COLLEGIATETIMES
thursday november 8, 2007 blacksburg, va.
www.collegiatetimes.com
news STUDENT STABBED ON MAIN STREET
Tech dominant in early action
A Virginia Tech student was stabbed and robbed last night in an alley between North Main Street and Progress Street. The student told police that he had been approached by a single suspect who demanded money from him while walking in the alley. He was stabbed once in the abdomen when he refused to give money. The suspect then fled toward Progress Street. He is described as a white man between the ages of 20 and 30, of medium build. He was said to be wearing a gray hooded sweatshirt and light colored pants. The student was stabbed just before 7 p.m. and he was treated and released from a local hospital. Police ask that anyone with information of the incident to call Blacksburg Police at 540961-1150.
sports DUNLEVY, ADIBI ARE SEMIFINALISTS FOR AWARDS Senior linebacker Xavier Adibi was named as a semifinalist for the Chuck Bednarik award, given to the country’s best defensive player. Adibi is one of 15 defensive players across the country to make the list. Adibi The winner will be announced Dec. 6. Adibi has 75 tackles, 8.5 tackles for a loss, 3 sacks and an interception in nine games this season. Senior kicker Jud Dunlevy was named as a semifinalist for the Lou Groza award, awarded annually to college football’s best Dunlevy kicker. Dunlevy is one of 20 kickers nationwide, and one of six from the ACC to be named a semifinalist. The winner of the award will be announced Dec. 6. Dunlevy is 13-15 on field goals and 27-28 on extra point attempts this season.
weather MOSTLY CLOUDY high 50, low 31
coming up TOMORROW’S CT The Budget Board is in charge of distributing funds to student organizations each year. In tomorrow’s CT, read how organizations can apply for funding .
ON THE WEB View a photo gallery of last night’s women’s basketball game at www.collegiatetimes.com.
index News.....................2 Features................3 0pinions................5
Sports....................6 Classifieds..............7 Puzzles..................7
An independent, student-run newspaper serving the Virginia Tech community since 1903 104th year • issue 166
Tech staff member fired after media coverage MICHELLE RIVERA
ct news reporter
MIKE SHROYER/SPPS
Sophomore Lindsay Biggs finished with 9 points in last night’s exhibition game. Tech topped Athletes in Action 78-50 in its final test before its season-opener against Highpoint University on Sunday. For more coverage on the women’s basketball team, see page 6.
Pro-life supporter rallies students CANDACE SIPOS
ct news reporter Founder of Operation Rescue and pro-life activist, Randall Terry, spoke via phone conference last night in Squires, rallying support for Operation Rescue XX. “My mission right now is to find the next generation of pro-life activists and leaders and to train them in the principles of the strategies that historically have worked for other social movements and that will be required if we’re going to prevail to end the killing,” Terry said. Mario St. Francis, Terry’s representative who also spoke last night, said the crowd at Operation Rescue XX will consist of college students in addition to veterans of the original. “At this convention, you will see scores of
elderly people who have laid down their lives and have accepted to be arrested,” St. Francis said. “They need new leaders to rise up. It’s an anniversary and an opportunity to use that as a springboard both for advertising and for participation.” He added that college students want to find a cause for which they can fight. “They’re at an independent age, yet they’re not old enough to be already formed in a certain pattern. You find men and women looking for a cause,” St. Francis said. He explained the event’s organization: there will be six different platforms and attendees will choose the ones about which they feel most passionate. Students who go can expect music, the main rally and possibly a film debut. Also, the crowd will stand in an abortion clinic
and pray in an act of civil disobedience, a style Terry is known for. “You have to ask yourself, ‘What are you willing to do to end child-killing?’” Terry said. “Will you lay down your fear of man at the foot of the cross of Christ? Will you embrace unborn children as if they were your very brothers and sisters and say to them, ‘I will fight for you, because you cannot fight for yourself?’” Terry has been arrested over 40 times for peacefully protesting, and spent more than a year in jail. However, he sees no reason to give up on his anti-abortion cause. “The problem that we’re facing is so many people who are pro-life are afraid to rock the
see PRO-LIFE, page three
Flu vaccine to be offered on campus MICHELLE RIVERA
ct news reporter Today, the Schiffert Health Center is sponsoring the Intravene fall immunization program. From 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. in the Squires Commonwealth Ballroom, students, staff, faculty and anyone from the community can get the featured influenza, or flu, vaccine as well as a number of other immunizations such as the meningitis, tetanus, hepatitis and other shots. No appointments are necessary and fees are payable by cash, check or major credit card. “It’s good to be vaccinated against all of these diseases because we want to stay well and be able to participate in our daily activities,” said Shelby Davis, registered nurse and nursing supervisor for Intravene. “To me it’s an easy way to get protected from all of these viruses and infections that are traveling around.” Davis said Intravene is a company based out of Lynchburg. They offer a travel clinic that makes stops across Virginia and at college campuses to offer several immunizations in one location so people do not need to go from place to place to
get various vaccines. Jeannie Baker, quality improvement coordinator for Schiffert Health Center, said the flu is caused by a virus and, contrary to popular belief, cannot be fought with antibiotics. This is why the vaccine is so important. “The flu peak season is usually from January to February,” Baker said. “If you go back over the years, you’ll see that it usually starts in October and ends in March.” Baker said that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention defines people as having the flu if they have the following symptoms: a fever of 100.5 degrees, a cough and/or a sore throat. However, other symptoms are an achy body, a headache and/or a runny, stuffy nose. At Schiffert, patients are treated based on each symptom that they present. While there is no cure for the flu virus, Baker said that there are many ways to prevent getting the flu, such as decreasing stress, having good nutrition and always covering the mouth when sneezing or coughing. “If you touch an inanimate object like a handrail, and you touch your face or nose, then you
see FLU, page three
Immunizations offered at the Intravene clinic -
Influenza - $25.00 Meningitis $110.00 Tetanus/Diptheria $30.00 Tetanus/Diptheria/Pertussis (Tdap) $50.00 Hepatitis A (two injections) $70.00 each Hepatitis B (three injections) $70.00 each M/M/R $45.00 (Mumps, Measles & Rubella) Twinrix (three injections) $110.00 each (Hepatitis A and B) Gardasil (HPV Vaccine- three injections) $150.00 per dose TB Screening - No Charge BEN MACDONALD/COLLEGIATE TIMES
A day after a Collegiate Times article listing area sex offenders was published, an employee of Virginia Tech’s Parking Services who was on the list was fired. Paul Dean Martin had been a seasonal worker with Tech’s Parking Services for seven years before he received a letter of termination dated Oct. 11. The CT article “Sex offenders work on campus” was published Oct. 10. “I don’t understand why it was written,” Martin said. “My name is on the sex offender registry, and for the paper to put my name out there, that hurt. I lost a job because of it.” Richard McCoy, manager of parking services, declined to discuss the reasoning behind Martin’s termination, citing the confidentiality of personnel issues. Martin’s notice of termination came in a one-line letter dated Oct. 11: “Effective today, we will no longer need your services for football parking. Thank you.” The letter was addressed to Martin and signed by McCoy. Martin said that he felt the situation was handled very poorly. “There should have been a reason. It’s nothing that I’ve personally done that would cause me to be fired. I’ve had no complaints,” he said. Martin said he called McCoy, the manager of Parking Services, to ask why he had been fired. “I said I got a letter in the mail and would like to learn what’s going on. He said it was budget cuts,” Martin said. McCoy disputed that recollection.
