COLLEGIATETIMES
june 14, 2012
what’s inside News .............2 Opinions........4 Features ........6 Sports .........10 Classifieds ...11 Sudoku ........11 108th year issue 62 blacksburg, va.
Hiking documentary shows at Lyric CHELSEA GILES features editor An independent film project is hiking through towns along the Appalachian Trail and will be screening its beauty tonight at the Lyric. “Beauty Beneath the Dirt” follows three college-aged hikers — a lawyer, an Ivy-league graduate and a “city chick” — on their thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail. The Trail is roughly 2,180 miles and passes through 14 states. According to the Appalachian Trail conservancy, Virginia is home to the most miles, around 550. Katherine and Brandon Imp, along with Emily Ginger began their hike in March of 2010 and finished about five months later in August. The Appalachian Trail snakes through towns along the mountains, which is where the first screenings of “Beauty Beneath the Dirt” are being held. Katherine Imp filmed and directed the movie. She had to convince the cast, her brother and friend, for months before they agreed to participate. Imp said there are many environmental movies and stories of people who completed the trail, but nothing is like what they have produced. “We’re all city kids,” Imp said. “We looked like misfits out there, but this was an opportunity to show a story from a different aspect.
COURTESY OF KATHERINE IMP
Supportive fans knew where to mail gifts for Emily, Brandon and Katherine by following their blog. “We want people who are thinking about it to say ‘You know what, if they can do it, we can, and I’m going to make it happen.’” Imp also said watching the documentary will give the audience one of two initiatives.
“(The film) is either going to have people deciding they want to quit their jobs and go hike it tomorrow, or they will never want to set foot on it,” she said. She said the target market of the film is for people in their 20’s, since
that was their age during the hike. Imp also said “Beauty Beneath the Dirt” is screened to the niche of outdoor adventure people. However, those who may not fall into these categories would still be able to understand why people love being outside.
Imp said the whole purpose of the film was to allow people to open their minds and even change their opinion on how they view something. Besides young people and outdoor enthusiasts, “Beauty” can touch everyone. “We cut it into a story to show how five months on the Appalachian Trail strengthens or destroys relationships,” she said. Imp said the story is effective, because they do not only talk about when they are having a bad day, they show it. “It would not do justice to our hike to just say when we had a bad day,” she said. “It’s because we’re willing to be raw and uninhibited is why we have a story to tell.” Imp worked at Outward Bound, an organization that leads trips for atrisk youth in Florida. The philosophy for these adventures is what inspired her to test herself on the Trail. “If you put people outdoors, they’re bound to learn something about themselves,” she said. “I truly believe that.” Imp said that a good movie has drama, romance and comic relief, which are all found in her film. The hikers carried a tripod and camera on the hike to capture their physical and emotional journeys. While the quality of the shots is often praised, Imp said people rarely believe that they filmed everything see RELATIONSHIPS /page seven
Rutherford applied for zoning change IESH LAL news staff writer The Rutherford Townhomes Homeowners Association has recently filed a petition requesting to rezone the development to allow for a higher population density of non-related individuals. If passed, the development will be rezoned from a Transitional Residential zone, R-5, to a Medium Density Multiunit Residential zone, RM-48, which allows for a higher residential occupancy for unrelated individuals while maintaining long-term sustainability. Currently, adherence to a Transitional Residential zone categorizes the Patrick Henry Drive complex as “(a) predominantly residential district with neighborhood character,”
according to the Blacksburg Code of Ordinances. Under the stipulations of the alternative zone, Rutherford would be qualified “(to) allow multiunit dwellings in association with other residential development types while maintaining a reasonable population density within the total residential area.” According to Andrew Warren, a zoning administrator with the town of Blacksburg, the initial motion to petition was filed earlier this spring. “The primary reason for rezoning is to allow for more occupants…they are not looking to add new buildings, and they’re actually conditioning themselves to not create more bedrooms on-site,” Warren said. “In the current district, they are over the bedroom
per acre limit, and this would make them conform to the density.” From 1989-1996, Rutherford Townhomes was constructed as 32 four-bedroom units and 18 three-bedroom units. The original zoning was an R-14, which allowed four unrelated persons or a family plus two unrelated persons to occupy the units. In 1997, Blacksburg initiated a town-wide comprehensive rezoning ordinance which rezoned the development to its current R-5 designation. R-5 zoning only allows for three unrelated persons to occupy a multifamily unit, or a family plus two unrelated persons. RM-48 zoning allows for up to four unrelated individuals to be housed together without violating any zoning codes.
