Friday, September 25, 2009 Print Edition

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Friday, September 25, 2009

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COLLEGIATETIMES 106th year, issue 91

News, page 2

Features, page 3

Opinions, page 5

Classifieds, page 6

Sudoku, page 6

Sports, page 7

Kaine to meet with April 16 families Saturday ZACH CRIZER nrv news editor Gov. Tim Kaine will meet with the families of April 16, 2007 shooting victims Saturday, the second of three meetings guaranteed by a legal settlement and the first since shooter Seung-Hui Cho’s medical records were discovered in the home of former Cook Counseling Center director Robert Miller.

The settlement, which was signed by all but two families of the shooting victims, guaranteed the families three meetings with Kaine before he leaves office at the end of 2009.

Kaine met with the families in October 2008,

and was scheduled to meet with them in “early 2009,” and once again before he leaves office. Saturday’s meeting at the Capitol building in Richmond will be the first meeting of 2009.

Andrew Goddard, whose KAINE son Colin was injured in Norris Hall, said he hopes the timing of the meetings does not diminish their effectiveness.

“I would hate to think we are getting so close to the end of his administration that things would fall off the end and not be dealt with and

Local hotel’s Oktoberfest celebrates fall

not handed over,” Goddard said. “I’d like things rounded before we change to the next governor.”

Lori Haas, whose daughter Emily was injured in Norris Hall, said Kaine has not upheld his end of the settlement.

“He obviously has not adhered to the settlement, not to the letter of the settlement,” Haas said. “We requested some meetings and he just didn’t feel compelled for whatever reason, I can’t honestly tell you why he didn’t have the meetings according to the schedule. I was personally disappointed.”

Following the discovery of Cho’s mental health records in July, more than 60 family members signed a petition urging Kaine to reconvene the

governor’s Virginia Tech Review Panel.

“The National Transportation Safety Board investigates a plane crash for over a year,” Haas said. “We have the largest mass shooting in recent history and we have a panel that spent under four months? It wasn’t enough time. I don’t begrudge the panel and the job they did.

They had time limitations that were very restrictive, and they should be able to do the job they want to do and know how to do.”

Instead, families were offered the chance to submit corrections for the panel’s 2007 report.

TriData, an independent information systems firm, will compile and evaluate the corrections before Kaine decides whether to reconvene the

panel.

Haas objects to TriData handling the revision of the report.

“TriData is a paid company, they are paid by the state of Virginia,” Haas said. “There is a little bit of a disconnect there. The perception is can they be objective? I don’t know. The panel were not paid. They’re volunteers, they’re experts in their field.”

The revised report is due Oct. 31.

Haas said multiple members of the original panel have indicated a desire to reconvene.

“And every single panel member I spoke to, and I’ve spoken to five personally, all want to

Alcohol hotline opens today

The power of polka

TERESA TOBAT features editor Munich may be an ocean away from Blacksburg, but don’t tell that to the director of the traditional German Oompah band, Ed Schwartz.

Decked out in traditional German lederhosen (think leather shorts with suspenders), a red plaid shirt and a liter glass full of beer in hand, Schwartz is ready to lead the Sauerkraut Band in a night of festivities at Mountain Lake Hotel’s first night of its annual Oktoberfest celebration of 2009, which also coincided with the first day of Oktoberfest in Germany.

“The whole point is interaction and a sense of community,” said Schwartz, director of development programs administration and collaboration at Virginia Tech.

Schwartz said he wants the night to capture the essence of the German word “Gemutlichkeit.” The word has no direct English translation, but it basically means a sense of good camaraderie.

Mountain Lake Hotel, about 20 minutes away from Blacksburg in Pembroke, Va., began celebrating Oktoberfest 21 years ago and has no plans to stop soon.

Starting around 5 p.m. basic appetizers, including sausages, salted pretzels, bread and alcohol, are served. Guests will park and walk a little past the hotel to a wooden banquet hall that has an “Oktoberfest” banner nailed to the front.

Inside, the ceilings are high and lined with long banquet tables that seat 20 to 30 people.

The center aisle is cleared as a dance floor and the Sauerkraut Band has a stage in front. The hall can seat about 200 people. The food and alcohol are served outside the building under a covered area. They serve German beer, wine and Jagermeister, as well as sell German goods, such as drinking mugs, Sauerkraut Band apparel and traditional German clothes.

To start the official Oktoberfest dinner celebration, around 6 p.m. executive chef of Mountain Lake Hotel unveiled a pig that had been roasting for about eight hours. The chef unveiled a three foot long pig before carving and serving the meat.

“Some kids see that and laugh, and others just get scared,” said Buzz Scanland, general manager of Mountain Lake Hotel.

Scanland has been at the hotel since Oktoberfest began and said he wants everyone who attends to have a good time.

He also gave credit to the band for creating a

KELSEY PECSEK news staff writer

LUKE MASON/SPPS

Traditional German oompah band, the Sauerkraut Band, plays at Mountain Lake Hotel’s annual Oktoberfest celebration.

This is the 21st year of the festival and it kicked off last Saturday to coincide with Germany’s festival. lively atmosphere for guests.

“I can tell you that personality is what counts,” said Scanland of Schwartz. “I don’t know of anyone who can step up and take his place.”

Schwartz gestured to the buffet table behind him filled with trays of steaming food, including ham, potato pancakes, sausages and stew.

They have an assortment of meats, as well as some salad items, which Schwartz joked that he wouldn’t recommend that anyone eat.

He said he works hard and needs to keep “hydrated” throughout the night. He usually drinks about five liters of beer each night of Oktoberfest.

Schwartz is not alone in this endeavor. His bandmates also quench their thirsts yet manage to never miss a beat.

The Sauerkraut Band plays continuously for three hours starting at 7 p.m., an hour after dinner officially starts. The band pauses in between each song for traditional German chants that encourage merriment and drinking. Schwartz and other Mountain Lake Hotel staffers are sure to clink glasses with everyone sitting at a banquet table.

Although alcohol consumption is generally encouraged, Schwartz said it’s not a necessity and will knock cups filled with tea, coffee and water as well.

In between each song is the occasional impromptu polka, waltz and, yes, even a spe-

cial rendition of the “Funky Chicken.”

One “Funky Chicken” participant, Stephan Ross, an academic adviser at Virginia Military Institute, said he decided to go up on stage and play the rubber chickens the band had provided because they looked like they needed help.

Ross attended Oktoberfest with his friend, De-dee Foti, a nursing professor for Jefferson College of Health Sciences in Roanoke.

“The fact that they can get him up on stage says a lot,” said Foti of the Sauerkraut Band.

Those called to the front of the stage are rewarded with a shot of Jagermeister for their efforts, like Foti was at one point during the night. Participants, such as one Nebraska Cornhusker fan, were asked to whistle along with the band. Others were asked about their professions, and one young man eventually managed to slur out “Aeropostale.”

Group activities are also encouraged throughout the night. Attendees are asked to link arms with the person sitting beside them and sway back and forth to the music. Polka and waltz music are also played during the celebration. To the casual observer, a polka or waltz, seems to consist of little more than jumping around. However, the dances are supposed to be fun, and finesse is not a requirement on the dance floor.

