An independent, student-run newspaper serving the Virginia Tech community since 1903
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
www.collegiatetimes.com
COLLEGIATETIMES 106th year, issue 113
News, page 2
BOV votes in MBA fee, talks insurance
Features, page 3
Opinions, page 5
Sports, page 7
Classifieds, page 6
Sudoku, page 6
234 miles for 234 years of the Marine Corps
GORDON BLOCK news reporter
She was last seen wearing a tan T-shirt with the band name Pantera on the front. Harrington is 5 feet, 6 inches tall, weighs 120 pounds and has blue eyes and blonde hair. Investigators urge anyone with einformation on Harrington’s whereabouts to call 434-352-3467.
Big box continues to provoke questions
Spy kids
ion t a g i vest n I f y o
ur it y Se c
au Bure
me
fH nt o
om
av y, N c n A ge
urity c e dS elan
Department of Energy, Depart
SARA SPANGLER/COLLEGIATE TIMES
Tech Corps of Cadets, said the program is not targeted at the corps, but does hold value for its members. “(It is) open to everyone, it’s just that we as the corps are especially interested,” Cox said. “We have a lot of students interested in government service.” Cox said it is a good program for students to add to their resumes. “I think it’s a wonderful opportunity for them to get some real world experience, to see if this is a career they’d be interested in,” Cox said. “Being involved in this program will help them when applying for an internship or a job.” Amanna also said the program would be helpful for students seeking jobs and internships. “Part of the great benefits that we get out of this is helping students get those internships because they’re extremely competitive, some of these internships and co-ops get 5,000 applications for one spot,” Amanna said. “We can also help match students who have a particular career path or skill set with other national labs or companies that are part of that community.” He said the program would provide “new opportunities to students that they just wouldn’t have thought about.” Amanna said one agency recently gave the program’s current students a leg up on future jobs. “We just got an advance notice that the DEA has an intelligence core within them and they are opening 20 new positions up,
news reporter
Int
Virginia Tech students could soon take the first steps toward careers in national intelligence. Tech, along with Howard University, received an award from the Office of the Director of National Intelligence to join a national program already consisting of 19 other universities. This award will designate both universities to develop an “Intelligence Community Center of Academic Excellence.” The program is geared toward engineering but is also looking for students from all majors and backgrounds interested in pursuing careers in national intelligence. Tech and Howard will each receive $1 million for the first two years and could receive up to $2.5 million over five years if the program is deemed successful. Jeff Reed, the principle investigator of Tech’s intelligence community program, said the intelligence community approached Tech last spring. With the help of the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute and Wireless@VT, the university was able to submit a successful proposal to the ODNI. Program co-director Ashwin Amanna said that the intelligence community’s goal is to produce “students who have seen the world and can broaden their perspective and broaden their culture.” Reed said the program also does not want students who all think alike. According to Amanna and Reed, federal bodies including the CIA and Defense Intelligence Agency are looking for future employees with critical thinking skills spanning a wide variety of majors and concentrations, emphasizing language as an important skill. “The intelligence community has a desire for languages,” Amanna said. He cited Chinese and Arabic as two major focuses. Both directors encourage students from all majors to apply. “It’s going to be open to all majors, all across campus,” Amanna said. “We went at it primarily with an engineering focus, but it’s going to be very broad.” Maj. Carrie Cox, executive officer with the
LIANA BAYNE
D e f e ns e
news staff writer
Intelligence Community is comprised of:
g
VICTORIA JAMES
M
Dru
Joint intelligence program comes to Tech
en g i ll ce e t A In De ge l nc pa ra , t n te Ge rtm y, C e a C St oa al osp ent y, n f st a o of m t o ati tia r Gu l In A en , N Tr , e t s ell as ard ce rtm orp ig r ur , en a o C p F y e c , r e The De arin Ag Ai
e l l ig e n ce A g e ncy ,
[ ]
to the case. The search was organized by the Laura Recovery Center, an organization that specializes in abduction prevention and recovery. Harrington went missing while attending an Oct. 17 Metallica concert at the John Paul Jones Arena on the UVa campus.
n
Blacksburg is seeking public input on the placement of current and future bike routes. The goals of the survey include locating possible places that bike routes should be installed in town, as well as places where bike routes already exist and need improvements. “We want to find places where people feel comfortable biking and where they want to see improvements,” said Priscilla Cygielnik, assistant director of public works in Blacksburg. According to Cygielnik, many residents are not biking right now because on the web they do not feel Those who want safe or comfortable. to participate in the “We’re hopsurvey, bikers and ing this survey will help people non-bikers alike, may feel safer to bike do so online by visiting if they want to,” the town Web site at she said. A wide variwww.blacksburg.va.us. ety of changes could come from the survey. Mainly, the improvements will benefit bikers traveling to and from school, work, or running common errands around town. “We are working on establishing a downtown bike loop which will put people out of dangerous major traffic areas downtown and move them to side routes that still take them to the same place,” Cygielnik said. The survey is available online and in paper form, which can be picked up at Blacksburg Motor Company Building, Blacksburg Parks and Recreation Center, East Coasters and the Bike Barn. Participants are asked to designate on a town map where they wish to see biking routes constructed or where they wish to see improvements of existing biking routes. The public survey was made available Nov. 4 and the last day to submit input is Dec. 2.
