COLLEGIATETIMES
june 25, 2009
what’s inside News.............2 Features ........4 0pinions........5 Sports ...........9 Classifieds ...11 Sudoku........11 106th year issue 63 blacksburg, va.
Iranian election strife hits home ZACH CRIZER
news editor Iranian students held a protest Tuesday afternoon in front of Burruss Hall, engaging the community in the call for a presidential re-election in Iran. Pointing to the Iranian government’s violent reaction to demonstrations in the streets of Iran, the students and faculty patricipating stood for peaceful, democratic government. Najma Yousefi, a doctoral student, said the two candidates opposing current President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad received majority support among Iranians, and the announced results are almost certainly fraudulent. “Shortly after the announcement of early results, two major opponents called into question the results,” Yousefi said. He said “ample circumstantial evidence” shows Ahmadinejad’s totals were inflated. “Many people, if not the majority, feel the polls had already been stuffed,” Yousefi said. One piece of evidence was the fast announcement of results. As signs asking “Where is my vote?” indicate,
DANIEL LIN/SPPS
see IRAN, page three Tuesday’s protest attracted over 50 supporters from many backgrounds, even an adolescent Iranian seeking human rights for his homeland.
Leave it to Weaver at US Open JOSH PARCELL
sports editor Drew Weaver made his first cut ever at a PGA tournament, and finished at 9-over, in 40th place at the 2009 U.S. Open. Weaver’s flair endeared him to the gallery and helped establish his very young reputation among golf’s elite. The former Virginia Tech star placed in the top 10 early by posting a first round score of 1-under 69. Unpredictable weather hovered over the course all weekend, with early forecasts of periods with heavy rain causing many course officials to worry about finishing the championship before Tuesday. Images of the prestigious course at Bethpage State Park showed flooded greens and muddy bunkers. The first round did not end until midway through Friday. When Weaver wrapped up his first round, he was the briefly the clubhouse leader. “The weather definitely affected everybody; having that much down time messed things up. As a tourna-
ment golfer you are used to a routine every day. I probably warmed up eight times in a four-round tournament. It can throw you out of rhythm for sure,” Weaver said. As the second round spilled over into Saturday, the pressure on Weaver turned up drastically. Weaver fell to 2-over late in his round. With the projected cut line at 4-over, it was clear there was hardly any room for error closing the round. He responded with authority, making a 25-foot birdie putt on the ninth hole (his final hole, he teed off on the 10th). He threw a Tiger Woods-like fist pump in the air and scampered across the green to retrieve the ball that would keep him in Farmingdale, N.Y. for the weekend. Not only did he do his best Tiger impersonation, he outplayed the world’s No. 1 player through the first two rounds. Tiger was 3-over at the cut, two shots behind Weaver. “I didn’t even realize that until (after the tournament), but it is pretty cool
ZACH CRIZER
news editor Robert B. Pamplin, the college’s namesake, died Wednesday in Oregon. A 1933 Virginia Tech graduate, Pamplin earned a degree in business administration and became the CEO of Georgia-Pacific Corp., which manufactures tissue, paper, packaging and building products. Between Pamplin and his son, Bob PAMPLIN Jr., the family has contributed more than $16.5 million to the Pamplin College of Business. Pamplin Hall was named in his honor in 1969 and the Pamplin College of Business was named MICHAEL SHROYER/SPPS
see WEAVER, back page
Pamplin Sr. dies at age 97
Weaver fires away during his junior season at Virginia Tech.
BREAKING NEWS, MULTIMEDIA, UPDATES AND MORE AVAILABLE ONLINE AT COLLEGIATETIMES.COM
see PAMPLIN, page two
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Ring of Fire
NEWS
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Pamplin: Namesake of business college influential at university from page one
DANIEL LIN/SPPS
collegiatetimes.com june 25, 2009
Ilima Ursomarso performs a fire spinning routine at the Summer Solstice Festival Saturday, June 20 near Blacksburg’s Kent Square development.
for him in 1988. He was originally from Dinwiddie County. His wife of 68 years, Katherine Reese Pamplin, died less than a year ago. He had two brothers who are also deceased. According to an Associated Press report, Pamplin Jr. said his father suffered from Alzheimer’s disease. Pamplin worked for GeorgiaPacific from his college graduation in 1934 until he retired in 1976. According to his obituary, he was “an acknowledged leader and creative thinker within his industry. He was also known as the father of the southern pine plywood industry.” In a statement, Georgia-Pacific expressed gratitude for Pamplin’s time at the company. “We offer our deepest condolences to the Pamplin family,” the statement said. “Mr. Pamplin was one of the most influential people in the history of our company. His contributions to Georgia-Pacific and education were enormous, and he will be truly missed.” After retiring, he created R.B. Pamplin Corporation with his son.
Prior to entering his field, he graduated from Dinwiddie County High School and Tech. He later completed a graduate degree at Northwestern University. He was also the recipient of honorary degrees from Tech, Lewis & Clark College, University of Portland and Western Seminary. Tech also awarded him the Alumni Distinguished Service Award. He served on the Board of Visitors from 1971 to 1979. Pamplin was named Virginian of the Year by the Virginia Press Association. Other awards include Northwestern University’s “Merit Award” and Financial World’s outstanding chief executive officer in forest and paper products industries. He is survived by Pamplin Jr. and daughter-in-law Marilyn H. Pamplin, as well as granddaughters Amy Pamplin North and Anne PamplinEvenson and their families. He has three great-grandsons. A memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, June 26, at the Agnes Flanagan Chapel at Lewis & Clark College in Oregon. University officials could not be reached for comment at press time.
Iran: Iranian citizens in US believe votes went uncounted many Iranians living in America don’t believe their ballot was counted. Over 50 people turned out to support the cause, including many nonIranian protesters. Ed Spencer, Director of Student Affairs, also stood with the demonstrators. “I think we want to be supportive of the Iranian cause here at Virginia Tech,” Spencer said. He said the 82 percent voter turnout in the election was impressive for any country. Iranian citizens in other countries may still vote in the elections. While Yousefi said the current leader was not completely bad for his home country, he said most voters, especially those in America, wanted a new president. “To my mind, the vast majority of Iranians living in the U.S. have very little sympathy with Ahmadinejad,” Yousefi said. “The remains of that sympathy are eroding because of this recent sham.”
