Cal Times April 10, 2015

DAN + SHAY WHERE IT ALL BEGAN Check out a short bio on the country duo playing Steele Theater tonight at 7:30 p.m.

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APRIL 10, 2015

HISTORY IN THE MAKING Staff writer Matt Hagy reviews the historic season for the Cal U Women’s Basketball team.

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STEP UP TO THE MIC A Cal U student talks about his first experience doing stand up at The Underground Cafe.

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THE ‘A’ WORD A new type of abortion clinic opened this week in Washington, D.C. that has spa like amenities.

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PROBLEM GAMBLING Cal U Students taught about the risks of gambling, at the Problem Gambling conference held Thursday April 2.

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VOL 41, NO.22

THE LAST LECTURE Dr. Caryl Sheffield begins new tradition at Cal as she prepares for retirment

Caryl Sheffield gives her last lecture

Cal U professor reminisces about her life’s journey

BY JERRON CORLEY

On March 31, what started as a room with only a few people transformed into a full house as students lined up outside of the conference room of the Convocation Center’s north wing to get a good seat. Associate Provost Caryl Sheffield, who will be retiring this year, stood at the front, and began a new tradition at California University of Pennsylvania; the Last Lecture.

Entitled “Reflections: One Woman’s Journey for Social Equity,” Sheffield’s lecture was an exploration of her life as she experienced various American movements, including the civil rights movement, second-wave feminism, and the protests against the Vietnam War. “As I began to compose the lecture, I knew that I wanted to talk about how my life was influenced by being an African American female growing up in the 50s and 60s,” Sheffield said. “The overarching theme that guides this historical memoir, as I call it, is the ongoing efforts to achieve racial, gender, and social equity.”

As the sixteenth of twenty-one children, Sheffield grew up in a poor family, although her father was the owner of a house painting business, worked for an electric company, and served as minister at an African Methodist Episcopal (AME) church. During her childhood, Sheffield had her first experiences of racism, though unaware of what it was at the time.

“The piano teacher wanted me to play the beginners

rendition of some boring semi-classical piece from the songbook, but I wanted to play Shortnin’ Bread,” Sheffield said. “Well, my mother was not having it.

She said it was the kind of song that a “colored” girl would be expected to play. Now I get it. It is racist, stereotypical and degrading. I was totally oblivious.”

Despite the racism and poverty that surrounded Sheffield, her family pulled through with “lots of love and faith in God.”Many accomplishments accompanied that love and faith Her father and a few black leaders in the community successfully desegregated the local YMCA, her brother became its first black member, and she became the first black varsity cheerleader in the history of the New Brighton school district.

The family’s financial shortcomings also resulted in Sheffield’s parents placing an emphasis on higher education. Suffice it to say, Sheffield said, her parent’s goal to see their children succeed academically was

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realized.

“Of my 20 siblings, all of us graduated from high school, 13 of us have earned at least a bachelor’s degree, 7 of us have earned a master’s degree, and 2 of us have earned a doctorate,” Sheffield said.

Sheffield herself enrolled at Cal U, then known as California State College, in the fall of 1969. It was at Cal U that her ideals of activism and advocacy began to take form.

“I was active in the Black Student organization. Like our counterparts across the country, we marched in front of the library and President Roadman’s office in protest of unfair treatment of black students, for more minority faculty members, and against the draft and the Vietnam War,” Sheffield said. “These activities awakened a militancy in me that is still there; I even sported a huge Afro.”

Alongside her activism, Sheffield also met her closest friends and pledged Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. It seemed like things were getting better and better.

During her freshman year, however, she became pregnant.

While these circumstances may have deterred most from finishing school, they didn’t stop Sheffield. She was able to finish her education and graduate on time. According to Sheffield, she has her mother to thank for that.

“She would raise my daughter [those two and a half years] so that I could finish school,” Sheffield said.

“I count that as the most significant event in my life.

Not the pregnancy so much, but the opportunity

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Page 3 April 10, 2015

to go back to college to complete the degree after my daughter was born. I am eternally grateful to my mother for the sacrifice she made for my future.”

Following graduation and the years that followed, Sheffield juggled between caring for her daughter at home and financially supporting her with a job teaching Special Education within the Pittsburgh Public School district.

She also found time to go back to school, receiving her Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Educational Guidance and Psychology from Slippery Rock University, and a doctorate of education in instructional design and technology from the University of Pittsburgh.

Noting that receiving her doctorate “changed her life as it opened doors to career opportunities that she never expected,” Sheffield was offered various positions at multiple institutions like Penn State and the University of Wisconsin. However, when it came time to choose where she wanted to teach computer technology to education majors, Sheffield decided she wanted to return home.

“Much to my advisor’s chagrin, I happily accepted the position at Cal U, although she would have preferred that I join the faculty of a Research I (one) University,” Sheffield said. “But that wasn’t what I wanted. I wanted to teach at Cal U. I wanted to give back what had been given to me. Being offered the faculty position was a blessing and an honor.”

Joining the Cal U community once again in 1991, Sheffield began to reminisce on her teaching experiences with her students.

“In 1991 computers were just beginning to be used in K-12 schools, and I enjoyed teaching my often computer-phobic students about the potential of computer technology to enhance student learning,” Sheffield said. Forever an activist, Sheffield also taught a course aimed at teaching students the value of equality. “I also taught Teaching in a Multicultural Society, a required course for all teacher education students,” Sheffield said. “They learned to keep an open mind as we discussed the challenging concepts of diversity, prejudice, and equity related to teaching children.”

In 2000, Sheffield was awarded the Fulbright Scholarship, which allowed her to study abroad and conduct research that can be applicable to the classroom. She spent half a year at the University of the West Indies in Kingston, Jamaica and was given the task of helping teacher’s colleges apply technology to their curriculum.

Sheffield said the experience showed her the advantages she had as a teacher at Cal U. “The student teacher, in preparation for the lesson,

Caryl Sheffield, associate provost and associate vice president, Cal U, reads “Cat in the Hat” to the Preschool Language Learning Center during “Read Across America Day.” The event was held in the Cal U Bookstore on March 2, 2015. (Photo: Jeff Helsel)

reached down and picked up a large cardboard box of colored plastic bottle tops,” Sheffield said. “You know, the kind that comes on the small plastic iced tea or milk bottles. He used these bottle-caps as a manipulative. The teachers in Jamaica knew how, out of necessity, to make do with what they had available to them.” Sheffield said.

Most recently, Dr. Sheffield is credited with chairing the Frederick Douglass Institute (FDI) Visiting Scholar program, which has found success in diversifying the faculty within the Cal U community.

She names some of the scholars, including Kelton Edmonds and Alphonso Vergeray of the History and Political Science departments, Randy Tilmutt of the Music department, Michelle Torregano of the Childhood Education department, and current scholar Reuben Brock of the Psychology department, as some of the diversified faculty currently at Cal U. Just last year, the FDI has shown its appreciation to its chair by establishing the Caryl J. Sheffield Faculty Excellence Award. Dr. Sheffield gladly accepts the kind words and tokens of appreciation that Cal U has given her, but what she appreciates the most is the

togetherness of the Cal U community, described by the South African word “Ubuntu.”

“We are all bound together in ways that can be invisible to the eye; that there is a oneness to humanity; that we achieve ourselves by sharing ourselves with others, and caring for those around us,” Sheffield said.

