want to get a job? Wednesday, September 11, 2009
read our career guide and learn some tips. see insert.
An independent, student-run newspaper serving the Virginia Tech community since 1903
www.collegiatetimes.com
COLLEGIATETIMES 106th year, issue 83
News, page 2
Features, page 3
Opinions, page 5
Looking forward
Classifieds, page 6
news reporter
Current cadets listen intently as graduates of Tech’s Corps of Cadets describe their lives in combat as members of the U.S. military.
Cadets learn from experience of grads BY PRIYA SAXENA | news staff writer Members of the Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets got a glimpse into the world that awaits them Thursday. Combat-experienced graduates of the corps spoke to current cadets Thursday in the 12th Gunfighter Panel, offering experiences, lessons and advice. Captains Beth Tedrick, Daniel Richardson, Christopher Callaway and Derrick Anderson were the four graduate speakers. “The Gunfighter Panel is an opportunity for the graduates to come back and say that there are many lessons here in the cadets for them to prepare to leave for combat,” said Maj. Gen. Jerrold P. Allen, commandant of cadets. Allen said Timothy Price, a 2001 graduate of the corps who was killed in combat, made an impression in the inaugural Gunfighter Panel. “Timothy Price spoke at our first Gunfighter Panel. He served one combat in Iraq, went back to Iraq for a second tour and was killed by a sniper’s bullet,” Allen said. “He made one of the most effective presentations that I have heard at a Gunfighter’s panel because he told the cadets as new officers that they would face situations that they did not feel fully prepared (for).” Price’s 2004 speech emphasized the values instilled by the corps. “He said that whenever they got in a tough situation and they weren’t sure what the proper thing to do was, they should stop and think about the university’s core values that they have studied and then they would know what to do,” Allen said. “I thought that was good advice from a young lieutenant.” John Price, Timothy Price’s father, has attended each and every Gunfighter Panel since Price was killed in fall of 2004. Allen said the presentations present a realistic picture of military service. “The Gunfighter Panel makes very clear the benefits of a Virginia Tech education and the leadership training that we provide in the corps of cadets,” Allen said. “The graduates come back sobered by the reality of war, but they also come back proud of their service, the service of the troops that they have lead, and the people that they have worked with. They have developed a special commodity with the people that they have served with overseas.” Col. Rock Roszak said the panel is aimed at informing cadets about the realities of war and military life. “I tell the graduates to tell the cadets what they would’ve wanted to hear if they were cadets; if you think your cadet experiences helped prepare you for what you’ve seen out there. This is one of many panels that we have out of four, and this is one that the cadets look forward to and get the most out of,” Roszak said. The first Gunfighter Panel was held in April 2004 and has been held every semester since. Every fall Gunfighter Panel features a group of graduates from the corps invited to return and talk about their combat experiences in either Iraq or Afghanistan. They discuss their leadership training in the Corps and how that training helped them succeed as leaders of combat. Eighty percent of the cadets will pursue military careers within a year of graduation Roszak said some panels feature other government leaders, including state and federal legislators. He said the panel also offers a chance to see cadets mature following graduation from the program. “I’m proud of our alumni,” Roszak said. “They graduate from here as men and women, and they’ve matured. The country asks them to do a lot; it’s a lot of sacrifice. I’m proud of what they do and how they look in front of our cadets. They’re away from their families for a long time. They’ve set a great example for our cadets.” Derrick Anderson, a 2006 graduate, spoke at Thursday’s panel. He served a 14-month tour of duty
Sports, page 8
Alcohol violations take unexplained dive GORDON BLOCK
NIELS GORAN BLUME/SPPS
Sudoku, page 6
The number of underage alcohol possession violations at Virginia Tech dropped substantially for the 20082009 school year. The numbers, reported through the Office of Student Conduct, show close to a 60 percent drop in the number of underage possession and consumption violations, from 1,030 violations during the 2007-2008 academic year to 418 violations in 2008-2009. These numbers follow 971 violations in 2005-2006 and 1,068 violations in 2006-2007. “This is a vastly different year from the last three or four,” said Frances Keene, director of the Office of Student Conduct. Steven Clarke, director of the Alcohol Abuse Prevention Center, was unsure of how violations fell so rapidly during one school year. “It does kind of mystify me that the number of violations would drop that much,” Clarke said. Clarke pointed out a substantial drop in the number of violations taking place during the fall, from 626 in 2007-2008 to 243 in 2008-2009, many of which are connected to home football games. Clarke speculated that the drop in the number of football-related alcohol violations may have resulted from a lackluster home schedule. Tech only played one top 25-ranked opponent in Blacksburg during the 2008-2009 football season. “We didn’t have any really powerful opponents,” Clarke said. “That sucked the life (of) out of some of the heavier drinking.” Keene suggested alcohol education also could have spurred the decrease in violations. “We do a lot of orientation,” Keene said. “Perhaps some of our outreach is being successful.” Incoming freshmen are required to complete an alcohol education class before arriving for classes. “They do have more knowledge about alcohol and how to avoid negative outcomes,” Clarke said. Ed Spencer, vice president for Student Affairs, said he would wait for additional data before making any conclusions on student drinking tendencies. “We’ve seen increases on both ends of the spectrum,” Spencer said. While the numbers of underage
Change in violation trends Underage Possession/ Consumption Violations 2007-08: 1030 violations 2006-07: 1068 violations
past
2005-06:
971 violations
present
2008-09:
418 violations
2007-08: 100 violations 2006-07: 104 violations
2008-09: present
past
2005-06:
121 violations
Major Violations
59 violations JOSH SON/COLLEGIATE TIMES
possession and consumption violations dropped, the number of major violations, including cases involving medical transports, increased from 100 in 2007-2008 to 121 in 20082009. “We still seem to have a high proportion of students who are pretty heavy drinkers,” Clarke said. Clarke hoped that an upcoming survey, opening in October, would result in a better understanding of student drinking patterns. “If there are some significant drops in drinking to correspond with these numbers, maybe students are saying, ‘We’re not drinking anymore,’” Clarke said. Sgt. Nathan O’Dell of the Blacksburg Police Department said there were not any changes in enforcing current alcohol rules, adding that more policeman have been on patrol in recent years. “We’ve been looking for those particular type of violations,” O’Dell said. “We haven’t gotten more lax on our enforcement.” Leon McClinton, director of
Resident Life, noted that student residential staff are trained to report violations. “We put our student staff through training that emphasizes enforcing all policies,” McClinton said. Despite the drop in the number of violations, a price increase was instituted for the alcohol education course required for students cited for the possession or consumption of alcohol, resulting in increased revenue. During the 2008-2009 school year, alcohol violations generated $101,920, an increase from $91,465 brought in during the 2007-2008 school year. Clarke noted that providing enough classes to fit students’ schedules kept costs high. Despite a lack of answers in how the decline in violations occurred, Keene was happy with the results. “I’d be pleased if students are making healthier decisions,” Keene said. “I think a drop in violations is a good thing.”
