Thursday, November 12, 2015

SPECIAL ISSUE Thursday, November 12, 2015

Vol. 126, Issue 23

Men’s hoops poised to fly high again

Cavaliers boast loaded roster despite departure of Anderson, Atkins Robert Elder

Senior Associate Editor

Porter Dickie and Marshall Bronfin| The Cavalier Daily

Malcolm Brogdon and the Virginia men posted 30 wins in 2014-15. Faith Randolph starred for the Cavalier women.

Entering his seventh season in Charlottesville, coach Tony Bennett has undoubtedly brought Virginia basketball back into the national spotlight — back-to-back 30-win seasons and ACC regular-season titles will do that for a program. Bennett has built the program to levels unreached since University Hall was dubbed “Ralph’s House” in the Terry Holland era.

Ranked No. 6 in both the preseason AP Top 25 and the USA Today Coaches Poll, national pundits agree Virginia should maintain its positive trajectory entering the 2015-16 season. And for this, both fans and players alike can embrace Bennett’s fifth pillar — thankfulness.

But like last year when the Cavaliers lost Joe Harris and Akil Mitchell to graduation and the NBA draft, the upcoming season will test Virginia’s third pillar — unity.

Guard Justin Anderson and forward Darion Atkins provided consistency and passion for the 2014-15 team. But with the former forgoing his senior season for the NBA and the latter exhausting his eligibility, Bennett must again remold his lineup.

“We’re going to be a different team this year — I say that every year,” Bennett said.

“Our personnel is different. We will not be a clone of last year.”

But if there is a class that can continue Bennett’s excellence and perhaps even make a deep postseason run, it’s the current group of seniors. Led by guard Malcolm Brogdon, forward Anthony Gill and center Mike Tobey, the Cavaliers have three of the best players in the country at their respective positions.

Brogdon is coming off a season that featured first-team All-ACC and second-team All-American honors. Known for his leadership both on and off the court, he led the team in scoring last season as the only player to start all 34 of Virginia’s games. “[Brogdon] is a workhorse,” Bennett said.

Gill, a third-team all-conference selection and member of the All-ACC defensive team, will look to continue his physical play in the paint while replacing Atkins’ defensive prowess.

Meanwhile, Tobey could be the surprise of the bunch. After three years of up-anddown play, the New York native has had his best offseason to date, Bennett said. The big-man has always possessed incredible

see MEN’S BBALL, page 4

Women’s basketball tips off 2015-16 season Virginia tasked with replacing Imovbioh, adapting to NCAA rule changes

Grant Gossage Associate Editor

After first-round exits at both the ACC tournament and the N.I.T. last March, the Virginia women’s basketball team (17-14, 7-9 ACC) entered the offseason on a mission to improve as a unit. All five starters were set to return for the 2015-16 campaign.

But April rolled around and senior forward Sarah Imovbioh, who had earned a fifth year of NCAA eligibility, decided to take her talents to Columbia, South Carolina, where the presea-

FEW COLLEGE PLAYERS PLAY PROFESSIONALLY PAGE 2

son-No. 2 Gamecocks have turned into a premier program.

Imovbioh averaged a double-double — 12.6 points and 10.8 rebounds — for the Cavaliers a season ago. She and then-junior guard Faith Randolph, who scored a team-high 16.4 points per game, complemented one another with their respective interior and perimeter games.

Imovbioh’s departure has caused an offensive imbalance, coach Joanne Boyle said, one that she has witnessed in practice and scrimmages leading up to the season.

“We need better balance,” Boyle said. “We’ve talked about that. The inside: [freshman for-

VIRGINIA TO FACE LOUISVILLE ON ROAD PAGE 5

ward] Mone [Jones], [sophomore forward] Lauren [Moses] and [junior forward] Syd [Umeri], I think our three primary. When we talk about an inside-outside game we don’t necessarily think that if the ball goes inside we have to score. I think we just need better touches.”

With 6-foot-3 length and pure athleticism, Jones has arguably the most upside of the frontcourt trio. ESPN Recruiting ranked the Durham, North Carolina native the No. 10 forward and No. 57 overall prospect in the class of 2015.

Jones still needs to adjust to the college game, though.

“As a young person she doesn’t quite have

TOP 10: PEOPLE YOU SEE AT JPJ PAGE 9

that motor that some of our upperclassmen have,” Boyle said. “She can shoot the ball and she’s got really good basketball IQ. Obviously she has length and speed, so we just have to stay on her about being on point with some things.”

Randolph and sophomore point guard Mikayla Venson, both of whom entertained questions from reporters Monday at John Paul Johns Arena, continue to push Jones beyond what’s comfortable. Meanwhile, the two leaders have developed an even closer bond with one

OPINION: REMOVE GPA FROM LAWN APPS PAGE 11

see WOMEN’S BBALL, page 5 ACC CONFERENCE SET TO MUSIC PAGE 14

N news

The Cavalier Daily

2

NCAA scholarship breakdown Headcount vs equivalency

Headcount

or

(full scholarships distributed to individual athletes)

full ride = 1scholarship

Menʼs Football

(85)

Corrections Bobby Doyle’s Nov. 2 article, “Takeaways from William and Mary’s mental health struggle,” incorrectly stated that CAPS is staffed by licensed psychiatrists.

CAPS is staffed by licensed psychotherapists.

In a Nov. 9 article Law Prof.

David Martin was incorrectly quoted as saying that the influx of immigrants eventually raises wages for everyone. He did not say this.

(13)

Menʼs Basketball

(15)

Womenʼs Basketball

(8)

Womenʼs Tennis

(12)

Womenʼs Volleyball

Equivalency

(total number of full scholarships distributed amongst players at the coachʼs discretion)

(11.7)

Menʼs Baseball

(12.6)

Menʼs Lacrosse

(12)

Womenʼs Lacrosse Menʼs Golf

(4.5) Anne Owen | The Cavalier Daily

Few college players go professional Advising on professional play comes primarily from coaches Grayson Kemper Senior Writer

As both the men’s and women’s basketball teams open their seasons Friday, many players aspiring to become professional basketball stars will take the floor.

The chances of collegiate basketball players succeeding to the professional level are slim. Only 0.9 percent of women and 1.2 percent of men ultimately advance from college to a professional level, according to a report published by the NCAA. The numbers are similar for football and men’s ice hockey.

Baseball players are most likely to advance to professional leagues, with almost 10 percent of baseball players moving forward. This is, in part, due to Major League Baseball’s expansive minor-league system.

There are currently three former University players on NBA rosters: Cleveland Cavaliers shooting guard Joe Harris, Atlanta Hawks power forward Mike Scott and Justin Anderson, rookie shooting guard for the Dallas Mavericks.

Darion Atkins, who graduated in May, currently plays in the NBA Developmental League for

the Westchester Knicks. Monica Wright, a 2010 University graduate and guard for the Seattle Storm, is the only former Virginia player currently playing in the WNBA. If not selected for NBA, WNBA or any developmental leagues, some players choose to travel abroad to play in foreign professional leagues. Akil Mitchell, former center for the men’s basketball team who graduated in 2014, now plays in France in the LNB Pro-A league.

La'Keshia Frett Meredith, assistant coach for the women’s basketball team, has played professionally both domestically and abroad.

Meredith first played in the American Basketball League, then the WNBA for seven years, and then abroad.

Meredith, who acts in an advisory role for athletes considering making an attempt to play professionally, said the most important advice she imparts is the understanding that basketball is no longer an extracurricular activity, but a livelihood.

“The biggest difference [prospective players] need to understand is that [basketball] is your livelihood,” Meredith said. “You have to make a team, you have to perform, that’s how you are earn-

ing money.”

The difference between advising women and men on their choice to continue playing basketball lies in the fact that the WNBA, unlike the NBA, requires its players play all four years in college before declaring for their draft, Meredith said.

“Girls don’t make enough for [early declaration] to be a life-changing thing,” Meredith said. “We’re telling them that ‘you need your education.’ If [playing professionally] doesn’t work for you, then you have something else to do.”

The University does not currently provide an official office to advise athletes looking to go pro.

Both Meredith and Jim Daves, University assistant athletic director for media relations, said coaches provide this sort of guidance to their players.

“The individual student-athlete (and their family) make a decision on where to solicit advice regarding agents,” Daves said in an email statement. “If requested, the sport coach can assist them based on their knowledge of the process.

Student-athletes will likely consult with their college coaches regarding this decision, but that is their personal choice.”

Porter Dickie | The Cavalier Daily

There are currently three former University players on NBA rosters, including Cleveland Cavaliers shooting guard Joe Harris.

NEWS

Thursday, November 12, 2015

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BSA releases statement of support for Missouri, Yale Escalation of events indicates “something else going on,” President Sullivan says Katherine Wilkin News Editor

The Black Student Alliance has spoken in support of black students and activists at the University of Missouri and Yale University.

Following campus unrest over a series of discriminatory event on campus, University of Missouri student group known as “Concerned Student 1950” has published a list of demands for the university, including an increase in black faculty members and increased funding for minority programming.

BSA released a statement on Wednesday afternoon. It comes after “a series of hateful, racially motivated statements and events”

on the campuses of the two universities, according to the remarks.

This list of demands echoes demands made at U.Va. and universities across the nation, said BSA President Aryn Frazier, a third-year College student. The statement of support was intended as a show of solidarity.

In the statement, BSA specifically thanks students at the two universities for their work towards change.

“Their feelings, their actions, and their demands are neither isolated nor overreaching,” the statement reads. “On the contrary, these students have articulated the concerns and desired changes for which Black students throughout the country and throughout time have advocat-

ed.”