“I’ve done my time and have been very responsible, and I need a chance to prove myself and that’s all I’m asking.” - PAUL DEAN MARTIN FORMER PARKING SERVICES “I don’t think that’s correct,” McCoy said. “I think he was told what was in the letter.” McCoy acknowledged that no reason for termination was offered in the letter and said that, while that isn’t necessarily standard practice, employee dismissals are handled on a case-by-case basis. “It depends on what the reasons are and what type of issue it is. We don’t have our own human resources rules,” McCoy said. “Whatever the human resources rules are for Tech, we follow them.” McCoy said that Tech’s Parking Services follow all of the rules of Tech’s Human Resources including hiring and firing policies. According to Human Resources guidelines, throughout the university there are many positions that require background checks. “The reason why you do a background check is so that you can evaluate the events of a person’s life to see if they can do the job and if they’ll be good for the university community,” said Larry Hincker, university relations spokesman. McCoy refused to comment on Martin’s hiring process because of personnel confidentiality. Martin said he notified parking services about his convictions when he applied for the position seven years ago. He also said that when his registry was updated and his place of employment was listed as Tech’s Parking Services, he let his supervisors know. According to the Virginia State Police Sex Offender Individual Record, Martin had seven convictions, all in 1996, including five taking indecent liberties with children charges, one aggravated sexual battery charge, and one crime against nature charge. “I have always been up front and honest with anybody who wants to ask me what has gone on in my life,” Martin said. After Martin received the letter, he asked his coworkers to see if anyone else had been fired or if anyone had heard about why he had been let go. “I have people (whom I worked with) who’ve tried to get answers from other people, and they won’t talk about it,” Martin said. “It tells me that there’s something not right.” Martin said that he thought there should be a precedent in which sex offenders cannot be continuously discriminated against. “I’ve done my time and have been very responsible, and I need a chance to prove myself and that’s all I’m asking,” Martin said.
Habitat for Humanity to begin building once more ANDREA WOODS
ct news reporter The Virginia Tech campus chapter of Habitat for Humanity will build its first house from scratch since the chapter first started under adviser Jack Davis, dean of the college of architecture and urban studies. The Virginia Tech campus chapter petered out over the past few years, but under new adviser Greg Tew, chair of the interior design program in the School of Architecture and Design, the chapter has found new life. “We’ve been around for a while, but it died out,” said Mary Milazzo, a senior, interior design major and co-president of the Tech chapter. Before deciding to embark on the new project, the campus chapter had provided volunteers
to their covenant chapter, the Habitat for Humanity New River Valley chapter, to help with projects. This new building project will be the first house being built from scratch by the Virginia Tech chapter under Tew. “We are hoping to have land and house design by spring semester,” Tew said. In order to bring this house to life, the chapter has to raise $40,000. Since the decision to build this house from scratch, the chapter has raised around $32,000 for the project. With $8,000 left to raise, the chapter has discovered a new fundraising technique that has proven to be successful in Blacksburg. The innovative technique the chapter has chosen to use is flamingo flocking. In order to raise
COURTESY OF STEPHANIE WESTRICK
The Virginia Tech Habitat for Humanity has partnered with the New River Valley chapter to
see HABITAT, page three assist with projects in the area, while preparing to break ground on its own endeavor.
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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 8, 2007
Student leaders from Mexico visit Tech ASHLEY OLIVER
ct news reporter Residential advisors from Virginia Tech and Tec de Monterrey University in Mexico experienced a student affairs exchange from Oct. 26 to Oct. 28. Five visiting prefectos, or RAs, stayed overnight with volunteer RAs at Tech and participated in a number of activities throughout the weekend. Representatives from the student union and staff members from Tec de Monterrey also visited during this chapter of the exchange program. “It’s a chance for student leaders on both campuses to get to interact with each other,” said Evelyn Wallington, associate director of residence life. During their stay, the prefectos and Tech RAs were able to tour the campus, eat meals together, attend
the Blue Ridge Summit Regional Leadership Conference at neighboring Radford University, and enjoy activities such as American swing dancing and Mexican salsa dancing lessons. Wallington explained that the basic concept of the student affairs exchange involves “exchanging ideas and learning from different cultures.” Jonathan Wiley, a complex director for residential life, was able to share in some of the events of the weekend. He said that the RAs aimed to provide insight into their own lifestyles; for example, on Friday night they had barbecue for dinner as it is a very southern style meal. “We tried to give them a little bit of our culture,” Wiley said. Dining services at Tech provided $45 to each prefecto for their weekend visit.
Although it was raining two out of the three days of their stay, prefectos enjoyed the Tech campus and Hokie spirit, which they were able to see through the students and staff members. “Their biggest comment was that it’s large,” Wiley said. “Their university is the size of our Drillfield pretty much.” The prefectos came prepared with presentations about their own lifestyles at Tec de Monterrey. They also had the chance to participate in discussions where the RA’s compared student life in America with student life in Mexico as a way of learning about their differences and similarities. Colin Chadwick, another complex director for residence life described it as “a learning experience all around.” The main campus of Tec de
Monterrey consists of 17,000 fulltime students, 1,600 of whom live on campus. Tech and Tec de Monterrey annually alternate sending students to the opposite university as a part of these programs. Last October, students and staff from Virginia Tech were able to travel to Mexico and attend a student leadership conference while participating in the same program hosted by the students at Tec de Monterrey. This particular exchange between the two universities has been able to continue because it’s proved successful in helping students to learn about other cultures. “I think it went really well. We put a lot of planning into it and provided a lot of opportunities for them,” Chadwick said. “We hope to continue it in the future.”