To cap the night off, all who were able to get up were asked to stand up, get in a line and put their hands on the shoulders of the person

LUKE MASON/SPPS

standing in front of them as band director Schwartz led them in a parade around the banquet tables.

Schwartz officially closed out the night with another toast and left attendees with a final thought.

“You don’t have to go home,” he said, “but you can’t stay here.”

Hethwood store carves niche Education bill could alter financial aid

KATIE ROBIDOUX news staff writer Hethwood Market, located at the corner of Heather Drive and Huntington Lane near Foxridge Apartments, is now open for business, giving Blacksburg a different type of convenience store.

Last year, Virginia Tech agricultural and applied economics instructor Scott Sink signed a lease for the property and started his plans to create the Hethwood Market. The property was used for the convenience store Food Time until it shut down four years ago. Now, one side is a local food market and the other a Cucci’s Italian restaurant.

The store is only half stocked right now as it has taken some time to bring things up to code with different vendors.

Sink’s sales so far have been good despite delays.

“I’ve been pleased with the business we’ve had thus far, and I was aiming to have somewhat of a soft opening,” Sink said.

The market will be having a grand opening Oct. 17. Sink wanted to plan the opening for a weekend when Tech had an away football game in order to allow more Blacksburg residents and students to attend. The opening will feature locally grown produce, which is one of Sink’s main focuses for the store.

“Our number one goal is to be a Virginia-grown local produce type venue,” Sink said. “Number two is to provide something different with

see MEETING / page two

KELSEY HEITER news reporter

KYLE COTHERN/SPPS

Hethwood Market’s grand opening is Oct. 17.

Cucci’s Italian pizzeria, and three is to be a convenience store.”

Sink aims to distinguish Hethwood Market from a 7-Eleven or a gas station convenience store.

“We won’t be like any other convenient store that sells cigarettes and food,” Sink said.

The main focus is to provide fresh produce and good food, and although they have a beer and wine permit, it is not a main product.

“Selling alcohol is not our main focal point, but we felt as if it was necessary being where we’re at,” Sink said. “We also got the license because we will be selling local Virginia wines to go along with the Cucci’s Italian food.”

Cucci’s is an Italian restaurant chain

centered in Southwest Virginia.

The original restaurant is located in Covington, Va. Donna Gresh, a board member of the Hethwood Foundation, said the residents of the Hethwood Community welcome the market.

“The market is a great addition to the community. They are a very unique market, and the fact that they are selling local produce has really gotten a lot of positive feedback from the people of Blacksburg.”

The Hethwood Market will provide Blacksburg with a different and unique type of store unlike any others around.

“We are not a chain store,” Sink said.

“We’re just local people trying to start a business.”

The Student Aid and Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2009 (H.R.3221) is currently awaiting a vote in the Senate and, if passed, will allow students to receive increased amounts of student loans beginning in the 2010 fiscal year.

The bill directs the secretary of education to award competitive matching State Innovation and Completion grants to states that implement activities and services increasing students’ ability to complete postsecondary school.

Programs that serve underrepresented students and increase degree or certificate completion in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics will be given priority in the bill.

The bill states a purpose of promoting innovation in postsecondary education practices and policies by institutions of higher education, states and nonprofit organizations to improve student success, and help with the completion of postsecondary education

for underrepresented students.

Another purpose of the bill is to assist states in developing data and reporting systems to enhance the quality and availability of information about student success, completion and post-completion employment.

Barry Simmons, director of scholarships and financial aid at Virginia Tech, said that there are two major pieces that Tech has been tracking with the bill.

“The two pieces are the elimination of a FFEL program, Federal Family Education Loan program, and the Perkins Federal Loan Program,” Simmons said. “The senate bill has not been dropped yet, so we are not exactly sure what is going to come out of it, because once the Senate passes a bill then they have to conference it and until that conference is voted on we really do not have any finality.”

The Perkins loan program provides low-interest loans to aid needy students. Individual colleges have “substantial flexibility in determining the amount of the loan,” according to the U.S. see BILL / page two

Starting today, an anonymous neighbor can report alcohol-related disturbances and possibly put a Virginia Tech student on the fast track to an alcohol strike, even off campus.

Blacksburg is launching a new alcohol community hotline. The Campus Alcohol Abuse Prevention Center at Tech has worked with the Blacksburg Coalition on Alcohol and the Town Gown Community Relations Committee to create a unique way of responding to alcohol misuse in the Blacksburg community.

The hotline was developed on the idea that it is a right to reside in a community without disturbance from alcohol misuse.

Although not intended for immediate responses, citizens can call the hotline at (540) 231-4813 and leave information. They will then be contacted in two days regarding the problem. Anonymous calls are accepted but not encouraged.

Upon notification of a problem caused by alcohol abuse, a letter will be sent to the address of the disturbance. It will notify the resident of the complaint against them, give information on alcohol statutes and offer resources to aid the individual in preventing a reoccurrence. Following a second complaint, someone from the office will visit the residence to offer further assistance.

If the problem persists, stronger action will be taken to resolve the issue. If a student causes the disturbance and attempts to mediate are refused, the university Student Conduct Office will be contacted, and possible judicial action may be taken since alcohol misuse is a code of conduct violation.

If the individual is a resident not involved with Tech, the Blacksburg Police will be notified. Steven Clarke of the Campus Alcohol Abuse Prevention Center said this hotline is meant to “be a kinder, gentler approach” to the alcohol misuse in Blacksburg.

“We’re glad to see the school’s taking initiative to get involved with the community,” Sgt. Nathan O’Dell of Blacksburg Police said.

According to O’Dell, once an officer gets involved, “it’s an immediate referral to the conduct office” if the offense involves a Tech student.

O’Dell said the new alcohol hotline “gives the student the opportunity to take corrective action upon themselves.”

The department believes this will benefit the student.

“Students can be held accountable for their off-campus behavior if it causes a disturbance,” Clarke said.

The student code of conduct states, “As a member of the Virginia Tech community, I agree to abide by all state laws and university policies regulating alcoholic beverages and controlled substances,” and the new hotline will attempt to enforce these concepts.

One of the most important aspects the hotline hopes to address is a commonly overlooked law. It is illegal to provide minors with alcohol, and it is illegal to charge for alcohol without a permit.

The negative side effects of alcohol abuse, such as litter, noise, vandalism and public intoxication, are a continued cause of disorder in the Blacksburg community, according to the Campus Alcohol Abuse Prevention Center Web site.

2 news september 25, 2009

[News Quiz] Send the answers to these questions to quiz@collegiatetimes.com before Sunday at midnight. Ten correct entries will be drawn at random and the lucky readers will win a free DVD, CD or book of their choice from our prize drawer.

1) What dining hall plays a host to Farms and Fields, a shop that uses local and organic food products?

2) Quarterback Tyrod Taylor’s fourth-quarter Hail-Mary pass to this wideout allowed Tech to stay in the game against Nebraska.

