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friday october 19, 2007 blacksburg, va.
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STUDENT AFFAIRS HOSTING GAME SHOW On Tuesday, October 23, the Division of Student Affairs is hosting a triviafilled, prize-giving night at Owens Banquet Hall from 6 to 8 p.m. The program, based on the game show “The Power of 10,” is called the Power of 16. The event is open to 200 students, register online at www.dos.vt.edu/powerof16.htm.
news STUDENT INDICTED FOR TERRACE VIEW ARSON On Thursday, Virginia Tech student Robert Larson, 23, was indicted on arson charges for three fires in the Terrace View apartment complex. Larson lived in building 5500 of the complex. Two fires occurred in that building and the third happened in building 5100. All three fires were set on three different occasions. Larson was indicted on the federal level because the complex is considered property used in interstate or foreign commerce. Larson can face up to 20 years in prison in addition to a possible fine of $250,000 for each charge.
sports ADIBI NAMED SEMIFINALST Virginia Tech redshirt senior outside linebacker Xavier Adibi has been named a semifinalist for the Rotary Lombardi Award. Thus far this season, Adibi has 59 tackles, 8.5 of which have been for a loss. Adibi also has three sacks. Virginia’s Chris Long and Miami’s Calais Campbell, both defensive ends, also represent the Atlantic Coast Conference as semifinalists for the award. Adibi’s teammate and fellow redshirt senior linebacker Vince Hall was not included in the list.
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EASE, R C N I ONS LICATI AUD AND P P A EBOOK EFT, FR AS FAC DENTITY TH I SO DO Y ISSUES C PRIVA
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Endometrial cancer prevention begins in college FOR YOUNG WOMEN, LIMITING ALCOHOL AND MAINTAINING WEIGHT WITHIN HEALTHY RANGES MAY BE KEYS TO PREVENTING ENDOMETRIAL CANCER LATER ON IN LIFE ROSANNA BROWN
ct news reporter Preventing endometrial cancer starts earlier than many women realize. Terri Cornelison, MD, PhD. for the Breast and Gynecologic Cancer Research Group at the National Cancer Institute, said endometrial cancer “is the most common gynecologic cancer in the United States.” Endometrial cancer occurs within the lining of the uterus, and 40,000 women in the U.S. are diagnosed with endometrial cancer annually. Usually, women who are diagnosed with endometrial cancer are over the age of 40 because it is often associated with menopause, Cornelison said. However, prevention of endometrial cancer starts young, when women are in their twenties. This is because abnormal estrogen levels within a woman’s body can be the precursor
KERRY O’CONNOR
high 72, low 51
ct news reporter
In the story “Norris Hall task force narrows options,” Richard Benson should have been listed as the dean of engineering instead of Steve Harrison. The Collegiate Times regrets this error.
coming up TUESDAY’S CT See what the CT’s movie critic has to say in his upcoming movie review, in the CT on Tuesday.
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for this cancer. “For the majority of endometrial cancer, the endometrium is a hormonally responsive environment,” Cornelison said. Hormonally responsive means that if there is a prolonged period of time where there is a higher level of estrogen within the endometrium, the cells will continue to multiply. If the cell happens to have incurred so much damage to its genetic structure, cancer arises, Cornelison said. Estrogen, a cancer promoter, can come from a variety of sources. The number one risk associated with higher estrogen levels, which may result in endometrial cancer, is obesity. Cornelison said that a woman who is 30 pounds over her ideal weight will increase her risk for endometrial cancer by three times. A woman who is 50 pounds over weight will increase her risk for endometrial cancer ten times.
On campus housing may no longer be guaranteed
SCATTERED T-STORMS
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VERY DAY, MILLIONS OF STUDENTS AROUND THE COUNTRY click onto the Internet. Many of these students frequent popular social networks such as Facebook and Myspace, putting up personal information for others to see. While disclosing this information may seem like a good way to keep friends informed, it could also expose students to identity theft and fraud. “The biggest mistake that students make online is assuming that everything online is safe,” said Geof Allen, VTPD community outreach officer. “The one thing that we see a lot online on Facebook and Myspace are students putting up too much information about themselves.” Some types of information are more dangerous than others. “People should make sure that they don’t post their full names or their Social Security, bank or credit card numbers,” said Jackie Dizdul, a spokesperson for the FTC. Common data posted online could lead to disastrous results. “With a date of birth and a mother’s maiden name, one could find out a person’s social security number,” Allen said. Something critical to protecting personal data is the idea that once information is online, it is difficult, if not impossible, to take down. “Only post information you’re comfortable with others seeing,” Dizdul said. “Most people don’t realize that even if you delete the information, it could still be available for others to see.” This could present future problems for students. “People share things online they may not want others to see, especially years down the road when they’re applying for jobs or graduate schools,” said Parry Aftab, a lawyer and speaker on cyberlaw issues. Also at stake for students are their finances. “Someone who steals a student’s information could take out a loan, purchase a car, and apply for a credit card,” Allen said. With the right information, these actions could be performed with relative ease. “The identity thieves could do any financial transaction by telephone that the person could do,” Allen said. On social networking sites, protecting information is essential. “Many people are very free with their online passwords, so others could possibly change their profiles and say mean things to others posing as the person with the account,” Aftab said. The key for students to protect themselves is vigilance. k c blo “Be careful,” Aftab said. “Don’t give out your don r o g passwords to anyone. Be sure to use privacy by settings on social networking sites to keep what you don’t want others seeing private. Be sure to only be online friends with people that you know and trust.”
Many students who choose to live on campus after their freshman year may soon not have that option. Even with the construction of two new dorms set to begin in December, Virginia Tech may fall short on housing options in coming years. The construction of the dorms will be synchronized with the closings of East and West Ambler Johnson, which are scheduled to undergo major renovations. East AJ will close first in the summer of 2009, just as the construction of the first new dorm finishes. West AJ is scheduled to close in the summer of 2011, just as the renovations for East AJ and the construction of the second new dorm finishes. Although the opening of the new dorms will alleviate many occupancy issues caused by the closing of AJ’s wings, each of the new dorms will only hold 250 beds, while East and West AJ hold 406 and 882 beds, respectively. Edward Spencer, associate vice president of student affairs, acknowledged that there would be a loss of occupancy space during these renovations. However, he also said that after all construction and renovations are finished, occupancy will have grown by 500. The question about where incoming and returning students will be housed remains unanswered. On-campus housing is only guaranteed to incoming freshmen; however, many non-freshmen students choose to remain on campus, submitting themselves to the lottery system and hoping for the best. “We try to keep supply and demand about equal, but we can suddenly receive a large incoming class one year, which is difficult to predict,” Spencer said. Providing students with housing was an issue this semester. Spencer attributed the housing troubles to the large freshman class and the waiver given as a result of April 16, which
“There are many American women who are 30 pounds overweight and 50 pounds overweight,” Cornelison said. Cornelison said that women in their twenties who are having irregular periods due to obesity are the same individuals who are at high risk for endometrial cancer later on. Obese women who are younger and may be reverting to birth control because of irregular periods are still putting their bodies at risk for endometrial cancer, she said. Another factor that may contribute to a change in estrogen levels is consuming large amounts of alcohol. Alcohol directly affects the liver, which also metabolizes estrogen. “Higher levels of alcohol may affect risks of endometrial cancer,” said Cornelison. However, Cornelison said, the relevance of alcohol’s risks associated with endometrial cancer is not nearly as common as the risks associated with obesity. Dave Roberts, MD, at Carilion OB/GYN in Blacksburg, said that the majority of patients he sees are overweight.