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.
news in brief POLICE SEEK COUNTERFEITING SUSPECT The Blacksburg Police are currently investigating reoccurring counterfeiting incidents that have taken place over the last two weeks. Four incidents have occurred in three different Blacksburg stores, two stores on North Main St. and one store on University City Blvd., said Blacksburg Police Capt. Bruce Bradbery. The police have information and video evidence of an unshaven male, 5’5”, with a medium build. The male is thought to be between50 and 60 years of age. According to a Blacksburg Police Department news release, the
suspect has attempted to purchase various items with counterfeit $20 bills. Clerks used an iodine counterfeit detection pen to identify the bills as counterfeit. “The police were called at some point, whether it was right away or not I do not know,” Bradbery said. “Obviously he was not there when (police) arrived.” Bradbery said that the investigation is underway but there have been no leads to the suspect’s whereabouts. Anyone with information about the incident or who may know the suspect is asked to call Blacksburg Police at 961-1153 or 961-1150. -Meg Miller, CT University Editor
Four Minute Film Festival winners compete for honors online ROSANNA BROWN
ct news reporter After winning first place in Virginia Tech’s Four Minute Film Festival this past fall, Tech students Paul Hinson, Tyler Henderson, and Tony Lazzeroni along with Eric Steinat, Ryan Watson and Bert Green have submitted their film “Tuned Out” to Apple’s Second Annual Insomnia Film Festival. Hinson, Henderson, and Lazzeroni first came together to participate in the Four Minute Film Festival and won with the film “First Impressions,” which premiered on Sept. 29. The team decided to add more students to its crew to maximize its workforce as they embarked on a national film festival. Lazzeroni said that the filming for the Insomnia Film Festival began at 9 a.m. on Oct. 13 and ended at precisely 9 a.m. the next day. Everything for the film had to be completed during this time span, from conception to script writing, casting, filming, editing, scoring and uploading the film. Lazzeroni said that in comparison to the Four Minute Film Festival, which was judged in person, Insomnia determines winners via online voting, which makes it hard for participants to know where they stand in relation to other
competitors. There are currently 1,787 films posted online, Lazzeroni said. Apple sent an e-mail to participants after the deadline for submission of the films, indicating that they received over 1,900 films; they said that originally, there were over 3,000 scheduled participants. It was no surprise that the strict and stressful 24-hour filming challenge would whittle down the original 3,000 to 1,787. Another challenge filmmakers faced during filming was the inclusion of certain items required by Apple the day of the challenge. Three of the following ten elements were mandatory in the film: a bird cage, park bench, tuxedo, makeup for elderly character, radio static as background sound, a character named Robin Darjeeling, a dream sequence, a Dutch-angle camera feature, a match cut editing technique or “don’t tempt me” in the dialogue. “Using the elements wasn’t the difficult part; the difficult part was making sure they weren’t just thrown in,” Lazzeroni said. “A lot of groups would just have the bird cage in the background … we wanted to make our items more integral parts, where the film wouldn’t be able to exist without those things.” Ryan Watson said the team decided
to use the character named Robin Darjeeling, the radio static, and the match cut. Watson explained that a match cut is when “you juxtapose two images.” The group chose to match cut the sliding tuners on a radio. Watson said that while they were contemplating the concept for the video for nearly four hours, the group had to consider that the first few ideas that came to their heads would be thought of by other groups in the same competition. Watson and the other writers had to really “think deep” to come up with a realistic and original concept. While Tech may not be a film school, this seems to be to the advantage of the students competing. “The funny thing is that a lot of the film school-based films I’ve seen on there are almost too obscure … too artistic,” Lazzeroni said. Tyler Henderson said that coming together with a story line that was workable and shooting in a variety of locations were some of the more difficult parts of the competition. “It was actually a little bit more stressful because we were shooting it in so many locations and we had some editing issues … and we had to make sure the upload was right,” Henderson said. Coffee and the New Media Center helped the filmmakers get through the
SHAOZHUO CUI/SPPS
Virginia Patterson, Tyler Henderson and Tony Lazzeroni film “Tuned Out” for the Four Minute Film Festival. long day. “For this film festival, we met at Starbucks and came to the New Media Center and did the rest of our planning there, and this is also were we rented the equipment we used,” said Henderson. The New Media Center provided high-definition video cameras and software to edit the film during the process of their competition. Henderson and Lazzeroni both work
at the New Media Center, so their experience there helped them throughout filming. Henderson is hoping that the university will pitch in and show their support by voting for the team’s film before several industry professionals screen the top 25 films with the most votes on Nov. 9. “If we can get as much voting as we can, it can be really beneficial to all of
us; we all have an aspect of wanting to work in the film industry and this could be really great for our resume,” Henderson said. The members of the winning team will also receive a MacBook Pro with film software. “There are also prizes and stuff, but that is the least of my worries; my concern is being able to get into the industry,” Henderson said.
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thursday, november 8, 2007
Flu: Vaccine targets Harpaz works to Pro-Life: Talk aims to educate young adults represent Israel in specific viral strain from page one
can transmit the virus from that object to yourself,” Baker said. “It can be one to four days before you develop symptoms, but you can still pass on the virus to others. That’s why you should always cover your mouth when you cough and sneeze and follow good handwashing methods.” For those who do have the flu, Baker suggested avoiding alcohol and tobacco, and increasing the intake of fluids. Chris Roberts, associate professor of virology, said that the flu virus is always an issue because it changes and adapts to the vaccine. “(The flu) is predominantly an issue because the vaccines that we currently have developed are specifically targeting those strains circulating at a given time,” Roberts said. “It mutates quite rapidly meaning that this year’s vaccine may no longer be representative of those strains circulating next year.” Flu vaccines are changed or
updated on a yearly basis, depending on the strains predicted to be circulating in the population at that time. However, the vaccine is not an end-all-be-all temporary cure to the flu. Some people still get the flu after they’ve had the vaccine. Roberts said this is because there are many different strains circulating at one time. “The vaccine typically given is a trivalent vaccine that protects against two different strains of influenza: influenza A, which is pretty much the primary flu causing strain, and a related virus called influenza B,” Roberts said. The common type of vaccine administered is the inactive or subunit vaccine, which is given in the arm. “This basically induces the production of antibodies in the body that are specific to those strains of viruses and they provide protection against getting the disease,” Roberts said.
Habitat: Students will create designs for house from page one
money, the chapter scatters several pink plastic flamingos throughout a person’s yard and in order to have them removed the person must contact the chapter. Donations are accepted and people can also donate money to have the flock moved to a friend or neighbor’s yard. This is the first time the chapter has used this fundraising technique. “Fundraising is a huge part,” said Stephanie Westrick, a senior, interior design major and co-president of the Virginia Tech chapter. Five to six upper class students that have been involved with the chapter before will create designs for the new house. The hope is to have the design completed by the first part of spring semester and the approval and building finished by the end of the spring semester. Compared to houses built in the past, this house will be designed significantly differently. The goals of the project are to create a more sustainable
house as well as make it more aesthetically pleasing. This is different from the past boxy style of the houses. They hope to create a newer, more attractive look. “We hope to add more jazz,” said Matt Schmidt, building and construction major and co-building coordinator. The entire building project has to be covered by the $40,000 dollar budget. Individual costs of materials aren’t finalized at this time. “It’s a challenge to build a quality house at the low price of $40,000,” Tew said. Most of the costs will come from the materials needed for the project; however, labor is mostly unpaid. “Most of the labor is volunteer to keep costs as low as possible,” Westrick said. Following completion of the project, the New River Valley chapter will choose who will be selected to receive the house. Each semester the revamped Habitat for Humanity Virginia Tech Campus chapter hopes to have at least three building project dates.
