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tuesday november 6, 2007 blacksburg, va.
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GRAB LIFE, GIVE LIFE REACHES MILESTONE
MEG MILLER
ct university editor
Dodge Motor Co. announced yesterday that Patrick Day won the “Grab Life, Give Life” charity competition after being the first to reach 20,000 votes online. The Blacksburg High School student was paralyzed after experiencing a spinal cord stroke, one of three in the world to ever occur. By winning this competition, Day’s family will receive $20,000 to help with medical bills.
PHONE BOOK COLLECTION DRIVE The Blacksburg Refuse and Recycling Department has begun an effort to collect phone books for recycling. Until Jan. 31, recycling containers will be set up to receive the books at the Blacksburg branch of the Montgomery-Floyd Regional Library and at the Blacksburg Community Center. Phone books will also be picked up curbside with newspaper recycling. For more information, call 540-961-1806.
sports MIAMI GAME TIME ANNOUNCED The Atlantic Coast Conference office announced Monday that the Virginia Tech football team’s Nov. 17 home game against the University of Miami Hurricanes will kick off at 3:30 p.m. The game will be the second in as many weeks televised regionally by ABC.
The Dean’s Forum on Health, Food, and Nutrition was held yesterday in the Skelton Conference Center at the Inn at Virginia Tech. The forum featured several different speakers and a poster session for students and faculty members to showcase their research in areas of food, health, and nutrition. Yesterday’s forum was the third Dean’s Forum in support of implementation of the University Strategic Plan, President Steger’s vision that makes innovative contributions in learning, discovery, and engagement to the community and the world. The previous forums focused on energy, in fall 2006, and environment, in the spring of 2007. “I think we may be the top forum so far as far as attendance is concerned, because we’ve had about 400 people here today,” said Kerston Roan, communications and marketing director, college of agriculture and life sciences. The next forum will focus on infectious diseases and will be held in the spring of 2009. Each of the four forum topics tackles one of the important areas identified by the strategic plan, Roan said. The forum featured speeches such as “Will Science Solve the Obesity Epidemic?” by Stella Volpe, associate professor and Miriam Stirl Term endowed professor at the University of Pennsylvania, and “Get the Fat Out: Real Science for Real Life” by Paul A. Estabrooks, associate professor, department of human nutrition, foods and exercise. Undergraduates, graduates, faculty and staff were invited to showcase their work involving food, health and nutrition and to discuss with others their work in the field. There were 122 students who displayed their work, over half of whom were graduate students, said Kirby Deater-Deckard, psychology professor and member of the forum’s task force. Every academic college was represented by the Dean’s Forum on Health, Food, and Nutrition Task Force. The task force first formed in early July, shortly after the forum was announced. “We were charged with the job of helping to enforce the program and provide input to the deans on potential speakers we could have,” Deater-Deckard said. The task force also helped to get the word out to each of their colleges and encourage department heads, faculty and students to consider how their research related to the forum theme so they could present their work.
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Squires will be adding new fire alarms in efforts to upgrade building safety.
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Dr. John Quackenbush, from the Dana Farber Cancer Institute, discussed his research on genomics and its applications for treating breast cancer at yesterday’s forum. Most of the projects were research that participants had been working on and they were mostly specific, single studies, Deater-Deckard said. Deater-Deckard also said that the task force was just advisory and provided the initial input, but the co-chairs, William Herbert professor, department of human nutrition, foods and exercise and Kerry Redican, professor, school of education, college of liberal arts and human sciences, did most of the major preparation. Yamuna Swetha Devarajan presented her research on discrimination of oxidation of
The fire alarm systems in Squires Student Center will be undergoing improvements all this week, courtesy of University Unions and Student Activities. The improvements, taking place around Squires, are a part of a plan to increase safety in the building. “We’ve always met code in fire inspections, but during a recent walkthrough, we saw some things that we didn’t like. We’re now adding new visual and audio alarms around the building,” said David Coon, assistant director for construction and development for University Unions and Student Activities. The improvements will main-
Marching Virginians and YMCA will visit New Orleans SYNETHIA TOMS
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fish oil with an electronic nose at the forum. She said that she signed up because it was very good exposure and a good learning experience. Devarajan said she hoped to gain “more knowledge of research and work going on here in different departments.” Roan said that although she didn’t really get to participate in the sessions because she was running around behind the scenes, she felt that it went very well.“Everybody I have talked to really enjoyed themselves and were able to connect to other people and really got a lot out of the sessions,” Roan said.
Squires updates alarm system
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ct staff writer The Marching Virginians and YMCA will be heading down to New Orleans during Thanksgiving break to continue cleaning up the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. Their departure date is scheduled for Nov.18, right after the Miami game, and the band will be back just in time for the Virginia game on Nov. 23. On every student school break since their start in 2005, the YMCA has hosted an alternate expedition to the Gulf Coast to help in the rebuilding effort. This year, the house that was being rebuilt in the summer and is now completed will be dedicated to Leslie Sherman and Ryan Clark, two April 16 victims who both provided relief in New Orleans through the YMCA. “This is our sixth trip to the Gulf Coast and we partner with the Louisiana United Methodist Storm Recovery Center,” said Sandy Wirt, director of student programs at the YMCA. “This trip will take on a little bit of a different meaning—to pay tribute to Ryan and Leslie.” Larissa Mihalisko, senior international studies major, said that this year’s trip takes on a whole new meaning of disaster relief because of Ryan and Leslie. “It’s connecting two disasters—the people in New Orleans who lost their homes, and the people at Virginia Tech who lost their friends,” Mihalisko said. In total, about forty-three students will go on the trip and will be separated into four groups. On the first trip in 2005, there were about 30 Marching Virginians in attendance. On this alternate break there will be about 15 Marching Virginians going. Usually the students on the trip do all of the gutting of the damaged homes, such as taking all of the furniture out and removing mold. However,
McCloskey family files second suit
this time they will focus on the reconstruction aspects of the homes, such as flooring and painting. “This time we’ll be rebuilding homes while we’re down there instead of tearing them down, which will be a good change so that families can return to their homes,” Wirt said. The cost of the trip is $250 per person, but there are hopes that the current amount will be brought down to about $150 because of fundraising efforts. All of the money that the Marching Virginians and YMCA have received for the trip has either been donated or fundraised. They also received $2,400 from the budget board, and some students have done their own fundraising. “I think it’s the nature of the trip that people are still willing to compromise,” said Mihalisko. “David McKee, director of the Marching Virginians, has been wonderful in fundraising. He managed to have the entire first trip paid for due to his fundraising, so everyone on the first trip got to go free. He’s been absolutely wonderful in helping with this trip, too.” The dedication to Clark and Sherman will be on Monday, Nov. 19. There will be two Hokie stones placed at the home, and everyone will have a flower dipped in Hokie colors. During the procession, each person will place a flower next to the Hokie stones. “Both the Clark and Sherman family have been invited,” Wirt said. Also following the “Ut Prosim” Tech motto, “That I may serve,” the woman whose house is being dedicated was chosen out of thousands of other candidates because she devoted her life to service. “This lady is Miss Montey,” said Kerry Meier, freshman university studies major and trumpet major of the Marching Virginians. “In the 60s she
see YMCA, page two
ly make the alarms more noticeable to people in the building.“A lot of the work is going into turning up the amps in the alarms,” Coon said. “We’re trying to increase the range of the alarms.” The work will reach all areas of the building, though officials insisted that the work would not affect the daily operations in Squires. “The workers on the project will start work in public areas and places where there would be minimal disturbance,” Coon said. “Then we would work with individual offices to schedule times to work on their fire alarms.” The overall goal of the upgrades is to improve safety. “It’s our goal to not only meet but to exceed safety expectations,” Coon said.