Clover Valley Estates, a complex nearby Rutherford, was also subjected to the provisions of the town-wide rezoning. After the 1997 rezoning ordinance, some owners in Clover Valley and Rutherford were unaware that the zoning change would affect the occupancy of the individual units. “What (the town of Blacksburg) sent out and showed everybody was a regular-sized paper, and most people thought it was junk mail,” said Terry Carley, president of the Clover Valley Homeowners Association. “You’d have to sit down for like half an hour and think about it rather than getting that nice little card they send out now… it was overwhelming; a lot of people said they didn’t know,” “From 1997 on, Clover Valley was in violation…one
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tenant consulted a lawyer and got out of her lease because he found out that they weren’t zoned properly,” Carley said. Carley became president of the Clover Valley HOA in 2009 and started her campaign to rezone shortly thereafter. Clover Valley was officially rezoned from R-5 to RM-48 in May 2011. “Once I started (the petition to rezone), a couple of other people wanted to start as well…that’s what Rutherford did; once I started, they waited for me to finish before they started their petition,” Carley said. The petitioning process consists of various stages. The first step is a neighborhood meeting, one of five, where individuals discuss the see ZONING / page two
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Zoning: Density could change Healthcare costs to continue increasing from page one
rezoning issue and application. Then, a planning commission work session takes place, where the commission reviews and becomes familiar with the application, Warren said. The planning commission is appointed by the Town Council and consists of land use experts who make a recommendation to the Town Council. Then, at a public hearing, the planning commission will hear from the public, have the benefit of the neighborhood meeting notes and make a recommendation to the Town Council, Warren said. The Town Council would have a work session where they become familiar with the petition, then have a final public hearing where they make a decision. “Rutherford is currently at the beginning of the rezoning process. We’ve had a neighborhood meeting…and they’re scheduled to go to a planning commission in July, and most likely a Town Council (hearing) in August,” Warren said. In order to conform to the density requirements of an RM-48 district, Rutherford has undergone some changes to support its rezoning. “Rutherford Townhomes
will be eliminating the dumpsters on site which have contributed to unsightly conditions. Individual trash cans have been purchased for each unit…a commercial refuse service will handle the removal of trash twice per week,” according to the support narrative the Rutherford HOA attached to its rezoning application. “A new landscaping company has been hired to maintain the property even better than before. Restriping of the parking lots is scheduled to occur that will add extra spaces along with visitor parking spaces,” the narrative said. Parking is an issue that both Clover Valley and Rutherford have strived to address. Rutherford, unlike Clover Valley, will not undergo any physical reconstruction to adjust for more parking. “Historically, Rutherford has never had a parking problem, and this trend will continue into the future. The restriping of the spaces will allow visitors to park within the development and not along Giles Road or other adjacent streets,” the narrative said. Another issue these complexes are dealing with is student partying, said Warren and Carley.
“We had a neighborhood meeting and there was one gentleman that spoke of some of the partying issues that he has been impacted by. I don’t think that the rezoning would generally increase those issues; I think that they still need to be addressed and that everybody has the responsibility to be a good neighbor,” Warren said. “Student partying was one of the reasons I became president…I wanted to turn it around,” Carley said. “Rezoning allows us to legally collect rent from four instead of three people. The townhomes are better maintained because we’re allowed to collect more money.” “It’s good for the town when we have more students available to rent from us. It allows for better maintenance and security. The more you maintain a property, the more likely students are to respect it,” she said. The president of the Rutherford HOA, Gary Reynolds, opted not to comment on the rezoning issue.
NOAM N. LEVEY mcclatchy newspapers WASHINGTON — Even as President Barack Obama’s health care law expands health coverage and transforms the way millions of Americans get medical care, it will have little effect on the nation’s total health care bill, according to a new government report on national health care spending. Total U.S. spending on health care is expected to continue to surge over the next decade, hitting about $4.8 trillion in 2021, independent economists at the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services estimate. That is up from $2.8 trillion this year and will push health care spending to nearly 20 percent of the U.S. economy by the beginning of the next decade. The new estimates — the latest in a series of annual projections from the federal government — undermine claims by some critics that the law will dramatically drive up health care spending. At the same time, they also underscore some of the law’s limitations. “The growth rate of national health spending is projected to be fairly similar with or without the Affordable Care Act,” said Sean Keehan, lead author of the report. Total spending on health care over the next decade will be approximately 1 percent higher — or about $478 billion — as result of the new law, even with the federal government spending hundreds of millions of dollars to guarantee nearly all Americans health coverage for the first time. After the law is fully implemented
in 2014, total health care spending is expected to grow slightly more slowly than it would without the law, the report said. The economists estimate that 30 million more people will gain health coverage over the next decade, with major expansions of the government Medicaid program for the poor and the creation of insurance exchanges, in which consumers who do not get coverage at work will be able to shop for insurance plans starting in 2014. Many of those people are expected to qualify for federal subsidies that will be available to people making up to four times the federal poverty line, or $92,200, for a family of four. But the new estimates also show how little the law will do to fundamentally change the trajectory of health care spending. Despite Obama’s repeated pledges to bring down costs, the report suggests that consumers, employers and government will continue to face higher and higher medical bills as rising costs outpace economic growth. Between 2014 and 2021, for example, household spending on insurance premiums is expected to rise 6.8 percent every year on average, the report said. Government health insurance programs are expected to see even faster growth as aging baby boomers swell the ranks of Medicare and more lowincome Americans join Medicaid. Medicare spending is projected to grow annually by 6.9 percent between 2014 and 2019, and federal Medicaid spending is expected to surge 7.3 percent annually.
Correction:
collegiatetimes.com june 14, 2012
In "Police arrest sex offender" (June 6) Danny Everrette Dillow allegedly committed sexual abuse in a library, according to the police report, but he had not been convicted. The Collegiate Times regrets this error.