ON THE WEB See a video report and photo gallery capturing the sights and sounds of Tuesday’s protest. Yousefi cites suppression of human rights as another flaw of the current government. “The fact remains that during his four years, civil liberties have been significantly limited,” Yousefi said. “Many reformists have been put under arrest.”
The future of Iran
DANIEL LIN/SPPS
A Hokie protester fights for humane treatment of demonstrators in Iran. He also opposes Ahmadinejad’s handling of the conflict in Israel. “He’s caused unnecessary crisis for Iran in his encounters with the outside world,” Yousefi said. “His call for wiping Israel off the map was not a wise move.” Physics major Matt Raum, a supporter not from Iran, said he has kept up with the country’s election through close Iranian friends here at Tech, and felt concern for their cause. “I just support democracy, and fair elections,” Raum said. Yousefi said even supporters of Ahmadinejad were surprised by his victory because of the projected voting numbers. He said the election numbers for
Ahmadinejad nearly doubled from the projections. “Upping that by 100 percent was the biggest lie of this century,” Yousefi said. Most protesters were Iranian citizens who voted in the recent elections. Iranian citizens at Tech contacted their embassy and asked for a box of ballots to be sent to campus. Cranwell International Center served as a polling place for voters in the university community. There are about 120 students of Iranian origin at Tech. Originally, the group planned a march from College Avenue to Burruss Hall with candles, but changed its plans Monday.
In their nation’s worst political crisis since 1979, the people of Iran are in a violent dispute over the legitimacy of the June 2009 presidential election, which declared incumbent Mahmoud Ahmadinejad the president. Protesters hit the streets after Ahmadinejad’s victory, which resulted in the detainment and even death of some Iranians. On June 22, an investigation by an election panel in Iran showed that in 50 cities the numbers of votes cast exceeded the number of voters. On Wednesday, Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, responded to protestors by declaring that there would be no re-election, reported the British Broadcasting Company. A group called the International Campaign for Human Rights in Iran totaled the number of detained people at 240, including 29 who were detained and then released, as well as 102 political figures, 23 journalists, 79 university students, and 7 university faculty who are still in detention. Steve Clemons, an American writer and blogger on foreign policy, said that scattered protests will continue to an extent but “there will be an ongoing struggle whether the violence continues.”
“I think that the only thing that can happen now is to see how much time passes and to see if Ahmadinejad can consolidate power over those that have been challenging them,” Clemons said. One issue for Ahmadinejad is the fact that even with a true win, there is at least 33 percent of the population that voted for his opponent Mir-Hossein Mousavi, and considers Ahmadinejad’s victory faulty. “Ahmadinejad will come on top but will be significantly weaker,” Clemons said. “Oftentimes when countries are divided, leaders try to gin up trouble abroad to unify the nation around national security measures,” Clemons said. “So that’s one thing they’ll try and do.” Iranian protesters have communicated the situation through the Internet, although not all reports can be confirmed. Videos and Twitter accounts have relayed information worldwide, most prominently the videos showing the death of one young protestor identified as Neda. “Iran and its nuclear program are among the highest in the strategic program of the Obama administration,” Clemons said. “I think this is unexpected, dramatic, and a nation that we’re intrigued with.”
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from page one
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Housing working with tight numbers early July. An admissions official said the goal was 5,025 freshmen, which would be significantly lower than the 5,601 freshmen that enrolled last year. Perhaps there was a shortage of occupants as opposed to rooms, however, students whose original request for release from the contract was denied have been contacted with a different message. An email sent to one student who requested release from their contract in May offered the following: “According to our records, you contacted our office earlier this year seeking release from your 2009-2010 housing and dining contract. At that time, you pursued the Contract Release
Request process per the normal procedures and your request was denied. Subsequent to your request, we have received a higher number of inquiries from transfer students requesting housing than is normal. If you are still interested in termination of your contract, we may have an opportunity to negate your contract in favor of helping additional students who desire on-campus housing.” The email continued on, saying the requests would be taken on a first-come, first-serve basis and only a small number could be granted. It appears that although on campus rooms are being filled, housing is walking a thin line right now. Check back for more on this story, including Housing’s input on the situation. Zc
The CollegiateTimes News Blog is now online. Read the entire blog entry, and others, at www.collegiatetimes.com/blogs.
collegiatetimes.com june 25, 2009
On campus housing has been a scarce commodity in previous years, but this year has seen a different set of circumstances. Last year, returning students were offered a buy out to give up their on campus housing for incoming students. Still, many freshmen were in temporary housing during fall semester. This year, some students who applied for release from their housing contract as early as May were denied. Admissions is aiming for a lower total of freshmen than last year, and the number of transfer students is below the totals from recent years. Final numbers have not yet been released, but admissions is hoping to have them by
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LooP Wondering what's going on around the 'burg? Check out the events of the upcoming week.
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Fri, June 26
What: t: Friday Night Out presents Caribbean Rock When: n: 6 p.m. Wherre: Drillfield Cost: Free
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Thurs, June 25
What Round the Mountain Artisan Trails in the New River Valley When: 11:30 a.m. Where Lyric Theatre Cost: Free
What: Joel Venditti Performance When: 6 p.m. Where: Ceritano's Cost: Price of food
What: Money Saving Workshop When: 7 p.m. Where Blacksburg YMCA Cost: $10
What: Summer Lecture Series presents Slimy Salamanders: The Ecosystem's “Civil Servant� When: 7:30 p.m. Where Outdoor Classroom Wildwood Park, Radford Cost: Free
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Sat, June 27
What Cruisin' Christiansburg 5K and Fun Run When: 8 a.m. Where Downtown Christiansburg Cost: $15 pre-registration, $20 Race Day; $12 1 mile fun Run registration.
