Thursday, August 25, 2011 Print Edition

On your mark, get set... see tomorrow’s football preview

Thursday, August 25, 2011

An independent, student-run newspaper serving the Virginia Tech community since 1903

www.collegiatetimes.com

COLLEGIATETIMES 108th year, issue 74

Weekend, page 2

News, page 4

Opinions, page 5

Sports, page 7

Classifieds, page 6

Sudoku, page 6

Maneuvering around the mess

BY CLAIRE SANDERSON | news editor Construction sites are a common sight around Virginia Tech and Blacksburg.

But for those who are new to town, here’s an overview of what is going on.

One of the biggest projects is the Main Street Improvement Project. Led and financed by the Town of Blacksburg, the project has changed the look of Main Street, spanning from College Avenue to the Price’s Fork intersection.

Work began in summer 2010 and is estimated to be complete by spring 2012. At a total cost of $11.5 million, the project has already decreased the number of lanes on Main Street from four to three, and added brick sidewalks throughout town.

The construction for the roundabout at the Price’s Fork intersection is ongoing.

In addition, students across campus are dealing with construction on Ambler Johnston Hall and West End Market.

The Ambler-Johnston project is two-phased,

with East Ambler Johnston renovations already completed. Now workers are renovating West Ambler Johnston, and when completed, Ambler Johnston will have a new entrance and air conditioning. The project costs $75 million and should be completed by summer 2012.

Construction in West End will add more room for seating. These upgrades cost $7.31 million, but the expected completion date for the project is yet to be determined.

A new dining hall, Turner Place, is set to be built on the academic side of campus by summer 2012 as well. It will be in the lot between Randolph Hall and ICTAS I, and will feature an Italian pizza and pasta restaurant, an upscale chophouse, a Japanese steakhouse and a section that will sell grab-and-go items. It will also house an espresso and gelato bar, as well as a crepe station.

Turner Place will offer about 700 seats and take the place of Shultz Hall. Therefore, it will also feature a large seating area for the Corps of Cadets.

COURTESY OF TOWN OF BLACKSBURG

The future roundabout at the intersection of Price’s Fork and Main Street will be done next spring.

First new fraternity house begins Oak Lane expansion OUT WITH THE OLD, IN WITH THE NEW: SIGMA PHI EPSILON HOUSE COMPLETION SET FOR FALL 2012 CODY OWENS news staff writer

COURTESY OF VIRGINIA TECH

A future view of the entrace to Ambler Johnston Hall, designed to enhance community.

COURTESY OF VIRGINIA TECH

Turner Place, a new dining hall, will feature two floors of dining as well as classrooms.

COURTESY OF VIRGINIA TECH

A future view of the Center for the Arts, expected to be completed by summer 2013.

A new fraternity house will join the Oak Lane community this fall — the first of 17 new additions.

Virginia Tech’s chapter of the Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity, whose current residence is on Clay Street, will have a new home in Oak Lane, which will cost between $2 million and $4 million, come fall 2012.

Construction on the house is set to begin the morning of Saturday, Sept. 3, before the Appalachian State football game, according to the Division of Student Affairs.

Each fraternity or sorority involved in the Oak Lane expansion plan will partner with the university to come up with funding and designs, allowing Greek organizations to show their individual character through the new chapter houses.

Ed Spencer, the vice president for student affairs, said 17 lots have been chosen for the Oak Lane expansion.

“When we get to lot six and beyond, then we would be closing down the golf course and building onto that,” he said.

But it will be quite some time before the six lots will be developed, so we will have more time with the golf course.”

The Sigma Phi Epsilon house will be developed through the Public-Private Education Act, which allows public entities like Tech to enter partnerships with private organizations like the fraternity, to create public projects.

Part of the Public-Private Education Act states that there must be a need for the project in question.

The brothers of Sigma Phi Epsilon all agree that the state of their current residence indicates a pressing need for a new charter house.

“The current house houses 10-12 brothers,” said Tom Norelli, the Sigma Phi Epsilon President. “It has some wear and tear from the last 40 years, so it’s a necessary upgrade at this point. For example, we don’t have a thermostat. We have a button that turns the heat on and off.”

In the partnership, one-third of the house’s cost is financed through alumni gifts, and the other two-thirds is paid through debt financing by the university, which will ultimately own the developed property.

“I say it’s a win-win because the donations that the fraternities collect will go to the Virginia Tech Foundation and will be tax deductible,” Spencer said.

“

It’s been a long time in the making, and the chapter, the alumni and a lot of people from the school are really excited about it.

It will house 36 brothers as well as a faculty fellow who will live there full time.

It will definitely be a step up from the old house.

TOM NORELLI PRESIDENT OF VIRGINIA TECH’S SIGMA PHI EPSILON CHAPTER

Whereas if a group built their own house off campus on their own, such donations would not be tax deductible. It allows us to have more Greek housing on campus at less cost.”

Additionally, the partnership allows Sigma Phi Epsilon to choose the architecture firm and contractor, headed by fraternity alumni, who Spencer said will have a personal interest in seeing this project completed.

The plans for the new fraternity house were initially developed in spring 2009 when

brothers indicated interest in moving away from the Sigma Phi Epsilon house.

The house, which the fraternity has occupied for the past 40 years, has become surrounded with development in past years.

“The area around our house is starting to get more developed,” said Tucker Barth, the Sigma Phi Epsilon Vice President of Communications. “Everything is encroaching on our house.”

The fraternity plans to sell the house on Clay Street, with proceeds going toward the new house. In the partnership, the fraternity must provide one-third of the development cost.

Despite a long history and a myriad of fond memories in their old house, the fraternity has indicated excitement for their move.

“It’s been a long time in the making, and the chapter, the alumni and a lot of people from the school are really excited about it,” Norelli said.

It will house 36 brothers, as well as a faculty fellow who will live there full time. It will definitely be a step up from the old house.”

Among the expansion in size, the plans for the new house include a design that meets LEED Silver standards and a future role as a learning community.

“I think it’s going to be hugely beneficial from an academic standpoint,” Norelli said.

We’re looking to applying to be a learning community, which entails having a faculty member live full time with us to provide a more enriching academic experience and break down the barriers between faculty and students.”

“This isn’t just a win for us.

It’s a win for the Greek community, for the school,” Barth said.

It’s a long time coming before we have a whole Greek row as designed, but once that’s done I think it’s going to change the demographic of the student body.”