University of Virginia President Teresa Sullivan told The Cavalier Daily that she has followed events at the University of Missouri and Yale University in the news, but doesn’t have any special knowledge beyond what has been reported.

“It seems to me that the problem began a long time ago, and probably had something to do with the fact that Ferguson is geographically close,” Sullivan said.

“A lot of the students at [the University of Missouri] were from areas near Ferguson, so they knew the area and were no doubt very interested in that.”

The BSA statement also encourages students to remain safe during a potentially dangerous time.

Sigma Gamma Rho holds vigil for Sandra Bland Attendees join in prayer, moment of silence Alexis Gravely Senior Writer

The University’s chapter of Sigma Gamma Rho sorority held a candlelight vigil on the steps of Minor Hall Wednesday for deceased sorority sister Sandra Bland.

Bland was found dead in her jail cell in Waller County, Texas on July 13.

Fourth-year Engineering student Kiana Warren said the purpose of the vigil was to remember not only Bland, but all who have lost their lives to violence inflicted by state agents.

Following Warren’s remarks, thirdyear College student Alexis Jones said a prayer, and Education graduate student Trayc Freeman led attendees in singing one verse of the song “Lift Every Voice and Sing.”

Warren then began to read the names of black women who have died from violence by state agents, citing Shantel Davis, Kendra James, Erica Collins and Alecia Thomas.

Many of these women did not receive any attention in the media, Warren said.

Warren also read them names of transgender women of color who were victims of such violence, including Sage Smith, Jasmine Collins and Amber Monroe.

Following the mention of each name, Warren encouraged attendees to say “Asé,”, a Yoruba phrase meaning “I affirm.” A moment of silence was then

held, during which Warren asked attendees to reflect and remember the victims.

“It’s important that you recognize and remember that these women were someone’s mother, aunt, sister,” Warren said. “Most importantly, they were human. It’s important that we empathize and remember.”

Attendees concluded the vigil with their own remarks.

“Coming together like this really speaks volumes,” third-year College student Annie Birge said. “There’s so much more conversation and reflection and work to be done. And I hope we continue to grow the community here for black lives.”

Attendee and first-year Engineering student Todd Le said he attended the vigil to show solidarity for “not only for the black community, but for all the victims of police brutality.” By attending, Le said he gained his own sense of solidarity.

“I came out with my own idea of being connected to the community, but actually seeing people gather and talk about the issues is a lot different than seeing it online,” Le said.

The vigil is part of Sigma Gamma Rho’s Founder’s Week events. The sorority was the event’s only sponsor.

“Sandra Bland was a part of our organization,” Warren said. “We thought it would be the right thing if we put it on ourselves.”

“Please, keep safe — but do not think safe,” the statement reads.

“Think determined; think principled...As some act recklessly and dangerously, as they attempt to tear you down, to scare you into submission, remember that they do so out of desperation.”

This recommendation goes beyond an awareness of clear and present threats to physical safety, Frazier said.

“Quite literally on their campus, there were threats to their physical safety,” Frazier said. “But I think more generally, you never know who exactly is around you.

People, when they’ve made themselves visible, should be aware that visibility remains present.”

The rapid escalation of the situation at Yale is difficult to understand, Sullivan said.

“This makes me think is that there’s something else going on under the surface that’s not being reported or not being talked about,” she said. “There’s something else going on there.”

BSA, in conjunction with the University chapter of the NAACP, intends to gather at the “Black Bus Stop” by Monroe Hall Thursday evening to stand in support of these students, in addition to organizing a “Blackout for Mizzou,” encouraging students to wear black as a show of support.

“Those issues that they’re addressing aren’t issues that are just at University of Missouri or just at Yale, those are issues that are here too,” Frazier said. “If any of us take a good look, we’ll realize they’re at just about every university across the country.”

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sports MEN’S BBALL

Continued from page 1 ability, including both an inside and outside game. But this season, it seems his skills might finally translate into a consistent on-court product.

“He’s had a few days in practice that he’s been unstoppable at times,” Bennett said. “I didn’t see that as much over the years.”

Virginia’s real challenge, however, will be working its youngsters into the rotation. With just junior starting point guard London Perrantes, the Cavaliers must find the players that can consistently come off the bench and provide a spark to the team.

Senior forward Evan Nolte stepped in to Anderson’s role with varying degrees of success last season, starting a career-high 11 games. Although he provides an excellent presence on the defensive end of the court, his ability to stretch the floor is hindered by an inconsistent jumper and limited athleticism.

Nolte will compete for minutes with sophomore guard Marial Shayok. The Canadian flashed his potential last season as the only Cavalier freshman to appear in

I

The Cavalier Daily all 34 games. With his defensive length and ability to get to the rim and hit the three — where he shot 38 percent last season — Shayok is viewed by many as a potential breakout player.

Sophomore forward Isaiah Wilkins also figures to see more minutes to fill Atkins’ void. The 2014 Georgia Gatorade Player of the Year was third on the team with 18 blocks a year ago in limited minutes.

“I pride myself on energy and defense,” Wilkins said. “I just have to bring it every game — don’t take any plays off.”

Sophomore guards Devon Hall and Dari us Thompson, a Tennessee-transfer, will also play into the backcourt rotation. Likewise, redshirt freshman center Jack Salt, Virginia’s most physical player, and freshman forward Jarred Reuter should also see minutes in the frontcourt.

With this talent combined with Bennett’s heralded pack-line defense, the Cavaliers will face an early-season test by playing arguably the nation’s most difficult out-of-conference schedule. In an effort to simulate postseason play, Virginia will face Ohio State, West Virginia, No. 11 Villanova and No. 14 California between Dec. 1 and Dec. 22.

“We decided to challenge ourselves,” Bennett said.

Virginia rose to No. 2 in the rankings last season, but was ultimately eliminated in the NCAA tournament’s round of 32 by Michigan State. Despite plenty of regular-season success the past few years, the NCAA tournament — and specifically the Spartans

— have haunted the Cavaliers the past two seasons.

But with the leadership of four scholarship seniors and a cadre of underclassmen loaded with potential, Virginia is focused on advancing deeper into March. If the Cavaliers can replace Anderson and Atkins the way they replaced Harris and Mitchell, few teams will stand in their way.

“We know what it takes to get there [and] we know what it takes to go further,” Tobey said. “Once you get there, there’s no laziness to your mind or your game. Knowing that we’ve been there helps a lot.”

Virginia will opens the season Friday against Morgan State at John Paul Jones Arena. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.

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Porter Dickie | The Cavalier Daily Coach Tony Bennett guided Virginia to a second consecutive ACC regular-season title last year.

2009-2015 Cavaliersʼ Record Season

Record

ACC Record

ACC Tournament

NCAA Tournament Result

2009-10

15-16

5-11

Quarterfinals

Did not qualify

2010-11

16-15

7-9

First round

Did not qualify

2011-12

22-10

9-7

Quarterfinals

No. 10 Seed, First Round

2012-13

23-12

11-7

Quarterfinals

Did not qualify*

2013-14

30-7

16-2

Champion

No 1. Seed, Sweet Sixteen

2014-15

30-4

16-2

Semifinals

No 2. Seed, Second Round *advanced to NIT quarterfinals

Annie Cary and Cody Simms| The Cavalier Daily

Shadow of rule changes looms over 2015-16 season

t is the eve of the 2015-16 Freedom of movement became NCAA men’s basketball sea- the hot phrase in the leadup to the son and storylines abound. Thus 2013-14 season. Referees renewed far, much ink, airtime their commitment to and Twitter characters hand-checking MATT WURZBURGER penalize have been spent on the as defined in Rule 10-1.4: Senior Associate Editor game’s stars, new and “The following acts established — players constitute a foul when like LSU’s Ben Simmons, Kentucky’s committed against a player with the Skal Labissiere and Providence’s Kris ball: a. Keeping a hand or forearm Dunn. on the opponent; b. Putting two However, the most impactful hands on an opponent. c. Continuforce in the upcoming year of col- ally jabbing an opponent by extendlege basketball will not be a player ing an arm(s) and placing a hand or or even a team. College basketball’s forearm on the opponent; d. Using deciding factor may be the rulebook an arm bar to impede the progress and how it is enforced. of a dribbler.”

You see, college basketball is The effects of the increased ofbroken. At least, that is what some fensive freedom were tangible, and people say. The free-flowing game scoring increased to 71 points per imagined by Dr. James Naismith game in 2013-14. But enforcement way back in 1891 has mutated into was spotty, and officials often fell a drag-‘em-down-and-grind-it-out back into old habits by the start of slugfest. conference play. It seemed as if refBecause of this, scoring plum- erees forgot all about freedom of meted from 75 points per game in movement in 2014-15, and scoring 1993-94 to 67.5 in 2012-13, a low not slumped back into the high-60s. seen since teams scored 63.3 points Having had enough, the NCAA per contest in 1952 — a pre-histor- Playing Rules Oversight Panel — ical time without the presence of a chaired by current MAC commisshot clock. sioner Jon Steinbrecher — once

again asserted the importance of freedom of movement during this season. Just as two years ago, expect a crackdown on extra contact early in the season.

But will it last? A stricter enforcement of hand-checking lasted only a couple of months two years ago, so who is to say the same thing will not happen again?

Notre Dame coach Mike Brey said he thinks it will because postseason assignments will be on the line. “[It] really is a mandate, and the mandate is, if you’re one of those old, veteran [officials] that’s going to say, ‘Look, this is how I call it when it’s league play,’ you’re not going to go to the NCAA tournament,” Brey said.

For more on the subject, read David Teel’s piece from which I drew this quote.

What does this all mean for you, the fervent college basketball fan? It looks like you’ll want to pop a few more Pizza Rolls in the microwave and keep the fridge stocked with cold ones because college basketball games may drag out longer than ever.