the United States ROSANNA BROWN
ct news reporter Rafael Harpaz earned a B.A. in international relations from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and as a part as his diplomatic training he has studied under the auspices of the Rothschild Foundation at the Hebrew University. He currently holds the position of director of public affairs at the Embassy of Israel in Washington, D.C. Harpaz is responsible for the relationships between the Embassy of Israel and the District of Columbia, Virginia, Maryland and the American Jewish community. He came to Virginia Tech after April Q&A 16 to represent Israel and to bring the remains of professor Liviu Librescu back to Israel. Sponsored by Tech’s Hillel, he visited Tech again yesterday to pay his respects to the April 16 memorial on the Drillfield. Q: While studying at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, what compelled you to choose your degree in international relations? A: I was always interested in history and international politics, so that was the direction that was natural for me. I was born in Jerusalem; that is my hometown. Q: Was there something within your experience growing up that compelled you to work so closely with Israel’s government? A: We’re Israelis. It’s natural for us to want to work with our government. It’s like Virginia, the size of the population, it’s a very small state, so definitely if you want to do international politics in Israel then being a diplomat would be the best choice. And I wanted to represent my country. It’s my mission to represent Israel, that’s what brings me out to Blacksburg. Q: A friend of mine, who actually visited Jerusalem, said it’s required for every citizen to serve two years in the military.A: Three, I served three. It’s
mandatory; you go through elementary school, middle school, high school, the army and then the university. This is very normal for us, women serve for two years, men serve for three years. I was in the reserves in the military and I’m very proud of this. It’s part of being Israeli. Q: While studying under the auspices of the Rothschild Foundation at the Hebrew University, what were some of the most memorable parts of your education there? A: Actually we were studying about American History. I didn’t anticipate I would become a diplomat in the United States, but a diplomat needs to know well beyond his immediate area of interest. Q: When you came to the Near East Asia Center for Strategic Studies at the National Defense University in Washington, was this your first visit to America? A: No, I have been here many times in professional and private capacities. When I came here on April 17, it was my first visit to Virginia Tech. I came especially to represent Israel, and also I took care of bringing back to Israel the body of Professor Liviu Librescu. He was a brave man. To come in here and see the spirit of this university after this awful event happened, I was shivering. The involvement of the Jewish Students, the Hillel, who is hosting us here, was very important. Q: Do you have any involvement with the war on terror? A: Iraq is not an Israeli issue, but Iran wants to become a nuclear country; it’s a very important issue. If Iran were to become nuclear, it can blackmail the other states with the oil, the energy. The effects can reach out to Europe, Israel, and eventually reach out to the U.S. It’s an international threat. The Iranian nuclear clock is ticking very fast, much faster than the diplomatic one. Iran is the main social instability in the world because Iran is the main supporter of terrorism, international terrorism.
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boat, because if you do, you’re going to alienate some people,” Terry said. “People are going to say that you’re a fanatic; disruptive, divisive. There’s this hall of fear that hangs over so many college students who are just afraid to take a stance this controversial.” Amanda Nelson, the president of Right to Life at Virginia Tech, the organization that hosted the event, also spoke. “We figure more people need to be educated about this issue, and there needs to be more discussion about it, especially in a place like a college campus,” Nelson said. She added that now is a crucial time for young American adults to support the fight against abortion. “A lot of people think that the war is the biggest issue facing our nation today, but really I think before we start changing the world we need to
change America,” Nelson said. “It’s very important for young people, because it’s an issue that affects people in their 20s the most to get involved, to get educated and to know what the effects of abortion are in America.” Terry has appeared on various shows such as Hannity and Colmes, Crossfire, Oprah, Larry King Live and 60 Minutes. The Rolling Stone, People, Time and other popular magazines have featured him. He has also written five best-selling books. This is the last week of an 11-week tour on which Terry and his assistants have traveled to universities and organizations on the East coast. Right to Life at Virginia Tech, headed by President Amanda Nelson, hosted the event. This event, a 20th anniversary celebration of Operation Rescue’s creation, will be held in Pittsburg on Nov. 23 and Nov. 24.
Find your appetite
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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 8, 2007
Week Southern Oven meets home cooked expectations The Ahead... everything, there’s more food there than it seems. And these dishes, too, just keep coming if you ask for more. The fried chicken was juicy and moist with a crispy skin. The roast beef was tender and the au jus with small, diced red peppers added just the right flavor. The mashed potatoes were smooth and well-seasoned, with small chunks of potato and red skin; thick brown gravy came separate, allowing you to decide how much you want. The macaroni and cheese was baked, and thankfully, it didn’t consist of stray noodles floating in an obnoxious pool of cheese product. Rather, cheddar cheese and breading give it a unique and very homemade taste. The fried okra overcame any skepticism I might have had. I’d compare it to similar items such as fried broccoli or cauliflower — crunchy with a faint taste of the veggie inside and good with salt. Lastly, there was the sweet corn on the cob. It came standing on end in melted butter and was truly sweet. The only issue with the corn, and maybe even the whole meal, were the
fat, juicy yellow kernels that periodically sent shots of juice flying at your dining companions .
And as if dinner weren’t delicious enough, they serve a “10-Minute Lunch,” which includes the same food items as the dinner menu and a guarantee that you’ll be served in ten minutes or less from the time you’re seated. And let’s think about this. If juicy corn on the cob is your biggest issue at a meal, I’d say you haven’t got much to complain about. Then, when I didn’t think I could eat another bite, I remembered about dessert, which is also included. Dessert was a fresh fruit cobbler with vanilla bean ice cream, and the fruit changes day-to-day. It must have been my lucky day, because we got peaches — it was some of the best peach cobbler I’ve had in a long time. I still don’t know how or where they got good peaches out of season, but they didn’t taste canned, which might have brought my whole opin-
ion of the place down like a house of cards. Thus, they finished the meal with as much home-style flair as the rest of the dinner. Considering the whole package, I intend to go back. And as if dinner weren’t delicious enough, they serve a “10-Minute Lunch,” which includes the same food items as the dinner menu and a guarantee that you’ll be served in ten minutes or less from the time you’re seated. But what I’m most excited to try next is the brunch. It’s the same deal for ordering, with two meats ranging from country-fried steak, ham, bacon, sausage and chicken salad, except that with brunch, all sides are included. And I feel the need to list them all, because this is just an incredible amount of food: scrambled eggs, hash browns, biscuits, fruit, pancakes, french toast, blueberry muffins and toast. Oh yea, and lunch and brunch come with the fruit cobbler, too. So if you miss home-cooked food, and lots of it, need a place to take your family or simply want to try something new and different, I can’t see the Southern Oven as anything but a total crowd pleaser.