Students lament loss of flex dollars at end of year news staff writer
collegiatetimes.com june 14, 2012
It’s hard not to notice the short period of campus-wide stress and frustration ushered in by the close of the spring semester. If final exams and end of the year projects aren’t already enough, students have another concern on their minds—draining their meal plans before the clock runs out. “It’s really annoying,” said Chris Strong, a senior psychology major who ended the semester with $60 left unused on his meal plan. “I feel like if you pay money to use it, it’s yours. It shouldn’t run out at the end of the semester.” While his opinion seems to be a popular one around campus, the system doesn’t allow it, leaving many students wondering what happens to the leftover money. “It goes back into benefiting you all,” said Brian Grove, the associate director of dining services. “Back into paying the bills … into the dining facilities.” Grove explained that when students buy a meal plan, they’re actually doing more than just putting some money on their account. “It’s investing in infrastructure,” he said. “It’s meant to be used by students for food in the facility. It’s not meant to be leftover money.” According to the dining services website, all Flex Plans have a base cost of $894, and then a varying amount of Flex Dollars depending on the plan. The base cost goes into paying bills and maintaining the dining facilities. Flex Plans give students a 50 percent discount in the a la carte dining halls such as Owens and West End Market, and at least a 67 percent discount in all-you-care-to-eat dining centers such as D2. According to Grove, the most popular plan is the Mega Flex Plan, the middle tier in the Major Flex option. Off-campus students also have the option to buy a smaller Minor Flex Plan, or to buy dining dollars, which don’t have an expiration date. Meal plans, on the other hand, should be seen as an investment. “When you sign up for a meal plan, it’s your money. We’d like to see everyone spend their money. We don’t want there to be any leftovers in the account,” Grove said. Whatever is leftover at the end of the spring semester goes back into to the system. Still, many students feel unsatisfied with this outcome, especially graduating seniors who won’t see the new dining halls or renovations to current ones. Groves says those graduating students can see it as a legacy for future students. For the two summer sessions and fall semester, there’s still hope for students to use any money
remaining on their meal plans, as flex dollars can rollover until spring. “Students learn the system in the fall. By the time spring rolls around, most of the time the students know the system and budget their money a little better,” Grove said. Leftover money from the fall semester can roll over into the spring one, but money from spring meal plans cannot rollover to the summer. While students appreciate the opportunity to use leftovers from the summer and fall, the rollover system can create considerable pressure for students to renew meal plans. Veronica Anapur, a senior biology major, was one such student. “When I moved off campus in the fall I didn’t have any intention of renewing my meal plan, but I had so much money left over from the summer I felt like I had to,” she said. “I felt like I needed to spend thousands of dollars just to not lose $100.” Pressure to not waste money from the summer led her to buy a meal plan in the fall, which in turn pressured her into buying another meal plan in the spring to avoid wasting even more money. The cycle is daunting for students, who just want to make sure they aren’t losing money. In order to curb the monetary waste, Dining Services offers an outlet for student spending at the end of year by selling cakes, soda and candy in bulk. “We do that based upon feedback from students so they have the opportunity to buy things that are popular that they want to spend their money on,” Grove said. Grove went on to say that Dining Services is a business and that once a student has signed the contract for a meal plan the money they pay is invested in Dining Services and can’t be handed back. However, dining services tries to offer ways for students to spend their leftover money and still feel as though they’re getting money’s worth. If sweets and junk food aren’t particularly appetizing, there’s another option for students with a surplus: Flex Out Hunger, a program between dining services and the Virginia Tech chapter of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity, takes unused Flex Dollars and gives it back to the community. Students can donate their unused dining dollars to the program, which uses the proceeds to the benefit the Montgomery County Emergency Assistance Program. This year, with about 570 donations, the program raised a recordbreaking $18,000 for the community.
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Congress must keep student loan interest low On July 1, government student loan interest rates are set to double. The Stafford Student Loan program has been steadily reducing interest rates attached to loans since 2008, but the program is set to expire and interest rates, most as low as 3.4 percent, will rise to 6.8 percent. Roughly 8 million students benefit from the loans provided by the government, and as long as their loan is subsidized can enjoy a cushy interest rate that does not accrue as long as the student is enrolled in school, part-time or fulltime. Stafford Student Loans, awarded to students who complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA, and meet eligibility requirements, have been highly regarded as affordable tuition supplements that can help ease the financial stress stemming from more expensive private loans. Stafford loan awards have a lifetime limit of $31,000, over half of which can be awarded in subsidized packages. At many prestigious universities, this total presents just a frac-
tion of total tuition costs and serves as the aforementioned “supplement” to other means of financing a college education. But for students with fewer financial options, attending smaller schools, or both, federal aid plays a significant role in their blossoming academic career. If the interest rates on these loans do, in fact, double, it can cost students an additional $5,000 in accrued interest - this is on top of what the loans are already set to accrue
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If the interest rates on these loans do, in fact, double, it can cost students an additional $5,000 in accrued interest-this is on top of what the loans are already set to accrue in interest at a 3.4 percent rate.
in interest at a 3.4 percent rate. To the general public, and students in particular, extending the interest relief on these loans is necessary legislation, but Congress is still dead-
locked. June is coming to a close and bickering across party lines is putting students at risk. The argument is not about whether or not the low interest rates should be extended - Congress agrees with the public as well, that this is necessary legislation. Where politicians have clashed over recent months is the $5.9 billion price tag attached to the bill. Democrats in Congress have proposed that to pay for the bill, a tax loophole would be closed that allows wealthier Americans to dodge paying a fairer share in taxes. Their Republican counterparts argue that overspending and hiking up taxes in the current economy is the wrong move, and have instead suggested cutting costs in other programs. As a result, overwhelming support for a concept is getting nowhere in the face of polarizing political ideology. Key players in the support of the bill have turned to student anecdotes to highlight the importance of the affordable financial option towards paying for college. Representative Peter Welch, a democrat from Vermont, has held the floor at
least once a week through the spring, reminding Congress of the July 1 deadline and reading to his colleagues one of those
are paid for years—the Stafford loans cannot follow suit. Many recent graduates must spend large chunks of their entry-level income paying back student loan debt and cannot afford to save, or spend money Economists have shared invest, on larger endeavors, their opinion as well on the such as buying a car or a home. It affects subject, arguing that an in- where they live, what terest rate hike would be they buy, their investments, retirement detrimental to the economy. accounts, etc., and risk to default is Tution rates are already sky the high. high and rising every year .... If the deadline is not met and the interest rates increase, Congress will have to act quickly student anecdotes, plucked or face public assault—reprefrom over one hundred simi- sentatives and senators begin lar stories posted to Welch’s the summer recess on July website. 4. Economists have shared their With less than three weeks opinion as well on the sub- to deliberate, Congress has to ject, arguing that an interest be willing to compromise and rate hike would be detrimen- reduce their squabbles to cooptal to the economy. Tuition eration. The support for keeping rates are already sky high and the Stafford interest rates low rising every year, and gradu- is overwhelming but bickering ates with overwhelming stu- over how to pay for it is putting dent loans will have to forgo millions of college students at making traditional strides risk. in developing adulthood— ERIC JONES strides that greatly benefit the -regular columnist economy. Private loan payments can be -junior as high as $600 a month and -psychology major