What: Book Signing by author Brian Walters When Books-a-Million, Blacksburg Where: 1 p.m. Cost: Free
What: Nascar Wheelen All-American Series When: 2 p.m. Where: Motor Mile Speedway Cost: $5 general admission, college students free with ID
collegiatetimes.com june 25, 2009
What: Oak Grove Pavilion Summer Concert Series Presents Bernie Coveny and Martin Scudder When: 7:30 p.m. Where Pavilion Stage, Floyd Cost: Free, donations accepted
Sun, June 28
What: Jimmy Thackery Performance When: 5 p.m. Where Sunken Garden Ampitheatre Cost: $10 Lawn, $15 Garden Ampitheatre, children under 12 are free
Mon, June 29
What Radford Fiddle and Banjo Jam When: 7 p.m. Wher The Coffee Mill Cost: Free
Tue, June 30
What: Advanced Art Classes When: 5:30 p.m. Where: Art Pannonia Cost: $40/month
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What: Melissa Reaves When: 9 p.m. Where: The Cellar Cost: Free
If you would like an event added to the calendar, keep the Blacksburg community in the loop by e-mailing features@collegiatetimes.com.
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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 Letters must include name and daytime phone number. Letters must 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. 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. 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 receives no funding from the university.
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Have you ever walked into Squires and seen one of the many “awareness” flags that decorate the main entrance? Has it ever made you more aware? With initiatives such as the Principles of Community, Virginia Tech makes no apologies for its commitment to diversity and respect for different viewpoints. And most Tech students also express an acknowledgment of the importance of being inclusive and non-discriminatory. That’s the easy part. But the more difficult question is whether top-down efforts to raise awareness of the diversity of our campus are effective. Even tolerant members of the Tech community may roll their eyes at the latest school or governmentsanctioned block of awareness designed to show our collective appreciation for diversity. Diversity and international awareness at Tech is more complex than banners and socials. That complexity is part of what makes diversity worthwhile, because it can really engage us in discussion and thought. For an example of this, we can look at the recent protest of the Iranian election on the Tech campus. On Tuesday, these Iranian Tech members, consisting of mainly grad students and employees, came together in front of Burruss to express their dissatisfaction with their home government and demand their right to a fair vote. It is one of many events that have Americans paying attention and learning what we have in common with the Iranian people.
This was not merely a scheduled effort to make American students realize that Iran exists and that its people are relatable to us. It was an expression of support for their people back home and a demonstration of the values they hold dear enough to organize such an event. Anyone passing by could talk to a protester and learn more about their experience with the election and the reason they speak out. Anyone could get a glimpse into the struggle a Tech sub-community goes through. That is the true worth of diversity. It is not mere co-existence that we should be pursuing as an academic community. Public relations campaigns neatly boxed into a set period of time do not convince most that other cultures contribute to our experience at Tech. But whenever an international or minority student shows solidarity with its people in public and gives others the chance to witness and engage them in deeper questions, it enriches our experience as students entering a globalized society. Tuesday’s protest was the true awareness-raiser for people of Iran. And while we shouldn’t begrudge those who mean well by working on the awareness banners and diversity campaigns, we should all make an effort to reach out to these interesting members of the greater Tech community during all times of the year. Even if there isn’t a flag hanging in Squires. The editorial board is composed of Sara Mitchell, Phillip Murillas, Daniel Lin, and Geri Roberts.
SCOTT MASSELLI regular columnist Recently, a blog post on a Midwestern sports site that theorized that Phillies outfielder Raul Ibanez was using steroids as an explanation for his thenMajor League-leading 22 home runs, pointing out that Ibanez, 37, has already hit more home runs this year than in any other year in the majors. Several mainstream news outlets have criticized the blogger for being irresponsible and acting without proof or probable cause. If it is at all possible, put aside the stigma of performanceenhancing drugs surrounding baseball and whether Ibanez or anyone else have used steroids, and consider only the implications of the article itself. Regardless of your opinion of the ethics of the post, the incident provides a good case study of the responsibilities that come with the First Amendment. Days after Midwest Sports Fans blogger Jerod Morris (username: JRod) posted his story, the Philadelphia Inquirer responded, bashing the eccentric Morris for implicating Ibanez and admonished Morris for his lack of ethics. In the following weeks, the two sides continued their feud, even appearing on ESPN’s “Outside the Lines.” While Morris maintains that he was attempting to vindicate Ibanez by offering up other reasons for his productive start, he wrote, “it would be foolish to dismiss the possibility that ‘other’ performance enhancers could be part of the equation,” as opposed to simply a change in home ballpark and other hitters in the lineup. Despite the qualifications he put on his statement, Morris and other writers must take care that they are not capricious in their posts. Every time someone acts irresponsibly (and I am not saying Morris did or did not), they put their enjoyment of the First Amendment at stake, along with everyone who intends to use it as it was intended. I am not scolding the writers here; I seek merely to warn them. Excepting only cases of clear libel or slander, I would always be in favor of free speech,
were I granted the authority to do so, as would most judges. The fact is, however, there are judges, some wielding frightening amounts of power, who have forgotten the founding ideals of the nation because of their own visions of the future, often at conflict with logic and the rights of the minority opinion. Consider the case of Buck v. Bell (1927), in which the Supreme Court upheld a Virginia law allowing for the sterilization of people deemed mentally ill — on an 8-1 vote. Without question, the law and decision are equally detestable, if not on the grounds of simple right and wrong, then certainly by appeal to the 14thAmendment’s Due Process clause. But, in spite of this, the Court still upheld the law in overwhelming majority. While I disagree with the Court’s opinion regarding the message itself, which furthers the precedent of limits on student expression, Frederick’s — forgive me— cavalier invocation of free speech put other students’ right to make legitimate claims at risk. To revisit the freedom of the press guarantee, consider the case of Hazelwood v. Kuhlmeier (1987). A high school journalism class that intended to print, amongst other stories, articles on students’ experiences with pregnancy and parents’ divorces. Unfortunately, the Court reversed the Court of Appeals’ decision, finding in favor of the school, 6-3. Though the students were acting as legitimate journalists and displayed courage in pursuing a good story, the Court ruled that the principal had power over the newspaper, which was considered contingent of the school. It is for the sake of these youths and those like them, that people must be responsible in publications and speech. More importantly, however, all Americans must continue to employ their rights. The students that put together the controversial newspaper should be an example for all students. Don’t accept the Court’s decision as the end-game; disagree, question, challenge. The fate of the nation lies in your hands.