2 weekend august 25, 2011

editors: chelsea gunter, patrick murphy featureseditor@collegiatetimes.com/ 540.231.9865 COLLEGIATETIMES

Hokie neighborhood to come alive with Gobblerfest Friday staff writer Gobblerfest kicks off its fourth year in a row on Friday to welcome new and returning students, faculty and staff, as well as community members.

The nine-and-a-half-hour event, with the theme “Welcome to the Hokie Neighborhood,” will provide opportunities for festival-goers to engage in the Blacksburg and Virginia Tech communities. It will enable students to become aware of more than 200 student organizations, programs, services and volunteer opportunities.

Gobblerfest will be held outside of Squires Student Center from the GLC Plaza, down College Avenue, and into downtown Blacksburg — booths will be set up along the streets for guests to visit starting at 4 p.m. However, festivities will run into early Saturday morning.

Drew Parcells, a sophomore chemical engineering major, attended the event last year and had positive words to share about his experience.

“I initially only went to see Super Smash Bros. perform,” he said, “but ended up staying for hours and participating in all the fun activities and checking out different organizations and programs.”

This year’s rides and games, which are sponsored by Tech Student Center and Activities, and the Student Budget Board, include mechanical swings and a bull, bumper cars, a radar speed pitch, double shot basketball, as well as a sports arena football throw.

There will also be a spirit rally on the Graduate Life Center lawn, a National Panhellenic Council DJ party in the Old Dominion Ballroom in Squires, a showing of the movie “Thor” in Colonial Hall in Squires sponsored by the Black Student Alliance, and a midnight meal sponsored by PK’s Bar & Grill, Top of the Stairs and Koofers.

Sandra Broughton, a Gobblerfest committee member, is especially looking forward to a wing-eating contest between Ed Spencer, the vice president of Student Affairs, and Mayor of Blacksburg Ron Rordam. This event will be held at 4:45 p.m. on the Henderson Hall lawn.

Another portion of Gobblerfest that will entertain the crowd is the live performances. The lineup includes Lolopolis, Faraday, Badunkafunk, Levi’s Gene Pool, Joshua Siezmore, Ross Flora and Pan Yammers. This year, the class of 2013 will sponsor the free Biz Markie concert, which will take place in the Commonwealth Ballroom

in Squires at 8 p.m.

Award-winning stand-up comedian and actor Moshe Kasher will also be performing. He has had several TV appearances on popular shows such as “Chelsea Lately,” “Late Night with Jimmy Fallon” and Comedy Central’s “Live at Gotham.” He will be performing in Colonial Hall in Squires at 10:15 p.m.

Come Friday, all these events will come to fruition — something Broughton is looking forward to.

“I’ve worked on Gobblerfest since its inception four years ago, and the most exciting part for me is when the set up is finished and the people start flowing into the street fair,” she said. “All the months of work and planning pay off when you see the audience having fun meeting people — getting involved.”

Those interested in volunteering for Gobblerfest, or would like more information on the event, can visit Gobblerfest.org.

schedule Gobblerfest Outdoor Festival (open to the public): 4:00 p.m.-8:00 p.m.

Class of 2013 Spirit Rally: 7:30 p.m. (Graduate Life Center Lawn) Late Night Activities in Squires Student Center: 8:00 p.m.-1:30 a.m.

Class of 2013 Kickoff Concert in the Commonwealth Ballroom: 8:00 p.m. (Commonwealth Ballroom) Indoor Events: 8:00 p.m.midnight BSA Movie “Thor”: 8:00 p.m.

Colonial Hall, Squires Student Center National Panhellenic Council Late Night Party: 10:00 p.m.-2:00 a.m. (Old Dominion Ballroom) Moshe Kasher will perform at 10:15 p.m. in Colonial Hall, Squires Student Center Midnight mean provided by PK’s & T.O.T.S: midnight; Williamsburg Room, Squires Student Center

FILE 2009 / SPPS

The Blacksburg-based Hoorah Cloggers perform a traditional Appalachian dance routine on College Avenue during Gobblerfest last year.

CAN’T MISS CLUBS

TORIE DEIBLE

SWINE CLUB This club is an advocate for the community on aspects of all things pig.

Aside from volunteering, they also host events and fundraisers.

DANCE MARATHON This new organization is currently planning to host an all-night dance marathon to raise money for the Carilion Clinic Children’s Hospital in Roanoke.

HULA HOOPERS AT VIRGINIA TECH This group includes student, alumini, faculty, and the Blacksburg community who have an affinity for hula hooping.

SUSTAIN LANE INITIATIVE This group plans and markets the new Virginia Tech Rally Towel campaign, which promotes sustainability on campus.

DANIELLE BUYNAK / COLLEGIATE TIMES

page B

4 news page 4

august 25, 2011 editors: claire sanderson, michelle sutherland newseditor@collegiatetimes.com/ 540.231.9865

august 25, 2011

COLLEGIATETIMES

Career Services provides free food, prizes and advising ANDREW REILLY features staff writer As the school year kicks off in a blast of sun-drenched excitement, post-graduate careers are likely the last thing on students’ minds, especially freshmen. Unfortunately, as any anxious senior knows, college goes by far too quickly to put off planning for the future.

Career Services is combating job-search apathy by fighting fire with fire — a party with free food, games, raffle prizes and a bit of information.

The annual tailgate is held at Smith Career Center on

the corner of Washington Street and West Campus Drive Friday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Career Services uses this event to kick off the school year in style, while educating students about the resources it has to offer.

“The annual tailgate party is pretty much our way to promote our services while making it fun for students with games and giveaways” said Jessica Caolo, a Career Services advisor.

While cornhole and free Domino’s pizza may be the biggest draw for students, Caolo hopes guests will stay for the networking opportunities. Fortune 500 companies, including Kohl’s,

ExxonMobil and SAIC will have booths set up in Smith Career Center to engage with students.

“It’s a great way to network, not just with us, but with employers because networking is such an important part of the job search,” Caolo said.

The appeal for employers is clear — the event drew close to 2,000 attendees last year, Caolo said. Students are the chief beneficiaries.

However, face time with representatives provides ample networking opportunities with companies who participate in the Hokies for Hire program.

“It’s a big deal for students because (companies) connect with students through Hokie For Hire,” Caolo said.

And it’s a great way for students to get on and start interviewing with these companies.”

Beyond networking opportunities, representatives, including Sarah Crockett, a graduate assistant, will be available to inform students about the services offered at the Smith Career Center.

“Everything from resume writing, cover letters, helping with graduate school applications, helping them decide what majors they want to possible

pursue, what careers they want to pursue after graduation, and everything in between,” Crockett said. “Anything job- or graduate school-related we can help with.”