3) What’s the name of the newest humanoid robot created by the mechanical engineering department?

new river valley news editor: zach crizer university editor: philipp kotlaba newseditor@collegiatetimes.com/ 540.231.9865 COLLEGIATETIMES

Meeting: Families to lobby Kaine for reconvened panel from page one

serve,” Haas said.

She said the new information in Cho’s medical records, and the circumstances surrounding the discovery of the records, may lead the panel in new directions.

“The new information often garners new questions. We had panel members say, absolutely, I didn’t know about Dr. Miller,” Haas said.

Families hope to see a complete report for the purpose of preventing future tragedies, Haas said.

Saturday’s agenda said Tri-Data is scheduled to update the families on the status of the report.

Goddard said the families also hope to receive an update on the Charitable Purposes Fund established by the settlement and discuss the transition to the next governor.

As Democrat Creigh Deeds and Republican Bob McDonnell vie for

Corrections -In yesterday’s paper, the article “Just a click away,” (CT, Sept. 24) stated counterfeit tickets had made their way into the hands of Virginia Tech students. However, no cases of counterfeiting have been reported to the athletics department or the Office of Student Conduct.

-Wednesday’s article “Novelist whose book inspired ‘Mean Girls’ visits” (CT, Sept. 23) had an incorrect headline. The headline should have read. “Author whose book inspired ‘Mean Girls’ visits.

-The sub-headline for Wednesday’s “Grad school to display choices” (CT, Sept. 23) incorrectly stated the date for the graduate school fair would take place today, Friday Sept. 25. The date for the fair is Monday, Sept.

28, as stated in the article.

Kaine’s position, Goddard hopes initiatives begun during this administration are not set back.

“The current administration has done a lot to change things, but they didn’t get everything they needed to get done, done,” Goddard said.

Haas said she is more familiar with Deeds, as he shares one legislative initiative with her.

“Bob McDonnell has never reached out to me,” Haas said. “Creigh Deeds has reached out to me on a number of occasions and he supports background checks at gun shows.”

Deeds served as a state senator, while McDonnell was the Virginia attorney general at the time of the shootings.

“Mr. Deeds has been very supportive of the families from my personal experience,” Haas said. “I spent quite a bit of time at the Virginia General Assembly both in 2008 and 2009 and his door was always open.”

McDonnell was involved in drafting the settlement.

He deferred to Kaine on whether to reconvene the panel.

Deeds sent a letter to families stating his support for reconvening the panel.

Goddard is also interested in how budget cuts at the state level are affecting mental health care.

“One of the problems from my side is I see that financial constraints have cut back a lot of funding for mental health stuff, and that’s a big issue as well,” Goddard said. “I would hate to see that any gains we’ve made in improving mental health delivery are washed away by the loss of revenue and the economy.”

Kaine will also discuss the terms of the settlement, legislative initiatives and campus preparedness with the families, according to the agenda.

The closed meeting begins at 1 p.m.

Bill: Perkins loan format could be eliminated from page one

Department of Education Web site.

Simmons said it is difficult for the university to gauge how the bill might affect Tech.

“In terms of affordability, the elimination of the FFEL program should really not have a positive or negative effect on affordability,” Simmons said.

“Virginia Tech students really should not notice any difference.”

Simmons said the students who will notice a difference are those who are at colleges or universities that do not currently participate in direct lending, which is what replaces the FFEL lending.

“They will begin a simpler process to get student loans,” Simmons said.

“The Perkins — we will have to see how much is duplicated in the Senate bill.”

Simmons is confident the Senate will eliminate the FFEL lending.

“We are sure the Senate will go through with the elimination of FFEL,” Simmons said. “I am 99 percent sure, but I am not sure what the Senate will do with the Perkins, so once we figure that out, then we can start doing some analysis.”

Tech students should notice no difference with student loans, Simmons said.

“We already participate in direct loans, so this change should not affect us at all,” Simmons said. “The only thing that could affect us is if the Senate could make a diminishment in the service to the loans, which means that it may take a little longer to get a loan, but we really do not anticipate that.”

The Collegiate Times regrets these errors.

.....

features 3

editors: topher forhecz, teresa tobat featureseditor@collegiatetimes.com/ 540.231.9865 COLLEGIATETIMES

he she

SAID

She said: Summer flings that matter last through autumn M

MINA NOORBAKHSH/COLLEGIATE TIMES

He said: Beat the heat and take the fall for love S

ummer lovin’, had me a blast — sort of.

My fleeting romance wasn’t so invigorating that I squeezed into extra-small leather and sang its falsetto praises like “Grease.” In reality, the affair’s peak was one killer spooning session.

Otherwise we simply goo-goo-eyed each other and watched terrible movies like “Confessions of a Shopaholic.” (Don’t worry, I shotgunned a beer immediately thereafter.)

Regardless of the fling’s innocence, it was nice to know such effortless affection. I mean, our agendas weren’t packed. And that’s what those toasty months seem to afford. Most of us are free from the vise of academia, and aside from job or internship duties, social pursuits often top our priorities.

It’s prime time to throw your game around like Tyrod to Coale.

If you manage to snag a sundress, you and the lady might partake in common summer activities like eating purple Freeze Pops or attending amphitheater concerts — the joys of such things are hard to argue. But the more I analyze dogdays dating, the more I realize my allegiance lies with jack-o’-lanterns’ weather.

Consider supposedly pleasant summer outings like picnicking amid flowers or putt-putting on family beach trips. I see past the charm of daisies to the bees they host; their kamikaze leg attacks always turn my twig ankles into two-liters. And somehow I leave the miniature golf course completely dehydrated, simply swaying a club yields Gulf of Mexico pit stains.

Further, I’m not helping intimacy by countering a girl’s pool-bronzed skin with an epic Moses-in-

the-desert tan. (Shirtless, I could still pass for wearing a white Hanes V-neck.)

Reflecting on those drawbacks — and to the possible dismay of many dudes — I’d trade a bikini for a beanie most any day. That’s not to say I don’t drool over certain skirts. It’s just more appealing to pull a gal in for a smooch by her scarf ends, even though it’s likely I’d mistakenly strangle her. There’s something playful and coy about glances from behind upturned hooded sweatshirts — or maybe I’m misreading their attempts to ignore me.

And I don’t doubt that fall forfeits summer’s abandon; a new semester yields various stressors.

If you’ve got a special someone, the relationship’s quality time is dissected by club meetings, group projects, (infidelity) and exams. Yet when schedules finally allow it, autumn provides some fun couple leisure.

After a refreshing hike on the Appalachian Trail, you can wreck the rewards of your exercise with a gluttonous feast at the Home Place.

The chilly evening air is ideal for the messiest of s’mores over bonfires. And you obviously have to challenge friends to hurdle the flames, melting sneakers and singeing hair.

With Halloween approaching, it’s almost time for wagon rides at the pumpkin patch. The two of you could probably walk to the field faster, but instead you putter along behind the tractor watching noisy children blow their noses into parents’ sweater sleeves. You fight through the snot and screams, though, to find that perfect squash. Together you can then carve Frankenstein

or a heart containing your initials if you want it smashed against your door overnight.