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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Textbooks must be updated Your recent article, “Books: Aiming to buy, sell, not break the bank” (Tech Fundamentals — June 21) did not accurately represent the realities of today’s textbook market. Nor did it make clear that textbook publishers’ primary focus is on meeting the educational needs of students while holding down the cost of course materials. Instructors want their students to succeed by having the latest information and the most up-to-date materials. Faculty members are the ones
choosing the textbooks based on what they believe is best for their students’ education. According to a 2005 Zogby International study, 80 percent of the surveyed faculty said it is important for textbook materials to be as current as possible. Publishers’ revision cycles have been steady for more than a decade, averaging 3.9 years for the most popular editions according to an August 2008 study by the California state auditor, enabling a single text to be resold as many as 12 times or more in its lifespan.
Publishers understand students’ concerns about the cost of higher education and are aggressively working to provide them with multiple options and a variety of prices for their learning materials. They will continue their efforts to provide students with the best educational materials in the world in the most cost-effective manner possible. Katie Test Assistant Director for Higher Education Association of American Publishers
Corrections Find a correction? E-mail the Collegiate Times at publiceditor@collegiatetim es.com
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Protest brings real awareness to Tech
Freedom of speech does not come free
OPINIONS
Collegiate Times Editorial Staff Editor-in-Chief Sara Mitchell Managing Editor Phillip Murillas Production Manager Thandiwe Ogbonna News Editor Zach Crizer Features Editor Mindy Marcus Sports Editor Josh Parcell Head Copy Editor Geri Roberts Photo Editor Daniel Lin Online Director Sam Eberspacher
EDITORIAL
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collegiatetimes.com june 25, 2009
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‘Transformers:’ More than meets critics’ eyes The battle between the Autobots and the Decepticons rages on in the sequel to the surprise hit “Transformers” from 2007. MATT In“Transformers: Revenge of the ARTZ Fallen,” a short features amount of time editor has passed since the events of the first “Transformers.” The Autobots have joined forces with the United States government to form an elite tactical squad to search out and destroy remaining Decepticons still hiding on our planet. Meanwhile, Sam Witwicky is preparing to go off to college and try to be a normal kid, despite having an unreasonably hot girlfriend and a car that transforms into a robot who acts like his personal body guard. Unfortunately for Sam, the war between the two robotic races will interfere with his life once more. A small shard from the destroyed Allspark from the previous movie is left behind in Sam’s possession. It causes him to have strange visions with unknown meanings that he must figure out before it’s too late. The plot of the film is fairly standard
stuff as far as movie premises go. The problem the plot faces is that it jumps around quite a bit, causing some viewers to be confused by scene changes. That said, it’s very easy to ignore this because the film keeps the viewer interested. S c e n e MOVIE REVIEW c h a n g e s always lead to some plot development and new action sequences. The action grows throughout the film, but peaks early. What seems like the closing note in the battle leads to a final confrontation that is enjoyable to watch, but not as awe-inspiring as the images before it. That being said, the film does a great job of showing us some dramatic, special effects-driven action. It would seem director Michael Bay takes the sentiment “actions speak louder than words” a step further with astounding computer-generated graphics and live-action explosions. There are portions of this film that are never explained that will cause casual viewers to be dumbfounded. Thestorylinebehind“Transformers” is very convoluted, both in the movies and in its previous mediums such as comics and cartoons. There are so many iterations of them that it’s hard to keep them straight. Bay seems to adapt mate-
MCT
Optimus Prime prepares to battle multiple Decepticons in “Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen.” rial from the entire Transformers The Fallen, the titular villain, is the universe in order to make his films, best example, as he has powers and but doesn’t do a great job explaining abilities that aren’t explained in the characterstics of the new robots. film. In order to understand the background of this movie, it would be a good idea to re-watch the first one before going. This film is, from start to finish, a feast for the eyes. Visually, Bay and the artists at Industrial Light & Magic know how to make robots transform and, more importantly, fight. Action movies pride themselves on non-stop rollercoaster rides, but often have long periods of downtime. This movie does not have that downtime. The biggest surprise to this film is how fight sequences are shown. Had the robots been replaced with people, the movie would have easily been rated R because of the graphic ways in which robots are dismantled. Robotic hearts and heads are pulled apart in slow motion form that can only be describe as amazing. Comedy is another underrated portion of this film. The previous movie had multitudes of cute, matter-of-fact humor. The scenes in this film are more straightforward comedy and it comes in boatloads. Sometimes, it does try a little too hard to express it, especially through the robots Mudflap and Skids. Sam’s parents are also back, causing more family-related drama that transpires on screen to a hilarious version of what college students go through when they leave home for the first time. The acting in this film is comparable to the last film. The main actors from the previous film return to give mixed performances. Shia LaBeouf returns as Sam Witwicky and fits right back into the role. He can’t seem to get away from
being a smart-mouthed young adult, but it is a performance he is good at. Megan Fox returns as eye candy for the film, although she does have more emotional depth the second time around. I was pleasantly surprised by her in this film.