Obama’s speech fails to move many lawmakers WILLIAM DOUGLAS & DAVID LIGHTMAN NIELS GORAN BLUME/SPPS
Daniel Richardson speaks of his experiences as an Air Force combat pilot. in Iraq with the Army. “Most importantly, when I came back, I just saw things differently,” Anderson said. “I appreciated life more, and I appreciated the smaller stuff, which you don’t usually do.” In his speech, Anderson recalled many of the harsh realities of combat, ending with a piece of advice. “I tell you this because it’s real,” Anderson said. “Use this time because it’s essential. I love taking care of people. Make sure you take care of people too.” Daniel Richardson was deployed as an Air Force pilot from August 2008 to January 2009 in Iraq and Afghanistan. “The world is desperate for leadership,” Richardson said. “Absolutely desperate for it.” During his speech, he said cadets are preparing for leadership roles, whether they enter the military or settle into civilian life. “It’s an honor to be asked to come back and talk,” Richardson said. “There’s a lot of responsibilities to it, and it’s my job to communicate what’s been done in a useful way, to help them prepare for the business world or the military.” Richardson’s job was to supply weapons, food and water to the Army and Marines, either by conventional air-land mission or airdrop. The Gunfighter Panel was well received by current cadets. “This is probably one of the best ones we’ve had,” said senior cadet Michael May. “There was a lot of audience involvement. It’s nice because they’re not too much older than us, and I as a senior will be in their position soon.”
mcclatchy newspapers WASHINGTON - If President Barack Obama was looking for a big bounce in support from lawmakers Thursday from his health care address to Congress on Wednesday night, he didn’t get it. Predictably, Democratic leaders of Congress praised Obama’s speech effusively, and Republicans in both chambers remained unmoved. However, several rank-and-file Democrats said that the president made only incremental progress, at best, toward moving health care legislation forward, and that lawmakers could backslide at any time. “Of course you’ll get a bounce now, but two weeks from now, we are likely to be just where we are, negotiating among ourselves,” said Rep. Alcee Hastings, D-Fla., who’s a liberal. Blue Dog Democrats, 52 moderate to conservative Democrats in the House of Representatives, remained concerned about the cost of Obama’s proposals and their impact on small businesses. Obama put the price tag at $900 billion over 10 years and said it would be paid for largely by trimming waste from Medicare and Medicaid. Rep. Sanford Bishop, D-Ga., a Blue Dog and a member of the Congressional Black Caucus, said he liked what he heard in terms of cost and payments, but he stopped short of embracing Obama’s plan without seeing it in legislative form. “I want to see some (Congressional
Budget Office) estimates,” he said. Centrists of both parties echoed Bishop’s sentiments. “I remain deeply concerned” about the potential debt, said Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, a key moderate. Most liberal House Democrats, primarily the 42 members of the black caucus and the 80-plus-member Congressional Progressive Caucus, remained firm in insisting on including a “public option” government alternative to private insurers in the health care plan. They say that’s the only way to spur competition among private insurers and drive down health care costs. Some liberals, however, including Senate Democratic leaders, signaled that they could accept something less eventually. “The public option is in the eye of the beholder,” said Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., “There are different types of public options. We’re going to look at all of them.” He wouldn’t be more specific. Obama said he supported the public option but added that alternatives such as health insurance co-ops were “ideas worth exploring.” Many liberal Democrats in Congress still don’t think so. “Co-ops are a cop-out,” Hastings said. “You would need a huge amount of people to make them work.” Republicans found little to their liking, despite Obama’s overtures to them. His biggest olive branch to the party, a proposal for pilot programs for restricting medical malpractice lawsuits, fell flat, even though restrict-
ing lawsuits against doctors has been a favored Republican cause for years. When House Minority Leader John Boehner, R-Ohio, was asked how he felt about Obama’s proposal, he said the president “could do a lot more.” “I’m hoping he’ll work with us to have real medical malpractice reform, because if it’s not real medical malpractice reform, the defensive medicine, which is where all the savings are, won’t be accomplished.” Doctors who perform tests that aren’t medically necessary to ensure that they won’t be sued successfully are said to practice “defensive medicine.” Boehner stuck to Republican positions that the Democratic health care proposals would give illegal immigrants health care, pay for abortions and establish panels that make life-anddeath decisions, even though Obama said they wouldn’t. Obama’s not alone: PolitiFact.com, a truth-squad venture run by the St. Petersburg Times newspaper, researched the questions and found that there’s no subsidy for illegal immigrants in the legislation and no “death panels,” either. In addition, the legislation includes no public money for abortion. “All of us know there’s a lot of emotion around this issue of government involvement in our health care,” Boehner said when he was asked whether he thought his members disrespected Obama on Wednesday night. “We ought to have civil discourse in America. But don’t underestimate the amount of emotion that people are feeling.”
september 11, 2009
page 2
U.S.
[ nation & world headlines ] U.S.
KENYA
Poverty rate surges to 11-year high
Outreach to Iran frozen by nuclear issue
In Iran, a fashion statement for all women
WASHINGTON — The government’s first broad look at the recession’s impact on American households in 2008 showed that the nation’s poverty rate jumped to an 11-year high, incomes sank for most every group, and the number of people without health insurance rose to 46.3 million. As bleak as these statistics were from the Census Bureau on Thursday, they captured only a part of the devastating effects of the economic downturn that worsened last fall and into this year. Analysts said they expect the official poverty rate, which rose to 13.2 percent from 12.5 percent in 2007, to keep climbing this year and next, reversing gains made in the 1990s. With the unemployment rate averaging 8.9 percent this year, compared with 5.8 percent in 2008, incomes are likely to deteriorate further. Last year, the Census Bureau said, the median household income, the point at which half were more and half less, fell 3.6 percent from 2007, to $50,303. That was the biggest decline for the first year of a recession since World War II, said Larry Katz, a Harvard University economist. Given the meager income gains for most workers in prior recent years, he said, “We’ve basically seen a lost decade for typical American families.” Although some analysts believe the economy is coming out of the recession, the Census Bureau’s annual report on income, poverty and health insurance was a sobering reminder of the widespread hardships inflicted by the downturn. And it added urgency to calls by various people for a national health care overhaul as well as a strengthening of other social programs aimed at helping unemployed and poor Americans and other vulnerable groups.
WASHINGTON — In its latest offer for talks with the leading world powers, Iran makes no promise to negotiate on its suspected nuclear weapons program, further complicating President Barack Obama’s hopes of starting negotiations with Tehran before the end of the month, the State Department and European diplomats said Thursday. Iran, while open to talks on other issues, so far has given no sign it’s ready to discuss even a temporary halt to its enrichment of uranium that could be used to fuel a nuclear weapon. There’s limited international support for tougher economic sanctions on Iran, and even less for the most extreme measure, military action to destroy the country’s nuclear facilities. “In the package yesterday, Iran reiterated its view that, as far as it is concerned, its nuclear file is closed,” said State Department spokesman P.J. Crowley, referring to a document the Iranians delivered on Wednesday. “We remain open to direct dialogue with Iran,” Crowley said. “We will be testing that willingness to engage in the next few weeks.” Obama came into office promising to overturn his predecessor’s policy of vilifying Iran. He’s reached out to leaders in Tehran on multiple occasions and adhered to that policy even as the Iranian government violently crushed wide-scale protests over a June election that opponents of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad say was stolen. Obama and his advisers could soon face tough decisions on Iran if no breakthrough occurs before the annual United Nations General Assembly in New York and an economic summit meeting in Pittsburgh, both in late September.