You can even break it down to childhood basics. Rake colorful leaves into bushels and go crazy. Toss handfuls at each other, inadvertently stabbing the recipient’s eyeballs with the pointed edges. Maybe have a contest for the best pile dive.

Granted, the one time I did this, I soared into the mound as a cannonball, delivering blunt trauma to my tailbone. I spent the next few days walking like I was in constant search of a bathroom.

Really, I can narrow this seasonal bias to a simple query: Do you prefer being hot and finding ways to cool down, or feeling frigid and searching for warmth? I cling to the latter, not even contemplating the former. I’d much rather shiver in a blanket cocoon with my mate than hold their clammy hand while we curse an oscillating fan. And I have no qualms about forsaking my family name, opting to share steaming cocoa over an iced Arnold Palmer.

Come to think of it, that fossil still plays golf at 80 years old — I bet he could recommend a good antiperspirant. But sweat is now out of sight.

Where’s my flannel?

RYAN ARNOLD -features reporter -communication major -hero: Vincent Chase

y current relationship is like I’m dating Batman.

It’s not that he has lots of gadgets, or a butler, or an inexhaustible hoard of money.

(He does have a two-seater car, but it’s less of a technological marvel and more like a piece of crap.) He’s not amazingly flexible, nor does he wear a suit with muscles built into the design. Simply, I never see him during the day.

It’s fall now, and we are way too stressed and busy to see each other. There’s that obligatory kiss in the morning, where one party has morning nast-breath, and then the frazzled greetings at night where afterwards we bond by complaining about our days.

Like two young, star-crossed lovers, we only see each other while shrouded in darkness.

This is pretty sad, considering that we live together.

During the summer, things were different.

Tom and I could look at each other’s cheesy smiles in the daylight. We took weekend vacations to Hilton Head, S.C., regularly. For hours, we would chum the waters along my dad’s boat — OK, chum isn’t romantic, but we had the time to wait for the sharks to bite.

(We didn’t even catch any crabs.) We would illicitly swim at night in neighborhood pools and tool around with the top off in his “tin can,” which is secret code for his Batmobile.

This is the nature of summer love. Easy.

But the sensuous, cinematic, long days of summer give way to hair-pulling, migraineinducing, manic days where you barely have time to eat, let alone be “twitterpated.” In this onslaught, it’s a miracle that some summer relationships still exist into the autumn.

Most will fizzle away and leave you with a bittersweet feeling, but the good ones will linger.

Why the “natural selection” of relationships? If you’re anything like me, little nuisances in the fall semester drives you to the edge of insanity: Having to pay $75 for a paperback textbook of stuff you’ll never need again in your life is expected.

Having two tests and three papers due in the same week leads you to the epiphany that maybe sleep just isn’t the best lifestyle choice.

Being stuck in class beside that pale, sickly girl that you’re convinced has kennel cough,

and knowing your insurance probably won’t cover that particular affliction.

These and other environmental stressors deem that only the strong survive, and that includes relationships.

If your summer love does last into fall, you’re lucky. Although now your days with your beau aren’t spent admiring their body at the beach, there is something positive about autumn love. Your autumn lover can be your sanctuary.

Yes, you’re wearing a turtleneck instead of a tank top, but the awkward fabric that is slowly suffocating you can’t keep you from snuggling your sweetie. Since it’s cooled off, you can go hiking and not embarrass yourself by almost sweating to death. Especially in Blacksburg, there’s always something to do in the fall like movies, shows, festivals — If you can find the time to do these, that is.

Most importantly, you can de-stress in a fall love sanctuary. Love becomes less formal. It’s no longer such a big deal if he realizes you have stretch marks and cellulite and aren’t always perfect. Your beau can assure you that your neurons aren’t melting under the pressure of the semester. He can make you feel like everything will be all right, that you will get everything done, and that yes, your boss should be cruelly fired, and you should get his job.

Or, your man-thing could toss you a beer when you get home from work and insist on simply watching TV and snuggling on the couch. (Don’t doubt — Batman is a fan of Natural Ice and cuddle-time.)

Although summer is intimate with its bare body parts and sweltering heat, it’s also easier because there’s jack else to do. Most of those summer loves will dissipate as soon as fall semester starts driving you to the brink.

But the fall romances that last — they’re solid, sweet, and they reveal a guy willing to put up with your neuroses. And that’s why they’re the best.

LAKEN RENICK -features staff writer -English major -hero: Queen Elizabeth I

september 25, 2009

page 4

Asheville band visits the ‘Burg BRADY CASHEN features staff writer

By Morning is set to rock the stage at Champs Sports Bar and Cafe on Main Street Saturday night. The Asheville, N.C. band returns to Blacksburg coming off a full-length album release in June. As an up-and-coming band with aspirations to reach the national scale, and continues to fine-tune its show. The Collegiate Times spoke with Lee White, bass player for By Morning, on the phone in anticipation of its show.

COLLEGIATE TIMES: How long have you been together and how did you get your start?

LEE WHITE: We have been together for four years. We started as a four-piece COURTESY OF BY MORNING band. Our lead singer was Brandon Lee White, bass player for the rock band By Morning, plays a show at Lowery so we went by the Brandon Lowery Band. We gained two new a club in Asheville, N.C. By Morning once opened for Saving Abel. members when the singer and drumCT: Have you traveled mostly on the CT: How has the new lineup affected mer left and have had this line-up since East Coast or toured other parts of the your sound?

December.

WHITE: We are able to churn out more country?

WHITE: We play mostly on the weekCT: How did you decide on By songs at a quicker rate. Work ethic and songwriting style is democratic when ends right now. Farthest we have gone Morning as a name?

WHITE: There was no rhyme or rea- I talk about the way we write songs. down is Florida. We play out west son. It was going to be the name of the (Drummer) Springs is really into song- toward Nashville.

EP coming up. It is kind of a measure- writing. The lineup is a lot stronger.

CT: Do you have any funny stories ment, like something will be done “by There is more input from each member. The majority of the set Saturday from the road or past shows? morning.”

WHITE: We opened for Saving Abel at will be songs we have not recorded yet.

CT: How would you describe your We will play all the songs from “Arietta,” the Orange Peel in Asheville. The crowd style? On your Web site it says you but the rest of the set will be brand new was awesome. What was really surprishave a “Japanese classic rock sound.” material. We have a harder edge right ing was the majority of the people Any importance to that or is it now. We want people to be able to sing that saw us did not know we were an our songs and be memorable. We enjoy Asheville band. It was not surprising just a joke?

WHITE: We are more of a modern playing and can project a good, ener- because when we first started out we rock and hard rock band. On MySpace getic live show. We work on the cho- played Raleigh a lot so people thought it gives you a third option, so I just ruses and the initial chords of each of we were a Raleigh band. We are starting to make people aware of who the verses. thought it would be funny. we are.

CT: Why did you decide to release CT: When did you release your latest CT: What’s next for you guys? album “Arietta”? How long did it take your album as a free download WHITE: We plan to continue writing online? you?

WHITE: We wanted to do a free songs and working on a stronger show.

