COLLEGIATETIMES
friday april 17, 2009 blacksburg, va.
www.collegiatetimes.com
Remembrance
MARK UMANSKY/SPPS
ZACH CRIZER
ct news reporter A single flame lit up the night. A bagpipe cried out “Amazing Grace” from the center of the Drillfield. A community remembered again. Immersed in sound, surrounded by light. Two years after the tragedy, the Virginia Tech community arrived in Blacksburg to continue a remembrance of the victims of April 16, 2007. As the sun set behind Hokie Stone buildings, candles donated to the university in 2007 were distributed at the edge of the Drillfield. “They have been in SGA storage units in Christiansburg since 2007,” said SGA volunteer Bo Hart. “Companies sent candles here and they’ve been saved ever since.” The candles will continue to be reminders of 2007 and the tradition of the candlelight vigil. “They’re going to be melting down the candles from this year and using that for next year’s major candle that we light at 12:01,” said SGA volunteer Sharon Meehan. “It’s also sym-
DANIEL LIN/SPPS
DANIEL LIN/SPPS
LUKE MASON/SPPS
bolic. It’s like everyone is part of it, and together.” “Amazing Grace” was sung by the Enlightened Gospel Choir during the ceremony. However, a single student played it first, on a nearly empty Drillfield as the sun faded from view. The second anniversary was a day of firsts. The first Run for Remembrance began the ceremonies of the day, issuing the first spirited chants, and the first sign of the multitude of people who would populate the campus. The tally of runners, the flock of balloons and the chants of “Let’s go, Hokies” soared over the campus at 8 a.m. A noon commemoration event featuring biographies and survivors was witnessed by a crowd on the Drillfield. Many of those affected by April 16 took time to visit the newly renovated second floor of Norris Hall, finding an alternative in the Center for Peace Studies, a program hoping to create a brighter future. Among those gathered in support were Northern Illinois students, also affected by a school shooting. Virginia Tech survivors, such as Colin Goddard, visited NIU last year, and built friendships with some students. “NIU invited us up for their one-year anniversary,” Colin
Goddard said. “We met these guys on a personal level. They called us up and we were there.” Thursday, they accompanied Goddard to the second floor of Norris Hall. “There are some guys from NIU here that we met when we were up there,” Colin Goddard said. “This place will be about bringing people with similar experiences together and talking about it. I am all about it and all for it.” Finally, the community gathered once again on the Drillfield at sunset for the candlelight vigil. After a speech by SGA President Emily Mashack, a candle was lit in honor of each victim of April 16. Two members of the Highty-Tighties then played “Taps”. One stood at the April 16 memorial, the other on the top of War Memorial Chapel. Ending much like it began, the Drillfield erupted into a “Let’s go, Hokies” chant as candles were lifted to the sky. The two-year anniversary marked more than a Day of Remembrance for some families. Two years was the statute of limitations for families to file lawsuits related to the April 16, 2007 shootings. On the second anniversary, two families filed suit against the state,
HUSSEIN AHMED/SPPS
Details on the Remembrance through Dance, page three
according to multiple reports. Only two families did not accept the $11 million settlement last year and by doing so maintained their right to file suit against the state. The families of Julia Kathleen Pryde and Erin Nicole Peterson made use of that right on Thursday by filing suit in Fairfax County Circuit Court. Andrew Goddard, whose son Colin Goddard was injured in Norris Hall, said the university has not been perfect, but is learning how to better deal with the families of the victims. He said the private ceremony for only families of victims was an exceptional event. “The service for the families was excellent,” Andrew Goddard said. “I believe the university is beginning to slowly understand the needs of the families. I don’t think they wanted to have anything to do with it at the beginning.” Andrew Goddard said the community is still close to the hearts of his family. “We still want to be Hokies. We still want to be connected to the university,” Andrew Goddard said. “We’re still down here. We still know that this university is not defined by April 16.”
LUKE MASON/SPPS
Read about the Run for Remembrance, page four
LUKE MASON/SPPS
Coverage of the noon commemoration, page three
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2 news
editor: caleb fleming email: nrvnews@collegiatetimes.com phone: 540.231.9865 office hours: tth 2 p.m. - 4 p.m.
april 17, 2009
editor: sara mitchell email: universitynews@collegiatetimes.com phone: 540.231.9865 office hours: mw 1:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
April 16, 2009: A day in pictures
DANIEL LIN/SPPS
Members of the Corps of Cadets stand watch over the April 16 Memorial. A candle burned for 24 hours in memory of those who died.
DANIEL LIN/SPPS
Students and visitors comfort one another at a memorial stone after the noon ceremony on the Drillfield.
SALLY BULL/SPPS
A classroom in the Military Building is dedicated to Cadet Matthew LaPorte.
LUKE MASON/SPPS
Virginia Tech students, faculty and staff join in the Run for Remembrance held on April 16, 2009. Lasting 3.2 miles, the run started at Alumni Mall and ended by the April 16 Memorial on the Drillfield.
friday, april 17, 2009
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Virginia Tech remembers at noon commemoration PHILIPP KOTLABA
ct news reporter Transformed into a sea of maroon and orange, the Drillfield was filled with Virginia Tech faculty, students, and Blacksburg residents yesterday in homage of the April 16, 2007 victims. Starting at noon under an open, warm sky, the ceremony began as President Steger and Provost McNamee each laid a wreath at the April 16 memorial while the Corps of Cadet’s Gregory Guard escorted a procession of victims’ families to their seats. “We gather here, at the symbolic heart of this university, on the Drillfield, at this memorial, again hoping that we can offer comfort to one another as well as reflect,” Steger said. “While the tragedy of April 16, 2007 touched us all, we know that 32 families continue to confront the deepest of losses: the loss of a loved one, the loss of a life well lived, and the loss of a
bright and promising future,” he said. While remembering those lost, Steger also noted that despite the painful process in the aftermath of the shootings, progress has been made. Norris Hall’s second floor reopened last week, and the Center for Peace Studies and Violence Prevention will be based in some of the renovated space. The Center is headed by Jerzy Nowak, husband of victim Jocelyne Couture-Nowak.
ON THE WEB Look on collegiatetimes.com to see a video of April 16 victims’ names being read on the Drillfield at noon. As in the commemoration in 2008, Steger quoted an excerpt from Kahlil Gibran’s poetic compilation “The Prophet:” “Let today embrace the past with remembrance, and the future with longing.” Tony Distler, alumni distinguished professor emeritus, and Patricia Raun,
department head of theatre arts, read out remembrances — in the form of short biographies and descriptions — of each of the 32 victims. Detailing their interests, qualities, and aspirations, the personal descriptions helped give the audience a better understanding of each individual lost two years ago. Throughout the ceremony, Distler and Raun paused for selected quotes that emphasized scholarly endeavor. Read by five Tech students, they included words from individuals including Martin Luther King Jr. and Eleanor Roosevelt. A Celtic prayer concluded the process. A mistake during the reading caused Mary Karen Read’s name to be omitted. This error was corrected later in the ceremony. “We hope in our remembrance of these fallen members of our community ... that each of us will build a reinvigorated commitment to the scholarly enterprise in which our 32 departed classmates and colleagues were engaged,” McNamee said, “and that they so singularly embodied.”
