Cheer on the Hokies! >>Use the provided insert in today’s paper as signs to cheer our team to defeat Brown University! Friday, November 13, 2009
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COLLEGIATETIMES 106th year, issue 116
News, page 1
Features, page 2
Opinions, page 5
Charges filed for Fort Hood PRIYA SAXENA news staff writer The Virginia Tech graduate accused of killing 13 people in a shooting last week at Fort Hood, Texas has now been formally charged. Military prosecutors filed 13 charges of premeditated murder against Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan for the shooting deaths at Fort Hood. Prosecutors plan to seek the death penalty for his case. The charges for murder were announced during a news conHASAN ference in Fort
Sports, page 7
Classifieds, page 6
Sudoku, page 6
Making their case
Hood Thursday afternoon. Hasan is still at Brooke Army Medical Center on Thursday recovering from gunshot wounds he suffered when he was shot by police at the scene of the shootings. A Virginia native, Hasan attended Virginia Western Community College in Roanoke from 1990 to 1992, where he received his associate’s degree in science. He then enrolled at Tech in 1992. In the spring semester of 1995, he graduated with a degree in biochemistry from the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. Hasan allegedly fired more than 100 rounds into the Soldier Readiness Processing Center. In addition to the 13 people killed in the attack, 42 were wounded.
Heavy rains prompt state of emergency Students for Concealed Carry on Campus vice president Ken Stanton sits with an empty holster during a Concealed Carry Week event. Stanton holds a concealed carry permit in Virginia, but students and faculty are prohibited from carrying concealed weapons on the Virginia Tech campus. photo by luke mason COURTESY OF MCT Capt. Frank White and Senior firefighter Chas Perry pull a family to safety after rescuing it from a Newport News apartment complex.
GOV. KAINE DECLARES EMERGENCY AS STATE BUCKLES DOWN FOR HEAVY RAINS, FLOODING LIANA BAYNE news reporter Gov. Tim Kaine declared a state of emergency in Virginia last night, with water levels rising throughout the state as the remnants of Tropical Storm Ida thrash the state. Blacksburg, the cities of Salem and Roanoke, and Montgomery County were under severe flood warnings Thursday and flood warnings have been in effect for most of the state since Tuesday evening. Widespread flooding has been reported across the state. Rainfall levels were recorded at more than six inches in Newport News since Tuesday. Dominion Virginia Power reported more than 22,000 people statewide are without power. The cities of Roanoke and Salem are experiencing severe flooding as the Roanoke River threatens to crest at 12 feet above flood stage. The Patrick Henry Community College in Martinsville can-
celled classes Thursday and Salem City Public Schools dismissed classes two hours early. Schools were also closed in other parts KAINE of the state. All classes were cancelled at Christopher Newport University in Newport News because of the flooding. Attorney General Bill Mims announced this morning that Virginia’s Anti-Price Gouging Statute is now in effect. This law prohibits the charging of “unconscionable” prices for “necessary goods and services” in the affected areas within Virginia for the 30-day period following the disaster that resulted in the declared state of emergency. Rain is supposed to taper off by Friday evening in Blacksburg.
Hokies get new uniforms
Tech unveiled its new Nike Pro Combat football uniforms on Monday. Check out the gallery at www.collegiatetimes.com for a photo gallery of the new uniforms. photo by brian clay
Author brings religion to campus Vaccine GORDON BLOCK news reporter Author Rick James was in Colonial Hall of Squires Student Center Thursday to talk with students about his book, “Jesus Without Religion.” James is also the publisher of Crupress, which sells materials for campus ministries. James took time to speak with the Collegiate Times in a phone interview about reaching out to college students and sharing names with a certain charttopping ‘80s funk and R&B singer. COLLEGIATE TIMES: Why is the book Jesus Without Religion important when talking about Jesus and Christianity? RICK JAMES: My background was advertising, I used to work in advertising many, many years ago. I’m an old man now, I guess; I’m 46. I left advertising to go into the ministry, and I’ve noticed, as probably you have, that in the last decade marketing has washed up on the shores of Christian-dom. Everyone’s got Jesus in their title, and everyone seems to be using Jesus to sell books. People are just selling books and magazines and I think in the process making it very unclear what Jesus said, what he did. Because it’s marketing, you try to find the most obscure person you can find, or the most obscure scholarly perspective, that’s what sells, that’s the basis of marketing. I wrote this little book, and I tried to keep it as little as I could, because while there are issues of faith, I thought it would be helpful to make it as clear as possible what are the gospels about, what is Jesus saying, what did he do, what did he claim, what do we know? You can make your own decisions, but it shouldn’t be that abstract, that unintelligible, that difficult to figure out who this guy was or what he claimed. CT: What do you hope that Virginia Tech students will take from Jesus Without Religion and the presentation? JAMES: It depends who comes. This last year I’ve been speaking at a lot of
different campuses, a different campus every week, and to some degree it seems to change depending on demographic, where you’re speaking. If you’re speaking in New York, it’s one group, and if you’re speaking in Virginia, it’s another. It also depends on whether the audience that comes out is simply people who are already Christians or whether you have a significant amount of people who come out who aren’t. My ideal audience are people who in a sense are interested, who are kind of on the fence, who don’t know what the facts are, but kind of wish someone would just say alright, “Tell me what this is all about again, just explain it to me. I get it.” Then they can choose for themselves. I would hope you would get people who are more nominally religious coming out, and in a sense being able to intelligently interact and understand what the Christian message is. I think in today’s age the Christian message has a lot to offer. Even in the title “Jesus Without Religion,” you can parse all that, you can get away from some of the religiosity. The message of Jesus is a very lifeaffirming message, and I do think it’s something we all need to hear today. CT: You’ve talked a bit about how students in college make a lot of personal belief decisions at this age, is that a part of the reason you wanted to set the record straight as far as what Jesus said? JAMES: That’s at least one of the reasons the book is written to a college audience. That’s one of the other purposes of this book. I’ve written it in a very accessible way. It’s written like how someone would talk to you, as opposed to some sort of dry lecture. It’s hopefully a very personable book that explains things that a new generation can understand and relate to. I think a college age is a good age. People have a good sense of humor, they seem to not necessarily be true believers in anything, and not in a bad sense, but they seem to be kind of ... cynical or
skeptical, and I think that’s good. I actually like to talk to college audiences, because at least there seems to be an openness to think about ideas, to think about concepts, and to openly explore them. I do focus on college students, I just find them enjoyable. CT: Do people sometimes become disappointed in learning that you’re not Rick James of “Superfreak” fame? JAMES: That’s funny. I don’t think these days there’s that many. Of course I had to live through the 80s with that name. With him dead, unless people confuse him with me, of course (comedian Dave) Chappelle brought it all back, but I think most people know he’s dead. Not too many people come out, and think, “Hey wait a second you’re not that dead guy Rick James.” I haven’t had too much problem with that. CT: Do you think it’s difficult to, I don’t want to use the word brand, but maybe present Jesus to a younger market? Does Jesus have to be riding a skateboard or something like that? JAMES: (laughing) In some ways, on paper, getting people out, getting people interested is always a challenge. When you’re there, you can kind of talk like normal people, say this is this. But to advertise for something, you do feel like no matter what you’re engaged in some type of advertisement or marketing saying, “Hey come take a look at this,” to get people to come out. I don’t think it’s in terms of maybe marketing Jesus differently, I would say it’s about talking about him differently. Most people have heard about Jesus through a sermon or some guy on TV, or someone they know. It’s almost like, you just want to say, the content hasn’t changed, but I don’t know why we need to talk about this so strangely. The rebranding is talking like a normal person about issues of faith in a comfortable environment. And I think isn’t that what we all want, just to kind of talk about these things, and be able to not have someone in a sense just lecture to us or preach at us.