Thursday, Nov. 8: Advanced Screening of “Lions for Lambs” • Time: 9:30 p.m. • Place: Lyric Theater
Friday, Nov. 9: Earl Swift Reading The Pulitzer Prize-nominated author will read from his works. • Time: Noon to 2 p.m. • Place: Cantos Booksellers, downtown Roanoke
Saturday, Nov. 10: “Invisible Voices” • Place: Easy Chair Coffee Shop
Sunday, Nov. 11: Adopt-A-Stream project Scuba Club dives and others clean up trash in and around the New River at the 114 Bridge. • Price: Bring food to share
Monday, Nov. 12: Art Gallery at Mish Mish "Simple Serenity," an exhibition of pastels by Sandy Kennedy • Time: 8 a.m. to midnight
Tuesday, Nov. 13: Laugh Riot Nick Swardson • Time: 6-9 p.m. • Place: Burruss Auditorium
Wednesday, Nov. 14: "Taming of the Shrew" • Time: 7:30 p.m. • Place: Lyric Theatre • Price: $15, general; $12, students BEN MACDONALD/COLLEGIATE TIMES
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Southern Oven. Now before you call me a liar or a glutton, I guess I should mention that I split all of that with three other people. That’s how it’s done at the Southern Oven; so make sure you go with people you really like, or who you at least trust not to steal your choice piece of fried chicken or eat the last of the mac and cheese when you’re not looking. Once you’ve carefully REVIEW chosen your dining partners, head to where The Nerv used to be, as the Southern Oven now occupies The Nerv’s old spot on Progress Street (behind Main Street, near Sharkey’s). Two things will greet you upon your entrance: a friendly wait staff and a
warm, country décor. It’s certainly no Cracker Barrel, where they announce your name over a loudspeaker when your table is ready and decorate the walls with old tin signs and farm equipment. The Southern Oven is simple and classy. Everything about it, from the wait staff to the décor to the food is tasteful but relaxed. Then comes the menu and the unusual style of ordering. The menu consists of lists of meats and sides, and you order together as a table. So, as a table, you decide on two or three meats, ranging from fried chicken to roast beef, catfish or country-fried steak, and four sides from mashed potatoes to green beans to fried okra. Dinner is $12.95 per person for two meats and an extra dollar per person for an extra meat selection. It might seem like a lot, but the amount of food blots out the price like a solar eclipse. Dinners come with a salad, tossed with a house Italian-type dressing and are loaded with veggies and croutons. Warm cornbread just keeps coming. Then the main dishes arrive in small bowls and platters. Even if it seems like there won’t be enough of
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Old-fashioned fried chicken, slow-cooked Angus roast beef with au jus, whipped red potatoes with gravy, sweet corn on the cob, fried okra and mac and cheese — I ate it all in one sitting at the
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editor: laurel colella email: opinionseditor@collegiatetimes.com phone: 540.231.9865 office hours: mw 4 p.m. - 6 p.m.
november 8, 2007
Study abroad opportunities provide invaluable insights NICK SAROKHANIAN regular columnist As many Virginia Tech students will attest, studying abroad at some point in their undergraduate career is many times the best experience they have ever had. What once was viewed as a luxury or as a fun getaway has now become much more important for American students. It is also beginning to be seen as a necessity by employers, according to the New York Times. It’s easy to see the advantages of going abroad: exposure to other languages, customs and politics can make a student more worldly and experienced. With more and more U.S. companies spreading their reach globally, it makes sense to hire graduates who have had a taste of those foreign cultures and ways of life. As a recent returnee from a Tech study abroad program, I can vouch for the benefits of the experience: I had a first-hand experience with immersion in Swiss and European culture, learned local customs, the Italian language and also had the chance to learn about the Swiss world perspective. As a political science major, that helped me immensely with my interests and studies, and now a doctorate in international relations is an increasingly attractive career option because of that exposure. But please take my endorsement with a grain of salt: I have lived overseas before and come from a multi-ethnic background, so I was already enthusiastic and receptive to the cultural exposure. Where studying abroad can really make a difference, though, is for our fellow Hokies who may have never traveled outside our nation, or been exposed to cultural diversity before coming to Virginia Tech. In fact,
many Americans know little about the world around us, poll after poll shows that most Americans struggle with world geography or basic world history. Not surprisingly, this can lead to hostility toward Americans in the rest of the world, especially in those nations that consider themselves “culturally superior” to our countrymen. Anti-Americanism comes in many different forms, and for different motives, and depends on geographical regions, sensitivity to globalization and previous foreign relations with the U. S. After working on a comparative study about anti-Americanism, one common trend is that, despite what many Americans would expect, anti-Americanism has risen noticeably since 9/11. This column will not focus on how that happened or how it mostly was in response to our reactions to the terrorist attacks (Afghanistan, Iraq, etc.), but to add a unique reason to study abroad: to act as American ambassadors. I believe that studying abroad in this new post-9/11 era is not only advantageous for a student’s college experience, but also to learn how America is perceived abroad, and to find out why, by discussing issues with the citizens of the country of your choice. While not everyone dreams of working for the State Department and may not consider themselves to be a representative of their country, the hard fact is that we are, whether or not we like it. When Americans, especially students, travel or study abroad, they are viewed with scrutiny, and compared (perhaps unfairly) to stereotypes set by that respective culture or even our own images of America conveyed in our movies, on MTV and in TV pro-
gramming. Studying abroad has taken a new importance, not just for selfish reasons, or to help secure a great job, but also to try to compete with the negative portrayals of our society abroad. In conversations with many Swiss, Germans, Italians, and Britons, it is clear that many differentiate between Americans as a people and America as a government. In fact, some fellow Hokies and I met an Australian in a hostel who sheepishly admitted that “you four are the only Americans that I’ve ever liked”. Some may argue that it may be too little, too late, and that one person cannot change people’s minds, nor really make a difference. I encourage you, if you have ever considered studying abroad, to do it, and not only have the time of your life, but also to chip away at the wall of misconceptions. Look, not everyone will want to argue politics with foreigners, but even by being kind and respectful of their rules and customs will make a small difference. You may very well become that American that “was different” or was liked by that town or that guide. Not only will you appreciate other ways of life and culture, but you can return to the U. S. with a lifetime of memories, experiences, and the pride that you carried your nation’s name in a positive light. So go do it. Tech has an excellent study abroad office, and they can easily tailor a program to your needs. In fact, Tech runs several programs with Tech professors and Tech credit, and they work for a variety of majors. To find out more about how you can study abroad, check out Tech’s Education Abroad website at www.educationabroad.vt.edu and make the best decision of your life.