LUKE MASON/SPPS
A woman kneels by a stone at the April 16 Memorial in reflection following a noon remembrance where President Steger gave brief remarks prior to the reading of victims’ names.
Annual remembrance dance honors victims KAITLYN GLEASON
ct news staff writer
HUSSEIN AHMED/SPPS
Members of the Contemporary Dance Ensemble at Virgina Tech honored Reema Samaha’s life though artistic expression. Samaha was a member of the CDE prior to her death in 2007.
The Contemporary Dance Ensemble at Virginia Tech continues to remember beloved CDE member Reema Samaha through its second annual dance performance held in her honor. The performance consisted of a compilation of various forms of dance, and was said by other dance ensemble members to be truly representative of her passion for all types of dance. Samaha “did every style of dance you could imagine,” said CDE technical director Jamie Garubba. “We thought it would be really important to have them all performed on one stage. She would’ve loved that.” At Tech, Samaha was involved in four different dance organizations, and it was important, CDE felt, to reflect her love for them all through this performance. “Reema loved dance and wanted dance to be a part of everything,” said CDE company member Rachel Wunderlich. “This performance was
a way to show that dance can relate to everything, and in this respect, it is a way to remember.” The performances strived to honor all those lost on April 16, 2007, but focused on Samaha because of her influence and participation in CDE as well as several other dance outlets at Tech. “We wanted to show the resilience of the community as a whole, and that we all share a common tie: we all love and have a passion for dance,” said CDE company member Vanessa Bush. Other CDE dancers felt that dance, and this performance in particular, served as a means of therapy, and helping them cope with their loss of Samaha and other victims. “Dance is a great way to react to your emotions after losing someone,” said CDE company member Heather Fine. “All the anxiety, confusion, and pain you experience you’re able to show, and at the same time show your love for that person in your body. It’s very cathartic, and it’s a great release being able to produce something from that grief.”
The CDE performance of “Andaloosia,” a dance originally choreographed by Samaha, was a particularly special way to remember Samaha and reflect her passion and talent for dance.
“Dance is a great way to react to your emotions after losing someone.” - HEATHER FINE CDE COMPANY MEMBER Garruba described it as a “really special way to think of her. We love dancing for Reema.” For those that did not know Samaha, CDE dancers felt that the remembrance performance managed to effectively convey the memory of her. “Were just glad we can show what she meant to us through this dance performance,” Garubba said. “She was truly a beautiful person, we just want to pass on her love of dance and of life to everyone who watches.”
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friday, april 17, 2009
‘3.2 for 32’ draws more than 4,000 people
Norris Hall offers tours to public, ‘won’t be the same place anymore’
JUSTIN GRAVES
ct news reporter The final number was nearly 4,500, and they all descended upon the Drillfield at 8 a.m. Thursday to jog forward while thinking backward. The Run in Remembrance went off without a hitch, as friends, families, and other members of the Tech community came out to support the victims of the April 16 shootings. Amongst other events, this run was held to connect the university on a level that happens around this time of year, and will for years to come. “The event itself went off flawlessly,” said SGA president and chair of the April 16 student planning committee Emily Mashack. “Everyone was extremely happy at the end, and that is what we were here for.” The 3.2-mile run, .1 miles more than a 5K, was held to recognize, remember, and acknowledge the Hokies who were killed or injured on April 16, 2007. At the beginning of the race, 32 white balloons were released for those who died on that day. Following a moment of silence, each of the more than 4,000 runners released maroon and orange balloons. “The balloon release was absolutely incredible,” Mashack said. “You think about it, and think it’s going to be amazing, but it’s a whole other idea when you actually see it. It was incredible.” The weather was also great for the run. With clear skies and 60 degree weather, the coordinators of the runners couldn’t have asked for more. There were about 800 walk-up reg-
KELSEY HEITER
ct news reporter
LUKE MASON/SPPS
Members of the Virginia Tech community take their final lap around the Drillfield on Virginia Tech’s campus during the 3.2 for 32 Run for Remembrance. istrations, with nearly 3,700 runners registering prior to the run. “It was extremely successful, and the community response from everyone was perfect. Everyone thought it was absolutely wonderful,” Mashack said. “It should definitely happen again next year.” The event lasted nearly two hours and no winner was recorded. University spokesman Mark Owczarski said this was intentional. “People could keep time, but there was no desire to make this a competi-
tive event,” Owczarski said. “People came to support and remember, not to compete.” Mark McNamee, Senior Vice President of the university and a participant in the run praised the organization of the event. “Once again, we are fortunate to have such a gorgeous day for these special events. I love to see people out on the Drillfield, having fun and remembering,” McNamee said. “That kind of feeling is uplifting and such a great experience to see so many peo-
ple with so much energy devoted to the Run for Remembrance. I was just happy to do it and to finish the race. It was exhilarating.” “Everyone I talked to, and also from my own impressions, was that from the registration to where to line up, and how they spaced everyone out, to how they guided the flow … it was extremely organized,” McNamee said. The planning committee intends to recreate the run again for the third anniversary.
Families and students protest gun show loophole GORDON BLOCK
ct news reporter Families of April 16 victims came together Thursday for a “lie-in” to protest the gun show loophole. The protest, which took place on the lower end of the Drillfield, had more than 50 people in attendance. The protest was organized in less than a week after it was learned that an event hadn’t been planned for April 16, 2009. A similar protest was held at the same place a year earlier. “I had assumed that there would be one,” said senior international studies major Aimee Fausser, who organized the event. “It was really necessary that
we have an event here at Tech.” With a short amount of time to work, Fausser, relied on advertising through e-mail and Facebook to get the word out. The lie-in featured speeches from Lori Haas, whose daughter Emily was injured during the shootings, Ann and Andrew Goddard, whose son Colin was also injured during the shootings, and Omar Samaha, brother of Reema Samaha, who died in Norris Hall. Following the speeches, protesters laid on the ground for a moment of silence lasting three minutes, signifying the amount of time it took for gunman Seung-Hui Cho to buy his weapons. Ann Goddard said the protest was important for increasing the public’s
safety. “We have to take action to save lives,” Goddard said. “We have to impress upon legislators that we want them to take action and to do what’s necessary.” Though attendees considered the event a success, not everyone supported the lie-in. Alyson Boyce, a senator for the Student Government Association and author of a 2008 resolution to ask protesters to not hold demonstrations on April 16, was not happy with the protest. “The fact that they were back again this year shows they don’t respect the healing process of the student body,” Boyce said. “This is supposed to be a day of remembrance, not a day to push
political agendas.” Fausser said protesting on April 16 was an appropriate time to speak on the issue. “I think it’s the perfect day to do it,” Fausser said. “It’s when people are paying attention to the issue.” Many participants of Thursday’s lie-in will meet at the Cooper House in Blacksburg Friday morning in support of a joint lie-in with victims of Columbine High School. The families will gather to make ribbons for a Denver lie-in, which supports the addition of a background check to all gun show sales. While Colorado has added this requirement in its state, the Virginia legislature voted down a similar measure earlier this year.