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collegiatetimes.com june 14, 2012
Facebook does not have children’s interest in mind It shouldn’t matter whether Facebook thinks it’s OK for a young child to have a page on its site. Studies, in fact, show that kids have pages no matter what Facebook’s policy is. That’s why the recent news that the company may let children younger than 13 have accounts, possibly with some sort of parental permissions, is so clearly irrelevant. Corporations are largely conscienceless creations designed to extract profit at any cost. I’ve worked for at least three companies that would have gladly harvested my organs during off-site “trust building exercises” if the bosses could have figured out how to keep me slaving away sans kidneys. Wise consumers don’t let oilchange companies dictate how often we lube up or believe greeting-card companies when they tell us “Grandparent-
in-Law Day” is an important occasion. Wise male consumers do obey florists who arbitrarily dictate days on which we must buy our wives flowers, but that’s a whole different issue. But we don’t, or shouldn’t, base child-rearing decisions on the decrees of for-profit corporations. This is particularly true with a company caught in a panic spiral because its initial public offering has been about as successful as a new edition of “The Iliad” translated from the original Greek by the cast of “Swamp People.” Although, really, that might sell better than the other versions. A study released by Consumer Reports last June showed that regardless of Facebook’s rules — which ban kids younger than 13 — 7.5 million of the 20 million children with their own Facebook pages were 12
or younger, and 5 million were under the age of 10. Then, last fall, a survey by Microsoft Research showed that of the 12-year-olds who have accounts, 82 percent of their parents knew, and 76 percent of the parents helped the kids sign up. That’s screwed up, regardless of what Facebook says. The reason we restrict the actions of kids is that children, even the really smart ones, are stupid. They don’t understand cause and effect. They don’t grasp the concept of “forever” as it relates to online posts. They don’t realize there is a very small but dedicated group of predators in the world that wants to hurt them. And kids lack impulse control. Need proof kids are consequence challenged? Think of every dangerous, poorly plotted
and utterly insane thing you did between the ages of 8 and 25. Your children’s decision-making process is just as dysfunctional. The last thing you want for your kids is a forum where they’re free to express their every impulse, and a permanent record of those thoughts and feelings is kept. It would be fine for mom and dad to let their preteens use their Facebook pages to communicate with family members and, when appropriate, friends, through the friends’ parents’ accounts. The kids wouldn’t feel comfortable posting things they don’t want you to see, which is good. You don’t want them posting anything they don’t want you to see. The downside of this is that your children would be able to enjoy all the really ill and evil dreck that
makes you and your friends ROTFLYAO. That’s probably why some parents help or allow young kids to get their own pages: Not doing so would inconvenience mom and dad. Don’t get your oil changed every 3,000 miles, regardless of what Happy Lube suggests, unless the carmaker’s instructions agree. Don’t buy cards on “Cousin Day,” even if Card-ARama says you should. You’ve got too many cousins to keep up with, and you dislike most of them. And don’t let your young children have a social networking page, even if Facebook says it’s a good move. Facebook said its stock at $38 a share was a good move, and look how that turned out.
LANE FILLER -regular columnist - mcclatchy newspapers
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Has George Orwell’s 1984 become a reality? Is America officially a “Nanny” state? These are the questions pondered by some experts and pundits after New York City’s Michael Bloomberg announced his plan to restrict servings of soda to only 16 ounces. The plan to ban, which will forbid the sale of any soda over 16 oz. at restaurants, sporting events, and other venues has become a battleground for opinions on the government’s role in citizens lifestyle choices. Although this legislation is faulty and highly intrusive, it is ultimately a step in the right direction towards resolving a supersized policy problem that is literally eating away at our nation’s health and finances. Bloomberg’s arrangement is a flawed one to say the least, and I’m glad people like John Stewart are mocking this proposal. There are so many loopholes that it reminds me of Swiss cheese. New York City doesn’t control grocery and convenience stores, therefore the legislation will be unable to stop the sale of the monstrous 7-Eleven 32 oz. Big Gulp, bottomless free refills or ultimate-
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Elizabeth Warren’s history remains shaky
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minority while she was at Penn and Harvard? That question continues to dog her candidacy. Her difficulty answering it has made it much more than the speed bump it might have been on a fast track to the seat once held by Edward M. Kennedy. For nine years, while she was teaching at the University of Texas and Penn, Warren also listed herself as a minority in the Association of American Law Schools’ directory. Who provides such information to the academic reference? The faculty members themselves. Warren only stopped listing herself as such in 1995, just after she was hired by Harvard. But while she was at Harvard, the Crimson newspaper reported that the university’s faculty included one Native American: Warren. And when she received tenure there, another Crimson story said she was the first woman with a minority background to receive tenure. All of which would be well and good if Warren could substantiate her claim of Native American ancestry, which is a federal requirement when universities report diversity data. Thus far, she has not, and by her own admission, her connection to American Indians is remote. Ever since this issue was raised by the Boston Herald in April, Warren
tes and heart disease – the leading cause of death in America. The reeling effect of obesity affects all Americans, healthy or not, we pay higher insurance premiums and are forced to dedicate larger parts of our national budget to entitlement expenditures like Medicare and Medicaid. In a country where it is still socially acceptable to have gigantic portions and all-you-can-eat fantasies, Bloomberg is innovating by using the timeless tale of portion control to do what government does best: banning stuff. The science is coming out of the woodwork depicting why portioning on soda pop is the next step in banning our obesity epidemic. The case against sugary beverages lays in the theory that your body reacts to drinks differently than solid food. In his case for the ban, Bloomberg states that studies have shown people can be given larger portions and will consume it without noticing the caloric amount, which will not register the need for a reduction in calories at a subsequent meal. This reminds me of when you
has stumbled in her efforts to explain her claims of minority status. She initially sought to minimize the controversy by saying she had merely hoped “that I’d get invited to some lunch group or some — maybe some dinner conversation, and I might find some more people like me ... people for whom Native American is part of their heritage and part of their hearts.” That didn’t silence the questions. Finally, after five weeks of trying to dodge the matter, Warren sought to quell the controversy with an e-mail to supporters that read, in part: “The people involved in recruiting and hiring me for my teaching jobs, including Charles Fried — solicitor-general under Ronald Reagan who has publicly said he voted for Scott Brown in 2010 — have said unequivocally they were not aware of my heritage and that it played no role in my hiring. Documents that reporters have examined also show I did not benefit from my heritage when applying to college or law school. As I have confirmed before, I let people know about my Native American heritage in a national directory of law school personnel. At some point after I was hired by them, I also provided that information to the University of Pennsylvania and Harvard. My Native American heritage is part of who I am, I’m proud
have large-sized bag of chips, you can consciously or sub-consciously eat the whole bag without even noticing your bulging belly. Same goes for soda yet you’re still able to eat a full dinner after knocking down a 32 oz. Big Gulp. The American Heart Association recommends a daily consumption of no more than 45 grams of free sugar, however many people don’t know that by drinking one Big Gulp they are actually consuming 91 grams of sugar. Often we don’t recognize the harm that comes from humongous portions and serious caloric intake of drinking big soda. Regulation of our portions may be the best way to fight obesity in the future. Its cliché to say idioms like “bigger is not always better” or “your eyes are bigger than your stomach.” But in this day and age, these can be kind words of wisdom.