Showtimes Friday, Saturday & Sunday: 11:30 a.m., 12:10, 12:50, 1:40, 2:50, 3:30, 4:10, 5:00, 6:10, 6:50, 7:30, 8:20, 9: 30, 10:10, 10:50 p.m. Regal New River Valley Stadium 14 The Air Force Special forces from the previous film that include Tyrese Gibson and Josh Duhamel are back, but seem to have taken a backseat to simply being the military enforcers who help the Autobots when needed. A huge change in the film is the Transformers now have much larger parts in the film. The number of giant robots are almost quadrupled, giving them almost as much screen time as the actors. This gives way to the new importance of Optimus Prime. He is just as much an actor in the film as any of the others. His performance in the film draws from the cartoon show, as well as his dialogue. He seems like a corny, Saturday morning cartoon character stereotype of a leader, but that is who he is and the film is faithful to recreating that image. This film is in every way the bigger, better sequel to the first Transformers film. Non-stop action and thrills make for a great movie, so long as the sometimes confusing plot development can be ignored.
TOTS: Karaoke and spirits on a Tuesday night MATTHEW ARTZ
features editor There are countless musical groups found within the Virginia Tech community. These groups include talented a cappella companies and choirs. But the real voices show up at Top of the Stairs every Tuesday night. Located right next to Virginia Tech, TOTS as it is called, has been around since 1978. The building is between the Squires parking lot and Jimmy John’s. The entrance to the bar is accessed by stairs leading up to the bar’s entrance hence its name. The inside of TOTS looks like a typical bar. There is a single pool table near the front and the bar extends toward the back of the building. Several televisions adorn the corners and walls of the room. A small dance floor-like area with a little elevated stage is located where the first bar ends. It is here the magical melodies of karaoke can be heard. This room leads out onto the deck behind TOTS. The deck wraps around the back and side of the building and extends out in the back to provide additional seating. The deck on the back and side is what sets this bar apart aesthetically. The outdoor portions of it are very nice. The deck seating area is adorned with various classic signs and Tech paraphernalia. Below the deck is a pit-like area with a large drink table shaped like the VT symbol. On a nice summer night, it’s relaxing to sit on the deck and enjoy the evening. It’s actually a shame that the nicest time to relax on this deck is in the middle of summer, when the least amount of people reside in Blacksburg. This can, however, be a positive thing, as it ensures smaller crowds for a relaxing, instead of hectic, experience.
“For us, it’s nicer that it’s slower... We look at it as, we’re recovering from graduation and getting ready to go into the fall and football season.” - Ryan Ruggero TOTS manager
Top of the Stairs Location: 217 West College Ave. between Squire Parking Lot and Jimmy John’s. Events: Karaoke Tuesdays, Live Bands Food Specials: $7.95 Lunch Buffet from Tuesday to Friday Drink Specials: $1.25 domestic bottles during Happy Hour, large bottles and cans. Contact: 540-953-2837 It goes from Tuesday to Friday around lunch hours and offers a sizeDANIEL LIN/SPPS able meal for $7.95. The cost includes a drink, a soup or salad, and anything People enjoy a Tuesday night at the bar inside Top of the Stairs. Karaoke is performed in the room adjacent to on the buffet. The buffet usually con- the bar near the back porch of TOTS on Tuesday nights, and there is no cover charge in the summer. sists of barbeque-related foods. Additionally, you can order the barbeque for carry out. One of TOTS’ major attractions is karaoke. It’s held every Tuesday throughout the school year and carries on into the summer. The bar doesn’t charge for this event during the summer, so now would be an opportune time to go without no cover charge. “It gets pretty crowded even in the summer; 100, maybe 200, people are here on a given Tuesday night. It’s nothing like the school year, but it’s something,” said DJ Robbie Palmer. Robbie has been the DJ for karaoke at TOTS for ten years. “I took this over about ten years ago from a buddy of mine who I did it with and have done it ever since,” he said. He is a regular mainstay to this bar, if you ask any of the staff, and has been awarded with several recognitions. The bar also likes to get live musical bands throughout the summer. “We try to do more bands and things on the weeknights and weekends. We try to give something new for the summer for people to do,” Ruggero said. The bands are generally scheduled for Wednesdays but live music can sometimes be heard any night of the week. For those working at TOTS in the summer it’s a great way to unwind and relax before the return of students. “For us, it’s nicer that it’s slower; We can get more cleaning stuff done because it’s not crazy here every night of the week,” Ruggero said. “We look at it as, we’re recovering from graduation and getting ready to go into the fall and football season.”
collegiatetimes.com june 25, 2009
Without all the rush of semester crowds, TOTS uses the summertime to stock different products they normally couldn’t because of space constraints. During the summer, the bar likes to stock large bottles of beers such as Corona and Miller Lite, as well as large Pabst Blue Ribbon cans. “It’s a nicer offer in the summer; you don’t have to get up as much and
it’s usually a better deal,” said Ryan Ruggero, a manager. They also still run happy hour with $1.25 domestic beers every night. The menu hasn’t changed much for the summer months, but they do offer something new. TOTS offers an all-you-can-eat lunch buffet during the week.
7 FEATURES
THE CT TAKES A LOOK AT BARS IN THE ‘BURG
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Use (and enjoy) the library beyond exam week SARA MITCHELL
editor-in-chief You’d probably prefer that the word ‘library’ stayed out of your vernacular during the summer months, but when you’re bored and broke, your local library could be your biggest ally. The Montgomery-Floyd Regional Libraries include those in Blacksburg and Christiansburg. Many libraries have programs for free or on the cheap that don’t even require a book. “A lot of our programs are drop in,” said Sarah Gordon, the youth service manager for Blacksburg Public Library. This means that even if you haven’t owned a library card since you read the Hardy Boys, you’ll be good to go. Video games If your roommate with the Wii went home for the summer, you don’t need to wait until August to get your gaming fix. A regular feature is the Game On! program every second and fourth Friday. Gamecube and Wii consoles are available for games like Dance Dance Revolution and Rock Band. The featured games depend on the demand, so bring your friends and ask for a game as a group.