The second floor of Norris Hall doesn’t hint at what its old walls had witnessed. “When you come in downstairs and you look at that old hallway, that is the image I have in my head,” said Colin Goddard, a student who was injured in Norris Hall. “But when I came here, it was a different place completely.” Survivors entered through the doors that have been closed for the past two years and will soon house the Center for Peace Studies as well as facilities for the engineering science and mechanics department. “I really like what they have done with Norris,” Goddard said. “It is very open and very bright, you feel kind of good about being there.” Roger O’Dell, father of injured student Derek O’Dell, said it was the first time he had been inside Norris Hall, and he was glad to see that the building looks different than before the shootings occurred. “Norris will not be the same place anymore,” O’Dell said. “It is almost like something of the past, like a bad memory that will not be here any more.” “I think it is good to have the feeling erased, because it is like a haunted house in some neighborhood, and if you can imagine a horror movie where the haunted house finally gets torn down and the movie ends happily, to me, it is sort of the same idea,” O’Dell continued. “Part of Norris Hall is sort of a haunted house on the campus of Virginia Tech, and to have the rooms totally renovated, and to have it look so different does it really have the feeling of being erased.” O’Dell compared the renovation to Derek’s belongings the police retrieved from Norris Hall after the shooting. “I went to pick up Derek’s calculator and backpack, but because of where he was in the German classroom, there was a lot of blood on the backpack,” O’Dell said. Derek’s therapist told his father “not to take it out of his control, but to just take it home and tell Derek that it is in the house, and when he wants it destroyed, you can destroy it, and when he wants to see it, he can see it, but don’t take that out of his control.” O’Dell said that maybe Derek’s backpack “will be destroyed some time, then that will be end of it, just like the second floor of Norris Hall has been destroyed, and that is the end of that as well.”
After the destruction came the restoration. Jerzy Nowak, the Director of Center for Peace Studies and Violence Prevention and widower of Jocelyn Couture-Nowak, a French instructor who was killed in Norris Hall, said the center is a student operation that hopes to provide opportunities to work with the curriculum.
“I think it is good to have the feeling erased, because it is like a haunted house in some neighborhood, and if you can imagine a horror movie where the haunted house finally gets torn down and the movie ends happily ...” - ROGER O’DELL FATHER OF SURVIVOR DEREK O’DELL “I am working forward to setting up the minor,” Nowak said, referring to the peace studies minor that will be added to the Tech programs. “We are going to build learning teams that the faculty and students can be a part of. We hope to focus more on the creative process and developing the same applications in interdisciplinary studies.” Nowak added that he is going to create a capstone course that will provide some internship opportunities for students in the future. “I hope to start to minor in the fall semester of 2010,” Nowak said. “The peace center for this period of time has been playing an important role for the healing and recovery process and it is perceived as a symbolic place, and a place that will help them.” Goddard added that he does not think Tech could have turned Norris around from such a negative location to a more positive event without the Center for Peace. “This place will be about bringing people with similar experiences together and talking about those experiences,” Goddard said. “I am all about it and all for the peace center. You would not want students to walk by it and just see an empty space all of the time, but now this is something constructive and something positive that has been done with Norris and I think that it will entice people to come back and get involved.”
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opinions 5
editor: laurel colella email: opinionseditor@collegiatetimes.com phone: 540.231.9865 office hours: mw 11 a.m. - 1 p.m.
april 17, 2009
EDITORIAL
Salary study is apples and oranges — but important nonetheless According to the 2006-07 Annual Report on the Economic Status of the Profession, the salaries of university presidents increased by 35 percent, while average faculty salaries increased only by 5 percent. The study tracked the changes over 10 years, beginning in 1995 and was compiled by the American University of University Professors. The results of the study indicate a structural problem in the awarding of salary increases and are encouraging some, like Dave Kuebrich, a professor at George Mason University, to work to stop the widening gap between faculty and administration. While the average annual salaries of Virginia Tech professors are significantly lower than upper-level administration, the statistic the report uncovered is deceptive, as it is comparing multiple levels of a hierarchical structure (the professorate) to a single position within university administration (the president). This type of measurement is also misleading in that a 5 percent raise for an administrator costs the state, perhaps, $22,000 (as it would for President Steger, considering his state support) while a 5 percent increase for all faculty would, based on their sheer numbers (1,371, of whom over 60 percent are tenured, in the fall of 2008), amount to a much greater expense. Further, Steger’s total salary (nearly $700,000) is composed of not only his state support but by a number of perks and deferred compensation that are very uncommon amongst professors, skewing the data even further. Part of the responsibilities as our university president is also to be an important fundraiser and you don’t get those connections and talent for cheap. If universities want the top-drawer leadership necessary to organize
and inspire sprawling organizations like Virginia Tech, it isn’t unreasonable that universities pay them top dollar. If you want visionary leadership for your university, then you’re going to have to pay for it because the competition for those types of managers is quite different from the competition for professors of classical studies, for example. But the study does raise the issue of the cost balance between administration and faculty. While there is certainly overlap between the two groups through tenured professors that administer their departments and administrators that teach a class now and again and do some research, just as a cumulative raise of roughly $50,000 (what Steger, Provost Mark McNamee and then-vice president for student affairs Zenobia Hikes received between 2007 and 2008) is a nice “thank you” for services rendered, it could also just as easily fund an instructor (average income at Tech in 200708: $43,800) or, with a little boost, an assistant professor (average income at Tech: $68,100). Kuebrich does have a point in that hiring administrators, ostensibly at higher price tags to compete with business and the like, may often yield lower returns than hiring faculty for half as much. Administrators tend to the experience of life at college — they manage our student organizations, they allocate funds, they set up our pep rallies. Faculty are, on the other hand, the backbone of the university and the very underpinning of academic life. While there are good reasons for higher administrative salaries, we would do well to attempt to close that gap.