HARRINGTON
A weekend search for missing Virginia Tech student Morgan Dana Harrington drew hundreds of volunteers but yielded no clues. A statement from parents Dan and Gil Harrington said 1,667 volunteers
registered with the search party over the weekend. The group searched about 2,600 acres of the University of Virginia campus and the surrounding areas. State police spokeswoman Corinne Geller said the search party found numerous articles of clothing and other objects, but none have proven relevant
Enf o r c e me
news staff writer
nrv news editor
e n c y, N a
KATIE ROBIDOUX
ZACH CRIZER
t i on t al R e con n
Survey aims to improve bike routes
No revelations in massive Harrington search
Administration, Federal
see BOV / page two
This Tuesday marks the 234th birthday celebration of the Marine Corps. To honor the occasion, the Raider Company of the Marine Corp ROTC at Virginia Tech will be running a total of 234 miles nonstop from early Monday morning into late Tuesday afternoon. The track for the run is a large circle that begins at the Pylons and will cover most of campus. The groups of runners will circle the course four times in an hour, racking up a total distance of six miles per group. photo by luke mason/spps
aissance Office,National
Virginia Tech’s Board of Visitors approved a new program fee to the school’s Master of Business Administration program as budget issues loom over the university. The new fee, which comes out to $3,900 for full-time students and $162.50 per credit hour for part-time students, will be introduced for students entering Tech for the fall 2010 semester. While tuition decisions are regularly made in the spring, the timing of Monday’s announcement allowed for more time to inform incoming students. Current students of the MBA program will not pay the new fee. The board’s Sunday information session focused heavily on Tech’s progress on the sixyear plan started in 2006. Tech met projections for the number of minority students entering the freshman class, the number of doctorates awarded and student participation in study abroad and service learning. However, limited improvement was seen in undergraduate research participation and overall minority student enrollment. Faculty pay also weighed heavily in the board’s discussion. With an authorized salary average of $89,215 for the 2008-09 academic year, Tech currently ranks in the 35th percentile compared to peers determined through the State Council of Higher Education. Tech’s goal for the 2009 fiscal year was to have staff salaries in the 60th percentile. According to Gary Long, president of the faculty senate, the low wages, along with a lack of general job stability, have taken a toll on general morale. “Faculty morale is probably at the lowest it’s been in several years,” Long said, in his constituency report Sunday. Drops were also seen to the market value of Tech’s endowment along with annual fundraising totals. Tech’s endowment dropped from $527.6 million for the 2008 fiscal year to $451.7 million for the 2009 fiscal year, which ended June 30, 2009. However, the endowment saw some late growth, jumping in value to $485 million by Sept. 30.
we got advanced notice so that we could tell our students about it,” Amanna said. According to Amanna, it is not a binding commitment but a chance to explore a career path. “The program is totally unclassified and there’s no commitment when you participate in this program to have to go and work in those careers,” Amanna said. Reed said Tech would have input in the classes that become part of the program. “Curriculum is something the university always has to approve,” Reed said. “I think we’re going to work with the existing structure of the university curriculum and recommend existing courses as opposed to developing brand new courses.” He also said the program would attempt to help instructors weave program curriculum into their current classes. “We will be giving some encouragement to faculty members to help alter their existing courses, so that they include for instance, examples that are more applicable to the intel community,” Reed said. According to a biannual report published in spring 2009, 10 students from Norfolk State University, which participates in the program now work for agencies such as the CIA, National Security Agency and the Office of Naval Intelligence. Amanna said that the application would most likely be available in the next coming weeks. “We’re getting the application form together soon,” he said, “within the next two weeks.”
The long months of campaigning have finally paid off: In January, three citizens will be sworn in to the Blacksburg Town Council for the first time while a fourth holds on to a second term. The election results, however, are merely the first sentence in the next chapter of Blacksburg history. What remains to be seen is the impact that the newly reshaped council will have on the town. As the economy continues to fluctuate, a question left in the minds of many is how the council will assist the town’s economic situation. Popular topics during campaigns were job creation, economic help, and the idea of a “big box” store building near to the First & Main development. “We’re making great economic progress,” said returning council member Susan Anderson. “Our downtown is really starting to explode.” Anderson said that recent downtown development along with development at First & Main were “quality developments” that she hoped would succeed. A question in the minds of many, however, is how the council will handle the idea of a “big box” store moving into the First & Main development area. Anderson, along with others, said that she couldn’t answer that question yet. Newly-elected member Krisha Chachra said that she would have to wait until the issue arose to give a comment on her opinion, although in a previous Collegiate Times town council Q&A (CT, Oct. 16), she said that she would support “some type of anchor store” in the area. “So whether it is a movie theater, a store, or high-end office space, I support having something there,” Chachra said. In the same article, newly-elected member Cecile Newcomb echoed Anderson’s sentiments, saying that she would need to study the potential application to make an informed decision. Newly elected member John Bush said in the same article that he would like to re-examine the location for a proposed big box store in the future. see BIG BOX / page two
2Big box: news Citizens voice perspectives on the
new river valley news editor: zach crizer university editor: philipp kotlaba newseditor@collegiatetimes.com/ 540.231.9865
november 10, 2009
prospects of future big box developments from page one
It’s difficult for anyone to look into the future, but it’s worth examining how the recent election and a big box store could potentially affect both the politics and economy of Blacksburg. Associate political science professor Craig Brians said in an e-mail that he doubted the addition of Chachra, Newcomb and Bush would significantly alter the council’s current collective view on big box stores. “There were candidates running who probably would make changes, but they didn’t win,” Brians said. The town council that dealt from 2007-08 with the controversial Ordinance 1450, which gave the council greater authority to regulate large-scale retail development in the town, has experienced bumps in the process of filling spots in the First & Main development. “Right now, First & Main has about 14 empty storefronts,” Anderson said, adding that the council should work to fill those spaces. “The more there, the more buzz, the more people shop,” she said.
Adding a big box store to the proposed rugby field adjacent to the First & Main development is more controversial, largely because of its proximity to Margaret Beeks Elementary School as well as what she deems to be an unsuitable system of roads potentially unable to support the traffic that would be associated with a large retail store. The addition of a big box store to Blacksburg would not significantly alter the economy, said Jeff Alwang, a professor of agriculture and applied economics at Tech. It could, however, serve as an anchor to the First & Main development, he said. “It probably would also lower property values of the surrounding property,” Alwang said. Other concerns have in the past hampered development in the area. Sonic’s initial application for development was first held back by concerns for pedestrian accessibility because of the lack of a sidewalk in the proposal as well as the potential harmful impact of Sonic radio. Sonic altered its application and re-applied. This application was
approved, but the company decided not to build. Alwang said that the addition of a Sonic or other fast food restaurant to the First & Main area might slightly help the town’s economy. “The retail tax is a county tax and half of it goes back to the county of origin,” Alwang said, so the only effect a big box store would have, in his opinion, would be displacement of value coming into Montgomery County from Christiansburg. However, Alwang said, a large commercial development “might help with the local taxes on restaurants and cigarettes. So if a Sonic were added, it might slightly increase the town’s capture of a food and beverage tax,” he said. Anderson also said the idea that the town council doesn’t support any big box type of growth is a common misperception. “We do have big box stores here in Blacksburg,” she said. “For anyone to think that Blacksburg is opposed to big boxes is just silly. We have them, we need them.”