Two family members of Brian McCloskey, the Virginia Tech student who died from injuries sustained when he was run over by fellow student Aaron Pierce in Nov. 2005, have presented the Roanoke City Circuit Court with a second lawsuit over Brian’s death worth $7 million. McCloskey’s mother, Dawn Powell, and sister, Heather McCloskey, filed the suit on Nov. 2 against Barry Wirt Jr., accusing him of having an underlying affiliation with McCloskey’s death through personal negligence. The first case filed by Heather McCloskey in September targeted Aaron Pierce, Cameron Johnson, William Johnson and Magic City Ford. The first lawsuit alleged that all those named in the suit contributed to Brian’s death, either directly or indirectly by providing Pierce with, and allowing him the use of, the vehicle involved in the accident. The second lawsuit is directed at Wirt and states that he also had a say in giving Pierce permission to drive the 2006 Ford Excursion that struck Brian McCloskey, and was negligent in doing so because Pierce was intoxicated. Powell and Heather McCloskey, the plaintiffs in the case, have demanded a trial by jury. Originally, both of the Johnsons and Magic City Ford faced negligence entrustment claims, in coordination with unrestricted access to the SUV being passed down in a chain effect. All are being sued for their association with the accident. According to the first lawsuit filed with the court, Magic City Motors president William Johnson gave unrestricted access to the Excursion to his son Cameron, who was the general sales manager at the time. On the night of the incident, the plaintiffs claim that Cameron Johnson had in turn given Wirt the authority to use the vehicle and designate whoever else would have similar privileges. William Johnson refused to comment on either court case. Wirt, the latest faced with a lawsuit presented to the Roanoke Court, was visiting Johnson and Pierce’s apartment on the night of McCloskey’s death. The new suit demands Wirt pay $5 million to the McCloskeys in compensatory damages, as well as an additional $2 million for punitive damages. Though the punitive damages would theoretically be given to the McCloskeys, they serve the purpose of deterring others from taking the same actions as Wirt allegedly did to damage the plaintiff. Evidence provided to the court shows that Pierce veered off the road and onto a walking path on the night of Nov. 4, where he ran over McCloskey. McCloskey remained unconscious on the trail until he was found the next morning. He passed away five days later, from his injuries. Pierce was found guilty of involuntary manslaughter and ordered to serve a 30-day jail sentence, as well as to perform 300 hours of community service and lose his driver’s license for a year. Michael Shevlin, lawyer for the McCloskey family in both lawsuits, declined to comment on the case. Neither Wirt, nor Robert Ballou, Pierce’s attorney, could be reached for comment.
Hands-on learning
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Members of a local girl scout troop watch chemistry experiments during a program put on by Thao Do, a member of the Society of Engineers.
news in brief CAMPUS THEFTS REPORTED OVER THE WEEKEND Three different larceny cases were reported at Virginia Tech this past weekend. The first occurred at the Cage between Oct. 19 and Oct. 20 where a bicycle was stolen and later reported on Nov. 2. The second occurred at the Old Security Building and the third at Newman Library, both on Nov. 2; however, no further information has been released as the cases are still active and under investigation. Community Outreach Officer Geof Allen said, “(Larceny cases) are very, very common.
We usually have 250 to 260 a year … if you take away alcohol, that’s our biggest crime.” He also said that larceny cases (with specific car parts) occurring at the Cage were particularly common until about four years ago. “When we locked all the gates, it stopped happening.” In 2004, 268 cases were reported; in 2005 there were 254, and in 2006 there were 232. Allen acknowledged that there has been a slight decline in the last few years. - Ashley Oliver, CT news staff
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university editor: caroline black email: universitynews@collegiatetimes.com phone: 540.231.9865 office hours: mw 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.