provider calls off flu clinic LAURA JENSEN news staff writer The influenza vaccine clinic scheduled for Nov. 16 was canceled Thursday. Intravene, the private company scheduled to travel to Virginia Tech to conduct the vaccinations, canceled the event. According to Intravene employee Shelby Davis, the scheduled vaccination was canceled because the company has “no supply of the H1N1 vaccine.” “It’s a nationwide issue that there is a national shortage of the H1N1 vaccine,” said university spokesman Mark Owczarski. “So Virginia Tech with every other place that wants to immunize their communities are having a hard time getting the vaccine to do it.” The U.S. Department of Health is in charge of distributing the vaccinations to various doctors, schools and small businesses such as Intravene, throughout the country. With the overall shortage of the vaccination, the government only disperses the sparse vaccine the way it sees fit. “Pediatrics is who they normally disperse to first,” Davis said. It remains unclear whether the university will be able to get a hold of the vaccine by the next scheduled clinic on Dec. 2. “I’m not going to say 100 percent no,” Owczarski said. He specified that it is more likely the university will get the vaccine later compared to now. “I would hope by the end of November we’ll have enough for everyone.”
2Takefeatures a behind-the-scenes look at film festival contenders editors: topher forhecz, teresa tobat featureseditor@collegiatetimes.com/ 540.231.9865
november 13, 2009
COLLEGIATETIMES
KEVIN ANDERSON -multimedia editor -senior English major -interned for Charlie Rose
Antichrist
T
aking the cake for one of the most extreme and controversial films in at least the past decade, Lars von Trier’s horrifying, psychological drama “Antichrist” was certainly this year’s most talked about film. Premiering at this year’s Cannes film festival in May, starring Charlotte Gainsbourg and Willem Dafoe, the film takes place for the most part in a cabin in the woods conveniently called “Eden.” Neither character has a name and the audience is simply to understand them as She and He. While passionately making love one night, She and He’s child jumps out of his window and dies triggering a plot so gruesome even the bravest filmgoers may turn from the screen. The child’s death occurs in the first scene shot in black and white slow motion to the lovely aria “Laschia chi’o pianga” from Handel’s baroque opera “Rinaldo.” The two actors’ fornication is almost laughable, with shots of grimaced faces and up-close and personal pornographic pelvic thrusts. Although trying to be artistic and beautiful, von Trier makes a five-minute opening that is just plain silly. Fast-forward 20 minutes and we see Gainsbourg slamming her head on the rim of her toilet and Dafoe attempting to hypnotize her into forgetting her grief for her lost child. These two don’t stop having sex, by the way. Every chance she gets she wants her sexual appetite fed and is continuously forcing herself upon He. It’s ironic that the only thing that can calm She down is the act of reproduction. The film continues into madness until He discovers a horrible secret about She’s sanity and ends with a cheery climax of genital mutilation; including a very clinical shot of She slicing off her clitoris with a pair of scissors. Not for the queasy, this film sure does know how to make the most stoical of viewers cringe. Aside from its shockvalue, this film has some merit. While it is obvious that von Trier is trying too hard at making something that will remain in memory post-screening, we must take into account that he wrote and directed the film in a severe depression. After his last monster hit at the Cannes film festival in 2000 with “Dancer in the Dark” starring the Icelandic musician Björk, one could understand that von Trier’s female protagonists are of the utmost importance to his films.
A
s this year’s film festival season closed last month with the New York Film Festival, it’s finally time to take a look at some of the year’s finest pieces of celluloid that will be, or will not be, coming to a theater near you. Top name directors such as Quentin Tarantino and Ang Lee churned out films that carried both critical and financial successes; but there were others who certainly turned heads, made us appreciate the art of cinema and even taught us a thing or two. Check www.collegiatetimes.com for The Kevin Anderson Show for more discussion about film festivals.
They are always plagued by severe issues; in this film She suffers from grief, anxiety and pure insanity and they usually die at the end for some unjust reason. In “Antichrist,” von Trier seems to give some sort of reason as to why he continually treats women so badly in his films. She had been previously working on her thesis about gynocide, or the evil treatment towards women in the Middle Ages. Through her research, She begins to think that all women are inherently evil. It’s unclear whether von Trier was hurt while making this movie, but it is apparent from this film that he believes women hold a certain dangerous quality that is not to be reckoned with. As much potential as this film had, it does not meet its high standards. That’s not to say it was a flop, however. Gainsbourg gave a stunning performance and can gloat about it having won the Best Actress award at Cannes. The film is also well crafted: lots of jump cuts and non-continuous camera
A
nother film that premiered at Cannes and closed the New York film festival was Spanish director Pedro Almodovar’s latest work “Los Abrazos Rotos,” or “Broken Embraces.” The film jumps between 2008 and 1994 and includes a complex plot full of twists and turns, Almodovar wins again for creating yet another beautiful piece of cinema that is sure to leave the viewer both entertained and in awe. Like his other films, “Broken Embraces” moves like a soap opera with each character revealing a secret deep within that drives the plot. Harry Caine, played by Lluis Homar, is a writer and filmmaker who goes blind after an accident in 1994. He finds out that a man who produced his last film and later ruined it has died, which stirs up memories from that fateful year and the love affair he had with his star
angles give the film a gritty, choppy character. This is a film that can’t be understood in 2009. It is way before its time and needs at least a decade to be appreciated by the cinephiles that boo-ed it at Cannes. With that said, it is still definitely worth taking a look at just for sheer curiosity to see what people are complaining about.
Recommended
“Salo: or 120 Days of Sodom” - Director Pier Paolo Pasolini’s highly controversial 1970s Italian film was banned for decades because of its obscene content of torture and masochistic violence; but is now considered a great work of art criticizing the Italian Fascist regime of World War II.