“Some of you are standing on my shoulders, too; that’s the way it should be.”

Sheffield’s long career at Cal U may be coming to a close, but that doesn’t mean her work is done. After retiring and moving to Florida, she plans to continue providing mentorship to young girls of color.

Before leaving Cal U, Sheffield, as a teacher and mentor, wanted to leave some words of encouragement for students.

“One thing I will say to all students, is to keep your eyes on the prize,” Sheffield said. “Stay focused on the goals you established prior to arriving at college.

It’s okay to have fun as well, but remember how important it is to get that degree. Make the most out of your college experience and there will be nothing but success ahead of you.”

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STUDENT A F FA I R S C o rner

DID YOU KNOW? End Violence (ENDV) Center Carter Hall G45 - (724) 938 - 5707 - If a friend confides in you that they have been sexually assaulted, believe them, and encourage them to seek help from the End Violence Center Advocate, Kay Kutz in Carter Hall G45 or by phone at (724) 938-5707.

Student Conduct Carter Hall G35 - (724) 938 - 4439 - The student code of conduct provides for Limited Immunity for alcohol or drug code violations when students admit to drinking or drug use when seeking medical assistance or reporting being victims of violence.

CUTV Natali Student Center - (724) 938 - 5823 - CUTV is found on Armstrong Cable Channel 61, Atlantic Broadband Cable 17, streamed online at cutv.calu.edu/live, Comcast On Demand as well as Youtube pages CUTVSPORTS1 and CUTVNEWSCENTER. Student Wellness Services Carter Hall - 724-938-4232 - A medical information form is required when a student enters the university and is kept on file during the student’s enrollment.

Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life Natali Student Center - (724) 938-4105 - Each fraternity/sorority has a cost to join and to remain active in the organization, but the fees are different for each organization.

Fitness and Wellness Herron Hall - (724) 938-5907 - Wellness programming promotes health and wellness and is dedicated to educating, motivation, and empowering the members of CalU community to make healthy lifestyle choices that improve their overall quality of life.

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Page 5 April 10, 2015

What Casinos Don’t Want You To Know Cal U hosts “Problem Gambling” conference

BY STETSON PROVANCE, NEWS EDITOR

At its core, the casino industry is focused on making as much money as it possibly can, making compulsive gambling almost always a losing endeavor.

This is just one of the messages Susan Ryan, director of California University of Pennsylvania’s Tourism Research Center, conveyed to the audience during the Problem Gambling Conference, held in the South Wing of the Convocation Center on April 2.

Gambling became legal in Pennsylvania back in 2004, with the passage of the PA gaming and racehorse Act. Since that date, millions of people have spent billions and billions of dollars at casinos.

According to Ryan, everything in a casino, from the layout, to the atmosphere, to even the lighting, is aimed at causing patrons to spend more money and gamble for longer periods of time.

“Casinos always try to lay things out so that players are engaged,” Ryan said. “For example, they put the lower paying games in the most easily accessible areas, they keep things well lit, and they’ll even pump oxygen into the rooms to keep players fresh and awake.”

Because of this, Ryan said players should never expect to use gambling as a means of making money.

“Casinos make their profit by funding an atmosphere of entertainment,” she said. “That’s how we should all view gambling. It is solely entertainment.”

Additionally, Ryan said, regardless of what many people believe, many of the games at casinos aren’t designed for players to win money.

“Yeah, some games are more skill based than others,” Ryan said. “But predominantly, the games a lot of people play, like slots for example, take no skill at all. In fact, even when it comes to slots, contrary to popular belief, lurking around a machine that hasn’t hit in a while doesn’t work. A machine is no more likely to go off because it hasn’t recently. Slots are one of the games that fall under the category of the house advantage.”

The house advantage, which the American Gaming Association acknowledges is a real thing that exists, is designed to rig games so that casinos are ensured to make money. According to Ryan, players should expect to lose money every time they wager more

Photo: “Blackjack betting table,” Wikimedia Commons

than 100 bucks.

The profits turned in by casinos allow them to go out of their way to entice people to gamble. One of the ways they accomplish this is by offering what are called complimentary gifts (comps) and player’s clubs.

“Comps and player clubs are ways the house [casino] stop players from feeling anonymous,” Ryan said.

According to Ryan, comps can range from soft comps, such as a free cocktail or a ticket to a show held on casino grounds, to hard comps, such as paying for a patron’s trip to the casino. Player’s clubs offer players “ratings” that increase based on how much they bet and how often they bet.

These sorts of deals, Ryan said, suck in many gamblers.

However, it must be remembered the deals offered by casinos are no different than those offered by other businesses.

“These kinds of things create a sort of quasi-illusion that players are receiving free stuff,” she said. “However, they are no different than the market research tools hotels and casinos use to try and make money.”

In fact, in many instances, Ryan said people who use comps often do so unwisely.

“Some people will feel like they got a bargain when betting 200 bucks and getting a free drink,” Ryan said.

“But that doesn’t make sense. Why not just get up from gambling, go to the bar, and buy a martini for 7 bucks?”

For those with a gambling addiction, there are avenues that can be taken to help overcome it. For example, there are national hotlines available to those with a gambling addiction. There are also ways for those who can’t resist the urge to gamble to selfreport the issues and ensure they can’t spend money at a casino.

“In Pennsylvania, there is a self-exclusion law that will allow people to request they be banned from all legalized gambling,” Ryan said. “This means they can’t collect winnings, recover losses, or accept anyhting like complimentary gifts that have value.”

However, these sorts of programs aren’t necessarily convenient. People who wish to claim self-exclusion must go to Harrisburg and do so in person. They also aren’t barred from gambling in other states.

“It’s very cost prohbitive,” Ryan said.

Ryan, who has never been to Rivers Casino in Pittsburgh, wanted to emphasize that she in no way, shape, or form is anti casino. “I’m in no way speaking out against casinos,” she said. I’m just stating facts that people should know before entering a casino.

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WHERE IT ALL BEGAN Since coming together a little over a year ago, Dan Smyers and Shay Mooney—known collectively as Dan + Shay—have established themselves as one of country music’s most promising duos. With pristine vocals and a knack for writing clever yet relatable songs about looking for, finding and losing love, Dan + Shay bring a youthful sense of energy to country music.

Their debut album, Where It All Began, harnesses that energy with 12 radio-ready tracks.

The album’s title comes from the last line of their debut hit single, “19 You + Me,” which, upon its release, had the biggest first week by a new duo in trade publication Country Aircheck’s history, was the most added debut of 2013 at country radio and was certified Gold by the RIAA. The harmony-rich song reinvents the popular theme of nostalgia through a flurry of evocative imagery: you were California beautiful, I was playing everything but cool; it was everything we wanted it to be, the summer of 19 You + Me. “‘19 You + Me’ is where it all began, and those words are the last you hear in that song. It felt appropriate for our first album,” says Shay, a native of Natural Dam, AR. “These 12 songs really define us,” adds Dan, who grew up in suburban Pittsburgh, PA. The pair first met during a late-night jam session at Dan’s Nashville home. “They’re honest, and this whole project started with Shay and I writing songs together. That’s how we met. Where It All Began is the story of who we are, who we were and who we’re going to be.”

