. Although these students are technically protected under the First Amendment, they are under violation of the student code of conduct for their behavior, and thus are also under investigation for their choices in exercising this freedom. Though many would say this ‘Anti-Gay’ was just freedom of expression, there is a difference between celebrating gay pride and celebrating being ‘Anti-Gay.’ These students, for their own personal reasons, do not support people who are gay and that is okay. They don’t have to be supportive of these people; however, they do not need to be defamatory of people who did nothing to deserve it. It is important for people to embrace who they are, the choices they make, and what they believe in, but these students were not celebrating themselves being straight or having a Christian faith. They were lashing out at people who were different than them. There are countless days throughout the year that are designated to spread awareness and support for different ethnic groups and organizations. Of course there are days for cancer survivors, veterans, etc. These days, along with days like Mother’s Day and Father’s Day, are meant to be happy and uplifting.
This ‘Anti-Gay’ day, is only damaging, to those participating who may not realize the consequences of these choices and to the people who are on the receiving end of what I am calling bullying. They have their rights, but my question is, where are their morals? Where is their respect for their peers? Regardless of legalities, rights, or religion, it is never okay to make someone feel smaller than you for being who they are. Gay or straight, black or white, tall or short, we all are who we are and until we start lifting each other up, our society and future generations are going to remain stagnant. We live in a world where bad things happen, where good people make bad decisions. I do not fault the students for trying to stand up for something they believe in, but I do fault whomever it was who taught them that it was okay to belittle other people in order to get your point across. Negative actions have a domino effect, the other teenagers in that school who felt threatened or targeted by ‘Anti-Gay’ day will likely retaliate in some way, in order to defend themselves or to make someone feel how they felt. Words hurt. Until we surrender on both sides, agree to disagree, accept that we are different from one another, learn how to use our words in a more positive manner, people will still fall victims to one of the worlds harshest weapons; language.
Page 13 May 1, 2015
Fans want more sports, less gossip BY JOSE NEGRON, SPORTS EDITOR
In this day and age of sports, finding the big story is always incredibly important. It’s vital to find something that you believe your viewer or reader would want to be informed about and report on it accurately. Every single time I turn on ESPN lately, it seems like the same stories are being broadcasted constantly. The two most reported about athletes in professional sports have to be LeBron James and Tim Tebow. In Lebron’s case, yes he is the best player in the game of basketball, but it seems as if the coverage “SportsCenter” is giving him is a bit much. Yeah, I love seeing him dunk and do amazing things on the court, but to tell you the truth, I really don’t care about Lebron’s stats while wearing a headband compared to not wearing one. ESPN basically reports constantly on Lebron, to the point that I’m sure we all know what the multiple time MVP award winner has for breakfast every morning. In Tim Tebow’s case, I don’t really think there is much to talk about. Obviously, the two time Heisman trophy winner had a remarkable career while playing for Urban Meyer at the University of Florida, but his NFL career has been a pretty big disaster. Of course, he did win one playoff game in his career,
sorry to bring it up Steelers fans, but he hasn’t done much since. After his time with the Denver Broncos, Tebow had two brief stints with the New York Jets and New England Patriots before he was released and took a job as a college football analyst on the SEC Network. After a couple years away from the game, he recently signed a one-year contract with the Philadelphia Eagles. While playing for the Broncos, Tebow received a ton of media attention, which is understandable. When you’re a starting quarterback and your winning playoff games, then there’s a reason to be in the public eye. However, it seemed as if the media attention continued to grow even when Tebow left Denver. He was a backup in New York and New England and he probably gained more headlines than most starting quarterbacks in the NFL. Don’t get me wrong, Tebow had an incredible career playing for the Gators and did a surprisingly good job as starting quarterback for the Broncos, but the man is no longer starting quarterback material. There is no way the signing of a below average quarterback should ever overshadow any of the other amazing performances that happen daily in the world of sports. ESPN is known as the worldwide leader in sports, which is a statement that reigns true. They do an amazing job
Photo Credit: CC Keith Allison
on giving vital and breaking information as it is actually happening. However, it also lacks a bit of coverage on sports such as hockey. Though ESPN still broadcasts NCAA Hockey every year, I really miss the days where I could watch the NHL on ESPN, or even hear a bit more about the season on the early morning edition of “SportsCenter.” They do give former NHL coach Barry Melrose his own segment on most shows, but it seems like he might be one of the only NHL analysts ESPN has. Hockey is a sport that has a huge fan base, especially in the Pittsburgh area. I am very sure that more coverage of this form of entertainment featuring intense and talented competition would be much appreciated by many. When I turn on “SportsCenter” in the morning, which happens to be a normal routine, I want to hear the latest on what sports related news is most significant to know. I understand that normal things happen in the lives of famous athletes, but I want to hear about scores, watch crazy highlights and hear analysis from people who know sports. I fail to understand why a star basketball player eating lunch in Cleveland, or a third string quarterback doing anything in general is important news. The bottom line is simple. I believe I speak for most people when I say, “Stick to sports, ESPN.”