NAIROBI, Kenya — It was the fashion statement heard around the world. Lubna Hussein, a Sudanese woman who was arrested for wearing pants in violation of a so-called indecency law and went to jail this week in protest, spent less than 24 hours behind bars. By then, however, she’d already exposed the daily indignities that women suffer in one of the most authoritarian and male-dominated societies in Africa. “I’m happy for all the people who supported me in Sudan ... and all over the world,” Hussein, a 34-year-old journalist, said in a phone interview Thursday with McClatchy Newspapers, two days after her release. “But I will, with all women in Sudan, continue our work to end this bad law. We are not stopping here.” Few have dared go this far. In a country far better known for the humanitarian crisis in the western Darfur region and for its considerable oil wealth, the everyday oppression of women rarely merits much attention. Yet last year alone, under the strict Islamic law enforced by Sudan’s ruling party, 43,000 women were arrested for clothing-related offenses in the capital, Khartoum, according to official figures. Under Article 152 of Sudan’s criminal code, anyone caught in public wearing “an obscene outfit” or committing “an indecent act” can be flogged up to 40 times, a vague provision that activists say police use to terrorize women. In 2003, after eight women were arrested for picnicking with male friends and were lashed with a wire and a plastic whip, an African human rights commission condemned the punishment as torture.
[News Quiz] Send the answers to these questions to quiz@collegiatetimes.com and the top 10 people who answer correctly by midnight on Sunday will recieve the opportunity to select a DVD or book of their choice from our swag drawer.
1) Who cut $21.8 million from Virginia Tech’s general fund? 2) Name one of the two finalists being considered in the search for a new director of the Virginia Bioinformatics Instititute. 3) What Virginia city played host to a massive gun show over Labor Day weekend?
features 3
editors: topher forhecz, teresa tobat featureseditor@collegiatetimes.com/ 540.231.9865 COLLEGIATETIMES
Q&A: Local artist Kurt Steger sets Blacksburg burdens adrift RYAN ARNOLD features reporter Kurt Steger is about to set sail, and he wants you to join him on the waters. His vessel, though, will surely burst into flames. A local artist from Floyd, Steger is captain of “The Burden Boat,” a participatory sculpture that is central to his exhibition now open in Squires Perspective Gallery. Built predominantly of wood, the 12-foot-long project is shaped to hold the woes of all who choose to share them. Steger invites everyone to write their burdens on paper, crumple them for anonymity and place them in the ceramic deck. Each burden will be accompanied by a complimentary sunflower seed that will be planted in an undetermined location on campus. Hanging “burden bags” also surround the hull, representing collective afflictions. On Oct. 4, “The Burden Boat” will move outdoors for a ceremonial ritual release. Fire will incinerate the burden notes, symbolically freeing them from their owners. The burden bags will subsequently fall into the earth for burial. Steger broke from his show’s setup to tell the Collegiate Times more about the meaning behind “The Burden Boat.” COLLEGIATE TIMES: Why do you think we, as individuals and a community, need “The Burden Boat” now? KURT STEGER: I think right now (in) our culture, society is really getting ramped up, and people are more nervous and more scared. I think there’s a lot of fear in the air, a lot of uncertainty. I think people are carrying more stress than ever before. Our technology is moving along so fast that we’re stressed on how to keep up with it. My sense is that we need a ritual — coming back to a primal place, back to our source — to ground all the news that’s happening and all the “scary stuff” that’s happening out there in the world. A place to reconnect with ourselves and then by reconnecting with ourselves, connecting with others, forming community. It’s my belief that it’s going to take community building to bring us back into a sane way of existence. CT: Why did you select Virginia Tech?
kurt steger reception When: Today, from 5 to 7 p.m. Where: Perspective Gallery in Squires Student Center You can also send burdens to: The Burden Boat Project Care of Kurt Steger 244 Ivy Dr. NE Floyd, VA, 24091 or e-mail him at kurt@stegersculture.com KS: Obviously, Virginia Tech over the last couple years has had its fair share of tragedy. I feel like there’s something about this campus, that there’s something really great here. I believe that through tragedy, there’s great potential to heal and come together. ... I know people that were involved in the shooting that are dealing with post-traumatic stress, and so two and a half years later it’s not over. It still exists. So this is just another piece; I don’t feel like this is going to heal all. It’s just another opportunity that can just lighten the load that much more. CT: Your process and product seems organic and uncalculated — did you ever feel the “boat” was too literal an idea? KS: No, I didn’t because I think the boat is so universal. ... I also see the boat as purely a source of transportation. I can take it back to the Egyptian times and their myth of the boat being a transformation into the upper world and to life beyond. CT: The burden notes will be anonymous publically, but will you personally read them? KS: I don’t, and for good reason. I don’t think it’s my place to take on all of that. ... Through Facebook, an old high school buddy of mine met me through this (project) and sent burdens by e-mail. He said, “I don’t care if you read these.” I read them, and it was just heartbreaking. ... It was really an honor that he opened that up to me, but it’s enough to carry my own and know my own. I thought I was going to have a book out here where every burden was going to be noted, so people could read through it. I went back and forth on whether to do that and chose not to.
CT: Will you add burdens of your own? KS: Yes. I think I have in the process of building it, but yes, I will. CT: How did you decide upon fire and burial as the means of “release?” KS: It seemed natural. The fire is like a cremation of burdens, and I think it taps into our old ritual ways of releasing through fire and transformation through fire. I think it crosses all cultures. ... It’s like music: it speaks at an unconscious place. Through that, it can equally touch anybody no matter what their background is. ... The burial — in our culture we either burn our bodies when we’re done or we bury them. So this is kind of the same thing. The burdens that we carry as part of our body and the release of that is a funeral in essence. We’re giving that up. CT: Why will sunflowers replace the burdens in the memorial garden? KS: For a few reasons. The practical reason: It’s a large enough seed that people can pick up from the vessel and place it in (the boat). The other side is that it’s such a regenerative flower that grows large and has a great show. And also, it’s bird food. So there’s that other ritual element of the birds taking the prayers up. CT: You’ve incorporated fire into other works. Do you hesitate to harm your pieces? KS: I’ve yet to let a piece go completely. ... This will be the first piece where I’ve actually parted with aspects — the burden bags that will drop off of this. I put a whole lot of time into sewing those bags and stuffing them and wrapping them. There’s a whole ritual to that honoring all that will participate in this. That was kind of my burden, making the bags. When those burn and drop off and they’re buried, I’ll part with that bit of my labor. CT: You also do furniture work. The Collegiate Times needs a good coffee table. Could it commission you, money pending, to build one? KS: You too? Wow, interesting. The (Center for Peace Studies and Violence Prevention) just commissioned me to do a coffee table. That would be very cool. To get two coffee table commissions out of this little trek over here to Virginia Tech would be awesome.
GREGORY WILSON/SPPS
Kurt Steger’s “burden boat” is currently on display in the Perspective Gallery in Squires Student Center. Steger is collecting written and digital woes that will be “released” and set aflame Oct. 4.
september 11, 2009
page 4
he she
SAID
She said: Answering nature’s call with class G
He said: Crucial bathroom etiquette L
ike all great ideas, this topic was conceived on the porcelain throne. I wasn’t relieving myself, though. We owe this discussion of restroom rules to the young lady below. She Said was at my apartment for a column brainstorm when she excused herself to the bathroom. I was convinced a Super Soaker Vaporizer was aimed through the seat. With concrete walls and no overhead fan as distraction, my lavatory is more or less a megaphone. All I could do as the audience was applaud her hydration. In fact, I can hear an upstairs occupant fire-hosing his john as I write. (This could be an interesting year.) While my digs are an exception in privy privacy, that vulnerability is common in public realms. Classrooms are scattered with coffees and Nalgene bottles, sending once-thirsty herds on frantic shuffles in search of gender icons. Dudes reach for their zippers and the door simultaneously, rushing the urinals. Sighs ensue, but hopefully your breakfast breath doesn’t reach others’ nostrils. With a generous row of heads, spacing is rather important. Even though there is the potential to brush shoulders, we probably shouldn’t. Ever. Move down one space or two or all the way to the end. And enjoy your relief in silence. Chitchat is forbidden — head nods at most if your buddy strolls in. I’m sometimes guilty of voice, though, when I find myself staring at a Toto-brand logo. I start serenading the device, “It’s going to take a lot to drag me away from you!” Just like in “Africa,” I’m blessing the rains. Hopefully my khakis don’t get caught in the showers. More unnerving than my singing is the occasional long-range shooter in your peripheral sight. It’s like a football kicker spacing their field goal approach. The lizard is fully exposed, and it’s in no way a chameleon blending into the tile. If you feel your groin needs a caution-tape bubble, it might be best to take it into a stall. The toilets then follow similar protocol. If you see pigeon-toed feet struggling after that Sbarro, skip a few doors, otherwise you might start harmonizing groans. If a quick leak is all, lift the seat; it’s not fun to wipe away a yellow Jackson Pollock painting.