november 6, 2007
Tech students attend national summit KATIE MCLAUGHLIN
ct news reporter From Nov. 2 to Nov. 5, over 100 Virginia Tech students attended the Power Shift conference, the first-ever national youth summit on global warming. The conference, which was held at the University of Maryland in College Park, had more than 5,000 students in attendance, representing all 50 states and Canada. Power Shift included powerful speakers, a D.C. march, a nationally broadcasted Live Earth concert and over 190 workshops. “Many people like to put a label on environmentalists as ‘tree-huggers’ or ‘hippies’ or whatever they want to call people who are concerned about the environment,” said Angie De Soto, entertainment committee co-chair for Power Shift. “But if they do not know the seven big environmental issues going on in this planet, then
they have no grounds to debate us and what we stand for.” The march on Washington, D.C. took place on Monday, Nov. 5 when the students converged on Capitol Hill to lobby elected representatives on bold and comprehensive climate change legislation. The Power Shift reason for the lobbying is “to solve the climate crisis and put America back on the path to a clean and just energy future,” De Soto said. “The environmental movement is the social movement of our generation, and climate change is the defining challenge to our generation,” De Soto said. “If we can’t rise up and resolve this issue and really cut our carbon emissions, then pretty much our children are going to see a much different planet than we see right now. We really have to be conscious in the way we use energy, resources, water, everything.” The lobby was the largest-ever day of lobbying on climate change and reached offices of the Senate and
House of Representatives to deliver a concrete and action-orientated proposal. Lobby training workshops were also available at Power Shift. “This event is going to be life-altering for a lot of people,” said Bryce Carter, networking committee chair for Environmental Coalition at Virginia Tech (ECVT). “Thousands of students will actually lobby Congress and rally in Washington, D.C., which will just be incredible.” The 190 workshops included subjects such as anti-oppression and diversity, campus organizing, education, environmental justice/energy issues and skills training. The career fair connected the attendees to the country’s best ‘green’ companies, such as the National Wildlife Federation, the Sierra Club and the Rainforest Action Network. There were chances to submit resumes and learn about internships and volunteer opportunities. Also during the conference, Carter presented a speech during the state
breakouts, that was geared specifically toward Virginia attendees. “Together we help represent an entire state of the most influential country in the world,” Carter said. “It doesn’t matter if you’re a native, or what school you go to, or what county you’re from: here and now, we’re all Virginians.” ECVT is open to all student organizations and currently has weekly meetings to discuss the environmental issues going on around campus. ECVT has worked to recruit people and get the word out about the conference. “I have e-mailed tons of listservs, spoken at meetings, spoken at classes, and just tried to contact as much of the Tech campus as I could,” said Julie Chop, recruitment coordinator for Power Shift. “We tried to get the word out as much as we could and get a good representation of Hokies at the conference.” Attendees of the event from Tech have said that Tech was the biggest, most-represented school at Power Shift, and that people who attended this past weekend will come back educated and ready to start making changes for the better. “You have to educate yourselves,” De Soto said. “We are the only ones out there who can fight for our children.”
new river valley editor: kevin anderson email: nrvnews@collegiatetimes.com phone: 540.231.9865 office hours: mw 1 - 3 p.m.
campus news editor: meg miller email: campusnews@collegiatetimes.com phone: 540.231.9865 office hours: mw 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.
YMCA: Lending a hand to continue rebuilding from page one
left her husband for two years to go into the Peace Corps. I just thought it was really cool; in the ‘60s, leaving your husband to go into the Peace Corps wasn’t really something people did.” There are some Hokies who have already been down to help with the rebuilding and relief effort, while there are some who will experience the voyage for the very first time. “There are a lot of people who are going on this trip that haven’t done disaster relief, and a lot of people are really excited about doing community service,” said Mihalisko.
“When they see these people and what they’re actually doing it’s going to hit them hard. So, I think that it will be a really good start for people, and to even do some community service after this trip.” Mihalisko also said that the trip can serve as a healing experience after the events of April 16. “A lot of people down there need our help, and there’s no better way to heal after April 16 than to help other people with their own disaster,” Mihalisko said. “And be educated about what’s going on down there in New Orleans and the gulf coast—the job’s not finished.”
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Not everything is meant to be shared Washing your hands is the best way to prevent the spread of infection. Lather with soap and water for at least 20 seconds (sing the ABC’s twice) before eating or preparing food and after using the restroom, coughing, sneezing, or coming into contact with someone who is sick. When soap and water are not available, you can use a hand sanitizer to kill germs that can lead to illness. The alcohol-based hand sanitizer dispensers in the dining centers can be used before touching serving utensils and before you eat.
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Not everything is meant to be shared Washing your hands is the best way to prevent the spread of infection. Lather with soap and water for at least 20 seconds (sing the ABC’s twice) before eating or preparing food and after using the restroom, coughing, sneezing, or coming into contact with someone who is sick. When soap and water are not available, you can use a hand sanitizer to kill germs that can lead to illness. The alcohol-based hand sanitizer dispensers in the dining centers can be used before touching serving utensils and before you eat.
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editor: sharon pritz email: features@collegiatetimes.com phone: 540.231.9865 office hours: mw 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.
november 6, 2007
Though students can feel lost here, misplaced items don’t have to be THE ADAGE GOES “FINDERS KEEPERS, LOSERS WEEPER,” BUT PLENTY OF PLACES AROUND CAMPUS ASSIST STUDENTS IN FINDING LOST GOODS LAURA INGLES
features reporter The feeling is all too familiar among college students: walking to class, reaching into your back pocket for your phone … only to be sorely disappointed. You sprint back to Hokie Grill — you know exactly where you left it — and, of course, it is nowhere to be found. You mutter a few choice words and stalk off to class, vowing to find the punk who picked up your brand spankin’ new Chocolate. Fortunately, there are several places on campus to check out before calling home and admitting, with your tail tucked between your legs, that you are, for the third time this year,
phoneless. The main lost and found on campus is the Information Desk, located on the first floor of Squires, right behind the elevators. Hokie Passports and cell phones are turned in at the desk on a regular basis, and if what you have lost has not yet made its way there, they will take your name and number and contact you if it turns up. The Virginia Tech Police Department also holds lost items. Just call the non-emergency line (you may consider your misplaced Louis Vuitton to be an emergency, but those at the police department are not likely to agree) and they will be glad to help you out if they can. If you think there’s a good chance your TI-95 is chillin’ under a seat on
the BT, don’t panic. Anything left on the bus remains there until the end of the day, and if you can’t manage to hop back on and crawl under the seats before the day is over, give the office a call. They hold all items for up to 10 days and send Hokie Passports back to the Hokie Passport office once those 10 days are up. As a last resort, go back to whichever academic building you were in last; sometimes custodial staff will pick up lost items and turn them into the main office of Shanks, Pamplin, etc. Unfortunately, iPod nanos and other valuables don’t sprout little legs and turn themselves in to the Information Desk. So if you should happen upon a nice jacket slung over the back of a chair, remember those morals you learned in kindergarten. Pick it up, admire it, and then turn it in — even if it is your size.