Fouls slow down the game. At

their very worst, they can choke the life out of the contest, which is why intentional fouling, or “Hacka-Shaq,” was a hot topic in the NBA over the offseason. Without a doubt, there will be more fouls called during this men’s basketball season, which means more trips to the scorer’s table to report fouls, more dead clocks and more free throws.

To me, this flies in the face of the other major directive in college basketball — speeding up pace of play.

The reduction of the shot clock from 35 seconds to 30, completely overshadowing freedom of movement this year, is but one example of this.

However, the increase in foul calls may work to undo all the regulations meant to speed up the game.

Now, more importantly, what does this mean for Virginia basketball — a program built on rugged, man-to-man defense? It can go two ways: the first is a worst-case scenario of Apocalyptic proportions; the second is a much more realistic outlook on the upcoming season.

First, Apocalypse Now. With postseason spots on the line, officials call every bump and tug, games last

three-and-a-half hours and the pack line wavers under a barrage of foul calls. Virginia’s best players can’t stay on the court, and the season is a disappointment.

Here’s why I see very little chance of this prediction coming to fruition.

Virginia already knows how to defend without fouling and is so sound defensively that it does not need to rely on illegal contact to keep bodies between the ball and the hoop.

The stats bear this out. Over the past five seasons, the Cavaliers have averaged a hair more than 15 fouls per contest. During that same span, the NCAA average is more than 18 fouls per game.

Furthermore, Virginia is blessed with one of the best coaches in the nation, and Tony Bennett simply won’t let a tweak of the rules negatively impact his team. The great coaches know how to continue their successes, regardless of circumstances beyond their control.

Of course, none of us simply know, and we won’t know until the season progresses. Just don’t be surprised if you hear more whistles and see more fouls called this season.

SPORTS

Thursday, November 12, 2015

WOMEN’S BBALL Continued from page 1

another.

“I just think having a year playing with Mikayla we have definitely learned each other’s games,” Randolph said. “Just [working] through the offseason more and getting through the adversity that coach has brought us in the preseason and preparing for the upcoming season.”

When asked what exactly she meant by “adversity,” Randolph answered, “Through the conditioning and stuff it has been a struggle to get through it, and we know it will pay off and make us stronger in the upcoming season.”

A primary reason Virginia improved its conditioning during the offseason was because of this year’s NCAA Women’s Basketball rules overhaul, which Assistant Athletics Media Relations Director Melissa Dudek considers to be “one of the biggest revamps since the ‘70s.”

There will be 10-minute quarters instead of 20-minute halves. One media timeout will occur each quarter, after a coach calls the period’s first timeout or after the first dead ball below the five-minute mark. As a

result, the clock could run for longer stretches of time, testing a team’s stamina.

Other rules changes include an NBA-like option to advance the ball past half court following a timeout in the final minute of regulation or overtime, double-bonus free throws after a fifth team foul and permission to play music during any dead ball.

The NCAA believes these adjustments will accelerate play, increase scoring and bring added excitement to the game.

The Cavaliers have paid particular attention to the rule change concerning a trip to the charity stripe.

“Typically early on the refs are calling it kind of tight, so right away after five [fouls] you’re going to the line and shooting two,” Boyle said.

“So we kind of had to adjust from our first season to our second. That’s big. One, you can’t foul and two, you better be a good free-throw shooting team.”

Randolph and Venson have no reason to complain about this increased free-throw volume from an offensive standpoint, given that they shot 90.7 and 83.9 percent, respectively, from the line last season. The pair will look to slash to the rim early and often.

“The foul situation — since we’re definitely trying to push and transition more — it definitely puts the defense on [its] heels,” Venson said.

“Continuing to attack as soon as the team gets five fouls so you can get to the free throw line will help tremendously. So we just need to knock the free throws down.”

Virginia can afford to push the tempo more this season because of a five-guard rotation that includes Randolph, Venson, junior Breyana Mason, sophomore J’Kyra Brown and sophomore Aliyah Huland El. Mason averaged 9.5 points and 3.6 assists per game last season, again owning her role. Brown and Huland El are finding theirs.

“We are working with [Brown] on both sides of the ball,” Boyle said. “I think it’s just trying to find a balance for her to integrate herself into the team, score the basketball when she can, continue to board as well as she has been, let mistakes go and play on the defensive end of the floor hard.”

A transfer from East Carolina, Brown sat out 2014-15 per NCAA policy. She should bolster the Cavalier backcourt this season. Boyle believes Huland El, with a frame similar to Brown’s, can become a lockdown defender and a dominant rebounder

from the guard position as well.

“I think [Aliyah is] really trying to do what we’re asking her defensively,” Boyle said. “We challenge her to be a better rebounding guard with her size. I think she understands what she needs to do for us and I think in the scrimmages she has had the lightbulb go off and that she can do more than just score for us.”

Virginia wants to be a different team defensively in 2015-16. Although the Cavaliers forced an average of 15.5 turnovers per 40 minutes and held their opponents to a mark of around 40 percent from the floor, they weren’t thrilled about allowing 63.8 points per game. Boyle will demand more intensity on the defensive end and mix and match schemes.

“We’ve really just tried to pick it up and be more aggressive to take things away from people,” Boyle said. “We’re really trying to do a little bit more with getting people to try and reverse the ball and deny the reversal passes and get up on people … We’re going to press more this year, we’re going to use our matchup zone more.”

An extension of this aggressiveness, a challenging schedule Boyle has arranged may lend itself to more losses but could also yield a couple of resume-building wins. Virginia will

5

travel to the U.S. Virgin Islands in late November and take on three 2015 NCAA tournament teams — Green Bay, Rutgers and Tulane.

In addition, the Cavaliers will host preseason-No. 23 Iowa Dec. 2 and challenge No. 6 Ohio State in Columbus Dec. 21. And then, of course, there is ACC play, where the Cavaliers will face No. 3 Notre Dame, No. 8 Louisville (twice), No. 7 Florida State, No. 12 Duke and No. 20 North Carolina, among others.

Virginia awaits its season opener Friday night at Middle Tennessee State. The 2014-15 Blue Raiders finished 24-10 (14-4 C-USA) and advanced to the quarterfinals of the N.I.T. Then-sophomore forward Olivia Jones averaged 19.8 points and 8.1 rebounds per game, earning firstteam All-Conference USA honors.

She leads another talented Middle Tennessee squad this season.

Venson clearly respects the Blue Raiders, but she fears neither them nor their notoriously hostile crowd.

“The fans are going to be crazy anywhere you go,” Venson said. “Just focusing on ourselves and not worrying about the other team … Most definitely the little things. Make sure you come out with good energy and keep the fire throughout the game."

Cavs face Cards in must-win road game Breaking down Louisville’s rushing defense, scoring touchdowns in red zone key for Virginia Nicky Wildish Staff Writer

If the Cavaliers want to be bowl-eligible for the first time since 2011, they must initially go through a tough Louisville squad on the road Saturday.

Virginia (3-6, 2-3 ACC) has to win its final three games for any hope of playing postseason football this winter.

The Cavaliers will face a Louisville rushing defense ranked No. 2 in the ACC and No. 11 in the country — no easy task.

The Cardinal rushing defense is allowing opposing ball-carriers just 110.6 yards per game. More impressive is that Louisville (5-4, 4-2 ACC) has allowed a mere 42.7 rushing yards per game in three straight ACC victories. Much of this success has to do with junior linebacker Keith Kelsey, who has recorded 72 total tackles and 9.5 tackles for loss in just nine games played. Kelsey also has a forced fumble and a fumble recovery in 2015.

If the stout rushing defense wasn’t enough, the Cardinals also have a passing defense that has picked off opposing quarterbacks an FBS-leading 41 times in the last two years.

Louisville’s ball-hawking defense is headed by sophomore cornerback Trumaine Washington. He leads the team with four interceptions on the year and came up with a pick-six in last week’s win over Syracuse.

Virginia’s defense has been up and down so far this year. The Cavaliers

have held some good running backs at bay but have also given up some long-ball plays to opposing wide receivers. The big plays cornerbacks have surrendered must be minimized if the Cavaliers want to beat a Louisville team with some speedy, talented wideouts.

However, coach Mike London said to hold back from pointing the finger at the secondary for the recent big plays let up on defense.

“The best pass defense is a pass rush — being able to come off the edge, having guys get in the quarterback’s face,” London said. “We have to get to the quarterback.”

Trent Corney and Mike Moore need to continue to bring pressure.

Corney had a career-high seven tackles against Miami last week while Moore leads the team in sacks and tackles for loss on the year.

London said Corney has nicely developed this year but still has room to grow.

“The last couple of games he’s really shown up. He’s chased guys down from behind and been involved in some tackles,” London said. “We’re going to need him to continue to get better as a pass rusher and a football player.”

Moore has lined up at times as a linebacker and other times as a defensive lineman. His versatility is crucial to the Cavalier defense and ultimately to Virginia winning games moving forward.

“Mike is a guy who plays multiple

Porter Dickie | The Cavalier Daily

Freshman Olamide Zaccheaus is thriving in a hybrid running back/wide receiver position in his first collegiate season.

roles for us. He puts his hand down on the ground and rushes, but is also an integral part of the defense as a Sam linebacker,” London said. “That means he stands up and can rush or cover from that position.”

One of the biggest surprises, and bright spots, for Virginia has been the emergence of freshman running back/wide receiver Olamide Zaccheaus. Due to an overloaded backfield, Virginia’s coaching staff has deployed him as a hybrid receiver — a mix between a slot receiver and a tailback.