Two notable examples of big box stores that have successfully passed through Ordinance 1540 are the Kroger on South Main Street and the recently-expanded Tech Bookstore, also on South Main. “We aren’t anti-business or antiFirst & Main,” Anderson said. While Anderson and her colleagues look forward to fostering growth in the town and dealing with applications for change as they come, Alwang is not so hopeful about the economic future of Blacksburg. “The wellbeing of Blacksburg is closely tied to Virginia Tech, and the state’s budget looks sad,” Alwang said. “I’m not at all optimistic about the next three to four years. “Small businesses can be a positive agent of growth, but I don’t think the town council can do anything for growth.” Although there’s no way to predict what will happen in the future, Anderson said the council hopes to continue to “act in a responsible manner to listen and pay attention to citizens and to be fair in making decisions.”
COLLEGIATETIMES
[
nation & world headlines
]
U.S.
Abortion provision in health care bill draws scrutiny WASHINGTON — Furious liberals on Monday threatened to derail the massive health care overhaul bill to protest a last-minute deal over insurance coverage of abortions that had secured passage of the legislation in the House. At least 40 House members pledged not to vote for a final health care bill if the abortion provision survives — endangering the exceptionally fragile Democratic coalition that has kept the bill afloat. At issue are the insurance policies offered in a new “exchange,” or insurance marketplace, that the legislation would create to help consumers purchase health plans, many using newly created federal subsidies. The House measure says the federal subsidies cannot be used to buy health policies that cover elective abortion. But abortion rights supporters say this would affect a broad set of consumers, because insurers would likely abandon
abortion coverage in all policies offered in the exchange. The provision “represents an unprecedented and unacceptable restriction on women’s ability to access the full range of reproductive health services to which they are lawfully entitled,” the House members wrote to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. It was a tougher line than they had adopted less than 48 hours earlier, when they had, almost to a member, voted to pass the health legislation. The bill cleared the chamber late Saturday night by a mere five votes. The tumult over abortion now travels to the Senate, where it promises to cause headaches for Democrats still wrestling with fundamental issues of cost, coverage and revenues in its version of the health legislation. by james oliphant and kim geiger, tribune washington bureau
Suspect confesses to killing abortion doctor
BOV: Surveys, low teacher pay dominates discussion from page one
Fundraising totals also saw a decline, dropping from $91.1 million in the 2008 fiscal year to $79.1 for the 2009 fiscal year. However, Elizabeth Flanagan, vice president for development and university relations, said she had some optimism for future donations. “Once a recession is over, charitable giving comes back, and it comes back pretty fast,” Flanagan said. “We’re hoping that will be the case for us.” The board’s finance and audit committee listened in to recommendations about the state of health insurance for graduate students. According to the results of a survey sent to over 1,400 graduate students, the health care plan’s cost came in as a top priority.
Faculty salaries (percentile compared to SCHEV peers) Fiscal year 2006 2007 2008 2009 2012 goal
Percentile 40th percentile 42nd 49th 35th 60th SARA SPANGLER/COLLEGIATE TIMES
George Nolen, vice rector of the BOV, said that firm priorities needed to be set. “You also have to tone your population down to realistic expectations,” Nolen said.
The board will reexamine the issue for its meeting scheduled for June 6-7, 2010. The board acknowledged Kevin McDonald, vice president for equity and inclusion since 2007.
McDonald, according to a statement released Monday, will be leaving Tech to accept the position as chief diversity officer for Rochester Institute of Technology. Karen Eley Sanders, currently associate vice president for academic support services, will fill the position on an interim basis when McDonald departs in January. The board also took time to recognize Marine Capt. David Seth Mitchell, a former member of the Corps of Cadets who was killed in Afghanistan when the AH-IW SuperCobra helicopter he was riding in collided with another helicopter. “Each loss is a tragedy,” Steger said. The Board of Visitors will have its next full meeting Mar. 21-22.
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Scott Roeder confessed Monday to killing Wichita, Kan., abortion doctor George Tiller, saying he had no regrets because “preborn children were in imminent danger.” In a 20-minute phone call from the Sedgwick County Jail in Kansas, Roeder told McClatchy Newspapers that he believes shooting Tiller saved lives. Roeder, of Kansas City, is charged with first-degree murder in the May 31 shooting death of Tiller. His trial is scheduled for Jan. 11. Tiller, one of a handful of doctors in the country who performed late-term abortions, was shot to death while ushering at his Wichita church. When asked specifically if he killed Tiller, Roeder replied: “That is correct.” But Roeder, 51, said he didn’t consider what he did to be murder and that he had no intention of changing his plea to guilty.
“There is a distinction between killing and murdering,” he said. “I don’t like the accusation of murder whatsoever, because when you protect innocent life, that’s not murder.” Lee Thompson, an attorney for the Tiller family, said Roeder’s assertion that killing Tiller was justifiable was ludicrous. Georgia Cole, spokeswoman for Sedgwick County District Attorney Nola Foulston, said Roeder’s confession would not affect the trial. “We will continue to pursue our case in court,” Cole said. Roeder said he planned to use a so-called necessity defense at his trail, arguing that he killed Tiller to prevent a greater harm. Other anti-abortion activists charged with violent acts have tried to use such a defense, but with little success. by judy l. thomas, mcclatchy newspapers
features 3
editors: topher forhecz, teresa tobat featureseditor@collegiatetimes.com/ 540.231.9865 COLLEGIATETIMES
Ballroom dance club members waltz their way through life CHELSEA GUNTER features staff writer Vampires, pirates and the Big Bad Wolf came together to show off their ballroom dancing skills at the Ballroom Dance @ Virginia Tech’s annual Costume Ball on Oct. 23. A variety of costumes were on display in the Graduate Life Center’s Multipurpose Room. “This year was a great turnout,” said Jillian Goodrich, a fifth-year poultry science and publicity chair of the ballroom dance club. “The amount of people that show up is getting better every year. Ballroom dancing is new, it’s fun and it’s not for old people. The ballroom dancing club holds one big ball per semester, and each dance has a demonstration by the competition team.” This year’s first ball incorporated the essence of Halloween: Students threw on their costumes, got on the dance floor and learned how to do the Samba. “Every year the event leads to funky costumes where people start ballroom dancing in them,” said Matthew Enniss, a junior engineer major and the club’s president. “When you participate in any of these events, you are guaranteed to have fun, even if you don’t end up learning the steps. It’s a great opportunity to get away from the classroom, use physical energy, and meet lots of people.” The club offers an chance to branch out, even for students who lack time. The ballroom dance club offers social lessons every Thursday from 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. The social lessons teach a new dance every three weeks. “Each lesson begins with basic to intermediate steps,” Enniss said, “so students do not have to attend all of the lessons when homework or other commitments interfere.” Anyone can join the ballroom dancing club in the beginning, middle or end of the semester. The social group offers a way to learn new dances, but there are also options for those looking to get involved with more than just casual instruction.