“It is much more common for me to see someone who is obese than someone who is at their ideal body weight,” said Roberts. Roberts said that obesity is an “epidemic” in America. One of the main problems with the American diet is our concept of serving sizes and meal portions. Roberts regarded the meal portions in America as “a death sentence.” “ … People can’t eat that way and expect to maintain their ideal body weight,” he said. Including the control of portion size, exercise needs to become routine, Roberts said. The ideal body weight for a woman who is five feet tall is 120 pounds. For every additional inch, add three pounds, Roberts said. This ideal body weight also depends on frame size, which is most accurately measured by shoulder width. The more precise way to determine ideal weight is through the body mass index. The equation for body mass index is weight divided by the square of the height. It is ideal when an individual’s body mass index is between 19 and 25, Roberts said.
Flyin’ high
allowed students who would have normally been suspended last spring due to academic deficiency. “Normally, we’ll lose 125 to 135 students during the summer,” Spencer said. “We count those offers and make decisions based upon that.” Students who do not win the lottery and are denied on-campus housing will have to move off campus. Tim Gift, associate director of facilities, said there would be no alternative housing provided by the university.
“We try to keep supply and demand about equal, but we can suddenly receive a large incoming class one year, which is difficult to predict.” - EDWARD SPENCER ASSOCIATE VICE PRESIDENT OF STUDENT AFFAIRS Another housing issue lies in the ability of construction to stay on schedule. The university counts on construction being done on schedule to be able to provide students with housing. “We always worry about staying on time,” said Hugh Latimer, the Tech campus planning architect. “We do a lot of things to stay on track and keep on top of it. Everybody’s used to doing it, we just make it happen.” Construction planners have allowed for flow time at the beginning of the project, in case problems arise that may impede the process. Due to the smaller size of the new buildings and an efficient schedule, Latimer said he expects construction to stay on time. While the commencement of construction and renovations approaches, the guarantee of on-campus housing diminishes, and Tech students may want to consider this when they look at their housing options.
BERT GREEN/SPPS
Paul Ovelgoenner, a sophomore psychology major, performs a “one-footer coming out the bowl” at the new skate park on Patrick Henry Dr., next to the community center.
Virginia spotlighted at expo MICHELLE RIVERA
ct news reporter The annual Agricultural Sunbelt Exposition in Moultrie, Ga. featured Virginia as its spotlight state of the year. The premier farm show, the largest show in the southeast, took place from Tuesday through Thursday this week. Located on 1,680 acres, the expo highlighted 1,209 exhibits and drew approximately 200,000 visitors over the three days.
“Our mission is very simple,” said Chip Blalock, executive director of the Sunbelt Agricultural Exposition. “We produce an agricultural tradeshow, where farmers can come in and see the latest technology and gather info to take back to their operations to improve their efficiency.” According to Linda Burchem, communication manager of the Va. spotlight exhibition, “Virginia Agriculture: Proud History, Prosperous Future,” was coordinated by
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see AGRICULTURE, page two
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friday, october 19, 2007
Neck’s creativity motivated by passion for teaching others AMY GUZEWICZ
ct news reporter Christopher Neck is an associate professor of management theory and leadership practice at Virginia Tech. With a Ph.D. in management from Arizona State Universit y, Q&A he is able to find many ways to incorporate music into his lessons. As featured in BusinessWeek, Neck has won numerous awards, with his most recent being the students’ favorite professor. This award has led him to become a YouTube star. Q: You were recently featured in BusinessWeek for being the students’ favorite professor. How does that make you feel? A: On one hand, this was mind boggling and exhilarating. On the other hand, this was confusing. Let me explain. From the positive standpoint, this was really incredible. I mean, to be named one of the top 20 business
professors in the country is humbling. The credit really belongs to my students, who encourage me to teach in innovative ways. A proverb Neck reads, “Find a job you love and you will never have to work another day in your life.” I truly feel I have found such a job. The negative side of this award in my opinion involves the Virginia Tech administration. How can I be viewed by a seminal business publication as one of the 20 best professors in the country while at the same time my own university has denied me promotion to full professor two years in a row? This BusinessWeek award validates what I have felt over the past two years: that my record of teaching and research warrants my promotion to full professor. Q: How does it feel to be a YouTube star?
A: I have gotten more attention from this than any book I’ve ever written. I’ve received e-mails from across the world from people saying they enjoyed my YouTube video. I believe, at last count, over 10,000 people have viewed this video. It feels really neat that something I did in class at Virginia Tech has been watched by so many. I like the fact that it brings attention to Tech students. I have the highest esteem for them. Q: What sets you aside from all the other professors that makes you stand out in the students’ minds? A: I don’t know what sets me apart because I don’t spend much time thinking about what other professors are doing. I believe I have to be myself in the classroom and do what I feel will result in a good class each class period. If I try to be someone else, it won’t work. I first try to make class fun and interesting for me. If I can do that, I will be into the class and then I feel the students will feed on my energy and interest. Q: How do you incorporate music
into your lessons? A: I play music before class, during the break, and after class to bring energy to the room. I also use musicrelated exercises to get the students to think about how the music relates to themselves and/or a particular management topic. I also have a band and/or singing groups come perform in my class each semester to illustrate teamwork. Q: By doing so, how do you believe you benefits the students? A: The first step in being able to manage others is to first be able to manage yourself. So using music can help students to better understand themselves. For example, during one class I ask students to bring to class a CD with a genre of music that best represents them. This helps them think more about who they are, which in turn helps them understand how to better manage themselves. Q: What do you hope to accomplish by using this way of teaching?
Agriculture: The future of farming from page one
the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Virginia Tech, the Va. Cooperative Extension, the Va. Farm Bureau Federation and the Va. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. “All sent representatives to Georgia so that they could not only showcase Virginia, but also all the hard work that each group has been doing,” Burchem said.
“We’re very proud of it,” said Mark McCann, director of the Va. Cooperative Extension. “What we tried to show are some of the historical aspects of Virginia and where we’re going in the future.” The 93-acre site of the show has static exhibits in five buildings. The rest of the exposition is outside in other buildings or tents. Additionally, there is a 600-acre research farm adjacent to the exhibit area.