This is available at both the Blacksburg Public Library and the Christiansburg Public Library at varied times. Movies With a library card, DVDs can be rented at the Blacksburg Public Library, but the library shows movies, as well. The Blacksburg Public Library holds a “Reel Fun Movie” every month. While the movies lean toward the PG side of the rating scale, the next movie is “Confessions of a Shopoholic” on June 29. The Radford Public Library strays from the mainstream. This summer, the library will showcase one “really, really bad movie” each month, said Library Technician Dave Banker. The event is called “Bad Movies and Free Popcorn.” June’s movie was “Santa Claus Conquers the Martians.” July’s movie will be “Teenagers in Outerspace” and August’s will be the 1960’s version of “Little Shop of Horrors.” To avoid paying the fee to play a movie with a copyright, Banker perused all the public-domain movies, and decided to pick some of the worst available. He hopes that the free popcorn and air conditioning will beckon some viewers. “Most aren’t good, even on an ironic level,” Banker said of the movies avail-
able through public domain. “But some are gems.” Book clubs If you like to read, there are book clubs available through MFRL. A book is chosen for a monthly meeting, and anyone who would like to join the discussion can read the book before the meeting. Coffee and pastries are provided, and a book club leader has discussion questions planned. “Each library has their own sort of flavor to their books program,” said Linda Spivey of MFRL, so do some research. The MFRL Web site lists each library’s monthly book. If you’re itching to read a book but want some ideas, join a book club for a month. Special seminars Beyond entertainment, Blacksburg Public Library holds monthly alternative-health sessions led by local professionals in its “Natural Healthcare” program. July’s session focuses on “Reiki,” a Japanese healing method. Spivey called this one of the “very successful” programs at the library. Virginia Tech will team up with the area’s libraries to conduct seminars to improve job skills. You can get help with your resume or interview skills. Volunteering You won’t get paid, but if your parents are on your case about finding something to do while in Blacksburg, all libraries accept applications for volunteers.
Upcoming library activities Blacksburg Public Library Game On! June 26 from 1:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Movie: "Confessions of a Shopoholic " June 29 at 6 p.m. Book Club: "Shipping News" by Annie Proulx June 29 at 11 a.m. Natural Healthcare: "Reiki" Japanese healing July 16 at 7 p.m Draper Road Miller Street
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NBA Draft provides plenty of uncertainty Jonny Flynn captivated the heart of college basketball fans with his legendary performance in Syracuse’s epic sixovertime win over Connecticut in the Big East semifinals in April. His gutsy effort from there on out into the NCAA tournament proved to be his coming-out party, and propelled him to enter the draft. Had he returned to school, he would have easily been the top point guard in the country, but in a draft loaded with players at that spot, he could go anywhere from the third to 15th slot. Whichever team takes him will be getting an ultra-quick floor general with a sweet jump shot and unsurpassed maturity. Flynn should turn into a great NBA point guard. This 2009 rookie class is hardly the 2003 class of LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony, Dwayne Wade, and many other stars, or the 2005 class with Deron Williams and Chris Paul. But in every draft, no matter how strong the top, there always seems to be a couple players who nobody mentions on draft day that find their way onto NBA rosters and turn into great players for a long time. With this year’s class being as wide open as ever in terms of who could go where and when, there is no telling who we will look back on in this draft as the best catch.
NBA Mock Draft Pick
Team
Player (College)
1
LAC
Blake Griffin (Oklahoma)
2
MEM
Hasheem Thabeet (UConn)
3
OKL
Tyreke Evans (Memphis)
4
SAC
Ricky Rubio (Spain)
5
MIN
James Harden (Arizona State)
6
MIN
Stephen Curry (Davidson)
7
G.S.
DeMar Derozan (USC)
8
NY
Jonny Flynn (Syracuse)
9
TOR
Jordan Hill (Arizona)
10
MIL
Jrue Holiday (UCLA)
11
NJ
Tyler Hansbrough (UNC)
12
CHA
Brandon Jennings (Europe)
13
IND
Gerald Henderson (Duke)
14
PHX
James Johnson (Wake Forest) THANDIWE OGBONNA/COLLEGIATE TIMES
collegiatetimes.com june 25, 2009
Miller and Curry both have tall, lanky bodies and ultra-quick releases on their jump shots. It has been no secret that the New York Knicks have coveted Curry for quite a long time because he fits the mold of coach Mike D’Antoni’s offensive scheme perfectly as an uptempo point guard with unlimited range. D’Antoni knows how to coach the point guard position, having turned Steve Nash into a two-time NBA MVP in his 30’s. Curry’s stock was not too high only a month ago, but the Knicks wellpublicized interest in him actually raised his interest among other teams selecting ahead of New York. He has been rumored to be on the short list of the Thunder at third and the Warriors at seventh. After becoming the first four-time unanimous All-American in college basketball history, Tyler Hansbrough is having a trying time making a name for himself in the realm of NBA scouts. The former North Carolina star and all-time leading scorer in the ACC lacks the skill set many perceive he would need to play in the NBA and be successful. Experts cite his size and lack of quickness as his biggest downfalls going into the professional league. Hansbrough brings a lot of heart and energy every time he hits the court, and that will do nothing but help him against the opposing big men in the NBA. He will have to bring a whole lot of that heart when he goes up against players with three and four-inch advantages over him and strength that matches if not exceeds his own. On an average year, he would possibly not even find himself in the first round. However, with the unusually weak class, he has been rumored to even go as high as 11th to the New Jersey Nets. If he does not go there, he should still go in the middle to late portion of the first round. The lone Hokie entered in the draft this year is A.D.Vassallo. Most mock drafts on the Internet do not mention Vassallo in their predictions, but he has been on the radar of a few squads. It is unlikely he will be selected before the last eight to 10 picks, if at all. If he does get selected, he will be the second Hokie drafted during coach Seth Greenberg’s tenure, along with Deron Washington, who was taken with the final pick of the 2008 draft by the Detroit Pistons. Even if he is selected, late second round picks very seldom make the final squad for the regular season. Vassallo’s best bet will be to play overseas in the European leagues and he could resurface in the near future back in the NBA. His sweet shooting stroke and great length as a defender are his biggest assets, but his questionable ball handling and below average quickness are his biggest hindrances.