WHITE: Our first drummer and singer left before we were going into download to get it into people’s hands. We are looking into producers and marthe studio, so with two-fifths of the With the economy being horrible, there keting companies and booking agents. band gone, we didn’t know exactly was a drastic drop in attendance at We want to go more on a national level what we were doing. We added our live shows. There was a drop for every and find out what really happens. You singer Joey Wilton in October. Springs band. We wanted to see how many have got to keep on progressing, have to Wade has been our drummer since people would actually take something keep striving for that next rung on the December. We went into the studio on for free. We did it for marketing as ladder. Until you are absolutely beaten Feb. 21, 2009. It didn’t take long to well. There were a good number of down, broke and on the verge of 73.

Playing in a band is kind of like marrecord it, but it took longer to produce downloads. rying the people you are playing with. it. We did a lot of editing once we went A band is a very dysfunctional family CT: How did it work out? in. It took us maybe two and a half WHITE: It worked really well. We did that decided to be with each other for months. We released it in June this it for about 50 days and wanted to have something much larger. summer. something fresh to sell at shows.

CT: Anything else you want readers to CT: What is the single off your newest CT: Have you played in Blacksburg know about the show on Saturday or album? about By Morning in general?

WHITE: Every radio station has picked before?

WHITE: People can go to our site, WHITE: We’ve played a few times. Our out a new song. Different markets pick out different songs. Raleigh picked out friends Aside Oceans are from Pulaski, www.myspace.com/bymorning to hear “In My Head” and “Do Geese See God.” and we play with them a lot. Last time some of our songs and check out our Asheville likes “Screws” and “Addicted we played there was at the Lantern, and concerts. We promise you guys a good time, nothing sexual. before that we played the Gobbler. to the Flames.”

opinions 5

editor: debra houchins opinionseditor@collegiatetimes.com/ 540.231.9865 COLLEGIATETIMES

september 25, 2009

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the First Amendment essay contest winners Winner: Rights not contigent on place, time

MCT CAMPUS

T

he First Amendment is occasionally taken for granted in America. This country’s citizens have been blessed with a nearly 250-year old, stable democratic state, borne of the highest Enlightenment ideals and defended domestically and abroad. The bitter struggle and spilled blood that preceded the independence of the United States of America is not recent history, but a fairy tale. The American Revolution is a compelling story that still serves as a major foundation for the nation’s identity and self-purpose, yet to the children learning about the war, the triumphal outcome is sealed from the start, the happy ending already secured. What this means for us is that, although we all utilize our First Amendment rights in one way or another, it can be hard to appreciate how hard-earned our rights were and just how much of an anomaly the U.S. was in 1776.

My father, a resident of Virginia, also exercises his rights. He communicates his opinion, and he assembles with others in efforts to petition the General Assembly. But decades earlier, he was a dissatisfied

and passionate dissident in Sovietoccupied Czechoslovakia. Since the age of four, he had known no alternative to the systematic suppression of basic human rights and freedom of expression in his country, courtesy of the Brezhnev Doctrine. Long before the mass demonstrations that wiped communism from the Eastern Bloc, there existed smaller, more dangerous protests banned by the state and monitored by secret police.

He actively protested. He exercised his right to freedom of speech and assembly, rights technically mentioned in the constitution but invariably suppressed in practice.

He and other suppressed peoples in undemocratic, authoritarian societies do this because they hold the belief that rights contained in our First Amendment (and in other democracies’ constitutions) are not contingent upon living in the right place at the right time. They are, as Thomas Jefferson noted in the Declaration of Independence, natural, inalienable and self-evident rights of man; everyone is entitled to “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.”

“

What this means for us is that, although we all utilize our First Amendment rights in one way or another,it can be hard to appreciate how hard-earned our rights were and just how much of an anomaly the U.S. was in 1776.

As with the founding of the U.S., some might view Cold War struggles for freedom as a distant memory consigned to the history books. They need to look no further than to people like Hu Jia and others in the People’s Republic of China arrested and sometimes tortured on the basis of “subverting state power,” or, in other words, disagreeing with the government and being vocal about it. After all, in the absolute ruler’s view, a society robbed of the freedom to protest, to obstruct and to resist is more conducive to carrying out policy.

Although Americans can draw upon a great and proud history, the First Amendment hasn’t been

uncontested here, either. The Alien and Sedition Acts of 1798, which stifled criticism of the government, were some of the first attacks on our rights. Much later, Woodrow Wilson’s follow-up with the 1918 Sedition Act similarly outlawed expressing anti-war sentiments.

Of course, slavery kept liberty out of reach for an entire ethnic group, and McCarthyism paranoia persecuted anyone with certain leftist opinions during the 1950s.

Today, we also sometimes struggle to uphold the First Amendment, particularly when an individual espouses an idea that we find reprehensible. Sometimes, in times of controversy or emergency, our usually implicit but disengaged support for this foundation of our freedom tends to weaken. For example, when a controversial speaker visits campus, some call for censorship of the event. We must be careful to not waver from our duty to support these freedoms, even — especially — when we ferociously disagree with he who is exercising those rights.

It was very odd going with my father to pull out his formerly

secret profile written up by the former State Security agency. Even after my parents had maneuvered through the Iron Curtain to live in Bavaria, the file had grown larger, describing the model of the car they used and even how many things they had left at my grandmother’s house. Under regimes where there is no “First Amendment,” going to such lengths just to keep someone from disagreeing is the status quo.

The rights to speech, press, assembly, petition and religion should extend beyond America’s borders and beyond our own established views. As we celebrate our Bill of Rights in America, we should remember not only to use these rights to defend our own liberty, but, like Voltaire, defend and fight for everyone’s right to make themselves heard without fear.

PHILIPP KOTLABA -news editor -junior -psychology major, german minor

Runner up: the First Amendment, crying fire

Runner up: Freedom of press for all journalists

I

W

n discussions on the limits of the First Amendment, we have all heard someone say, “Freedom of speech does not grant you the right to yell ‘Fire!’ in a crowded theater.” The question I want to ask is what if there really is a fire? Do you still have the right to speak out?

The quote about shouting fire in a crowded theater is from an opinion of U.S. Supreme Court Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr. in the case Schenk v. United States. Charles Schenk distributed thousands of flyers urging people to oppose the military draft of World War I through civil disobedience. Schenk saw the draft as a form of slavery because it mandated the involuntary servitude of otherwise innocent men, so he decided to exercise his First Amendment rights. The federal government had Schenk arrested because it saw his actions as a “clear and present danger” to its war effort.

Charles Schenk spent six months in prison as a result of a unanimous Supreme Court decision for shouting fire when there really was a fire.

The “clear and present danger” clause has since been diminished and First Amendment rights restored in our country, but we should all acknowledge that not everyone in the world has those rights. There are more metaphorical fires burning in other regions of the world, especially the bleaker corners of the Middle East. We can all gain a greater appreciation for our First Amendment rights by imagining what it is like to live in a place where they don’t have those rights.

Many of us enjoy practicing religious worship and take comfort in knowing that we can change our religious identification whenever we wish.

