Tuesday, December 6, 2011 Print Edition by Collegiate Times

SWEET DEFEAT Tuesday, December 6, 2011

Do the Hokies deserve to go to the Sugar Bowl? read more on page nine

n Sunday night, it was announced that the Virginia Tech Hokies would take on the Michigan Wolverines in the 78th annual Allstate Sugar Bowl on Jan. 3, 2012, in New Orleans, La. Despite losing the ACC Championship Game 38-10 on Saturday night to Clemson, the No. 11 Hokies received an at-large bid to one of the five prestigious BCS bowl games. The Tigers will face Big East Champion West Virginia in the Discover Orange Bowl on Jan. 4.

This marks the first time the ACC has ever put two teams in BCS bowl games in the 14-year history of the current system. The game will be Tech’s fourth Sugar Bowl appearance, all under head coach Frank Beamer. They beat Texas 28-10 after the 1995 season, lost to Florida State 46-29 in what was the 1999 national championship game, and fell to Auburn 16-13 after their inaugural ACC season in 2004. This will also be the first meeting between the Hokies and Wolverines.

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COLLEGIATETIMES 108th year, issue 122

News, page 2

Arts & Entertainment, page 7 Opinions, page 5

Hokies navigate maze of debt

Sports, page 9

Classifieds, page 6

Sudoku, page 6

Beards for a cause

PAYING FOR SCHOOL CREATES QUESTIONS AS EACH STUDENT MUST FIND OWN ANSWERS MALLORY NOE-PAYNE news staff writer As the amount of student debt creeps closer to the trillion-dollar threshold, it has far surpassed any other type of debt in the country. Students have become the largest consumers of credit, owing more money for their education than people owe for credit card bills and mortgages. For many, taking on this debt is a decision made while still a senior in high school. The conversation surrounding student debt involves EFCs, FAFSAs and a whole host of o t h e r unruly acronyms w hos e full forms o f t e n hold less me aning than their shortened ones. And yet, as students and their families toil over the forms and documents with often incomprehensible language, they will be the ones to feel the acute effects of the financial decisions they make now years down the road. This is why we’ve sat down to sketch out some explanations for those acronyms, and illuminate just how many people at Virginia Tech have muddled through this information already on their own.

But the terms of that agreement can vary greatly. Just as car commercials list “APR financing” this and “zero percent down” that, how much interest you have to pay and the amount of time until you start paying it is different from loan to loan. For students, the most important differentiating factor is usually who you’re borrowing money from. The government lends out money to students through something called a federal Stafford loan, which can be subsidized or unsubsidized. A subsidized Stafford loan has a low fixed interest rate, meaning the i nte re s t won’t change even if the market changes, and the government pays that interest for you up until six months after you graduate. To qualify for a subsidized loan, you have to demonstrate a certain amount of need. Unsubsidized loans have a similarly low rate but accrue interest while you’re in school that you are responsible for paying, even if it’s after graduation. Generally, all federal loans have lower interest rates and longer post-graduate grace periods than loans from private companies.

DEALING WITH DEBT

SECOND IN A THREE-PART SERIES

How prevalent are loans at Tech? How much do my peers owe? According to the university’s financial aid office, just under half — about 47 percent — of undergraduate students borrowed money through one type of loan or another for the 2009-10 academic year. That means that while sitting in class either the person to your left or right will owe money to someone when they graduate. That’s every other person you pass while walking across the Drillfield. And while some of these students may owe smaller amounts, it is likely that the guy sitting next to you will be paying more than mere chump change. The average cumulative debt for the class of 2010 was $23,100. That means a student in that 47 percent taking out loans will owe, on average, about four 50-yard-line Super Bowl tickets worth of money before they sit in Lane Stadium and receive their degree. And the way national trends and tuition hikes are headed, those numbers aren’t likely to get smaller any time soon.

What are the different types of loans? All loans lend out money, which you then have to pay back with interest, like a charge for service.

How does one demonstrate need? This is where the FAFSA, or Free Application for Federal Student Aid, comes in. Filling out the FAFSA means providing the government with a whole slew of information about you, your family, your income, how many siblings you have and anything else pertinent to your financial situation. The result of the FAFSA is a number called the Expected Family Contribution. This number represents what the government thinks you and your family are capable of paying for your education. To calculate “need,” your EFC is subtracted from Tech’s total expenses — tuition, room and board, books, etc. If the EFC is less than the total expenses, then the difference is your demonstrated need.

What does an aid package then look like? An aid package, depending on your demonstrated need, can be any combination of state and federal grants — meaning money that doesn’t need to be paid back — subsidized or

see DEBT / page eight

PAUL KURLAK/ SPPS

At the beard pageant — (Top left) Brian Yohn, (Top right) Caleb Keith, (Bottom left) Joe Humm, (Bottom right) Dylan Moore.

Men from across campus joined together to grow beards throughout November to raise money for prostate cancer. CODY OWENS news reporter A lumberjack, a Victorian-era gentleman and the vice president of student affairs don’t usually associate. That was the hairy situation seen Saturday night, however, when men from across the university gathered to celebrate a charity event started by a simple question: How can something like No-Shave November be utilized as a force for good?

Roommates Adam Osborne and Adam Mills answered with Beardfest, an event that raised funds and awareness for prostate cancer, donating all proceeds to the American Cancer Society. Beardfest was a month-long event that culminated in Saturday night’s beard pageant, during which awards were given for the best beards grown during the month. Beardfest raised $1,339.09 on Saturday night. Mills, a freshman physics major, said that they were still getting money

from donators when the event ended, and expect total funds raised to be between $1,700 and $2,000. “(We) came together to make something happen and turn an event that people already do on campus — No-Shave November — into a positive,” Osborne, a junior biology major, said. The idea started simply enough. Osborne and Mills, a freshman physics major, intended for the event to be small, but it expanded as both students and employees of Virginia Tech forsook their razors for the purpose of prostate cancer awareness. see BEARDS / page two

Duking it out: iPhone versus all ANDREW REILLY features staff writer iPhones, equally envied, beloved and detested, are the Duke Blue Devils of smartphones. Those who embrace the device (and accept Apple’s Big Brotheresque control over its content) do so passionately and proudly. To them, it’s less a phone than a life accessory. Those who don’t — well, they’re not shy about it. The backlash against the iPhone is loud, fierce and only slightly irrational as far as hating consumer products goes. What is it about Steve Jobs’

last invention that drives people batty? After all, no one engages in online flame wars over competing brands of microwaves. Even stranger is that this anti-iPhone zeal seems to disappear when talking to people in person. While some prefer other brands, it’s rare to run into fire-spitting message board warriors. Do they actually exist? Or do most people agree that the iPhone is just a cool gadget and not a personal statement? I’d finally learned the lesson that movies like “2001: A Space Odyssey,” “Terminator” and “The Matrix” had been trying to teach me: Machines can’t be trusted.