The Collegiate Times is an independent student-run newspaper serving the Virginia Tech community since 1903
Editorial local issue
We should be careful of judging too harshly The protection professional who published a report last week in response to the state-appointed Virginia Tech review panel findings brought to light many short-comings on the part of Tech officials on April 16. Vincent Bove is a certified crime specialist who represented several of the families of April 16 victims in their relations with the university. His report, “Crisis of Leadership: A response to the Virginia Tech Panel Report,” criticizes university response to our campus tragedy. Among other things, Bove highlights the decisions made by Tech officials on the morning of April 16 and the lack of security measures already in place. He emphasized to the Collegiate Times that the “review panel’s lack of emphasis on the failure of the administration during that time is a disservice to all those involved.” Bove claimed that the review panel’s findings were vague, citing inconsistencies, errors and omissions. “In this day and age, lockdowns are essential,” Bove told the CT. “The entire community had the obligation to immediately know that shootings had taken place in their community, and to have the entire Virginia Tech community locked down. Any other protocol or excuse to not lockdown is unconscionable.” Being critical of campus security and university official’s reactions is important when trying to learn from the April 16 tragedy and
move on, however; one should be careful of being overly critical of decisions made under such strenuous circumstances. It is important to reiterate that what happened at Virginia Tech last spring could have happened anywhere. Maybe it would not have played out exactly the same way, as different people have a variety of ways for dealing with crisis situations. Before April, our experience in dealing with crisis situations was limited. It is easy for a certified crime specialist to analyze our entire campus security system prior to April’s events and find flaws, because up until then, we never had anything of the magnitude of April 16 with which to compare it. Bove’s report questions the absence of security cameras and lack of locks on doors in Norris Hall. Before April 16, not many of us had probably even considered the need for locks on classroom doors, or cameras monitoring students walking the halls. Virginia Tech wasn’t that kind of place. We still aren’t that kind of place. Something horrible happened here, but our campus life shouldn’t become overly structured and constantly monitored. The freedoms that we have always enjoyed here at Tech make it the school that we all love. The editorial board is composed of Amie Steele, Joe Kendall, Saira Haider, Laurel Colella and Sara Mitchell
Exposing the truth of the global warming ‘myth’ One of the biggest hoaxes ever perpetrated, believed by millions of Americans who have been duped by faulty science used to MATT advance political ELDRIDGE agendas threatens regular this nation’s very existence. This columnist hoax has diverted millions, if not billions, of dollars from tackling the real issues, and as a result has threatened our national security and cheapened the political discourse. I’m talking of course about global warming, or more specifically, about the community of global warming skeptics who have gone out of their way to ignore mounting scientific evidence which even one of the densest presidents in U.S. history has come to accept as fact. These “skeptics” of global warming have launched a brutal campaign, financed by far-right “think tanks” and the trillion dollar energy industry, to cast doubt upon a fact that’s as clear as day. These skeptics are dangerous because they have the political influence to silence the global warming debate. Unlike the scandal that emerged when it became apparent that smoking causes cancer and smokers die much younger
than non-smokers, skeptics who seek to ignore scientific data today have the political power — either for selfish reasons or because of their fear and distrust of science — to block important steps which seek to slow, stop, or even reverse the effects of global warming. While the Bush administration has been reluctant to acknowledge global warming, perhaps because as an environmental cause it is seen as a boost to the Democrats, it has finally accepted the undeniable proof and has admitted in a report to the United Nations that global warming exists, that it is man-made and that it has the power to transform the environment. The report goes on to highlight the need to take steps to reverse the effects. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), an internationally respected body comprised of top environmental scientists, published peer reviewed results. These results were supported by the academies of science from every developed nation. They conclusively showed that the climate rose about 1.33 degrees Fahrenheit over the past 100 years and that the rate of temperature increase is climbing — quickly. The report also found that contrary to assumptions that this is a natural pattern, the rates of growth correspond directly to greenhouse gas emissions and represent a rate that is not compatible with any suggested
natural causes. Some who admit that the temperature is indeed rising and that it probably is caused by humans still doubt the negative impact it will have on the Earth and claim that it is being overblown to gain political points. To counter this argument, I suggest that we look at both the impact global warming has had already and the likely impact it will have in the near future according to scientists.
... the increasing temperature rise will allow tropical diseases to spread to higher elevations and colder regions including highly populated ones such as China and Europe. The World Health Organization estimates that within 25 years 300,000 people will die yearly from the adverse effects of global warming. Global warming causes more severe and less predictable weather patterns and has the potential to devastate natural ecosystems throughout the world. The heat associated with global warming will also melt the major ice
reserves — a process that has already begun — and as a result raise the sea levels between one and two feet. This means that thousands of animals will likely become extinct and that valuable cropland will be ravaged by yearly droughts. The intensity and severity of hurricanes will increase as the number of category four and five hurricanes have doubled in the past 30 years and highly populated coastal areas such as Bangladesh and Florida will become submerged creating the world’s largest migration movement and an accompanying humanitarian crisis. If one is to look at global warming in solely economic terms, the costs from global warming on agriculture, infrastructure, insurance, health, development, real estate and trade are estimated to be in the hundreds of billions. From a humanitarian angle, the increasing temperature rise will allow tropical diseases to spread to higher elevations and colder regions including highly populated ones such as China and Europe. Malaria, dengue fever and yellow fever are some of the many diseases that are already spreading. The World Health Organization estimates that within 25 years 300,000 people will die yearly from the adverse effects of global warming. Furthermore, not just New Orleans,
but other major coastal cities including New York, Miami, Bombay and Tokyo all risk becoming too vulnerable to flooding to remain viable. Global warming skeptic groups attempt to stifle debate on global warming and to muzzle the voices of concerned citizens and scientists by casting doubt on the science while declining to provide any science on the subject themselves. While their selfish interests are clear, their complete lack of regard for the future generations that will be burdened by the cost is mind-boggling. The moral injustice and ignorant incompetence of these people threatens to let the biggest menace destroy us all while they sit counting their money and regarding the world with rose-tinted glasses while adopting a “see-no evil” approach to environmental policy. While these villains publicly advocate a “moderate” approach, in practice they have promoted halting all discussion on the issue and suggest that America instead sit still while this threat grows until it is too late. Instead of launching pre-emptive attacks against phantom threats as warmongers within the Republican Party have supported, it would be wiser to launch an overdue attack against a very real and very dangerous opponent against which we have both the knowledge and the capacity to defeat.
Letters to the Editor Make yourself a part of the process This letter is in response to the column, “Uneven allocation of student fees,” (CT, Nov. 6). While one might have the notion to think certain organizations that get the most should not, one has to take many things into consideration. The organizations listed have their funding because of their dedication and willingness to go to the budget board and argue their cases. The budget board is known for its frugal allocation and organizations have to outline everything they are doing for the year an entire year before they do it. This takes immense planning on
the part of the organization. For some reason, I find it easy to conclude that this author has not been to any LGBTA events and merely just cherry-picked her examples from the website. Fortunately for the community of Virginia Tech, not all the LGBTA has to offer is silly questions and controversial movies. There are speakers who speak on awareness, discrimination issues, and humor that easily applies to the mainstream. They have brought a national a cappella group to campus and continue to bring awareness about AIDS, an epidemic that affects all sexualities. I am certain these types of argu-
ments apply to organizations such as the BSU as well. Have a problem with this allocation process? Do something about it. Obviously the LGBTA and the BSU got their funding somehow. Grants are also available to those who need funding during the year when it is unexpected. Have a cause you think is worthy of being paid for by the school? Go through the proper channels and get it. Crying about the oppression of the minority is a laughable action. Involve yourself in the process, and then get back to me.