Exercise proper etiquette when in Newman library PAIGE PINKSTON regular columnist Possibly the most significant change I have noticed around Virginia Tech’s campus this year is the difference in atmosphere of Newman Library. Last year when coming to the library to work, I consistently chose the third or fifth floor because of its designation as “quiet.” Though the occasional table of loud whisperers or friends giggling over Facebook interrupted the peaceful work environment of these areas, I generally had very little problem concentrating because of noise. However, since the beginning of this school year, the tone of the library overall has become drastically more casual. Though the second and fourth floors have always been designated talking floors, they are noticeably louder as of late, and perhaps because of this reason, so are what should be the “silent” floors. In particular, the third floor is rarely quiet altogether. Instead, group projects have become a regular occurrence on this floor, especially taking place in the midst of a large group of tables, where inevitably many individuals are attempting to work in silence. Additionally, it appears to be acceptable etiquette now to leave cell phones on ring, and answer calls at a normal volume without attempting to leave the
work area. Though the fifth floor in general is significantly quieter than this, it is permanently crowded, and I have never been able to easily get a table. Since it is now the only actual quiet floor, however, its congestion is not at all surprising. The alterations in the setup of Newman this year may be to blame for the current situation. When the entrance to the library was located on the first floor, students rarely worked on that floor, but had to choose from one of the other four. In addition, the quiet floors were farther above the entrance. Now that the second floor is both the entrance and a working floor, it is inevitably louder, and students probably find it easiest to get away from this by simply going up one floor. While in previous years this would have put them on a talking floor, it now places them on a quiet floor, which may be the cause of the disregard for the noise policy. Also, though the first floor is currently open, it is unfurnished and rarely used, giving the impression there are only four floors on which to work, rather than five. In this case, half of the library being quiet must have become less realistic than the previous minority of floors. Regardless of these possible explanations, the third floor of the library remains a designated quiet floor, and it is therefore simply inconsiderate to ignore such a policy, however unregu-
lated it may be. If meeting with a group or partner, or doing work that necessitates talking or noise, in respect of your fellow peers, please choose the second or fourth floor, which are for precisely those uses. If you do choose the third or fifth floor for individual studying, avoid being rude by keeping conversation to a minimum. Further, when you do feel the need to speak, politely attempt a whisper. For example, when running into a friend unexpectedly, one should not feel uncomfortable greeting him because the location happens to be a quiet floor of the library, but if an extensive conversation is necessary, it makes sense to speak more quietly than usual. Finally, if it is necessary to answer your phone while studying in the library, if on a quiet floor please at least attempt to walk into a stairwell or toward the bookshelves. In each of these instances, it is not the fact that noise occurs that is impolite; some amount of noise is inevitable, and when this noise is minimal, it is rarely disruptive. It is instead the complete lack of effort to keep the noise level to a minimum that makes the actions rude. With finals approaching, this problem is bound to intensify without significant alterations in habit. So next time you use the library, be aware of the rules of each floor and adjust your noise level accordingly. Your classmates will thank you.
The editorial board is composed of David Grant, David Harries, Laurel Colella, Jenna Marson and Alexandra Kaufmann.
The Collegiate Times is an independent student-run newspaper serving the Virginia Tech community since 1903 Collegiate Times Editorial Staff Editor in Chief David Grant Managing Editors David Harries, Sara Spangler Public Editor Cate Summers News Editors Caleb Fleming, Sara Mitchell News Reporters Gordon Block, Zach Crizer, Justin Graves, Kelsey Heiter, Riley Prendergast, T. Rees Shapiro News Staff Writers Debra Houchins, Phillipp Kotlaba, Gabe McVey, Will Thomas, Ryan Trapp Features Editor Bethany Buchanan Features Reporters Topher Forhecz, Teresa Tobat, Jonathan Yi Features Staff Writers Ryan Arnold, Mary Anne Carter, Drew Jackson, Tom Minogue, Alex Pettingell Opinions Editors Laurel Colella Sports Editors Thomas Emerick, Brian Wright Sports Reporters Joe Crandley, Justin Long, Ed Lupien, Melanie Wadden Sports Staff Writers Garrett Busic, Matt Collette, Lindsay Faulkner, Hattie Francis, Alex Jackson, Mike Littier Copy Editors Erin Corbey, Thandiwe Ogbonna, Kristen Walker, Michelle Rivera Layout Designers Go-Eun Choi, Velechia Hardnett, Kelly Harrigan, Rachel McGiboney, Mina Noorbakhsh, Josh Son Illustrator Mina Noorbakhsh Multimedia Editor Phillip Murillas Multimedia Producer Candice Chu Multimedia Reporters Kevin Anderson, Peter Velz Online Director Sam Eberspacher Collegiate Times Business Staff Business Manager Ryan McConnell College Media Solutions Staff Advertising Director Patrick Fitzgerald Asst Advertising Directors Tyler Ervin Jenna Given, Katelynn Reilly Ads Production Manager Anika Stickles Asst Production Manager Allison Bhatta Ads Production/Creation Breanna Benz, Jennifer DiMarco, Lisa Hoang, Rebecca Smeenk, Lindsay Smith, Lara Treadwell National Account Executive Account Executives Libbey Arner, Aaron Brock, Maggie Crosby, Brandon Collins, Oran Duncan, Judi Glass, Alex Iskounen, Kendall Kapetanakis, Marcello Sandoval, Amanda Sparks, Jennifer Vaughn Assistant Account Executives Carissa Nichols, Diane Revalski, Tyler Terhune Marketing Manager Sayali Shirgaonkar Office Manager Kaelynn Kurtz Student Publication Photo Staff Director of Photography Sally Bull Business Manager Paul Platz
NATE BEELER/THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER
GOP’s future currently lies with libertarian movement SCOTT MASSELLI guest columnist One of the most important titles historians and political scientists confer on elections is that of a “critical realignment election.” The basic idea behind this is that the campaign and its outcome had a significant impact on the political culture of the nation and significantly impacted political culture, often creating, changing or destroying a party. The rise of Lincoln’s Republican Party in 1860, the split in the Democratic-Republican Party in 1828 and Franklin Roosevelt’s redefinition of the Democratic Party in 1932 are all strong examples of this concept. When Democrats decisively took control of the White House and both houses of Congress this November, it marked the complete transformation of Washington from the conservative Bush reign to the Obama era. President Obama’s ascension to power was helped by the nation’s animosity toward the Bush administration. While the long-term effects of this election are yet to be seen, it has had an undeniable impact on American political culture. As with any critical realignment election, Obama responded to the nation’s demand for new policies and ideals; that was the simple part. Now, as with every critical realign-
ment election, the Republican Party will face the hard part: reshaping the party platform to fit the new demands. Amidst the flamboyant conservative backlash of pundits Rush Limbaugh, Glenn Beck and Fox News (like them or not, they are the de facto conservative news station of choice), many Americans have become estranged from the Republican Party. Before I go further, I must make a quick but important interjection. Conservatism and the Republican Party are not synonymous. Conservatism is a political philosophy advocating low economic regulation by the government while it maintains high involvement in social factors. The Republican Party, however, is a political organization dedicated to the election of its members. This difference allows the Republican Party to adjust its platforms as the times change — in spite of conservative hardliners’ wishes. One of the first political lessons the new commander in chief proved during the election is that young Americans can be a strong force in politics. Tapping the well of young voters who have grown up and grown weary of President Bush’s Constitutional discrepancies, Obama’s campaign capitalized on this tide, taking the under-30-year-old voters and the election. Now, as the Republicans try to fight back from the brink of oblivion,
strategists and pundits are running themselves ragged trying to salvage the party’s authority. Fox News is attempting to recreate the Boston Tea Party on tax day, and Rush has moved out of New York (gasp). However Bobby Jindal and Michael Steele, the heirs-apparent to Republican leadership, have fallen by the wayside; Jindal was simply out-gunned by Obama in his State of the Union rebuttal and Steele, well, it was ugly.