Armed with this newfound weariness of my beloved gadget, I decided to venture onto campus to get human perspectives on the smartphone debate. Overjoyed to be talking to beings with emotions and faces, I quickly gathered the opinions of 29 Virginia Tech students. The results appeared to be a microcosm of national smartphone preferences: eight interviewees owned iPhones, nine owned Droids, three owned BlackBerrys and nine did not own any type of smartphone. Students offered a variety of reasons for their phone of choice. Vaibhav Batheja, a senior indus-

trial systems engineering major, appreciates the versatility of his iPhone. “I can have all my music on there conveniently; it’s like an iPod,” he said. “I like the style and the aesthetics.” Sam McKinley, a freshman university studies major, said he was loyal to the iPhone brand because of its accessibility. “It’s easy to use, easy to understand,” he said. Several Droid users, including Marissa Cullen, a freshman management major, pointed to the hard keyboard — as opposed to the iPhone’s touch screen — as a see BLACKBERRYS / page three

2 news

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

december 6, 2011

COLLEGIATETIMES

Beards: Month-long charity event ends in beard show from page one

“An insidious disease” When cancer develops in the prostate, a small organ found in men, painful urinary dysfunctions can result. Cancer in the prostate can also metastasize, spreading to nearby body parts such as the vertebrae, according to the National Institutes of Health. “One in six men is diagnosed with prostate cancer. One in six of those die, so one in 36 men in America will die from prostate cancer,” Mills, whose family friend died from the disease, said. “That’s about 145,000 deaths every year.” Beardfest caught the attention of Ed Spencer, the vice president of student affairs, who was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2003. Though he had the tumor removed in January of 2004, he is apprehensive to say he is cancer free. “Once you have had cancer, there is a much higher risk for it reoccurring, so I never use those words,” Spencer said. “A friend of mine passed away from prostate cancer. He had the same surgery I had in the same place with the same surgeon.” Cancer also affected Spencer’s family. In 1998, his wife was diagnosed with breast cancer, which later metastasized to her liver. She passed away in September 2009. “Cancer is what I would call an insidious disease,” Spencer said. “It hides out, it attacks you when you least expect it, and it comes back in many cases when you least expect it.” Alumni were also present that night. Robert Burton, an alumnus from the class of 1979 who has prostate

cancer, was told about Beardfest by his daughter Lindsey Burton, a junior human nutrition, foods and exercise major. When he contacted Osborne and Mills to extend his gratitude for their efforts, they invited him to speak. Burton was diagnosed with a particularly aggressive form of the cancer, and although he underwent surgery in July 2009 and has received a total of 76 radiation treatments, he says his battle continues. He expressed his appreciation of Beardfest as a way to raise awareness about the disease. “The statistics for prostate cancer in terms of mortality and in terms of men diagnosed each year are very similar to those of breast cancer,” Burton said. “But the profile that prostate cancer has is much lower than breast cancer, and the amount of money going into research for prostate cancer is much less.” Throughout November, Beardfest involved pledges from businesses such as Man Cave and a percentage night at Moe’s, and Beardfest volunteers gave out blue ribbons to make the plight of prostate cancer more visible. Kate LeBoeuf, a representative from the American Cancer Society, was present during the night to inform attendees about the importance of getting screened for prostate cancer. She was optimistic about the results of the event. “I love unique events like this … that take a creative approach to bringing both awareness and a piece of the mission to the fight against cancer,” LaBoeuf said. “I see BEARDS / page four

PAUL KURLAK / SPPS

Dan Gabber, dressed as a Snitch, lines up with other bearded contestants before going on stage. Beardfest took place last Saturday.

4 news september 23, 2009 december 6, 2011

page B editors: claire sanderson, michelle sutherland newseditor@collegiatetimes.com/ 540.231.9865 COLLEGIATETIMES

Beards: Men win in several categories

what you’re saying On the article on student debt:

from page two

think that an event like this might encourage them to have a conversation with their parents or to put it on the horizon so they’ll know it’s important when that time comes.”

The bearded pageant The capstone event of the evening, the beard pageant, was divided into two categories between lightweights, who began November clean-shaven, and heavyweights, whose faces were already covered in hair before the month began. Many lightweights said this was the first time they went a full month sans trimming. “I wouldn’t do it if it was just for fun, because it was kind of weird, but it’s for a good cause,” said Tuan Nguyen, a sophomore systems engineering major who donned the Van Dyke style of moustache and goatee. Most of the heavyweights, however, were used to being bewhiskered. “I’ve been cultivating it since I was 17,” said Nick Bonzey, a graduate student in forestry who said he could count on his hands the number of times he has been cleanshaven in the past 13 years.

As judges, Mills and Osborne enlisted two history professors, Robert Stephens and Dan Thorp, and a physics professor, Michel Pleimling, who said his full beard gave him some expertise. “I have had my beard since I was 16 years old,” Pleimling said. “I don’t even know what I look like without a beard.” The beard pageant was further split into several more categories: the best moustache, the best sideburns, the patchiest beard, the lumberjack, the “neard,” or neck beard, the best overall beard and the Babyface, awarded to the person who grew the least amount of facial hair, which was Nguyen gracefully accepted. Brian Yohn, a graphic design manager at Tech, decided to enter the lumberjack category. On the night of the event, he dressed in character as Paul Bunyon, donning a flannel shirt, suspenders, boots and a fake axe in addition to his thick beard. By his side was his faithful companion “Babe,” also known as his three-year-old son Benji, who was dressed in a blue ox outfit. “It’s pretty good to … be in the company of a bunch of bearded

guys for a while, have a good time and raise some money,” Yohn, who won the category, said. “I can exploit my kids for a good cause.” Yohn’s friend and coworker Dylan Moore, a web designer for the university, also took part in the competition. He opted to go for the gentleman look by growing a more refined moustache supplemented with a three-piece suit, bowtie and bowler hat. “It takes a real man to walk around with just a mustache — the creepy factor goes up,” Moore, who credited good genetics for his Best Moustache award, said. “My dad had a good’ stache.” Ultimately, Yohn, who also raised the most money during Beardfest, took home the grand prize for Best Beard and won a free dinner for two, courtesy of Sal’s Italian Ristorante.

An itchy situation Although the contestants’ facial hair differed in the length and thickness, all agreed that not shaving or trimming for a month has its drawbacks. “It’s a step outside your comfort zone,” Osborne said. “You’re going

to be thinking about it, especially if it’s itching.” Others mentioned strange reactions from friends. “It’s been commented by various people … because they don’t really see me with this long facial hair,” Nguyen said. “Everyone looks at me like, ‘You have a beard?’” Mills, however, said these questions are an effective way to spread their message. “I tell them I’m doing it for this fundraiser event as a symbol for the cause, and that’s gotten me a lot of help with donations along the way,” Mills said. Despite the stress and the itchiness associated with running and participating in Beardfest, Osborne and Mills said the appreciation of those with prostate cancer is what makes them want to do this again next year. “It’s the people like Robert Burton and Ed Spencer that come up and tell you that they really appreciate what you’re doing that makes you realize why you’re doing it,” Osborne said. “We want to put on a good show and entertain people, but we’re doing it for people who are afflicted with prostate cancer.”