“We found a place for Olamide in that hybrid running back/wide receiver position,” London said. “He’s broken a couple already and we’ll try to get it to him more because he is a productive player.”

Zaccheaus has thrived in his new position and may have a very bright future at Virginia. He has arguably been the Cavaliers’ best freshman thus far this year.

“We’re doing a lot of jet sweeps with Olamide and are getting him involved in the vertical passing game,” London said. “He’s fast and has great

vertical speed. He has an appetite for the game.”

Another positive for Virginia this year has been the excellent performance of senior kicker Ian Frye. He’s 14-17 on the year and made all four of his tries last week at Miami. Although London was quick to praise Frye, Frye’s success actually points to a larger issue: a lack of touchdowns.

“He has been a very positive and bright spot for us,” London said. “But what we want ultimately are touchdowns. That’s the biggest thing right now in close games is the ability to score those touchdowns [and that] is one of the things we have to do a better job of.”

Constantly settling for field goals can be detrimental to any football team. The Cavaliers have done this too often this year. On 25 red-zone trips, Virginia has scored only 12 touchdowns. They can’t afford to do this Saturday if they want to come out on top.

Before every game, London has emphasized to his players that the next game is always the most important game. This time around London took as literal an approach as possible with his “next game up” mentality.

“The ‘next game up’ mentality is that this next game is an away game against a good Louisville team,” he said.

The Cavaliers kick off versus the Cardinals at 12:30 p.m. Saturday. The game can be seen on the ACC Network.

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SPORTS

The Cavalier Daily

Women’s soccer kicks off NCAA tourney against Howard No. 2 Cavaliers aim for first national championship in program history Ben Tobin Associate Editor

After falling to Florida State 1-0 in the 2014 national title game, the Virginia women’s soccer team had one goal to begin 2015: win the NCAA championship. Come Friday at 6 p.m., the Cavaliers will start the road to redemption by hosting Howard in the first round of the 2015 NCAA tournament.

Virginia (16-1-2, 9-1-0 ACC), with the nation’s second-best scoring offense at 3.26 goals per game, earned a No. 1 seed for its dominant play during the regular season. However, this past Sunday, the Cavaliers hit a rough patch, falling in penalty kicks to fellow No. 1 seed Florida State in the ACC Championship.

“It’s never fun to lose in penalty kicks,” senior forward Brittany Ratcliffe said. “It’s a horrible way to decide a 90-minute game that goes back and forth. It’s an intense game and then at the end, it’s decided by five kicks.”

While the game was certainly a heartbreaker for the Cavaliers, it, in conjunction with last year’s national-championship loss, only fuels Virginia’s desire to be NCAA champion. Not only did this game serve as positive motivation, but it also represented a resurgence for senior forward Makenzy Doniak, who has struggled with injury throughout the season but scored Virginia’s only two goals in the loss.

“It’s definitely awesome having [Makenzy] back,” Ratcliffe

said. “It was frustrating because she had been hurt. Now that she’s back, she is playing awesome.

She is scoring goals for us — not only goals, but important [ones] and game-winning [ones].”

The Cavaliers will need standouts like Doniak to play well against the 16th-seeded Bison (13-7-2, 7-3 SWAC), whose defense has only allowed four goals over the past 10 games.

By beating Alabama State 2-1 in the SWAC Championship, Howard earned its spot in the NCAA tournament.

Not only do the Bison have a stingy defense as of late, they also boast a potent offense. Led by sophomore forward Kela Gray, who has scored 17 goals this season, the Bison feature the nation’s third-best scoring offense at 3.05 goals per game.

If the Cavaliers get complacent on defense, the team’s championship dreams could be quashed early. “[Coach Steve Swanson] always tells us to focus one game at a time,” Ratcliffe said. “It’s about right now, and it’s about the game we are about to play, and that’s all that matters.’”

Although Howard is deceptively underrated — putting up phenomenal offensive and decent defensive stats — it does have one key weakness: the ability to play on the road. With the Bison sporting a 3-5 record in away games, the Cavaliers, who are 9-1 at Klöckner Stadium, will have a significant home-field advantage in this matchup.

Home field, furthermore,

is not only important for this game: if the Cavaliers keep winning, they are guaranteed to have home-field advantage up until the semifinals of the tournament.

“It’s awesome to play at home,” Ratcliffe said. “Klöckner is such a great atmosphere.

We have great fans.”

Additionally, Howard has not played a challenging schedule.

This season, the Bison have only played five games against teams that finished the regular season with a record of .500 or better.

Against these teams, Howard went 1-4-0. Virginia will prove to be the Bison’s biggest test of the season by a large margin.

Meanwhile, Virginia has run the gauntlet this season. Playing in a conference that has eight teams in the NCAA tournament — the most out of any major conference this year — the Cavaliers lost only to Notre Dame and Florida State in 2015 conference play. While the Bison are a good team, Virginia is used to dealing with adversity.

“The ACC is one of, if not the, best conferences in the NCAA,” Ratcliffe said. “It’s awesome going in to the NCAA tournament knowing that we’ve had this great competition all year.”

The game against the Bison will mark the 22nd consecutive NCAA tournament appearance for the Cavaliers and their 28th appearance overall. However, despite so many tournament berths, Virginia has never won a championship. The team is hungry to pursue its first starting Friday.

Celina Hu | The Cavalier Daily

Senior forward Makenzy Doniak has been dogged by injury this season, but is now healthy. She scored two goals against Florida State in the ACC title game.

Virginia sends six to New York for National Indoors Kwiatkowski, Collins headline men’s, women’s singles fields at fall season’s last major tournament Grayson Kemper Associate Editor

Emma Lewis | The Cavalier Daily

Senior Danielle Collins holds the top seed in the invitational’s women’s singles draw. She has already won two national titles this fall.

A pair of players from the Virginia men’s tennis team and four from the women’s side head to Flushing Meadows, New York, for the USTA/ITA National Indoor Intercollegiate Championship beginning Thursday.

The Cavaliers boast the top seed in both the men’s and women’s singles draws, as well as the top-seeded tandem in the men’s doubles draw. The USTA/ITA National Indoors will wrap up the fall season for both teams.

For the men, junior Thai-Son Kwiatkowski will be featured as both the top seed in the singles

draw and the lone representative for the No. 1 Cavaliers.

Kwiatkowski will be joined on the doubles side by senior Mac Styslinger as the top seed in the men’s doubles draw.

Kwiatkowski will face off against Florida State senior Benjamin Lock to start off singles play Thursday at 11 a.m. Kwiatkowski will be granted a brief reprieve between his singles and doubles matches, as he and Styslinger have a first-round bye early Thursday afternoon before taking on the winner of teams from UAB and Texas Tech at 5:30 p.m..

For the women, senior Danielle Collins holds the top seed in the singles draw, while senior

Julia Elbaba is the sixth seed.

Collins will take on Oklahoma State junior Katarina Adamovic in the first round Thursday at 9 a.m. while Elbaba will be pitted against USC senior Giuliana Olmos at 10:30 a.m.

On the doubles side, Virginia will field two unranked teams, with Collins being joined by freshman Meghan Kelley and Elbaba playing alongside senior Skylar Morton. Collins/Kelley take on a team from Cal at 3:30 p.m. Thursday and Elbaba/Morton face Florida at 3 p.m.

Both the men’s and the women’s tournaments will be broadcast on ESPN satellite channels and will run from Nov. 12-15.

PU ZZLES

November 12, 2015

Thursday, November 12, 2015

WEEKLY CROSSWORD SOLUTION

By Sam Ezersky

UPCOMING EVENTS Thursday 11/12 Inkstone Magazine Presents: #CultureIs, 11 a.m. - 2 p.m., The Lawn Mahogany Dance Troupe Hip-Hop Showcase, 2-3 p.m., Newcomb Ballroom UVa Sustainability Day: Hoos Talking Green Panel and Reception, 3:45-5 p.m., Newcomb Kaleidoscope Room Engaging Race - A Carter G. Woodson Forum: “BLACK GIRLS MATTER”, 4:30 p.m., Robertson Hall 123 Living on the Lawn: Presented by BSA, ASU, and LSA, 6 p.m., Clark 108 Grow an App from 0 to 1 Million Users, 6-7 p.m., HackCville Harry W. Porter Chair Distinguished Visiting Professor Lecture: Michael Van Valkenburgh, 6 p.m., UVa School of Architecture Taste of Charlottesville, 5:30-7:30 p.m., Alumni Hall Arabic Conversation Club Movie Night, 8 p.m., Shea House IJM at UVA and Grit Coffee Present: Expression Against Exploitation, 7-9:30 p.m., Grit Coffee UPC Presents: Open Mic Night, 10-11 p.m., OpenGrounds Friday 11/13 Hula-Hooping: Not Just For Kids!, 12-1 p.m., McLeod Hall Room 2010 Biology Department Seminar, 12-1 p.m., Gilmer 190 Former Majority Leader Eric Cantor: "The 2016 Campaign and the Economic Growth Agenda", 12-1 p.m., Garrett Hall Social Entrepreneurship Concept Competition Pitch Night, 5-7:30 p.m., Garrett Hall Volleyball vs. Clemson, 7 p.m., Memorial Gymnasium Men’s Basketball vs. Morgan State, 7 p.m., John Paul Jones Arena UPC Presents: Bears and Scares, 10 p.m-2 a.m., The PAV and Newcomb Theater TEDxCharlottesville, 9 a.m. - 6 p.m., Paramount Theater Sigma Psi Zeta Sorority Presents: Zumba Fundraiser Benefiting The Arbor Charlottesville, 6-7 p.m., Aquatic and Fitness Center Multipurpose Rooms 2 and 3 Saturday 11/14 Honoring Our Heroes 5K, 10 a.m., Darden Towe Park Alpha Phi’s 3rd Annual Thankful 5K, 10 a.m., Nameless Field Students for Individual Liberty Regional Con-