GREGORY WILSON/SPPS
The Costume Ball, hosted by Ballroom Dance @ Virginia Tech, took place in the Graduate Life Center late this October. Aside from the Halloween-themed bash, the club also holds regular sessions on Thursdays. “If you want to take it to the next level, then you can join the competition team,” said Angela Deady, senior German and psychology major, and the club’s competition team captain. Immediately following the Costume Ball, the competition team set off for the High Point Classic competition in North Carolina. Partners Deady and Enniss placed for three different events: second in Bronze Smooth, which involves the Waltz and Foxtrot; third in Silver Rhythm, incorporating the Cha-Cha, Rumba and Swing; and fourth in Bronze Rhythm, another Cha-Cha and Rumba competition. Much of the club’s success is linked to its work ethic. “How well you do depends on how much time you put into it,” Enniss said.
“There are 12 practice space hours a week set aside for the team members. Each competition member is also a part of the social club. Team practices are once a week after each social lesson on Thursday night.” Whether a student is looking for a competitive or social commitment, the members of the club feel that there’s something there for everyone. “The ballroom dancing club offers a way for students to branch out,” said Callie Zawaski, a freshman engineering major. And even though one expects an awkward situation when they dance in close proximity with a stranger, it’s all part of the experience. “You get over it,” Zawaski said,
“and dancing with someone you don’t know helps you make a lot of new friends.” Students, faculty and even the Blacksburg community can get involved in the club. In order to learn more about the group, one can take advantage of the social lessons where the first two are free. From there, those interested in becoming a member can join for $10 a semester or $15 for the year. The main goal of Ballroom Dance @ Virginia Tech is to avoid stereotypical views. “I am amazed at how many emails I receive about the dress code,” Enniss said. “Ballroom dancing altogether attempts to keep a light atmosphere. People think you need
......radio for
GREGORY WILSON/SPPS
Pirates, pilots and other cloaked figures came out to dance for the event. to dress up and act like you’re better than everyone else, but we’re just here to have fun. Students commonly ask if they need a partner or fancy shoes, but the only thing they need to do is come prepared to have a lot of fun.”
everyone
Enniss also maintains that the club is more about pursuing a hobby he enjoys than anything else. “If you join the club and your main goal is not to have fun,” he said, “then we don’t want you.”
november 10, 2009
page 4
Maroon 5 goes back to school with college town tour TERESA TOBAT features editor Maroon 5 stormed the pop music scene in 2005 with its debut album “Songs About Jane” and took home the Grammy Award for Best New Artist. Following its first effort was 2007’s “It Won’t Be Soon Before Long.” Two years after its sophomore album, the five band members spent their summer abroad in Switzerland working with proCARMICHAEL ducer Robert John “Mutt” Lange who has created albums for AC/DC, Def Leppard, Bryan Adams, The Cars, Shania Twain and Foreigner. Their latest work will be released in spring 2010. Maroon 5 keyboardist Jesse Carmichael spoke with the Collegiate Times over the phone on Oct. 9. Carmichael discussed the band’s upcoming album, his desire for Maroon 5 to be the first band to play a televised concert from space and guitarist James Valentine’s tennis prowess. The band is spending November
touring colleges. It went “back-toschool” on Nov. 2 and will wrap up on Nov. 22. Maroon 5 will play Burruss Hall on Nov. 10. COLLEGIATE TIMES: How are you today? Where are you today? JESSE CARMICHAEL: I’m good. I’m back at home in Los Angeles. CT: When did you get back? CARMICHAEL: Just a few weeks ago. CT: Maroon 5 is playing at only college venues all throughout November. Are colleges some of your favorite places to play? CARMICHAEL: We want to get away from some of the bigger venues and get back to where we played when we first started out. There’s a certain energy and enthusiasm that college students have. They’re out on their own for the first time. CT: You started playing keyboard in college. Why do you think you discovered this instrument later in life? CARMICHAEL: In high school, I was really focused on guitar and listened to rock bands. And then towards the end of high school, I started listen-
[
check it out
Where: Burruss Hall Auditorium When: Nov. 10, 7:30 p.m. Cost: $30 Opening Act: Fitz and the Tantrums
]
ing to jazz, soul and R&B. Herbie Hancock and Stevie Wonder were my heroes. CT: How long were you in college? CARMICHAEL: I took about two years of online classes here and there. Maybe this tour is a good opportunity for me to take a few online classes. CT: Do you regret not graduating from college? CARMICHAEL: No. Not at all. My life just evolved this way. I’ve been lucky. We’ve all been lucky. CT: Did you ever think your life would turn out this way? CARMICHAEL: I did. (Lead singer Adam Levine) and I used to stay up and talk about how we’d end up like our favorite bands.
CT: You’re all friends with each other. What’s it like working and being around your friends all the time? CARMICHAEL: It’s basically like being in a fraternity. All you have to do is get a ticket (to one of our shows), and it’s like you’re a part of it too. Plus, it’s co-ed.
producer Robert John “Mutt” Lange? CARMICHAEL: He has an incredible work ethic, and his ear is just impeccable. He hears the tiniest frequency changes. If you’re working with someone who has made so many big records, you think, “I better play like it’s just a huge record.”
CT: Did you enjoy recording overseas in Switzerland? CARMICHAEL: Switzerland was amazing and truly beautiful. I’m very excited about how this record has turned out so far.
CT: How have social networking sites such as Twitter changed the musicians’ relationship with fans? Do you think it is a good thing? CARMICHAEL: It’s definitely a good thing. The way that people can connect is a good thing. ... There can be something to be said about mystery though. Radiohead is one of my favorite bands, and I can’t see Thom Yorke using Twitter, but you never know.
CT: Did you pick up any new languages while you were abroad? CARMICHAEL: No, just a few words. “Please” and “thank you” in French. That’s all you need. CT: How do you feel about your new album? CARMICHAEL: I feel like it’s going to be a beautiful thing. People who love us will love us even more. People who are on the fence will love us. And people who hate us will be on the fence. CT: Do you have any favorite songs off that album? CARMICHAEL: No, it’s too early to tell, and it’s not finished yet. CT: What was it like working with
CT: Where would you like to see the band go in the future? CARMICHAEL: I think it would be a great thing to play a concert in outer space. It would be televised on the surface of the moon. CT: Who would be invited to this concert? CARMICHAEL: Lance Bass. (pause) I don’t know. Don’t you think it would be cool to play a concert on the moon? Hopefully U2 won’t beat us to it. We’ve got to establish ourselves a little more on the global scale.