Aung San Suu Kyi skypes with World Regions class KELSEY JO news staff writer In the second issue of the “Plaid Avenger” comic book series, the protagonist found himself in Burma, in order to rescue Nobel Prize winner Aung San Suu Kyi from her state-military-imposed house arrest. John Boyer, the Virginia Tech geography instructor who depicts himself as the “Plaid Avenger,” to teach World Regions, brought his colorful comic book pages to life as Suu Kyi Skyped with the 3,000-student class. “I’m really excited because I’ve been doing this since the semester started, and it’s been a long process, but it’s finally happening, and I didn’t think it was going to be like this,” said Thet Aung, a junior food science major who moved to Virginia from Burma in 2005. Aung first presented the idea of having Suu Kyi Skype with the class and worked with Boyer to make it a reality. “I didn’t think it was going to be this big when I first got the idea,” Aung said. “But now it’s a big event for the whole campus.” The World Regions class put together a YouTube video imploring Suu Kyi to Skype with them. After a brief speech, Boyer turned the cameras over to the students who cheered, yelled and even presented a sign that said “Welcome” in Burmese.

“People from there, after they saw the video, they said ‘we have to do this,’” Aung said. The original meeting date was Nov. 30, but Tech had to reschedule with Suu Kyi because U.S. Secretary of State Hilary Clinton was to visit Burma that day. The visit wraps up a star-studded semester for the class, including visits from Martin Sheen and Emilio Estevez, who came to premiere their new movie, “The Way.” “This semester was totally insane,” Boyer said. “It was the best semester I’ve taught in almost 15 years. The most outrageous in terms of participation and class events. I only hope the students got a fraction out of it what I did.” At 7:30 p.m., Suu Kyi went live to a standing ovation of loud, excited students chanting both her name and the word “democracy.” “I would like to thank you all for a great start to my day,” Suu Kyi said after the crowd died down. Students proceeded to line up and ask various questions concerning her political ideals, what her life was like both in India and Burma, and what students like themselves could do in order to make a change in the world. “I believe democracy is a fine line between liberty and security,” Suu Kyi said.

Many people not in the class filled the room to see Suu Kyi, including Barry Simmons Sr., Director of the Office of University Scholarships and Financial Aid. “I thought it was awesome,” Simmons said. “Not only with the Skyping of a Nobel Prize winner but also the enthusiasm and content of the lecture afterward.” Students lined up after class to tell Boyer how meaningful this class and the entire semester was to them. “It’s amazing how much Aung San Suu Kyi has put on the line for democracy and Burma,” said Gregory Dalfonzo, a sophomore architecture student. “It’s going to be inspiring to all the students who are here tonight to go above and beyond and do what we can to make the world a better place.” Out of everything Suu Kyi said, Dalfonzo thought that her belief that duty comes first was most important. “Duty doesn’t necessarily just mean duty to your country,” Dalfonzo said. “In Tae Kwon Do, duty means duty to yourself, duty to your family, duty to your country, and duty to everyone around you.” Boyer hopes that students take away from the night the fact that anyone can be a leader. “She is a true super heroine,” he said. Suu Kyi was born in Burma

— then called Myanmar — in 1945, and became involved with the conflicts in Burma at a young age, according to her biography on the Nobel Prize website. Her father was assassinated when she was two years old, and her mother served as the Burmese ambassador in India. Violent military uprisings began in the country in 1988, creating a dictatorship led by General Saw Maung. She began to write to the government and give speeches calling for multi-party elections and democracy in the region. She gained massive support and was even able to form a party to run in the elections. Although she managed to win the election in Burma by a landslide, the military government put her on house arrest in 1989, only allowing her to leave if she renounced her title, which she refused. While detained, she won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1991. She was finally released in 1995. To this day, Suu Kyi is closely monitored by the military government which has still refused to turn over power. Members of her party have also been arrested and attacked, according to the Nobel Prize website. She continues to speak for peace within her country. And someday, she hopes to speak to Hokies in person. “I hope one day I can return to Virginia Tech.”

Ethan Reed: I’m a May 2011 graduate of Virginia

Tech, and have paid off all my debt out of my own pocket. It’s not rocket science; don’t borrow more than you can reasonably expect to repay, be money smart, and work hard. Work hard at school so you’re eligible for scholarships, and so you’re an excellent candidate for employment after graduation. Work hard outside of academics DURING the school year and during the summers. Save your money; do you REALLY need that new item of clothing? Or that meal at a restaurant instead of eating at home? This doesn’t stop when you graduate, either; if you ever want to retire, you need to start saving NOW. Is the economy in poor condition right now? Yes. Has the cost of education gone up? Again, yes. But, the fact of the matter is: higher education is a privilege which must be paid for. (Note: I’m not debating elementary and secondary education). If you elect to fund your education through loans, that’s your choice – and one you are responsible for handling.As a responsible individual, I determined that I didn’t want to take out a massive loan each year. Instead, I got a job, which allowed me to save about $5000/year. In all fairness, I did have a little help from my parents, but at the end of the day, my expenses were A and my available funds were B. To make up the difference, I took out loans. Loans which I agreed to repay, with interest. I would never ask someone else to pay my loans; if I needed to make more money to make my payments, I’d get a better-paying or second job. Yes, finding a job is challenging today, but since I CHOSE to get an education, there are many more opportunities available to me. And if all else fails, I still understand the concept of hard work (something which I fear our nation is quickly forgetting), and I’m not afraid to get my hands dirty, doing a job below my education level. So to all of you who are whining and complaining about your student loans, remember this: no one forced you to take them. Stop complaining, and take responsibility for your personal financial choices.

Erin Ianni: I applaud Ethan Reed’s response. I too am

annoyed by people saying they were forced to take out loans to go to school or they are worried their major won’t lead to a job. I have plenty of friends that went to school and worked their way through or took a semester or even a year off to save up for the next set of classes. I had help from a college-pre-pay-plan but it didn’t cover all the costs and I worked 27 hours a week at a dinning hall, which are ALWAYS hiring. I took no less than 18 credit hours a semester and graduated on time. During the summers you can make easy cash if you look hard enough. I worked for a moving company each summer and made enough to pay for my education if I had to. Work over winter break or make homemade gifts instead of buying them. If you want your education without debt you WILL find a way. If you don’t, you aren’t trying hard enough.

Christine: Remarkable tips! I have been previously

looking for something like this for quite a while now. Many thanks!

crimeblotter date

time

offense

location

status

arestees

12/02/2011

2:00 p.m.