“You can not only see exhibits in the setting, you can see them working in the fields and experience the technology,” Blalock said. “And consumers can see what farmers are doing to produce most economical products in the most efficient ways.” Blalock also explained that the Expo’s main mission is to highlight agriculture, but it also offers something for the entire family with hunting and fishing as well as cooking demonstrations.
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A: It’s not that business and music tie together, but rather that music ties into helping bring management topics to life. Q: What possessed you to take on such a different teaching method? A: I did not want to be a typical professor; I wanted to give my students something that they’d remember and benefit from years after they left my class and Virginia Tech. Q: What is the one thing you would like your students to get out of taking your class? A: Take chances, figure out who they are, and don’t settle for less in terms of finding a job that does not seem like work. And most importantly, don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t do something. There are critics everywhere who will try to sabotage you in terms of living your dreams and achieving your goals. Don’t let them. Always remember the words from a recent Apple commercial, “Those who are crazy enough to think they can change the world, are the ones that do.”
Bush: Iran a political issue
Visitors can win a tractor, a $15,000 value set of cookware, or a GMC, Chevrolet or Toyota truck. They can camp out in one of the 500 camping sites available in the area. There are ATVs available and tractor-driving ranges where visitors can test-drive the new tractor driven by a GPS system. “It’s been great,” said Blalock. “We’ve filled motels for 60 miles. It’s the Disney World of agriculture.”
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A: That the students will leave my class thinking, “This is the best class I took at Virginia Tech,” and that they better understand who they are and what management is about. Q: Do you have a passion for music? A: I would not say I have a passion for music, but rather I have a passion for thinking of creative ways to illustrate the concepts I teach in class. Q: Where did you get such an intense passion for teaching? A: Good question. I’m not sure. But I think it comes from the responsibility I feel I have with teaching such a large class. You see I have the opportunity each week to impact 600 or more students. I don’t want to waste this opportunity. And the only way to connect is to attempt to raise the bar in terms of teaching methods. Virginia students deserve the best and it’s my job to try to bring them the best in terms of teaching styles. Q: How does business and music usually tie in together in your course?
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PETER BAKER
the washington post WASHINGTON — When President Bush this week raised the specter of World War III if Iran manages to build nuclear weapons, he not only roiled the diplomatic world, he also underscored how much Iran has come to shadow the political dialogue both here in Washington and on the presidential campaign trail. While Iraq has faded from the Beltway debate for now, Iran has emerged as the top foreign policy topic of the moment. Democratic candidates are arguing about Bush’s efforts against Iran, with underdogs accusing front-runner Hillary Rodham Clinton of giving the president a blank check. Republican candidates, on the other hand, are vying over who would be toughest on Iran, with each vowing to take military action if necessary. Bush’s comments at his Wednesday news conference only fueled the discussion and may have also signaled a shift in his personal redline in Tehran’s progress toward a nuclear weapon. With most attention focused on the doomsday scenario he invoked, another part of his answer may be telling. Although in the past he has said it is “unacceptable” for Iran to possess a nuclear bomb, Bush said Wednesday that it is unacceptable for it to even know how to build a bomb. The talk of military options has led to sometimes feverish speculation that a strike may be imminent, a notion dismissed by administration officials who say that Bush is committed to diplomacy at this point. But with 15 months left in office, Bush may eventually con-
front the choice of dealing with Iran’s program or passing the problem onto a successor. For now, the White House spent Thursday trying to douse the flames of Bush’s news conference remark. “If you’re interested in avoiding World War III,” he said, “it seems like you ought to be interested in preventing them from having the knowledge necessary to make a nuclear weapon.” White House press secretary Dana Perino said that was “a rhetorical point,” not a threat. “The president was not making any war plans, and he wasn’t making any declarations,” she said. “He was making a point, and the point is that we do not believe ... Iran should be allowed to pursue nuclear weapons.” Defense Secretary Robert Gates said Bush meant that a nuclear Iran would provoke its neighbors. “You very likely would have a nuclear arms race in the Middle East,” he said, which would increase “the risk of an accident or a miscalculation or of those weapons or materials falling into the hands of terrorists.” Bush’s comments drew a sharp statement from the Iranian Foreign Ministry, which condemned his “warlike rhetoric,” the Associated Press reported. “This sort of policy will jeopardize peace and security at the international level,” said Foreign Ministry spokesman Mohammad Ali Hosseini. Some Democrats criticized Bush for an alarmist tone. “He continues to dial up the fear factor instead of reaching to bring this world together, to work together, to make sure that we can avoid World War III or any other war, for that matter, and end the war we’re in that we can’t get out of,” Sen. Barbara Boxer, D-Calif., said on MSNBC.
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editor: sharon pritz email: features@collegiatetimes.com phone: 540.231.9865 office hours: mw 4 p.m. - 6 p.m.
october 19, 2007
Weightlifting, girls’ nights, and other ways we handle insecurities A lot of guys are more insecure than they seem at first glance. Take Bear Grylls of “Man vs. Wild,” for example. I’m sure that CHRIS when he’s not GUSTIN describing how regular “lit-rally awful” everything is (and columnist then eating it anyway), he’s fretting over his hair in the shiny end of the camera lens. Hulk Hogan wears a bandana to cover up the fact that he’s bald and somewhat leathery. HE SAID The fact is that men are insecure, and it’s a fact that we try very hard to cover. Except Matthew McConaughey, apparently. I mean, come on, guy, do you really have to take your shirt off all the time? But McConaugheys aside, insecurity is something that’s deeply embedded in
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the male history. Our great-grandfathers worried about their mutton chops (fluffy enough?); our grandfathers worried about their suspenders (stretchy enough?); and our fathers probably worried about their mop tops or something stupid like that (shaggy enough?). Fortunately, with a long history of insecurity like this, men have come up with clever ways to deal with it, helping to ensure our survival and success in the face of female scrutiny. Body image is a major factor in causing both guys and girls to question their overall value and to worry about the judgments of other people. You can blame magazines or movies or television or whatever, but the fact remains that most people are unhappy with how they look in one capacity or another. It’s a sad point that we tend to pre-judge people based on appearance, and although it’s cliché to say, pre-judging does cause us to push a lot of cool people out of our lives. I understand that there’s nothing
quite like feeling good about yourself physically, and being in good shape can be important for overall health and self-esteem; just try not to judge others by the shape of their bodies right off the bat. If you are insecure about your body, working out really can be a good way to build self-esteem and confidence — over time though. Playing NCAA Football on Xbox is closer, but still not an acceptable substitute. Fortunately, the campus offers two fine gyms right within walking distance of class that should help you get in your workout fix if you want it. Plus, both gyms have giant mirrors on the wall, so you can watch yourself work out. It’s sort of like those hotels that have the mirrors on the ceiling so you can watch yourself sleep, or at least I think that’s why they’re there. If you’re lazy like me though, just buy a set of weights that you can play with when you get home. For about $40, you can have the convenience of work-
see HE SAID, page four
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239 N. Main Street, Blacksburg 552-6220
In middle school, some of our biggest insecurities may have included things like being picked last for P.E. softball, the precise shape and curve of SHARON our whispy bangs, PRITZ or a frizzy ponytail. If you think back ct features to the fond days of editor middle school, you might remember boys responding to being picked last for a sport by reacting with bravado laced with trash talk. (And don’t dare try to talk to a boy throwing this type of tantrum — he’ll SHE SAID punch you right in the baby-maker.) Girls, however, assembled all their friends in a Captain Planetesque style (though in lieu of power rings, we probably had matching braided friendship bracelets) to openly whine about how the three hours that
they gave themselves to get ready for school that morning still resulted in lifeless bangs. And here we are in college, still dealing with our insecurities in a similar fashion. The old adage goes, “With age comes wisdom.” But have we really gotten any wiser about insecurities? In high school, if a two-week relationship went south, the entire school knew, and the entire school really was talking about it. But we tend to still have this mentality that on this campus, this haven for 26,000 individuals, everyone still knows our business, cares about it and judges us for it. I bet that many of us have tripped up the steps in front of Owens and then spent the next 30 minutes obsessively mortified because the two people who saw us had probably told all of their friends. And maybe it’s a weird phenomenon, but for some reason we might find ourselves assuming that every random person we pass on the Drillfield is staring at the stains on our shirts or the random kinks in our hair that wouldn’t straighten.