SHAWN GHUMAN -regular colomnist -senior -communication
of it and I have been open about it.” In a subsequent conversation with the Boston Globe’s Brian McGrory, Warren insisted that the Harvard and Penn law schools hired her because of her scholarship and teaching abilities, not to increase the diversity of their faculties. She says she told the law schools she was Native American after she was hired. But she has not asked the schools to release hiring records that might substantiate her claim. That her opponent, Republican Sen. Scott Brown, has kept up the pressure is no surprise. “This goes right to the integrity and character of a person,” Brown has said. “When you check that box, you’re getting benefits (for) people who have historically been discriminated against.” He raises a legitimate point. The silence thus far from those minorities who are the intended beneficiaries of affirmative action is curious. If and when they demand to know whether Warren played the Native American card inappropriately, this issue could go from curiosity to deal-breaker.
MICHAEL SMERCONISH -mcclatchy newspapers
collegiatetimes.com june 14, 2012
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Elizabeth Warren, the Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate in what is arguably the second-hottest race in the nation, Massachusetts’, was the recipient of a Lindback Award at the University of Pennsylvania in 1994. The awards, established in the name of the onetime president and principal owner of Abbotts Dairies, recognize distinguished teaching at Penn. Warren’s recognition was noted in a 2005 “Minority Equity Report.” The document (still accessible online) was prepared by the Minority Equity Committee at Penn, which was established to “undertake a systematic review of the status of minority faculty at the university.” Table 11 of the report lists the names of the 112 Lindback Award recipients from 1991 through 2004, eight of which appear in boldface italics. Three of those professors are African-American. Three are Asian. One is Puerto Rican. And then there is: Elizabeth Warren, William A. Schnader Professor of Commercial Law. That Warren’s name appeared in bold and italics designated her as a minority, just like the AfricanAmerican, Asian, and Puerto Rican Lindback recipients. Did Warren derive professional benefits from describing herself as a
ly the will of a soda-deprived addict. Furthermore, I understand the libertarian in each of us is crying out. It’s as if someone told me I couldn’t have more than three glasses of chocolate milk from D2. People are right to complain that the government is intervening in our civil freedoms, our ability to consume whatever we please. Yet the government has been doing this for quite some time in the name of the public’s interest. Think of the restrictions on alcohol consumption, age limits on smoking, etc. Drunk driving and lung disease do not compare to the harm sugar is doing to our country. For decades the government has prided itself on its ability to stop Americans from hurting themselves and the next stop in this process is food and drink, whether we like it or not. The CDC reports nearly a third of adult Americans and 17 percent aof children are obese, moreover studies have shown that consumption of sugary drinks is a direct factor in weight gain. And with great obesity comes great diseases like diabe-
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Soda ban ultimately benefits society
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FEATURES
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Marvel packs action and characters
MONDAY SPECIALS
35¢ WINGS & 1/2 PRICE HINDENBURGS (4PM-CLOSE)
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JACOB WILBANKS features staff writer Summers’ hit movies often suffer from predictability, forced humor and an over-reliance on special effects. Most movies in the recent run of comic book adaptations for the big screen fall into this category. Director Joss Whedon fortunately guides mega-blockbuster “The Avengers” away from most of these ills. The movie is an adrenaline-fueled ride of bulging muscles and witty banter that doesn’t slow down for a second. “The Avengers” is through-andthrough an action movie. The movie opens immediately with a blistering scene where Loki (Tom Hiddleston) ends up stealing an important object from S.H.I.E.L.D., a secret military agency led by Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson). In response to Loki’s attack, Fury starts up the “Avengers Initiative.” The following 40 minutes or so chronicles the introduction of the various superheroes that make up the Avengers team, while simultaneously revealing some of their background. This is where the first major flaw of “The Avengers” presents itself. Viewers that are unaware of the Marvel universe may be lost among the brief and rapid character introductions. With six different superheroes, screen time is limited and cannot be dedicated to one character’s story. So, the movie relies on the viewer to have seen the other Marvel movies to grasp each hero’s background. The fact that six characters have to be introduced, albeit how brief those introductions are, results in a drawn out movie. The final Avenger, Thor (Chris
Hemsworth), is not seen until 45 minutes after the opening credits. These two flaws aren’t a result of poor directing by Whedon, but rather just the result of a comic book with many characters being adapted and squeezed into a two-hour movie. Whedon actually manages to walk the tightrope successfully between character development and movie length by settling right in the middle. Each character is given a necessary but brief introduction so that the movie doesn’t drag on too much. Apart from these problematic aspects, “The Avengers” is a well-written and produced action movie. The cast is stellar and the acting is spot on. Robert Downey Jr. reprises his role as Iron Man, and he is as eccentric and cruelly funny as ever. One of the most intriguing aspects in the movie is Mark Ruffalo’s portrayal of the Hulk. “The Avengers” was Ruffalo’s first film acting as this hero, who has been played in other movie adaptations by Edward Norton and Eric Bana. Ruffalo’s version of the Hulk, a man struggling with his monster alter ego, has been praised as in-tune with the comic version. The movie really shines when the characters are on screen together either battling it out or swapping banter. The characters do not out shine one another and develop a good chemistry throughout the film. Overall, “The Avengers” is successful in creating an entertaining and highoctane action film that will delight comic book aficionados and casual fans alike.