Neutrals and naturals: Constructing fall fashion The fall season is in full swing, and the mountain foliage boasts vibrant hues of golden yellow and sun-scorched reds and oranges. The autumnal surroundings are certainly views to behold at this brisk and lively time of year, so why not bring some of fall into your fashion as well? Fall is perhaps the most exciting season for which to dress easily and well. With the weather just right — not too hot and not too cold — we can layer and accessorize to create fabulous daytime ensembles. The season’s color palette is an even greater reason to get working on your wardrobe. It’s time to infuse fall’s colors and textures into your closet, and you’ll be looking fabulously festive in no time. Choose accessories with a punch of autumn color, such as a cranberry handbag or a bold-print scarf . Additionally, a day dress is a great option in a bold color. A mustard knit dress pairs up great with black tights, wedge ankle boots, and a leather bag. Throw a cozy november 2, 2007
cardigan over top on a chilly day and you’ve got a chic daytime look that will make you stand out even amid your vibrant surroundings. Layering is key in accordance with fall’s fluctuating forecast. The daytime is cool and comfy, so invest in some versatile cotton tees in neutral colors. Pair with a knit sweater or jacket, and you’ll be ready for sudden gusty gales. This season, gray is becoming a headliner in the neutral family, and can even create a monochromatic head-to-toe look. Look for boots in slate and pair with a sweater dress for a soft but sophisticated look. This fall, make the most of your surroundings and allow nature to influence your clothing choices. Next time you’re out and about, take a look around you and rethink this season’s wardrobe. Embrace the earth tones and the relaxed feel of fall that will make stepping out into autumn’s tranquil scenery all the more enjoyable. Posted by Lorelle Stephansk
The Collegiate Times now has blogs online. Read the entire blog entry, and others, at www.collegiatetimes.com/blogs.
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tuesday, november 6, 2007
Wes Anderson meets expectations with ‘The Darjeeling Limited’ Few contemporary directors are as divisive as Wes Anderson. His often plotless movies don’t ask anything of us, forcing us to DREW sit on our hands JACKSON and watch as the film twists and ct associate squirms away features editor from itself and then somehow manages to find a way back. This can be frustrating in a world of audience participation, where instead of neatly troubled characters growing before our eyes, and in a way forcing us to grow as well, Anderson’s characters, however, remind us of MOVIE REVIEW the difference between fiction and reality. With his fifth feature-length movie, “The Darjeeling Limited,” the American auteur has created his most fluid film yet. The three Whitman brothers are attempting to reunite and bond on a train after a year’s separation following the death of their father. Jack,
(Jason Schwartzman sporting a very Magnum P.I. mustache) the youngest, is a writer who is still sore from a very complicated break-up (most of which we learn in the film’s prologue, a 13-minute short-titled “Hotel Chavalier”). Peter (Adrian Brody in his first convincing role since winning the Academy Award for “The Pianist”) didn’t tell his seven-and-a-half-month pregnant wife Alice he was leaving and continues to use his dead father’s razor and prescription sunglasses. Francis (Owen Wilson), the eldest and the trip’s architect, wears a crown of gauze and bandages from intentionally running his motorcycle into a mountain. The three estranged brothers are classic Anderson characters, noticeably successful (Francis’ belt and shoes cost $6,000 and $3,000, respectively) but hopelessly lost. Jack’s break-up has left him jaded but eager to move on as he swoons over the beautiful Indian stewardess, Rita, and takes her with ease in the train’s bathroom. And Peter, who still loves his pregnant wife, thinks he’ll divorce her eventually because he’s always imagined it that way. Anderson’s intricate minimalism has become his trademark, aside from his unmistakably eccentric characters and
THE DARJEELING LIMITED DIRECTED BY: Wes Anderson STARRING: Owen Wilson, Adrian Brody, Jason Schwartzman RATED: R for language SYNOPSIS: Three brothers embark on a bonding experience aboard India’s Darjeeling Limited. They haven’t spoken in the year since their father’s death, and will never understand one another. GRADE: B+ SHOWTIMES: 1:40, 4:45, 7:40, 10:25 p.m. at Regal New River Valley Stadium 14 often dark, droll humor. “Darjeeling” has everything fans love and expect from the director, but there is a noticeable maturation. The story, or typically Andersonian lack-thereof, is much more focused. Again, “Darjeeling” is a story on rails. Wilson’s portrayal of the suicidal Francis is so convincing, it makes one’s skin crawl to consider how he prepared for the role. Wilson and Schwartzman
are Anderson staples, and Brody shows how easily he can fit into cultured angst. The chemistry between the three is tangible and poignant. Jack, Peter and Francis push and pull at the past and present, but no one gains ground. Anderson attempts to stuff the full extent of human possibility into a parade of laughter and death and family, all framed by Indian beauty. Anderson’s soundtracks are always memorable, usually consisting of slowly affecting acoustic guitar, paired sweetly, at least in “Darjeeling,” with slow motion walking and running shots of the brothers. This film seems to be a showcase of the best songs I’ve never heard. Fans of Anderson’s previous films, though, may be disappointed with “Darjeeling.” While this film features plenty of weirdness and ironic humor, it might be too compact for those who enjoyed “The Life Aquatic,” and “The Royal Tenenbaums.” This film, though, is beautiful and tragic, hilarious and affecting, and given his track record of exceptional consistency, Anderson shows he’s hard to match when it comes to hilarious, yet touching nuance amidst familial unrest.
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You might also like. . .
“The Royal Tenenbaums”
“I Heart Huckabees”
“The Squid and the Whale”
Directed by Wes Anderson. This family is the most dysfunctional one on earth. If Gene Hackman isn’t faking cancer he’s being ` stabbed in the chest.
Directed by David O. Russell. Russell’s ego wouldn’t fit in Fenway Park, but this film is a hilarious examination of philosophy and meaning.
Directed by Noah Baumbach. In his first movie, though quirky and witty, divorce has never seemed this depressing since “Kramer vs. Kramer.”