Already Academy of Country Music Award nominees for Vocal Duo of the Year, Dan + Shay are following in the footsteps of their perennially lauded influences Rascal Flatts, Keith Urban and Tim McGraw. And the

sing-along songs that make up Where It All Began evoke the sound of those artists, along with a healthy dose of ‘90s rock and R&B. But it’s the album’s writing that truly distinguishes Where It All Began. Dan + Shay wrote or co-wrote all of the songs on the record and bring an educated yet hip slant to country lyrics. “We just love songwriting,” says Dan, who produced the album along with Danny Orton and Scott Hendricks. “We wanted it to be a rollercoaster of emotions and a rollercoaster of sounds, something that takes listeners on a journey.

We want people to fall in love with the album from front to back.”

From the introductory whistles of opening track “Show You Off,” it’s easy to go along for the ride. The duo’s favorite to perform live, the album opener and second single instantly identifies Shay as one of country’s best young vocalists. His pliable voice soars along to Dan’s deft guitar lines and the result is musical alchemy.

“When you’re in love with somebody,” Dan says of the song’s message, “you’re infatuated with them and you want to be seen with them everywhere.”

The inspiration for “Stop, Drop + Roll” came from a rather unlikely source: the Stephen King horror film “The Mist,” which the guys were watching late one night. When a character burst into flames, Dan quipped that he needed to “stop, drop and roll,” and the likeminded duo knew right away that it was a song. “We paused the movie and literally wrote it right then and there,” laughs Shay.

Such anecdotes are proof that inspiration can strike at any time for a songwriter.

“What I love about the vibe that Dan and I have is we

don’t worry about what we say,” continues Shay, citing album cuts like the intimate “Can’t Say No” and the bittersweet “First Time Feeling.” “When you’re writing, you can’t be scared to say anything.”

Anything or everything. One of the gifts that reveals itself upon repeated listenings to Where It All Began is Dan + Shay’s lyrical attention to detail. Songs such as “Nothing Like You” paint a picture in the minutiae, with lines about purple untied shoestrings and stacks of books.

“Lyrics don’t have to be cookie-cutter or straight down the middle,” says Dan. But it does help if they’re conducive to group choruses, which the duo found out firsthand when touring with Hunter Hayes.

“We played ‘Show You Off’ for 10,000 people with Hunter Hayes and they all were singing the ‘ay oh’ chorus back to us,” recalls Shay. “It was amazing.”

Following a tour with Hunter, the guys will be joining Blake Shelton on his Ten Times Crazier Tour this summer.

“We’re such huge fans of these artists,” says Dan, “that it’s crazy to imagine that they believe in us enough to take us out on the road. We’re thrilled to introduce new fans to the music of Where It All Began.”

Earning an RIAA Gold certification for a hit single, going on tour with Blake, being nominated for an ACM and CMT Music Award—they’re all milestones that have become a part of the Dan + Shay story. And with the release of their debut album Where It All Began, the most exciting chapter is about to be written.

Compliments of Katie Admire, Sandbox Entertainment

Page 7 April 10, 2015

What fish have to tell us about Appalachia

BY CLAUDIA PEHOWIC On March 31 at common hour, Dr. David Argent presented “What Fish have to Tell Us about Appalachia” at a biology and environmental science “brown bag” lunch discussion.

For those readers who are as geographically clueless as me, Apalachia stretches from New York to Mississippi. Appalachia is a region that covers some, but not all, of the Appalachian mountain range. Dr. Argent examines fish in over 40 Appalachian tributaries that empty into the Monongahela River to give us a new perspective on our surroundings: an environmental one. He believes that, “No matter what you do, you will always have an impact on the environment.”

Unfortunately, numerous historical events polluted our rivers – a legacy that lives on today. Brownsville, Pa. was once the heart of the shipping industry and had potential to become larger than Pittsburgh. Corporations controlled the flow of the river, which made it hard for fish to do their normal

“fish things.” Portions of the river that were originally shallow enough for wading were deepened to the mandatory nine feet for barges, and shallow water fish suffered. Islands were covered with water, and nearby lakes engulfed as the river rose.

Today, agriculture and resource extraction remain as two of the Mon. River’s greatest threats. They each create pollution that drains into the river and affects its fish. In this way, Dr. Argent says that it is difficult to tell whether Southwestern Pa is blessed with its resources or cursed by environmental damage. The blessing and the curse are one and the same because extracting valuable resources often causes pollution. As late as the 1950’s, The Mon. River measured a pH of 3.8, making it too acidic to support much aquatic life.

This is equivalent to the acidity of a can of pop. Dr. Argent attributes the loss of many species of fish to the acidic balance of the water, noting that fish are not capable of

swimming in ”Coke.”

Fortunately for fish and fishermen, laws such as the Clean Water Act of 1972 protect both the fish and the river. This benefits people who enjoy boating, fishing, and swimming in the river, as well as animals who rely on the river as a home. After the Clean Water Act was passed, over 100 new species of fish were found in the Mon. River Valley. Although this process took almost 30 years, the river is slowly becoming a safer place for both nature and humans. Looking to the future, Dr. Argent believes that “regrettably, history may itself.” While assessing 40 tributaries that run into the Mon. Valley, he noticed raw sewage and excess iron from mining sites. This man made pollution is vast enough to convince him that the Mon. Valley may get worse before it gets better.

So while legislation has done its part to reduce pollution, the region still grapples with the legacy of past environmental impacts.

Fitness Corner with Phil Tafone: HEAVY LIFTING It is the time of the year when I am contacted for fitness advice and this week I’d like to discuss a few aspects about weight training, particularly with regard to rep range. Reps or “repetitions” simply means each time you lift and lower a weight. How much weight you use will obviously stop a person sooner or later, depending on their capabilities.

Rep ranges have been shown to have different outcomes on the body and this is where I am finding many people get lost in the mix.

I recently had an off-campus consultation with a woman who told me she has been lifting rather heavy weight, often under 5 reps. This means most of her efforts were in lifting something very, very heavy, no more than five times, sometimes even just once. This would be okay except for the fact that she stated her goal was to become slightly more muscular, or defined, while dropping a few pounds of fat. Working at the intensity she did, she may have felt like she was gaining strength, but a majority of it likely came from training her nervous system. She was confused when I told her to reduce the weight by 25-30% and try to lift it ten times. I had to assure her she would get the outcome she wanted.

Lifting a weight for 10-12 reps will create hypertrophy, which is basically the enlargement of muscle tissue. Now don’t worry for all of you trying

to get leaner, without abusing illegal PED’s, this kind of training isn’t likely to make your clothes any tighter. Instead, you will have the muscular strength and metabolism to burn more calories throughout the day. This “less is more” approach is epitomized by body builders, action stars, and most swimsuit models (the ones that eat and exercise rather than starve themselves). Lifting very heavy weight, less than five times, develops power, and there are even theories that it increases hunger and or stores fat.

This is not to put down anyone who trains in that fashion. The most important thing is to train for what you want, and everyone has different goals.

My role is to help you clarify what you want and how to get it.