The staff will also be providing information about future Career Services events. An emphasis is placed on preparation for the various career fairs this fall and events leading up to them.

Career Services hosts a “Resumania,” which is a full day resume review for students who want to get their resume critiqued before some of the career fairs and how-to seminars begin.

If all this career-search talk

sounds intimidating to freshmen barely a week into their collegiate careers, fret not — Caolo said the tailgate party is intended to live up to its name by providing students a great time.

“We have free food, games, free pizza — (students) should expect to just have fun, come out, relax, get to know Career Services, get to know employers, get to know our services and hopefully after being at the tailgate they’ll come back to us in the future and use our services,” she said.

Those interested in learning more about Career Services can visit Career.vt. edu.

Libyan rebels battle lingering resistance, Gadhafi still in hiding mcclatchy newspapers TRIPOLI, Libya , Libyan rebels continued to fight for control of the country Wednesday, clashing with supporters of Moammar Gadhafi near the airport with the help of foreign special forces, as journalists won their release from a hotel in the capital.

Several rockets landed near Tripoli International Airport, one apparently on the runway, and rebel commander Mukhtar al-Akhbar told CNN that four rebel fighters had been found bound and executed nearby.

NATO jets roared overhead amid explosions and automatic gunfire.

Rebels controlled the airport Wednesday but were struggling to capture an area to the east, according to CNN. Rebel leaders told the network they believed Gadhafi loyalists were trying to clear a route for the 69-year-old leader to escape.

Gadhafi's whereabouts remained unknown Wednesday as his nearly 42-year rule appeared to be coming to an end. Clashes

also broke out Wednesday at the vast Bab al-Aziziya complex from which Gadhafi ruled and outside the Rixos hotel, where about 40 international journalists had been trapped in recent days.

Soon after, CNN's Matthew Chance announced that the journalists had persuaded armed Gadhafi guards at the hotel to release them. No one was injured, he said. They left in vehicles supplied by the International Red Cross, he said, and were staying at an undisclosed location.

"We're immensely relieved that we're out of there, all of us, and we're essentially driving to our freedom," Chance said. Libyan rebel leaders told Al-Jazeera Arabic television that they controlled 95 percent of the country Wednesday, including the Bab al-Aziziya complex.

"Gadhafi's regime is 95 percent finished; 95 percent of Libya is under rebel control," Col. Abdallah abu Afra, a rebel spokesman, told Reuters. "He who governs Libya is he who controls Bab Aziziya and that is the reality of the matter. For us, Gadhafi is over."

Many of the rebel leaders were in Qatar for talks with Western and Arab envoys about releasing frozen assets and reconstruction aid.

The meetings follow appeals

by Libya's rebel government, the National Transitional Council, for $2.5 billion to begin rebuilding.

Rebel spokesmen in Benghazi said the council would move its headquarters from Benghazi to Tripoli this week. Rebel leaders were also still scrambling to find Gadhafi and his family. A $1.3 million reward for Gadhafi's capture was offered by a Benghazi businessman, who asked not to be identified, Council Chairman Mustafa Abdel-Jalil told Reuters.

"Any of his inner circle who kill Gadhafi or capture him, society will give amnesty or pardon for any crime he has committed," Abdel-Jalil told a news conference Wednesday.

In a local radio broadcast early Wednesday, Gadhafi said he had made a tactical withdrawal from his compound, which he accused NATO of leveling with airstrikes.

He vowed to fight to the death.

His last audio broadcast had

been Sunday.

He was rumored to have moved to his tribal stronghold of Sirte farther east along the Mediterranean, or perhaps to a hiding place along the border with Chad or Algeria. Or perhaps he was on his way to Venezuela, some speculated.

A longtime acquaintance in Russia said he had received a short telephone call in which Gadhafi said he was still in Tripoli.

The fast-moving rebel takeover plunged the capital into chaos, with celebratory fire from automatic weapons continuing in the streets Wednesday.

The red, black and green rebel flag flew over Bab al-Aziziya, which President Ronald Reagan bombed in 1986.

"There is no fear anymore," said Khaled Azwam, a man in his 30s, who sat in his car with his wife and two sleeping children.

They were waiting for things to quiet down so they could return home safely. "Gadhafi is almost gone."

The heavy fighting in recent days has taken a toll on the city's civilians. Dr. Fathi Arabi, an orthopedist at Tripoli's Central

who asked not to be identified, said the troops have helped rebels "improve their tactics."

The explosion of people power showed Libyans' rage at a regime that made them subject to Gadhafi's whim. But it also exposed challenges for both the rebel government in the eastern city of Benghazi, and for Western officials who conducted a bombing campaign that greatly assisted the rebel cause.

Evidence of lawlessness was pervasive Wednesday. Young men armed with assault rifles staffed checkpoints , part of a whole class of newly armed men who may not be willing to hand their weapons over to the authorities when the fighting is all over.

Though Gadhafi is accused of squandering the country's vast oil wealth, oil production ground to a halt during the conflict, and with it the national economy.

U.S. and European countries said Tuesday that they were preparing to remove a freeze on billions of dollars in Libyan assets to help rebel authorities restart the economy.

East Coast braces for hurricane Irene

what you’re saying //comments from online readers...

About the earthquake:

CURTIS TATE mcclatchy newspapers

Anonymous >> Felt very pronounced back and forth shaking in NW Blacksburg for at least 20 seconds.

Things creaked in the building a lot.

Crystal >> try being right down the rd from the town of mineral when it happend.. that stuff was crazy.. it busted up my work place and alarms on cars was going off and glass shaddering shelves falling over..

Anonymous >> Felt it in falling waters WV... the scariest experience ever! very intense!

About the forcible fondling behind Dietrick:

Anon >> Probably frat boys

Continued >> Maybe they were frat boys, maybe not. I'm sure there are plenty of non-frat boys who are not above this behavior. I hope she's ok.

anonymous >> Now isn't that interesting that this "groping" happens less than 3 weeks after a "gun scare" at Dietrick? When you take from a law-abiding citizen the means to defend themselves, this is what happens. The campus policy is very clear: our students do not carry weapons, they are defenseless against any attack. Disarming innocent citizens does not protect innocent citizens!

crime blotter

Hospital, reported between 50 and 100 dead and hundreds wounded at his facility alone by Tuesday afternoon.

The North Atlantic Treaty Organization, whose campaign of airstrikes has greatly aided the rebels, reported some continued resistance from Gadhafi loyalists. A senior NATO official told CNN on Wednesday that the war was "not over yet, although it's close."