It’s a safe assumption that girls like to talk and men like to do (no pun intended). When a girl is having a particularly low day, feeling bad about a relationship or feeling inadequate compared to the standards that we hold ourselves to, we’re not very subtle about it. The sweatpants come out, the hair goes into a messy bun and the makeup stays in the drawer. Our insecurities are written with our body language, face and clothes, and they’re verbalized to our friends constantly. We have a designated “girls night,” for which the agenda might include drinking, chick flicks, and peanut butter-dipped Oreos as we hash out problems and overanalyze insecurities. Talk, talk, talk; it’s what we love to do because women are open and honest about their insecurities with friends. Things like a weirdly-shaped eyebrow or an unfortunate zit can take an entire brunch to hash out and weigh the impact. This, however, is a doubleedged sword. Sure it’s great to be honest
see SHE SAID, page four
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0 the first 10 g in iv g y b g elebratin year. h and we’re c c Te VA or an entire to f g k e in e m w o c a o is it Moe’s h, a burr , October 20t , ay d r u d and drinks at o S o f n o ic e n st li a nt in people enjoy fa E! s! Plus, you’ll o it r r u b burritos—MO e ll a re f f o 2 5 r e s ’ h at ot Th et the m ays. Come me w a e iv g at re along with g
239 N. Main Street, Blacksburg 552-6220
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friday, october 19, 2007
It’s fun to read at the YMCA She Said: Women like to talk LAURA INGLES
ct features reporter Everyone has to admit to missing the days of the book fair in elementary and middle school. Book fairs meant going down to the library with your class and some cash your parents gave you and spending an hour pawing through the Babysitters Club and Boxcar Children series, stuffed Cliffords, countless posters and fancy bookmarks. Naturally, the content of a book fair held on a college campus may differ slightly, but admit it, the nerd in you is just as excited at the idea of going to a book fair now as when you were eight. This weekend, the Blacksburg YMCA will be hosting its biggest fundraiser of the year: its fourth annual book fair. The fair will take place at the Y Center at 1000 North Main St. and will run Friday, Oct. 19 (5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.), Saturday, Oct. 20 (9 a.m. to 7 p.m.) and Sunday, Oct. 21 (noon to 4 p.m.). On the opening night, other
non-profit organizations from the Blacksburg area will set up booths, where they’ll sell books and other second-hand items to raise money and get their names out to the public. “It’s just a fun thing, a fun event for the whole community,” said YMCA representative Gail Billingsley. Due to the number of people and organizations, the event has grown significantly over the years, and Billingsley said families drive all the way from coastal Virginia and even North Carolina for the fair. Regardless of genre preference — be it science fiction or trashy romance novels — you would have to actually try in order to not find something that strikes your interest. The fair will consist of over 12,000 books, averaging at about $3, but ranging in price from a quarter for a children’s book to $100 for hard-to-find vintage books. Because the fair has grown so much over the years, it has become the YMCA’s biggest fundraiser of the year. The profits all go toward YMCA community service projects, tutoring programs and after-school activities. For those who get their fill of reading from psychology and
economics texts, the fair also offers music in at least 40 categories. Both CDs and cassettes will be available, but old-school vinyl albums are traditionally the most popular form of music sold at the fair. If a plethora of books and music are still not enough, on Sunday afternoon, authors Robert “Max” Broyden and J.D. Stahl and illustrator Joni Pienkowski will be hanging around the fair for a meetand-greet. Still not enticed? How about the fact that one of these authors is in the fourth grade? Robert “Max” Broyden wrote, illustrated and published his first book “Scalesters” at the age of nine and plans to create six more books to complete the series, similar to “Harry Potter.” The picture book is centered around “Rainbow,” a stuffed lizard from a street vendor from Blacksburg’s 2006 Steppin’ Out festival. And the young writer has big plans, including turning “Scalesters” into a motion picture, as well as writing another series or two. He and his book will be making an appearance at the book fair on Sunday.
from page three
about things that you’re insecure about, but then all of your friends can give you “cute” nicknames like Susie “Cankles” Smith. Men, on the other hand, seem to seal their lips and take action when it comes to their insecurities. Note: for those of us who think that men are immune to insecurities, we are sadly mistaken. Men are just better at not actually admitting to them. The next time you’re at McComas, take notice of the guy who walks around with an invisible stick in his a--, who shows
up at the exact same time every day and who nearly gives himself a hernia with the massive amounts of weight he’s lifting. Men can often play off their insecurities more easily because they’re “just trying to be healthy.” My favorite way that many men handle their insecurities is through self-deprecating humor. For example, saying that “The ladies just couldn’t handle me tonight,” while simultaneously giving the shoulder brushoff is just a funny way of saying, “Unfortunately, I didn’t meet anyone ____” (common adjectives to insert
here might be cute, sweet, loose enough, etc.). So, perhaps we should take a lesson from the opposite sex. Ladies, maybe a little less chatter would be good for your self-esteem. The more we scrutinize our own insecurities, the more we find subsequent layers of crap underneath them; it’s a vicious cycle. And, guys, maybe talking a little more would not only be good for your mental health, but also keep you out of the hospital and allow you to contine to check out those “cute, sweet” ladies on the weekend instead.
He Said: Bulking up at the gym from page three
ing out at home, and it will save you a lot of time otherwise spent going to and from the gym. While exercise may be important, it’s also important not to let it become your personality. Try balancing your gym time with something else you enjoy that’s not
exercise: playing music, reading, punching stuff, whatever you want. It’s your time, big guy. This will make you a lot more interesting to talk to in the long run, because trust me, no one cares about how much creatine you ate today. I hate to put a lot of emphasis on working out though, because physical appearance is not as important
as most people tend to think it is. Overall, it’s important to balance things in your life . Confidence in yourself will bleed through into other things you do, and an attractive personality can trump physical judgments any day. Unless you’re Hulk Hogan, in which case you can just beat things into submission.