Broken Embraces
The September Issue
N
ever before have the inner-workings of “Vogue” magazine been exposed as they have in R.J. Cutler’s documentary “The September Issue.” It’s an exercise of cinema verite detailing the construction of the magazine’s 2007 September issue, the largest ever made. However, there is a large disclaimer for this film. Everyone expecting to see “The Devil Wears Prada” is in for a surprise. We see a different side of Anna Wintour, the magazine’s editor-
in-chief and iconic fashion maven. Rather than the crazy ice queen we saw in “The Devil Wears Prada,” this film demonstrates that she is simply a female executive on a mission to make the world’s most revered fashion magazine. Of course she is shown shooting down ideas from editors and being straight-faced, but there is something about Wintour in her portrayal for this film that makes us understand her main purpose. That something is clearly Culter’s great work. He approaches her in a humanistic way. He asks questions about why she wanted to work in fashion and even shoots scenes in her home. This film provides a more personal twist for Wintour than her notorious reputation. Another highlight of this film is Grace Coddington, the magazine’s creative director and second-incommand after Wintour. She is the true artist of “Vogue.” Coddington coordinates countless photo shoots and has endless ideas on how to make fashion fresh and beautiful. As Wintour cuts pictures, we see her frustrations and anger towards the magazine, followed by an immediate elasticity proving her love for her art and her dedication to the publication. Coddington is the most human character from this film surrounded
actress, Magdalena Rivero, played by the stunning Penelope Cruz. The film is a roller coaster ride of emotions, twists, melodrama and most of all color and beauty. Almodovar is famous for blasting the audience with color, and it definitely shows in this film. Each frame is beautifully photographed giving off the vibrant emotions of not just the characters but of Spain itself. The director used his normal cast and crew with Blanca Portillo and Lola Duen, both of whom we last saw in Almodovar’s last picture “Volver.” Almodovar chose composer Alberto Iglesias to write the music for the film. The score is one of the most important aspects in his films because it adds the robust and melodramatic qualities that make the viewer uneasy until the final resolution. “Broken Embraces” was Almodovar’s most expensive of his 17-film and nearly 30-year career costing an estimated $18 million. That large sum was spent on making this and incorporating every possible reference. The movie has countless allusions to noir and 60s films, and movie stars that shape this into a work that celebrates the art of filmmaking. There are even stylistic references to his other films such as the film-within-a-film technique he explored in his 2004’s “Bad Education.” The complicated story is only something that can be used to demonstrate this idea. In fact, in the last line of the film main character Caine says to the audience that a film must be edited even blindly, suggesting that films will always be made and will live forever. Finally, this work cannot be discussed without mentioning the star of the film and Almodovar’s muse,
Penelope Cruz. This is her fourth collaboration with the director and she is simply stunning in this film. The way she shakes her hair, clicks her stilettos on the tile, and looks into the camera steals the show. Aside from her aesthetic beauty, Cruz gives a brilliant performance that is sure to earn her an Academy Award nomination. Almodovar obviously knows how to photograph her and bring out her natural talent and beauty in such a way that makes acting seem simple and easy. Cruz and Almodovar should work together for the rest of their careers as they only create flawless pieces of beautiful art.
by “glamazons” and materialistic fashion snobs who are only on staff as a career move. Coddington has a real passion for fashion and, other than Wintour, is the only person who actually knows what she is doing. One of the documentary’s problems is the played-up conflict between Wintour and Coddington. Coddington states that she and Wintour began working for American “Vogue” on the same day. They have been colleagues for over 20 years, and understand each other’s different visions.We see Wintour sneer Coddington and then Coddington complain to the camera about being attacked. However, both women complement each other and admit to each other’s brilliance. Wintour only compliments Coddington in her private interview and Coddington only commends Wintour — proving that there really is no conflict between these two. They are only colleagues with two different visions that sometimes clash. The filmmakers saw an opportunity to create drama to drive this film, but that was obviously a mistake. This film premiered at Sundance in January and found critical acclaim. It debunks the myths of “Vogue” and Anna Wintour that were unfairly created by “The Devil Wears Prada,” and
brings the world of fashion journalism into a realistic perspective. On top of that, it features plenty of beautiful couture and eye candy for those interested in seeing the behind-the-scenes work of designers such as Oscar de la Renta and renowned fashion photographers Mario Testino or Patrick Demarchelier.
Recommended
“Broken Embraces” is a must-see. It is incredibly accessible to those who aren’t fans of Almodovar or international cinema. Once it is released in more places, this film will be seen and discussed more. It is much stronger than his last film “Volver” and is sure to be a milestone in his career.
Recommended
“Valentino: The Last Emperor” - This 2008 documentary follows iconic fashion designer Valentino from his 70th birthday party in 2006 to his rumored final couture show in 2007. A must see for those interested in getting a behind-the-scenes look at the legendary designer.
november 13, 2009
page 3 JAMIE MARTYN/COLLEGIATE TIMES
he she
SAID
He said: Roommates in relationships need boundaries S
ometimes people ask how many roommates I have. I could answer that question technically, but that would effectively be a lie. I’ve signed three apartment contracts in my collegiate career, and every single document has contained at least one phantom tenant. It never fails that I split rent with people in relationships. And it’s not those get-to-know-each-other dating relationships that shift throughout the semester. No, these duos have been so committed that I come home from class and feel like I should put my exam grades on the refrigerator for them. Their foresight suggests eternity, and I might as well be their test child. (I just wish they packed me school lunches.) However, sharing square footage with an extra resident isn’t necessarily an inconvenience — or a total one, I should say. If you’re lucky, the companion is fun. They have a vibrant personality and want to contribute energy to the dwelling. An occasional belly laugh might find its origins with them, or they at least contribute “Flight of the Conchords” to the DVD rack. It’s even possible they’ll cook a delicious meal and offer you the extras. But that’s one seemingly pleasant advantage that can in fact turn things sour. Whipping up a glamorous “Top Chef” feast is nice, yes, but it inherently yields a volcanic pile of dishes. Just to rinse off a spoon thereafter, you must transform your arm into a noodle to slide by the pots and pans. And often those dishes end up rotting for days until simply walking into the kitchen
makes your knees buckle. As you scrub away at their mess, you suddenly wish the candlelight by which they ate would have tipped over and caught the dinner table on fire. Or maybe they actually dined on the couch, a practice that can morph into another grievance. Inevitably they clean their plates, afterwards submitting to a food coma. Sprawled out for hours stacked like pancakes, the two are one giant impediment to your enjoyment of the living room. If you want to catch a television show, you have to do so with 20 toes prodding at your thigh. Or if you happen to have a love seat, you ironically migrate to that. Even then as you watch that NBA game, the bounces of the basketball are interrupted by the pecking of lips. Then you miss a monster slam dunk because your eyes were busy rolling. Skunked out of your own entertainment hub, maybe you decide to take the shower you skipped in the morning. Of course, just opening the curtain causes an avalanche of bottles, excess products which are additions of the partner. Then depending upon their hair style, you find yourself wading in two inches of water since their locks clog the drain. Stepping out, you have to pick their still-damp towel off your own. As you charge from the bathroom prepared to curse their stupid loofah, they have magically disappeared. It’s rare time with your roommate, so you cherish the moment. Soon it’s time for bed, though, and you wish each other goodnight. But before you can even hit that
first REM cycle, a turning deadbolt and creaking door wake you. While the natural response might be to grab the bat in your closet, you know the intruder is just the sweetheart returning to spoon. And it’s very unnerving if they have a key. If a breakup ever occurred, all of your material possessions are potentially at the mercy of their wrath. Yet that’s where my complaints sacrifice some validity. I’ve hardly contributed a thing to any abode. I think the largest piece of furniture I’ve shared is an end table. I’ve reaped the benefits of very generous families, so how cranky can I be about a relationship (with chronic annoyances)? While I might grumble as I rinse the companion’s dirty bowl, I realize I couldn’t eat my off-brand cereal without that plastic china. And without the sofas — however cramped—we’d wreck our backs sitting Indian style on the chilly floor. Well, I’d be the only one cross-legged and cold. The inseparable couple would likely use every blanket to build a fort from which their coos and giggles gush like romantic vomit. And that doesn’t count as “getting a room.” A solo lease is more like it.