"We continue to watch for flareups from around the country, where there are still going to be pockets of resistance. We are also watching the chemical weapons and Scud missiles to make sure they are not used in the endgame," he said.

Another NATO official said rebels were aided by foreign special forces, especially British forces, who have assisted rebel units by "helping them get better organized to conduct operations," the official said.

Special forces from Britain, France, Jordan and Qatar have traveled with rebel units from towns across Libya as they advanced on Tripoli, the official told CNN. The official,

WASHINGTON , As Hurricane Irene gathers strength in the Caribbean with it likely to reach the U.S. over the weekend, North Carolina finds itself once again in the path of a storm, and in the position of first responder.

Whether the state gets a direct hit from Irene or not, North Carolina disaster managers have a lot of experience dealing with storms and their aftermath, and that could benefit residents not only in the state, but also in areas along the entire East Coast.

"We're prepared," Gov. Bev Perdue said. "We have the best system in America."

A series of major hurricanes, starting with Hugo in 1989, gave North Carolina plenty of practice at emergency response. Hurricanes Bertha and Fran struck twin blows in 1996, followed

by Bonnie in 1998 and Floyd in 1999.

Another storm, Isabel, struck in 2003.

"I'm more comfortable with our preparedness now than I was 15 years ago," said Ryan Boyles, the North Carolina state climatologist.

Should Irene smack into the midAtlantic or Northeast instead, North Carolina officials said the state would be ready to provide its expertise, and its hospital beds, even for patients from several states away.

"We operate on the assumption that any major calamity on the East Coast could affect us," said Dalton Sawyer, the director of emergency preparedness for the University of North Carolina Health Care system. "If we're needed, we can offer whatever assistance is available."

Julia Jarema, a spokeswoman for the North Carolina Division of Emergency Management, said the state had sent emergency personnel nationwide this year to assist in other disasters, such as Western wildfires and Midwest floods.

"We've got some really good teams," she said.

Perdue said the Red Cross, the National Guard and the state Highway Patrol were ready for the storm. The

c-

Federal Emergency Management Agency has supply teams stationed in North Carolina with water, generators, tarps, food and baby formula. The Pentagon has designated Fort Bragg, N.C., as the base for FEMA's response to Irene.

As of midday Wednesday, Irene was moving northwest across the Bahamas with sustained winds of near 115 mph, making it a Category 3 storm. The National Hurricane Center in Miami forecast the storm to gather strength Thursday and become a Category 4, with sustained winds of more than 130 mph.

Though Irene's projected path has shifted east of coastal North Carolina, experts warned that the storm could produce damaging winds and flooding.

"If you were a betting person, it looks like it won't make landfall," said Chip Konrad, the director of the Southeast Regional Climate Center in Chapel Hill, N.C. "That's really good news in a sense.

But even with that track off the coast, there will be strong winds."

Bill Read, the director of the National Hurricane Center, said the storm could bring tropical-force winds to the Outer Banks as early as Saturday.

FEMA director Craig Fugate said Irene threatened residents along the entire East Coast.

"Even though it's a Category 3 and referred to as a 'major hurricane,' I've never heard of a minor hurricane," he said. "Even tropical force winds can cause damages and power outages well away from the center of circulations."

Konrad said the storm could affect a wide swath.

"Right now, Irene is really intensifying," he said. "She is large, and the models predict her to get larger."

While officials on most of North Carolina's barrier islands were standing by Wednesday, the most vulnerable, Ocracoke, began evacuating tourists, with residents expected to follow Thursday. Ocracoke, which has 800 full-time inhabitants, is only accessible by ferry.

Perdue said officials didn't want to take any chances with the safety of resi-

dents and visitors, but also didn't want to evacuate coastal areas prematurely during the last 10 days of the summer tourist season.

"Evacuation is a local government decision," she said. "We don't force it on a state level."

Perdue urged residents to prepare themselves. She recommended a threeday supply of food and water, updated emergency kits and family evacuation plans.

"The best planning goes on at the household level," Boyles said. "The next 48 hours would be a great time to sit down and touch base with family members."

If the evacuation order comes, Sawyer said, people should heed it for their own safety and let emergency workers do their job.

"Rescue is dangerous by nature, but the last thing we want to do is put (first responders) in more danger," he said.

"When people ignore evacuation orders, that's what they're doing."

James Lee Witt, who was the FEMA director under President Bill Clinton, said that most states in the storm's path knew what to expect.

"Because of 9/11, a lot of states and local governments are better prepared," he said.

But Irene could slam areas farther up the Atlantic coast that are unaccustomed to such storms.

The last major hurricane to strike New England was Bob in 1991. It packed sustained winds of 75 mph to 100 mph and storm surges of 10 feet to 15 feet from Connecticut to Massachusetts. It killed six people and caused $680 million in damage.

"This isn't something they're used to seeing," Boyles said.

When a magnitude-5.8 earthquake struck parts of the East Coast on Tuesday, it revealed the limitations of communications networks and potential evacuation routes.

Witt said the approaching storm could further test systems put in place after 9/11.

"The whole East Coast needs to be prepared to respond," he said.

1 3 2 1 6 5 4 0 6 5 6 4 6 5 5 1 4

V I O L A T I O N - A F F I D A V I T

date reported

time

offense

location

status

8/23/2011

11:45 a.m.

Forcible Fondling

Dietrick

Active

8/23/2011

8:30 p.m.

Possesion of Marjuana/Drug Paraphemalia

Special Purpose Housing

Arrested

arrestees

Jeffery M. Dale, 19, Alexander J Hilert, 19

13216540656465514

BORZOU DARAGAHI

opınıons 5

editors: scott masselli, gabi seltzer opinionseditor@collegiatetimes.com/ 540.231.9865 COLLEGIATETIMES

august 25, 2011

Students hurt by economic state hile we were all enjoyW ing our summers, and Blacksburg was a virtual ghost town, our nation’s leaders had quite the roller coaster of a season. We all watched as our representatives and senators in Congress bitterly argued over whether to raise the debt ceiling, and we anxiously awaited for a deal to be struck so that the U.S. could avoid defaulting on its debt. We watched as unemployment statistics all summer long remained bleak, and we all witnessed the first downgrade of America’s credit rating in our nation’s history.

Obviously I could go on an on about how President Barack Obama has been the worst this country has ever seen on all economic fronts (unless you enjoy seeing reckless spending — he is pretty good at that). He relentlessly attacked Republicans for their proposals to cut spending and address the debt, while he failed to produce a plan himself.