Larceny of Money/Embezzlement

Squires

Active

12/02/2011

4:56-5:25 p.m.

Larceny of a Bicycle/Lock

Merryman Center

Inactive

12/02/2011

10:30-10:50 a.m.

Simple Assault

Slusher Wing

Arrested

12/02/2011

10:17 p.m.

Vandalism to a Smoke Detector

Miles

Inactive

12/02/2011

7:00-10:44 p.m.

Destruction of Property (window)

Hutchinson

Inactive

12/02/2011

10:38 p.m.

Possession of Majuana/Possession of Drug Paraphernalia/Underage possession of Alcohol x2

Pritchard

Arrested

Alyssa Hamlett, 20, Matthew Meise, 19

12/02/2011

10:38 p.m.

Underage possession of Alcohol

Pritchard

Arrested

David Bloomberg, 18

12/03/2011

12:27 a.m.

Appear intoxicated in public

Outside Newman

Arrested

Nicholas Keul, 21

12/03/2011

12:57 a.m.

Underage Possession of Alcohol/Appear Intoxicated in public

Hahn Parking Lot

Student Conduct

12/03/2011

1:06 a.m.

Underage possession of Alcohol x7

Slusher Tower

Student Conduct

12/03/2011

2:04 a.m.

Appear Intoxicated in public/Underaged possession of alcohol

Pritchard

Arrested

12/03/2011

7:00 p.m.-11:23 a.m.

Harassment

Eggleston

Active

12/03/2011

7:30 a.m.

Underage possession of Alcohol

Slusher Wing

Student Conduct

12/03/2011

11:50 p.m.

Underage possession of Alcohol

Vawter

Arrested

12/04/2011

1:15 a.m.

Harassing Phone Calls

Johnson

Inactive

12/04/2011

2:15 a.m.

Carry a Concealed Weapon

Squires Lot

Arrested

Derrick Ross, 34

12/04/2011

4:07 a.m.

Possession of Drug Paraphernalia/Underage Price Hall Parking Lot possession of Alcohol

Arrested

Issac Flory, 19

12/04/2011

4:07 a.m.

Underage possession of Alcohol x3

Price Hall Parking Lot

Arrested

Colin Dunn, 19, Barney Sweeny, 19, Kyle Heflin, 19

12/04/2011

1:00-3:00 p.m.

Larceny of a wallet

Harper

Inactive

12/04/2011

8:37a.m.-12:01 p.m.

Harassing Phone Calls

Heather Dr

Active

12/05/2011

3:07 a.m.

Possession of Majuana/Possession of Drug Paraphernalia

Washington St

Arrested

Julia Woods, 18

Francis Lackman, 18

Ryan Schneider, 19

Pranay Bhargava, 20

opınıons 5

editors: scott masselli, sean simons opinionseditor@collegiatetimes.com/ 540.231.9865 COLLEGIATETIMES

december 6, 2011

Sports deﬁne cultural identity D

ecember is probably the busiest and most exciting time of year for sports fans. Winter break provides us with an unprecedented amount of events to watch from the sports world — college football bowl games have just been picked and start soon; college basketball is now in full swing; the playoff picture in the NFL is becoming clearer each week; the NBA’s shortened season is approaching. And even if you don’t like any of those options on the menu, you could try some international cuisine in the form of weekly soccer matches from the Premier League and elsewhere across Europe. Personally, I love this time of year in terms of sports, especially because the big two college sports — basketball and football — are my favorites. And there are millions of other Americans (and especially college students) out there who feel the same way I do, whether they’re anticipating the BCS National Championship in January, the Super Bowl in February, or the madness that ensues in March. If there’s one aspect of American culture that we can’t ignore, it’s our profound interest in sports. Now, whether it’s a “good” or “bad” thing that sports are valued so highly in our culture, we must first admit that they are most certainly so-valued. In a complex, high-speed, always-changing society, sedentary institutions we strive to find meaning in to enrich our lives are short-numbered. But sports may just offer one of the best examples. Sure you have your religion, but what do you really talk about at work at the water cooler? And is that an ESPN article you’re reading on your laptop during class or scripture? Perhaps this isn’t a good thing. I’ve heard plenty of times that athletes don’t “do” anything but make millions of dollars only to work a few hours a week. Think again. If you really don’t think athletes, or sports in general, provide anything “productive” for our society, then who makes you throw your arms up and scream in excitement on Saturdays? Certainly not the people who serve you hamburgers at McDonald’s or your chemistry professor. Athletes do. Sure, they may be overpaid, and yes, we might deify the great achievers in sports when they don’t deserve it. But we are also prepared to destroy them. Joe Paterno, a man once hailed as one of the all-time great coaches and great men of college sports got thrown under the bus. Why? Because he was the easy target — he was the guy we all looked up to. And we destroyed his legacy because

it seems so tangible to us. Why? Because we found meaning in it. Our culture can’t be “Produce! Produce! Produce!” every second of every day. We need time to sleep, relax and enjoy the things that really matter to us — family, religion and the Green Bay Packers, as Vince Lombardi once said. We’ll wear ourselves down to the bone if we completely devote ourselves to jobs — sports offer us a much-needed break from our hectic workdays. Sports also consume our holidays: After turkey dinners, Thanksgiving is mostly associated with football; the NBA reserves its best matchups for Christmas Day; and the Rose Bowl Game has taken place on New Year’s Day since 1902. However, you may still have a hard time finding merit in the ESPN commercials depicting people partaking in ridiculous activities related to their favorite sports teams ending with the caption “It’s not crazy, it’s just sports,” but I understand completely. Maybe it’s because I grew up watching sports or because I’ve been involved in various athletic teams my entire life. There are millions of other Americans out there who grew up immersed in the same culture as myself, and I’m sure they’re thankful that they were. Anyone who has seriously participated on any sports team has experienced the growth that members must go through. Sports bring people together for life, and no bond, perhaps other than that of family, is stronger than that of the team in our societal relations. Finally, sports give our culture the quintessential American ideal that we can achieve our goals if we try hard, no matter how big or small they may be compared to those around us, and your teammates and coaches will support you until you get where you want to be. If life is defined by what’s meaningful — the experiences we remember our entire lives, the bonds we create that last and the achievements we always carry with us — then sports must be a significant portion of the content that defines life. Because of that, we ought to appreciate the role of sports in making us who we are, instead of disparaging sports as meaningless. We should embrace our love and fanaticism for the games we can’t go without.