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RYAN ARNOLD -features reporter -senior -owns one pair of jeans -favorite season: winter
She said: Keep PDA private around roommates A
common occurrence in college: You and some friends live together, and then one of your roommates has a significant other, and somehow you end up sharing a domicile with someone who doesn’t pay rent. In all honesty, I was always the perpetrator. I was that girlfriend who was always over day after day, night after night. I was that pervasive chick who didn’t contribute to bills or rent, as I had my own place across the street. This was an ongoing trend for nearly two years of my collegiate career. But I’m not proud of it. I had cohabitated with not only my boyfriend at the time, but with another couple, and then one of our male friends. Even after my disastrous breakup with Mr. H, I’m still extremely close with two of the four — Brian, the formerly single one, and Tracy, the girl who legitimately lived there (unlike me.) Last week, I begged Tracy to forgive me for never buying toilet paper or paper towels for the apartment all those years ago. She shrugged it off. “Oh, don’t worry,” she said. “I’ve never even thought about it.” Despite Tracy’s reassurance, I still kick myself for never buying toilet paper — three years later. But fortunately, I chose to cohabitate with amazing people. Not only did we get along stunningly when we were all together, but I’d have fun with them when my significant other wasn’t around. Tracy and I would move out the coffee table and she’d teach me how to dance. Tracy’s then-boyfriend and I boogied to Earth, Wind & Fire’s “September” on loop for hours. Brian and I would have in-depth discussions about the paranormal, spirituality, Marvel superheroes and “Dragon Ball Z.” (Don’t ask.) We had so much in common outside of our personalities — even if it was just our love of turning on the black lights and dancing to terrible ’90s electronica for a “membersonly” shindig. But even though I had an amazing experience being the “invasive” girlfriend in that situation, it would have been different had we not gotten along so well. If I had been the touchy-feely, demanding, pay-attention-to-me type of girlfriend, I’m sure things would have been a lot different. For
example, when Brian decided to briefly date a dramatic girl who hated beer, video games, hours of chatting and almost everything else we liked, a bomb hit the easy-going atmosphere of the apartment. The official roommates decided not to tolerate her (even Brian), but thankfully they continued to let me have my unlimited pass. The rule is if you’re going to be around your significant other’s roommates for an extended period, you have to keep a lot private. Mr. H and I took great pains to spare his roommates from our “coupleness,” even if it made us appear completely celibate. Months after I began to stay the night regularly, one of the roomies finally made H and me kiss in front of all of them because they didn’t quite believe we actually touched each other. Mr. H and I never “dated” in the apartment when his roommates were home, because we always made sure to include his roommates in whatever we were doing — cooking, watching a movie, “Mario Kart” or just a discussion. It was the same with the other couple living there as well. If we wanted a true date, we went out, went to my one-bedroom apartment, or we would go into H’s room and shut the door. By keeping our relationship more or less sequestered, we spared our roommates from irritation and disgust. But because I was blessed with an ideal “roommates-in-relationship” situation, I’m not going to tell you that it’s the best decision for everyone. On the contrary, if you don’t like your significant other’s roommates and you don’t want to include them, then see your honey outside of their apartment. And also, just try to keep the roomies from any PDA awkwardness. Chances are that they didn’t sign up to see you and their roommate swapping spit. A final word of advice: Always remember to re-stock the toilet paper supply.
LAKEN RENICK -features staff writer -senior -engaged to a cartoonist
november 13, 2009
page 4
Tech chamber music celebrates poet with “Poe-ism” performance CARA MCBROOM features staff writer Twenty years ago composer, Gregory Hutter and Virginia Tech faculty member Tracy Cowden were practicing in the same piano studio as undergraduates. They lost touch and after more than 10 years of no contact, they found each other through a Web site: Facebook. “It’s very exciting for me to work with somebody I was a classmate with many, many years ago,” Hutter said. “It was a very auspicious reunion — Facebook of all things.” After being reunited, the pair began collaborating again and their work can be seen in a Saturday performance, “Poe-Ism.” Cowden will play “Spirits of the Dead,” a piece Hutter composed and based off of the works of famed American writer Edgar Allan Poe. Cowden requested Hutter to write a piece for her with Poe as the theme early this year. He started the piece on June 8 and completed it a month later. To celebrate the bicentennial of Poe, the pianist Cowden is joined by Renaissance Music Academy faculty
members and Patty Raun, director of the School of Performing Arts and Cinema. Raun will read the poems “Ulalume” and “The Sleeper” as part of the performance. “It’s an exciting mix around an interesting central idea,” Raun said. She listened to the music in rehearsal and said she believes that it has a very diverse style. “I didn’t choose poems that were the most famous ones,” Hutter said. “I basically chose some pieces that I thought would, first and foremost, lend themselves well to musical settings.” Hutter chose five poems that he said felt captured Poe’s melancholy tone: “Song,” “Hymn,” “Spirit of the Dead,” “The Lake: To —” and “To the River.” “The text weaves one cohesive mood in terms of the melancholy idea,” Hutter said. “As far as musical settings, I tried to reflect that as much as possible, with a variety of different musical techniques.” While Poe’s pieces share a mood, each has a unique construction. “These poems were very different as far as the structure,” Hutter said. “In terms of the rhyme and meter,
they’re almost like pop tunes. There’s certain symmetry to them where you have a rhyme almost every other line of text.” Hutter said this could also be problematic, causing songs to be too “square” or like pop music. “You can try to find ways to escape that symmetry or you can kind of go with it,” Hutter said. “In the end, I kind of tried to go with it and tried to find the natural meter. I didn’t try to fight it, I let it happen.” Hutter found it easy to set the poetry to music since the Poe’s work already had a rhythmic quality. “The music wrote itself in many perspectives,” he said. Pianist and performer Cowden said the goal of Saturday’s University Chamber Music performance is to expose the community to classical music. “The idea is that everybody has the capacity to understand classical music — this is one way to do it,” Cowden said. “We try to provide multiple points of interest for audience so that people have something familiar.”