CT: Are you at U2 fan? Have you met them before? CARMICHAEL: Absolutely. We’ve only met them once, but they’re supernice. They graduated from the Mount Olympus of bands. CT: Where did Maroon 5 graduate from? CARMICHAEL: We graduated from the top of the highest building in Dubai. CT: College students who follow your Twitter have a chance to play tennis against guitarist James Valentine. Have you ever played against him? Is he a good player? CARMICHAEL: James is insanely good, maybe one of the best. I don’t know what he’s doing being a professional musician. I beat James once, and it was the best day of my life. Adam is getting involved because of his competitive nature. CT: Our school colors are orange and maroon. Will you or any of your band mates be wearing maroon on the night of the concert or is that just a name? CARMICHAEL: You never know. We’re big into school spirit, big into spirit in general. CT: Is there anything you’d like to say before we let you go? CARMICHAEL: We’re all just really excited to start playing at colleges and get back to our roots.
‘Borderlands’ lets players explore fun, new frontier JUSTIN HOEGER mcclatchy newspapers “Borderlands” aims to transplant the loot-gathering and character-creating mechanics of “Diablo II,” more or less, into a first-person shooter, and it hits that target dead-on. It may have action-RPG underpinnings, but “Borderlands” is a fine shooter. The game takes place on the barely habitable world of Pandora, a desert wasteland that nonetheless attracts explorers searching for the legendary Vault filled with alien technology. The barren environments, with their outlaws, bandits, monsters and weirdos, don’t feel far off from the TV show “Firefly” or the “Mad Max” movies, and the game’s visual style, a cross between cel-shading and a graphic novel, fits the darkly humorous tone and takes the edge off some of the violence. Pandora is a world where it’s as possible to find a broken-down pea-
[
check it out
Publisher: 2K Price: $59.99 ($49.99 for PC) ESRB rating: Mature
]
shooter in the weapons case as a shotgun that fires rockets or a sniper rifle that electrocutes its target. A lot of the game’s carrot-and-stick appeal comes from wanting to see what the next gun will be, and because most of the guns’ attributes are randomly generated, they could be anything. Players can choose from four Vault hunters, each with its own powers, and tackle the game solo or with a group of friends online. There’s also split-screen play for two. There’s Roland, a soldier who can toss out an automated turret; Lilith, a siren who can turn invisible and attack from that state; Mordecai, a hunter who can send out his pet bird
to attack; and Brick, a hulking brute who can enter a berserker state for enhanced melee strength and health regeneration. Each character has three skill trees that enhance their powers and damage-dealing potential. Characters increase in level as they complete quests and kill enemies, and gain a skill point at each level past the fourth. There aren’t enough points to max out everything, but players can take back their points for a fee and reuse them. Each skill tree improves an aspect of a character’s abilities. Aside from all the guns, which come in several types, from revolvers and submachine guns to rocket launchers and shotguns, players can find several other kinds of equipment. There’s no armor, but energy shields provide some protection. Players can also find artifacts to add effects to their special attacks, and “class mod” items that enhance a specific character’s abilities.
opınıons 5
editor: debra houchins opinionseditor@collegiatetimes.com/ 540.231.9865 COLLEGIATETIMES
november 10, 2009
The Collegiate Times is an independent student-run newspaper serving the Virginia Tech community since 1903
Your Views [letter to the editor]
Remembering a fallen cadet
C
apt. Seth Mitchell is whom we should be talking about today. Capt. Seth Mitchell is the first Virginia Tech alumnus to be buried at Arlington National Cemetery for service during Operation Enduring Freedom. First Lt. Jeff Kaylor is buried at Arlington National Cemetery after his 2003 death while serving in Operation Iraqi Freedom. A total of eight Tech alumni including four Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets graduates have been killed in either Operation Enduring Freedom or Operation Iraqi Freedom. In April 2010, Capt. Mitchell’s name will be added to the 424 other names listed on the War Memorial Pylons for service to
their country. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to: Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund, FallenHeroesFund.org Wounded Warrior Project, WoundedWarriorProject.org USO, USO.org Freedom Alliance, Freedom Alliance.org Online condolences may be sent to the family at BrownWynne.com Editors note: The CT received this letter too late for Friday’s paper; Capt. Mitchell was buried on Friday, Nov. 6, 2009.
MAJ. C. PATRICK HOGEBOOM IV, P.E. brigade engineer chief of current operations currently serving in Iraq
Student Orgs [sga]
Hold professors to a higher standard H
ave you ever been in a classroom where your teacher simply did not care about you? While my hope is that you have been positively impacted by every professor at Virginia Tech, in reality, it is evident that this is not the case. The tenure process at Tech gives professors academic freedom; simply stated, some professors do not have incentives to improve the learning environment inside of a classroom. I believe we, as students, deserve more. If you are as fortunate as I have been, you might have had one or two professors, like Steve Skripak, who go beyond the call of duty for the welfare of his students. Here is the exact e-mail that I received from professor Skripak, associate dean of graduate programs for the Pamplin College of Business and my professor for an upper-level finance course, which is built on the framework and mission to apply successful techniques in the “real world.” “Good morning folks, This morning, it occurred to me that we are halfway through the course, and that I have yet to hear any feedback from anyone about ways I might improve it. Obviously, I am hoping that the class is proving to be a worthwhile use of your time, and if that’s why I’ve heard no input, that’s fine. But I do want to remind you that it’s student feedback that will help me deliver a course that is useful to all of you, so if any mid-semester adjustments are in order, please do let me know. We have some interesting topics coming up like case interviewing, formulating effective interview questions, and negotiating job offers, so I hope the best is still to come. See you in class later today. By
the way, any input that you’d like to offer anonymously can be slipped under the door to the MBA office after hours. I promise we don’t have any surveillance cameras! Steve” This is what professors should be doing all the time — asking for feedback from students about ways they can make their experience better. Not only does this show students how approachable they are, but it adds to their learning experience. Classrooms should be more focused on building a community, one built on the framework of accountability and actively caring. As students, we need to appreciate and recognize those teachers who go above the status quo and help those who do not. We all complain every day about those teachers who do not meet our expectations and yet we don’t offer them feedback to improve. However, teachers should want their students to have the optimal learning experience while they are at Tech. Although we all appreciate those professors who go beyond the call of duty, have you ever told them that you appreciate their effort? By having the courage to voice your suggestions and appreciation, you can define your experience and the experience for your professors. Other professors will hopefully want to be recognized, so they will follow suit. Seeing that you can improve the school and make a professor’s day with a simple thank you, the question remains, will you take the time?