JENNA SMITH features staff writer
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releases a question, it’s one after another. “The reaction has been very positive. People say ‘I learned from your mistake,’ and it’s a good recognition for them.” The questions continue through email weeks after a screening from viewers who are still pondering how the film related to them. The film’s Georgia to Maine tour has been funded by the hikers themselves so far, but to attain future touring goals, they are fundraising with Kickstarter. If the film pledges $10,000 by July 17, they will receive funding to help with their national university tour in the fall. Since final editing, the Imps have been fueling the film’s tour. “I believe this film deserves a decent distribution,” Katherine said. “You sometimes have to believe in your own project when no one else does. “Finally, we’re at a place where someone else believes in you, and people are enjoying it.” If “Beauty Beneath the Dirt” shakes you up enough to want to experience the A.T.’s wonders, there are some preparations recommended before heading out. Though you may not be carrying an eight-pound camera, five camera batteries, a battery charger, a tri-pod and ten memory cards like the trio did, there are other necessitates. “I suggest starting with day hikes to get an idea of what you’re getting into,” said David Goodman, Venture Out Coordinator. “You also want to test your equipment before jumping on a 2,000 mile hike.” If a five-month hike is not for you, however, Goodman said Venture Out is a resource for dayhiking trips and gear needed for the adventures. Goodman said McAfee’s Knob is one of the most photographed spots on the Appalachian Trail, which is one of the many hikes in the local area that happens to also be a part of the trail itself. According to the Appalachian Trail conservancy, thousands of volunteers dedicate around 220,000 hours to the trail each year. Some of these volunteers include members and leaders of the Virginia Tech Outdoor Club. The conservancy also states that two to three million visitors walk a portion of the trail each here, since there are many popular day-hikes that are a part of it. It also said that only one in four who attempt the thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail are successful.
you important things with joy,” Ruan said. “I think storytelling is the best way to learn. “I saw a little girl in front of me acting a little impatient, and of course I’m feeling responsible for the whole event. Then she turns to her mom and says vehemently, ‘I like him.’” She wasn’t the only one. “I think he’s hilariI love the way stories can ous,” said Samuel Freeman, 11 years old, teach you important things who helped Irwin solve with joy. I think storytelling a math problem during the show. is the best way to learn. After the audience applauded Freeman, Patty Ruan Irwin said, “Sam, thou brainy.” Department of Theatre and Cinema artRuan said she thought at Virginia Tech there were over 100 people attending Irwin’s performance. “People stop looking at their The annual Virginia Tech watches and their phones and get Summer Arts Festival began in caught up in the story,” he said. 1991. The festival consists of various Irwin, the storyteller, humorist, art exhibitions and performances, musician, public speaker, educator which run through late August. It and whistler, enchanted the audi- is sponsored by Virginia Tech and ence with his energy. the Town of Blacksburg in effort “Andy has taught me that people to highlight talent in the local might be strange, but they don’t area. have to be strangers,” said Patty Information about the festiRuan, head of the Department of val and the schedule of events is Theatre and Cinema at Virginia listed on Virginia Tech’s School Tech, who organized the event. of Performing Arts and Cinema’s “I love the way stories can teach website.
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collegiatetimes.com june 14, 2012
themselves. “I think that is a compliment, but I wanted my film credit too,” she said. “The reason it looks so professional is because we used a professional camera and took time to frame shots and get all three of us in one shot.” Another way the hikers preserved honesty in the film was refusing to watch footage during the hike. “You will see why we had so many communication problems — we said everything to the camera during confessionals,” Imp said. “When you’re actually out there, you question if you’re capturing anything at all. “We have a lot of footage of me screaming at the camera, but I had a dream and vision. I just thought it was worth it.” Besides relationship changes between friends and family, Imp said the film is also a “thank you” to the gracious people who were so hospitable to them. Brandon Imp, one of the hikers in “Beauty” and the director’s brother, is traveling through towns on the two-month Georgia to Maine tour. He said the reason he is dedicating his time to do this is to give back to the community members that were supportive during their hike. “We want them to see how much hikers appreciate them,” Brandon said. “We call them trail angels.” The trio enjoyed days off the trail in towns nestled along the mountains. One of their most memorable stops was the Chateau Morrisette Winery in Floyd County, which they posted a video of on their blog. “Chateau Morrisette was one of our favorite experiences on the Appalachian Trail,” Brandon said. “I think it was the opening day of the season, people were dressed to the nines, and we were looking awful.” Brandon said despite their smell and sandals, the staff was incredibly friendly and helpful, and the hikers sampled wine and enjoyed the event for about four hours. “We had a really good time,” Katherine Imp said. “After that, we sent a bottle of wine from Morsiette to people who helped us.” Blacksburg is one of 30 places on “Beauty’s” Georgia to Maine tour. Brandon concludes each viewing with a time for questions and answers with the audience, which will occur at the Lyric as well. “The audience is usually somber after it ends,” Brandon said. “I give them time to get their mind processing, then as soon as one person
The first performance held in Theatre 101, a children’s storytelling show, filled the air with laughs from both kids and adults on Saturday, June 9. Andy Offutt Irwin performed two shows, and was the first storyteller to be showcased in the Virginia Tech Summer Arts Festival. Irwin said his stories about childhood are overstated, silly and true. He said that during a performance, he tries to engage everyone in the audience. “It’s exciting that kids sat with their parents,” he said. “When I’m saying something truthful and funny, the kids look at the parents and the parents look at the kids. My job is to be a connector.” Irwin said that connections happen when the grownups are laughing about something related to childhood, and both the kids and adults are reminded that grownups used to be children. He said it helps the parents understand their children better. “That’s real family entertainment, instead of just kid’s entertainment,” he said. Irwin said that he knows the secret to entertaining children and grownups. “I treat children with the respect I treat adults, and I treat adults with
the frivolity children crave,” he said. During his children’s show, Irwin addressed kids and grownups separately, as well as together. Irwin said that his favorite part of performing is when the storytelling has become a live thing in the mind of the audience. He can tell when this has happened by the laughter.