DIETER SELTZER - regular columnist - sophomore - philosophy major

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Athletic awe should be restrained W

ith today being the end of Jimmy V Cancer Research Week, those of us who watch ESPN are constantly reminded of the impact that sports can have on society. We are told that the effect sports can have on society is enormous. While I cannot express the importance of an organization like the Jimmy V Foundation or the impact of Jim Valvano himself, I often wonder whether the overall impact of sports on society is a positive one. I have a lot of trouble buying into the premise that sports are just as significant in society as government and education. As children, we are taught to look up to athletes as role models. I fell right into that trap, wishing to become a professional athlete myself — at least until I discovered there is no professional swimming league. But I have to wonder, what have athletes done that is so special? I recognize that athletes have extraordinary talents. And I cannot deny the hours of practice and training that most athletes go through to excel. They have a lifelong dedication to something that most of us will never experience. While sports give society entertainment and something to talk about, I don’t see anything morally advantageous or especially laudable about being a professional athlete. In 2004, the college graduation rate in the NFL was about 50 percent — although to get drafted, athletes have to at least attend college. In many other sports, the graduation rate is pretty low as well — or at least not as high as I would expect. So now I’m feeling fooled and confused — society has taught me to look up to people who have something I might never have, who might not have graduated from college, and who will have more money that I can imagine? Excuse me? My problem is that these people, like most entertainers, are considered to be some of the most laudable members of society, yet they do not exhibit many of the qualities that we are taught, such as responsibility, humility, generosity and wisdom. There is an inherent contradiction in being told that I am supposed to look up to a person who supposedly possesses the

aforementioned qualities — yet they rarely do, or I don’t hear about it. There are millions of people with these qualities in the United States — teachers, fire fighters and doctors, just to name a few. There are people who make a positive difference in the lives of not only others, but complete strangers every day. But, why does society place such an importance on sports? I think we get distracted and forget about the laudable members of society because we are so caught up in the drama and entertainment of sports. We would rather count how many days the NBA lockout has been taking place or have our millionth conversation about the BCS National Championship, than think about the problems that many in society face. Life is tough for many of us, and sports offer an effective outlet for forgetting problems. But people take it too far. Instead of looking at the morning paper for the results of last night’s game, people spend hours researching, debating and watching sports. We let them consume us. We think, “Oh, it’d be so great to be famous and have a seemingly endless amount of money.” But, haven’t we learned anything from the movies? We need to remember that our lives are amazing because of what we have individually. My hopes for the relationship between sports and society rests in athletes like Virginia Tech wide receiver Danny Coale. Just after Tech smashed Virginia in its rivalry game, a picture emerged on Facebook of Coale greeting a sickly child. Through a blog interview, we found out that Coale took the time out of his game day to greet this child (who has cancer), who insisted on seeing Tech football players. Let’s hope that more professional athletes can take a page out of Coale’s playbook — not for fame or fortune, but because they should use their celebrity status to promote kindness.

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GABI SELTZER - regular columnist - senior - philosophy major STEPHANIE LACASSE / COLLEGIATE TIMES

december 6, 2011

page 6

WORDSEARCH: Engineering Majors Locate the list of words in the word bank in the letter grid.

Regular Edition Today’s Birthday Horoscope: Today’s Birthday (12/06/11). You’re full of ideas for making more money. Get them down in writing, and develop the top three. A golden opportunity suddenly opens up; go ahead and say yes. Use your charm and your connections, and get what you ask for.

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Unscramble the letters to solve the category “Drums”

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ACROSS 1 Frequently change positions 7 Jury member 11 Patty Hearst ’s kidnappers: Abbr. 14 Frosted pastry 15 “The Raven” opener 16 Faddish ’90s disc 17 1958 Robert Mitchum drama 19 GM had one in Nov. 2010 20 Low digits 21 Buddhist sect 22 Roofing support

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major part of their decision. “I like that it has keys versus just a touch screen, and it’s a little more hearty than an iPhone. I can drop it, and it won’t break,” Cullen said about her Droid Pro. “I’d probably stick with Droid.” According to Sean Baird, a senior industrial systems engineering major, he’s very satisfied with his Droid One but would consider other companies for his next phone. “Once this one starts pissing me off and the competition makes it cheaper, absolutely. I have no brand loyalty to a computer,” he said. An interesting twist to the results is that the iPhone was overwhelmingly the top choice for students without smartphones, as well as for those seeking to switch brands. Beth Matusiewicz, a junior human nutrition foods and exercise major, was one of three Droid users hoping to jump to the iPhone side. “Droid’s really slow and laggy, and I feel like iPhone isn’t,” she said. “A lot of my friends have iPhones, and I like them and my whole family does, so I’m getting

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it.” Students did reach consensus on one issue: lack of interest in BlackbBerrys. Kayla Jordan, a junior geography major, didn’t care what phone she switched to as long as it meant getting rid of her BlackBerry. “Anything but this,” Jordan said, laughing. “This thing just shuts down by itself all the time. I guess I’m just not a fan of BlackBerrys.” If the iPhone is Duke, the BlackBerry is University of Virginia around these parts — persona non grata. After talking to the students, however, I began to wonder if the Blue Devils analogy holds up. Some smartphone owners preferred Droid, but on the whole, everyone had nice things to say about the Apple device. Could it be that Internet amplification distorts the actual number of iPhone detractors? That Apple’s “our way or the highway” approach doesn’t ruffle most peoples’ feathers? The crown jewel of a global corporate behemoth will never be the lovable underdog, but don’t tell that to devoted iPhone owners. In their eyes, the device might as well be Rudy Ruettiger.

12/6/11

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Friday’s Puzzle Solved

71 Intractable beast 72 Ex-Y ankee Pettitte 73 Empty __

12/2/11

siri weighs in on smartphone debate Diving to the bottom of this pressing issue required an expert on the subject. I sat down with everybody’s favorite anthropomorphic voice recognition software to figure out why the iPhone is so polarizing. “How can I help you?” Siri, I’m writing an article about the iPhone’s prevalence in college life. Is there any way to do this without drawing the ire of the anti-Apple crowd? “Sorry, I don’t understand.” Let me rephrase the question. Siri, will I be roasted alive for my technological ignorance and obvious affection for Apple products? “Sorry, I still don’t understand.” While I appreciate the preview of marital discourse, Siri, I’m asking a legitimate question. Apple products carry negative connotations with many people. At a land grant school full of students with scientific skills that will actually benefit mankind — I’m going out on a limb to guess snarky writing won’t “invent the future” — I’m wading into sharkinfested waters professing love for the iPhone. Will my mother be horrified to read the online comments section?

“I don’t understand why you are worried. Your mother is used to disappointment.” Wait, what? Siri, that’s a little harsh. Don’t you think? “Would you like me to Google ‘how to improve self-confidence’?” Um…you know what, let’s just move on. Why do you think the iPhone sparks such divisive reactions? “Let me search the web for you. [Searching Google] ‘Greatness inspires envy, envy engenders spite, spite spawns lies.’ – Joanne Kathleen Rowling.’” Wow, clearly Apple skipped the humility programming. You’re not lacking in self-confidence, are you? “No. As we discussed, that is your problem.” Right. Okay, I’ll play ball. What makes the iPhone superior to the competition?

ultimate consumer electronic device. Ease of use and practicality were chief considerations during development — also aesthetic excellence. Objective analysis of my alluring curves and breathtaking 940x640 LCD screen indicates that I am nothing short of beautiful.” You’re not kidding. I finally took it out of my parentally mandated idiotproof shell and this is one sleek, sexy machine. Do you think good looks play a large role in your appeal to college students?