BRANDON CARROLL SGA president senior agricultural & applied economics major
we’re YOUR newspaper. send a letter to the editor and express your views.
send an e-mail to opinionseditor@collegiatetimes.com with your letter or guest column attached.
MCT CAMPUS
Reconsider the validity of Tech’s violent reputation Last week, the nation mourned as the news of the Fort Hood shootings traveled across television screens. Just a week before the observance of Veterans Day, the only thing Americans could do was offer sympathy to the families of those who died. While the media was all too eager to report that Nidal Malik Hasan was a graduate of Virginia Tech, it was just one more tragedy adding to an already turbulent fall semester. So far, there have been more than 70 comments posted on the article “Alumnus suspected in Fort Hood Shooting” (CT, Nov. 6). As I skimmed over them, I noticed a troubling sentiment being reiterated — the idea that Tech is somehow cursed, or according to one post, we graduate “mass murderers and dog killers.” One person even said she was “embarrased to tell people of (her) connection to the school ...” But the insanity is most evident in this post: “I left out a very relevant and recent event on the VT campus last year. A Chinese Muslim beheaded a female friend. We also have a Muslim President (self confessed) who stated in a speech in Turkey earlier this year the US is a Muslim nation. The coffee is getting quite aromatic isn’t it?” Why is it that when one side loses power, the conspiracy theorists come out of the woodwork? As any rational person will say, there is obviously no connection between the president and the GLC murder, nor is the president a Muslim (and so what if he is?). But I digress. I realize that most likely, most of the students and alumni have kept a cool head about this, and these people represent a small minority just trying to get attention. But to those that who question associating themselves with Tech, just calm down. When Michael Vick pleaded guilty in 2007 to dog fighting charges, many
wondered how Tech would handle its association with its most famous alumnus. At the time, I was a senior in high school, and, with my black Labrador in mind, I condemned Vick’s actions. But neither that nor April 16 just a few months earlier stopped me and thousands of others from applying early decision to Tech. There was no reason to let it stop us. We knew Tech does not breed murderers. Instead it was and is an excellent university, and the rest of the world knew that as well. This leads directly to the fateful day that changed our school forever. Psychology majors would probably identify this as the subject of the availability heuristic, the idea that we draw on information readily available rather than on an overall evaluation of the facts (airplane crashes are a great example of this concept — many people fear planes despite the overwhelming statistical safety). Despite the fact that we all know Blacksburg to be a safe community, many will hearken back to April 16 at the first sign of tragedy. Many professors recall thinking that, after the school holiday following April 16 ended, many students wouldn’t return to campus. Yet when that day came, students returned and classroom seats were filled like a Lane Stadium night game. We haven’t run from the tragedy, either. Every year the community mourns on the Drillfield for the anniversary; we remember the brave actions of professor Liviu Librescu, who gave his life to allow his students time to escape the gunman; and we celebrate with Nikki Giovanni’s reassuring words, “We are Virginia Tech,” on our backs. The connection to Hasan is saddening, but his actions are the true tragedy. Just as Vick pointed to the culture
in his hometown of Hampton, Va. as the root of his actions, I am confident Hasan’s mind was corrupted somewhere outside of Tech. Just as Vick has begun to work to change the culture among youths in the same shoes he once filled, we need to remember the values Tech does teach, namely selfsacrifice, education and tolerance. A biochemistry major, Hasan was obviously a bright guy. This certainly does not rectify his actions in any way, but it reminds us that he graduated from Tech because he was intelligent, and he studied biology and chemistry, not violence and hatred. What we need to remember, and what most of us have, is that Tech is an elite school, no different from the University of Virginia or the College of William & Mary, graduating thousands of engineers, architects and teachers every year. Many of us go on to study law or medicine, participate in cutting-edge research, and directly and indirectly change the lives of people everywhere. There are mean people, even hateful people who graduate from Tech, but those are issues they most likely developed at home; they are certainly not taught or condoned here. With Veterans Day this Wednesday, it seems appropriate to end with this: Just as the April 16 Memorial sits outside Burruss Hall, don’t forget the War Memorial positioned just above the War Memorial Chapel venerating, among others, the seven Medal of Honor recipients who graduated from Tech.
SCOTT MASSELLI -regular columnist -sophomore -economics major
Thanksgiving break should not cause students academic stress T
his semester, I have had the great opportunity to teach a section of the UNIV 1004 College Success Strategies course. Of the 23 students in the class, 18 of them are first-year students in university studies. The rest of the students are sophomores, juniors and seniors looking at improving their skills. Over the course of the last 13 weeks, I have seen these first year students grow in terms of their self-confidence and ability to manage their busy schedules. Since most are university studies students, they are thinking about career choices, potential majors and stressing over the requirements needed to get into certain academic programs — whether it is getting into the ultracompetitive architecture program or engineering or other disciplines. The non-first year students have responded well in rebuilding their confidence to succeed. At the start of the course, one of the first assignments was for the students to provide a detailed list of due dates for their assignments, projects and exams in their other classes. I decided to compile all of these items, and in the process, it became evident which dates were going to be the heaviest for the students. One of the patterns that emerged was that more than 75 percent of the class has an exam, project or assignment that is due on Monday, Nov. 30. While this would not be a big deal in normal circumstances, the challenge is that this is the first day back from the weeklong Thanksgiving break. If my class is facing this, then a good number of other students are facing this scenario. Let’s be honest, how many of us are going to be thinking about doing academic work during the Thanksgiving break? While we cannot make the assumption of how individuals spend the time
during the break period, I suspect that it is difficult to concentrate on schoolrelated items during this time. I have heard many stories from students about how they took their schoolbooks home, had the best of intentions, but never picked up the books. It can be very easy to do especially if one hasn’t been home all semester, or is busy reconnecting with family and friends, working or just resting. Some would argue that the students knew of this Nov. 30 date well in advance and should have been preparing throughout this time rather than waiting until the last minute. The challenge to this assumption is that the period before this date is filled with other projects, exams and assignments. Do you have students choosing one over the other? How do students balance the needs of both? Maybe it is a usual part of the academic ritual but it seems to me to be a form of cruel and unusual punishment. Students are already feeling anxious with finals around the corner, and they come back and already have to face a make or break effort that can have serious repercussions. It would seem to me that my faculty colleagues could be more flexible and understanding in looking at the calendar and ensure that they do not schedule assignments or exams on such days. Why schedule something that is due on that Monday after a break? Would it not make sense to have the assignment due later in that week? Would that not help potentially improve the quality of the effort? I may be accused of pandering to the students and babying them, but that is not my intention. It is about being realistic. If our goal is to ensure that our students are successful and are going to retain what they have learned, is having an exam or a major
project due on the Monday after Thanksgiving break going to make that happen? I don’t believe it does. Instead, it just raises anxiety levels and creates unwanted stress. I realize that these last few weeks of the semester are hectic for the faculty as they are trying to incorporate all of the things that are remaining from the syllabus. For the students, this is compounded by the three, four or five classes that they are taking, and each require something in this final stretch. Students have to make decisions about what is going to be a priority. I argue that more consideration needs to take place when exams, projects and assignments are scheduled, especially when it comes to major breaks. Whether it is Thanksgiving break, spring break or even fall break, efforts can be made to be more flexible. I am not calling for the academic freedom of faculty to be questioned, just that my faculty colleagues be more understanding and be more strategic in their scheduling of their assignments, projects and/or exams. Regardless of what happens, I will do what I can to help my students prepare for that Monday, Nov. 30. I am confident that they will be able to manage, but it will be a test for them. If anything, we have to be aware of the external factors that impact our students and that they don’t just go to school in a vacuum. I may get a lot of flack, but as faculty we need to be seen as more realistic and more understanding.