There is a man named Hussain Muradi who does not have that comfort of thought. Muradi escaped Afghanistan and fled to the United Kingdom several years ago because of the violence that plagues his country. During his time in the U.K., Muradi has publicly denounced Islam and has become a prominent member of the U.K.’s Council of ExMuslims. He has also been vocal in persuading Muslims in the U.K. to leave their faith; his version of shouting, “Fire!”

Unfortunately for Muradi, he does not qualify for asylum in U.K. and currently faces deportation back to Afghanistan. If Muradi is forcefully returned to custody of the Afghan government, he will almost certainly be executed. Under their law, the penalty for “apostasy,” or leaving the Islamic faith, is death.

Consider the case of Sayed Pervez Kambaksh, another infamous Afghani. He was a 22-year old student at Balkh University in 2007 when he spoke out for what he thought was right in a non-violent manner. Kambaksh distributed pamphlets pushing for the rights of women in his country. Because Afghanistan does not have anything close to our First Amendment rights, Kambaksh was arrested for speaking out against the government. He was originally given the death sentence, but because

of international pressure, President Hamid Karzai gave Kambaksh a pardon, and he was freed. If only all Afghanis could be that fortunate.

Apart from freedom of religion and freedom of speech, the First Amendment gives us the right to assemble and petition the government.

Recently, 70,000 people took up that right to march on Washington, D.C., to protest the Obama administration. Whether you agree politically with those protestors or not, we all agree on their right to protest.

Some of the worst violations of these, what we consider to be inalienable rights, are happening right now in Iran. After the despicable Iranian regime rigged its presidential election in June, millions of reformists took to the streets to peacefully protest this insult to democracy.

The news reports and videos coming out of Iran were both uplifting and horrifying. We saw video of the Basiji militia, composed of governmentbacked thugs, as it violently attacked the peaceful protestors. No doubt the corrupt Iranian regime saw the protests as a “clear and present danger.” A young woman named Neda was shot in the head as she peacefully demonstrated and stood up for what she believed to be right. It was a scene all too reminiscent of our own Boston Massacre that took place over two hundred years ago.

The most disturbing story of the Iranian government’s response to the peaceful protests was recently published by the Jerusalem Post. An article titled “I Wed Iranian Girls Before Execution”

by Sabina Amidi describes the actions of one Basiji prison guard. Iran has one of the highest capital punishment rates per capita in the world and naturally sentenced many of the peaceful protest leaders to death. However, several of the more outspoken protestors were young, unmarried virgin women hoping for peaceful reform in their country. Under some of the Iranian clerics’ interpretation of Islamic law, called Sharia, it is forbidden to kill virgin girls.

Disgustingly, they got around this law by raping the virgin women the night before their execution. The most atrocious violations of human rights happened because some individuals had the bravery to shout “Fire!” when their country was burning.

The next time someone tells you that you don’t have the right to shout “Fire!” in a crowded theater, remember the context from which it came.

Remember that you do have the right to yell “Fire!” and remember those across the globe who don’t have that right. Never take your First Amendment rights for granted, and support those who are shouting that their country is burning.

ERIC WOOD -guest columnist -graduate student -mechanical engineering

hen a senior and a freshman student were caught performing inappropriate acts at West Springfield High School in Springfield, Va., during lunch one May afternoon, the shit hit the fan. Of course the school newspaper, the Oracle, was compelled to share its views on the inappropriate act. In doing so, it condemned the actions and asked the student body to respect it and its peers. There was no praise or commendation to follow this editorial. Instead we, the journalists, found ourselves in the classroom without our adviser Brooke Nelson (who was facing an inquiry) and a possible end to the paper.

Twenty minutes into class, we finally heard her heavy footsteps echo down the hallway. Normally, when I arrive in class I anticipate some sort of perturbed look on her face — it’s what’s expected of a journalism adviser — but that day even I, who had known her so long, was shocked.

“Well,” she said to the silent room, “this week is probably my last.” Her words enraged the group like a match to fireworks. The unusually quiet class erupted in shouts and demands to know what had occurred in that fateful meeting. After calming the class, she confided in me the seriousness of the circumstances we faced.

After having the complaints relayed by Principal Wardinski, we thought it would be a miracle if the Oracle survived the year. It seemed as though the faculty and staff members had been swarming the principal’s office to report their outrage at the newspaper’s indignity. While no formal complaint had come to Ms. Nelson or any of the staff members, the principal had made it clear our services were no longer appreciated. In actuality, this myriad of complaints was not from an overwhelming majority, or even a large minority, but rather, from two percent of the school population.

With Ms. Nelson’s past experiences as a writer for the Washington Post, an editor of a major magazine and as a press secretary on Capitol Hill, there was no doubt in our minds that our decision in publishing was valid. Our ever-present teacher, however, had suddenly disappeared, becoming engulfed by the waves of meetings regarding this one 300-word editorial. Ms. Nelson was not the only one bombarded by the demands of Principal Wardinski. Our staff room was constantly occupied by him or his minions under his instruction.

Stories could not be written, no pages laid-out without leering eyes peering over our shoulders at the bright computer screen.

With these interruptions, it became near impossible to finish a paper on time and even more difficult to dedicate to the quality it deserved. Typos plagued stories, pictures were grainy, headlines cliched and captions uninformative. How were we to fix these blatant errors when we were continuously interrupted and I was no longer able to spend my usual four hours perfecting the pages?

I, along with the other journalists, was prohibited from staying past the end of school. The executive power no longer had faith in our moral character.

But we were not to be left in this abyss of despair.

Support for our actions grew as the community discovered the conflict. In less than a week, over forty letters appeared in Ms. Nelson’s inbox. She had returned to us, and the journalism room had become carpeted with e-mails giving support to the writers and what we chose to publish. Soon the e-mails blossomed into a beautiful Facebook group spawning even more support from past journalists and current students.

Eyes now looked toward Principal Wardinski for answers. Parents and students alike asked why the administration had not found out about the deplorable actions reported first and why the journalism program was suffering for shedding light on events that affect their readers. In an effort to keep up the fair and just reputation of the Oracle, we asked for letters to the editor to be submitted.

A plethora of documents proclaiming support flooded in. Finding dissenting opinions was not so easy. After spending a week asking some of the teachers who were so adamant about putting an end to the paper, we finally found one to agree to write a letter. That issue featured 12 letters in support and one in disagreement.

By June, the terror had subsided and the paper was back to its normal function. In lieu of an apology from Wardinski, he came into class and told us, “the Oracle would not be disbanded at this point in time.” Ms. Nelson resumed her position of adviser and resumed her loving abuse, this time on the new seniors who took the positions of editors.

When most people think of the freedom of the press, they think that it only applies to national publications. They tend to forget about the high school papers that circulate the country.

But without this guarded freedom to pen, one’s thoughts are merely imprisoned in one’s mind.

Truth becomes relative when a higher authority can define it.

If Ms. Nelson had not been so adamant about protecting our rights, even as student journalists, the paper would no longer serve as a student voice. She could have stopped going to meetings and debating with her superiors — she could have just agreed to a censured paper. But the strength of knowing that there is freedom in being able to write about what is closest to the heart is what inspires and justifies the ongoing fight for freedom.