Once settled, it’s tempting to draw a book from your backpack, but the walls provide enough visual entertainment. It seems like pens favor phallic illustrations while knife holders can carve only swastikas. And of course, there are always digits for supposedly lustful ladies. (Hm. I have been lonely recently ...) Hopefully your love connection didn’t arise from defecation, but that happens to be a crucial part of young relationships. The scenario might resemble this: You’re intertwined with your girl on the couch watching a movie after a risky dinner at Cafe de Bangkok. Then the rumbles begin, a belly avalanche. Oh no. It’s a tough spot; we don’t drop muted Easter eggs like females. Wait, they don’t even do that, right? Regardless, we try to hide it. We make it appear like we’re just taking a leak through frantic child-birth pushes. Further, my brother once shared a noisereduction method: Layer toilet paper in the water as an absorptive hammock. You’re only in the clear, though, if she doesn’t go in right after you — no amount of Oust can handle “Thai hot.” This brings to mind “American Pie” character Paul Finch. Finch calculated into his day trips home from school to handle his business. While I can appreciate the notion of the no holds barred “man can,” I can very much relate to Finch’s isolation — and I imagine you can, too. Sometimes the event can feel sacred; in that intimate space you liberate yourself of stress (and several ounces, or pounds). In my years at Tech, I’ve created a list of paradise poopers, those seemingly unchartered locations on campus where a number two has you floating alone on cloud nine. If you haven’t done this yet, I encourage you to dust off your compass and start exploring. “X” marks the spot — or maybe Kohler does. Just remember: The treasure is dirty. Wash your hands.
RYAN ARNOLD -features reporter -super-senior -communication major -hates bees
irls don’t poop. Girls are pleasant, full of sunshine and rainbows. If they do poop, they must poop Skittles. Nothing ever unpleasant could come from something so dainty and pretty. But sometimes, girls do find themselves in the restroom — doing other things, of course — and the cardinal rules of bathroom etiquette come into play. Of course, the number one protocol is washing your hands. It’s a given, the rule that your mother always stressed when you were still using the tiny potty. However, it’s surprising how many people leave this rule at the wayside in a public restroom. The women will exit their stall, quickly flip their hair while gawking at themselves in the mirror, and then leave. I always wonder where these criminals against sanitation go. Are they going to go shake somebody’s hand, or eat a sandwich? However, though you may not personally encounter a non-hand washer, other rules of etiquette directly affect other restroom users. For example, the piddle-covered toilet seat. For ladies, this is a frequent occurrence, where you just need to tinkle and the way is barred because the person before you has absolutely no class. A stall is rendered out of order because no one — unless you have gloves on — will touch somebody else’s pee pee. The rule here? If you happen to spray, wipe it away. Trust me, it’s a lot less gross when it’s your own. There are also rules you put yourself through when you realize you might accidentally offend your bathroom mates. Most of the time, a girl will try to seek out a tinkle sanctuary — an outof-the-way bathroom where privacy is pivotal. You can relax, as the name “restroom” implies, and let the good times roll. This is the ideal restroom situation. But when you do hear someone else’s step on the tile floor, ladies know they must play the game of discretion. You don’t want to have to fess up to the fact that that’s your smell or noise (or Skittles). In most cases, you wait it out. The other girl in the restroom pees, washes her hands, and leaves — while you sit in toiletary limbo, just hoping
that the other person goes away before you accidentally let out a stinky. Another tactic when someone else disrupts your sanctuary is the triedand-true “courtesy flush.” In the middle of doing your business, you flush ad nauseam until you’re worried Captain Planet will start putting you on his list of environmentally unfriendly super villains. Yes, all your waste is quickly whisked away, but everyone knows what’s going on behind the flimsy door. But that’s just it. Why can’t a woman just use a public restroom and be OK with it? Why is there such a stigma and shame associated with something so natural? Is our society still hung over from the Victorian era, or are we just more closed-minded than we would like to think? While on a road trip, I stopped at a gas station to use the restroom. An older woman walked into the restroom a few seconds after me, and she situated herself in the stall neighboring mine. Suddenly, the woman began to talk to me through the partition — giving a verbal play-by-play of her entire evacuation process. In graphic detail. It was the longest restroom experience of my life. Yes, call me closed-minded, call me whatever you’d like, but hearing this lady was like hearing your parents having sex: It’s just something you don’t want to think about. I don’t want to think about anyone’s number two. Not a friend, not a stranger and certainly not anyone on the pot next to me. We go through these bizarre bathroom rituals not only to save ourselves embarrassment from society’s high standards, but because we don’t want to inconvenience anyone else. Of course, if it were up to me, I would maintain the rumor that girls simply just don’t doody. It would make my bathroom experience a whole lot easier.
LAKEN RENICK -features staff writer -super-senior -English major -hates monkeys
Party pooches get their paws wet KIMBERLY KEESECKER features staff writer Move over Michael Phelps, there’s a new top dog in town — literally. On Sunday, starting at 11 a.m. the Frog Pond Pool in Christiansburg will allow dogs and their owners to take a plunge for its annual “Party for the Pooches.” The Humane Society of Montgomery County is sponsoring the event that will raise money for its shelter. The humane society doesn’t receive any government funding or grants and relies on donations to maintain the upkeep. Proceeds will provide food, veterinary assistance and any other special attention the shelter’s residents need. Member of the HSMC’s organizing committee, Chris Brandewie, said she is excited to be continuing this tradition. Each year she is surprised by the dogs’ playful nature from dragging their owners into the water to enjoying a refreshing trip down the waterslide. “It’s not one event,” Brandewie said. “But the funniest thing is seeing the dogs go down the slides at the pool – it’s just really funny. I guess that’s just the antics of the animals.” Sophomore biology major Katie Whitley heard about the event via word of mouth and said she thinks a dog swim is a unique fundraiser. “I’m an animal lover and I’m all for raising money to help the shelter,” Whitley said. “I wish there were more events like this actually on campus though. It’s something fun — and different.” Event organizers are as excited as attendees. Erin Hall, in charge of organizing volunteer work at HSMC, is a newcomer to the pooch party. “I’m excited,” Hall said. “This is my first year working this particular event; everyone has always said it’s a great time and it looks like the dogs have a fun day.” Before leashing your pet and heading down to the pool, event coordinator Brandewie suggests that since many families and other dogs will be there more aggressive dogs should stay home. Leashes are required and pets that can’t swim are also invited.