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editor: laurel colella email: opinionseditor@collegiatetimes.com phone: 540.231.9865 office hours: mw 4 p.m. - 6 p.m.
october 19, 2007
In defense of ‘nuclear option’ As a liberal internationalist, I would argue that it’s important to be genuinely engaged in political dialogue with the international GABRIEL community as a MCVEY productive means of resolving our regular inevitable differcolumnist ences of opinion. However, the Left in the United States seem to be trending increasingly isolationist, or at least unjustifiably discriminatory concerning the global causes that it will support. I would argue as well that there is a need to engage in so-called “hard diplomacy” and even military intervention to excise cancerous political ogres like Saddam Hussein, Slobodan Milosevic and Robert Mugabe from the global body politic. The neoconservative faction within the Right asserts that projection of United States’ power is good for America and the world. It’s become self-evident that this belief is erroneous, but I would also argue that “the world” has always been, at best, secondary in its political calculations. If the Left wants to be truly serious about getting out of Iraq and making sure that the United States on no account has to return there or anywhere else in the Middle East, then it’s long past time that they worked out a sensible, sound energy policy. The principal reason for our longrunning entanglement in the untidy but rather depressingly predictable politics of the Middle East has always been one of preserving the status quo of paying political tribute to United States business interests and propping up dictators and theocrats of the nastiest kind. That lines up nicely with the very
interests of so-called “stability” that antiwar liberals now invoke for retroactively legitimizing Saddam Hussein’s horrific regime in its criticism of the Iraq conflict. So, if the Left wants to legitimize its increasingly “America First” rhetoric, then it’s going to have to get behind energy independence; not just as a way of toadying to the ethanol lobby, the so-called “clean coal” interests and attendant Midwestern corn state and Appalachian coal state voters, but as a real policy of self-reliance. Realistically, that means getting behind the ugly and generally unpopular policy of increased reliance on nuclear power. I say that it is unpopular because the base of the Democratic Party is by and large opposed to expansion of nuclear power and most not so are openly hostile to its very existence. In spite of this, nuclear fission is the only practical alternative in the direct future for energy independence given the distant nature of renewable energy’s promise to meet demand. Nuclear energy is, of course, not perfect. It’s capital-intensive, it’s potentially hazardous and it produces remarkable amounts of long-lasting, highly toxic radioactive waste. Despite these obstacles, nothing truly worth doing is ever trouble-free. The Left, and the rest of us, are going to have to realize that there isn’t any easy, painless way of meeting our energy demands, reversing climate change and, in the process, kicking our addiction to foreign oil. It’s the only way to meet demand in the interim between our current carbon-based system that fouls our air and water and the utopian future of wind farms and photovoltaic panels meeting our every energy need. We need to be honest about this,
though. Nuclear power is going to require serious investments of assets for construction, maintenance, upkeep and regulation of an industry that has nearly limitless potential for both good and bad. We will have to finance nuclear power the way that we will also have to subsidize photovoltaic, wind, geothermal and other renewable sources. Let’s not kid ourselves; until it can genuinely be said that these potential energy sources are profitable on their own terms, it’s fatuous to argue that nuclear is undesirable purely because it’s not profitable in the near-term. It will also require plenty of outlay in an effective means of waste management, disposal and reprocessing. That will require the creation of both an effective monitoring and regulatory apparatus and an infrastructure for waste supervision, processing and long-term storage. There will also need to be an augmentation of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission and other pertinent government agencies. Effective regulation will facilitate making sure that the public is safeguarded against malfeasance and negligence on the part of industry. According to most polls, over twothirds of the United States public supports expanded use of nuclear power. France enjoys the cleanest air and cheapest power in Europe because of extensive use of effectively regulated nuclear power. It’s relatively safe, emission-free and can be put into service fairly quickly. While renewable sources may seem to have greater appeal, it’s time to admit that many of them are pipe dreams or, at least, decades away from effective implementation. For now, proponents of energy independence ought to rally behind the call of “make mine nuclear … for now”.
Letters to the Editor Protesting for the right to carry concealed weapons Many of us look back on tragedies and wonder how they could have been prevented. While no one can change the outcomes of past events, everyone should have the opportunity to prepare for future circumstances. Self-defense is a right and a natural instinct of human beings, and advanced training can enhance one’s ability greatly. However, in some situations weapons can become the last resort and only way to protect one’s life, and police certainly cannot be everywhere all the time. While controversial, carrying a handgun for personal protection is a right that many are trained for and comfortable with, and many want to exercise that right. However, students and faculty are arguably the most deprived of this right, as even public institutions are allowed to establish policies that restrict them from carrying, even with their stateissued concealed handgun permits. During the week of Oct. 22 to 26, some Virginia Tech students and faculty members will peacefully protest these policies, along with others from across the nation. Participants will wear empty gun holsters, with neither weapons nor anything resembling a weapon, and will go about their days normally. The idea of this passive protest is to help you imagine your colleagues carrying weapons on a daily basis, and for you to see that this does not change their behavior nor does it change who they are. As well, participants will show their stances on the issue to administrators, faculty, students and any onlookers. If you are concerned with how carrying weapons works, please read on. First, the state of Virginia grants permits to only those age 21 and older. The permit granted is a concealed handgun permit (CHP) and is only obtained after taking an educational course, passing a written test, passing extensive background checks and participating in hands-on training for the use of a
firearm as a self-protection device. Next, this permit is for carrying concealed. Keeping a weapon out of sight keeps it from distracting others, but it also prevents potential attackers from identifying those who may stop them. Third, it is illegal to carry when intoxicated, which many are concerned about on a campus where alcohol is prevalent. Finally, many advocates of this are willing to listen and debate the concerns of others, so please be respectful whatever your view may be. If you want more information about how to join in the protest, you can visit www.ConcealedCampus.com, check out the Facebook event “Students for Concealed Carry on Campus Empty Holster Protest,” or ask a participant. If you want to get involved in the debate, please check out Facebook groups, www.100ideasva.com, or come to the presentation on Monday, Oct. 29 at 7p.m. in Litton Reaves 1670. Also, feel free to engage your colleagues in discourse, but please do not verbally attack participants — they may save your life some day. Ken Stanton, graduate student, engineering education
No right to judge Peace Prize decision In your editorial “Al Gore wins Nobel Peace Prize,” (CT, Oct. 17) you comment that “Gore’s efforts for raising awareness regarding global warming were” not “good enough,” and you nominate several other, more deserving individuals and groups. It is just a shame that the Nobel Peace Prize Selection Committee could not have benefited from your collective wisdom. It is also a shame that Frank Beamer cannot benefit from the collective wisdom of the guys who sit behind me in Lane Stadium who continually point out what he should have done differently. Theodore Fuller professor, sociology