Photo Credit: CC Intel Free Press
Page 14 May 1, 2015
Television just isn’t all that anymore BY JOSH HERMAN, FOR THE CAL TIMES
It’s common for people to think that their generation is the best. I’ve had older individuals tell me that LeBron will never be as good as Jordan, cars aren’t made like they used to be, and no matter how hard he tries, Drew Carey will never be Bob Barker. While I used roll my eyes at such remarks, I find myself doing the exact same thing when it comes to television. I watched more television than I care to explain growing up, and I’ve forgotten more Nicktoon factoids than most will ever know. My shows were my childhood. I loved Nickelodeon and the Disney Channel, but upon a recent review of the present programming on these stations, I found myself heartbroken over the current state of affairs. I liked it when television kids used to be just kids. I could identify with Cory Matthews from “Boy Meets World.” He was a kid from Pennsylvania who struggled with popularity, had a crush on the goofy girl in class, and came from a normal family. Then we had Zach and Cody who lived on a cruise ship, Carly who had her own web show, and now a dog with a blog – I just can’t figure out how kids find any of it relatable. Television used to teach us things. “Boy Meets World” had episodes about underage drinking, a cult, dealing with death, and sex as it relates to peer pressure. The writers filled the scripts with moral lessons and original humor that made the show a huge success. “The Famous Jet Jackson” takes on First Amendment issues in its episode “Saving Mr. Dupree” as the show’s namesake and protagonist is arrested by his own father for reading “Fahrenheit 451” which is banned in their school district. T.J. from “Smart Guy” once prevented he and another friend from being victimized by a sexual predator. And these were all shows that were directed towards younger audiences. Today’s shows lack clear plot, character depth, and original writing for certain, but a lot of them have another key component of the family sitcom mysteriously absent. Did anyone ever notice how many of these kids don’t have parents? In the Disney Channel original show, “Jessie”, a teenage girl is raising four children from the same family in a hotel. On top of that, the four children appear to be of different races, so not only are these fictional parents not taking care of their biological children, but they were socially conscious enough to adopt children to disregard. Zach and Cody are similarly raised by a hotel and cruise staff. Carly from “iCarly” lives with her 26 year old brother in a studio apartment in Seattle even though her parents are alive. If these shows take place in one fictional universe then
Photo Credit: CC Disney/ABC Television Group
The cast of Disney’s remake of “Boy Meets World,” “Girl Meets World.” someone better look into this alternate dimension’s children’s welfare organizations. When parents do appear in these shows they are often portrayed as bumbling idiots who are in the way, as are most of the other older characters. Adults are usually antagonists trying to stop our young heroes from achieving their goals. I prefer Alan Matthews who wasn’t so different from my own dad, and who didn’t enjoy a slice of parental wisdom from Danny Tanner? “Austin and Ally”, “Victorious”, “Jonas”, “Shake It Up”, “Hannah Montana”, and “Big Time Rush” are a handful of shows that depict kids as rising pop stars and musicians. That’s just scratching the surface of this new pseudo-genre of show. Disney and