It was under his watch that S&P downgraded our credit rating for the first time, and it was his party in the Senate that simply didn’t even allow votes on the Senate floor on bills that were passed with bipartisan support in the House. However, as much as I’d love to elaborate on all of these issues, I only have enough space for one article, so I’ll focus on one of our biggest problems: unemployment.

Let’s focus on us college students. According to the Department of Labor Statistics, unemployment for people 20-24 years old, as of July, is 14.6 percent That’s the highest unemployment rate of any age group over 20, which is our age group — a scary thought.

Therefore, I have to ask this question: What college student in their right mind could possibly think Obama is handling the economy well?

What, exactly, has this president done to help lower the high unemployment? Nothing. His best attempt was his famous (or infamous) stimulus package of $787 billion passed in February 2009. A report released by the president’s Council of Economic Advisors reported that the stimulus bill would keep national unemployment below 8 percent.

We got the stimulus, and unemployment still peaked at over 10 percent. Before it was passed, Nancy Pelosi said, “Every day we don’t have a stimulus, 500 million Americans lose their jobs.” Actually, there’s just over 300 million people in this country, but I’m glad the stimulus kept every single American from losing their job — two jobs in some cases — in one day.

Fast forward to today. As millions of Americans are still out of work, our president claims to have a “plan” to create jobs,

but he’s taking a vacation before he releases it. Regardless of the fact that his so-called plan will surely just call for more government spending, I wouldn’t be complaining if Obama had simply released his plan before his vacation. He might as well have told the American people, “I know you guys need jobs, and I’ve got a plan to help you with that. But I’m going to go on vacation first, while you all suffer, and then I’ll come back and help you.” I guess that quote was accidentally deleted from his teleprompter.

Over the summer, Obama had this to say about our ailing economy, “You know, it’s just like if you had a bad illness, if you got hit by a truck, it’s going to take a while for you to mend. And that’s what’s happened to our economy. It’s taking a while to mend.” Yes, Mr. President, I agree with you, but you could at least try and fix things. Instead, your economic policies are putting that truck in reverse and running over the American people all over again.

Obama has shown time and time again that he can’t handle this economic mess. He doesn’t understand the problem. During his primetime speech about the debt ceiling in July, he said, “To make matters worse, the recession meant that there was less money coming in, and it required us to spend even more…” Where do I even begin with this quote?

This makes about as much sense as someone complaining they’re overweight, so they decide to eat more calories. Clearly this guy needs to learn some simple economics. We have less money so we need to spend more? Give me a break.

As he continued to talk about the nation’s debt, which has increased by $4 trillion under his presidency, the “anointed one,” as Sean Hannity calls him, still showed no comprehension of just how bad things are. He eventually gave one of my favorite quotes that he has ever said: “Now, every family knows that a little credit card debt is manageable…” What part of $14.3 trillion seems “little” to this man?

So tell me, as we all continue to work towards getting our degree from Virginia Tech and enter the job world, do you honestly think that Obama can give us a strong economy and enough jobs to go around? I sure don’t, and I hope you don’t either.

MATTHEW HURT -regular columnist -junior -political science

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.

The Collegiate Times is an independent student-run newspaper serving the Virginia Tech community since 1903

MCT CAMPUS

London riots mishandled the London riots gripped As the world, people throughout the United Kingdom were forced to worry about their physical security as the political situation continued to deteriorate. Despite the continued lawlessness in the country, no measures were taken to stem the violence — a hazardous decision. The harrowing images and videos that pervaded the Internet during the riots allowed outsiders to realize the truly perilous state the country was in.

As a direct consequence of the riots, sales of aluminum bats on Amazon U.K. increased by 7,000 percent in a matter of days — a telling sign that police enforcement had failed. This shocking statistic exposed the state of British police strength and the real fear that was rife throughout communities. As one person noted on Amazon, bats are “the perfect alternative to a society that is progressive (and) that has long banned firearms. It’s long cylindrical taper design is perfect for distributing brain matter of feral youth trying to harm you” and, amusedly, gave it a five-star rating.

As the British parliament, and more specifically Prime Minister David Cameron, grappled with the idea of using rubber bullets for the first time on British soil, a survey conducted by The Sun showed that 90 percent of those surveyed backed the use of water cannons against rioters, while 33 percent approved the use of live ammunition by police. Although none of these methods were used in the weeklong riots, this brings up a bigger question of riot control and the appropriate methods. Would tougher methods have ended the riots sooner or simply inflamed the rioters further?

In the United States, people are accustomed to police officers carrying firearms. Yet, throughout the U.K., the vast majority of officers carry little more than a nightstick — relying on a system of public polic-

ing that intends to make firearms unnecessary. This clearly shows a difference in enforcement between both countries. According to a U.N. survey of crime trends, the U.S. has five fewer crimes per 1,000 citizens (85 compared to 80) than the U.K. Despite any differences numerically, both countries were rated in the top 10 worldwide for this measurement. Although it’s more likely this survey represents willingness to report crime — as evidenced by the fact that Yemen apparently has one crime per thousand citizens — it’s safe to assume that these two countries are fairly close in crime per capita. The U.S. has been far more willing to take a tougher stance on riots and protests, as shown by the use of water cannons during the civil-rights era — which, in that case, inflamed protests further (and rightly so). Despite any political baggage associated with riot control, a tougher stance on looters in the U.K. would likely have led to a quicker end to the rioting.

Once the British government ordered reinforcements in the range of 16,000 officers, the situation gradually calmed. The mere presence of more policemen led to the eventual conclusion of the riots, that much is clear. It’s safe to say, then, that a quicker response would have had the same result, only sooner. British reluctance to act swiftly and forcibly allowed the rioting to continue far longer than it should have, and the public acted accordingly. Any time people are forced to take safety into their own hands is a clear indication of a failure on part of the government. The U.S. government received considerable criticism following Hurricane Katrina and the widespread looting that took place, much in the same way that Cameron’s government has been criticized. This anger at the lack of protection was rightly placed on the government. In cases of lawless mobs, police intervention should be direct and effective.

There are various methods that could have, and should have, been employed in response to the riots.

Devices such as long range acoustic devices and the Israeli “Scream” emit high frequency and high decibel sounds that cause pain akin to standing feet away from a jet engine. These non-lethal devices are designed to cause quick crowd dispersion and prevent any further rioting. Beyond this, there are devices that affect other senses, such as the “Dazer Lasers” from Laser Energetics that has the capability to dazzle people from over 2 kilometers away. Despite these options, the British government chose to allow the riots to remain out of hand until it was too late to prevent such widespread damage.