Looking at the physiques of those who lift for “power” or under five reps, you will find football players, baseball players, and quite obviously, power lifters or strong men. Think for a moment about the builds of all of these individuals. Baseball players may be the least physically imposing, but at the major league level, even most ball players enter the season at 240 pounds and body fat upwards of 20%. Strong men and power lifters are even fleshier, and football players, depending on their position can carry a surplus of body weight. None of this is to put down anyone who performs any of those sports. They require great skill and strength and I

myself will be the first one to admit I could never perform like that.

My greatest concern is not only those who are training for the wrong outcome, but risk injury in this era of “more, more, more”. While the research is convoluted, I would say that one increases the chances of either a hernia or a herniated disc when lifting heavy weight, under five reps. Most of the injuries I personally know of, myself included, have occurred this way. For those who do not know exactly what either injury is, they are quite different, yet equally excruciating. Herniated discs are ruptured discs of the spine. They can cause severe back and hip pain and be rather debilitating. Hernias, on the other hand, are tears in the abdominal or groin tissue, from which one’s intestine starts to push forward, making a bubble shape lump under the skin. It almost always requires surgical treatment and the recovery period can be up to two months.

Everyone is welcome to workout however they please, but I typically recommend lifting weights at a mild intensity, above 10 reps. The exceptions would be if you need to hit home runs… or quarterbacks.

In short athleticism comes from bursts of intense work, athletic figures come from lots of moderate work. Your goal should be to decide what outcome you want and mimic those who have already gotten there. Enjoy your workout!

Page 8 April 10, 2015

Dying is easy, comedy is hard My first time...doing stand-up comedy at Cal U

BY WALTER HARRIS

The clubhouse was packed, standing room only. I had to tap on shoulders and step sideways to pierce the crowd. I squeezed my way to the perimeter where there was more space to walk and look around. From the perimeter the room reminded me of a baseball stadium—albeit somewhat inverted; the crowd was packed in the middle of diamond instead up in the rafters. Home base was a floor level stage area situated into a corner. The walls coming from the corner behind the stage were foul lines extending to exits on first and third base. Second was being crowded and not visible.

I was in the outfield, it was open, curved and walled off by the bar of a small kitchenette. It was mostly dark except for a small light in the kitchenette, and the blue-purple stage lights over home.

The crowd was very diverse: black and white; underand postgraduate; commuter and residential; local and international. They were all watching home plate, Cam Chambers—and an accompanying band—was up. His vocal reputation on campus is prodigious and his fans had come in droves to see his performance. He and the band were bringing down the house with a soulful, and interactive rendition of “Hey Jude”. His lifted hands were conducting the crowd through the new chorus, “Naaa, na, na, na-na-na-na, Cal U.” The crowd was feeding on his energy, so vibrant and overwhelming. My stomach tightened, and I started to feel sick. I wanted to escape.

Alas, I could not leave for Maddie was waiting for me. It might be rude to runaway without saying something— especially since I invited her.

I walked the perimeter looking for her, but the crowd was too dense to see. Feeling lost and feeling people beginning to notice, I stopped and turned to the kitchenette. Finally, I saw a familiar face from my journalism class, Jerron Corley.

We exchanged acknowledgements.

“Hey, Walter,” he said.

“What’s going on?” I said, but my anxiety froze our conversation. I couldn’t get the band off my mind.

This was not the Underground Café I remembered from 2008, when I first started at Cal. It had grown into a place for the exceptionally talented and creative. I neither wanted nor deserved to be on stage. I was intimidated, ill prepared, and alone.

Five hours ago, I had abandoned my plans to perform a slam poem at the Underground’s open-mic night. I was required to do something I had never done before—for my journalism class—and thought reading a poem would be simple enough. At the last moment, I instead chose to do a

stand up comedy bit. I did not write original jokes; I did not know how to write original jokes. But the idea of composing a few jokes sounded easier than writing original slam poetry, especially since I didn’t, and still don’t, have a firm grasp on what slam poetry is. I chose to perform four very corny jokes that I remembered from middle school. They read as follows: • What do you call a fish with no eyes?

• How do you fit an elephant into a SafeWay bag?

• A dirty joke, which your correspondents do not wish to repeat at this juncture.

• A long joke about racial identity among zebras of the Serengeti, which your correspondents also do not wish to repeat at this juncture.

In the three hours before arriving at the Underground, I tried to transcribe my routine on notecards. It took that entire period to complete 28 notecards, none of which contained the actual jokes I planned to tell. What I had written was a dry introduction better suited for formal debate.

But I became manic about that introduction and the cards. I paced back and forth reading, editing, and rewriting in front of a floor length mirror and my good friend, Katie. I thought to myself the introduction has to be funny or the jokes will bomb. After every read through, and later after every card, I asked Katie the same question. “How was that; funny?” I said.

At first, she responded affirmatively—and pleasantly, but her yes’s—and mood—quickly devolved; her yes’s became yeah’s, yeah’s became mhmm’s, until finally, she only nodded.

At 9:30 p.m., a half hour after the event started, Katie lost her patience.

“You’re already thirty minutes late, you’re not going to finish this.” she said. “You have to just go.”

“Yeah,” I said, acquiescent but not truly wanting to stop.

I asked her one last time if she thought it was funny. She paused.

“I get the humor you’re going for, but its just too rushed,” she said. “You keep cutting the funny parts.”

My confidence evaporated, but I had to go. I wasted another half hour managing my nerves and choosing an outfit before going to meet Maddie. Maddie’s a theater student and has lots of experience on stage. I invited her to critique my performance because she always gives helpful stage notes. In hindsight, the performance might have been a little better if I’d asked her advice earlier, during my attempt at rehearsal—c’est la vie. I didn’t find Maddie until Cameron left the Underground along with his fans. She had been sitting on a couch that was hidden by the crowd. I could tell she was upset that I was late when I saw her, so I

cut her off before she could speak.

“There’s no way I can follow that,” I said. “I want to go home.”

She laughed, and I asked her if she would quickly listen to my act. She agreed begrudgingly and we went into the foyer through the exit at first base. I paced and thumbed through my cards quickly while she got comfortable in a chair. I smiled and began reading the first card.

“Hello everyone, my name is Walter.”

The next card: “I’m a student here at Cal-U.” Halfway through card three, after “and I’m studying…”

Maddie interrupted.

“What are you doing,” she mocked. “This is supposed to be, like, a stand up routine isn’t it?”

“What an insult,” I thought to myself.

“Put down the cards and try it again, naturally.”

I tried it again, but my nerves were making me tongue tied and it was difficult to speak fluently. But it seemed to make Maddie laugh, and the laughter boosted my confidence. I made my way through all four jokes and Maddie gave her stamp of approval.

Another hour and two more acts went by before I took the stage. By that time the crowd had dwindled to about thirty people, half of whom I either knew or had at least met once or twice before. I was applauded by the people that knew me before even making it to the stage. Though a lot of people had left the energy was still somehow high from Cameron’s performance earlier. I took the stage holding all of my note cards. I introduced myself without looking at them and started my set.

“I spent about two and a half hours working on these note cards,” I began. “And five minutes ago I discovered they’re totally worthless.” I threw my cards on the ground and a few people chuckled. It was enough to settle my nerves and I stumbled on to my first joke.

“What do you call a fish with no eyes,” I tried to say confidently.

Maddie, perhaps picking up on my nerves yelled back “I don’t know, what do you call it Walter?”

I heard someone in the crowd answer her with the punch line, a fish with no eye is a “Fssshh.” They knew my jokes but they laughed anyway.