ference, 10 a.m. - 8 p.m., Chemistry Building 304 Volleyball vs. Georgia Tech, 7 p.m., Memorial Gymnasium SPICMACAY Presents: Om Shalom Trio, 6-9 p.m., McLeod Hall Auditorium UPC Presents: Blood, Sweat, and Beer, 7 p.m., Newcomb Theater UPC Presents: Southpaw, 10 p.m., Newcomb Theater Legislative Affairs Committee and Jefferson Literary and Debating Society Present: Debate Viewing Party, 8 p.m., Jefferson Hall Charlottesville Symphony: The French Connection, 8-10 p.m., Old Cabell Hall Sunday 11/15 Wrestling vs. Old Dominion, 1 p.m., Memorial Gymnasium Mahogany Fall Showcase, 2 p.m., Newcomb Ballroom Turnout for Rhapsody, 5:30-6:30 p.m., Old Cabell Hall SEEK His Face Presents: SEEK: Shalom, 7-9 p.m., Trinity Presbyterian Church Monday 11/16 ADAPT Presents: Bodo’s Brunch for Fourth Years, 11:30-1:30 p.m., Pavilion XI Third and Second Year Councils Present: Build Your Future (And Your Burrito Bowl), 5-7 p.m., Garrett Hall Ballroom Madison House Chipotle Fundraiser, 4-8 p.m., Chipotle Women’s Basketball vs. Norfolk State, 7 p.m., John Paul Jones Arena Alexander Hamilton Society Presents: Syrian Civil War and Refugee Crisis, 7:30 p.m., Wilson 402 Tuesday 11/17 ADAPT Presents: "Mixed Drinks, Mixed Emotions: Alcohol Abuse and Mental Health", 7 p.m., Newcomb Ballroom VCSR Presents: Religion and Film Series: Screening of "Mr. Nobody", 6:30-9:30, Gibson 211 Dance Marathon Presents: The UVa Spelling Bee, 7-9 p.m., Eddy’s Tavern Wednesday 11/18 A Conversation with the Owners of ROOTS Natural Kitchen, 5:30-6:30 p.m., HackCville Pre-Optometry Club Presents: SUNY visits UVA, 6-7 p.m., Clark 148 Second Year Council Presents: 1nnov8tion Dinner, 7 p.m., Alumni Hall ADAPT Presents: Hoos in Recovery Panel, 8:30 p.m., Newcomb Kaleidoscope Room

HELP WANTED OPTOMETRIC FRONT DESK ADMIN Part time needed at Charlottesville eye doctors office on Mondays and Tuesdays. Front desk administrator. Training provided. Looking for a very reliable, friendly and energetic student to fill the position. Please email resume and inquiries to: optometrist2009@gmail.com

ROOMS FEMALE HOUSEMATE NEEDED NOW Housemate broke lease. Need replacement to pay her rent. Private room in Shamrock house, $600 o/ b/ o includes all utilities. Text 703-945-6897.

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L life

1. The Diehard:

2. The Emotional: More times than I care to admit, my friends have accused me of lacking feelings. I plead the fifth regarding this statement, but I can confirm that whatever feelings my parents forgot to pass on to me during the genetic development process were most definitely inherited by the emotional fan. This fact is the reason why it seems like the emotional fan has about seven times the emotional capacity of anyone else in JPJ. Yes, that three-point fadeaway shot was aesthetically pleasing, but do we really need to cry about it?

With so many fans in JPJ, it’s easy to forget the little guys. Though our basketball team, by sporting definition, is anything but little, it’s easy to get wrapped up in your $15 nachos and streaky facepaint and forget the reason why you actually came to the game in the first place.

Our team is good and we even have a mascot — we are lucky to have such a fun and successful team. Poised to make a run at the National Championship, our U.Va. Cavaliers are considered one of the best teams in the country. Basketball season is back, Hoos.

This one goes out to the group of six first-year boys who will inevitably paint each of their bare chests with one letter of “Go Hoos.” Though I admire your tenacity and first-game excitement, don’t you realize that the paint will stain the inside of your shirt and you’re never going to wear that nice polo your mom bought you again? If you must paint yourself, though, make sure to ask the diehard for some of their backup facepaint. Because nothing screams under-committed like a blotchy chest paint job.

ople You Se e P e 10

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10. The Team:

Annie Mester Life Columnist

9. The Parents:

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3. The Over-Committed:

JPJ

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This fan is most definitely in Group 1, the group who is allowed to enter the area first, and most definitely wearing a College Gameday shirt from last season. They were at the game, and appeared on TV, and made a sign they thought was extremely witty. They are most likely the incoming Hoo Crew president, and brought a tube of blue face paint, as well as a backup. First to storm the court, loudest to sing the “Good Ol’ Song,” and most definitely holding a giant head of some inexplicable celebrity, the diehard fan is not someone to mess with.

Thursday, November 12, 2015

I can’t be the only one who’s consistently surprised by the presence of people other than students at basketball games. Sure, actual humans exist outside the University, but we never see them at Trinity, so there can’t be many, right? Wrong. And they’re most likely going to be shooting you some dirty looks for being in their way all the time.

There’s a reason why the student section exists, and it’s not to balance out the ambiance. The cool thing about U.Va. is that our fans are everywhere, so respect the people that might not be dying to have your hands in their faces.

8. The Band: This group is really easy to find. They always sit together, and each one is most likely holding some sort of instrument in their hands. Actually, I can confirm with 100 percent certainty that each member of this group will possess an instrument. The loudest group by default because that’s their job, the band can be counted on for renditions of popular songs like “Trap Queen” which you had no idea could actually come out of a tuba. Such is music; such is basketball; such is life.

7. The Opposition: Be it someone traveling from out of town, a local with a penchant for our current rival, or someone who just feels like stirring things up for fun, the opposing fan is absolutely someone to mess with. All’s fun in love and basketball (that’s how that goes, right?), so collect your greatest (appropriate and politically correct) insults and throw them the opposition’s way. Whatever happens on the court is strictly the opposing fan’s fault, so it makes sense to take it all out on them. Thomas Jefferson helped grant free speech — let’s use it.

4. The Bored: This is the real-life equivalent of clicking “interested” on a Facebook event.

Your friends all clicked going, so you felt like you probably should, but you’re just not that into it. You got a ticket and feel badly about it, because you really don’t care that much about going. Regardless, here you are, wondering why there isn’t any phone service in JPJ because this would be so much more tolerable if you could just scroll through Instagram. You’ll add a picture of the court to your Snapchat story, but that was only so that one person will look at it and think you’re really into basketball.

5. The Confused: Cut this person some slack – we’re always told to try something new, and maybe basketball is a novel concept to them. That being said, hope this person sits nowhere near you because answering questions for the entire game is just as bad as trying to watch “Game of Thrones” while someone keeps asking you when the Red Wedding is going to happen.

The ball goes in the hoop and, yes, the players do have to keep bouncing it up and down like that.

6. The Hungry: This fan is in it for one thing only: snacks. The thought of paying upwards of $20 for a bag of Cool Ranch Doritos and a medium Coke with extra large ice does not phase them; rather, it excites them. While most would equate the giant, round orange thing the players on the court continue to bounce to a basketball, the hungry sees it strictly as a ball of cheese. Many times, this game time hanger can be traced back to said person being in the “random” row that won free Domino’s pizza once.

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The Cavalier Daily

10

LEAD EDITORIAL

Press integrity tested at Mizzou

opinion

Reporters should not be condemned for doing their job Earlier this week, we commented on the ongoing events at Yale University and the University of Missouri, where students have protested administrators for their handling of race-related issues. At Missouri, President Timothy Wolfe stepped down Monday in the face of pushback against his response to a series of alleged racist incidents. In the midst of important discussions regarding race on Missouri’s campus, a new topic has come into the fold: press freedom.

The same day Wolfe resigned, a video surfaced showing protesters restricting a student photographer’s access to a public area of campus, according to The New York Times. Tim Tai, working on a freelance assignment for ESPN, was trying to take photos of a small tent city protesters from Concerned Student 1950, an organization aimed at spreading awareness of campus racism, had created on a campus quad.

The protesters blocked his view, argued with him and ultimately pushed him away. Among the protesters was Melissa Click, an

Comment of the day “Is this how it works?

Students raise gripes (legitimate or not) and the administration has to ‘hop to’ or the students pitch an immediate fit?...”

“rufus” in response to the Managing Board’s Nov. 10 lead editorial, “Yale, Missouri demonstrate importance of administrative attentiveness.”

assistant professor of mass media, who grabbed at a journalist’s video camera and attempted to remove reporters from the scene.

She has since resigned from her courtesy appointment with the Missouri School of Journalism, according to the Columbia Missourian.

It is important for journalists to exercise discretion over what material is private and what is newsworthy — and it is understandable for individuals who are not in the public eye to expect a reporter to respect requests for privacy. But in this case, the event in question and location of the protest had reached a level of publicity that demanded coverage. Tai told the Times, “We’re documenting historic events with our photographs, and when people are crying and hugging with Wolfe resigns, it becomes a personal issue that people all over the country can connect with.”

It would be incredibly difficult to argue these events are not a matter of public interest.

The complicating factor in this case is not just an issue of

privacy but also of safe spaces for students. The protesters noted the need for white individuals to respect black spaces. Students took to Twitter writing, “We truly appreciate having our story told, but this movement isn’t for you” and “Black people and our true allies, we love you and will continue to fight.”