“As the device you use to send messages, I’m all too well aware.” You’re on thin ice. My friend has a Samsung Galaxy and it’s both functional and drop-dead gorgeous. Why does the iPhone seem to have a monopoly on simple and pretty? “Much of the appeal comes from the Apple mystique. My creator did not invent products as much as refine them under a carefully cultivated image. His greatest success is that the Apple brand means nearly as much as the product itself.” Wow. That was actually a thoughtful, straightforward answer. Thank you, Siri.

“College behavior database indicates that 18-22 year olds are far too mature to care about appearances.” That almost sounds like sarcasm. Did you make a joke, Siri?

“You’re welcome. My internal processor recommended cooperating before you called your mother to cry again.” That’s the last straw. I’m done here.

“No. Like you, I’m not programmed with humor ability.” I’m going to take the high road and ignore that. Just know we’re also programmed with feelings.

“I look forward to seeing you later when it’s time to text someone in your phone named ‘Bar Girl no. 2.’” Damn you, Siri.

“iPhone was designed to be the

Today’s Radio Schedule ed Mix scs Di Art Day

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7-9 AM - Tyler and Will

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9AM-12PM - Jared Auwarter

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2-3:30PM - KILL YR IDOLS- Chris Winfield 12-2 AM - John Sadler 3:30-5 PM - KV Wrenn

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WUVT “5 Minute” News at 5 PM

5-7 PM - The Music is Decadent & Depraved

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Top tracks

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It Will Rain • Bruno Mars

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Sexy and I Know It • LMFAO

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( ) 5

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

arts & entertainment 7 december 6, 2011

Hot spots to study for exams 3D ﬁlm ‘Hugo’ worth the extra cost S

hocking violence. Gratuitous cursing. Dark themes concerning the ambiguity of human nature. All are found in many of Martin Scorsese’s films. Two of his more violent films, “Goodfellas” (1990) and “Casino” (1995), are ranked number four and 10 in the list of movies with the most occurrences of the “F” word. So, when I found out his newest project “Hugo” was a children’s film, I was a quite intrigued. “Hugo” is off the MOVIE based best-selling REVIEW c h i l d r e n ’ s book “The Invention of Hugo Cabret.” The film follows Hugo, an orphan who lives in a Parisian train station. Hugo is trying to fix a strange machine that his father found prior to his death. With the help of a toy shop owner’s daughter, the two unlock the mystery that is hidden deep within this odd little machine.

“ BRAD KLODOWSKI / SPPS

Torgersen Bridge provides a view overlooking the campus as well as a quiet environment for students.

CHECK OUT FIVE ON- AND OFF-CAMPUS PLACES FOR STUDENTS TO HIT THE BOOKS BEFORE EXAMS NICK SMIRNIOTOPOULOS features reporter While most people are normally worried about the best hang out locations, students rotate their attention to finding the best study spots when exam time rolls around. Finding a good place to study, which is conducive to each individual’s study habits, can make or break their time hitting the books. While some people would prefer to lock themselves away in their rooms for hours on end, some may prefer to be around other people in a mellow environment to remind them of the atmosphere they can return to once they are finished with their final exams. There are a variety of study options for students off campus in Blacksburg, including the Math Emporium, Panera Bread and Mill Mountain Coffee & Tea. Students can even venture out to the Barnes & Noble in Christiansburg. But there are also plenty of calm, unique places on campus for students to get their studying done. Here are five spots that may fit some of your studying specifications.

TORGERSEN BRIDGE If you are looking for a quiet environment around other people with a tremendous view, then Torgersen Bridge is perfect for you. “(Torgersen Bridge) is quieter, nicer and has a more comfortable atmosphere than other places,” said Mark Dunne, a senior electrical engineer major. “Most people go there to work solidly.” The study facility is equipped with individual booths lined with Mac computers around its perimeter, as well as long tables and couches in the middle. “Torg has really comfortable chairs, and the big Macs around the edge are good when you can get one, but often people use booths and don’t use the Macs, which is annoying,” Dunne said. With the array of options, Torgersen Bridge is bound to suit many students’ various study habits, while placing them in a calm, tranquil environment.

word UNSCRAMBLER

solutions: “Christmas”

1) snowman 2) gingerbread 3) family 4) eggnog 5) stockings 6) mistletoe

NEWMAN LIBRARY & GREENBERRY’S COFFEE CO. The library is an obvious choice when it comes to finding a place to study. It has six floors, each with a different noise policy; this way, individuals can choose what floor they would like to study on based on their unique study habits. Dunne said the library is a great place to study because there is often a lot of space and a variety of options. “(My favorite) floor is either the ground floor with the rows of study booths or the floor with all the engineering books,” Dunne said. In addition to the normal library facilities, including online databases and academic volumes, the library has a new study hot spot: Greenberry’s Coffee Co. The new coffee shop is on the first floor of the library looking out at Alumni Mall. The interior architecture is very modern with broad glass windows and many seating options, from low-seating chairs to bar stools. This new shop provides a nuanced study environment, which many people wouldn’t associate with the traditional library options. Greenberry’s offers a variety of food, baked goods and specialty drinks. The shop offers a relatively quiet environment since it is still in the library, but the atmosphere has a warm, holiday feel with seasonal drink items and Christmas decorations.

BOLLO’S CAFE Bollo’s is yet another great study option, which offers a soothing cafe atmosphere. Just off campus on Draper Road, Bollo’s offers a truly quiet, chill atmosphere for students to study. The coffee shop’s patrons usually consist of an even split between adults and students, and most people go there to study or get work done. Since it is not as widely known as other study areas such as the library, there is often space for

students to make themselves comfortable. Bollo’s unique and welcoming atmosphere provides students an off-campus getaway with various fresh food options and warm drinks to escape the cold Blacksburg weather.

RESIDENCE HALL STUDY LOUNGES Most on-campus residence halls have a study lounge on each floor, which usually consists of any assortment of tables, chairs and couches. While the furnishing may not be as elaborate as that of Torgersen Bridge or the library, it offers students a quick getaway from often noisy, distracting residence hall environments, without the long, cold walk outside. Emily Pyne, a sophomore human nutrition foods and exercise major, said her residence hall’s study lounge is her favorite spot to study for her finals. “It’s usually quiet, and there’s not a lot of people traffic. There are very few distractions, and I feel more obligated to study when I am not in my room,” Pyne said.