9 SPORTS
The NBA Draft commences tonight in New York, and this year’s class of rookies provides more questions than answers. The JOSH group is loaded PARCELL with young, mostly sports unproven guards. editor After the first pick, it has been very difficult to speculate which direction teams are headed with their selections. Ever since the lottery last month, where the Los Angeles Clippers had the lucky ping-pong ball that gave them the top pick, everyone penciled in Oklahoma power forward Blake Griffin as the man for that spot. The speculation will turn to reality tonight when Griffin dons the red and blue hat and shakes hands with commissioner David Stern on stage. Griffin’s unique combination of strength and athleticism should translate well to the NBA’s style of play. He has a physique reminiscent of Phoenix Suns star Amare Stoudemire, a player with whom Griffin has been compared to throughout the pre-draft workout process. The only potential stumbling block in Griffin’s future in Los Angeles is that very destination. The Clippers have a history of screwing up bright young prospects. Names like Michael Oliwikandi and Darius Miles strike up memories of players labeled with big-time potential that never developed into anywhere close to that caliber of a player. Griffin can only hope to buck that trend. After Griffin is off the board, it is a quasi-crapshoot the rest of the way. Ricky Rubio, the top international player in the draft from Spain, has been the next most highly publicized player in the class, but even he has his noticeable flaws. Questions on his jump shot and strength are causes for concern for the teams at the top of the draft looking at picking him. He has great vision and is an incredible passer for an 18-year old point guard. He will most likely either go to Memphis with the second pick, or Oklahoma City with the third. Other than Griffin, the American player garnering much of the talk among NBA scouts is Davidson College prospect Stephen Curry. Curry burst onto the national scene by carrying the Wildcats to within one basket of the Final Four in 2008, with his superior marksmanship from three-point range. He is projected as a point guard at the pro level, despite having only played the position this past season, in the less-than-prestigious Southern Conference. Curry’s build and skills bring back memories of Reggie Miller, one of the best three-point shooters of all time.
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SPORTS
10 Tincher finds success beyond college JOSH PARCELL
sports editor Angela Tincher is making progress on an equally great career as a professional. This spring, Tincher played with LeoPalace 21 of the Japanese softball league, and after the first half of the season, the team stands in fourth place in the 12-team league, only two games out of first. “Going to Japan was amazing. I was nervous about doing it at first because it is a such a big commitment being six months out of the year living in another country,” Tincher said. Two weeks ago, she returned to the United States to try out for the national team in Chula Vista, Calif., with the nation’s best players. This was not the first time Tincher had been invited to try out for the team, although she came out of the last attempts having failed to make a roster. The experience paid its dividends this time around, however. “The camp was similar to the ones in the past, time-wise and everything. I think being invited before helped me tremendously. I had an idea of what would happen now, but I still had not made the team I wanted to, so I was still nervous,” Tincher said. At the conclusion of the camp, one National Team was selected to play in the World Cup in Oklahoma City and
the Canadian Cup this summer. Two other teams were split to play in the Pan Am games in Venezuela and the Japan Cup. The National Team will split its roster to complete both teams headed to Venezuela and Japan. Tincher made the squad that will represent the U.S. in the Pan Am games starting July 31. “It’s always good to have our players play on international squads”, Tech softball coach Scot Thomas said. “We’ve had several players play on international teams, which is great to show recruits that we have sent players on to play at that level; having Angela playing for our own team is even better.” The Angela Tincher Show has hit the road now in Akron, with the Racers of the National Pro Fastpitch league. She has teamed up with fellow former Hokie Kelsey Hoffman on that squad, and as of June 23 the Racers were 4-6 and in third place in the league. Tincher has pitched in one game, falling to the Rockford Thunder. She allowed three runs and struck out six in the loss. The Thunder’s roster includes recent Tech graduate Jenna Rhodes, and Barb Sherwood as one of the coaches. Several other Hokies made the trip up for that series, including manager Kevin Price and Tincher’s former roommates. “It was kind of cool that Kelsey, Jenna and I were all on the same field, and then to have those other people coming
up to watch, it was a nice little Hokie reunion up there,” Tincher said. Coach Thomas spoke of having three Hokies in the pro league, saying, “It’s good they have a chance to go to a new level, as long as the league keeps going it is a great chance to make a little money at a higher level. The riches come more from the experience, though. If I had the chance to do the same thing they are doing I would. It is great for recruiting to be able to show girls what our program has produced.” Only six years ago, Tincher was only a local hero from a small school at James River High in Virginia. After too many awards and honors to count, a College World Series appearance, and a degree from Tech, she has come a long way since then. “I didn’t know a lot of this was possible,” Tincher said, “I was just happy to have an opportunity to play Division one softball, it was only after that I saw all the opportunities that were open to me.” Tincher will continue to play in Akron the rest of the summer until the Pan Am games. On September 5 the second half of the Japanese League starts again, where she will return to play. The experiences have been many for the former Hokie, who is the first and only player to have her number retired by the program. All of her travels continue to expand her worldwide experiences of a lifetime.
Hokies in the pro leagues this week Hokies in pro action
this week
Joe Saunders @ Texas 6/30 Patrick Nyarko Tigres 6/27 @Wilmington 6/30 Kerri Gardin Atlanta 6/27 THANDIWE OGBONNA/COLLEGIATE TIMES
Professional Hokies enjoy great success, respective teams go undefeated for the week Joe Saunders Saunders went six-and-a-third innings, but earned a no decision in the Angels win over the Dodgers on June 19. He gave up four runs and six hits before being replaced by Jason Bulger in the sixth. Both Rafael Furcal and James Loney both went deep against Saunders, bringing his season total up to 13 home runs allowed. His ERA sits at 3.80, and his record remained 7-4.
collegiatetimes.com june 25, 2009
Patrick Nyarko The Chicago Fire ended its losing streak with a 1-0 win over San Luis, with a Brian McBride goal in the 69th minute proving to be the difference. Nyarko came off the bench in this game to replace Chris Rolfe in the 81st minute. His shot on goal total this season is 18, while he has converted on only two. He also has two assists this year. On Tuesday night, the Fire notched a 1-0 win over Chivas USA. The Fire took a 1-0 lead in the 35th minute when Nyarko stole a back pass and dribble toward the right side of the box. He sent a cross to Justin Mapp, but it bounced off two Chivas players’ feet before finding Mapp, who drilled the ball into the net for the goal.