Stylist starts fashion camp for children RACHEL SUTHERLAND mcclatchy newspapers CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Inspiration can be found in almost every situation. Just ask Nicole Sinclair. When the Charlotte, N.C., stylist’s husband of eight years was laid off from Wachovia last November, the couple had a “light bulb moment,” she says. They sent their son to camp for exposure to things he loves, so why couldn’t they create the same experience for budding fashion mavens? So five months after her husband, Clayton, lost that banking job, the pair launched Style Sanctum, a Huntersville, N.C., studio that helps children discover and nurture their creativity through fashion. The venture has been such a success, a second location will open Nov. 14 in south Charlotte. Opening the studio was a leap of faith, Sinclair says — one motivated by her passion for fashion and desire to share her knowledge, especially with young people. As a personal wardrobe stylist, Sinclair had forever been fielding requests from clients to help their daughters get an insider perspective on the fashion industry. “It was pretty scary, to see it all laid out there,” Sinclair says. “I was thinking, ‘I can’t do that, it’s too big, it’s too scary.’ But I kept thinking of all the little girls that I could help with fashion, help them learn how to draw, and I thought, ‘I have got to go for it.’” By April, they opened the space off Eastfield Road in Huntersville, N.C., hosting fashion classes and themed birthday parties. Sinclair has an infectious smile and a magnetic personality that softens the edges of her potentially intimidating fashion pedigree. A graduate of Parsons: The New School of Design, she worked at Bergdorf Goodman and Neiman Marcus before styling full-time. She blogs about fashion and regularly attends New York Fashion Week. Her experience adds a level of sophistication to classes, one that students may not appreciate until they are older. To her students, some as young as 7, she’s an affectionate big sister who has them play with color wheels, tells them it’s OK to draw and sketch, and leads field trips to Mary Jo’s Cloth Store in Gastonia, N.C., and Saks Off Fifth at Concord Mills. She’s also exposing them to industry visionaries such as Alexander McQueen, Christian
DIEDRA LAIRD/CHARLOTTE OBSERVER
Nicole Sinclair started a fashion camp after her husband lost his job. Cota and Balenciaga. By starting with the building blocks of fashion, Sinclair aims to create educated, empowered consumers for whom loving the Jonas Brothers and John Galliano isn’t much of a stretch. Valarie Udeh, whose daughters Chidera, 10 and Amara, 8, participated in summer camp at the studio, says Sinclair teaches more than just what labels are hot or why trends matter. “I wanted to give my girls the ability to make decisions about what it is that they like (in clothing), and what they put together,” Udeh says. “When I was young, it was Garanimals. You match the elephant with the elephant. Now, you can wear jeans and a sundress and it’s totally fine. “I want (my daughters) to create their own wardrobe and know that it is OK, even if it is different.” Style Sanctum offers 11 classes in six subject areas of fashion — including industry overview and introduction, drawing, construction, color and makeup artistry. Classes cost $95 (plus $30 for materials) and are held in six-week cycles, meeting once a week for about an hour.
The work is intense, in an ageappropriate way. There is some obligatory collage-making, but there are also discussions about draping, the importance of fit, fabric selection, even sewing. Angela Stephens-Owens enrolled her daughter Alannah Stephens, 9, in a weeklong Style Sanctum drawing class last summer. “(Alannah) started off Day 1 feeling hesitant,” Stephens-Owens says. “Everyone in the class was a little bit older than her, but by Day 2, I couldn’t get her to go to bed at night because she was too busy drawing the human figure (called croquis in the fashion design world) over and over in her notebook.” Stephens-Owens, who teaches interior design at Central Piedmont Community College in Charlotte, was impressed. Her fourth-grade daughter was learning about proportions and color theory, some of the principles she teaches at a college level. “(Sinclair) was not teaching the students to be brand snobs, or imposing her tastes on them,” she says. “She truly seemed to want to cultivate creativity, but while keeping practicality in check.”
opınıons 5
september 23, houchins 2009 editor: debra opinionseditor@collegiatetimes.com/ 540.231.9865
page B
COLLEGIATETIMES
november 13, 2009
The Collegiate Times is an independent student-run newspaper serving the Virginia Tech community since 1903
Your Views [letter to the editor]
Response to SSDP column
T
his is in response to Mark Goldsein’s column, “AntiDrug War does not equal prodrug,” (CT, Nov. 11). The drug war is largely a war on marijuana smokers. In 2008, there were 847,863 marijuana arrests in the U.S., almost 90 percent for simple possession. At a time when state and local governments are laying off police, firefighters and teachers, this country continues to spend enormous public resources criminalizing Americans who prefer marijuana to martinis. The end result of this ongoing culture war is not necessarily lower rates of use. The U.S. has higher rates of marijuana use than the Netherlands, where marijuana is legally available. An admitted former pot smoker, President Barack Obama has thus far maintained the prohi-
bition status quo rather than pursue change. Would Barack Obama be in the White House if he had been convicted of a marijuana offense in his youth? Marijuana decriminalization is a long overdue step in the right direction. Taxing and regulating marijuana would render the drug war obsolete. As long as marijuana distribution is controlled by organized crime, consumers of the most popular illicit drug will come into contact with sellers of hard drugs such as cocaine and heroin. This “gateway” is a direct result of marijuana prohibition. Students who want to help end the intergenerational culture war otherwise known as the war on some drugs should contact Students for Sensible Drug Policy at SchoolsNotPrisons.com.
ROBERT SHARPE policy analyst common sense for drug policy
Student Orgs [csecp]
Ut Prosim update for students to get involved I
n his book “The Call of Service,” Robert Coles cites Dorothy Day, a prominent social worker and journalist, as a model of someone who exemplified a “call to service.” In the conclusion, he explains that Dorothy’s call is not only “toward others — heart, mind, and soul — but also a call inward, a call to (her)self, a call that is a reminder ... of light in us.” This newsletter is an opportunity for the Office of Alumni Affairs and the new Center for Student Engagement and Community Partnerships to reveal that light and demonstrate that many Hokies are hearing and heeding their own calls to service. In it, we will document and share some of the wonderful community-oriented projects that individuals and groups are undertaking. These projects range from relatively simple, straightforward volunteer service (e.g., painting, cleaning) to far more in-depth and extended projects such as the collaboration with a local Head Start program that involves a graduate student organizing weekly deliveries of fresh fruit and produce from farmers involved in the local farmers market, and adding menus, recipes and advice for a healthier diet provided by an undergraduate class in dietetics. Given the preponderance of childhood obesity, particularly among families with lower incomes, such service fills many voids and builds not only healthy bodies but also provides essential information that could have a lifelong positive impact on the individuals and families
involved. In many ways, what we will share with you in these newsletters will be representative examples of Virginia Tech’s involvement in creating what the authors of Common Fire refer to as a “commons — a shared, public space of the sort that anchored the American vision of democracy.” This “commons” might be called Hokie or Ut Prosim Nation. Regardless of its name, our “commons” includes the many spaces where dedicated students, staff, faculty and alumni from our university work toward building community, toward sharing the many gifts of knowledge and experience they possess. And in this “commons,” Hokies (and their friends and families) practice and enact a more active form of citizenship that involves commitment and an acknowledgment of responsibility toward others. That enactment is a move in the direction of cultivating humanity and achieving the ideal of a world citizen, whose loyalties and obligations extend beyond artificially imposed boundaries. We hope you’ll enjoy the stories you’ll read here and consider sharing your stories with us. In addition, we hope that you’ll take time to learn more about our organizations by visiting our Web sites and our social media homes on Facebook.