..... Express Yourself. Write Design Paint Draw
www.silhouette.collegemedia.com
opinions 5
editor: debra houchins opinionseditor@collegiatetimes.com/ 540.231.9865 COLLEGIATETIMES
september 11, 2009
The Collegiate Times is an independent student-run newspaper serving the Virginia Tech community since 1903
Your Views [letters to the editor]
People come before parking
L
ike any good Virginia Tech alumnus, my boredom at work occasionally drives me to catch up on the Collegiate Times using the magic of the Internet. It’s good to see that the majority of the news coverage still revolves around football and random construction projects around town and campus, and that the majority of the op/ed section still amounts to what is essentially a printed version of an on-line “flame war.” More specifically, though, I have noticed one particular issue of contention that always seems to surface as we discuss the future growth of our town and campus, and that is the issue of on-campus parking. I encourage you, the reader, to get up, look at yourself in the mirror, and ask a very simple question: Am I a car, or a human being? Do I want to live in a world that is constructed to accommodate me and others like me, hundred-andsomething-pound, five to sixfoot-tall bi-peds, or do I want to live in a world that is constructed to accommodate fourwheeled, two-ton metal boxes? Where would I rather stroll around with a cup of coffee? College Avenue in downtown Blacksburg, or somewhere between the shopping mall and the Wal-Mart on Peppers Ferry Road in Christiansburg? Although I find it entirely difficult to believe that some folks would genuinely choose the latter, there is one indisputable fact about that sprawling stretch of strip malls and big box stores in Christiansburg: There’s plenty of parking. Okay, I understand that my sarcastic, urbanist rhetoric may not resonate well with most of the Tech student body. All I am asking is that students be more open-minded about their transportation and lifestyle choices, and how these choices are invariably dictated by the urban environment. Given where much of our student body comes from — places like Northern Virginia or the suburbs of Richmond — it is understandable that many of us grew up within a carbased culture. Something as simple as a trip to the grocery store invariably involves hopping into a car parked in the
driveway. Driving through the cul-du-sac-laden streets of a subdivision, turning onto a four-lane, 45 mph “collector road,” and then pulling into the parking lot of the supermarket. It is then understandable that, lacking a more open mind, one who grew up around this type of infrastructure would expect their trip to campus to unfold quite similarly. I am willing to venture that most readers have, at the very least, gone on vacation to a place that allows you to leave both your worries and your cars behind. And I’m not just talking about New York City— a place that undeniably forces a certain type of lifestyle on its inhabitants, which may not be suitable for everyone. But what about a small to medium-sized European city, or some type of resort in the Caribbean, or even just colonial Williamsburg right here in Virginia? Did being without your car for a few days feel liberating? Or did you spend every minute on those cobbled streets, walking past the shops and cafes and other little diversions, thinking to yourself, “I really wish I was sitting in my car at a traffic light waiting to turn into a massive parking lot in front of a strip mall.” Is there some kind of rule that states a less car-based lifestyle must be restricted to annual vacations? All I ask is for the Tech community to take an openminded, optimistic stance when it comes to the attrition of on-campus parking. Think of it as a bad thing for cars, but a good thing for us human beings. As the infrastructure of a car-based campus covered with large parking fields begins to fade away, we will begin to see a more humanfriendly infrastructure, such as improved public transport and pedestrian facilities, take its place. In other words, our Tech campus will tend more toward the atmosphere of College Avenue in Blacksburg, as opposed to Peppers Ferry Road in Christiansburg. Thank you for considering my viewpoint, along with the multitude of alternative viewpoints surrounding the issue of on-campus parking, with an open mind.
Jeff Csicsek alumnus, class of 2008 New York, NY
[student organizations]
I
’ve have been an active member of the Graduate Student Assembly since my first day as a graduate student. I hosted an information session for the GSA at my own graduate school orientation. I told my fellow incoming graduate students at orientation that graduate students were different from undergraduate students — we had different needs, and the GSA was there to represent graduate students. As I said this I remember thinking that though I had just finished undergrad at Virginia Tech, I did not feel any different. I was still going to be taking classes, and I was still broke. Now I had to pay my own insurance, but besides that, was there really a difference? Four years later, in hopefully the last year of my doctorate, I know that graduate students are different from undergraduates, but we are also very much the same. Graduate students may spend more time doing research than in class and have nightmares about citing their sources correctly, but when it is all said and done, we are all at Virginia Tech searching for something more: more knowledge, a better understanding of the world, a better understanding of ourselves. One huge difference for me has been my involvement in the GSA. As an undergrad I focused on my classes and extensive social life. However, when I graduated, I felt like I had missed out on an important part of being a student. I felt like I had not served oth-
ers and my school enough, hence my early involvement in GSA. Four years later I can honestly tell you that I have learned more about the really important things in life as an active member of student governance than I could have ever from classes alone. My only regret is that I did not get involved sooner. I would encourage all students, graduate and undergraduate to find an organization that you believe in and get involved. You will benefit in ways you could never imagine and I can’t put into words. So what is different for me now that I am a graduate student? Well I’m no longer taking classes, but I am busier than ever. I still have no idea what I want to do with my life, but I do know a lot more about what I do not want to do. I have had amazing opportunities to teach, consult, travel and meet people from all over the world. I have met a wonderfully diverse group of students all searching for answers in the same way that I am. If you decide that you want to embark on this wonderful learning experience of graduate school, the GSA is hosting a Graduate & Professional School Fair on Sept. 28, so keep your eyes open for more details coming soon. Now, if I could only figure out how to explain to my parents that, for a graduate student, graduation is an abstract concept, not a definitive date.
Laura Freeman Ph.D. student statistics
MCT CAMPUS
Take advantage of your collegiate opportunities C
ollege. I can say without a shadow of a doubt that those seven letters have been so impressed upon you, the freshman class of 2013, that you hardly even remember life outside of Blacksburg. The reason I can say this so easily is because I felt the same way just a year ago. “Who cares? I’m in college.” When you are surrounded by other 19-year-olds, all with the same mindset as you, it is very easy to allow yourself to slip away into an alternate reality where everyone is as intelligent, happy and generally blessed as you are. After all, “university” is derived from “universe,” and it is inevitable that Virginia Tech will feel like it is the entire universe at times. Still, while I wholeheartedly encourage freshmen and all students to accept Blacksburg as a new home, we must acknowledge the world outside Tech and even the larger community of Tech. There are copious opportunities and an even greater abundance of reasons to get involved with extracurricular work through Tech. Before you can get involved, you must reflect on what area concerns you. Through your searching, you may discover a deep feeling of obligation to helping the less fortunate, so perhaps you will choose to get involved with the Invisible Children organization. Or, you may realize, as I did my freshman year, that civil liberties is your sine qua non, or, “without which, there is nothing.” Whether it is humanitarianism or constitutional law, or something completely different, your involvement may evolve into a life-long career. Still, there is no contract you have to sign, and you will not be pledging
yourself to a cause for the rest of your life. Many people at Tech get involved as a supplement to their academics, or as a hobby. Whether you are studying engineering, liberal arts, business or something else, Tech is filled with student organizations always looking for energetic freshmen. Engineering design teams, business and leadership societies and media outlets (like the CT) all present opportunities to enrich your academic experience and apply the concepts from class, which almost universally leads to higher grades. And you can develop ties to the university that go deeper than loving the football team (not that you shouldn’t love it). Even if it’s outside your major, it can still present a great opportunity to meet new people and tackle issues you might not otherwise get the chance to study. Employers and graduate schools love to see well-rounded students who can think outside the philosophy of their concentration, and most will ask for your curriculum vitae, which loosely translates to course of life. If you are studying business, they will expect you to know accounting. Applying accounting principles to modern issues shows mastery and passion. Furthermore, don’t let your “weaknesses” deter you from participating in fighting for your beliefs. Engineers may not always consider themselves eloquent writers. However, many have a great passion and knowledge of various issues in the world today. That passion and knowledge collectively will always outweigh any handicaps of prose. If writing just isn’t your thing, join clubs and make your voice heard; if one doesn’t exist, start it. So much is
going on in government and public policy — there are ample outlets to support existing ideas or publicize your own. Whether it’s health care, the War in Iraq or the environment, believe in a cause and your ideas. Most know the old adage “pick your battles,” but it is troubling how few people will actually pick. Your time will be limited, and of course you must weigh the issues — and sides — carefully, but to not stand for either side is a waste of the innate gifts and dedicated learning. The class of 2013 had an average SAT score of 1250, so we know you are all very gifted students. With that gift comes responsibility, to the community and to yourselves, to do your civic duty. All too many students will talk about problems with society and the powers-that-be, yet do nothing to fix them. As Frederick Douglass said, “Power concedes nothing without a demand.” Make your case known. If the cause is sliding under the radar — force the issue. Make a scene, and you’ll make the news. If you’re not that ostentatious, stage a picket on the Drillfield. Just be there. If you take nothing else from Tech, always remember how incredibly talented you are and how influential you can be if you just make your voice heard. You’ll be surprised who is listening.