These tweets misunderstand Tai and reporters’ roles in these events. As a reporter, Tai should not have been expected to be an ally in the movement. Reporters’ goals and the goals of their subjects will not always align. Reporters have an ethical obligation to distinguish between private and public events and spaces, but if the event or space is decidedly public, there is nothing unethical about reporting on it. Tai’s presence at the tent city was not a sign of support or antagonism to the movement — it was a work assignment.

Tai was not only within his rights to document the protesters; he was fulfilling a journalistic duty to report on their actions.

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Thursday, November 13, 2015

11

Remove GPA from Lawn criteria fter graduating from a pri- fails to recognize not only the vate high school in New plurality of notions of academic York City, where many of my success, but also the many facteachers had doctortors that influence acate degrees and the ademic performance.

MARY RUSSO majority (if not all) Going forward, we Senior Associate Editor of my classmates had need to recognize the college-educated parintricacies of these ents, the adjustment to academ- factors to create a Lawn comic life at the University was not munity that is emblematic of the as steep as it could have been. values that we want to put forth Sure, it was hard to get used to — and this starts with removing large lecture classes and a more grade point averages from the intense workload than I had in Lawn application. high school, and I definitely reThe first reason GPA should ceived some stomach-dropping be removed from Lawn selection grades, but I arrived at the Uni- criteria is that it creates an idea versity with a confidence in my of academic success that centers ability to achieve a high degree largely around grades. Last year, of academic success. Surely, I am the mean GPA for students senot the only one: Virginia public lected to live on the Lawn was school education is one of the 3.766. The average GPA in sestrongest in the country. lected students’ primary major Although as a community was 3.832. Many Lawn residents many of us get caught up in (and achieve high grades, enroll in sometimes consumed by) our a distinguished major or honextracurricular involvements, ors program, and seem to do we all come to the University so effortlessly. These characterto earn a degree. Thomas Jef- istics reflect larger University ferson’s ideals of multidiscipli- dynamics. Even in the humannary academic immersion and ities, grades are paramount to a community of scholars remain constructive academic struggle. constantly present even as many Consulting internships take aspects of the University experi- precedence over art portfolience change. When it comes to os or creative writing. There is the Lawn, the selection process nothing wrong with aiming to

achieve a high GPA while at college, or with aspiring to join the financial or consulting fields as a profession. However, it is problematic that our institutions discourage the idea that pluralisms of success can exist. It is not the presence of students enrolled in honors programs which I find troubling, but rather the absence of other students.

Perhaps most importantly, to consider GPA in Lawn selection is to ignore or overlook the pluralism that exists with-

understanding of oneself within an academic context: this includes one’s ability to perform academically based on previous education, family background, geographic location, nationality, race and ethnicity. To separate academic success from identity is to overlook systematic limitations that may impede the academic success of minority and low-income students, many of which relate to self-concept.

The Lawn application website states, “It is expected that this group of students will work for the furtherance of the ideals and traditions of the University and will strive to build an inclusive and We need... to create a Lawn community that is vibrant communiwhile residing emblematic of the values that we want to put ty on the Lawn.” We forth — and this starts with removing grade should take time to think about what point averages from the Lawn application.” these ideals and traditions should in the concept of “academic be going forward. achievement.” “Self-concept” is My goal in writing this is in a term in psychology that refers no way to disparage the sucto how someone thinks about cess of a group of individuals or perceives himself. Academ- who have certainly contributed ic self-concept, therefore, is an greatly to the University, and

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Grades are an imperfect measure of success, and therefore shouldn’t be considered when selecting each class of Lawn residents have devoted themselves to this place. Rather, my goal is to provoke some thought as to how we can change the process so that students who have done the same, but may have faced mitigating factors or employed untraditional methods, can also be recognized.

The reason so many conversations about the Lawn end in frustration is that it is problematic to boil applicants and residents down to one or even a few factors. Ideals and traditions are important, but it is equally important to think about how we can reconceptualize our values of success to account for the diversity and plurality of experiences and backgrounds at the University. Creating a community of high achievers and placing them at the center of the University community is certainly a unique practice carried out at the University. It is also an opportunity to reshape how we define success.

Mary’s columns run Tuesdays.

She can be reached at m.russo@ cavalierdaily.com.

Taking MOOCs to the next level n the midst of rising tui- ly entered a partnership with tion prices, it’s important Coursera, a large provider of that the University explore all MOOCs. Several online courses avenues to find ways taught by University to keep the cost of professors are now ALEX MINK education down. To available for public Opinion Columnist this end, the Univeruse, and by spring sity has made inroads of 2015, 1.7 million through its use of massive open people had enrolled in the Unionline courses, or MOOCs. versity’s MOOCs through this MOOCs are online courses open platform. to anybody, often free of charge The next step for the Univeror with a small fee for a verifi- sity would be to accept credits cation of completion. Online from online coursework, a step education is often thought of in that can benefit students in a terms of for-profit universities, number of ways. Overcrowding but recently dozens of the na- in required classes, as well as tion’s top schools have initiated the need for remedial courseor increased their participation work, can be costly to students in the online education com- monetarily and increase dropmunity, dramatically raising its out rates. By making required scope and depth. Despite these classes more readily available, changes, students have yet to see MOOCs can decrease the time meaningful returns from that and money students have to investment; to start, they cannot spend in college, lowering dropcount MOOCs for credit. out rates.

The University has already In addition, MOOCs don’t begun to explore possibilities in have to be stand-alone courses online learning. In the company where learning takes places enof Princeton, Johns Hopkins, tirely online. An experimental Stanford, Caltech and hundreds course program at San Jose State of other universities in dozens of instead blended online matericountries, the University recent- als from edX, an online collab-

oration with Harvard and MIT, with live classroom sessions. In a comparison between classes that blended online material and those that didn’t, it was found that the blended sections had a pass rate over 30 percent higher than their classroom-only peers.

One of the main criticisms levied against MOOCs is the absence of any physical interaction between professors and students. This is a valid point. But we cannot really claim all of the large introductory courses at the

fessor, will see 700 students enrolled in two different sections.

A student to teacher ratio that high, even with the presence of teaching assistants, cannot really claim to be providing closer interactions between professors and students. In fact, this course has already utilized the online learning tool ALEKS, which stands for Assessment and Learning in Knowledge Spaces, as a supplement to classroom learning.

This isn’t to say that all or even any of the professors at the University can or will be supplanted by online courses. Professors will always be at the center of any educational system.

MOOCs don’t have to be stand-alone courses by introducwhere learning takes places entirely online.” But ing MOOCs as a viable option, the University would University give students the op- be able to incorporate a wide portunity to communicate well knowledge base for basic inwith their professors. This com- troductory courses. This would ing spring, Introductory College allow professors to focus their Chemistry, taught by one pro- time on more advanced courses

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The University needs to do more to integrate MOOCs into traditional classroom settings that include close interactions with students. When used in conjunction to courses, MOOCs would decrease the time students spend in front of a powerpoint, allowing professors to foster greater engagement in classroom activities As a former dean of the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania said in an interview, MOOCs won’t “destroy the traditional classroom,” only “change what we do in the classroom.” Whether they are used as an accessory to or substitute for introductory courses, MOOCs can help provide a more in-depth and flexible education to students here.

The role MOOCs will play in higher education remains to be seen. But their cost effectiveness and ease of use present a tempting option the University should explore further.

Alex’s columns run bi-weekly Wednesdays. He can be reached at a.mink@cavalierdaily.com.

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OPINION

The Cavalier Daily

The drinking divide he University has a sordid the group being discriminated history of discrimination against has such a historic repuagainst disadvantaged groups. tation with alcohol abuse, hazing However, it is much and sexual assault in harder to identify addition to being a SAWAN PATEL unfair treatment of relatively homogeneOpinion Columnist n o n - d i s a d v a nt a g e d ous and affluent group. groups and condemn Some condone this disit. In the case of Greek life at criminatory policy because of the the University, there certainly is propensity to criticize fraternities much to be desired, but it is fair that has permeated dialogue at to say the policy that Inter-Frater- this University. But discriminanity Council fraternities are not tory practices, such as the uneallowed to have certain alcoholic qual treatment IFC fraternities beverages while all other organi- receive, must be fought regardless zations including non-IFC frater- of whom they affect. nities such as those housed under The fact that other groups are the Multicultural Greek Council, not bound by similar restrictions National Pan-Hellenic Council is openly discriminatory. Fraterand others have no such restric- nities cannot have kegs, liquor tions is flawed and discriminato- or any sort of mixed drink at a ry. The policy is intended to com- party and non-IFC fraternities bat the patterns of sexual assault and organizations can. Economiand binge drinking prevalent in cally, this is unfair to IFC fraterGreek life — an important goal nities because kegs and punch are — but setting the line at certain the most cost-effective alcoholdrinks no matter how they are ic products for fraternities and served is an arbitrary distinction smaller fraternities struggle with that incentivizes bad behavior the cost of hiring external bouncand is discriminatory in nature. ers for every party. If the UniverIt is hard to be upset when sity is going to ban these types of

drinks for being too dangerous, it should require the ban of all organizations, not just fraternities.

The right to host events the way students want has been restricted solely for IFC fraternities, which were essentially coerced into this agreement.

If the University wants to assert its power to restrict the potential for sexual violence then it should uniformly apply this rule

University and should not be the only group regulated for the actions of a relatively small number of individuals who permeate the community at large and not just Greek life.

The choice to limit what drinks fraternities can serve is well-intentioned. However, using unilateral authority to force fraternities to accept new rules that do not apply to any other student organizations is morally indefensible.