However, with the evangelical moral majority movement receding, Republicans need to rethink their social strategy; Jerry Falwell isn’t winning elections for them anymore. Whether he was attacking Rush (and later hiding like a child who knows he’s plucked his older brother’s last string) or claiming “there was a Michael Steele before there was a Barack Obama” (yes, party chair is a career-maker, just ask Howard Dean), he ran along his own sword. Perhaps the reason these attempts failed is because they are all quickfixes and gimmicks. How do you counteract the first black president? Find a minority figure to make the face of your party. Perfect. Did the
people who came up with this ever hear of Clarence Thomas? We need a black guy, but he also has to be a conservative; yeah, that went well. If the Republican Party wants to survive the 2012 elections, it’s going to have to get its hands dirty. Its ideals will have to be overhauled. Enter Libertarianism. Just last year during the party’s primary elections, libertarian candidate Ron Paul outraised eventual nominee John McCain. More impressively, Paul did this by receiving thousands of small donations in a grassroots movement very similar to the one Obama used to defeat McCain in the general election. The main difference, and perhaps the most encouraging, between the Obama strategy and Paul’s movement is merely “for whom” versus “for what.” Obama became a fundraising dynamo because he is a dynamo; his energy, youth and speaking prowess were keys to his efforts. Paul, however, is a 73-year-old Texan who had to fight for every second of media coverage. It was his ideas, not Paul himself, that were bringing in the money. While Republican platforms already capture the libertarian notion of free markets, they are less open to social freedoms. However, with the evangelical moral majority movement receding, Republicans need to rethink their social strategy; Jerry Falwell isn’t winning elections for them anymore. Instead, the party needs to open
itself to the Constitution: Freedom of speech, warrantless wiretaps and habeas corpus are something to embrace, not do a political two-step around. These are the reasons the Republicans lost the last election. Even when Paul dropped out of the race, he acknowledged to Time Magazine that he probably would not endorse any other candidate. “Those people who support me wouldn’t believe it,” he said. Indeed, many of his supporters were drawn to Obama during the general election, with McCain and Palin embodying a repackaged version of Bush conservatives. There is still hope for the Republicans; the next four years offer a chance for the party to rebuild its strategies and tinker with its principles. It gives them time to distance themselves from the previous administration and level the playing field. But if the leadership chooses to stay the course and continue to ignore the outcry for social liberty, it will be a long and harrowing four years, as there is nothing more dangerous than uncontested power, especially in a national crisis. But no matter what the actions the Republicans take, the principles are still alive in the American public, and because of this the critical realignment will come — the only question is whether the Republican Party will change with it or give way to a party that will.
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6 features
editor: bethany buchanan email: features@collegiatetimes.com phone: 540.231.9865 office hours: w 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m., f 1:30 - 2:30 p.m.
april 17, 2009
He said, she said: Dealing with relationship deal breakers Things to consider before reading this article: To figure out what to write about this article, I went through my Facebook friends, scrolled down and TOPHER tried to figure out what it is I don’t FORHECZ like about certain features people. This has reporter made me feel like a slightly awful person. I didn’t realize that disdain had a homepage. Now please enjoy my article. For about the last year and a half I have lived with three girls. They are all very lovely people. They’re neat, they have a tendency to spontaneously make baked goods magically appear, and at one point they started this game where whenever I would enter the room they would start clapping (not a joke, it’s awesome). But, being in this never-ending and tripled exposure to the opposite sex has really helped me to understand what it is I’m looking for in someone and what forces me to lose all interest. Most of the time, encountering a deal breaker is just on the negative end of your preferences. You don’t want someone who lives too far away, has a high pitched voice or thinks “like” is a synonym for every other word in the English language, and a lot of these qualities tend to never surface just based on the people you surround yourself with and are generally interested in. However, the worst part about deal breaking is when it sneaks up on you and karate chops your attraction into little pieces of awkwardness that ends up looking like a conversation you no longer want anything to do with. At this point, the conversation really holds no honest value. Like my parents said to me when my high school band broke up, “It’s over; let the dream die. Go to college.” One of the big deal breakers for me is girls who like shitty music. The inclusion of the word shitty is important
because it draws a fine line between girls who might just listen to whatever is on and girls who actively seek out music which lacks any semblance of a soul. You are what you listen to, and when it comes to girls who listen to crappy music that makes you unoriginal and nothing new. Maybe that’s harsh. It more makes you a 14-year-old girl in my eyes and that’s a felony. It’s not so much that I judge what a girl listens to, nor would I immediately dismiss someone solely based off the music that they listen to; it’s just that a frequent barrage of crappy music will make me start frothing at the mouth. I can also only really talk about a few things for longer than two minutes, and chief among those things are music, Star Wars and the intricacies of Super Smash Brothers. I know, eat your heart out ladies. So if a girl can only list her favorite tracks off of the OC Soundtrack when talking about her favorite albums, we might be in trouble. (I mention the
OC because TV shows are a semi-deal breaker. They’re not that bad because they’re infrequent and can’t leave one room, but my roommates have been on a recent OC binge, and I have heard parts of the show because my room is right next to the TV. That show is terrible — it is so goddamn depressing to live in the OC. How did it go on for so long when any normal human being in that show would have off’ed themselves by the start of the second season?) Chattiness is another deal breaker of mine. I hate needless conversation and some girls can rattle syllables out of their mouth with incredible speed, but never actually say anything substantial. It’s like being around a drunk person or going to one of my English classes. Deal breakers are a good defense for potentially damning relationships. They are a buffer that protects a person from waking up one day and realizing that they got the short end of a lifelong bargain.
Imagine meeting this hot, intelligent, hilariously amusing polite potential boyfriend at your friend’s party. (Essentially this BETHANY is a hypothetical situation, because BUCHANAN really when is features that ever going editor to happen in the real world?) He is everything you currently want — complete with a white smile and fat wallet — in a significant other. That is, until he makes the fatal, of-epic-proportions mistake of mentioning his gratuitous affinity for Star Trek or Star Wars. (Is there really a difference? Never mind, I don’t care.) It’s a major loss and such an illustrious creature of his quality almost tempts you
enough to spend time anchoring him back to earth from his sojourn in fantastical outer space. But at the same, be grateful for the bullet you’ve just dodged. Think of the television show “Friends” and what happened to Rachel when Ross told her his fantasy. Uh huh. Deal breaker. A deal breaker is a set of strict prerequisites in the dating arena that you demand of your fresh friend and, like the name implies, has the sheer force and magnitude to break your new relationship before it really had time to grow — like when you pluck a pesky weed from your garden of possibilities. There are those few things in life that you’ll just never learn — or even have to want to learn — to tolerate from a boyfriend (like the fact that they know the difference between Spock and a spork). Somewhere lurking in the
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precarious combination of guanine and adenine in a woman’s set of DNA is the one all-powerful demand that determines whether a guy deserves a presence in her life: whether he likes to cuddle. You know, he doesn’t even have to enjoy it — we don’t care if you like it, we just know that we need it (just like a guy’s attitude about sex). As long as he’s willing to do it to make her happy, then he can stay. The dire need for cuddlage means that he who is not willing to spend a lot of time with her, loses her. Like calculus homework, she demands a lot of work and effort (especially on the kitchen table) and if you’re not able to put in the time, find another less-fulfilling hobby because we are not afraid of passive-agressiving our way into your schedule. We will pout and whimper in such a passive aggressive way you’d almost think we were in extreme need of Prozac or a cathartic ice cream fest with the girlfriends. We will guilt you into spending a lot of time with us. And we won’t feel bad about it; in fact, we’ll rejoice in the surplus of cuddle time. It’s good for the female psyche. A guy, now that I mention it, must be able to mend her mental health with compliments and presents. Gentlemen — just know that you will be dumped faster than Peewee Herman at a speed dating organization. Girls spend a lifetime getting ready, and if all you can do once she leaves her perch in front of the bathroom mirror is complain about how long it took her to get ready, then, darling, I can almost guarantee you’ll get the boot. Literally. Appreciate her beauty and give a lot of honest but flattering comments. Deal breakers are kind of like tollbooths — you either have to compromise and pay a little bit to keep going on the same road or you can realize that it’s just not worth the price and take an alternative route.