Nickelodeon used to take talented kids, cast them as normal kids, and turn them into stars. Amanda Bynes and Brittany Spears can attest. Now they take talented kids, cast them as stars, and deliver them into obscurity. A few Selena’s and Miley’s manage to slip into the main stream, but the majority of these Disney daughters lack staying power once they step into a more adult platform. Viewers no longer have the opportunity to really get to know characters as the majority of these shows do not make it past a fourth season. Many of the shows are cancelled after just one or two. MoffetNathanson reported that Viacom, which owns Nickelodeon, has shown a 22 percent decrease in ratings in the first quarter of 2015 with Nickelodeon suffering the biggest drop off in viewership. Executives at Nick shouldn’t ignore the fact that their most popular show, “SpongeBob SquarePants”, is a program from 1999 that more closely resembles their cartoons of the past. With new competition from digital media such as Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime, it has never been more important
for cable stations to come up with original and quality programming. Content used to be diverse. There were live action family sitcoms, cartoons, and even game shows like “Global Guts” and “Figure it Out.” It doesn’t take serious content to make a show good. The 90’s were full of quirky zany shows too. “Rocco’s Modern Life”, one of my favorite shows of all time, was way out there, but made it work. Classic cartoons like “Doug”, “Rugrats”, and “Ren and Stimpy” have had their shoes filled with singer/songwriter shows and knockoff shows from other networks. Disney isn’t past looking to other networks for inspiration either. In 2011 Disney put out a show called “PrankStars”, a prank show from the same vein as Mtv’s “Punk’d.” The show had only four episodes air before it was discontinued. Older kid’s shows also stand the test of time. “Boy Meets World”, “Clarissa Explains it All”, and many cartoon and other shows have cult followings by adults who used to enjoy them as children. You can still enjoy these shows in your 20s because they stand the test of time. The content from these shows transcends age, unlike their newer replacements to make them enjoyable for all audiences. In my book, Sabrina is always going to be a better witch than the kids from Waverly Place, Shia LaBeouf playing the unbalanced Louis Steven on “Even Stevens” is brilliant comedy, and an average kid like Arnold from “Hey Arnold” is going to have more to offer kids than a third or fourth Jonas Brothers’ show. It’s my hope that Disney and Nickelodeon get back to the good shows they were putting out in the 90s and early 2000s because the cookie cutter content now isn’t all that.
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Page 15 May 1, 2015
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Page 16 May 1, 2015
ADS CAL U Internship Corner
The end of the semester is here, and summer is right around the corner! I hope that you have had a productive and successful semester, and I am sure that you are looking forward to a break. Please know that the Internship Center will be open through the summer, so don’t hesitate to get in touch with me, should you need any assistance in locating internships, or need help with the internship process. I hope you have a safe and relaxing summer, and I hope to see you all in the fall, in our NEW LOCATION IN THE NATALI STUDENT UNION! -- Tracie L. Beck, Director Internship Center
S T U D E N T A F FA I R S C o rner DID YOU KNOW?