REBECCA NARAMORE -guest columnist -freshman -animal and poultry sciences

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sports 7

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september 25, 2009

With Virgil back, Tech secondary ready for conference opener ED LUPIEN sports reporter After being sidelined for the past two weeks with a bruised left knee, senior cornerback Stephan Virgil is expected to return to action this weekend.

That’s good news for Tech’s secondary, one of the units held responsible for the team’s rush defense. Tech’s rush defense is currently ranked 107th in the country and allows just over 200 yards on the ground per game.

“Obviously it has been poor and below standards,” said Torrian Gray, defensive backfield coach. “We expect more around here. We’ve got to tackle and fit better. Everyone has to do their assignments and finish plays. Then we’ll get much better.”

Tech’s defense is currently ranked 77th overall in the nation, averaging 364 yards allowed in its first three games. Last season, the defense finished seventh nationally in that department with Virgil as a major component. He started all 14 games, recorded 43 tackles and had six interceptions. His teammates, however, suggest that Virgil’s biggest contribution to the team is something that is

Don’t sweat the swagger For the last several years, when the University of Miami wins a couple of games, the media proclaims the “U” is back.

Unfortunately for Hurricanes fans, the “U” is never really back.

Sure, ’Canes quarterback Jacory Harris was 20-25 with 270 yards passing and three touchdowns, but the Yellow Jackets’ passing defense ranks 85th in the NCAA. The verdict is still out on Harris’ true ability.

The first game Harris played this season against Florida State could easily have been a loss for the ’Canes.

However, it quickly turned into a Harris lovefest despite his two interceptions.

When Harris faces a real defense on Saturday, football fans around the country will find out just how good he is. Virginia Tech defensive coordinator Bud Foster will have his crew ready for the biggest Atlantic Coast Conference game of the year.

Harris has only been sacked once this year and hasn’t faced much pressure from opposing defenses. Expect a lot of pressure from the Hokies’ defensive line forcing Harris to make bad decisions.

Then, it will be up to the secondary to make the necessary plays to shutdown Miami’s speedy wide receivers.

There are a few problems, though.

This season, the Hokies’ defense has not performed up to typical lunch pail standards. Tech is ranked 77th in total defense, and pinpointing the problem has been difficult.

The young linebacking corps?

Injuries in the secondary? Defensive line not living up to the billing?

What about the offense? Because of its impotence and consistent threeand-out play, the defense must be on the field for much more than half the game. Look back to the Alabama game when the defense became exhausted.

The defense did answer the bell against Nebraska by not allowing a touchdown and employing a bendbut-don’t-break mentality in its own territory.

Miami is not Nebraska, though. The ’Canes may actually have better athletes than those teams, so it’s paramount the offense succeeds early to keep the defense well-rested. This game has much bigger implications than the previous three. This one counts.

With Miami being in the Coastal division and already boasting a 2-0 record in the ACC, this game could very well decide the Hokies’ ACC title hopes.

“This game might as well be the ACC Championship game,” running back Ryan Williams said, who grew up a Miami fan and looked up to previous ’Canes running backs Willis McGahee, Clinton Portis and Frank Gore.

While Williams didn’t play in last season’s loss to Miami, he will be here this time around in Lane Stadium. The last time the ’Canes traveled to Blacksburg, the Hokies destroyed them 44-14.

The Canes did take care of the Hokies in 2005 in Lane 27-7, but Tech is 4-2 against Miami in their last six meetings.

Tech knows how to beat the “U,” and the big time media seem to gloss over that fact.

Miami jumped in the rankings from No. 20 to No. 9 in the Associated Press poll this week, leapfrogging No. 11 Tech.

Perhaps someone should notify the authorities that the Hokies are threetime ACC champions. Miami has won the ACC championship exactly zero times, and the ’Canes haven’t even appeared in an ACC championship game.

Since joining the conference in 2004, the ACC championship has run through Blacksburg, so don’t sweat that Miami swagger just yet.

RAY NIMMO -sports reporter

not measured by numbers.

“When Virgil gets back, we’ll have leadership,” redshirt junior Rashad Carmichael said. “He had a great season last year, and he’ll help with the chemistry of this defense. He’ll definitely help us tighten up.”

Virgil’s spot has been filled by sophomore Eddie Whitley and redshirt sophomore Cris Hill in the last two games.

“When you lose an experienced guy in Virgil and start playing Cris Hill and Eddie Whitley who have not had experience, you really start to learn what kind of players you have,” Gray said. “I thought Eddie did an admirable job, and Cris is getting better. We’re definitely stronger now that Virgil is back.”

Whitley recorded six tackles, including one for a loss of yardage in his first-ever collegiate start last weekend against Nebraska.

“It was a big surprise for me going in against Nebraska, but they recruited me to play here against big-time teams,” Whitley said.

When the right time comes, Whitley is expected to be another standout cornerback for the program.

“He’s a real student of the game,” Carmichael said. “Since he came in last year as a freshman, he’s tried to learn as much as possible while being in any position, whether it is as a backup safety or a backup corner. ... I think he’s going to be a great defensive back.”

With the announcement of Virgil’s status, Whitley has since been regulated back to the second team with which he has been taking reps at the free safety position, working as the understudy to senior Kam Chancellor.

Although other players have stepped up, Carmichael, who plays on the opposite side of the defense from Virgil at the boundary corner position, admits that he did not believe that it was going to be this rough without Virgil on the field.

Statistically, the redshirt junior had his best game of the season thus far against Nebraska, registering seven solo tackles, including one for a loss and making his first-ever career interception. Carmichael, however, can only focus on one play of that game.

“I set such high standards for myself,” Carmichael said. “I believe

I’ve done everything well these past couple of weeks. I missed a tackle last week though. That has me not being able to think about anything else.

Everything else was like ‘whatever,’ but it hurt when I missed that tackle.”

Back at full strength for the first time since its opener, the secondary is preparing for one of its biggest rushing challenges yet in Miami, which features the running back duo of junior Graig Cooper and senior Javarris James.

“Miami has Cooper who will be the quickest guy we’ve seen this year so

far,” Gray said. “(James) is also very quick with a little more power than two. They’re a great one-two punch and the best tandem we’ll have to handle thus far into the season.”

Both Gray and his secondary players know that Virgil’s return will not be a cure-all. Everyone is in full agreement that the young defense is a work in progress.

And although he is fully aware of the number of mistakes made by the secondary in the first quarter of the season, Carmichael is quick to point out the results of the past two games.

“You can’t complain too much because we still won those games,” Carmichael said. “Virgil going down was a huge loss to us, but that’s the game. Other players get their opportunities and their chances to make names for themselves. Whitley and Hill came in and did a really good job against Marshall and Nebraska. We’re pretty upset that we’ve given up that many rushing yards, though, especially with the tradition we have here and the reputation of our defense and the style of ball we play. All we can do is to get better from week to week.”

september 25, 2009

page 8

AP Rankings

Here come the

’Canes KYLE MOIR/SPPS

Redshirt freshman tailback Ryan Williams huddles with his team prior to Tech’s thrilling 16-15 win over the Nebraska Cornhuskers last weekend in Blacksburg.