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Miss Sarah plays her part in local performing arts JENNA SMITH features staff writer Theater is a labor of love for one recent Virginia Tech graduate. 22-year-old Sarah Wylie started participating in theater when she was 16 and has been acting since. She pursued her interests while studying theatre arts and cinema at Tech, then her passion inspired her to establish two theatre companies. After graduation, Wylie couldn’t find auditions in the area. Her love of theater and the New River Valley led her to produce her own show. Her first show’s success encouraged Wylie to establish the theater company Open Air Shakespeare NRV. She said she started the company for people who are looking for a professional grade environment for performing art that is not musical based with a fair chance of getting in. “I’ve always really liked Shakespeare, it’s classic, and it’s something that is not done around here,” Wylie said. She plans to eventually branch out to other classic plays. Wylie also founded Miss Sarah’s Stage, a theater class taught at the YMCA for children ages five to 17. “Kids have their own rhythm,” Wylie said. “You have to be able to build focus in them and allow
them to still have their fun.” Wylie said she hopes that the theater companies will become permanent fixtures in the New River Valley. “She sets her mind to do something, she gets it done,” said Robert Smith, president of the New River Stage theater company. Smith played Friar Francis/The Sexton in Open Air Shakespeare NRV’s production of “Much Ado About Nothing.” He described Wylie as a helpful director and talented actor. Wylie said she has been in 45 shows and has directed about seven. “The best directors are also actors,” she said. “People who have acted are able to relate to other actors better because you’ve been on stage; you know what its like.” Though Wylie is pursuing directing and producing through her companies, she still relishes the roles on stage. “Acting fits my personality — I like to be the center of attention,” Wylie said. “I like to be able to enthrall and entertain people. It’s fun; it’s a different world. It can be an escape in its own way, it can also be kind of trying. “I want to continue to do the things I love as an actor because I want to keep growing. I’m passionate about teaching and about learning. As an actor, I want to learn and as a director, I want to teach.”
JENNA SMITH / COLLEGIATE TIMES Wylie (right) teaches kids in her Miss Sarah’s Stage classes, and Eberhardt has written plays for them. Wylie relies on the other actors to help her balance her roles as producer and director. She said one thing actors must learn is to trust each other. She teaches this through exercises that facilitate openness. “The more you open up
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your mouth, the less vulnerable you are,” Wylie said. “We switch knowledge, and we create something really cool.” Samantha Eberhardt is Wylie’s friend, assistant and fellow actor. Like Wylie, Eberhardt enjoys the feeling of being on stage. “It’s amazing, seeing the audience pay attention to you,” said Eberhardt. “Its fun to be able to be someone else for a little bit, taking a break from yourself. “Acting with Sarah as my director is really interesting, because she was the first director that I’ve performed with who is also my friend. There was more trust between the actor and the director than normal.” Eberhardt also teaches at Miss Sarah’s Stage and has written some of the children’s plays. She played a lover in Open Air Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream and a man in Much Ado About Nothing. “I can definitely say that I’m not type-casted anymore,” Eberhardt said. “I’ve learned to build trust. I’ve learned how to be flexible.” An average show takes three to four months to produce. Open Air Shakespeare NRV’s next show is Romeo and Juliet, which Wylie has recently been casting for. She said she is excited about the play and expects it to be a lot of work.
“Producer means I take it out of my credit card,” she said. “I produce the wood to make the set, I produce the nails to put it together and I produce the help to make it happen.” Wylie has learned that an independent theatre group requires help from the community in order to succeed. “When I was 16, I made a pact with myself to start a theater company for kids and adults,” she said. Now that she has, Wylie said she wants them to become a tradition for people to be involved in. “Open Air Shakespeare is a massive undertaking, which she has done by herself, and I admire her,” Smith said. “She’s an amazing young woman. I’ll support her in every way I can.” Wylie has learned a lot during her short time as a graduate, including the sacrifices that go into having your own company. “As far as how it’s affected my personal life, it’s completely taken over,” she said. “It takes over your money, it takes over your time, it takes over your other job. It takes over your perspective, because you start choosing theater over other things. “It is not like a typical hobby. You have to be passionate, because who is going to do all these crazy things for nothing? You do it for yourself.”