SCOTT MASSELLI -regular columnist
Anti-terror bragging rights a distraction during critical time O
n the eighth anniversary of 9/11, Americans are wasting time squabbling over counter-terrorism bragging rights, with former Bush administration officials hurling criticism and Obama team members attempting to deflect it. Rest assured, the nation’s adversaries relish, rejoice in and reap benefits from the divisiveness. Recently, in a rebuttal to former Vice President Dick Cheney, National Security Adviser James Jones suggested the United States is really less vulnerable today because of President Barack Obama’s efforts to build bridges with other countries. It certainly makes sense that if more nations are on the same page, view terrorism as a collective problem and expand efforts to combat it, positive results should increase. My concern, however, is that such discussions can distract us from the ongoing terrorism challenge or risk lulling us into thinking we are safer, if not safe altogether. Too many Americans already see 9/11 simply as history, an aberration, a tragedy that has little chance of happening again. After all, they point out, “nothing” has occurred in the United States since then. In fact, terrorists have planned and tried to carry out multiple attacks against U.S. targets since 2001. Thanks to a combination of stronger defenses, better intelligence, solid cooperation with allies and, yes, a bit of luck, we have been spared here at home — so far.
We cannot forget, though, that the terrorists are not giving up, have long-term perspectives, are endlessly resourceful and draw advantages from the element of surprise. They need only succeed once in a while to reignite fear and remind the world of their presence and capabilities, whereas we must remain vigilant without pause. 9/11 was one of those times when the terrorists succeeded, and it just happened to fall on the Bush administration’s watch. Does that mean former President George W. Bush was somehow negligent, leaving America insufficiently guarded? Actually, no. He essentially followed in the footsteps of the presidents — both Democrat and Republican — who governed before him during the current wave of terrorism, which started in the late 1970s. After 9/11, however, Bush did what his predecessors never dared: He declared an overdue war on terrorism and endeavored under difficult circumstances to confront the problem more forcefully. Along the way, after a sensible intervention in Afghanistan and other initial successes, the United States deviated from a reasonable course and engaged in excesses that are now being corrected. Even so, the original inclination was correct. The global terrorism threat, which is real and ongoing, must be comprehensively and consistently addressed, blunted and substantially stopped, lest civilization itself become
a casualty. Without question, the United States could do a better job of fighting the scourge that has killed its citizens and trampled its territory at home and abroad so many times. In that struggle, we cannot have enough international cooperation. In truth, even during the Bush administration years, when public rifts had developed with many countries, private discussions of necessity frequently pointed toward collective efforts. Now, apparently, both public and private conversations are more in synch. But we still have a long way to go, and there is every reason for us to proceed united. The United States’ terrorist adversaries are as capable as anyone of appreciating the strain of American political differences. They understand that in moments of uncertainty, dispute and anger, this country is more vulnerable than when it is on track, undivided and calm. We should willingly and decisively move in the latter direction. Otherwise, we might find ourselves urgently taking that course, forced to come together by the next attack.
JOHN C. BERSIA -columnist -mcclatchy-times
we’re YOUR newspaper. send a letter to the editor and express your views.
send an e-mail to opinionseditor@collegiatetimes.c om with your letter or guest column attached.
Collegiate Times Editorial Staff Editor in Chief: Sara Mitchell Managing Editors: Peter Velz, Bethany Buchanan Production Manager: Thandiwe Ogbonna Public Editor: Justin Graves News Editors: Zach Crizer, Philipp Kotlaba News Reporters: Gordon Block, Kelsey Heiter, Kaitlyn Gleason, Riley Prendergast Features Editors: Teresa Tobat, Topher Forhecz Features Reporters: Ryan Arnold, Mary Anne Carter, Dan Waidelich Opinions Editor: Debra Houchins Sports Editors: Joe Crandley, Alex Jackson Sports Reporters: Ed Lupien, Ray Nimmo, Ryan Trapp, Melanie Wadden, Thomas Emerick Sports Staff Writers: Garrett Busic, Matt Collette, Lindsay Faulkner, Hattie Francis Copy Editors: Erin Corbey, Mika Rivera Layout Designers: Kelly Harrigan, Rachel McGiboney, Josh Son, Lindsey Bachand, Sara Spangler Illustrator: Mina Noorbakhsh Multimedia Editor: Kevin Anderson Multimedia Reporters: James Carty, Phillip Murillas, Mandi Wasmer Online Director: Zach Swasey Collegiate Times Business Staff Business Manager: David Harries College Media Solutions Advertising Director: Tyler Ervin Asst Ad Director: Kendall Kapetanakis Account Executives: Nik Bando, Brandon Collins, Lee Eliav, Wade Stephenson, Allison Walton Inside Sales Manager: Judi Glass Office Manager: Kaelynn Kurtz Assistant Account Executives: Maddie Abram, Katie Berkel, Diane Revalski, Devon Steiner Ad Production Manager: Allison Bhatta Asst Production Manager: Lara Treadwell Creative Services Staff: Jenn DiMarco, Kara Noble, Adam Sexton, Kyle Waldrop Student Publications Photo Staff Business Manager: Luke Mason
Voice your opinion. Readers are encouraged to send letters and comments to the Collegiate Times. 365 Squires Student Center Blacksburg, Va. 24061 Fax: (540) 231-9151 opinionseditor@collegiatetimes.com Students must include name, year, major and phone number. Faculty and staff must include name, position and department. All other submissions must include name, residence, and if applicable, relationship to Virginia Tech (i.e. alumni, parent, etc.). Letters should not exceed 300 words, and should be in MS Word (.doc) format if possible. Letters, commentaries and editorial cartoons do not reflect the views of the Collegiate Times. Editorials are written by the Collegiate Times editorial board, composed of the opinions editor, editor in chief and the managing editors. Letters to the editor are submissions from Collegiate Times readers. We reserve the right to edit for any reason. Anonymous letters will not be printed. To order a reprint of a photograph printed in the Collegiate Times, e-mail spps@vt.edu. Have a news tip? Call or text 200-TIPS or e-mail newstips@collegiatetimes.com Student Media Phone Numbers Collegiate Times Newsroom 231-9865 Editor-in-Chief 231-9867 College Media Solutions Advertising 961-9860 The Collegiate Times, a division of the Educational Media Company at Virginia Tech, was established in 1903 by and for the students of Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. The Collegiate Times is published every Tuesday through Friday of the academic year except during exams and vacations. The Collegiate Times receives no funding from the university. The Collegiate Times can be found online at www.collegiatetimes.com. Except where noted, all photographs were taken by the Student Publications Photo Staff.The Collegiate Times is located in 365 Squires Student Center, Blacksburg, Va. 24061. (540) 231-9865. Fax (540) 231-9151. Subscription rates: $65 semester; $90 academic year; $105 full year. The first copy is free, any copy of the paper after that is 50 cents per issue. © Collegiate Times, 2009. All rights reserved. Material published in the Collegiate Times is the property thereof, and may not be reprinted without the express written consent of the Collegiate Times.
september 11, 2009
page 6
Policies:
Place An Ad Today
CLASSIFIEDS WWW.COLLEGIATETIMES.COM 540.961.9860
Visit our business office at 618 N. Main St. 9am–5pm 9am 5pm Monday–Friday Monday Friday,, or place an ad online at collegiatetimes.com.