JIM DUBINSKY csecp director, center for student engagement and community partnerships
MCT CAMPUS
Religious belief based on faith, theory based on fact A
common misconception in the public debate between evolutionary theory and Intelligent Design/Creationism is to call evolutionary theory “just a theory.” While it is true that it is a theory, the implied meaning is that one should not hold it in any considerable light, but to place it with common theories such as your friend’s theory on whether to drink beer or liquor first, instead of an idea that is peer reviewed, tested by multiple independent methods and considered by some of the brightest minds. The word “theory” has a considerably different meaning in normal conversation than in a scientific context. When your friend tells you that he or she has a theory about why Britney Spears shaved her head, hopefully the connotation for “theory” is that of a belief or a passing thought and not comparable to what you learn in a quantum mechanics class. This error is exactly the mistake in equating the two. Ken Ham, the person behind the creation museum in Kentucky and the Web site “Answers in Genesis,” often touts the idea that creationism uses the same data. But, by applying a different world view, he comes to the conclusion that all of the animals are created as they are with only minor differences based on “micro evolution.” While Ken Ham’s ideas fail the testability requirement to be science and fly in the face of common sense (Dinosaurs lived alongside man?), he does admit that “theory” in evolutionary theory has a stronger meaning. He does, however, misunderstand the definition by stating on his Web site “it is better to say that evolution is just a hypothesis or one model to explain the untestable past.” A hypothesis is very different from a theory. One can get a hypothesis from a theory by determining a prediction and using that as a hypothesis for an experiment. The theory, however, is a complete set
of ideas used to explain a series of related phenomena. Evolutionary theory intends to explain that the diversity of species is because of genetic changes and environmental pressures as a selection effect. A hypothesis would be that chimpanzees and humans are related because of the similarities in bone structure, DNA, etc., and there will be a common ancestor which connects the two lineages. Hypotheses are made to test theories and the conclusions determine the validity of a theory, but they are not the same. There are other false equalities made between this “theory as belief” and “theory as science” in the public debate. Certain theories and ideas labeled as religions by people who oppose the beliefs, usually the Big Bang and evolutionary theory, again to try to detract from their importance. It is ironic that this line of thinking is used by people arguing for the superiority of religion over science: Faith has nothing to do with scientific theory while it is often the backbone of religion. Perhaps there are a few people throwing the paper on the ground and saying, “No that is not true. What about axioms?” It is true that axioms are not proven but considered self-evident and a starting point to base inferences from. So perhaps you will ask “Then why can’t a god be simply an axiom upon which a religion is founded, thereby equating religion and science?” There is one thing that we have that can indirectly test axioms: reality. Oftentimes, in mathematics and physics we make certain assumptions, which we then bring to their logical conclusions and determine whether the conclusion is reasonable or not. If this leads to absurdity then you have to go back to your assumptions and look at what might have been a false assump-
tion. In reality we can view a world by what we assume to be if it were made by a god and compare that with reality, which would be a test for God or the “actions” of God without having to directly test God. Thankfully creationists do part of the work by making contrary claims to what we observe, such as separate lineages for species rather than the derived phylogenetic trees from multiple independent scientific fields. This does not disprove any god unless the god is entirely dependent on doing things opposite to what is observed in nature. If one has a theory, which depends on certain axioms, a test against reality will never prove that the axioms are true, but it will bolster one’s confidence in the assumptions. When a theory is found to be contrary to observation, then one has to change the axioms in which the theory is based. This is where theory and a simple belief are much different. One can hold to certain beliefs his whole life and never test them, but science only survives and is useful if it is tested. You can keep a belief that makes you feel good or as some aesthetic value and maintain it based on its meaning to you rather than whether it is objectively true. However, in science, if it is false, it isn’t held on to, it crashes and burns. A theory is not something that you believe in or not, but a framework to explain a subset of the universe and its validity is entirely objective.
BRIAN ROPER -regular columnist -senior -physics major -astronomy minor
Statistics show concealed carry saves many lives, takes few F
irst of all, let me begin by saying that Elilta Habtu submitted a wellwritten and well-researched article in Thursday’s paper. I was impressed at her determination to go through the process of obtaining a concealed carry weapon permit for the sake of the column. I do, however, wish to dispute some of her findings. As a CCW permit holder, I am legally able to carry a concealed handgun for my personal protection in all but a few places. I am a current student at this great university, and have been a lifelong hunter as well as an avid participant in the shooting sports. My love of hunting and target shooting has led me, through experience and a hunter’s safety course, to be very comfortable and safety-conscience when handling firearms. Whereas I have learned safe firearms training through my own determination, Habtu readily admitted that she had no experience or any desire to carry a handgun when she applied for her permit. The majority of people who are going to apply for permits are those who are already comfortable with firearms and wish to be able to legally protect themselves. As a member of the Virginia Tech Clay Target Team, I have many friends who either currently carry or plan on carrying in the future.
We are all competent with firearms, and we have all taken classes to receive our permit. If Habtu were actually planning on carrying and wished to actually know what she was doing, she would take the initiative to attend a classroom version of the CCW permit class. I will agree with her that the online class requirement seems easy to pass. This is a new amendment to the requirements. People who wish to do harm usually do not go through the process to become CCW permit holders. Habtu failed to mention the real deterrent to a criminal in receiving a permit, something that makes it much more difficult to obtain one than she admits to. The permit requires you to submit fingerprints and have a background check, something that a typical criminal would not submit to. In my opinion, the online class makes it easier for legal, eligible, upstanding citizens to mark off one step of the process. Those who wish to do harm to others wouldn’t bother to go through the process of obtaining a permit or taking classes. Denying responsible permit holders from carrying does nothing to stop the gun violence of criminals. Habtu’s article also brings up the statistic that four CCW permit holders have committed firearms-related
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murder this year, four in almost an entire year. How many crimes are committed each year by people illegally carrying firearms or with illegal firearms themselves? The U.S. Department of Justice states on its Web site that of the 16,137 murders in 2004, 66 percent or 10,650 were committed with firearms. The four occurrences she has listed seem to be outweighed by this statistic. The Texas Department of Public Safety released a study in May of 1999 that showed that permit holders in Texas accounted for 0.246 percent of all aggravated assault crimes that involved a deadly weapon, four out of 1,629 convictions. It also shows that there were 3,303 convictions for people unlawfully carrying a weapon: One percent of these were permit holders. In the year 1999 the rate of murder convictions for permit holders in Texas was zero percent. There were none. I think that you will find that the ratio of crimes committed by permit holders to total permit holders is a tiny percentage compared to crimes committed by those without permits. Permit holders have had to prove to a court that they are upstanding citizens with clean records. They are statistically the safest and most well informed people to be carrying guns, so the law allows them to. How many
lives have been saved this year by those carrying concealed handguns? The article “Richmond Store owner grateful for man who shot owner” (Richmond Times Dispatch, July 15), tells the story about a shooting in a convenience store that is not far from my home near Richmond. On July 13, 2009, a man entered the Golden Food Market on Jefferson Davis Highway in south Richmond. The man entered the store, shot and wounded the clerk, and fired at several of the store patrons before being wounded and subdued by a gunshot from a CCW permit holder who was in the store. Police determined that the shooter had run out of bullets and was attempting to reload at which point he was shot by the permit holder. In this case, the permit holder saved the lives of the eight people in the store. News reports also stated that the other citizens in the store urged the permit holder to shoot the man again and kill him. The permit holder refused and calmly awaited the arrival of police. There are a significant number of these cases in the U.S. each year. According to a study by criminologist Gary Kleck of Florida State University, there are approximately 2.5 million cases of people using firearms for self-defense in America each year. Also, according to the Department
of Justice’s 2007 Uniformed Crime Report, states with right-to-carry laws have a 30 percent lower homicide rate, as well as a 46 percent lower robbery rate. Four shootings by permit holders continues to be a tiny minority in gun crimes statistics. I will finish by saying that I fully support concealed carry on campuses, and I hope that in a life or death situation someone with a CCW is around. Statistics prove that the smartest and most responsible citizens carrying guns are permit holders. Do you think a deranged person is going to worry about whether or not he has a permit to carry? No; it’s the responsible people who care about those around them that choose to concealed carry. God forbid that Tech, or any other institution, experience a tragedy such as that of April 16, 2007. However, if a tragedy such as that were to occur, I could only hope to have the safety of Tech’s concealed carry permit holders.