Editorial local issue
Preventing identity theft through Facebook KRISHNA VUMMIDI
Appreciating passions in life A few weeks after April 16, Dad drove down to visit and make sure I was doing well considering what had just happened. FLASH Sitting down in my living room, CLARK he exhaled that regular great sigh of relief columnist that accompanies a long car trip, then asked for my guitar. He fished a pick out of his pocket, licked his thumb and looked at me: “I’m working on something that I need your help with.” He had a funny look in his eye. The last time he showed me something he was working on it was his original country rendition of “Boulevard of Broken Dreams” by Green Day. This time, instead of having to force back the laughter, I would be pushing back the tears as my pops picked and sang a song he was writing about that dark day just six short months ago. It really hit the mark. The words were simple and he had a strong first verse and solid chorus that was the backbone of the tune. He said it just came to him while watching the effect the day had on our town and the response it generated from the world. It was a sure start, but he wanted my help completing it. For 19 years I have had the ability to write music with my dad but never did. Life has a way of making you think that those people most important to you will always be there and that there will always be time, when there quite obviously will not be. That’s not to say that we don’t jam together during the holidays. He sings while we both pick the chords, this because I was never quite able to pick up the singing thing. But for the first time in my life, we were collaborating on an original piece. Slowly over the weeks his travels to visit me increased. He arrives late in the afternoon, acts like he intends to drive home late in the evening in the dark until I for-
mally invite him to sleep over, then he crashes on the living room floor after we watch the local news. We spend the days writing and singing, eating fast food and drinking so much coffee that my left arm begins to tingle and I start to taste copper. During one visit, he told me that after performing the song for a host of family and friends, he felt that it needed to be out in the world and decided to record a full CD in a studio. It would cost thousands of dollars that no one had the money to spend, but the man was set on the idea. Until then, I had never seen my dad passionate about anything except work. Heretofore his days only entailed working unforgiving overtime hours and providing for a family. It was the same man who had made me understand the importance of a good education, a strong work ethic and having your feet planted firmly on the ground — though some of it didn’t take entirely. It was a man who walked the straight and narrow, who didn’t have time left in his workweek or energy left in his soul to dream. His hope was to pay his mortgage, see his kids make it into college and graduate and one day retire. But, the same man emptied his 401K to record the first song of his life. He went out and purchased a new guitar, explaining, “If a man is going to record some music, he needs to have a good guitar.” Impressively it sounds just as good as the only other guitar I have ever known him to have: a 35-year old Yamaha acoustic he shipped home from Vietnam while serving in the Army. Then one summer day as we sat strumming on my back porch, the sun crawling its way over the rooftops, I looked at him and asked, “Did you ever think, all those years ago when you were learning how to play the guitar, that you would one day have a son playing beside you, helping write lyrics?” He laughed matter-of-factly, “Well of course not,” then went back to pickin’.
We have jammed together till our fingertips pulse and in the interim emailed revisions and ideas across the miles that separate us. We’ve enjoyed long road trips in the dark morning hours and worked in the world’s most frigid studio. We have sung and rehearsed the lyrics so much that my little sister won’t even sit in the same room with us anymore if there is a guitar present. But most importantly to me, we have become buddies — perhaps a feat we couldn’t fully accomplish on our own. And that is what kept me conflicted for a while, conflicted that I could be enjoying this friendship, fruits of an unseemly tree, because none of this would have been likely were it not for that waking nightmare six months ago. Sure, we may have gotten together at some point and collaborated on a song, but nothing like this. And that’s not to say that what we have created is even valuable in the world of music or art; it’s just that we made it — Dad and me. I began talking it over with a friend who was able to put it into perspective. She said that if any good at all could come from such a catastrophic event, it should be welcomed because enough horror and fear had already come of it. So call it thankful, for what I have. Or call it mindful of the past. Whatever the case, I welcome it for all it’s worth. In a few weeks I will be back in the studio with the man I admire so much. I look forward to him waking me up much too early, the smell of coffee pushing back the warm blankets, caffeine calling from the kitchen. I look forward to breakfast at Weasie’s greasy spoon and unexpected stops at the small shop that consumes his workdays. I look forward to riding past the farm fields through the rural routes of the Blue Ridge, singing songs that never tire. I welcome being a part of a dream that springs from an unlikely source — fruit from an unseemly tree.
Students have been cautioned to watch what they put on Facebook and Myspace since these networking sites became a staple of college and high school students. Most students understand the warning that bad pictures and comments can be viewed by professors and prospective employers, but there are far more dangers hiding in the average Facebook profile. Perhaps it seems like common sense to not post your social security number online, but according to VTPD Community Outreach officer Geoff Allen, even seemingly innocent pieces of information can lead to identity theft. In an interview with the CT, Allen warned, “With a date of birth and a mother’s maiden name, one could find out a person’s social security number,” which could lead to identify theft. We always hear of strangers Web site-stalking, intrigued by someone’s suggestive pictures or comments and eventually attempting to communicate with the guy or girl. However, it’s gotten to the point that those same strangers who were just creepy are now criminals who have the resources to steal someone’s identity, and they are getting those resources from the students themselves. It’s important for Facebook or MySpace users to understand that posting information for the public to see is also is an invitation for the public to steal and misuse the information. With resources and determination, a person could take one small piece of information and use it to find a bigger piece, and then a bigger piece, until they
are able to use your identity to purchase items and access your accounts. It is not necessary to post information such as your full address, cell phone number or screen name on your Facebook profile. The only people who would need such information are assumingly your friends, who can just ask you or would already know those things about you. If someone needs your cell phone number, they can message you, and you can then give it to them without having the information out there for both your friends and complete (and possibly sketchy) strangers. People may think “it wouldn’t happen to me,” but no one really knows exactly who is viewing their sites and information. It could take days or weeks before you realize that someone has obtained enough information to steal your identity for various purposes. Especially now, when Facebook profiles are searchable through Google, it’s easy for criminals to find an open and public profile with a plethora of information, just waiting to be stolen. Yes, continue to filter your pictures so that no one can see your drunken or suggestive adventures. But in addition to protecting your reputation, take actions towards protecting your identity. Only post information that is completely necessary to share publicly, and don’t make the assumption that any information is too minor to be used against you. If we are going to continue to use networking sites as a tool for socializing, be responsible while you poke, comment and update your status.