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opinions 5
editor: laurel colella email: opinionseditor@collegiatetimes.com phone: 540.231.9865 office hours: mw 4 p.m. - 6 p.m.
november 6, 2007
Real world shows no mercy This semester is the first I’ve spent living off campus. It was hard for me to make the choice, because I have really enjoyed living in West AmblerALEX Johnston Hall. But CHAPPLE in the end, I couldn’t resist the thought of regular having a kitchen of columnist my own. I’m still happy with my decision, but there have been several unexpected costs that have challenged my ability to be an adult, a man paying and caring for his own home. I am responsible and prepared for the common challenges like bills, groceries and repairs. What has surprised me is the number of scams plotted against me, how this adult world is not one of respect, but instead one of business trying to fool me into giving them every dollar I’ve got. Most of them are harmless, but the intent is still unnerving. I throw a dozen credit card offers in the trash each week, delete countless e-mails that urge me to invest in some stock and pass up several opportunities to own time shares. Then there are more serious things, like the power company illegally raising its prices thinking I won’t notice, and then when I do, refunding the money without apologizing. Or Valley Towing taking my friend’s car (fairly) and charging an outrageous $150 for about 15 minutes of labor, when college students are generally poor, and would learn the lesson even if charged much less. Or the cost of the Internet from NTC, which is unquestionable, because they have a local monopoly. I feel obliged to pick apart one of these great scams, and I’ll choose NTC. When I decided to move to University Terrace, I was aware that as a part of the contract
each individual in my apartment would have to individually purchase Internet capabilities from NTC. That was not a shock to me, as it was for many others. What I didn’t know is that it was going to cost $26 a month. A year of Internet costs more than one month’s rent. Because this topic has been discussed recently, I will try to bring forward new ideas. I don’t contest that what NTC is doing is legal or even fair. Our economy is dog-eat-dog; small businesses are always struggling to find a way to stay a step ahead of their competition. Well, a great way to escape this difficult situation is to make agreements with companies of a completely different purpose, to create a pocket in the market that is void of competition. Again, this is legal, and fair, in the sense that every business is trying to find a similar pocket where they are the only supplier of some resource. To me, the issue is more of a moral one. My freedom to purchase has been taken from me. I feel like a slave every time I pay my NTC bill, because NTC could charge any amount they wanted and I would have to comply. Now, someone could say my right to purchase is intact because I could choose not to have the Internet, because the Internet is not a necessity like food or shelter. But isn’t it a necessity for a student who needs e-mail, Blackboard, and has online quizzes? Just as a slave cannot refuse his labor because it brings him his only source of food and shelter, I cannot refuse NTC because it is my only outlet to being a good student. I don’t own, and cannot afford, a fancy laptop so I can work wirelessly on-campus. And I could live in the Math Emporium, but why am I paying rent for an apartment, or even living in Blacksburg? As a student, I should have the right to work from my home and have the power to freely choose how
I furnish my home with student commodities. My family dealt with an issue similar to this one before I even knew about NTC. My mother, who is a florist, was asked by a particular wedding venue to sign a contract that stated she would give a cut of her profit every time she did the flowers for weddings at the venue. My mother refused. In response, the venue coordinator created a list of “respected vendors” and offered discounts when brides chose to use these vendors at the venue. Of course, “respected vendors” were only the ones that had decided to sign the contract. As the venue grew fat off its scheme, my mother held her ground despite the warped, negative advertising. She did not do this because she didn’t want to give up profit; she could have easily jacked her prices up, so that even after the cutback she made as much profit as always, which is precisely what the “respected vendors” had to do. But my mother chose not to fall into the system because she respects the consumer first. What is the end result of the venue’s contract scheme? The vendors raise their prices to be at the same financial standing they were before the contract was signed, the venue makes an enormous profit as the initial percentage agreed upon in the contract yields more and more money as the vendors are forced to raise their prices, and the consumers, sweet little couples and their parents planning a wedding, are forced to pay thousands of extra dollars for the exact same services that were present before the contract. Can it be legal for the venue to do this? Yes. Fair? By capitalist standards it’s not just fair; it’s genius. Moral? No. This is just creative stealing. We’ve caught these businesses, these unique thieves, in the act many times now. How long will it be before laws punish stealing of any kind and liberate consumers?
Letters to the Editor Student activity fee distribution leaves questions The budget presented in “Budgets revolve around Board” (CT, Nov. 1) leaves many questions in my mind about how the university is overtaxing students and not being fiscally responsible with the money collected from mandatory fees. There were 65 groups who received funding in the latest budget. First, I must note the disparity in financial distribution amongst various ethnically associated groups. Of the money distributed, $152,811 was allocated to African American groups, $22,414 was allocated to Hispanic/Latino groups, $60,777 was allocated to Asian groups, $3430 was allocated to a Middle Eastern group, $3212 was allocated to a European group, and $34,067 was allocated to umbrella minority and cultural groups that span several cultural groups, including some which requested money individually. I believe diversity is important; however, the university does not seem to be valuing all cultural groups the same, since they are very unevenly distributing funding between the various ethnic groups represented on our campus. The VT Principles of Community, adopted in 2005, clearly states, “we reject all forms of prejudice and discrimination, including those
based on age, color, disability, gender, national origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation and veteran status. We take individual and collective responsibility for helping to eliminate bias and discrimination and for increasing our own understanding of these issues through education, training, and interaction with others.” How is the university honestly living up to this tenet if they are not giving equal funding to the various ethnic groups on campus? Does the university value African American students and their culture six times as much as Hispanics and Latinos and twice as much as Asians? I certainly hope not, but it is clear from the financial allocation that this is the case. Second, I must protest the fact that money from this fee is being used to support faith-based organizations. I am personally involved in an evangelical Christian organization that receives no money at all from the budget board. I don’t believe it would be fair for my organization to request that all university students fund our activities when we know that not all students share our beliefs and values. By the same token, I do not believe that the money I pay into the student activity fee should be used to fund the Muslim Student Association or Hillel (Jewish Student Organization). This violates the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. Third, I also am appalled that this fee allocates $36,123 to the Lesbian,
Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Alliance. This is an incredible amount of money to give to an organization that supports a lifestyle that many in the Tech community find morally depraved. Fourth, I find it odd that money taken from all students supports some small group’s recreational habits. Over $25,000 of this budget goes to fund groups like Solely Swing, the Rock Climbing and Skydiving club and club sports teams. If people want to participate in such activities, I say let them pay their own way. Why should I fund your weekend of rock climbing or jumping out of an airplane? Just how many Frisbees can the Ultimate Frisbee Club buy with $5710? Last, many of the organizations being funded are obviously tied to individual departments and colleges. Why then does the money for those groups not come from the budgets of those departments and colleges rather than from the fees we pay? I personally believe that there is way too much pork in the current university budget, and until we stand up and let the university know we don’t approve of paying mandatory fees that provide unequal support to the university community, we will continue to have to be overtaxed each time the tuition bill comes. Ricky Castles grad student, computer and industrial systems engineering
SHAOZHUO CUI/SPPS
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A generation caught up in Hollywood It’s 10:30 p.m. on a Monday night and you’re wearily waiting in the express line at the local grocery store with a gallon of milk and so many other places you’d rather be. You notice the cashier, who you think you may recognize from your morning lecture. You notice the candy rack enticing you to spend that extra 75 cents. One thing you can’t help but notice is the magazine stand; 101 things you didn’t know about sex until now, if you’re into that sort of thing. Great. But, along with the “How Seductive Are You” mini quiz and the top 10 things we didn’t know about Angelina Jolie, one can’t help but notice the overwhelming amount of celebrities who are currently pregnant in Hollywood. From Halle Berry to Cate Blanchett to Jennifer Lopez, it seems that everyone is expecting, and yes, we as the American public are expected to care. Not only care, but to live those nine blessed months with them. Is it a boy or a girl? Where are they registering for their baby shower? And it’s not just the magazines; pregnant celebrities are the focus of the news and radio media as well. We really can’t even change the channel anymore without hearing about the latest fashions for pregnant women. It really is ridiculous. Just yesterday, seven months after when everyone already knew, Christina Aguilera confirmed that she is, in fact, pregnant, and the media jumped all over it like a kid on Christmas morning.