Have something to say? send an email to opinionseditor@collegiatetimes.com
Brandon Beall junior, marketing
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
Voice your opinion. Readers are encouraged to send letters and comments to the Collegiate Times. 365 Squires Student Center Blacksburg, Va. 24061 Fax: (540) 231-9151 opinionseditor@collegiatetimes.com Students must include name, year, major and phone number. Faculty and staff must include name, position and department. All other submissions must include name, residence, and if applicable, relationship to Virginia Tech (i.e. alumni, parent, etc.). Letters should not exceed 300 words, and should be in MS Word (.doc) format if possible. Letters, commentaries and editorial cartoons do not reflect the views of the Collegiate Times. Editorials are written by the Collegiate Times editorial board. Letters to the editor are submissions from Collegiate Times readers. We reserve the right to edit for any reason. Anonymous letters will not be printed. To order a reprint of a photograph printed in the Collegiate Times, e-mail spps@vt.edu. Have a news tip? Call 231-9865 or e-mail: tips@collegiatetimes.com Collegiate Times Phone Numbers News/Features 231-9865 Sports/Opinions 231-9870 Editor-in-Chief 231-9867 College Media Solutions Phone Number Advertising 961-9860 The Collegiate Times, a division of the Educational Media Company at Virginia Tech, was established in 1903 by and for the students of Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. The Collegiate Times is published every Tuesday through Friday of the academic year except during exams and vacations. The Collegiate Times receives no funding from the university. The Collegiate Times can be found online at www.collegiatetimes.com. Except where noted, all photographs were taken by the Student Publications Photo Staff.The Collegiate Times is located in 365 Squires Student Center, Blacksburg, Va. 24061. (540) 231-9865. Fax (540) 231-9151. Subscription rates: $65 semester; $90 academic year; $105 full year. The first copy is free, any copy of the paper after that is 50 cents per issue. © Collegiate Times, November 8, 2007. All rights reserved. Material published in the Collegiate Times is the property thereof, and may not be reprinted without the express written consent of the Collegiate Times.
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editor: ryan mcconnell email: sportseditor@collegiatetimes.com phone: 540.231.9865 office hours: mw noon - 2 p.m.
november 8, 2007
2006-07 men’s basketball Sophomores are ready for season prosperous on the books bigger roles this season CHARLES R. BARRINEAU
ct associate sports editor The Virginia Tech men’s basketball team saw many successes come its way during the 2006-2007 season. The Hokies finished the season with a 22-12 overall record, netting three victories over opponents ranked in the top five and advancing to the second round of the NCAA Tournament. With all of the good that came Tech’s way on the court came some good off of the hardwood. The Virginia Tech men’s basketball team generated $3.8 million worth of profits according to a draft of the athletic department’s schedule of revenues and expenditures for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2007. “Building a program is a process,” said head coach Seth Greenberg. “And part of the process is commitment, and the commitment comes in many different ways. It comes in facilities, it comes in improving your budget; making sure that you’re doing things the way the rest of the people in your league are doing.” And money is the way things are done. Many of the rest of the men’s basketball programs in the Atlantic Coast Conference also see large sums of money flow into, and out of, their programs. One of the reasons for the large influx of money into programs around the league is the distribution of NCAA and ACC money to member institutions. The men’s basketball program is reported as receiving just over $4 million during the 2006-2007 season. That number is up from $75,900 during the 2003-2004 season — Tech’s last as a member of the Big East Conference, which allows for the increased expenditures and outflow of money. “You can do some things (on) a nicer scale than you could before for the benefit of everybody — fans, players, recruits,” said Tom Gabbard, associate director of athletics for Internal Affairs.
The athletics department has come a long way financially. There was once a time when the Big East was a financial savior. “They were in debt here back in … the mid 80’s,” said business manager, Lisa Rudd. “(They) were having to find ways to make payroll and they don’t do that right now.” But those days are long gone. Here now are the days of large revenues that allow the program to spend more of the earned funds. The basketball operation spent just under $4 million during the 2006-2007 season and that doesn’t reflect the money spent on charter air travel. “The university is committed to doing things the right way and giving us a chance to compete in every aspect of our program,” Greenberg said. “Part of that is making a financial commitment to the program.” Gabbard echoed Greenberg’s sentiments on the financial investment in the men’s basketball program. “You want to take care of your primary revenue sports first because they’re the ones that pay your bills,” Gabbard said. “The more money you get, the deeper you’re allowed to go into your programs.” And it’s not just the men’s basketball team or the football team that are the beneficiaries of all of this newly augmented revenue. Teams across the board benefit. “I’d say that there’s definitely been a lot more facilities projects,” Rudd said. “Two years ago when they did most of the renovations to the soccer and lacrosse field we used some internal operating money for that … There’s been a lot of projects going on, facilitytype projects as a result of the increased revenue. Additionally, I think coaching salaries have been brought up a little it more than where they were.” But the men’s basketball team benefits from these revenues as well. The new basketball practice facility in the works next to Cassell Coliseum would have been tougher to finance on Big East
Men’s Basketball Finances
T. REES SHAPIRO
ct sports reporter Major Ticket Sales $1,853,102 Operating NCAA/Conference Revenues: Distributions $2,983,214 Total Operating Revenues:
5,792,580
Coaching Salaries, Major Benefits, and Operating Bonuses $864,260 Expenditures: Team Travel $274,672
Total Operating Expenditures: Excess of Revenues over Expenditures for the year:
2,629,304 3,163,276
BEN MACDONALD/COLLEGIATE TIMES
revenues. “Things (that) you were pretty spartan about in the past you can be a little more upscale about now,” Gabbard said. The facilities aren’t just the only things that are more upscale these days. Tech’s travel is first-class as well. “In the past we would do more commercial traveling than charter traveling,” Gabbard said. “The more charters you are able to do, the better you are with respect to missed classes.” Not only have the Hokies cut down on missed class time in respect to their travel plans, while away from home they stay at fine hotels across America and get around town via luxury motor coach. Players appreciate all that is provided to them by playing basketball at a major-conference college on a revenue generating team. “I can see a big difference in moving into the ACC and bringing more money and a lot more fans in,” said senior forward Deron Washington. “I think it’s (been) the best move for Virginia Tech.”