Granted, a considerable amount of riot control is steeped in a history of injustice. But when 90 percent of citizens surveyed support some form riot control (water cannon), then that is a clear indication that something must be done. In situations where anarchy is running rife, all cards must be on the table, yet the British government acted as though the majority were simply not available. In an age when communication allows flash mobs to form with little notice, law enforcement must be similarly capable of rapid deployment. The British government failed to react in a timely manner, and as a result, lives were lost, millions of pounds worth of damage caused, and fears about European stability shook stock markets worldwide. Given the facts and consequences, Cameron’s government cannot avoid reprehension for their failure to swiftly act in the necesarry manner.

JORDAN PLAHN -regular columnist -sophomore -engineering science and mechanics

Inter-faith dialogue necessary ow is it that the same issues of H stereotyping, generalization, and overall misunderstanding between the major religions of the world still plague us as they did a thousand years ago? One would think with the world being diverse and having the largest wealth of knowledge ever, mutual existence would not be an ongoing dilemma. A mentality of “us” and “them” is still abound and arguably growing stronger, as the truth behind the tragedy in Norway, which was so starkly epitomized for the world last month.

Following the mass shooting, which killed at least 85 people, many pundits were quick to judge, holding “Muslim extremists” accountable for the disaster. Instead, despite some speculation as to cohorts, Anders Behring Breivik, described by the Washington Post as a “right-wing anti-Muslim extremist and self-styled crusader,” confessed to being killer.

The quickness with which the original conclusion was reached — and the minimal evidence that accompanied it — belie the shortcomings of religious tolerance campaigns.

Perhaps some people have become more tolerant of the existence of other people different than themselves, but many have not yet begun to regard other religious cultures and histories for their significance and value. This, I would argue, is where the root of the issue rests. People have come to tolerate others’ differences as long as they do not visibly play a role in their lives. The large majority of relations between faiths in America and much of the world, particularly and most recently in Europe, have come to be summarized by a “you do what you do, I’ll do what I do” outlook.

Animosity and nationalism return when differences in religious culture become visible, such as the wearing of the hijab by Muslim women, which some European countries have now banned in an attempt to keep their countries’ culture “pure.”

By no means will the world revert back to one where groups of certain cultures similar to only each other will live in seclusion in segregated communities. The world and its people are diverse, heterogeneous and complexly varied, where adaptations will be the only way forward. In terms of religion, which has been a steadfast point of contention, interfaith dialogue delves deeper than “tolerance is the cure.”

Beyond the basic threshold of tolerance of others’ differences rests the deeper necessity for appreciation and respect. Tolerance, in reality, is the minimal foundation upon which coexistence can begin. Interfaith dialogue goes beyond understanding what the dogma of a particular religion is, and instead should reach into the hearts of the believers of the faith and its history.

I recently came across “Out of Cordoba,” a documentary aiming to muster up exactly that — appreciation between the world’s major religions for what they, together, have brought to the world. The documentary highlights contemporary individuals who challenge the idea that the West and the Muslim world inherently and inevitably clash, following the legacy of two great philosophers from Cordoba, Spain — Averroes the Muslim, and Rabbi Moses Maimonides the Jew. The film shows how Muslims, Christians and Jews can reach for coexistence amid heightened extremism in all three reli-

gions, as well as a commitment to understanding their religious traditions as sources of democracy and human rights. This documentary was so well-received that it was screened at the United Nations Headquarters in New York City this past February.

It is interfaith efforts such as this that will, in due time and with enough vehemence, resonate to bring about mutual appreciation and respect.

World-renowned author Deepak Chopra has also brought attention to the everlasting need for interfaith dialogue, going as far as naming one of his articles on the subject “Only Spirituality Can Solve The Problems Of The World.” He defines spirituality as an awareness of our universality.

And he attributes interfaith dialogue and spiritual awakening to the prospect of “healing” the troubles and animosity entrenched in the world we know.

It is clear that a movement toward awakened acceptance beyond mere tolerance is on the horizon. Instead of fleeting from the increasing heterogeneity of religious culture in each nation, coming to grip with the reality of diversity will be inevitable. No nation can afford to cling to the past, meaning the only way forward will be accomplished through dialogue that stirs appreciation and respect for the value difference offers.

NOOR KHALIDI -regular columnist -senior -economics and urban affairs major

Collegiate Times Editorial Staff Editor in Chief: Zach Crizer Managing Editor: Lindsey Brookbank Design Editors: Danielle Buynak, Victoria Zigadlo Public Editor: Justin Graves Public Editor: Sarah Watson News Editors: Claire Sanderson, Michelle Sutherland News Reporters: Josh Higgins News Staff Writers: Erin Chapman, Meighan Dober, Abby Harris, Elizabeth Haydu, Cody Owens, Mallory NoePayne Features Editors: Chelsea Gunter, Patrick Murphy Features Reporters: Nick Smirniotopoulos Features Staff Writers: Courtney Baker, Torie Deible, Dane Harrington, Kevin McAleese, Andrew Reily Opinions Editors: Scott Masselli, Sean Simmons Sports Editors: Matt Jones, Zach Mariner Sports Reporters: Michael Bealy, Nick Cafferky, Courtney Lofgren, Josh Oarcell Sports Staff Writers: Eric Avassi, Zander Baylis, Alyssa Bedrosian, Cody Elliott, Taylor Hay, Alex Koma, Ashleigh Lanza, Brian Marcolini, Cody Owens Photo Editor: Daniel Lin Special Sections Editor: Liana Bayne, Nick Cafferky Public Information Director: Dishu Maheshwari Training Director: Kelsey Heiter Copy Chief: Spenser Snarr Copy Editors: Debra Houchins, Nora McGann Layout Designers: Nadia Groome, Kaitlyn Kicia, Bethany Melson, Matthew Ryburn Online Director: Jamie Chung Collegiate Times Business Staff Business Manager: Philipp Kotlaba Student Publications Photo Staff Director of Photography: Paul Kurlak Lab Manager: Austen Meredith College Media Solutions Ad Director: Brandon Collins Asst Ad Director: Matt Freedman Account Executives: Brian Dickson, Alyssa Brown Inside Sales Manager: Mario Gazzola Assistant Inside Sales Manager: Adam Shata Assistant Account Executives: Kevin Jadali, Janssen Claudio Creative Director: Casey Stoneman Asst Production Manager: Colleen Hill Creative Services Staff: Danielle Bushrow, Michael Craighead, Alyssa Morrison, Molly Vinson Voice your opinion. Readers are encouraged to send letters 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 a name and daytime phone number.