Come on, those who cared in the first place could probably already tell. Then to top it all off, people feel the need to talk about it as if it is legitimate news. Then there is Jennifer Lopez. Is she or isn’t she? Well if she is, good for her, if not, we don’t care much either. At any given moment there are hundreds of thousands of women pregnant in the U.S., and it’s good to be happy for those you know who are expecting. Maybe it’s because people think they know celebrities. When we see them in our favorite movie or television show, we feel a bond with them and are excited when good things happen to them. It is important to realize, however, that for the most part, that bond is one-sided. Being happy for people who are experiencing joy in their lives is only natural. That is not the problem. The problem comes when the media, whether it be magazines or television, takes the fact that Nancy Grace just had twins or Giada De Laurentiis is expecting and turn it into a full-fledged feature, exhausting every topic even remotely close to having to do with being pregnant, and splashing these women on their covers. There isn’t a photograph taken of Aguilera or Richie anymore without a tacky caption accompanying it, referencing their “baby bump.” Congratulations, Jennifer Lopez. Congratulations, Halle Berry. It’s great that you’re pregnant, but newsflash to the media: we’re done hearing about it.
Uneven allocation of student fees I think it is wonderful that our student fee money is distributed to groups who actively try to make Virginia Tech a more welcoming and engaging camALLISON pus community. ALDRICH As “Budgets revolve around regular Board” (CT, Nov. columnist 1) pointed out, the top three earners for the 2007 to 2008 academic year were the Virginia Tech Union, the Black Student Alliance, and the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender Alliance, all of which strive to increase awareness for their events and causes. However, the phrase “the squeaky wheel gets the grease” comes to mind as I scan down the list of funded groups. Having no experience as a member of the budget board, I will give them the benefit of the doubt and assume that they have no bias in their distribution methods and they allocate our funds based on impartial criteria. Student groups are often created to raise awareness about a cause or activity and teach the student body how they can be involved and contribute. For some reason though, I find it hard to believe that the majority of students want to learn, for example, whether “bisexuals need to date two people at once” (answered in a LGBTA event) or spend their time watching a documentary that glorifies a female Catholic school teacher who has an affair with her female student (also an event sponsored by the LGBTA). Perhaps it’s the crowd I’m hanging out with, but given the choice, I think many people would rather learn how to rock climb, help the environment, volunteer in the community, scuba dive or participate in any number of other activities or causes, some of which receive hardly any money, in comparison, from our student fees. That $148.50 charge on our bills every year is collected and spent in an effort to enrich our lives, not just promote one particular agenda. I can’t help but wonder whether it’s our ambivalence that allows this hefty amount of cash to go to groups that the great majority of us don’t participate in, or maybe we just don’t have the fight in us (I imagine it would be rather intimidating to demand some of the funding that is currently awarded to the groups I saw gracing the top of the list). Our country was founded on the idea of majority rule and minority rights. It
has been an ongoing struggle to ensure that the voice of the minority is heard without subjugating the influence of the majority. In our community, differences in a person’s political opinion, national identity, sexual orientation or any other distinguishable characteristic should be tolerated and even encouraged. But, just because someone is a member of a minority group on campus, does that mean they should receive more funding in order to promote their cause? I think it is wonderful that the Black Student Alliance provides the campus with opportunities to learn and enjoy black culture, but should that be at the expense of a group that provides entertainment and learning opportunities that more Tech students would take advantage of? I have enjoyed going to a concert sponsored in part by the BSA, and I do not wish to diminish the broad range of activities they engage in and support. I find it hypocritical, however, that if a similar group who instead represented a majority perspective — for example, Christians, Caucasians, or men — tried to gain an equal amount of funding to promote their events and respective causes, they would be met with nothing but hostility from administrators and minority student groups. Whether or not their events and causes engage a greater number of students would be incidental under the pressing call for political correctness and diversity among our campus’ bureaucrats. Finally, will these particular groups enjoy superior funding in perpetuity, or could other worthy groups share in the significant funding from time to time? To put a finer point on the question, can there ever be new ideas for social causes or is what we see today and have seen now for decades pretty much it? If the university wishes to promote awareness for certain causes or minority viewpoints, and I believe they have every right to do so, then I suggest that they allocate some of their own money. Millions of dollars are donated to our university to use at the administration’s discretion. Perhaps a portion of these funds could be allotted to groups such as these in order to help supplement their funding and promote their important goals and events. As for the student activity fees, I believe these should be allocated in proportion with the amount of support and involvement of all Virginia Tech students. The top-funded groups should be those on campus that organize events that reach out to the largest number of students.