Kerri Gardin On June 19, Gardin and the Connecticut Sun thrashed the Chicago Sky 91-61, to move their record to 2-3. It was Gardin’s best performance of the season so far, as she notched season-high numbers with 22 minutes of action, 12 points, and 11 rebounds in the blowout win. She was 4-9 from the field in the win, and 2-4 from three-point range. Two days later, the Sun knocked off the Silver Stars of San Antonio, 71-58, for its second straight win. Gardin played 20 minutes, scored five points, grabbed two rebounds and dished out two assists. With the wins, the Sun moved to third place in the Eastern conference, a game and a half behind the Washington Mystics.
Sean Glennon The former Hokie quarterback was cut last week from the Minnesota Vikings, after participating in offseason organized team activities. Minnesota also cut offensive lineman Bobby Lepori and tight end Nick Walker. Glennon’s quarterback coach while with the Vikings was Kevin Rogers, the former Tech quarterback coach until 2005, replaced by Mike O’Cain.
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SPORTS
12 Weaver: Walker Cup is the next step, then turning pro from page one
anytime you can outplay the world’s number one.” Weaver was the second best amateur of the tournament, finishing one stroke behind Canadian Nick Taylor, who at one point was 2-under in the third round. Round three was a trying one for Weaver, who bogied the fourth and sixth holes to hit a 2-over 37 on the front nine. He bogied three of the first four holes on the back, including a triple bogey on the 10th, but he also hit three birdies on that set as well to finish the day at 4-over. For the second straight day, he ended his round with a birdie on the final hole. He entered the final round tied for 40th at 5-over. Once again he was 2over par on the front nine, this time bogeying the second and eighth holes. This time on 10 he only bogied, but couldn’t stay on par for some of the rest of the back nine. Despite some newfound struggles in the final two rounds, the former first-team all-ACC golfer and British Amateur Open champion ended his U.S. Open with a bang. He once again birdied the final hole of the day, with a three on the par-four 18th hole to hit his second straight 74, and wrap up the tournament at 9-over. Weaver showed strong emotion all weekend long, and played with excite-
ment through every hole. “He always feeds off of pressure,” Tech golf coach Jay Hardwick said, “he is better when he is at the top and playing well.” That was evident, as Weaver seemed to have long streaks of either great play or bogies. The first two rounds seemed to carry Weaver through the tournament, playing off his early success. “I had really good focus the whole week, but any pro golfer is going to be nervous, thankfully I managed my nerves throughout the week,” Weaver said. “After a good start, I didn’t really re-evaluate. I was just on track with how I hoped I would play and not let my thoughts wander.” One of the best things Weaver can take from qualifying for this tournament is he is now exempt from the first round op PGA Q-school, the qualifying circuit to make the tour. “Q-school is so difficult, it is a great break for him to be able to skip the first level, it is a great help for him to continue his journey to the pros,” Hardwick said. His performance is a great representation of the Tech golf program, and he will be the Hokies’ flag-bearer of the PGA tour for years to come. “My four years at Tech were great for me, they were a great learning experience, and I am thankful for all the resources that were provided for me,”
Weaver said. Weaver does not plan to turn pro until September, keeping him eligible for the Walker Cup, an amateur tournament Sept. 12-13 in Merion, Pa. It is the amateur version of the Ryder Cup, which pits the top golfers from Great Britain and Ireland against the United States in team match play format. “The Walker Cup is my imminent goal, and I am off to a good start this summer on my way to that. Next year I would like to get some playing status through q-school, because that’s the only way you can really play is with status,” Weaver said. “We’ve had guys from here play in majors, but not as amateurs, which is the special part about Drew. Just to qualify was great, because he had to play his way in rather than make it from an exemption. That gave him all the confidence in the world,” Hardwick said. Besides Weaver’s great weekend, the tournament saw a compelling four rounds of golf capped off by an unpredictable final 18 holes. Ricky Barnes, at 8-under par, entered the final round with a one shot lead over Lucas Glover, and after that pair the next closest competitor was four shots back. Players on the leaderboard behind that group included former major winners Phil Mickelson, Mike Weir, and of course, Woods.
Prior to the final round, it was hard to confidently project Barnes and Glover as being able to withstand the pressure of the national championship, and the names of the players charging after them on the final day. They both managed to falter early, as Barnes bogied four straight holes on his way to a 5-over front nine, and Glover fell to 2-under as well. Glover would recover back to 4-under, but an eagle by Phil Mickelson on the par five 13th hole tied him with Glover atop the leaderboard. Mickelson’s rally hit a speed bump on the ensuing holes, as he missed a devastating five-foot putt on 15 to bogey and also bogied 17 to fall out of contention. Glover entered the final hole with a two shot lead over Barnes, with everyone else already in the clubhouse. That meant that if Barnes even made par on the hole, an accomplishment he was having difficulty doing all day, Glover would only need to bogey the hole to win the championship. Both players made the green in two, and Glover’s birdie attempt fell six feet short of the hole. Barnes lined up for his birdie putt, which if converted would have forced Glover to sink that next putt to win the championship without a playoff. Barnes’ shot somehow stayed out of the hole, rolling right by the lip of the cup. That took all the pressure in the
world off Glover, who now needed to make that six-footer in only two shots. He didn’t need the spare, sinking the par putt to clinch the championship with a final score of 4-under 278. But the story of the week for Hokie Nation was Weaver, and the coming out party of its young golfing star. “It was great to prove myself on that stage,” Weaver said.
Weaver's U.S. Open Stats Round
Score
1
69
2
72
3
74
4
74
Highlights Three birdies in the first round on back nine 25 foot birdie putt on final hole of the second round Two birdies in final four holes of the third round Birdie on 18 to finish tournament THANDIWE OGBONNA/COLLEGIATE TIMES