Despite different operating agreements, fraternities are student organizations just as much as other CIOs and to It is hard to be upset when the group being implicitly condone drinking and parties discriminated against has such a historic in one case and not reputation with alcohol abuse, hazing and the other is unfair. sexual assault.”

Furthermore, there is no guaranto all parties where drinking may tee that these rules have been or be involved or, if that option is not will be followed, so the only peofeasible, to none at all. Fraternities ple who are really losing out are are not solely responsible for the those who follow the rules; inepidemic of sexual violence at the variably, this mainly restricts the

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Under the new FOA restrictions, fraternities occupy an unequal position same fraternities that do the most to prevent sexual assault and overconsumption in the first place.

Asymmetric rules and asymmetric enforcement of those rules is a guarantee that the intention behind a good rule is ignored.

The University needs to recognize that its current methods of enforcement are discriminatory and develop a plan so all organizations are treated equally. The current course of action to limit just IFC fraternities in these ways is an ineffective and discriminatory. The decision to extend these restrictions or remove them is a decision the University community needs to make as a whole, not one that should stem from unilateral administrative decision making.

Sawan’s columns run Tuesdays.

He can be reached at s.patel@cavalierdaily.com.

End meal exchange eal exchanges are a sham. are bound to get their money’s I know I am not the first worth. With various options for Opinion columnist to write about food and drink available, students the imperfections of can easily eat around the University’s meal $10 worth of nutriJESSE BERMAN plans, nor will I be the ents, and, in many Opinion Columnist last. Fellow columnist cases, might actually Bobby Doyle wrote an be eating more than article several weeks that. However, the ago arguing if the University same certainly could not be said were to make meal plans more for meal exchanges at aforemencustomizable, more upperclass- tioned venues such as the Pav or men students would sign up for Crossroads. one and the University would, At the Pav, for instance, stuin turn, maximize its profit. This dents can use a meal exchange is an intriguing idea, yet there is between 4 and 8 p.m. from Monanother way: eliminating meal ex- day through Thursday, where they changes (i.e., those at Pavilion XI can receive a Chik-fil-A sandwich — known as the Pav — as well as with fries and a drink, or a six Crossroads, the Castle, etc.). inch ham, cold-cut, turkey or BLT Currently, upperclassmen sub from Subway with chips and a have the ability to purchase 100 drink. While I am pleased to see and 50 swipe meals plans, which that the University remedied the come with 400 and 350 plus dol- outdated Pav options of previous lars, and cost a total of $1,325 years, meal exchanges continue and $860, respectively. With plus to give students their due share of dollars out of the equation, each food and deters them from buyindividual meal swipe respective- ing meal plans, which is still quite ly costs $9.25 and $10.20. When troubling. Students are constantstudents swipe into a dining hall, ly being cheated by this system such as Newcomb or Runk, they because they are paying several

dollars more per meal than they would be were the meal exchange option not in place. For instance, a spicy chicken deluxe sandwich meal, the most expensive option covered by meal exchanges, costs around $7.15 including tax. Likewise, Subway’s most expensive option covered by the meal plan is the 6 inch sub meal, costs even

Subway, then over the course of the semester, he would lose $210 or $275, respectively, to the University. Similarly, if a student with 50 meal exchanges were to use them all at these same two restaurants, he would lose $152.50 and $185, respectively.

The University justifies these economic losses by the convenience of meal swipes and a chance to eat at these big-name restaurants. Yet, I know from a personal perspective that I spend my 50 swipes almost exclusively at dining The idea that students should be entitled to halls since I know it the amount of food they pay for is almost is there where I am guaranteed to reso commonsensical a notion that it seems $10.20 worth preposterous that it would even be an issue in ceive of food and the the first place.” same convenience of eating on Grounds.

Further, if I really less: around $6.50 including tax. felt the need to go to Subway so If a student with 100 meal badly, then I would take my monexchanges were to hypothetical- ey to the one at Fry Spring which ly use them all at Chick-fil-A or is both a five minute walk from

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The dining option is not cost effective for students my house and almost $4 cheaper than the Pav. The idea that students should be entitled to the amount of food they pay for is almost so commonsensical a notion that it seems preposterous that it would even be an issue in the first place.

While the University might have originally implemented meal exchanges in order to account for the convenience of eating on grounds and the novelty of eating at actual restaurants, the system has only served to swindle students and alienate them from purchasing meal plans. It is the prerogative for a college dining system to treat its customers — meaning, the student body — equitably and in a way that does not seek to cheat them out of hundreds of dollars.

In the time being, I will be taking my business to the Corner.

Jesse’s columns run Wednesdays. He can be reached at j.berman@cavalierdaily.com.

HU MOR

Thursday, November 13, 2015

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Just for wits.

Thoughts on flying

eriously, what’s the deal ry pair of earphones would have with airline food? Fly- been equally edible. That’s uning from Germany to France fair, but last week a pastry chef last month I ate in Berlin refused to a “cucumber NANCY-WREN BRADSHAW direct me to a post and quark sandoffice so I feel no Humor Writer wich with herbs.” sense of loyalty to Quark is a type of German cuisine. cheese if you’re unfamiliar with Here’s another question dumb sounding fermented milk about aviation: why is just anproducts. Anyway, it was bad, ybody allowed to sit beside the but that’s not the point. Eating emergency exits? If the plane that confusingly pungent sand- goes down, you have to trust wich made me realize the airline that person to figure out the industry is full of questionable handle so you can get off the practices. plane. Shouldn’t it be somebody For starters, who sets more responsible than me? I Lufthansa’s inflight menu? only sit next to the emergency There’s probably an entire cu- exits because I booked my ticket linary staff that decides which after everybody else and nobody terrible German cheese to give wanted that seat. I’m clearly not people for lunch. They don’t responsible enough to be an need to hand out five-star meals, integral part of the evacuation but serving “cucumber and plan. I barely know how to open quark sandwiches” is borderline the trunk to my Volvo. It took disrespectful. The complimenta- me almost four trips to move

MORE AWKWARD THAN SOME

my belongings to Charlottesville last year because I had to fit everything in the back seat. You don’t want my help.

I would probably understand the protocol better if I paid attention to the flight attendants’ safety demonstration, but their tidy outfits and clear gestures

attention to their directions.

More importantly, notice how they only describe the procedure for water landings. If water is not involved in your emergency landing, the flight attendants cannot help you. If there is water, they can help in a really condescending tone.

Also, I know airlines record conversations in the cockpit in case of plane failure, but what do they do with cockpit voice recordings when the flight Seriously, what’s the deal with airline food?” goes perfectly? Do you think they keep the recordings of distract me. Why are they all pilot small talk? I want to hear so self-assured? Do flight at- two pilots talk about their weektendants get a power trip from end plans. Do you think anyknowing so much about plane body has ever said “TGIF” while safety and carry-on dimensions? landing a plane?

Next time you’re on a flight, pay That’s the other thing. We

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BY CHAUNCEY LEE

LIKE WHAT YOU SEE? JOIN HUMOR! FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT HUMOR@CAVALIERDAILY.COM

forget how amazing it is that human beings know how to land a plane. We can fly! Every day, thousands of flying machines travel all over the world. Amazing! We can go from the United States to France in eight hours.

Think about what a pain it was to travel internationally before the 20th century. You had to sail for months and months to reach your destination. Now you just take a Xanax, watch 20 minutes of some Jennifer Lawrence movie and wake up on the other side of the Atlantic. Can you imagine telling that to Christopher Columbus? He would say something like, “What? I don’t speak English. Who are you?”

Nancy-Wren Bradshaw is a Humor writer.

The Cavalier Daily

A&E arts & entertainment

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The ACC conference set to music As college basketball begins, A&E picks the songs that best represent each ACC team

Christian Hecht, Ben Hitchcock and Walker Peterson Senior Writers

University of Virginia “Welcome 2 Houston” - Slim Thug With the Final Four to take place in Houston this year, who better than Houston’s best to welcome the Hoos there?

Miami “Angel” - The Weeknd Senior point guard Angel Rodriguez can be a real difference maker for the Hurricanes, as evidenced by his performance last year against UVa when he notched 25 points and 7 assists.

This Miami team will go as far as Angel takes them.

Duke “All Falls Down” - Kanye West Kanye’s album “The College Dropout” is a perfect representation of Duke’s one-and-done factory. And “All Falls Down” is topical as well.

When Kanye raps, “We’ll buy a lot of clothes but we don’t really need ‘em / things we buy to cover up what’s inside,” he sounds like a true Blue Devil.

North Carolina State “The Underdog” - Spoon NC State is always the underdog when compared to their big brothers North Carolina and Duke. But Spoon has a reminder for the big boys of the conference: “You got no fear of the underdog / That’s why you will not survive.” The Wolfpack always pull off one or two big upsets per year.

Notre Dame “Dreams” - The Cranberries Last year, Notre Dame emerged as one of the Cinderellas of the postseason, beating Duke and UNC en route to an ACC tournament title before nearly toppling Kentucky in the big dance. The Fighting Irish will likely be decent this year but their chances of a repeat performance are slim. This classic by Irish band, The Cranberries, reflects Notre Dame’s title hopes - in their dreams.

Syracuse “Oh Yeah, You’re Gone” - Brad Paisley This melancholy country number will resonate with Orange fans during head coach Jim Boeheim’s suspension. And Boeheim’s not the only thing that’s gone--so are the 12 scholarships and 108 wins the Orange were forced to vacate as a result of academic violations.

Pittsburgh “The Middle” - Jimmy Eat World Pitt has been solidly in the middle of the pack in the ACC for the past few seasons and will likely be so again this year. But Pitt is new to the conference, and as Jimmy Eat World reminds us, “It just takes some time, little girl.”

Clemson “We Tigers” - Animal Collective Clemson fans had better enjoy the last few months of Football season.