ANDREW BUYALOS -guest columnist -senior -economics major
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november 13, 2009
ON
FIRE CHANTS
LETS GO HOKIES, LETS GO ...clap clap... LETS GO HOKIES, LETS GO!
WHEN WE HAVE THE BALL
Do spirit fingers above head leaning to your left, SLANT to your right immediately before the shot
DEFENSE ...clap clap... DEFENSE ...clap clap... DEFENSE
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Move your spiral in a circular motion
WHEN BROWN IS SHOOOTING FREETHROWS
Say BOING for every dribble, PASSSS for every pass.
WHEN WE ARE ON DEFENSE
Review your chants while opposing team is being announced!
HOKIES
november 13, 2009
november 13, 2009
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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
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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
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ACROSS 1 Apply lightly 4 Alice doesn’t work there anymore 8 Spring 12 Oft-named time 13 Some trick-ortreaters 15 Annual spring race, for short 16 “Smoking or __?” 17 Park official who tickets speeding bears? 19 More than upset 21 Dickinson output 22 Smallest allowable bet? 26 Pinnacle 27 It’ll grow on you 28 Tennis court ploy 31 Like some stockings 33 Drop the ball, e.g. 34 Course-plotting “Star Trek” crewman 35 Steals a plumbing supply? 39 Cubist Juan 40 Provide support for 41 Columnist Noonan 42 Tax form ID 43 Parsley relative 44 Field of study 45 San Fernando creator of fake van Goghs? 49 Zeal 52 They help get the lead out 53 Burrowing critter cited for excellence? 57 “Mazel __!” 58 Big picture 59 Pictures on a screen 60 Nile snake 61 “Forget it!” 62 Low islands 63 Some appliances DOWN 1 Casual fabric 2 Commercial suffix suggesting pasta
By Dan Naddor
3 Stereotypical pratfall cause 4 Web surfing tool 5 Pablo’s “that” 6 USPS delivery 7 Turkmenistan, once: Abbr. 8 Eyelid application 9 Certain Caltech grad: Abbr. 10 Citrus drinks 11 Combustible heap 13 They’re scheduled to be awarded at the Staples Center on 1/31/2010 14 International Court of Justice site, with “The” 18 Declare as fact 20 Wealth 23 Sweet-talk 24 Seniors’ D.C. lobby 25 Miss 28 Identifier seen on a carousel 29 Jackie’s designer 30 Hide, dog-style 31 PDA entries 32 “I’m all __” 34 Derisive looks
11/13/09 Thursday’s Puzzle Solved
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36 Suspect’s concern 37 Sledding spot 38 Hullabaloos 43 Scurry 44 “Parties must ever exist in __ country”: Edmund Burke 45 Spokesperson 46 Hoods with safe jobs?
11/13/09
47 Irregularly notched 48 Much of a brideto-be’s mail, for short 49 “Right on!” 50 Seized wheels 51 Crashing bore 54 Pen name 55 Doc bloc 56 Word with care or dream
sports 7
editors: joe crandley, alex jackson sportseditor@collegiatetimes.com/ 540.231.9865 COLLEGIATETIMES
november 13, 2009
Women’s soccer to play Murray State in NCAA Tournament MELANIE WADDEN sports reporter Coming off of a loss to conference rival Florida State in the Atlantic Coast Conference semifinals, the Virginia Tech women’s soccer team has garnered a No. 3 seed in the NCAA tournament’s UCLA bracket. The No. 17 Hokies will face the Ohio Valley Conference Champions, Murray State (11-82, 5-2-1), in Dayton, Ohio on Friday afternoon in the opening round. Having already claimed the best season in program history this year, the Hokies (14-7, 6-4 ACC) remain focused on achieving yet another of their season’s goals — advancing in the NCAA tournament. “We, as a team, revisited our season goals yesterday (Wednesday),” said head coach Kelly Cagle. “I think they realize how important each game is. There’s no postseason after a loss here. We’re going to focus on just taking each game one by one. One of this program’s goals was to get back-to-back NCAA tournaments and then to move throughout the tournament. I think they’re prepared to do that.”
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on the web Check out www.collegiatetimes.com to listen to a podcast with the women’s soccer coach.
]
Freshman forward Kelly Conheeney believes the team has the potential to advance far into the tournament, but she isn’t looking past Murray State. “Our first goal is to win the first game, because if we don’t win the first game, we can’t win the second game or the third game,” Conheeney said. “So, that’s our goal for now, and after that we’ll set another goal for ourselves, but that’s definitely a possibility. We can beat anyone we want to if we play the way we can.” In the first ever meeting between the two schools, the Hokies are looking to squash the Racers’ first NCAA appearance. Tech, who is playing in its third NCAA tournament and first back-to-back appearance, will have to find a
PS /SP LER MIL HUA JOS
way to get past the Racer defense. In its last eight games, Murray State has recorded seven shutouts on the heels of junior goalkeeper Tara Isbell. In those same eight games, the Racers have scored 10 goals while allowing just two. Despite the impressive defense, MSU has not yet faced a ranked opponent. The Hokies, while ranked No. 17 themselves, have faced seven top-25 teams and boast a 4-5 record against them. The Hokies attack, led by the trifecta of Conheeney, Jennifer Harvey and Marika Gray, has boasted 39 goals and 22 assists on the season and looks to extend those numbers on Friday. “I think for the first game, we just need to do what we can to get that first win,” Cagle said. “It’s just going to take our best effort in terms of trying to focus on the things that have made us good all year long — taking care of the small things, relying on our strengths, minimizing our weaknesses. “I don’t really think it is going to depend on the opponent as much as it is going to depend on just the start for us and how we take care of those things, and I think we’re in a good posiJOSHUA MILLER/SPPS tion to really do that.” If the Hokies defeat the Murray State Racers Redshirt freshman Amanda Gerhard dribbles by a Davidson player on Sept. 20. Friday afternoon, they will face the winner of the Marquette vs. Dayton game in a quick turnaround matchup on Sunday afternoon. “We would do a walkthrough (on Saturday),” Cagle said. “It’s going to have to be enough time. We’re just going to focus on Friday right now and then hopefully get to that point on Saturday. It’s a win that we’re hoping to get, and we’re definitely putting in the effort to do so.” Even though the Hokies Losses received a No. 3 seed for the ia Tech at tournament and arguably Vi 2 #1 rgin yland 0-1 #19 Mar could have hosted a regional, . Gray is taking the slight as a ia Tech vs #16 Virginon College 0-1 challenge. #8 Bost “No, I personally like road . ia Tech vs games,” Gray said. “I mean, I love home #17 Virginida State 1-2 Wins #4 Flor games and we would have loved to have a vs. Virginia Tech at home bid, but on the road it’s kind of like inia Tech #19 Virg #18 Virginia 2-1 te 0-2 ta S you get a chance to prove yourself and a id #6 Flor prove that you’re even better. Everyone . knows you can play at home, but if you Virginia Tech vs 1-0 win, people know you can play on the #1 North Carolina road, so it’s kind of more of a challenge.”