JOE CRANDLEY sports editor The stiff early season competition only gets stiffer this week when the University of Miami Hurricanes thunder into Blacksburg to play the Hokies on Saturday.

Each season, no matter the quality of the teams, the Miami versus Virginia Tech matchup is highly anticipated by fans and always heated on the field.

With Tech (2-1, 0-0 ACC) ranked No. 11 and Miami (2-0, 2-0 ACC) No. 9 in the Associated Press poll, this one should live up to the usual standard.

“It’s definitely a huge game,” redshirt senior linebacker Cody Grimm said. “Especially how good Miami is looking, it’s definitely a really big game for us. But, you’ve just got to come out and I mean, we’ve played two big games already in three weeks so we understand what it’s going to be like and what we need to do. I think having played two top-25 teams is going to really help us.”

Despite being Tech’s Atlantic Coast Conference opener, this game may amount to a sort of Coastal Division championship game.

Starting junior quarterback Tyrod Taylor certainly understands the implications of this game.

“Yes, it’s a big game and yeah, you can treat it like an ACC Championship game,” Taylor said. “They’ve been playing very well and we have to go out there and play our best to go out there and compete with them.”

Head coach Frank Beamer also realizes the magnitude despite it being the first conference game.

“I think anytime you play somebody on your side, it’s a critical game, and certainly Miami has shown they’re going to be at the top of the list, so there’s no question about how critical it is,” Beamer said.

If the Hokies plan to hang with the ’Canes, they’re going to have to slow down Miami’s high-flying offense, led by sophomore quarterback Jacory Harris. The Canes are ranked 16th in total offense this season.

“I think he’s got a great pocket presence back there. He’s throwing the ball accurate, he’s playing very, very well for Miami, and I think when their quarterbacks play well, they’ve got a lot of talent around them, and it’s showing up.”

In two games against No. 18 Florida State and Georgia Tech, Harris threw for 656 total yards, five touchdowns and only two interceptions.

The Canes have been thriving through the air via the big play and utilizing the talent Beamer speaks of.

Sophomore wide receiver Travis Benjamin has averaged 22.4 yards per catch, and junior Leonard Hankerson is not far behind, averaging 21.4.

The Tech secondary must avoid miscommunications like it had in its first week against Alabama, or Benjamin and Hankerson may break off some big catches similar to the Crimson Tide.

However, Harris has been feasting on questionable defensive backfields in his first two games and has only been sacked a single time. Florida State and Georgia Tech rank 117th and 85th in pass defense respectively, and Harris will likely encounter much more pressure against the Tech defensive line.

The return of starting boundary corner

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injury report SN Collin Carrol (ankle) CB Stephan Virgil (knee) CB Eddie Whitley (pectoral) DT John Graves (ankle) DE Jason Worilds (back spasms)

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HOKIES PREPARED FOR THIRD RANKED OPPONENT IN FOUR WEEKS WHEN THEY HOST MIAMI ON SATURDAY

Stephan Virgil should also bolster a Tech secondary that was looking quite inexperienced without him against Marshall and Nebraska.

Miami sports two talented running backs, much like the Tech offense. Senior Javarris James and junior Graig Cooper should provide just as much of a test as Alabama and Nebraska’s tailbacks did for the Hokies.

Currently, the Hokies’ rushing defense ranks 107th because of some tackling struggles. Tech will have to improve in this facet of its game, or the ’Canes may run all over the Hokies just like Alabama and Nebraska did. “(Tackling) is definitely a big point of emphasis for us, to stop the run and make them pass, and it’s going to be like that for the rest of the season,” Grimm said.

“We played some good folks, and I think tackling better, tackling more consistently is an issue,” Beamer said.

On offense, Tech knows it will be up against yet another nasty defense this week.

“Defensively they’re a faster defense than we played last week. Good and fast, tough linebackers, just typical Miami linebackers,” Beamer said.

“I think you know, it’s going to be the fastest team that we’ll play,” Taylor said. “There’s speed all over the field and you just have to really to play assignment football and get down to doing what you’re taught and coached. It’s important that we come out polished and better than last week.”

Miami’s linebackers are stout, and the

defensive line is tough as well. While it doesn’t have a player like Ndamukong Suh of Nebraska or Terrence Cody of Alabama anchoring the middle, the speed on the outside and adequate defensive tackles it does have will provide a test for Tech’s offensive line to protect Taylor.

“Yes, I do believe that they’re going to rush. They might use a little bit of Nebraska’s game plan as far as containing me, but I’m sure they’re going to blitz too,” Taylor said.

With all the struggles the Tech offense has faced and the impressive defense that awaits it, Taylor remains focused on what lies ahead.

“We have to be mentally prepared going into the game, have to take care of the football and just go out there and play hard. It’s going to be a very fast game and I’m looking forward to playing in it,” Taylor said.

If Miami does have a weakness on defense, it will be attacked through the air.

The ’Canes rank 68th in defense and allow 213.5 passing yards per game.

Even though Miami may have some struggles in the secondary, Tech only ranks 106th in passing offense, so the Hokies will have to make some throws in order to keep the Canes from keying on the Tech running game all day.

The game will be played in Lane Stadium and aired at 3:30 p.m. on ABC. The weather forecast currently calls for rain and a high of 60 degrees.

Players from the Tech scout team will also be roaming the tailgating lots to sell Team United wristbands for $1 in an effort to raise $5,094 for 2008 ACC Defensive Player of the Year Mark Herzlich, who was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer called Ewing’s Sarcoma in the spring.

Herzlich wears the 94 jersey for Boston College and the check will be presented to him on Oct. 10 at Tech’s game against the Eagles in Lane Stadium.

These are the top 25 college football teams ranked by sportswriters across the nation and compiled by the Associated Press.

TEAM

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25

RECORD

3-0 TEXAS 3-0 ALABAMA 3-0 2-0 MISSISSIPPI PENN STATE 3-0 3-0 CALIFORNIA 3-0 LSU BOISE STATE 2-0 2-1 MIAMI (FL) 2-1 OKLAHOMA 2-1 VIRGINIA TECH USC 2-1 2-1 OHIO STATE CINCINNATI 3-0 2-0 TCU OKLAHOMA STATE 2-1 HOUSTON 2-0 FLORIDA STATE 2-1 BRIGHAM YOUNG 2-1 3-0 KANSAS 2-1 GEORGIA NORTH CAROLINA 3-0 MICHIGAN 3-0 2-1 WASHINGTON NEBRASKA 2-1 FLORIDA

ACC Rankings ATLANTIC

1 2 3 4 5 6

1-1 0-0 WAKE FOREST 0-0 MARYLAND 0-0 BOSTON COLLEGE 0-1 FLORIDA STATE 0-1 CLEMSON

NORTH CAROLINA

ATLANTIC

1 2 3 4 5 6

CONF. OVR.

CONF. OVR.

2-0 GEORGIA TECH 1-1 NORTH CAROLINA 0-0 VIRGINIA TECH 0-0 DUKE 0-0 VIRGINIA 0-0 MIAMI (FL)

2-1 2-1 2-1 1-2 2-1 2-1

2-0 2-1 3-0 2-1 1-2 0-3