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 Business Manager Jim Dickhans
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6 sports
editor: ryan mcconnell email: sportseditor@collegiatetimes.com phone: 540.231.9865 office hours: mw noon - 2 p.m.
november 6, 2007
The status quo may once again prevail in college basketball WENDELL BARNHOUSE
ft. worth star-telegram A conversation between two sports: College football: “Yo, hoops, lookin’ lean and mean. Ready to crank it up? You noticed what I’ve been doin’ this season? Even that guy who screams ... the Dickie V guy? ... he’s lovin’ it.” College basketball: “Dude. Welcome to the new millennium. All those upsets, all those shockers ... Appalachian State over Michigan? I do that every March.” True that. Another college basketball season is upon us. Surprised? The ball starts bouncing earlier every season. An NCAA rule change adopted in January 2006 has fostered more than 30 special events/tournaments that allow for more early games. While college football is into its final month of a season of unexpected twists and turns, college basketball’s regular season is merely a prelude for March Madness. Five months before the road opens to the Final Four in San Antonio, the preseason polls show the top two teams might signal a restoration of royalty. And what good are the preseason polls in basketball? Recent history proves that the guesswork that takes place in November is reasonably accurate come March. In the past five seasons, 41 of the 80 teams ranked 16th or higher in the preseason Associated Press rankings made the Sweet 16. Maybe forecasting football in August is a tougher challenge than figuring out who will have success on the court. North Carolina, which has four national championships and 16 Final Four trips, is No. 1 in both the media and coaches’ polls. The Tar Heels have one of the best post players in bullish junior Tyler Hansbrough along with talented guards in sophomores Ty Lawson and Wayne Ellington. UCLA is No. 2 in both polls. The Bruins have reached the last two Final Fours, losing to eventual national champion Florida each time. The Bruins hope to win their 12th national championship with a boost from 6-10 freshman center Kevin Love. (His uncle is Mike Love, lead singer for the Beach Boys.)
Florida has had two seasons of good vibrations. The Gators became the first team since Duke in 1991-92 to win consecutive national championships. The run figures to end this season. Florida must replace its entire starting lineup. Four juniors _ Joakim Noah, Al Horford, Taurean Green and Corey Brewer _ who returned after winning the championship as sophomores left for the NBA after successfully repeating. Ohio State, the team that lost to Florida in last year’s championship game, lost freshmen Greg Oden and Mike Conley Jr. to the NBA Draft. Those two, along with Texas freshman and player of the year Kevin Durant, represent the instant gratification that comes with the greening of the sport. Even if some of the stars are one-anddone youngsters that the common fan has difficulty getting to know, come March the upsets and the surprises will be the same.
STROLLING THE RIVER WALK The top teams with a chance to celebrate a national title in San Antonio, according to staffer Wendell Barnhouse: UCLA: The Bruins played in the title game in 2006 and reached the Final Four in 2007. The addition of freshman center Kevin Love plus a veteran nucleus could result in UCLA’s 12th national title. North Carolina: The Tar Heels have depth and experience. Junior Tyler Hansbrough is one of the nation’s top inside players while sophomores Ty Lawson and Wayne Ellington form a potent backcourt. Memphis: The Tigers have lost in a regional final each of the past two years. This season they should win at least four NCAA games. Why? Freshman Derrick Rose should be one of the nation’s best. USC: The football team fell short of expectations, but coach Tim Floyd’s team should compensate. Freshman O.J. Mayo will draw most of the attention, but USC has a deep and talented roster. Tennessee: If Los Angeles can send two teams to San Antonio, why not the Volunteer state? Coach Bruce Pearl doesn’t make a lot of friends, but he makes up for it with a lot of victories.
COACHING CAROUSELS
There were 61 coaching changes in the off-season. There’s often a domino effect when a school fires a coach or a coach moves on. Here are four instances, each involving three schools. Michigan, West Virginia and Kansas State: When Michigan dismissed Tommy Amaker, the school hired John Beilein from West Virginia which then hired Bob Huggins, who returned to his alma mater after just one season with the Wildcats. Assistant coach Frank Martin replaced Huggins at Kansas State. Kentucky, Texas A&M and Wichita State: Tubby Smith decided he had had enough of Kentucky and he left for the Minnesota job. After being spurned by Florida coach Billy Donovan, Kentucky hired Billy Gillispie. Texas A&M then turned to Wichita State coach Mark Turgeon. Wichita State hired Gregg Marshall from Winthrop. Arkansas, South Florida and South Alabama: Stan Heath was dismissed at Arkansas but wound up with the South Florida job. Arkansas, which thought it had hired Creighton’s Dana Altman, turned to South Alabama’s John Pelphrey when Altman changed his mind. To fill its vacancy, South Alabama hired Texas A&M-Corpus Christi’s Ronnie Arrow, who had previously coached at the school. New Mexico, Iowa and Butler: New Mexico fired Ritchie McKay and hired Iowa coach Steve Alford. Iowa then hired Todd Lickliter from Butler, which promoted assistant coach Brad Stevens.
WATCH THIS Three nonconference games worth a look: Arizona at Kansas, Nov. 25: The day after the Jayhawks’ football team faces Missouri in Kansas City, the KU basketball team faces the first of many challenges. North Carolina St. at Michigan St., Nov. 28: This is part of the ACC-Big Ten challenge. The Wolfpack will be a dark horse threat in the ACC, while the Spartans could make a Final Four run. North Carolina at Kentucky, Dec. 1: New Wildcats coach Billy Gillispie has Big Blue fans fired up. A victory over the visiting Tar Heels would blow up their Giddy Meter.
ROY HIGASHI/SPPS
Members of the men’s soccer team (in white) celebrate after a goal during Saturday’s 3-0 win over N.C. State.
Soccer unites for surprising season T. REES SHAPIRO
ct sports reporter The blistery evening November air wisps across the practice field. The Virginia Tech men’s soccer team is jogging around the shorn Bermuda grass to keep their legs warm for their after practice stretch out. Most have shorts on, bouncing together as a single unit doing knee highs and crossovers. It’s the chilly late-ending practices like these that have formed what the team has accomplished so far, an unprecedented performance and a shockingly impressive season even head coach Oliver Weiss couldn’t have predicted. The hard work has resulted in the team’s 15 game unbeaten streak. Just two days after a devastating opening loss to VCU, the Hokies ignited a spark that has yet to be extinguished in their 16 game season so far, with just one more game to go. The Hokies have upended higher ranked teams, and even surprised themselves, as they have developed into the program’s best squad yet. “Yeah, absolutely I thought this was the best team the program has seen,” Weiss said. “But if back in August if you had asked me if we would go through September and October without a loss, I would have said ‘Mmm, doubtful,’ but on paper this is the best team.” This season, despite its rocky first game, has unfolded flawlessly, as if they had planned it out. Weiss said this year’s success was inevitable due to the squad’s tireless efforts during practice.