friday, april 17, 2009
page 7
Student finds cause in holding belly dancing fundraiser for sick sister
COLLEGIATE TIMES PRESENTS: A quick look at action movie trailers
TERESA TOBAT
ct features reporter
by peter velz
When senior animal science and biology double major Ashley Grapes was trying to think of a benefit for her sister Erin Sterling, who has Lyme disease, she first thought of dancing. “Before she got sick, she would belly dance,” Ashley said. “She was actually really good. She was a professional belly dancer. She will improv a song and you will not know she’s improving. She’s just beautiful, just captivating when she dances.” Saturday evening a DJ, Salsa Tech and both hip hop and belly dancers will perform at V.T.’s Sports Bar & Grill, located on 221 Progress St., for Sterling. Dancing is also something that unites her family. “Dancing is one more thing that we get to do together. We love getting together and dancing. I know other families eat or watch TV or go out to the movie. We just like to get together and dance,” Ashley said. Grapes said belly dancing is a celebration of life and she wanted the event to promote that idea and have a more “party” atmosphere. “I just want them to have fun,” Sterling said. “I’ve got a lot of support and I just can’t wait to be there.” She said she loves performing and might potentially dance at the benefit but it’s difficult because of her illness. “I never really know how I’m going to feel until that day,” Sterling said. “If I do dance, I’m going to pay for it the
X-Men Origins: Wolverine – May 1 IN BRIEF: Hugh Jackman returns to the role that made him a star portraying the vengeful and conflicted Wolverine in this “X-Men” prequel. He’s on a mission after the death of his sweetheart to take down those who — hold up. Did will.i.am just punch Liev Schreiber in the face? Looks like a hodgepodge of explosions and baddie-bashing. LOOKS PROMISING: If it can deliver the goods, the film’s success will guarantee more “X-Men Origins” chapters. And there’s something so satisfying about giant, metal-blade knuckle things cutting through and blowing up a moving Humvee that cannot be properly expressed in words. NOT SO MUCH: Production values seem relatively low for a summer blockbuster judging by the generic back ally face-offs. Let’s hope that cheesy CGI will be tweaked before release.
Star Trek – May 8 IN BRIEF: J.J. Abrams, the mastermind behind “Lost” and “Alias,” hopes to reboot the aging franchise (technically it’s the eleventh “Trek” flick), making it the summer blockbuster to end all blockbusters. The back-story-heavy script hopes to start from square one, honing and condensing the “Trek” cannon for new fans. LOOKS PROMISING: Creative casting (Zachary Quinto as Spock, Simon Pegg as Scotty) and a truly epic feel sets this movie apart from the other action films of the season. NOT SO MUCH: Production delays are never good (the original release date was back in December). Plus, even after “Mission: Impossible III,” Abrams has yet to prove he can pull off human tension and high-stakes action at $130 million that he couldn’t replicate on a smaller scale with a typical episode of “Alias.”
Terminator: Salvation – May 21 IN BRIEF: Nefarious Skylab and its nuclear detonation have doomed the world to a future of tanks, car chases and butt-kicking robots. This time around, would-be savior John Connor is played by Christian Bale and is ready to fight back those pesky machines. LOOKS PROMISING: Technology is getting to the point where robots are indistinguishable from anyone else and start to think they are, in fact, human. Now there’s a philosophical quandary, cloaked in an action movie, wrapped in a moral dilemma. NOT SO MUCH: ... Helmed by McG, director of the tour de force “Charlie’s Angels: Full Throttle.” And “Battlestar Galactica” has milked that cow dry, turning a story of humans fighting robots who think they’re humans into an incisive, existential allegory for race, religion and homosexuality.
next day.” Grapes said she realizes it’s hard for people to attend a benefit when they don’t know the benefactor, but she has already been impressed with the support she’s received from the groups performing Saturday. The money raised at the event will go toward Sterling’s medical bills. While Sterling’s illness has been both financially and emotionally tough for her whole family, Grapes said it has brought her and Sterling together.
WANT TO GO? WHERE: V.T.’s, 221 Progress St. WHEN: April 18 TIME: 8 p.m. to 10:30 p.m COST: $5 NOTES: Must be 18 to attend “It’s really sad, you always hear that things happen for a reason, but I really just don’t see the truth in that in this case. It’s just really, really sad,” Grapes said. “At the same time, it’s made her and I a lot closer. I’m really happy to do this for her … I’ve pretty much done everything. Most of my days I go to the Math Emporium to study and I’m writing emails for this the entire time. I’m happy to do it.” Grapes also assists Sterling by cleaning her house and taking care of her two sons when she is home. She said it’s been tough for her sister who was very independent before. “When she was growing up, she
was in jazz and she did modern (dance), she did sports. She graduated a year early from high school. She got straight A’s. She was always perfect. Then she got married when she was 19 and they have two beautiful kids, Aidan and Devin,” Grapes said. “She just had this perfect life and out of nowhere, she got really sick. We all thought … it will get better. But then it hasn’t and it’s been really hard, especially in the economy right now.” Sterling had just moved into a new house when she fell ill and had to quit her job because she was so sick. Sterling became ill shortly after the birth of her second child in March 2006. She underwent antibiotic therapy for a year, which was ineffective, and was officially diagnosed with Lyme disease in April 2007. Lyme disease is a tick-borne illness and if left untreated can affect the joints, heart and nervous system. Sterling, 29, said she is always tired doesn’t think she’ll ever fully recover because of damage to her nerve endings. Even though Sterling may not make it onto the stage, she said seeing her sister’s emotional response about the event make it worth it. “Just the fact that she’s happy and excited about it makes me happy and excited,” Sterling said. Ashley and Sterling’s sister Audra Grapes, a December 2003 alumnae in interdisciplinary studies, will perform at the benefit. “It’s always nice when you get to go to a show,” Audra said. “But it’s nicer when you do it for a good cause.”
ICON KEY cuddly creatures
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definitely devastating
inexplicable explosions
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April 18: 7:00 & 9:15 April 19: 3:00, 7:00 & 9:15 April 20: 10:00am, 7:00 & 9:15 April 21: 9:15 only April 22-23: 7:00 & 9:15
The Lyric Theatre 135 College Avenue ~ Movieline: 951.0604 www.thelyric.com
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thursday, april 17, 2009
april 17, 2009
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april 17, 2009
NBA playoff preview: Kobe, LeBron embark on road to finals likes of the Kenyon Martin and Nene Hilario for Denver. The scoring load for the Nuggets will solely rest on Carmelo Anthony and Chauncey Billups, with the occasional outburst of J.R. Smith off the bench. The match-up to watch will be the Hornets’ defensive specialist, James Posey, harassing Anthony for the duration of the series. If Posey can keep ’Melo somewhat in check, Paul can do the rest of the work — either by scoring or providing assists — and carry New Orleans to the second round for the second straight year. The Hornets take the series in seven.