Deadline: Three business days prior to publication by 3PM.
Rates: Rates as low as 32¢ per word, contingent on the number of days to run. Prepaid. 15 word minimum. Cash, check, Visa, Mastercard, Discover, and American Express.
FREE CLASSIFIEDS FOR VT STUDENTS! students must come to 618 N Main ST to place the ad Sub-Lease Travel Rides Campus
Childcare Tickets for Sale Tickets Wanted Volunteers
Textbooks for Sale Textbooks Wanted Lost & Found Help Wanted
For Sale Events Health & Fitness Automotive
Sub-Lease
For Sale
Help Wanted
SUB-LEASE Spring semester. 1 bedroom of 2 bedroom apartment in Terrace View. Available late December for move-in. 1st floor/ right next to bus stop/ Pets welcome. Call Kevin at 540-272-5677 for more information.
LIVE THE TRADITION.
COLLEGE MEDIA SOLUTIONS
Travel SKYDIVE! One Day First Jumps! 22jumper airplane goes to 13,500’ Gift Certificates! www.skydiveorange.com 540.943.6587
Tickets Wanted NEBRASKA TICKETS - WANT TO BUY two (2) side-by-side guest tickets for the home football game against Nebraska on Sept. 19. Please contact Eric at 301.514.1877
Together. The 2010 Bugle yearbook records Virginia Tech’s proud traditions and our collective community in an archivalquality book with coverage of student life, the Corps of Cadets, greek life, athletics, student organizations and more. Order your yearbook today at www.bugleonline.com.
Notices *****BARTENDING***** MAKE UP TO $300/ DAY. No Experience Necessary. Training Available. 1-800-965-6520 EXT210 LEGAL TROUBLES Free Consultation with attorney. Assault, Traffic, Alcohol and Drug Charges, VT Student Conduct Review. Joel S. Jackson, PC. 961-5297, joeljacksonpc.com.
The advertising agency for student media at Virginia Tech has immediate openings for the following positions: Assisant Account Executive, Creative Services Production Manager, Creative Services Assistant Production Manager and Creative Services Staff. Interested? Log on to www.collegemedia.com/join to apply! In the CollegiateTimes Classifieds you can...
www.collegiate
times .c o m
sell your toucan or anything else you are ready to let go of
Notices Wanted Musical Roommates
Greek Notes For Rent Personals Furniture for Sale
camera you
+
S P SP
Downtown Living South Main Living North Main Living Prices Fork Living
The Collegiate Times reserves the right to reject or edit any advertisement it deems objectionable, at any time. No refunds are available. The advertiser assumes full responsibility for his or her advertisements and agrees to hold the Collegiate Times harmless for the content of all advertisements authorized for publication and any claims that made may be against the Collegiate Times. Any questions concerning ads, please call the Better Business Bureau at 1.800.533.5501. We are pledged to the letter and spirit of U.S. policy for the achievement of equal housing opportunity. To complain of discrimination, call HUD toll free at 1.800.669.9777.
Patrick Henry Living Christiansburg Living
september 11, 2009
page 7
sports 8
editors: joe crandley, alex jackson sportseditor@collegiatetimes.com/ telephone number: 540.231.9865 COLLEGIATETIMES
september 11, 2009
Experienced Hosley to take Tech hopes to rebound after tough loss over punt return duties RYAN TRAPP sports reporter
Less than a week ago, football fans and critics alike were mulling about the idea of the Hokies competing in a national championship. What a difference a week makes. While the Hokies are by no means out of Bowl Championship Series contention, their chances took a severe hit with last week’s 24-34 loss to the Alabama Crimson Tide. Tech held a one-point lead heading into the fourth quarter, but Alabama scored 18 points in the final 15 minutes of play to send the Hokies home with their first loss of the season. “In the big picture, we were all on the same page, but there were about five big plays that we didn’t execute correctly on defense,” head coach Frank Beamer said on his team’s effort last Saturday. “Alabama was very efficient and very good. The quarterback got the ball to the receivers, and 22 (Mark Ingram) is a heck of a back.” Despite the loss, Beamer remains optimistic about the team’s chances for the season, as Virginia Tech looks to three-peat as Atlantic Coast Conference champions. “I’ve got some great hope for this team,” said Beamer. “I think we can do some things. We got some inexperience, and as the game goes on I think those things show up, but as far as great effort, great toughness and wanting to be good, we have all that. Right now it’s just about getting better.” The Hokies can bounce back from their Week 1 loss when the Marshall Thundering Herd make their way to Lane Stadium. The Hokies have seen consistent success against the Herd, especially in recent years, holding a series record of 7-2 against Marshall, including the past five matchups. But the Hokies aren’t letting the numbers get to their heads. “I think they’re a very solid football team, and their record last year is very deceiving, and we expect that kind of
MICHAEL MCDERMOTT/SPPS
Junior quarterback Tyrod Taylor avoids the Alabama pass rush against Alabama Sept. 5 in Atlanta. football team to come in here Saturday,” Beamer said. Marshall has several weapons on the offensive side of the ball. All-American and John Mackey Award candidate Cody Slate is arguably the top returning tight end in the nation. Slate, a senior from Chipley, Fla., entered the year with 2,012 career receiving yards and 19 touchdown receptions, and he tacked on two more touchdowns and 114 yards in Marshall’s route of Southern Illinois. Marshall’s feature back, junior Darius Marshall, rushed for over 1,000 yards last season. Although he did not play in Marshall’s home opener, he expects to take the field against the Hokies at Lane Stadium and contribute both on offense and as one of Conference-U.S.A.’s top kick returners. The Hokies’ plan to tighten up their execution against the Herd and not watch another team explode for nearly 500 yards of offense on a tired defense that was on the field for over 37 minutes in the game.
“Defensively we played a heck of a game. They just got worn out. We need to execute offensively so we can keep them off the field and help them keep making plays,” redshirt freshman tailback Ryan Williams said. Williams was the major spark for the Hokies’ offense in Week 1, accounting for more than two thirds of their yards from scrimmage. However, he won’t be the only Tech running back who sees the field Saturday. Beamer says he plans to use true freshman David Wilson, who did not receive any carries against the Tide. “It was one of those games it’s tough to get an inexperienced guy in there, but we’ll get him some practice time and get him in the ball game,” Beamer said. While the Hokies won’t be facing as intimidating a defensive front seven this week, the Hokies’ offensive line will have to contend with first team All-Conference-U.S.A. selection Albert McClellan, the 2006 C-U.S.A. Defensive Player of the Year, and Marshall’s career leader in tackles for loss and sacks.