er against Top 2 Socc 5 Te s ' n am e m s Wo
h at #15 Virginia Tec 4-3 #5 Wake Forest
november 13, 2009
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AP Rankings TEAM
Tech hopes to shell out punishment against Terrapins
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
9-0 9-0 9-0 9-0 9-0 9-0 9-1 8-1 7-2 8-2 7-2 7-2 8-1 7-2 9-1 8-1 7-2 6-2 8-2 6-3 7-2 7-2 6-2 6-3 6-3
FLORIDA (39) TEXAS (10) ALABAMA (11) TCU CINCINNATI BOISE STATE GEORGIA TECH PITTSBURGH LSU OHIO STATE USC MIAMI (FL) HOUSTON OREGON IOWA UTAH OKLAHOMA STATE ARIZONA PENN STATE
VIRGINIA TECH WISCONSIN BRIGHAM YOUNG SOUTH FLORIDA CLEMSON STANFORD
ACC Standings ATLANTIC
1 2 3 4 5 6
CONF. OVR.
CLEMSON BOSTON COLLEGE FLORIDA STATE WAKE FOREST NC STATE
MARYLAND
COASTAL
LUKE MASON/SPPS
Redshirt freshman running back Ryan Williams breaks free from the East Carolina University defense on Nov. 5. Williams racked up 179 yards during the 16-3 win for Tech.
THE HOKIES WILL TRAVEL TO COLLEGE PARK TO TAKE ON THE STRUGGLING TERRAPINS SATURDAY ALEX JACKSON sports editor The No. 20 Virginia Tech Hokies hope to start their first winning streak in almost a month Saturday when they head to College Park to face the University of Maryland Terrapins. After dropping two straight games to conference foes Georgia Tech and North Carolina, the Hokies finally got back on track last weekend with a solid 16-3 victory over East Carolina University. “It’s been a tough couple of weeks here,” said Hokies head coach Frank Beamer. “I use the word relentless, and that’s exactly how I described this football team. They were relentless. They just kept coming back and coming back and fighting their way through it.” This week, the Hokies take on a Terrapins team that has been everything but relentless this season. Maryland is 2-7 overall and 1-4 in Atlantic Coast Conference play this
5
to Fear
year. During their 38-31 loss to North Carolina State last weekend, the Terps suffered another loss on top of the one noted in the final score. Midway through its game against the Wolfpack, Maryland’s starting quarterback Chris Turner suffered a knee injury that took him out of the game for good. After the game, Maryland head coach Ralph Friedgen was unsure of when or if he would return this season, but he did know Turner wouldn’t be able to go Saturday. “I think it’s his MCL,” Friedgen said. “We’re not sure yet how severe it is. He possibly could be done for a couple weeks, just depends on how severe it is.” With Turner out Saturday, sophomore Jamarr Robinson will get his first start behind center for the Terrapins. Robinson completed five of 11 passes for 27 yards and also ran for a team-
high 38 yards on nine carries last week after Turner went down. “I thought Jamarr got better as the game went on,” Friedgen said. “He’ll definitely play.” With a dual threat quarterback added to its system, Maryland will surely give Tech some looks no team has seen from the Terps this year. “Overall, I thought he made some plays,” Friedgen said. “He gives us some mobility, which is good.” The Hokies defense will need to be prepared for a new-look Terrapins offense, but if last week’s performance says anything, the Hokies will come ready. Against ECU, the Hokies allowed just 277 total yards and forced three turnovers. Tech’s defense performed much more like the unit that earlier in the season held Miami to seven points than the unit that got blasted by Georgia Tech for 28 points and 307 yards on the ground four weeks ago. “We played together and put the pieces together,” said Tech cornerback Rashad Carmichael. “We didn’t change anything. The Tech defense didn’t go
“
We played together and put the pieces together. We didn’t change anything. The Virginia Tech defense didn’t go anywhere. RASHAD CARMICHAEL CORNERBACK
anywhere. We stuck to the plan and executed it. That’s the difference.” Another facet of the Hokies that got back on track last Thursday was their running game. Redshirt freshman running back Ryan Williams put up big numbers against ECU on his way to eclipsing the 1,100-yard rushing mark, gaining 179 yards on the ground against the Pirates. Williams, who was clearly discouraged following Tech’s loss to North Carolina after he fumbled the ball late in the game against the Tar Heels to give them their shot at the win, was glad to get back on track. “That fumble did something to me mentally last week,” Williams said. “I think the only person that was going to be able to overcome what happened last
week was myself. “I realized that it happens to everybody. Nobody can be perfect.” Yesterday, Williams was named one of 10 semifinalists for the 2009 Doak Walker Award. The award is named after the three-time Southern Methodist University All-American running back and 1948 Heisman Trophy winner. One of just two rookies on the list, Williams, who is ranked ninth nationally with 1,109 yards rushing this year, must continue his success Saturday if the Hokies offense wants to get past Maryland’s impressive linebacker corps. Behind their defensive line, the Terrapins boast the No. 4 leading tackler in the nation, junior linebacker Alex Wujciak. Wujciak averages 11.33 tackles per game. On top of a sack and a forced fumble this season, he also recorded his first interception last week that he returned for 70 yards and a touchdown against N.C. State. Fellow junior backer Adrian Moten is impressive as well, amassing 52 total tackles, five sacks and 7.5 tackles for loss
4-2 3-2 2-4 2-4 1-4 1-4
6-3 6-3 4-5 4-6 4-5 2-7
CONF. OVR.
1 GEORGIA TECH 2 MIAMI (FL) 3 VIRGINIA TECH 4 DUKE 5 VIRGINIA 6 NORTH CAROLINA
6-1 4-2 3-2 3-2 2-3 2-3
9-1 7-2 6-3 5-4 3-6 6-3
this season. While the Terrapins’ record may not instill fear in the eyes of their opponents, Beamer knows the game won’t be a cakewalk, mainly because he knows the coach on the other side of the field. Beamer and Maryland head coach Ralph Friedgen began their careers together in the 70s at Maryland as graduate assistants and also coached together at The Citadel and Murray State. When the two take the field Saturday, they will face off for the fourth time as head coaches for their respective teams. Beamer is 3-0 in the rivalry. Both Tech and Maryland will be donning new uniforms Saturday afternoon. The Hokies will be wearing their new Nike Pro Combat uniforms, which were unveiled outside of Squires Student Center on Monday, while the Terrapins will be wearing camouflage uniforms from Under Armour to aid the Wounded Warrior Project. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. at Byrd Stadium in College Park and the game will be televised on ESPN 360.
ALEX WUJCIAK (#33)
TORREY SMITH (#82)
CAMERON CHISM (#22)
ADRIAN MOTEN (#54)
ADRIAN CANNON (#7)
102 total tackles 1 sack 5 tackles for loss 1 interception
44 receptions 630 yards receiving 4 receiving TDs 2 kick return TDs
47 total tackles 3 interceptions 6 pass deflections
52 total tackles 5 sacks 7.5 tackles for loss
35 receptions, 352 yards receiving 3 TDs
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