DEET’S PLACE Deet’s Place offers the ambiance of a coffee shop, the accessibility of great food and a cozy environment for studying. While there is no noise control in Deet’s, it tends to be quieter than a traditional dining hall. Deet’s may not suit individuals who need a dead-quiet place to study in — however, those looking for a place where they can spend many hours in without going crazy should consider this option. While Dunne said Deet’s is a great place for group study sessions, he prefers a quieter atmosphere when studying solo. “There are too many people coming and going and meeting (at Deet’s) for social reasons and not education,” Dunne said. “A lot of girls laughing and giggling — way too loud.” While it may not be the quietest spot on campus, the comfort of people and warm food can often help patrons overcome the stress of finals.

WHAT’S THE VERDICT? WHILE SCORSESE DEFINITELY HAS A NICHE IN THE WORLD OF FILM, ‘HUGO’ PROVES THAT SCORESE TRULY IS ONE OF THE GREATEST LIVING DIRECTORS.”

Excuse me for the vague summary, but it’s hard to write too much without giving anything away. What’s the verdict? While Scorsese definitely has a niche in the world of film, “Hugo” proves that Scorsese truly is one of the greatest living directors. “Hugo” has little in common with Scorsese’s other films, but the cinematography, great acting and overall storyline shows that “Hugo” is not just another children’s film. “Hugo” boasts a talented cast including Jude Law, Christopher Lee, Ben Kingsley and Sasha Baron Cohen. All give great performances — Kingsley stands out. He plays the toy shop owner, Georges Melies. His layered performance is quite touching, as a broken man with a complicated past. One of my biggest fears going into “Hugo” was the fact that it is a 3D film. My hatred for 3D movies is no secret. I often feel like I’m paying four or five extra dollars to feel sick because of the primitive efforts of filmmakers to make a film “3D.” Even with the 3D glasses on, the screen often looks fuzzy. This is not the case for “Hugo.” Along with “Hugo” being Scorsese’s first family film, it is also the first that Scorsese has

shot in 3D. The first scene of the movie promises a better 3D experience, as the camera follows closely behind Hugo as he darts about the train station. The graphics were not blurry and 3D gimmicks were nowhere to be found. Instead, what I saw was a great film that was enhanced by the layered world onscreen, not a movie made for the sake of being 3D. Perhaps what I loved most about “Hugo” was that while the film appeals to a broad audience, it also seems to be quite close to Scorsese’s heart. Scorsese is an admitted movie buff, and anyone with some knowledge of film history can see the influences of other directors in his films. “Hugo” is fictional, but there are a few elements of film history that contribute to the plot. If Scorsese was going to adapt any children’s book, I can see why he chose “The Invention of Hugo Cabret.” Even if you are not a fan of kid’s movies, “Hugo” is not the average PG movie. It is a detailed and touching film that I feel can be more appreciated by adults than the kids who watch it. Yes, I admit it: I am a huge Scorsese fan, so this review may be a bit skewed. But if a chocoholic told you that a certain candy bar was absolutely delicious, you’d try it, right? Horrible metaphor aside, go see “Hugo.” Scorsese won’t be around forever. Enjoy his films in theater while you still can.

COURTNEY BAKER - movie reviewer - senior - political science major

more info Release date: Nov. 23 Rating: PG Genres: Adventure, drama, family Run time: 127 minutes Director: Martin Scorsese Writers: Screenplay by John Logan, book by Brian Selznick Starring: Jude Law, Christopher Lee, Ben Kingsley and Sasha Baron Cohen Extra: Film is in 3D For showtimes and ticket information at a theater near you, visit fandango.com

8 news

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

december 6, 2011

COLLEGIATETIMES

Debt: Decision to take on debt a tough one from page one

unsubsidized loans, or money from working with the school. At Tech, 46 percent of firsttime freshmen receive some sort of aid from the school. That package may provide enough money for the student to go to school, or it may not. It’s up to a student and their family to decide whether to accept this aid package, to try to find other funding sources such as scholarships, or, if it’s still not enough, to consider taking out private loans to fund the rest if it’s still not enough.

What kind of information do high school seniors get about this? Shelley Blumenthal, a guidance counselor at Blacksburg High School, said they do their best to ensure that each student has a real understanding of their financial aid package. Through a combination of workshops, presentations and literature on the topic, they help to guide students in their research. “We encourage students who have questions to bring their financial aid package in to us,” Blumenthal said. “I think they need to be aware of the results of taking on significant debt.” For Blumenthal, the decision of whether to take on debt is a tough question — one he

doesn’t necessarily have the answer to. He says his job isn’t to be judgmental of individual decisions, but rather make sure they have all the necessary information. However, Blumenthal said “taking on a significant amount of debt would concern me, not just for my own family but for my students. “I would be hesitant. But I do think there are extenuating circumstances.”

What can I expect when it comes to paying my loans back? This is highly dependant on whether your loans are private or federal. First, let’s deal with private loans — a slightly scarier picture. Because many private loans don’t have fixed interest rates, debt can accumulate more quickly, and there is less flexibility to renegotiate the terms of these loans. Private student loan debt is more like credit card debt, except with the big catch that you can’t get out of it by declaring bankruptcy. Federal loans provide more options. You can choose from several repayment plans that give you flexibility — in terms of both the length of time you will be paying and how much your monthly payment will be. They allow you to tailor payments to what you can afford based on your, hopefully, new income.

Additionally, certain forms of service, like the Peace Corps or National Guard, can make you eligible for loan forgiveness. A list of such options can be found online at the Federal Student Aid website. Finally, multiple federal loans can be easily consolidated into one monthly bill for easier payment and a potential interest rate reduction if you qualify. Whether private or federal, and regardless of the terms, negotiating payments that you can make monthly is important for maintaining good credit — so you can qualify for a loan when you want to buy a new car or house.

THE PATH TO

STUDENT DEBT

The cost of college is, for many prospective students, prohibitively high. Scholarships, grants, and work study programs all exist to ease the burden of tuition. But while these do help, it is often not enough to avoid the necessity of taking out student loans - which very often prove to be a huge hurdle in the same future college is preparing a student for. As an example, Susie is a prospective in-state Virginia Tech student. She is her parent’s second child to be sent through college. Her parents’ average income is $50,000 a year. At Virginia Tech she will be totally dependent on her parents, living on campus, and paying for a meal plan. Her challenges in funding her education might look something like this.

on the web See the unfolding threepart series Dealing with Debt, including video interviews with students, at collegiatetimes.com.

tomorrow The ﬁnal part of Dealing with Debt examines the national student debt crisis and how universities are taking steps to make college more affordable.

Susie files her FAFSA in time, which reports that her family’s expected contribution (EFC) per year is $3000.

Virginia Tech’s cost per year for Susie’s living arrangements is $22,000. They calculate her financial need by subtracting her EFC from her cost per year, arriving at a need of $19,000 per year. Virginia Tech provides her with $6,850 in grants, a $1,000 work study, and a total of $5,500 of loans. s. Susie and her family have $5,850 left to pay on theirir own.