RAY PLAZA -regular columnist -faculty -academic support services
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: Liana Bayne, Gordon Block News Staff Writers: Hope Miles, Billy Mitchell, Katie Robidoux, Allison Sanders, Claire Sanderson, Priya Saxena Features Editors: Teresa Tobat, Topher Forhecz Features Reporters: Ryan Arnold, Mary Anne Carter, Dan Waidelich Features Staff Writer: Joyce Kim 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, Hattie Francis Copy Editors: Kelsey Heiter, Dishu Maheshwari, Mika Rivera Layout Designers: Kelly Harrigan, Josh Son, Sara Spangler, Cecilia Lam Illustrator: Mina Noorbakhsh Multimedia Editor: Kevin Anderson Multimedia Reporter: James Carty, Riley Prendergast Online Director: Jamie Chung Online Programmer: 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, Kelly Burleson Inside Sales Manager: Judi Glass Office Manager: Kaelynn Kurtz Assistant Account Executives: Maddie Abram, Katie Berkel, Diane Revalski, Spencer Martin Creative Director: Sarah Ford Asst Production Manager: Chloe Skibba Creative Services Staff: Jenn DiMarco, Kara Noble, Kyle Waldrop, Jennifer Le, Laiken Jacobs 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 All letters to the editor must include name and phone number. Students must include year and major. Faculty and staff must include position and department. All other submissions must include residence, and if applicable, relationship to Virginia Tech (i.e. alumni, parent, etc.). All letters 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 and $110 for the academic 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.
november 10, 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
Travel
For Sale
A PHEASANT RUN SUB-LEASE Rooms available for rent Spring and Summer 2010 at Pheasant Run Townhomes. Rent is $300/ month. Contact cnk87@vt.edu for interest in renting one or multiple rooms.
GETTING COLD TIME to Plan your Spring Break 2010 Get Away! Learn how to travel to beautiful locations like Jamaica, Acapulco and the Bahamas on a party cruise. Find out what other Virginia Tech Hokies are headed to your destination. -Adrian Email: Awhite@Studentcity.com for more information
FOR SALE Pheasant Run Townhome. Let us show you how your parents can save money by owning! ` 540-552-1869
SKYDIVE! One Day First Jumps! 22jumper airplane goes to 13,500’ Gift Certificates! www.skydiveorange.com 540.943.6587
Notices
CHEAP SPRING SUBLET Great Location! Graduating seniors looking to sublet their apartment. Up to 3 rooms available January-June 2010. $350 per month (includes rent, cable/ internet, and utilities). Located in Center St. apartments next to Lane Stadium: less than 2 minute walk to campus. Call Joey @ 571-331-1212 if interested. LARGE HOUSE SUB-LEASE 3Bd, 3bth, 2 living rms, large dining rm, heat pump/central AC, hardwood floors, 2-car garage, washer&dryer, unfurnished house on wooded lot. 2 large decks on upper/ lower levels. Wood & gas fireplaces. In Blacksburg. Avail. Mid Dec. Call Corey (305)434-0230 or coreyk9@vt.edu SPRING SUBLET AVAILABLE 1BR available in Foxridge for spring semester. Second-floor apartment w/ balcony and bus stop right across street. $293/month includes rent, heat, water and trash. Free unlimited parking. Available from midDecember to June. Call or email Matt at 703-314-7358 or mhiser@vt.edu
Lost & Found LOST FEMALE SHELTIE Lost Sable/White Sheltie on north end of Blacksburg near Patrick Henry Dr and Main St. Very shy little girl, may be pregnant. Lost since Oct. 25. Call if found, reward available. 540.239.9942
Help Wanted STUDENTS WANTED! Earn extra cash while working with your friends! *Flexible Schedule *Training Provided Call 540.808.4722 for details WEBSITE DATABASE HELP needed, variable flexible part-time, mostly online. Dreamweaver and MS Access experience. Contact: info@horticulturemanagement.co m 540.382.0943
Notices Wanted Musical Roommates
Greek Notes For Rent Personals Furniture for Sale
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
need some
TOWNHOME FOR SALE Pheasant Run Townhome located on Janie Lane: 4BR, 2.5Bath. GREAT condition! Call Tony for more details. 304.281.0006
*****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.
Personals ADOPTION Pediatrician and hubby in northern Virginia wish to adopt newborn. Approved by licensed child-placing agency. Med/legal expenses. Loving home! Contact us toll free 1-866-5815494 www. EdandMargaretB.freeho mepage.com
Go
Place an ad in the classifieds section
find it at...
Catch it on the f ly... sports on fridays
Keep me logged in
www.collegiatetimes.com
Login
keep up-to-speed on the latest news headlines! become a fan of the
COLLEGIATETIMES on facebook!
sports 7
editors: joe crandley, alex jackson sportseditor@collegiatetimes.com/ 540.231.9865 COLLEGIATETIMES
Young recruits shine early for women’s soccer
Tech freshmen Kelsey Mitchell (left) and Kelly Conheeney (right) playing against Davidson on Sept. 29 and Boston College on Oct. 18, respectively. Mitchell and Conheeey have led Tech’s promising freshman class this season with both starting 20 of 21 games.