Students must include year and major.

Faculty and staff must include position and department. All other submissions must include city of 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, which is composed of the opinions editors, 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.

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 direct 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. To order a reprint of a photograph printed in the Collegiate Times, visit reprints.collegemedia.com.

Subscription rates: $65 semester; $110 fall/spring. The first copy is free, any copy of the paper after that is 50 cents per issue. © Collegiate Times, 2011. 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.

august 25, 2011

page 6

Steve Jobs unexpectedly declares resignation as CEO of Apple Patrick May & Brandon Bailey

Community."

Apple offered no further detail on why Jobs was stepping down. The 56-year-old Jobs has been on his third medical leave after previously being treated for pancreatic cancer and a liver transplant.

The company said the board had voted to elect Jobs as chairman. In his letter, Jobs told the Apple board, "I would like to serve, if the Board sees fit, as Chairman of the Board, director and Apple employee." He also recommended the company implement its succession plan by naming Cook as CEO. "I believe Apple's brightest and most innovative days are ahead of it. And I look forward to watching and contributing to its success in a new role," Jobs added. "I have made some of the best friends of my life at Apple, and I thank you all for the many years of being able to work alongside you."

mcclatchy newspapers SAN JOSE, Calif. , Steve Jobs has resigned as CEO at Apple, the company he co-founded at age 21 and turned into an international business icon, known for its tremendous profits and elegantly designed devices like the iPhone, iPad and Mac computers.

The Cupertino, Calif., company announced Wednesday that veteran executive Tim Cook has been named as Jobs' replacement.

In a letter released Wednesday afternoon, Jobs said the time to leave had arrived.

"I have always said if there ever came a day when I could no longer meet my duties and expectations as Apple's CEO, I would be the first to let you know.

Unfortunately, that day has come," Jobs wrote, in a letter addressed "to the Apple Board of Directors and the Apple

Campus Events

s i s a O

THE BIGGEST POSTER SALE. Biggest and Best Selection. Choose from over 2000 different images. FINE ART, MUSIC, MOVIES, MODELS, HUMOR, ANIMALS, PERSONALITIES, LANDSCAPES, MOTIVATIONALS, PHOTOGRAPHY. MOST IMAGES ONLY $7, $8 AND $9 SEE US AT Plaza in Front of Bookstore ON Wednesday Aug. 17th thru Friday Aug. 26th, 2011. THE HOURS ARE 9AM6PM. THIS SALE IS SPONSORED BY University Bookstore

ld Ma Wor

The letter was signed, simply, "Steve."

In a statement released by the company, Apple director Art Levinson praised Jobs for his iconic role at the company.

"Steve's extraordinary vision and leadership saved Apple and guided it to its position as the world's most innovative and valuable technology company," said Levinson, who is also chairman of Genentech.

"Steve has made countless contributions to Apple's success, and he has attracted and inspired Apple's immensely creative employees and world class executive team. In his new role as Chairman of the Board, Steve will continue to serve Apple with his unique insights, creativity and inspiration."

Levinson added that the board "has complete confidence that Tim is the right person to be our next CEO. Tim's 13 years of service to Apple have been marked by outstanding performance,

and he has demonstrated remarkable talent and sound judgment in everything he does."

Cook, who had been acting in Jobs' place while Jobs was on medical leave, had previously served as chief operating officer, responsible for the company's worldwide sales, supply chain and other operations. He also headed Apple's Macintosh division.

The 50-year-old Cook had previously stepped in for Jobs in 2004 and 2009.

While many analysts have praised Cook's leadership and operational skills, he has big shoes to fill. Jobs is practically worshipped in Silicon Valley for turning Apple around and achieving its current position as one of the most profitable companies in the tech industry.

Apple's stock dropped more than 5 percent in after-hours trading Wednesday after the company released Jobs' letter.

Take a study b reak!

rket

We have a wide selection of imported groceries and snacks from over 50 countries!

Try Wasabi Peas, Plantain Chips, Choco Pie, Salmon Jerky and other exotic snacks!

Volunteers Wanted

Indulge in our selection of beverages...

Gourmet cane-sugar sodas Orangina Natural energy boosters and many more!

HONOR STUDENTS: Phi Sigma Theta National Honor Society is seeking motivated students to establish a campus chapter. Contact: Director@ PhiSigmaTheta.org

For Sale Virginia Tech Sweatshirts Heavyweight 12.5 oz. VT hoodies by Derrin. Now available at www.derrinusa.com.

540-953-3950

visit us online for events & specials! www.oasiswm.com

Open 7 Days a Week!

Friday 9 am-9 pm All other days 10 am-8pm

1411 S. Main St. Blacksburg, VA

WORDFIND • Theme: ARTISTS Locate the list of words in the word bank in the letter grid.

R

Y

H

U

F

Y

P

K

Y

N

O

E

S

C

H

E

R

O

O

X

D

A

S

O

I

Q

T

D

H

C

E

U

K

X

U

Q

C

C

S

S

C

E

Z

A

N

N

E

I

J

A

V

V

R

S

K

L

E

G

G

Z

A

F

K

M U

N

Y

J

A

B

Z

T

W S

L

I

C

H

T

E

N

S

T

E

I

N

N

X

T

A

E

G

L

A

H

C

V

E

D

C

D

H

R

J

G

P

L

S

L

J

J

I

S

O

J

E

E

A

E

M R

U

O

I

K

S

L

N

D

A

V

I

N

C

I

W L

U

T

X

G

H

E

A

E

G

V

V

Y

J

G

J

E

E

K

I

K

M H

U

P

C

X

H

O

P

P

E

R

E

L

A

T

G

A

F

F

P

W U

R

J

S

L

T

J

P

R

P

R

Y

K

A

H

L

O

T

H

W E

S

R

J

H

T

B

S

R

S

W F

R

R

L

R

Z

Q

L

A

R

F

Q

L

M O

N

E

T

R

O

O

L

O

L

U

S

C

X

S

U

I

J

I

K

T

R

C

G

M O

Q

Z

N

V

I

F

W A

R

H

O

L

T

W X

X

D

C

S

D

M R

P

T

X

S

G

U

E

J

K

E

P

C

V

K

I

H

R

A

P

H

A

E

L

S

W V

M G

F

S

L

F

T

I

E

A

I

F

C

M U

N

C

E

F

E

E

K

O

N

H

By Dan Naddor ACROSS 1 Hardly a walk in the park 5 “American __” 9 Provok e 13 Russo of “T in Cup” 14 Heavyweight fight?