I maintained this interactive style with the other jokes and even asked someone to come on stage and tell their own joke.

As the set went on I became more comfortable…until the end of my set when I realized that I had not practiced a conclusion.

Page 9 April 10, 2015

Cal Times album of the week: Sufjan Stevens and Wale

BY DAN CARMICHAEL Carrie and Lowell – Sufjan Stevens Sufjan Stevens, an artist that I have heard of but never fully listened to an album, delivers an incredible piece of art. “Carrie and Lowell” is his seventh studio since having released his first in 2000. Carrie is the mother of Sufjan and Lowell was his stepfather. This album tells stories of his mother who has recently passed away and shows the beauty and drama of life. His delivery is almost ghostly and haunting. The album is filled with 43 minutes of music through eleven songs. Do not worry though, this album will put you in a psychedelic trance for its entirety and you will most likely want to listen again and again.

As far as listening goes, I lost track of the amount of times I played through the album from start to finish. The album cover shows older pictures of his mother.

Stevens has always been known to make beautiful music, but this one will grab at your heart and twist and turn it until you are forced to feel something. His soothing vocals, accompanied by harmonic tones in the background and chorus’s will make you want to pick out a spot on a wall and just think about everything life has to offer.

One major idea of this album that I personally love, is the intimacy that you are given to Stevens life. This album is about his mother, who he loved and wants to share stories about and he does this through music without leaving out details. The only negative seems to be the musical content. As I said before, Stevens is known for making beautiful music, but what critics will surely miss from this album is the lack of complexity with the instrumentals. Each track seems to have a simple guitar and/or piano piece. Though he does not provide the same sound as previous albums, this is the sound that is necessary to accompany the lyrical content of this album.

Average Critic Rating: 90/100 My Rating: 93/100 The Album About Nothing – Wale

Wale is a hip-hop artist that seems to be doing life right. He makes smooth songs and lacks major negative feedback. This is big when it comes to the current hip-hop world. If you can get away with making music without negative comments as well as live a clean life and stay out of the media, you will stand out. “The Album About Nothing,” Wale’s fourth studio album, is more of a spiritual experience for Wale. It seems that he is trying to dig deeper into himself in order to find his way and it does it by publishing an album. This is an interesting and fairly diverse approach. Rappers often create songs about their lives but it is more so the glamorous side. Wale is begging questions about his life and what he wants to do with it from where he is now.

This album provides an hour long experience through fourteen tracks. It seems like the first couple tracks are really good, but I had to struggle through the entire album in the end. The first half of the album goes by quickly but the last half seems to drag on. The lyrics are up to average with what Wale typically produces. Catchy beats and hooks are abundant. This album almost has a slight gospel sound to it. One thing that I think everyone listening will appreciate is the introduction to each song by the voice of Jerry Seinfeld. Seinfeld is one of Wale’s favorite TV shows and he has said in the past that it has given him inspiration to write. Seinfeld almost acts as his conscience throughout the album.

My main negative thought with this album is that it is an album. Wale had a mixtape come out a few years ago titled, “The Mixtape About Nothing.” A few years after, another mixtape was produced called, “The More About Nothing Mixtape.” Both of these mixtapes showed clips from the TV show and comedy acts of Jerry Seinfeld. This idea was done and I feel that it was slightly played out. Wale should have continued the trend and created this album as a mixtape, while marketing it like an actual album. It would appear that he wants to let his fans in to view his thoughts on a bigger stage. I think he could have done this even if it was a mixtape.

In the end, I do not hate this album. I think it provides some positive feel good vibes and is a nice eye opener to Wale and his life. I would have liked to see this as a mixtape and have him create a new idea for an album but this is just something that he wanted to do.

Average Critic Rating: 64/100 My Rating: 60/100

Page 10 April 10, 2014

G A ME S Park and Recreation Society at Cal U presents

Pike Run Youth Fishing Festival April 25, 2015

Registration starts at 7:00am Event Begins at 8:00am Young anglers will receive Awards, Trophies, and Prizes!

Rod, Bait, and Tackle are provided if needed

Rotary Park off Route 88 along 3rd Street in California

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Registration is officially open for the End Violence Center’s annual event, Walk a Mile in Her Shoes®. This event is inspired from the idea that you can’t really understand someone until you walk a mile in their shoes, so to show support for victims of sexual violence, relationships violence and stalking, men will literally walk through campus wearing women’s high heeled shoes. Walking the walk helps us talk the talk, to open up lines of communication about violence. It not only is a visible representation to our campus community that there are courageous men who care about these issues, but it’s also an opportunity for men to honor people in their lives who have been impacted by violence. Organize a team today and register via End V’s OrgSync page. The first 75 men who register will be provided with high heels and every man will receive a free t-shirt and lunch. While this event is strictly for men, the campus community is encouraged to show their support the day of the event, on April 23rd at 11:00 in front of the Natali Student Center.

End Violence Center | G45 Carter Hall | 724-938-5707 | greendot@calu.edu | @CalU_ENDV

Page 11 April 10, 2015

Page 12 April 10, 2015

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Page 13 April 10, 2015

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Page 14 April 10, 2015

Frat vs. fraternity.....

BY LAUREN GRIFFITH

What the difference is and why it can matter

A fraternity (n.)- A local or national organization of male students, primarily for social purposes, usually with secret initiation and rites and a name composed of two or three Greek letters. (according to dictionary.com) Cal U is home to seven different fraternities, and five sororities. I am not a part of any of them.

However, my life has been influenced by Greek life.

Three members of my immediate family joined sororities at their different universities. (Alpha Sigma Tau, Alpha Gamma Delta, and Delta Phi Epsilon, respectively.) At school, two of my roommates are sorority sisters. I often attend Greek events, and have interviewed a number of members of Greek Life for articles through the Cal Times.

I have no issue with Greek organizations.

One of the differences I often see, or hear, from people in a Greek organization or people who are not is the use of the terms frat and fraternity. A Tau Kappa Epsilon brother at Clarion University was the first one to tell me, years ago, the difference between a frat and a fraternity. He told me that the term “frat” was offensive, and undermined the long-standing tradition behind his Greek organization. I had learned my lesson.

Making a big deal out of a single word seems trivial. It is just a word, right?

When I came to Cal U, one of the common questions asked from freshman to freshman is what sorority or frat he or she would be rushing. I didn’t say a thing about the use of term.

As I have met more and more individuals involved in Greek life, I developed a stronger opinion about the term frat.

Some of my closest friends, and fellow staff at the Cal Times, are members of Greek life. They belong to various organizations on campus, and I do not have a problem with any one of their organizations.

Recently, Greek organizations have received a lot of media attention. Last year, West Virginia University’s chapter of Kappa Sigma charter was pulled after Nolan Burch, a freshman who was in the process of joining the organization, was found unresponsive and was later pronounced dead. The incident was ruled as hazing, and Burch’s big brother (who gave him the bottle of liquor that led to his death) was charged.

Last month, Oklahoma University’s Sigma Alpha Epsilon was expelled from campus after a video, featuring several members of the organization participating in a racist chant, leaked. Later, another video of OU’s Sigma Alpha

The term frat is often used to desribe a negative event affiliated with a Greek organization, as can be seen in these headlines to the left. Calling a fraternity a frat can play into the negative stereotype associated with it.