“Going 15 unbeaten is just a byproduct,” Weiss said. “It was never a goal. Our goal is for something tangible like a championship. Whether it’s for the ACC, NCAA, or whatever, it would be such a crowning moment for this season to end with a championship. We’ve proven we can win. Now we just have to figure out how to reap the benefits, to carry out our momentum of this season into the post season.” The ACC is considered the premier conference for soccer, with consistent national championship contenders like UVa, Wake Forest, and Clemson. In the past Tech was never considered to be much of a national contender, but Weiss was adamant this year’s team has something special in mind, and that old stereotypes about his program could be about to change. “We’ve always been a good side,” Weiss said. “But this year we want to do something worth remembering. The parity in this sport makes it very difficult to be good versus very good year in and year out. But it’s that consistency we are trying to achieve.” The kind of consistency that players such as forward Patrick Nyarko and co-captain mid-fielder Ben Nason have been instrumental in providing so far. To Nason, the team’s strength lies in its diversity. The roster hosts five different , with players hailing from Ghana, Germany, England, and Canada. And states represented from Maine to New York, Illinois and Georgia. “When I met the new guys, what I
noticed was all the different types of people we have,” Nason said. “We have unique talents from different countries, and after that first loss I was worried, but we really started to gel … It’s really been our hard work, with all the different types of players, our roster is really deep. Instead of 11 players who are on top, we have 15 or 16 guys are really consistent. We have some players who can come off the bench and play better than our starters. It’s really exciting to always, every practice, be competing for your spot.” Tech has usually been considered the underdog, but this season, Nason said, things have changed. “I always tell these guys that we have a bullseye on our backs,” Nason said. “I tell them we have to be ready because everyone wants to take us out, but we just have to take every game one at a time.” Nyarko claims it’s the team’s strong sense of community that has contributed the most to their success. “We are a strong team,” Nyarko said. “Everyone looks for each other, covers each other, assists each other. We have really come together to work for each other. We are very excited about the upcoming postseason, and it’s that excitement that gives us an edge. We have big expectations for this ACC tournament; every team is dangerous. Any team can beat any team, so we just have to prepare for everyone the same. It’s our excitement that’s so advantageous.”
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tuesday, november 6, 2007
Florida State changing the ACC race in its own way I never thought I could feel happy for a Free Shoes University win. They’ve won too much, been too flashy and crushed too many dreams RYAN to deserve that. Even watching a senile MCCONNELL Bobby Bowden ct sports fumble around on editor the sidelines as his team gets destroyed doesn’t tug at my heartstrings. But as Florida State linebacker Geno Hayes pulled a pick-six on Matt Ryan to seal the upset win over Boston College, I couldn’t help but smile. The Seminoles had just done the whole country a favor, something Virginia Tech couldn’t do the week before — expose the Eagles. It became painfully obvious that when the BC offense struggled to put any points up for a long period of time against Florida State and Tech, those gaudy early-season statistics against schedule-padding opponents were a little misleading. If they struggled against Tech and FSU, ranked 11th and 24th respectively in total defense, think about how they might have struggled to even rack up 200 total yards against their national
championship game opponent had they actually made it there. As goes the old adage, defense wins championships. Staunch defensive units nearly always trump a flashy offense. Ohio State and LSU are now ranked No. 1 and No. 2 in the BCS, and the same in total defense rankings. Coincidence? I think not. And both teams would have reduced the Eagles to rubble had they met in New Orleans. But before thinking ahead to the BCS bowl implications, Boston College might want to focus solely on the last three Atlantic Coast Conference games. They still have Maryland, Clemson and Miami on their plate. Miami is ranked No. 23 in the country in total defense and could stymie Ryan as well, but the real source of BC head coach Jeff Jagodzinski’s sleepless nights is going to be Clemson. The Tigers rank No. 5 in the country in total defense. They’re extremely fast and are chock full of ballhawks like Tech and Florida State’s defenses. Their offense isn’t too shabby either, as they tallied 380 yards against Tech’s stingy defense. And most importantly, Clemson will be playing for something larger than that single win. If Clemson can win over Wake Forest this week and Boston College next week, they will win the Atlantic division. Add to all those factors that the game
against the Eagles is going to be played at Clemson, and I’ll take the Tigers to win the game and the division. How things can change in an instant in college football. One week, the Eagles are on the path to a national championship, the next week they might not even make it to their conference championship. After Boston College’s come-frombehind win against the Hokies on Oct.
Any other year it might seem crazy that a team out of contention weeks ago could alter the destinies of both conference championship favorites. 25, Jagodzinski said he expected to see Tech again in the ACC championship. His post-game comments sort of implied that he believed Boston College was already a lock for the game, and that Tech would play well enough to win the ACC Coastal and earn another shot at his squad. Now in a reversal of fortunes, Tech could be the team waiting to see who it will play. But they don’t even have a firm grasp of their division. It’s going to take a win against either Florida State or Miami in addition to a win over Virginia. While I felt relieved to watch Boston College finally get derailed, the next thought that popped into my mind was that this Florida State team would be coming to Lane Stadium next week. Sure, Florida State is just 6-3 and 3-3 in the conference, but they’re still dangerous. Especially when you consider that they’ve been Frank Beamer’s kryptonite. Tech last beat Florida State in 1975, more than 22 years ago. In that time, the Hokies have gone 0-12 against the Seminoles, and Beamer is 0-7 against Bowden’s Seminoles as the head coach of Tech. Any other year, it might seem crazy that a team out of contention weeks ago could alter the destinies of both conference championship favorites. Then again, it’s the most unpredictable season college football has ever seen, so nothing’s surprising anymore. But if there’s anything that is stable in this unstable atmosphere, it’s that defense reigns supreme. It’s why Tech will finally exorcise its Florida State demons on Saturday; it’s why Boston College will sputter out; and it’s why Clemson-Virginia Tech II will occur in Jacksonville on December 1.