have an opinion? write a letter to the editor to opinionseditor@collegiatetimes.com
The Collegiate Times is an independent student-run newspaper serving the Virginia Tech community since 1903 Collegiate Times Editorial Staff Editor in Chief Amie Steele Managing Editors Joe Kendall, Saira Haider Production Manager Claire Craft Public Editor Colleen Webster News Editors Kevin Anderson, Meg Miller, Caroline Black Associate News Editor Ashley Oliver News Reporters Rosanna Brown, Michelle Rivera, Peter Hurley, Andrea Woods Features Editor Sharon Pritz Associate Features Editor Drew Jackson Features Reporter Katelyn Lau Opinions Editor Laurel Colella Sports Editor Ryan McConnell Associate Sports Editor Charles Barrineau Sports Reporters T. Rees Shapiro, Torrey Smith, Bryan Wright Head Copy Editor David Harries Copy Editors Mary Hardbarger, Kati Ann Leonburger, Cate Summers, Alexandra Mandzak Photo Editors Sally Bull, Kyle Swanson Layout Designers Josh Son, Krystal Stevens, Melanie Welzel, Jenna Wolfe Graphic Designer Ben MacDonald Online Director Christopher Ritter Multimedia Editor Colin Smith Multimedia Producer Christina Pfeifer Senior Web Producer Tim Tutt Web Producers Jon Boblitt, John Edstrom, Gabreil Martinez Community Content Editor Sean O’Mara Web Staff Timothy Lee Collegiate Times Business Staff Business Manager Robert Bowman Marketing Manager Whitney Ludvik College Media Solutions Staff Advertising Director Xavier L. Herrera Ads Production Manager Anika Stickles Asst Production Manager Ashley Shoemaker Ads Production/Creation Kristin Claeys, Sarah Ford, Kaiesha Morgan, Alyssa Peltier, Catherine Worsham Assistant Advertising Directors Ashley Culbreth, Patrick Fitzgerald, Katelynn Reilly National Account Executive Robbie Zayas Account Executives Tara Darby, Jenna Given, Don Janocha, Beau King, Katy McCall, David Ross, Suzanne Watkins, John Welch Assistant Account Executives Kayla Clements, Blythe Dalton, Amy Guzewicz, Ashlee Goodwin, Jennifer Himlich, Kelli Lyman, Mike Walsh Marketing Manager Devin Armstrong Student Publication Photo Staff Director of Photography Shaozhuo Cui
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Tiger Woods PGA 08 is now ALBERT BJORK regular columnist In what seems like an eternally perennial release schedule of sports games, EA has yet again released its premier golf title aptly titled Tiger Woods PGA Tour 08. Now I know what you’re thinking, but the answer is no. Tiger Woods 08 isn’t just last year’s game with a fresh coat of paint and a few new golfers. Rest assured, that while the main gameplay mechanics of this year’s version remain the same, a slew of new features have been added, as well as clean up of the graphics and a revamp of some older features of games passed. First and foremost, I have to talk about EA’s new Photo Game Face feature. Basically, EA is now letting you take a front and side profile picture of yourself that the game will then magically transform into a digital version GAME REVIEW of your face to use in making your own virtual golfer. For both the Xbox 360 and the Play Station 3, you can choose between using a USB camera (the easier option) or taking pictures with your digital camera and then uploading them to EA’s Web site, which then allows them to be used on your console. Overall, the process of uploading pictures is pain-free, assuming that EA’s
servers aren’t overloaded with others trying to do the same. My only issue was with initially linking my PS3 account to EA’s site, but it was an issue that was quickly resolved. Once the pictures are on the console, you simply place a few facial markers onto them and then wait the 10 to 20 minutes for the game to work its magic. Let me just say that Photo Game Face is amazing. You all may be thinking that it makes a decent approximation of what you look like, but in reality, game face is spot-on and makes an exact copy of the player to use in the game. To give you an approximation of how much my in-game character looks like me, I’ll just say that I’m convinced the game steals a part of my soul and traps it within the PS3 to use as my character. Every time I scanned another one of my roommates into the game, we stared at the TV in disbelief of the face on screen, until it eventually became too creepy to look at. Once you are finished with Game Face and you’ve imported your digital doppelganger into the game, the actual golfing can begin. The whole point of this year’s game, and the last few years for that matter, is to start off as a struggling amateur golfer. You then improve your skills until you become a legend of golf and eventually take on Tiger Woods in a one-on-one, no-holds-barred golf duel to the death. In this year’s iteration, players get the
familiar “Tiger Challenge” career path including challenges against various golfers to level up your skill until you reach the showdown with Tiger. But there’s also a full season of PGA events you can play in, including rankings for the newly created FedEx Cup. Players choosing to jump right in to the PGA season will be surprised to find out how many times you have to dig your ball out of the woods or go playing in the bunkers when your rookie golfer only has golf skills at 10 out of 100. More power to you if you choose to try and play against the likes of Vijay Singh with a 190-yard drive and a wicked slice. I, however, took the easy route and immediately started leveling up my skills via the Tiger Challenge. Unlike challenges in previous versions, the challenges are presented on a giant honeycomb-shaped board in Tiger Woods 08 where you complete one event in order to unlock any events directly touching the completed one. The board is divided into various sections of six challenges surrounding a center tile that is a direct 9-hole challenge against a specific golfer. The reward for winning is a boost to all of your stats, proportionate to how badly you spank the competition. At the center of the board is Tiger, who is surrounded, not by challenges, but by six golfers, including famous greats like Annika Sorenstam, whom you must defeat first.
As in other versions of the game, as you beat challenges or complete events, you unlock new apparel, clubs, balls and other golf supplies from the Pro Shop, which all improve your stats and bring you closer to becoming Mr. Woods himself. For the less hardcore golfers, there are also a number of game modes like skins play (where players bet money), best ball, normal match play and my personal favorite multiplayer game, Battle Golf. In battle, golfers face off against one another, with the winner of each hole allowed to steal a club from their opponents bag or get back a club that
can attest to the fact that no other sports game, or sport in general for that matter, has ever made me swear more than a good round of golf. Overall, like most EA games, Tiger Woods PGA Tour 08 continues to build on previous versions and will continue to be released in new versions each year until the end of time. Unlike most other EA Sports games, however, this game actually added some new features and improved from last year’s version and made it the best, and admittedly the only, simulation golf game on a console. Tiger Woods PGA Tour 08: 8/10
had previously been stolen from them. Imagine trying to play a par five at Pebble beach with only a nine iron and a sand wedge in your bag. Needless to say, things in Battle Golf can go South faster than Paris Hilton at a frat house. This year’s game also boasts a much more robust online experience allowing the player to play any of the multiplayer game modes online, as well as giving you the ability to upload amazing shots or holes for the entire online community to see. While most people might not think to get online and play with one another (complete with yelling obscenities), I
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editor: ryan mcconnell email: sportseditor@collegiatetimes.com phone: 540.231.9865 office hours: mw noon - 2 p.m.