Hokies’ quarterback Tyrod Taylor was sacked a foreboding five times last week, but Beamer has faith in the front five. “They played hard. They were up against as good a front as there was in college football. They just need to keep working and get better,” Beamer said. Tech hopes to make a statement offensively this Saturday and prove that its 150 yards of total offense won’t be a trendsetter for the season. “This week coming in we’re really going to try to show everyone that we are capable of (putting points up on the board). We know we’re capable of doing it and want to do all the little things to show it to everyone,” sophomore wide out Dyrell Roberts said. We’ll see this Saturday when Marshall comes to Worsham Field just how much difference one week really can make. The game begins at 1:30 p.m. and will air on ESPN360. A “white out” is planned, and fans are encouraged to donate a book to the Herma’s Readers program at the gates.
OFFENSE
Cornerback Ahmed Shakoor
Defensive End Albert McClellan
Defensive Tackle Johnny Jones
Free Safety John Saunders
Weak Side Linebacker Mario Harvey
Middle Linebacker Strong Side Kellen Harris Linebacker Brandon Burns
Strong Safety Ashton Hall
Left Tackle Tight End Greg Boone* OR Ed Wang Nick Becton Andre Smith Sam Wheeler
Left Guard Sergio Render Greg Nosal
Center Beau Warren Michael Via
Right Guard Jaymes Brooks Richard Graham
Right Tackle Blake Christopher Richard Graham
Flanker Danny Coale Dyrell Roberts
Quarterback Tyrod Taylor Ju-Ju Clayton
Tailback Ryan Williams OR Josh Oglesby
Left Tackle John Graves Demetrius Taylor
Right Guard Jaymes Brooks Richard Graham
Right End Nekos Brown Chris Drager
ROV Dorian Porch Davon Morgan
Free Safety Kam Chancellor Eddie Whitley
Field Corner Rashad Carmichael OR Cris Hill Jayron Hosley
OFFENSE
Tight End Cody Slater
DEFENSE
VIRGINIA TECH VS. MARSHALL DEPTH CHART
DEFENSE
Just a week into the 2009 season, and the Hokies already have a new punt returner. Freshman cornerback Jayron Hosley replaced redshirt freshman Ryan Williams during last week’s game after Williams stepped down from the position when he dropped a punt late in the first quarter of the Hokies’ 24-34 loss to Alabama. “I took myself off punt returning,” Williams said. “It was my decision. I’m not going to say I never want to return again, but until it starts feeling like a second nature to running back, then I’m going to step away from punt returning.” Williams was quick to note that his replacement is much more experienced than he is in the role. “With Jayron back there, he’s HOSLEY done it all throughout high school,” Williams said. “If I don’t feel comfortable, I’m not going to put my team in that kind of danger.” Few currently know much about Hosley other than what they saw last week — the newcomer’s single return for 11 yards during the second quarter of the Alabama game. But perhaps the specialist’s most recognizable feature is that he hails from the same high school and town, Atlantic High School in Delray Beach, Fla., as former Tech-turned NFL cornerback Brandon Flowers, who had a hand in recruiting Hosley. “He played a small role in the process,” Hosley said. “It was close to two years ago when I told him I was interested in Virginia Tech. He told me about the coaching staff and that the defense was one I wanted to be on. He helped me get started with the process before I even visited Virginia Tech, and afterwards helped me feel comfortable with the decision I had made.” Hosley’s recruiter and now position coach, Torrian Gray, also consulted Flowers on Hosley, but when it came time to make the trip down to Florida, Gray’s main selling point was himself. “Coach Gray came to me and told me straight-up that he was the best defensive backs coach in the land,” Hosley said. “He told me about all of the NFL players that he produced and spoke of his techniques for making me a better cornerback.” Despite being impressed, Hosley did not decide to attend Tech until making a visit to the campus in February. Until then, he strongly considered the University of South Florida and playing close to his family. “After my visit, I put Virginia Tech way above (South Florida),” Hosley said. “You really can’t compare the two schools. Being around Beamer and the rest of the coaching staff, I got a feeling that it was a very close-knit program with very honest people. It was a nobrainer from there on out. I knew I was
going to be away from home but I also knew my family was going to be supportive of me wherever I went.” Throughout the entire summer, Hosley focused solely on his cornerback duties while gaining experience from the likes of senior Stephan Virgil and redshirt junior Rashad Carmichael. His first opportunity to return punts came just a few weeks ago. “I got my chance to get out there and show what I could do during the scrimmages,” Hosley said. “I took advantage of the opportunity.” Despite gaining the role less than a week ago, Hosley is already considered a seasoned veteran at returning punts, having more experience than almost anyone else on the roster. “I returned punts during each of my three years of varsity high school football,” Hosley said. “It’s become kind of a second nature to me. The only difference between returning punts at the high school and college levels is the speed of the game so I have to be quicker now, but aside from that it’s been an easy transition.” Much like the chance he received last month in the team’s scrimmages, Hosley seized the opportunity that presented itself when Williams resigned from the duties. “Coming into the game, coach told me to be ready,” Hosley said. “Being in front of a crowd that size was kind of shocking but I just kept my focus and tried not to get overwhelmed.” Hosley is quick to make the declaration that almost every specialist claims. “I like to think of myself as a cornerback first and then a punt returner,” Hosley said. “Intercepting a pass and taking it back for a score would be much more thrilling for me.” Although special teams is not within his coaching boundaries, coach Gray is perfectly content with one of his cornerbacks, who is not expected to see a lot of playing time as part of the secondary this season, taking on the additional workload. “I don’t really have much of a say in terms of his role as a specialist,” Gray said. “He was a guy who caught punts naturally. Once we decided we weren’t going to redshirt him, you start to look at him a little more in that role. Because the opportunity presented itself last game, he was ready to go in and did a heck of a job.” Although Hosley is not expected to have an impact in the defensive backfield this season, the freshman’s goal of becoming a starting cornerback for the Hokies sometime in the future is something coach Gray expects will become a reality. “I hope by mid-season that I’ll feel confident enough that if I put him in because of an injury or to give Virgil or one of our other guys a rest, he’ll be able to help us out,” Gray said. “This year, he’s already proven himself to be a very talented player in the punt returner role. To see him in that environment in Atlanta and catch punts like that was pretty amazing. Potentially, I think he can help out the secondary this year, but if not, he definitely should be ready to go next season.”
MARSHALL
sports reporter
VIRGINIA TECH
ED LUPIEN
Left Tackle Brandon Campbell
Left Guard Ryan Tillman
Wide Receiver Courtney Edmonson
Split End Xavier Boyce Jarrett Boykin
Boundary Corner Stephan Virgil* OR Rashad Carmichael Eddie Whitley Outside Linebacker Xavier Boyce Jarrett Boykin
Left End Jason Worilds Steven Friday
Right Tackle Daniel Baldridge
Wide Receiver Troy Evans
Center Chad Schofield
Right Guard Jimmy Rogers
Quarterback Brian Anderson
Tailback Darius Marshall
Wide Receiver Chuck Walker
Defensive Tackle Defensive End Delvin Johnson Vinny Curry
Cornerback DeQuan Bembry
Inside Linebacker Inside Linebacker Barquell Rivers Jake Johnson Bruce Taylor Quillie Odom
*Greg Boone (SC joint sprain - doubtful) *Stephan Virgil (knee - doubtful)
KELLY HARRIGAN/COLLEGIATE TIMES