Athletics www.calvulcans.com • Any student interested in trying out for an intercollegiate sports team should speak with the head coach of that sport to discuss tryout time frames and expectations of student athletes. End Violence (ENDV) Center Carter Hall G-45 (724) 938-5707 • A green dot symbolizes a single moment in time that can be used to end the perpetration of violence and support victims while increasing campus safety for all its members.On Campus Vulcan Village http://www.vulcanvillage.com/ (724) 938-890 • Pricing at Vulcan Village is comparable to oncampus housing. Students at Vulcan Village are guaranteed their own private bedroom which is not widely offered in the residence halls, and a meal plan is not required for living at Vulcan Village, and parking is free. Student Affairs Carter Hall Suite G-35 724-938-4439
Congratulations Graduates! The Cal U Career and Professional Development Center is proud to assist our graduates by providing resources, services and events for career connections! Check out our services to alumni at:
http://www.calu.edu/alumni/services/career-services/
Career & Professional Development Center 230 Eberly Hall 724-938-4413 careers@calu.edu www.calu.edu/careers Office Hours: Mon. - Fri. - 8 am to 4 pm Evening hours by appointment
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Page 17 May 1, 2015
Page 18 May 1, 2015
Cal U softball secures top spot from PSAC West, 2-1 BY SPORTS INFORMATION
CLARION, Pa. (April 27) – The Vulcans concluded the regular season and secured the top spot in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) West standings with a 2-1 road victory against Clarion on Thursday afternoon in conference action. With the win, Cal U finishes the regular season with a 28-9 overall record behind a 23-5 mark in league play. The Vulcans extend their winning streak to 12 games. Meanwhile, Clarion finishes the year 6-31 overall with a 5-26 divisional record. After the Vulcans went scoreless in the top of the first, the Golden Eagles took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the inning with a solo homer by catcher Megan Anderson. Cal U answered back in the third when junior first baseman Lindsay Reicoff (Pittsburgh, Pa./Chartiers Valley) tripled to right center to score sophomore right fielder Kaity Finley (Latrobe, Pa./Greater Latrobe) to tie the game at 1-1. The Vulcans tallied another run in the fourth inning when sophomore catcher Megan Jahoda (Buchanan, N.Y./Hendrick Hudson) collected an RBI single to center field, 2-1. The Golden Eagles managed only two baserunners for the rest of the game, which each came on a single. Junior pitcher Alex Sagl (Oakville, Ontario/Oakville Trafalgar) struck out seven batters over the final three innings to shut down the Clarion offense and secure the win for Cal U. Sagl (16-4) earned the win after pitching all 7.0 innings, giving up only one run (earned) and scattering five hits while striking out 12. Clarion starter Paige Baker (3-10) suffered the loss after yielding two runs (both earned) on seven hits over 7.0 innings’ Cal U received an RBI from each Jahoda and Reicoff.
Infielder Natalya Smarra at third base.
Freshman designated player Hailey Wilson (Delaware, Ohio/Olentangy) was 2-for-3 at the plate, while Finley was 2-for-4. The Vulcans return to the diamond on Thursday, April 30, when they open play in the PSAC Tournament against East Stroudsburg in Quakertown, Pennsylvania,
(Photo: Sports Information)
at 1:30 p.m. Note: Cal U was scheduled to play a doubleheader on both Monday and Tuesday. However, the games were cancelled as all the teams and seeds for the PSAC Tournament were solidified with the victory and wins by Edinboro on Monday.
Cal U Women’s Tennis Earns Top Seed In NCAA Tournament BY SPORTS INFORMATION
INDIANAPOLIS (April 28) – The California University of Pennsylvania tennis team received the top seed in the Atlantic Region and hosting rights for the preliminary rounds of the NCAA Tournament on Tuesday night. The Vulcans will host the opening two rounds of the NCAA Atlantic Region No. 1 Tournament at Roadman Park, weather permitting, on May 2-3. Cal U earned a first-round bye and will face the winner of fourth-seeded West Virginia State and fifth-seeded Charleston (W.Va.) on Sunday, May 3. West Virginia State and Charleston, both members of the Mountain East Conference (MEC), will play a first-round match on
Saturday, May 2. The remaining four teams representing the Atlantic Region in the NCAA Tournament will be competing at second-seeded and Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference (PSAC) Tournament runner-up IUP on May 2-3. The Crimson Hawks host an opening-round match against Shaw, who earned the automatic qualifier from the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association (CIAA), with the winner facing the advancing team from thirdseeded Mercyhurst and sixth-seeded West Liberty. Cal U received an automatic berth to the NCAA Tournament after winning the PSAC Tournament for the ninth-consecutive season. Under 13th-year head coach Pablo Montana, Cal U has posted a 14-3 overall
record after winning 13 of its 14 dual matches since March. The advancing team from all the preliminary-round sites will travel to Surprise, Arizona, for the Round of 16. The final rounds of the NCAA Tournament are scheduled from May 13-16 with the pairings announced following the preliminary rounds. Cal U boasts an impressive 17-6 record in NCAA Tournament since 2009 and has advanced to the quarterfinals seven times in the last eight years.