15 Snoring cause, perhaps 17 Lodging surplus?

19 Settles in 20 Versace creation?

22 Blotter letters 25 However , contracted 26 Bygone Chrysler 27 Target of a military press

F

WORD BANK Cassat Cezanne Dali DaVinci Escher Hopper Kahlo Klimpt Lichtenstein Monet Munch O’Keeffe Picasso Pollock Raphael Rockwell Van Gogh Warhol

8/26/11 29 Animal rights org.

31 Penn et al.: Abbr.

32 Backed up, in a way 35 Quad building 37 Misplaced Yogi and Smokey?

42 Limo occasio n 43 Maker of pianos and bikes 45 Pacific salmon 49 Scholarship drive donor 51 Carnival starting point?

52 Blood specification 54 “Gotcha!”

57 Hydroelectric structure

58 Plant at Sotheby ’s?

61 Busted 62 Investment in fine fabric?

66 __ acid 67 “Night” author Wiesel 68 Way-back-when time 69 Coatrack items 70 Just slightly 71 Classic theater name DOW N 1 What ’s a little past due?

2 Name fit for a king?

3 Tonsillitis M.D.

4 “Felicity” star Russell 5 Thomas of the NBA 6 Maker of tires and tennis balls 7 Present opening?

8 Silicon Valley city 9 Grammy category 10 Met expectations?

11 Supplement 12 Reveals 16 Clubs: Abbr.

18 One of two authorized U.S. iPhone carriers 21 Close at hand 22 Flap 23 __ Ration 24 Designer Gucci 28 “My country __ ...”

30 Swelling 33 Additive sold at Pep Boys 34 Pembroke or Cardigan dogs 36 Start of an apology

38 View fro m Edinburgh 39 Band aid?

40 Bust 41 2000 World Series stadiu m 44 Ready for battle 45 Army attack helicopter 46 Cloverleaf component 47 Duf f 48 Pleasure trip, and a hint to this puzzle’ s them e 50 Flowering plant used for food by the Aztecs 53 Yucatán youngsters 55 Hoofed it 56 Roker and Rosen 59 Bank deposit?

60 About 10 trillion kil.

63 Valentin e symbols 64 ’80s-’90s Honda model 65 Critical

Thursday’s Puzzle Solved

(c)2011 Tribune Media Services, Inc.

8/25/11

sports 7

editors: matt jones, zach mariner sportseditor@collegiatetimes.com/ 540.231.9865 COLLEGIATETIMES

august 25, 2011

Men’s soccer hopes to keep up in tough ACC COURTNEY LOFGREN sports reporter After finishing with five wins in each of the last two seasons, the Virginia Tech men’s soccer team is set to kick off its season Saturday against Howard University with hopes of winning at Thompson Field.

The task will not be easy, as six of Tech’s key opponents in the ACC are ranked in the top 25 in the nation, including Maryland, Virginia, Boston College, Wake Forest, North Carolina and Duke. The Hokies will also play Old Dominion and William & Mary who are also nationally ranked.

Coupled with a roster made up primarily of freshmen and sophomores, the team has a challenging task ahead this season, said third-year head coach Michael Brizendine.

“Week in, week out, we’re playing the teams that are the top 20 in the country,” Brizendine said.

“The tough part is continuing to battle through. The quality of the teams we play in the best conference in the country — there’s a couple of teams that can win the national championship out of our group. This young group needs to get a taste of what it’s going to be like, especially for years to come.”

The ACC preseason poll, which was released Wednesday, picked the Hokies to finish last in the conference, which was not necessarily surprising, given the team’s playing in the last two years.

The poll picked North Carolina, earning 78 points, to win the ACC. The Hokies earned just 11 points and were predicted to finish ninth. The team begins ACC play Sept. 10, at home against North Carolina.

MAZIAR FAHANDEZH / SPPS

Sophomore goalkeeper Kyle Renfro clears the ball during last year’s match against Clemson.

Architecture Art & Design Students Everything you need when you need it

Express Yourself.

Write Design Paint Draw

We have the knowledge, the selection, the prices and the reward program to benefit you

www.silhouette.collegemedia.com Open till 10pm!

125 N. Main St 540-552-1020

Downtown Blacksburg www.mishmish.com

Although many may have already counted Tech out on the soccer pitch, captain James Schupp, a fifth-year senior, doesn’t mind.

He prefers the role of the underdog as opponents may take Tech more lightly because of its performance over the last few years.

“The underdog will probably help us — opening the door so we can show people what we

“

The quality of the teams, we play in the best conference in the country — there’s a couple teams that can win the national championsip out of our group.

MICHAEL BRIZENDINE HEAD COACH

can do, and we will,” Schupp said.

One factor that may help Tech upset some of its opponents is that most of the players are healthy, including starting goalkeeper Kyle Renfro.

Renfro, a big contributor last year during his short time on the field, was limited to just seven games last season before having surgery on both of his shoulders. He’s now healthy and ready to contribute to the team. Goalie Hunter Maricle may also be a big contributor as well.

Brizendine recently named Schupp and junior David Firello captains for the season —both are two of the four upperclassmen on the roster.

Brizendine and the coaching staff are relying heavily on upperclassmen to help with the underclassmen’s transition to college soccer. Brizendine said

himself and other upperclassmen are acting as an extension of the coaching staff, teaching younger players while playing alongside them.

“We have some great young kids, and they’re going to follow that leadership and embrace it,” Brizendine said. “I’ve seen it in this preseason — our leadership has kept propelling us forward.”

Freshman Ben Strong, a midfielder, said the team would try to compete against the top teams in the country. He believes the biggest adjustment underclassmen face is the game’s speed.

“Our first scrimmage we didn’t realize how fast the play was,” he said.

Heading into last season, the team’s goal was to improve on the 2009 campaign in which they had 12 losses. Brizendine said the team will also try to improve from last season, something he has already noticed, mainly on the defensive end of the ball.

The players have also noticed a difference in the team’s play so far. Schupp went to the NCAA tournament four years ago and has experienced a rollercoaster ride in terms of winning with the team.

He noticed a difference when the team got together for spring practices and was more impressed when the freshmen started practicing with the team earlier in the summer.

“It’s been a lot better than last season so far,” Schupp said.

“We’re able to keep the ball and start to play some soccer, and as long as we continue to go, we’ll play pretty well.”

Tech’s game against Howard is scheduled for kickoff at 7 p.m.

Saturday.

Follow the writer on Twitter: @CourtneyLofgren