MATT COSTELLO
ct sports staff witer The playoff seedings are finally set for this year’s edition of the NBA playoffs, and the match-ups in the first round could hold some surprising upsets — a rarity for this league. Here’s a look at who will move on to the second round of the playoffs and keep their championship dreams alive.
EASTERN CONFERENCE
No. 3 San Antonio Spurs vs. No. 6 Dallas Mavericks
No. 1 Cleveland Cavaliers vs. No. 8 Detroit Pistons
The Mavericks are hot entering this series winning seven of their last 10, but the Spurs are the last team you want to face in the first round. No Manu Ginobili for the Spurs, still no problem in this match-up. Tim Duncan will not allow a first round exit from the playoffs because he knows his time is ticking at the age of 33 for another championship. Tony Parker has been lights out since Manu’s departure, and he will do the same to the Mavericks’ cement-footed point guard and ageless wonder, Jason Kidd. Forward Dirk Nowitzki and Jason Terry are going to have to push the tempo in this series to tire out the veteran Spurs, but ultimately, the Mavs don’t have enough depth on their bench to stay consistent throughout a seven-game series. San Antonio cruises to the second round, 4-1.
The Cavaliers locked up home court advantage throughout the playoffs with the best record in the league at 66-16. Of those, 39 were on their home floor at Quicken Loans Arena. That means if the Pistons want any chance of upsetting this series, they must find a way to take a game on the road from the Cavs — a task easier said than done. The return of Allen Iverson for the Pistons might help their scoring woes as Detroit enters the series ranked 29th in that category. Not helping the matter is the Cavs’ No. 1-ranked scoring defense in the league at 91 points per game. The Pistons won’t have an answer defensively for LeBron James — then again, who does? So, look for King James and company to dispose of the Pistons in short order. Cavs win the series, four games to one.
No. 2 Boston Celtics vs. No. 7 Chicago Bulls The Bulls’ young and talented unit has come together only recently with the late-season trade acquisitions of John Salmons and Brad Miller, followed by the blossoming of star point guard Derrick Rose. Kevin Garnett’s return to the court would have boosted the Celtics energy level immensely, but he could miss the entirety of the postseason with an ailing right knee. Regardless of the injury factor, the Bulls just do not match up well with the Celtics’ physical style of play. Add the fact that no one on the Bulls roster has serious playoff experience, Boston should put away Chicago without much trouble. Celtics take the series, 4-1.
No. 3 Orlando Magic vs. No. 6 Philadelphia 76ers The Magic swept the regular season series against the 76ers. It should be much of the same in the postseason. Philadelphia simply has no answer inside for superman Dwight Howard, which will only lead to wide open three-point
No. 4 Portland Trailblazers vs. No. 5 Houston Rockets PHIL MASTURZO/MCT
LeBron James of the East-leading Cavaliers dribbles up the court. opportunities for forwards Hedo Turkoglu and Rashard Lewis. The only way for the Sixers to pull it out is to consistently push the offensive tempo and get Howard in foul trouble. Only problem is they’ll have to do that successfully for four victories, which is very hard to envision. Orlando sweeps past Philly, 4-0.
No. 4 Atlanta Hawks vs. No. 5 Miami Heat The lone upset of the first round in the Eastern Conference isn’t much of one, considering it’s a No. 4 seed playing a No. 5, but still an upset prediction nonetheless. MVP candidate Dwayne Wade is playing the best basketball of his career, leading the league in scoring this year at 30 points per game. At the rate he’s going, it’s hard to see him allowing his team to lose so quickly. Rookie forward Michael Beasley is coming on offensively at the right time for the Heat. The
LOUIS FAVORITE/MCT
Averaging 26.8 points, Kobe Bryant and the Lakers rule the West.
Hawks have had a great year led by all-star guard Joe Johnson, but you just can’t bet against one of the top five players in the league in Wade, especially when he’s playing at the level he currently is now. It’ll be a very competitive series between the two squads, but the Heat pull off the minor upset by winning in six games, 4-2.
WESTERN CONFERENCE No. 1 Los Angeles Lakers vs. No. 8 Utah Jazz The Jazz limps into this series losing seven of its last 10 games, thus leading to their fall toward the bottom seed in the West. The Lakers return center Andrew Bynum to the line-up, which gives the Lakers the best front court in the NBA — led also by Pau Gasol and Lamar Odom. The Lakers are the best rebounding
team in the league and have the best scoring offense of all the clubs in the playoffs. The Jazz cannot match up inside with Los Angeles, but Deron Williams should have a field day with the Lakers’ point guards throughout the series. Utah has a great home court advantage, which will allow it to steal a game or two, but ultimately the Lakers will move on to the next round. Kobe and company wins, 4-2.
No. 2 Denver Nuggets vs. No. 7 New Orleans Hornets Here’s where the big upset of the first round comes. The Hornets’ Chris Paul will carry his team to the second round, and here’s why. Tyson Chandler is returning to the lineup just in time to give them the rebounding edge they greatly need in the series. With the combination of Chandler and all-star forward David West, I’ll take my chances with those two beating the
In all honesty, this is the best series to watch in the first round. Both teams are legitimate threats to challenge the Lakers for the Western Conference championship. Inside, center Yao Ming for the Rockets against the Blazers’ Greg Oden should prove to be an exciting big man showdown. Ultimately, this series is going to come down to making big shots in big moments. I just don’t see who that guy is for the Rockets. The Blazers have their star in Brandon Roy, and when it comes down to crunch time, the team knows who should have the ball. For Rockets’ fans, are you going to trust the ball in the hands of Ron Artest? Of course you always want to get the ball to Yao in the late-game situations, but times will come when a perimeter shot is needed. There’s nobody on the Rockets that can do the job. The Blazers also have the deepest bench in the NBA led by Rudy Fernandez, Travis Outlaw, Sergio Rodriguez and Oden. Defensive tenacity will win the Rockets a couple games in the series, but the Blazers just have too much offensive fire power to handle. Portland wins in six, 4-2.