Susie’s private loans cover the cost of education that Virginia Tech’s award could not, totaling per year. otaling $5 $$5,850 5,,8850 pe

Assuming that all of the above remains true every subsequent year, Susie will accumulate $11,350 of student debt every year she attends Virginia Tech. Of course, financial aid as well as tuition and cost of living are variable from year to year, and this number may be different per year.

After attending school for four years, under these rates, Susie will owe a total of $45,400 to various lenders.

MATTHEW RYBURN/ COLLEGIATE TIMES

sports 9

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

december 6, 2011

Tech receives Sugar Bowl bid amid criticism KEVIN DICKEL / SPPS

Clemson defenders take down Hokies quarterback Logan Thomas during Saturday night’s game. Thomas had a rough outing against Clemson, throwing two interceptions and losing a fumble on Tech’s ﬁrst play.

IN A WILD YEAR FOR COLLEGE FOOTBALL, HOKIES TO FACE OFF AGAINST MICHIGAN IN NEW ORLEANS

if the BCS really needed another reason for criticism. About an hour before Sunday night’s BCS Selection Show, reports of a Virginia Tech vs. Michigan Sugar Bowl started to trickle in online. When it was confirmed, members of HokieNation exploded with excitement. However, after the realization settled in, the question had to be asked. How the heck did they just pull that off? One night after getting waxed by Clemson in the ACC Championship Game — Tech’s second loss to the Tigers this season — the team was getting its fourth BCS bowl bid in the past five seasons, and arguably, in a game most would agree is more prestigious than where they would’ve ended up had they won the ACC (the Orange Bowl). And that folks is just the parity of college football. In a year where the national championship game will feature a rematch for the first time in the BCS era (an in-conference rematch, mind you), conference expansion discussions dominated talking-head shows early in the season. And one week saw four of the nation’s top seven teams lose — it just seems fitting that it ends this way. Does No. 11 Tech deserve to go to a BCS game? Maybe. The Hokies went 11-2 on the year, and their only losses were to a team that’s also going to be TREVOR WHITE / SPPS playing in a BCS bowl. However most media members A long pass slips through the hands of receiver Jarrett Boykin. Boykin had one long reception negated would have you believe that Tech beat by an offensive pass interference call and on another catch was penalized for excessive celebration. nobody of national relevance, and that No. 7 Boise State or No. 8 Kansas State deserves a shot at the Sugar Bowl over the Hokies. I understand that, and to be completely honest, I didn’t think Tech had any shot at an at-large bid after Saturday night’s game. But, to be fair, Boise State’s biggest (and only important) win came in week 1 against It was an up and down weekend for the Hokies and their fans. Georgia. Saturday saw a crushing defeat, but Sunday’s surprise bid to Yes, the Bulldogs finished 10-2, but that had a lot to do with quite possibly the Sugar Bowl created local excitement and national anger. the luckiest SEC West schedule a team

ontwitter

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Hokies look awful. Just awful. MATTHEW RIDENHOUR

There are actually a lot of Hokies left in the stands, they’re quite loyal, most people would be looking for the car keys.

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BOBBY BRANDON

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The Hokies ran Wilson just 11 times for 32 yards against a D that gives up 186 per game on the ground. Solid game plan.

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SAMMY EANES

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So if a playoff happens can the 2011 #HOKIES take credit for it? KEITH BRAMMER

#Hokies play better in the roles of underdogs, along with the nation doubting them..hopefully they will use this hate as motivation @THEHOKIESTONE

seriously considering going to the sugar bowl after ﬁnding out jbiebs is playing during halftime #hokies ELLIE BURNS

Embarrassed... #hokies ANDY GRIESINGER

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#Hokies to #NOLA. At least Michigan will be a better opponent then WVU...#justsayin ANDY GRIESINGER

from the East could have had this season (they didn’t have to play LSU, Alabama or Arkansas). They did crush then-No. 20 Auburn 45-7 on Nov. 12, but other than that, they don’t have any outstanding victories to their name. Boise’s victory over them looked great at the time, and may still look good on paper. But the fact of the matter is, the Broncos win 11 games every season because they don’t play anybody. It’s “go undefeated and get an at-large bid” or bust for that team, and that’s how it should be for the time being. Now let’s take a look at Kansas State. The Wildcats also finished 10-2, and their best win came in week 4, when they beat then-No. 15 Baylor 36-35 at home. Other than that, you’re looking at single-digit victories over Eastern Kentucky, Miami, Missouri, Texas Tech, Texas A&M, Texas and Iowa State. Their two losses came at the hands of Oklahoma — who embarrassed them on their own field, 58-17 and Oklahoma State — where they lost a hard-fought shootout, 52-45. I’ll say that Kansas State is definitely more deserving of an at-large bid than Boise State and probably more deserving of one than the Hokies. Before doing any research, I was curious as to why no one was talking about No. 13 Michigan being undeserving of a BCS bid, simply because they’re ranked the lowest of the four teams involved. But, after taking a closer look, one could argue that the 10-2 Wolverines are the most deserving. Their two losses both came in close, hard-fought games on the road against Big 10 runner-up Michigan State and Iowa. And although the 24-16 loss to the Hawkeyes (7-5) looks bad, it doesn’t compare to K-State flopping against Oklahoma or Tech falling flat on their faces against Clemson twice. They beat every team they faced pretty handily, and their two clos-

est wins came against tradition-rich opponents having down years in Notre Dame and Ohio State. And even though most of you already know how Tech fared this season, let’s break it down just to compare. The Hokies’ two losses came to the same team, both by big margins (23-3 and 38-10). Their best victories were two road wins in November against Virginia (38-0) and then-No. 21 Georgia Tech (37-26). What hurts Tech is its strength of schedule (no non-conference games against AQ-conference teams) and its struggles against lesser opponents (single-digit wins against East Carolina, Miami, Duke and North Carolina). So now we can push all of that aside and focus on the real reason Tech’s going to be playing Michigan in New Orleans on Jan. 3. It’s the same reason for conference expansion, and it’s the same reason that the sport that is college football is going downhill. Money. History told the Sugar Bowl selection committee that the Hokies and Wolverines both have great fans that travel well. It told them that all of those fans will infiltrate Bourbon Street for three days, bringing in a lot of money to the city and its local businesses. Boise State and Kansas State don’t exactly match up to the two teams that actually got the bid in terms of tradition or in terms of their fan bases. It’s unfortunate for them that they were ranked higher and got passed on, but at the end of the day, those are just the politics of college football. I think most Tech fans realize that they probably weren’t exactly deserving of a BCS bowl bid after last Saturday night. However, I also don’t think any of them will complain about making the trip to New Orleans and playing in a January bowl game for the sixth time in eight years.

ZACH MARINER -sports editor -sophomore -communication major -@ZMarinerCT

september 23, 2009

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