Going to college, and experiencing withdrawal from the comforts of familiar high school life, can be rough experience. Handling classes, a social schedule, homework, and all the while attempting to appear cool and calm, can be a strenuous and stressful task. Now: tack on being a rookie for a women’s basketball team that plays in the toughest conference in the nation, add all the practice, the extra time shooting free throws, in the weight room, running suicides for conditioning, watching game tapes. Sound as insurmountable as Everest yet? Perhaps, but for the sophomores of the squad, who immediately stepped in to make contributions for the team as freshmen, it was all a breeze. Well, sort of. “It was tough at times, I’m not going to lie,” said sophomore guard Lindsay Biggs. “It was a big step up, and juggling my classes with basketball, it MIKE SHROYER/SPPS was crazy. You tend to be tired a lot, but I just had to manage my time as Sophomore forward Utahya Drye goes up for a layup during an exhibest I could.” The sophomore did that, and then bition against Athletes in Action on Wednesday night. some. She played in every game, and it’s good to have a year under the belt them out as best we can.” But as Drye said, this year’s team scored 133 points. As a freshman, she now, getting used to it. Now we know isn’t just a basketball team, it’s a led the team in three point field goals what we’re going up against.” The team spent the second summer tight-knit group of friends who eat with 28, eight more than the second closest, standout junior Brittany session together building the kind of together, work together, play together Cook. But making those shots, and camaraderie that can elevate a team to and live together. “Everybody is everybody’s friend,” putting up the numbers is great a higher level of play. Because of this, for Biggs, but in the end, it’s all about Utahya Drye, the starting sophomore Drye said. “There is no drama whatthe other girls around her on the forward said during the off-season soever. When we get ready to play she learned to play the game as Duke, or Maryland, I know we are court. going to pull in as one and come out “I’m just trying to make a little bit exactly that: a game. “I know for me I had to stop being with a victory.” of a big impact this year, “Biggs said. It’s been a long time coming for this “I’m not trying to win any big awards, hesitant, because I was last year,” Drye said. “It’s just a game. You have to give group of sophomores, and the wait I just want to help my team out.” For some, that first year at col- it your all, but if you mess up, you is nearly over. The compounding lege starts with a long road trip. mess up. You just do what you gotta excitement, energy, and overwhelming desire to get back in Cassell; it’s However, for others, the journey is a do for your team.” The time the sophomores spent tangible. You can sense it in the yells little further than a highway. Just ask sophomore center Eleanor Brentnall, this summer was also beneficial for during practice. There’s a little extra who had to span the globe to reach welcoming the new freshman to the leap in their lay ups, a touch more Blacksburg from her home in team. They tried to make the transi- zing in their passes. The sprints, the tion as easy as possible for them, free throws after practice, the pick up Melbourne, Australia. games, they were all in preparation “Last year, first going into the ACC Biggs said. “We just tried to help them get for what is just days away, and around was a big shock to me,” Brentnall said. “Coming from Australia, I wasn’t used through it,” Biggs said. “Because, you the corner. They’re ready, they say. to the top conference in America. The know how hard it is to be a freshman, They’re definitely ready. Like Drye said: “It’s now or never.” strength aspect, the fast paced game, it’s really tough, so we tried to help
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page 8
thursday, november 8, 2007
Cheeseman bursts onto the Tech scene in a major way T. REES SHAPIRO
ct sports reporter You probably haven’t heard of this soft-spoken athlete. His capabilities aren’t jumping off stats pages or into the mouths of ESPN analysts, nor is he jolting Hokie fan Web sites with his blistering speed or ankle spraininducing jukes. At least, not yet. But if ever there were a testament to Jahre Cheeseman’s explosive entrance into the future of Virginia Tech’s running game, it would have been his latest performance this past Thursday against Georgia Tech. “The thing I tell these guys all the time is that when they get their opportunity they had better be ready,” running back coach Billy Hite said. “He got his opportunity and made a big play.” In fact, it’s been the biggest play of the entire season for Tech’s Cheeseman running game. With 4:05 left in the fourth quarter, the redshirt sophomore snatched a handoff from Sean Glennon and never looked back. He wrapped his arms tight around the ball, burst through a gap in the line and took off as if the season depended on it. The third string tailback galloped past gold jerseys for
a gain of 70 yards on just his second snap of the night. Most televisions by that point had been turned off or had changed channels, but for those who witnessed Cheeseman’s unbridled speed (he recorded a 4.37 40-yard dash his freshman year) and tackle dodging finesse, (Georgia Tech’s Jahi Word-Daniels missed Cheeseman by a mile) against the No. 12 run defense in the country, it was a beckoning arrival of a potent and untapped resource for the running game. Cheeseman amassed 84 yards on just six carries, compared to Branden Ore’s 86 yards on 19 carries. His performance was a rejuvenating force to an otherwise lackluster rushing offense ranked No. 90 in the nation below teams such as Pittsburgh, Idaho, and East Carolina. But as Cheeseman said, opportunity knocked and he finally answered, it just took him a while to get to the door. “This year, I’ve been pretty quiet for most of this season,” the 5’10”, 209pound Cheeseman said. “But it came to the Georgia Tech game, they gave me another chance and I just had in my mind I can’t mess up, I have to focus. And at first I was shocked. During the run, I saw the open field, and I blanked out for a second, I was like, ‘Oh gosh, what am I supposed to do?’ then I thought, alright, just run.” And quiet barely describes his season statistically before last Thursday, it was practically whispering. He
had played only eight snaps, rushing for just 30 yards. And after a dismal Duke game, Cheeseman thought he’d missed the train as far as playing time goes. He rushed only once, for seven yards, then fumbled the ball and lost it. Despite his poor performance then, Cheeseman does not let the ghosts of the past rattle him now. “Everything I look at is a good situation,” Cheeseman said. “Duke might have been bad at the time, but that let me focus back on what I really needed to do. To change the little things, like holding onto the ball, but it all paid off.” For Cheeseman, his entire collegiate football career has been an uphill battle. The Voorhees, New Jersey native came to Tech as a cornerback, but also played running back in high school, rushing for over a 1,000 yards and 15 touchdowns his senior year. After sitting low on the depth charts at corner his first two seasons at Tech, Hite’s search for a backup to Ore last season resulted in Cheeseman switching to his old high school position. But, during his transition, he broke his foot during a jayvee game and sat out the remainder of last year. During rehabilitation, Cheeseman said the toughest task of his transition to running back was re-training his leg muscles from back peddling, to the jarring forward motion, and “hit
JEFF SLOYER/SPPS
Running back Jahre Cheeseman evades several Georgia Tech defenders on his breakaway 70 yard run. Cheeseman came to Tech as a cornerback but made the transition to running back last year. in the mouth,” progression upfield. But Cheeseman has finally nursed his foot back to health, and now stands to nurse the Hokie rushing offense to full force. Tech is coming up on its last few games of the season, and Hite’s said Cheeseman’s playing time may increase.
“He’s tough, he’s explosive he’s got good vision, he’s got everything you want a running back to have,” Hite said. “He’ll definitely see more playing time against Florida State, definitely.” Cheeseman’s scamper spoke loudly to a team searching for a confident go-to guy in the backfield. Ore’s average of 3.4 yards a carry, and Kenny
Lewis’ similar 3.2 average, compared to Cheeseman’s 7.9, may lead to more chances to prove his prowess. “I just want to get in there, lend a hand and do my job,” Cheeseman said. “It might not be a run for 70 yards, it might be for five yards, or a first down. But I want to let the team know I can be reliable.”
look down.
pick up.