Page 19 May 1, 2015
Vulcans football team hosts annual Red and Black game BY MATT HAGY STAFF WRITER
Most know football season as a fall sport, one that is known to have grueling practices that is at its height in the dog days of August. However, colleges all around the country really begin their practices around or just after spring break ends, which is considered “spring practice.” The practices in the spring are about a month long and conclude with the culmination of a scrimmage that is open to the public that normally is named after the school colors. This past Saturday, the California Vulcans hosted their annual “Red and Black game,” which splits the roster up into two teams and allows the players to showcase their talents against their teammates. The Red and Black game has taken on a bigger meaning as the team welcomes in new recruits for next season and also welcomes back alumni from previous years.
“Vulcans fans get to see the present team with the past teams introducing the future teams,” said Head Coach Mike Kellar. “That is the only time of the year that happens and the rest of the time its ball games that count so it is always a day we are excited about.” The Vulcans come off a season that saw them miss a berth in the PSAC Championship by one game and finished just outside the NCAA playoffs as well. While missing the playoffs is always tough, California came out of spring practice with high expectations. “The kids really worked hard this winter and with the great work done by our off-season strength and conditioning coaches, we came into this spring in pretty good shape,” Kellar said. “The difference between last spring and the spring a year ago is that we are looking at a veteran laden team. A lot of these kids
Junior running back Nick Grissom is expected to be a main contributor to the football team’s success in 2015. He is expected to be the starter in a talented backfield that also includes sophomore running back John Franklin III (Photo: Sports Information)
from that big class we had two years ago are now taken over big leadership roles and I am pleased where we are at right now but we still need to improve and the guys need to keep stepping up and then we have a chance to be a really good football team.” California is always known for its offense and with starting quarterback James Harris and star receivers Kowan Scott and Garry Brown returning, the offense will be once again in good hands. The big thing that came from the offense in the spring was the emergence of Nick Grissom at tailback. In previous years, Grissom was always the complimentary back whether it was behind Terrell Roberson of Jeff Knox Jr. Now with both graduated and former running back Derrick Fiore moving to the secondary, Grissom will look to be the feature running back and have John Franklin III back him up. “I am really pleased with how our backs have grown with Nick leading the way,” Kellar said. “He has the chance to be an all-league back if he stays healthy and that is something he has fought his first two years, but when healthy I think he is one of the best backs in the conference and John Franklin has greatly improved after last season and this spring he really has emerged into his role as a compliment to Nick.” Last season the defense faltered down the stretch, especially struggling in the secondary in the final games. This season, the defense has returned most of the starters from a year ago that also includes a strong defensive front. Led by Jawan Turner, the front seven of the Vulcans looks to be a force in the PSAC. “The development of our defensive line has impressed me a lot this spring,” Kellar said. “You know Jawan Turner will fill up the stat sheet with play after play but guys like Acantay Patton and Corey Bopp who are not household names right now to Vulcan fans are going to start and compete for starting jobs. In the secondary, we are more experienced and are still looking for a guy to play behind Aaron Terry but we have guys that have worked well in the spring to try and make the secondary a strength.” The Red and Black game gave the Vulcan faithful a glimpse into Fall 2015. A program that has had seven or more wins for a decade now looks to return to the postseason for the first time since 2011. Time is sure to fly by and then the week will come when the Vulcans will be preparing to make a trip to Petersburg, Va. for the opening game on Sept. 5 at Virginia State.
Page 20 May 1, 2015
Cal Times Athlete Spotlight Caroline Opferman Class: Sophomore Major: Biology Hometown: West Mifflin, Pa. High School: West Mifflin Area High School
The California University of Pennsylvania Women’s Track & Field team has
continued their success, as a team and as individuals, throughout the 2015 season. Sophomore Caroline Opferman has been a main catalyst to the success of the squad.
Aside from also being a member of the Cheerleading squad on campus,
Opferman, a transfer student from Seton Hill, has had immediate success in her respective events.
On Saturday, she reached the NCAA qualifying mark during the Paul
Kaiser Classic at Shippensburg University. Her qualifying jump ranks as the fourth best mark in the PSAC this year and she prepares to compete at the PSAC Championships at East Stroudsburg from April 30-May 2.