october 19, 2007
Hokie senior sets records on the court T. REES SHAPIRO
ct sports reporter Most college students end their years at Virginia Tech with a piece of paper and memories worth reminiscing over a lifetime. Others, such as Tech volleyball senior Amanda Cloyd, achieve that and much, much more. Cloyd, a four year starter, is regarded as one of the best defensive players the program has ever known. She’s prolific in her position to the point that she’s practically perfected it. She holds numerous awards and has all but etched her name into Tech’s history of great athletes. Though you’re going to have to give her a minute: she can’t quite remember how many records she holds. “Umm, I’m not sure, actually,” Cloyd said. “I think have three. No, two? I hold two records. I’m not really sure. No, I think I have three. Oh, four. So I have four!” Better make that five. The quiet and humble Cloyd, a native of Muncie, Ind., is just 11 digs shy of another milestone to add to her already
stacked resume: she’s tallied over 2,000 digs in a career, which would be an all time first for any player in the volleyball program. She also holds the record for single season digs at 569, a record she broke once in 2004 with 536 and rebroke in 2006. She’s the all-time career dig leader at 1,989, the freshman dig leader with 478, and the match dig record holder with 35. Or make that six. If all goes well this season, she could also be the ACC all-time dig leader if she hits more than 2,010. Which, with her average of 5.41 digs a game and 12 matches left in the regular season, each with a maximum of five games apiece, could shatter the ACC benchmark and put it out of reach for years to come. Meaning, when she walks the hard court for her final bow this November, she’ll be one of the most highly decorated players in Tech volleyball history. Not only is she a record leader; she’s also a team leader. Her teammates appreciate her skills and overall knowledge of the game and look to her as a role model. “I don’t feel like I really am in the spotlight,” Cloyd said. “My coach always
tells me that I’m a ‘quiet’ leader, but I just lead by example, and that is kind of me, I’m not really a talkative type naturally on the floor, so I guess I just kind of go out there and do my job … I’m super competitive, and my teammates know that, and I think that if nothing else they respect that I am a senior, and I have experience and I want the best for our team.”
ON THE WEB Check out the CT’s video featuring Amanda Cloyd at www.collegiatetimes.com At the Libero position, she explained, her job is to be a standout defensive player. She can save the ball from being scored, but she’s not allowed to jump over the plane of the net to score. Her main move, and the one she’s garnered so many records for, is a “dig.” “A dig is any time the other team goes up to attack the ball, jumps, takes a swing, tips it over, any type of attack, and I get it back up,” Cloyd described. “Get it a good enough touch and we can make a play out of it; that’s a dig. I
honestly just put my body out there and hope for the best. It is a skill, but I think more than anything it’s just about being aggressive and wanting the ball.” However, it’s not just about the numbers for Cloyd. Her love for volleyball started 13 years ago when she decided to pursue it exclusively, leaving other sports such as soccer behind. “I just like the speed of the game,” Cloyd said. “It’s exciting and it’s fun. I was best at it over all the other sports I was playing; that’s what made me choose it … Honestly I just wish that more people would come out and watch a game.” Cloyd expressed an extreme desire to perform well against this weekend’s match against Duke, the team second in the ACC standings. The peak of her collegiate career, she said, would be to beat Duke away, and also on senior night at home on Nov. 23rd. “They only have one loss and are 17th in the nation,” Cloyd said. “I think we’ve only beaten them once since I’ve been here. That would be a really good ending to my senior season, beating Duke.” Being such a powerful offensive team, Cloyd’s handy dig work could be a
JEFF SLOYER/SPPS
Amanda Cloyd, senior, reaches for one of her 1,989 career digs. catalyst for the Hokies against the Blue Devils. Despite the team’s underdog status heading down to Durham, Cloyd’s competitive edge occasionally shines through her demure of humility. “It’s my favorite thing to see the other
team go up and takes a great swing, with no one thinking it’s going to come up, and I get it up for my team,” Cloyd said. “It’s frustrating for the other team to play a great defense; it really takes the wind out of their sails.”
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friday, october 19, 2007
Hokies put ranking and record on the line versus Tar Heels TORRY SMITH
ct sports reporter The Virginia Tech men’s soccer team enters tonight’s game against the University of North Carolina ranked No. 5 in the NCSAA/Adidas poll — marking the highest ranking in school history — and riding a school-record 11-game unbeaten streak. But what may be more important than either the ranking or the streak is the new mindset that the team has adopted this season. “There’s a new attitude with the team this year,” said senior midfielder Marcus Reed. “There’s a sense of belief that we can continue to win games.” The Hokies have posted an impressive seven wins in 12 tries this season, although they have only won two of their last five thanks to ties with Wake Forest, Virginia and Maryland. Tech has recorded one win and three ties in their four Atlantic Coast Conference games and as a result now sit tied for third in the Atlantic Coast Conference despite a 7-1-4 overall record.
“I’m pleased with (the ties), yet we all know the need to win games,” said Tech head coach Oliver Weiss. “Friday night will be as difficult as any of the others (to win), and yet we remain positive and focused that we can win that game.”
“There’s a new attitude with the team this year. There’s a sense of belief that we can continue to win games.” - MARCUS REED SENIOR MIDFIELDER The Tar Heels (4-3-5, 2-2 ACC) enter Blacksburg looking to derail the Hokies and deal Virginia Tech its first loss since Aug. 31. While UNC hasn’t officially cracked a spot in the national rankings, the Tar Heels hold the 18th highest ratings percentage index and therefore will present a top-25 caliber test for the Hokies. “Every year they have really good
players on the ball,” said senior co-captain midfielder Ben Nason. “They’re young, but they’re really talented, so I think what we need to do is use our experience and make the right decisions.” North Carolina’s shortcoming this season has been its lack of consistency on the attack. Three times this season the Tar Heels have been shut out, and in six other games they’ve been held to just one goal. The Hokies, on the other hand, have had much of the their success stem from their ability to create plays and finish scoring opportunities. Tech currently leads the ACC in goals per game, thanks in part to twelve different players having scored so far this season. Junior Stefan Hock’s five goals are tied for seventh most in the ACC, while the Hokies trio of junior Robert Edmans, junior Patrick Nyarko and senior Georg Zehender sit in a ninth place tie for points in the conference with 12 apiece. The offense, though, faces a tough challenge tonight in North Carolina goalkeeper Tyler Deric, who has
SPPS FILE P HOTO
A Tech player attemps to shake a North Carolina defender during last year’s match in Blacksburg, a 2-1 victory by the Tar Heels. Ranked No. 5 in the NCSAA/Adidas poll, the Hokies hope to notch a win over the Heels tonight. allowed only seven goals in 10 games played and nearly 1,000 minutes. “We’ve got to put the ball in the back of the net,” Weiss said. “I think if we play enthusiastically and if the crowd is behind us, and if we can get the first goal … those are all ingredients we need to have in the game to overcome
a good defense like UNC.” The Hokies will have homefield advantage on their side Friday night as well, which has proved beneficial thus far. Tech is 3-0-1 at home this season, and is looking to extend their undefeated home mark. “We’re definitely confident right
now,” Nason said. “Not over-confident, but I know we’re going to be looking to pick up a big win in the ACC … We definitely want to get a big win at home this weekend.” Kick-off for the key ACC match-up is scheduled for 7 p.m. tonight at the Virginia Tech Soccer Stadium.
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