page 10
friday, april 17, 2009
Castlin a runaway success Defensive line deals with shuffle BRANDON SHIPP
RAY NIMMO
ct sports staff writer
ct sports staff writer
Upon first glance, Kristi Castlin does not appear to be one of the most accomplished and aspiring track stars in the NCAA. With sleek black hair and comforting smile, one would probably assume her to be a member of the High Techs or a standout on the Hokies’ cheerleading squad. Actually, during her early days at Chapel Hill High School in Douglasville, Ga., her main sport was cheerleading. It wasn’t until Castlin’s freshman year at Tech that she was able to convince her mother to allow her to start running track despite a rigorous academic schedule. The decision turned out to be one of the wisest of Castlin’s career, and she immediately excelled between the lanes. During four years running for Chapel Hill, she left numerous Georgia high school records in the dust, winning three state championships in the 100-meter hurdles, as well as another title in the 300-meter hurdles. As she was wrapping up her senior season, Castlin was honored with the title of Georgia Track Woman of the Year. Few people know the real reason why such a stellar track star chose to run for the Hokies instead of picking from the plethora of top track schools that were bidding during her senior year of 2006. Castlin’s response was quite unorthodox. “Virginia Tech wasn’t really a powerhouse program before my arrival,” she said. “I had a lot of other offers from some really strong track and field institutions, but the fact that Virginia Tech wasn’t really on the map for track and field really influenced my decision to come here. … “It was interesting to think that I could really contribute to the growth of track and field here.” Dave Cianelli, the director for track and field and cross country, echoed his top hurdler’s words when asked about her leadership. “Anytime you have someone who has reached as high a level as her, it’s just great to have when you have a large group of freshmen, which is the case for the track team this year,” Cianelli said. When Castlin first arrived to Blacksburg in the fall of 2006, there was little leadership from the upperclassmen because there were so few competing at a championship level. According to Cianelli, it was this lack of leadership that forced Castlin
The versatile defensive line for the Hokies is undergoing some changes since defensive end Orion Martin graduated. The line might be facing some extra pressure to play well with an unproven group of linebackers behind them. One side of the defensive front is already set. Redshirt junior Jason Worilds, who had shoulder surgery in the offseason but will be ready for the fall, is slated as a starter at defensive end. Redshirt senior Cordarrow Thompson will get the call to start at one of the defensive tackle positions. Defensive line coach Charley Wiles likes to be interchangeable with his group, and the other side is going to be just that. Three players will be playing the two open spots: senior Nekos Brown, redshirt junior John Graves and redshirt senior Demetrius Taylor. Brown will start at end for the Tech, and Graves is set to start at tackle. “Nekos has really come on,” Wiles said. “I’ve been real pleased with how he has come along and improved. He’s a senior, and he’s earned it. He’s been in some battles, he’s having a good spring right now, and I feel comfortable that he will be our other starter at defensive end.” This spring, Graves is taking more reps at the end position, though. Wiles likes to keep his options open, and this way Brown can take a breather, Graves can get in at end and Taylor can get some playing time at tackle. “We want to get our best four players out there,” Wiles said. “John is a good football player, and it gives us a plan if somebody gets hurt. He’s going to play tackle but if Jason or Nekos gets hurt, it allows us to be more interchangeable.” Graves is showing that he is a team player. He enjoys playing both positions, and for him it’s just another chance to improve. “Anything for the team,” Graves said. “I was excited — if it was to help the team, then I was all for it.” “He’s doing really well,” Taylor said. “I thought that it would be a slow transition, but he’s done a lot of good things. He’s quick off the edge and a good pass rusher. He knows all the assignments since he’s been here a while. I think it’s a good fit for him.” The learning curve moving to end from tackle may seem like a major change, but Wiles is quick to disagree. “(The transition is) not very hard,” Wiles said. “John runs really well for a tackle but adequate for an end.” All of the players are helping each
CHRIS STACK/SPPS
Tech junior hurdler Kristi Castlin rounds the turn during a relay event. to step up despite being only a freshman. Her early ascension to the top of the depth chart caused her to mature quickly. By the end of year one, she was the role model for all runners, regardless of age. Castlin’s leadership does not end at the track. To her, academics are just as important, if not more so, and that dedication is evident in the classroom, evidenced by a college GPA that’s never dipped below a 3.0. Unlike during high school, life on the track has not been without obstacles. During Castlin’s sophomore year, she was hampered by a nagging upper leg injury that followed her throughout the season. Cianelli elaborated on Castlin’s physical health. “Last year, she couldn’t even compete at the NCAA outdoor championships,” he said. “It still bothers her occasionally, but despite that she has been stronger than ever this season.” Castlin’s injury is minor, but it does hinder her collegiate goals. “I’m just trying to stay healthy, both physically and mentally,” she said. “I always want to be at the top of my game, no matter what the game is.” Castlin is currently majoring in political science with aspirations of being a sports agent after graduation from Tech. She does, however, plan to continue running after college if the opportunity provides itself. After making it to the semi-finals in the Olympic trials last year, the possibility is definitely in reach. “A lot of hurdlers typically don’t hit
their prime until their mid to late 20s,” Cianelli said. “Her career is only just beginning.” That statement is easily backed up by Castlin’s individual accomplishments on the track. During her freshman season, while running at the NCAA East Regional, she blew away the competition in the 100-meter hurdles by breaking a record that had previously stood for over 28 years. But that victory did not satisfy her. In the 2007 Pan American Junior Championships, she took the gold medal in the same event. Cianelli described her progression as a “quantum leap.” “That victory really got the ball rolling,” Castlin said. This year, she has been as consistent as ever heading into the ACC championships in Coral Gables, Fla., which opened up on Thursday. Castlin finished runner-up at the Texas Relays in the 100-meter hurdle event. Despite her great moments on the track, Castlin’s life has been anything but perfect. She lost her father at the age of 12, when he was shot to death in a robbery while managing a motel in Georgia. Her mother, Kimberly, elaborated on what it was like to raise two children without a dad. “Honestly, it wasn’t that difficult; I put in all of my time into raising her and her brother,” she said. “Kristi has always been so motivated. She has what they call ‘it.’ Nothing can stop her from succeeding.”
other get better. “I’m still learning,” Graves said. “I have great people around me like Jason Worilds and Nekos Brown to help me out. They have helped me with my technique and given me tips on rushing the passer, so it’s been real good.” “When I moved to tackle from end, he (Graves) was really helpful,” Taylor said. “He was telling me it’s the small things that really matter.” Graves’ workout routines haven’t changed since getting more reps at end. Dr. Mike Gentry, Tech’s assistant athletic director for athletic performance, keeps things consistent for every player. The only change, Graves noted, was the increase in intensity. Wiles is working with both Graves and Taylor to improve their footwork for the upcoming season. Down in the trenches, it’s important to not get your feet displaced and lose power. “It’s more working on what I already know and perfecting that,” Taylor said. Taylor, at 6-foot, 262 pounds, is anything but a prototypical tackle with that frame. It’s been something he’s dealt with before, and he is one of the leaders in the weight room. “I think I bring quickness and
strength,” Taylor said. “I’m not the biggest guy, but I compensate with my speed and strength.” Wiles is looking for Taylor to take that extra step and become a force in the middle of the line. “The big thing for me with Demetrius going into spring was for him to be more of a playmaker for us,” Wiles said. “He’s athletic and a little undersized if you went off the measurables and the template of what’s a tackle. He brings a lot of quickness and athleticism to the position, so I expect him to be more of a playmaker — not just holding up his gap, but actually making plays.” “Demetrius played a lot last year so he has a lot of it down,” Graves said. “He continues to get better and his work ethic helps out a lot. He helps push other people.” How good can this defensive line be? That’s the million-dollar question. Even Wiles isn’t sure. “It’s hard to say,” he said. “I think it depends on how we mix in and stay healthy. We have a great group of kids. I love coaching these kids; they’re fun to coach. They want to please and all have great attitudes. We will continue to improve.”
JOSH MILLER/SPPS
Starting tackle Cordarrow Thompson battles a Furman offensive lineman.