Epsilon fraternity surfaced. The house mother was filmed saying n***** nine times back in 2013. While a house mother is not a part of the fraternity by any means, the media treated it as if she was.

The morals and the ethics behind these Greek organizations were questioned. Both Kappa Sigma and Sigma Alpha Epsilon were blasted by news sites, broadcasters, social commenters, and bloggers.

The media used the term frat when describing the organizations. They described Kappa Sigma’s big/little night as a frat party. In another case, a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon at the ivy league Dartmouth College was still referred to as frat boy in an article by Rolling Stone.

The term frat remains attached to the negative stigma surrounding fraternities. The stereotype of the frat brother is a binge-drinking, hazing, underachiever who has a .9 GPA. He only pledged his Greek organization to sleep with massive amounts of girls. His life is a scene from Animal House.

And that is why it can be considered offensive to call a fraternity, a frat.

To some people, frat is just an abbreviation of the word fraternity, and has no positive or negative connotation to it. Others opinions’ are that Greek members may use the term, but not those outside of Greek life.

In reality, members of fraternities can choose not to

drink. Members of fraternities have made it onto the Dean’s List. Several fraternity members at Cal U are also involved the Armed Forces. There are a number of reasons that a fraternity brother can pledge their chosen organization.

Both sorority and fraternity members are made to attend workshops, campus talks, weekly meetings, library hours, and to volunteer their time to the community. If a member does not receive the minimum GPA the Greek organization sets, he/she is not allowed to participate in Greek life events. Members are held to high standards.

It can be demeaning to ignore all of the tradition, ritual, and time put into a Greek organization. I see it as a matter of respect. While I have chosen not to be a part of it, I still respect those individuals who are a part of it, and the organizations they are in. I respect what their letters and their organizations represent. In the same manner, I respect each of the sports’ teams for their time and effort put into practicing, traveling, and maintaining their GPA in order to play on the team.

While there might be those fraternity members who embody the frat stereotype well, there are always going to be those exceptions. That does not mean the other members of Greek organizations should be seen in the same light, and be called frat bros.

Page 15 April 10, 2015

G e tt i n g c o m f o r t a b l e w i t h C a r a f e m New-age abortion clinic gives women a safe haven

BY TAYLOR BROWN, EDITOR IN CHIEF

There are things happening in the world that are very black and white. There is a clear difference between right and wrong. The thing is, some people see colors differently than other people. What I think is black, may seem like it looks navy to someone else. Let’s not get started on the black and blue, gold and white dress fiasco.

What I’m saying is, there is probably a large number of people who are not going to agree, or like what I am about to say, and that is okay.

I’m going to talk about the A-word, and like a new up and coming clinic, I am not going to apologize for the stance I am about to take.

I’m talking about abortion. It is not about pro-life or prochoice, but how attainable it has become in our society, and why it is okay that we are taking measures to make it a more pleasant experience for women who are exercising their right to choose.

Abortion was legalized in 1973, though between 2008 and 2010, 44 different laws were passed in 18 different states.

A large number of these laws, required patients to undergo a counseling session prior to their procedure, which more than likely did contribute to the over all decrease in abortions over the last few years.

According to the Guttmacher Institute, the abortion rate is the lowest it has been in 40 years, falling an additional 13 percent in 2011. These numbers coincide with the dwindling number of unexpected pregnancies that can be attributed to the more effective use of contraceptives and their availability to women.

The argument that I have today is not about abortion. It is not about contraception. It is not about sex education.

It is about the fact that although all of these numbers are showing a steady decline, and although there are countless volunteer groups working toward even better options for women that would result in even smaller numbers, there are abortions happening every single day.

You don’t have to agree with it, or support these women; it is what it is.

Women utilizing this option and making this decision regarding their own body deserve support in the decisions they are making, because although people think abortion is taking the easy way out of an independent responsibility, it is not a decision that is made hastily and it is still difficult for these women to endure.

Women who are making these decisions are finally gaining some support from a clinic that opened this week in Washington, DC. Carafem is a new clinic that is offering what media outlets are calling a “spa like” experience, when deciding to go forward with an abortion.

When you think of “spa like” experience, you think of pampering; hair color, manicures, pedicures, massages. That is not what is happening here.

Carafem President, Cristoper Purdy, came up with the idea of a more accessible concept after realizing how easily women were able to choose this option overseas. In places like Ethiopia women are able to purchase the “abortion pill” over the counter, without any type of hassle.

“The pill” here in the U.S. costs about $500. Carafem is offering it for around $400.

Of course, many outlets are outraged by this concept, claiming that putting pretty wrapping on an ugly package

is not going to fix the issue.

Which is my point – there is not an issue to be fixed.

Abortion exists and though numbers are dropping, it is not going to magically disappear with the snap of a finger. So, people may as well get used to being angry about it.

Abortion is a legal option for women who choose that they are not fit, ready, wanting, willing, or what ever adjective you want to say, to be a mother. They may be young, they may be older, they may be victims of rape or sexual abuse, they may just be scared, but none of that matters.

Abortion is an option that is available for all women to consider, and Carafem is supporting this option by extending a caring hand to women who are going to take advantage of it.

Yes, this clinic does have comfortable chairs, hard wood floors, appointments, tea and robes. Hmm, it does not sound any different than any doctor’s office I have ever stepped in, or any ICU that I have ever stayed in.

The concept and amenities are the same, but because the patients are having an abortion instead of a tetanus shot, people are a little bothered by the entire idea that these women should have experiences that are aiming to make them as comfortable as possible through what is known to be an unpleasant experience.

This company is offering something that our country, and a significant amount of women in our country need.

People who aren’t afraid to use the A-word and who aren’t going to apologize for it.

We should be proud of the choices we make, and thankful to have the freedom to choose in the first place.

Photo Credit: Metro.co.uk

Page 16 April 10, 2015

Photo Credit: British Library, UK

Could Anglo-Saxon remedies cure more than skin diseases?

BY EMILY GEYER, OPINION EDITOR

In a recent report, researchers have discovered an ancient Anglo-Saxon book titled, “Bald’s Leech Book,” containing multiple remedies for various diseases.

According to an article from National Geographic, both researchers in the UK and the United States have tried some of this remedies, and have achieved success.

The report said U.S. researchers from Texas Tech University tested a remedy on mice infected with skin infections like MRSA and drug resistant staph, and it killed the infection better than the drug commonly used.

Want to know the best part?

These remedies are completely made up of natural ingredients like garlic, leek, honey, onion, and the bile of slaughtered cow.

Isn’t it funny how such common items are able to cure annoying skin infections better than a lab made medicine?

What if this is just the beginning though? What if there are more ancient cures out there that can help cure more serious illnesses?

We live in a world today, where there are thousands upon thousands of miscellaneous diseases, many that do not have a cure or even a simple solution.

By these researchers finding a simple cure to common skin infections, it could be the start of them to look further to help allieviate or maybe even cure big name diseases.

Now this is not to say that every remedy found in the Anglo-Saxon book is going to work -- believe me there are some out-there remedies that supposedly ‘cure’ things like cancer -- but if they could solve common problems, like joint pain for example, that would be widely welcomed.