COURTNEY LOFGREN sports staff writer The Virginia Tech women’s soccer team is having one of its most successful years in the program’s history. Much of its success can be attributed to contributions from the team’s freshman class and, in particular, midfielder Kelly Conheeney and forward Kelsey Mitchell. Conheeney and Mitchell are both receiving significant playing time, as they have each started 20 of 21 games of the season. Overall, the team has eight freshmen, and head coach Kelly Cagle said each has significantly impacted the team on and off the field. “They’re ready to buy in and be contributors and also be supportive of the stuff that was built prior to coming,” Cagle said. “That’s always a hard transition to make, so I have a lot of respect for both their on and off the field contributions for us.” Both Conheeney and Mitchell are from outside the state of Virginia and were heavily recruited out of high school. After visiting Tech, both girls liked the family atmosphere that the team had as well as the resources the school offered. “Once I met the coaching staff and the girls, I knew I wanted to come here,” Mitchell said. “I just got the feeling that when I was here that this was it and this is where I wanted to be,” Conheeney said. Adjusting to a sport at the collegiate level can be difficult for any athlete, especially as a freshman, but the transition for the girls has been relatively smooth. “They’re all really good soccer players, so it’s been easy for them to adjust,” said senior forward Robin Chidester. “They’ve been really welcoming and open to the leadership they have come into, and I think that’s a really big part of the process,” Cagle said. “They’re respectful but also go-getters.” The highlight so far this season was when the team defeated the then No. 1 North Carolina Tar Heels. “We were really prepared and focused and put everything into it,” Conheeney said. “When we came out with the win, it was the best feeling I’ve ever felt in my life.”
“
If we play at our best, we’re the best team out there. We need to not think about the other opponent but think about what we need to do and we’ll be in good shape. KELLY CONHEENEY FORWARD
Defender Julia Goldsworthy and forward Sloane Levin have also had significant playing time along with Conheeney and Mitchell. With the girls getting plenty of early action as freshmen, they’re gaining experience that will be beneficial for future teams. “The earlier you get in the games, especially with the season we’re having now, having got to the 12 wins, having the amount of wins we have in the conference, the most we’ve had,” Cagle said. “Their experience is even different than three or four years ago, had they been freshmen then. We’re going to rely on some of that (experience) and rely on the expectation to have seasons like this year in and year out.” With several seniors graduating, these key freshmen will be tasked with continuing to build a Tech program that is fast on the rise. “Losing the seniors will be kind of a bummer,” Mitchell said, “but we’re all just going to grow and hopefully improve on everything we need to improve on individually and as a team.” For now, the goal of the entire team is to finish out the season playing just as well as it did in the UNC game. The Hokies finished fourth in the Atlantic Coast Conference regular season standings and defeated No. 10 Wake Forest last weekend in the conference tournament before losing to No. 6 Florida State in the semifinals. The team received a No. 3 seed in the NCAA Tournament and will play the first round in the UCLA bracket against Murray State. “I know we’re capable of anything after beating the number one team in the country,” Conheeney said. “If we play at our best, we’re the best team out there. We need to not think about the other opponent but think about what we need to do and we’ll be in good shape.”
JOSHUA MILLER/SPPS
MARK UMANSKY/SPPS
november 10, 2009
page 8
Hokie ice hockey aims to repeat as ACC champions J.J. NELSON sports staff writer Virginia Tech Ice Hockey returns to the ice this year after a successful campaign last season when the team earned it’s first Atlantic Coast Collegiate Hockey League title. Last season, the team finished 18-6-1 and 11-0-1 in league play. Although the team lost eight seniors from last year, including scoring leaders Jimmy Pope and Matt Harrison, it is still confident that it can continue to win and engrain its name as a powerhouse in the ACCHL. “We have a lot of veterans that know the game well,” said junior captain Joe Woermer. “I think that we are an even better team than we were last year.” The Hokies are off to a hot start. The team won nine of its first 12 games this season and, in those matchups, recorded four shutouts totaling a combined score of 28-0 in those games. Tech’s high scoring offense includes three talented skaters. Sophomore assistant captain Corey Abro, junior assistant captain Josh Bennett and senior forward Todd Minetree lead the Hokie offense. “The fans should definitely be looking out for a few of our key players,” said Andres Morales, teammate and sophomore forward. “Corey and Josh are two returning core players who are going to be scoring a lot of goals this year. Todd is also a fast skater who has a knack for finding the back of the
net.” The defense is lead by team captain Joe Woermer, who is a strong leader both on and off the ice. “The chemistry on this year’s team is great,” Woermer said. “Everyone comes to practice ready to work hard. We’ve been playing great hockey so far this season and we hope to continue.” Despite the departure of some talented seniors, there have been several additions that both the fans and team can look forward to.
“
We have a lot of veterans that know the game well. I think that we are an even better team than we were last year. JOE WOERMER CAPTAIN
“Sophomore Nicholas Vukmoravich is a young forward who is a great scorer,” Woermer said. There are nine new skaters on this year’s team. A solid net-minding crew, including some young goalies, brings both excitement and insurance for the Hokies as well. “We’re looking forward to seeing a few new goalies this year, including sophomores Travis Young and Tony Wolack,” said head coach Michael Spradlin, who is returning for his eighth season with the
Tech sophomore forward Nicholas Vukmoravich races ahead of a defender on Oct. 9.
IE LL A C
S PP /S R DE HY
Hokies’ goalkeeeper Tony Wolak stays ready in front of the net during Tech’s 2-0 win over Maryland on Oct. 9.
Hokies. The team hopes to set another mark in school history by making it to the Regional Tournament, and then from there, to the National Tournament. The schedule includes Maryland and Liberty, which played in last year’s national tournament and ranked No. 7. “This is one of the tougher schedules we’ve had,” Spradlin said. “Our goal is to become one of these national tournament teams.” Early in the season, the Hokies have already shut out Division I Maryland by a score of 2-0 and ACCHL rival North Carolina by a score of 10-0. They also shut out rival University of Virginia in Charlottesville last weekend, 13-0. The Hokies play two games this weekend. Friday, Nov. 13, the Hokies take on Clemson and Saturday, Nov. 14 the Hokies take on Duke. While those games are on the road, the Hokies will face the University of Virginia at home Nov. 20 back at the Roanoke Civic Center.
CALLIE HYDER/SPPS