This song by Animal Collective embodies a wild, childhood tribal mentality. The chants of “Tiger, Tiger, Tiger, Tiger...” are anything but intimidating. As usual, Clemson will likely remain at the ACC kids table.

Boston College “Sorry” - Justin Bieber Like this new Bieber song, Boston College just isn’t very good. Sorry, BC, but another last place ACC finish seems inevitable.

Louisville “Roxanne” - The Police In what looks to be a down year for Louisville, the school spent the offseason establishing itself as yet another ACC teams plagued by off the court issues. It doesn’t take an expert to see the ethical issues in using prostitutes to attract new recruits. The Police’s classic jam about prostitution seems appropriate.

Virginia Tech “How You Remind Me” - Pickin’ On Series It’s hard to find a song that truly encapsulates the sorry state of Virginia Tech basketball. This bluegrass cover of Nickelback’s “How You Remind Me” comes close. Tech fans can be excited for transfer Seth Allen, but will quickly start looking forward to next year or just return to being Carolina fans.

Wake Forest “One Man’s Dream” - Yanni The only thing Wake Forest has going for them this year is the emergence of the ‘Greek Deac,’ Dinos Mitoglou.

Sparsely recruited out of his homeland, Mitoglou is the lone source of intrigue for the dismal Deacons, but maybe he can provide a reason ‘for all the world to see.’

North Carolina “Another Brick in the Wall Pt. 2” Pink Floyd Nothing sums up North Carolina’s academic ethos like this classic Pink Floyd song and it’s refrain “We don’t need no education.” With a number one preseason ranking, Carolina fans would love to focus on the upcoming season, but the real story is what they’ve done over the last 20. Maybe the NCAA will finally crack down on 20 years of academic fraud, but it remains to be seen.

Florida State “Eye of the Tiger” - Survivor With a great coach and recent recruiting success, FSU is a dark horse ACC contender. They also tend to have some bad blood with UVa, that culminated a few years ago with Okaro White attacking London Perrantes.

What better than the Rocky III hit to represent a team that is equal parts Rocky Balboa and Clubber Lang.

Georgia Tech “Ronald Reagan Era” - Kendrick Lamar The theme of this Kendrick song will be comforting to many Yellow Jacket fans, as the Ronald Reagan era was the last time GT had a relevant basketball team. Georgia Tech hasn’t won the ACC tournament since 1993, and won’t this year, either.

Logos Courtesy WIkimedia Commons

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

Thursday, November 12, 2015

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Recapping the Virginia Film Festival Arts & Entertainment highlights this year’s festival offerings Arts and Entertainment Staff This year’s Virginia Film Festival showcased an abundance of masterpieces in Charlottesville’s movie halls and theatres. While the event wows crowds each year, the 2015 line-up included notable works such as “Ithaca,” the directorial debut of actress Meg Ryan shot in small-town Virginia, and “Sol LeWitt: Wall Drawings,” a concise, simplistic piece about artist Sol LeWitt. Arts & Entertainment offers an evaluation of this year’s VFF schedule.

Victoria “Victoria” is certainly captivating and plausible, but is not the most convincing narrative. The odds of someone falling in love and risking her life in one night doesn’t quite fit in with the other nitty gritty “realist” theme of the movie.

“Victoria” is a brave and successful attempt at a new form of storytelling, but a more plausible storyline would have made for a more quality film overall.

—Lowry Neil Ithaca

In addition to the visually striking scenery filmed in Petersburg, Va., another strong point of this movie is its unrelenting theme of the familial small-town community. Charm can only take a movie so far, however: There are many subplots in the film, leaving the audience truly satisfied and fully connected with the characters, and [Director Meg] Ryan misses a few golden opportunities to surprise audiences with an original ending.

— Milli Wise Son of Saul “Son of Saul” is a powerful film, one that employs elements of emotion and ambiguity, combining them within a framework of fundamental themes and unique filming techniques. It is not a pleasant movie necessarily, but that may not be its direct intent. The film tells a story, one that evokes great emotional responses from its viewers while also offering motivations and mysteries to scrutinize.

—Matthew Gittelman Mercy Street “Mercy Street,” an upcoming medical mini-series from PBS based on a hospital in Union-occu-

Courtesy VFF

This year’s Virginia Film Festival lineup saw several high points as well as a few lackluster efforts.

pied Alexandria expertly balances the typical thrills of a medical drama with the complicated political and social turmoil of the South during the Civil War. “Mercy Street” is not perfect — it falls victim to the occasional cliché and cheesy lines — but if the premiere is any indication of what the rest of the season will bring, it is not to be missed.

—Ellen Adams

Actor for Hire “Actor for Hire” overplays its central theme, and few of the characters seem particularly genuine.

And while this effect may be what [Director Marcus] Mizelle aimed for, he goes too far. Instances [of humor] are relatively rare in what otherwise feels like a movie straining for shrewd satire, but comes up short.

— Ben Hitchcock Sol LeWitt: Wall Drawings At just under an hour, the film executes a beautiful, simple story of an artist who believed in the perpetual nature of art. The short and sweet format maintains viewers’ attention and allocates the perfect amount of time to sufficiently cover the expansive exhibit at MASS MoCA. The solid beginning, middle and end allow for a resolved, entertaining and insightful film.

—Anna Morgan Spectre “Spectre” retains visual sleekness but falls short of cohesive artistry, and its formulaic story is less fleshed out than has come to be expected from the Bond film series.

Despite a muddled plot resolution and some conventional dialogue, “Spectre” brings with it many exciting locales, a fiercely competent Bond girl and rare insight into Bond’ s childhood. For Bond fans, “Spectre” is worth seeing and worth talking about.

—Elizabeth McCauley See full reviews of these films on The Cavalier Daily’s website.

A&E interviews ‘Paradise, FL’ writer and producer Tony Stopperan Filmmaker talks about his film, local film markets, the VFF Sam Henson Senior Writer

One of many films selected for screening this past weekend at the Virginia Film Festival, “Paradise, FL” follows Tommy — a fisherman struggling with drug addiction — as he finds new purpose after he is forced to watch over his friend’s children. On the surface, “Paradise, FL” stuns with beautiful Florida scenery. Yet underneath, the film explores dark themes. Arts and Entertainment interviewed the film’s writer and producer, Tony Stopperan.

Arts & Entertainment: With this being the first feature you've written, what made you choose this particular story?

Tony Stopperan: This story was the evolution of the first film that I produced. Where we live in Florida often gets promoted as a tour destination with pristine beaches, and there is a lot of affluence in our community. There is another side to that community as well: an impoverished community — one addicted to prescription drugs. So I wanted to tell a smaller story which is a look at the human condition.

A&E: You used some of the same crew from the first film in “Paradise, FL,” correct?

TS: I did. Nick, the director of “Paradise,” was the the DP [director of photography] on my first feature. He had been working on documentaries as well, and he understood exactly how we wanted

Courtesy VFF

Stopperan’s “Paradise, FL” stunned audiences of this year’s Virginia Film Festival.

to make this picture. Other members of the crew on “Paradise” cut their teeth on the first film with smaller roles on the first film and got promoted for this film — whether that was production designer or key grip — they had huge amounts of responsibility for it being the beginning of their career.

A&E: What were you looking for during the casting process of “Paradise”?

Tony: The funny thing for me — my background is in acting. I have a BFA in acting, and I thought I was going to “Rocky Balboa”-it or “Good Will Hunting” and write a script that would launch my acting career. For the story, I picked a couple years of my life that I thought were very cinematic, and I was going to write it and cast myself. Both Nick and I knew, that in both of our leads — Tommy and Shawn — we needed human beings as actors who are good people, because the script had a tendency on paper to feel dark, and these people didn’t always come across as good people. So we wanted, at the core, good and decent human beings, so when they brought a strong performance, it was inherent that they were good and the audience would connect to them.

A&E: Did you look for any local talent when you were casting?

Tony: It was a mix. Adrienne Stern, a casting director out of New York, got us three of the roles from L.A. The role of Tommy was a classmate of mine, so I had known him for six years now.

During the development stages, I started to see him in that role. I flushed out some of the supporting characters with actors from the Sarasota area.

A&E: You have a strong attachment to the Sarasota area and building the film scene there.

Tony: I feel that any regional market, outside of L.A. and New York, has the capability to be its own hub. If several smaller cities team up and [corner] that market space, then they can have a bit of the infrastructure and industry of how people receive content. It is very different than it was ten years ago. I feel that with the education institutions from FSU to Ringling College, we are sending talent to the big markets, when we have the technology and access here and to resist the main engine.

A&E: The scenery of the film is stunning, almost acting as another character. What was your goal in establishing the setting of Florida?

Tony: You can watch the sun-

set in Sarasota and fall in love with Florida every single day. If you are going to tell a story about a place, you have to make it a character. The name of the film could have been just “Paradise,” but we named it “Paradise, FL.” This place is a character. It is a beautiful place here in Florida, but you are living the same life that your father did, your grandfather and his father before him. How does that drive the plot of your life?

A&E: How does it feel for “Paradise, FL” to be recognized by various film festivals like the Virginia Film Festival?

Tony: I think it is a huge victory for the cast and crew, and it shows that our story has some universality to it. It has a connection to a Virginia audience, and it has a connection to a film audience — larger than just a regional audience. I am also just very appreciative, with the amount of films made here, there is a lot of competition to get seated in. For Jody [Kielbasa, VFF Director] and the Virginia Film Festival to take a chance on a film that has relatively unknown actors — that doesn’t have a pedigree of coming from Sundance or Cannes. To say that this is still an authentic story and for them to take a chance on this, I am very appreciative.

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