I’m also not saying that I think there are Anglo-Saxon remedies that are going to be cure-alls for everything, but I’m sure there are remedies that could help small diseases and irritations.

And it does not just have to be an Anglo-Saxon remedy that helps cure these diseases and such, there could be remedies and things from other eras and time periods that may have been forgotten and could work too.

I’m not sure if your family has any quick tips for treating small things like styes or even ulcers, but mine does.

They are not extreme or anything like that, but for an ulcer, a warm salt water rinse a couple times a day for a couple days will help make it go away.

I do not know who came up with this solution to what can be an annoying problem, but it is just an instance where something that has been passed on for years and years still solves a common issue.

It is like whenever people with warts will place duck tape on their infected spot after freezing it to help it heal faster, where did that come from?

And I’m sure anyone who has seen “My Big Fat Greek Wedding,” remembers the crazy dad’s solution to everything was Windex.

Yeah it was just a rom-com, but has anyone actually ever tried using Windex to fix anything but a dirty window?

These are all things that we should keep in mind, because yes there are many qualified and ingenious scientists out there trying to find cures for things like cancer, but could they be looking in the wrong places?

I mean we have survived thousands of years using basic

remedies and solutions that have been passed down from generation to generation.

And I’m not saying that it is not great that there have so many leaps and bounds made in medicine, but sometimes there could be a more natural solution to a problem that doesn’t require a pill.

These days there’s a pill that will fix just about anything -headaches, toothaches, being over-weight, an infected toe nail, and the list of aches and pains continues.

However, what many people fail to realize is that you do not have to pop a pill for every little ache you have.

For that reason alone, it could be the blame for so many people abusing pills and medicine in the first place, but that’s another topic completely.

I understand there are those who suffer from chronic headaches and such, but for those who do not they could have their headaches for a variety of reasons. They could be dehydrated, overly tired, overly stressed, hungry, and more.

I’m the type of person who does not like to take any type of medicine unless it is necessary that I take it, because I know otherwise that my body is capable of working itself out.

I think my main idea here, is that we should start looking for other remedies and solutions for common diseases in places that we may have forgotten about.

Who knows what we may find by exploring the past? Maybe the cure for cancer or alzheimer’s is out there somewhere just waiting for someone to rediscover it?

We won’t know unless more people like the researchers for Texas Tech University and those in UK, decide to look for them.

Page 17 April 10, 2015

Yoshitake Mizuma, head coach of the Panasonic Wild Knights in Japan, spoke and gave insight to the Cal U Men’s Rugby team in the weeks leading up to their matchup with Point Park University

Men’s Rugby team victorious in first exhibition contest

BY NATHAN KLUITER Cal Times Contributor

The California University of Pennsylvania Vulcans Men’s Rugby team defeated Point Park University by a score of 35-22 in their first spring exhibition. Tries were scored by Blayze Richardson, Garret Troche, Nathan Kluiter, and Tyler Philips with a kick converted

by Tama Edgar. The game was close throughout, with both teams scoring in the first half to keep it close. As the second half wound down, the Vulcans banned together on attack to ware down the Point Park defense and gain some insurance points. A huge factor in this game was Jon Holmes, who led the forwards in winning multiple lineouts down the stretch to give the Vulcans possession time and time again. Captain and club president, sophomore Jake Studer led the team down the stretch toward a strong team victory in which everyone contributed.

In the weeks leading up to the match, Yoshitake Mizuma who coaches the Panasonic Wild Knights in Japan, assisted the team during practice. Coach Mizuma gave useful insight on ball skills, tackling, as well as drills that utilize creating space in order to effectively run a rugby attack. During the two weeks that Mizuma was with the team, he commented that he noticed a visible

progression in the type of team that is being built here at Cal U. He stressed that as long as the work ethic is high on and off of the field, things will only get better for the Vulcans.

Following the team win versus Point Park, the Vulcans had a bye week, which consisted of practice along with a visit from Leslie Bonci. Bonci is the director of sports nutrition at the UPMC Center for Sports Medicine in Pittsburgh and also assists the Steelers, Penguins, and Pirates in their nutritional habits. The team recorded their food consumption for the previous week and brought their logs to Bonci for tips on putting the right food in your body in order to get the highest level of performance out of it. Utilizing resources like Bonci and Mizuma, the Vulcans prepare to face Wheeling Jesuit tomorrow at 1pm at Adamson Stadium.

Rugger Notes A third of the CalU Men’s Rugby team made the dean’s list last semester. Those athletes are Anthony Colon, Nick Eritz, Tyler Findley, Joshua Gebauer, Joshua Hendrickson, Garret Troche, and Mathew Zemba. All of the team, however, felt that the study hours mandated by the team contributed a great deal to the success of the

club. The spring season is known as an exhibition part of the year, with many new players joining the club.

This is the time where new players to the sport have the chance to learn the game in a less competitive level until they get a grasp on the game. The club is always looking for athletes who want to compete weekly in a competitive college league. You are only an athlete for a short period of time in your life, so get off the bench or the couch and come out to play this weekend.

Men’s Rugby Schedule April 11 - V.S Wheeling Jesuit April 18 - @ Washington and Jefferson April 25 - V.S Robert Morris April 29 - @ Geneva

Page 18 April 10, 2015

Women’s Basketball Championship season in review

BY MATT HAGY STAFF WRITER

The story of the 2014-15 California women’s basketball team has begun making its way around the country. They have become known as a team that accomplished feats including a PSAC championship, Atlantic Regional championship, and most importantly the National Championship. This team went far and beyond to inspire Cal U and women’s basketball everywhere, but it is very important to know how this team set themselves up for the championship run.

While it seemed as a big surprise that this team was able to make it and win the National Championship, the Vulcans came into this season with pretty high expectations. It was an experienced group that was hungry and had some unfinished business to take care of after not even making it to the Atlantic Regional playoffs a year before. California returned four of five starters from a year ago which included three experienced seniors that wanted a last crack at glory.

To kick off the season the Vulcans avoided a winless start as they had the year before with two nonconference wins and then a PSAC home opening win over the Mercyhurst Lakers, a game in which they were down nine at one point. This set up a showdown the Saturday before Thanksgiving with the Edinboro Fighting Scots who were ranked number six at the time. The Fighting Scots looked to take revenge on the Vulcans who blitzed them on their own court the season before and early on it was clear who was going to dominate the contest. California turned in one of the finest single-half performances in recent memory by thrashing Edinboro to the tune of a 40-14 score heading into the half. Whether it was on offense or defense, the Vulcans lit a fire on the ice storm that blanketed the town of Edinboro early in the day and came away with its second-straight dominating win over the Scots on their own home court. They silenced any remaining doubters that this Vulcans team was going to be a force to be reckoned with this season. California continued to roll through PSAC play and entered the New Year with just one loss in the PSAC, which was a road contest against Bloomsburg. California ended IUPs perfect season with an instant classic in overtime and a week later earned a gritty road win over a pesky Seton Hill team.

However, no one knew that the biggest challenge the Vulcans would face all season would come the next morning. Shanice Clark, who was a redshirt Senior, was found dead in her apartment in the early morning hours of January 18 and sent shockwaves

PHOTO: CAL U OF PA

throughout the country. It was a loss that was taken hard by these Vulcans, which showed the amazing person and teammate Clark was. Normally a death of a teammate would crumble a team, but this team of fighters only used it as motivation to dedicate the rest of the season to her.

“It was tough for these kids because they are young people and they have not dealt with a lot of death in their lives,” said head coach Jess Strom. “They had good days and bad but we worked through the pain and stayed together and continued to play.”

The Vulcans lost to Gannon the next game in Erie but then struck back the first game back after the tragedy to beat Slippery Rock after a moving ceremony, which saw the Cal community come out in full support to honor Shanice. The win against the Rock propelled the Vulcans into a streak that saw Cal U focus in and compile an eight game winning streak that helped set the table for the famous run that has been well noted around the Mon Valley.

“California Vulcans: 2015 National Champions,” a phrase that will never get old across the Cal U campus. These ladies have earned it in every way shape and form with hard work and perseverance that made every game fun to attend. A tightly knit group of girls that coined the phrase “forever family” on their warm up shirts that honored Shanice Clark. They absolutely proved that phrase to be true by working together and most importantly making each other better with individual play.

“I’ll remember the good people and how much ev-

eryone cared for each other,” said senior Kaitlynn Fratz.

“Bad times do not last forever and we have been able to highlight the good times and run with it.”

Anyone can point at the steady play and leadership of senior Emma Mahady, who completes her Vulcan career on top as a National Champion. Anyone could also point at Fratz, who continually lit sparks under her team when they needed her most with a three pointer or exciting fast break point. Anyone could point at freshman Seairra Barrett, the PSAC west freshman of the year, who exceeded all expectations by playing that sixth woman role off the bench all season and had one of the finest defensive performances against Emporia State in the National semifinals. Anyone could point at sophomore Miki Glenn, the floor general who picked up PSAC and Atlantic regional tournament honors and led the team in many scoring categories.

No matter how anyone looks at this season, it all came down to head coach Jess Strom. She kept her team together in the worst of times and cashed in one of the finest coaching jobs that have ever been seen in any sport recently. Strom’s courage with this team has also set herself up to continue to have success recruiting and keeping the program at the top. Her extraordinary efforts garnered PSAC west coach of the year honors and she was also named Schelde sports Division II Bulletin Coach of the Year.

Recently, this team was named Russell Athletic’s “Together We R” award recipients. The “Together We R” Team Award honors programs that have strived to succeed in the face of adversity, overcoming extraordinary circumstances such as an unforeseen team crisis, barrier or unfortunate situation that caused extra stress. The team must exemplify strong commitment to core values of togetherness, courage, unparalleled work ethic and heart, and must personify the “Together We R” belief that teams are stronger than individuals. It is pretty safe to say this team met all expectations for that award.

Despite losing key pieces next season, this team will rise once again to contend for another chance of glory. Now begins the next chapter of Vulcan women’s basketball. Come November, there may be a few new faces on the floor but one thing is for certain. The same Vulcans text will remain on the white and red jerseys to represent greatness and heart. The same jerseys that have been worn by past legends of this program, a program that now has two national championships, something that no other PSAC school can say they have. Legends of the California Spring.

Page 19 April 10, 2015

Former Vulcan linebacker preps for opportunity to play professionally in Germany

BY JOSE NEGRON Sports Editor

The lists of goals and aspirations for any student athlete are endless. They go to classes to expand their horizons, get a quality education, and to give them a chance at a better future. They also have to balance their studies while also keeping their focus on their athletic endeavors as well, with the dreams of continuing their careers at the next level always on their mind.

The California University of Pennsylvania football team has produced numerous amounts of talent at the next level, including New York Jets safety Rontez Miles, Indianapolis Colts safety Dewey McDonald, and defensive back Erik Harris, a member of the Hamilton Tiger-Cats of the Canadian Football League. Whether it’s the NFL, CFL, or football leagues overseas, there is a good chance that you have seen a Cal U alum suit up for a team.

Former members of the squad have been working hard during the offseason, attempting to impress

professional teams. Former Vulcans linebacker Spencer Lynn was one of those players working hard with dreams of continuing his football career on his mind.

“That’s every little kid’s dream to play at the highest level that they can,” said Lynn. “I’ve dreamed about it every night since I was four years old.”

With the possibility of the dream becoming a reality, Lynn signed with an agent and competed in various drills to test the abilities that would be needed to compete at the professional ranks. Though Lynn felt as if he did well at his Pro Day in early March, he also felt that he lacked a bit when it came to the forty-yard dash. Despite the struggles with his forty-yard dash, Lynn realized his dream of playing at the professional level, signing with the Osnabruck Tigers of the German Football League on March 26.

“It’s a great feeling knowing that I get to continue my career,” said Lynn. “After the season was over, I wasn’t

Former Vulcans linebacker Spencer Lynn is the latest Cal U football player to get the chance to play at the professional level, signing with the Osnabruck Tigers of the German Football League.

PHOTO: SPORTS INFORMATION

sure if I’d ever get to play football again. I’ve been playing since I was four years old and I’m not ready to be done. I’m so happy to keep playing.”

While getting to continue his career, Lynn also gets the opportunity to travel to another country and gain a whole new experience that many college students don’t get the opportunity to have, despite the fact that homesickness is bound to occur.

“I think the best thing will be getting the opportunity to live in and experience a different culture,” said Lynn. “I’m also planning on traveling a lot during our bye weeks and during any downtime. I anticipate the biggest struggle to be the fact that I’m going to be so far from all of my family and friends.”

Despite a few injuries throughout his collegiate career, Lynn played a huge role for the Vulcans defense on the field. As a redshirt senior this past season, Lynn posted 87 tackles, falling just three shy of his career high of 90 tackles set in 2011. Aside from his success on the field, it might be the person Lynn is off of the field that garners him the most respect from his peers and his coaches.

“His work ethic is excellent. He’s a phenomenal kid,” said Vulcans Head Coach Mike Kellar. “He’s in the weight room constantly and he’s constantly working to be a better player. He’s a do it right guy and he’s a winner.

Whether he plays professional football or whatever he does, I know right now that when he comes back to games five, ten, fifteen, twenty years from now that he is going to be successful because he’s just a successful guy.”

The player development of this program has played a huge factor in the success of some of the program’s best athletes. With guys like Spencer Lynn, former Vulcans offensive lineman Jack Abercrombie, and former linebacker Jeff Knox Jr paving the way for the new era of California Vulcans football players, there will be little doubt that California University of Pennsylvania will be a popular destination for high school football players who want to hone their skills to compete at the professional level.

Page 20 April 10, 2015

Cal Times Athlete Spotlight Jasmine Stevenson

Class: Senior Major: Liberal Studies Hometown: Jacksonville, Fl High School: Cumberland Valley (Pa.)

Senior Jasmine Stevenson is an all around athlete. The former

basketball player actually didnt start running track until her junior year of high school. The success has obviously come natural for Stevenson. In high school, she competed in different events including the 100 and 400 meter dash, 4x1 and 4x4 relays and long, triple, and high jump. She was also named a captain of the track team during her senior season.

While running here at Cal U, Stevenson has continued the

tradition of competing in various events. She runs the 400 meter dash and 400 meter hurdles, while also running in other events including the 4x4 relay. This past weekend at the Bethany Invite, Stevenson set the meet record in the 400 meter hurdles, breaking the previous record by almost two seconds.