JACOB WILBANKS
too.” The purpose of the event is to create a fun and friendly activity for the community to As Summer arrives with the get out and enjoy. “Mingle” promise of warm weather, the could mutually benefit both “Mingle at the Market” series the Farmer’s Market and the looks to bring big crowds to downtown area by boostdowntown Blacksburg with ing business from the large community fervor. crowds. The first in a series of “Mingle “Afterwards (families) may at the Market” events took want to go downtown and place Wednesday, June 6, at the get some dinner, and they’re Blacksburg Farmer’s Market. already here,” Aronson said. “So “Mingle at the Market” is a fam- it’s a win-win situation.” ily friendly event, which feaThe first in the series of events tures live music, beer and wine appeared very successful as tasting, local foods and pro- attendees shuffled through the duce, and a lively social atmo- market and created a bustling sphere. downtown. The Friends of the Farmer’s Another Roadside Attraction Market, an all-volunteer board provided music for the event. of local citizens and vendors, Throughout the show, heads organized the event. The were bobbing as attendees were board created the series to entertained by the band and their self described sound of “equal parts gypsy jazz, vaudeville, circus funWe are trying to get house and riverboat steam.” folks to come to the “Mingle at the Market” events will market not just for through shopping, but also as a continue September, most likely on the first place to socialize. of Megan Foster Wednesday the month. The Chairman of Farmers Market Board Blacksburg Farmer’s Market website has and will have updates on the days and times of the events. bring the community together Mary Predny, a local citithrough the celebration of local zen and farmer’s market venfood. dor, is enthusiastic about the “They’re just people who “Mingle at the Market” series of are interested in promoting events and the excitement they local food and local produce,” bring. said Jane Aronson, a member “I hope it brings out a difof the board of the farmers ferent crowd,” she said. market. “It is always exciting to The Farmer’s Market certainly have more people at the has interests in promoting local market.” food products, but they want to All proceeds from Mingle be more than just a place to shop. benefit work of the Friends Megan Foster, the chairman of of the Farmers Market. The the board of the farmers mar- Blacksburg Farmers Market has ket, discussed the importance of other summer events planned utilizing the excellent location as well to encourage more of the market as a social hub for people to learn about local Blacksburg. food and engage with local “We are trying to get folks vendors. to come to the market not The market’s hours and just for shopping but also as a event calendar are posted on place to socialize,” Foster said. the organization’s website, “Not just even bring people which also showcases recito the market but bring peo- pes, news and volunteer ple to downtown Blacksburg. information. That’s part of our goal
features staff writer
......radio for everyone
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Minglers head to the market
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collegiatetimes.com june 14, 2012
Johnson’s first month as coach disappointing ALEX KOMA sports editor After the seemingly constant barrage of bad news regarding the Virginia Tech basketball program, Tuesday’s announcement that new head coach James Johnson had finished hiring his staff surely was a welcome relief from all the negativity. While the hiring of Andy Moore as director of basketball operations might not be especially significant, it has to at least be a good sign that this battered program is getting back on its feet. However, this news does bring a pretty disconcerting fact squarely into focus- since Johnson’s hiring on May 1, the rookie head coach has been disturbingly quiet. When athletic director Jim Weaver announced that the team would stay relatively “in-house” by hiring the former assistant, many assumed that his selection was designed to inspire confidence among team members and stop the mass exodus that normally accompanies a firing in college basketball. Instead, the Hokies lost promising freshman Dorian Finney-Smith and touted recruit Montrezl Harrell in the weeks following Seth Greenberg’s firing.
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While Finney-Smith had intimated earlier that he was considering leaving, Harrell’s decision seemed purely based on the change in leadership, destroying Tech’s incoming recruiting class. Johnson was at least able to convince fellow recruit Marshall Wood to honor his commitment to the team after contemplating a change in allegiance, but it seemed as if failing to retain Harrell was a major strike against the new coach. He had announced the hiring of Mark Byington, who had also worked at Harrell’s Hargrave Military Academy, as an assistant coach just a day before Harrell’s announcement that he was leaving, making the recruit’s decision a clear rebuttal of Johnson’s efforts. Given Greenberg’s connection to both players, it’s difficult to blame Johnson entirely for their departure, but it was an unsettling early sign for his tenure. He was able to at least convince point guard Erick Green to stay after he had publicly questioned his loyalty to Tech, yet this seemed to be an absence of a negative rather than a real positive. Instead, it’s his results in attempting to attract new players to the program that have been actively disturbing. While Johnson can hardly be blamed
for the odd timing surrounding Greenberg’s firing and his installment as coach, there hasn’t been a lot of good
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A girl who was just learning to drive went down a one-way street in the wrong direction, but didn't break the law. How come? She was walking.
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JUNE
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UNSCRAMBLER
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Community
Calendar
Blacksburg Farmers Market: Every Wednesday (2 -7 PM) and Saturday (8 AM-2 PM) 16 10:00 AM Annual Juneteenth Celebration, Smithfeild Plantation 17 2:00 PM Father’s Day Bluegrass Concert, Nesselrod on the New River, Radford 19 Blacksburg Resturaunt Week, Downtown Blacksburg
20 4:15 PM FREE Kids Ballet Trial Class, Y-Center, Blacksburg 23 1:00 PM Summer Solstice, Downtown Blacksburg 23 5:00 PM Shrimp and Crab Feast, Smithfeild Plantation 27 3:00 PM Action Animals USA - Live Animal Show, Christiansburg Library
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Thursday, June 14, 2012
XKCD by Randell Munroe
Regular Edition Today’s Birthday Horoscope: Maintain balance with an exercise routine, as your career moves forward steadily this year. Patterns set by year’s end could influence the next several years. Review the big picture, and draw up a scheme that includes your best mates. Your network steadily expands. When reinventing, choose for impact.
Crossword Grab a partner and another paper and duke it out over the rough Hokie seas. Setup: Each player places their ships on “My Board” by filling in the required number of cells. Ships may not be placed diagonally or on top of each other. Gameplay: Each player takes one shot at a time. If the player calls the coordinates of a space where a ship is located, his opponent tells him so by saying "hit." If he missed, his opponent says "miss." Players mark the shots they take on their "Opponent" grid, a circle for a hit and an ‘x’ for a miss. A ship is sunk when all of its squares have been hit. When this happens, the player whose ship was sunk says, for example, "You sank my battleship." The first person to sink all of their opponent’s ships wins.
Battleship:
My Board
Carrier:
Submarine:
Destroyer:
My Opponent’s
8
5 6 6 2 8 7 1 5 7 6 3 8 5 3 7 2
3 8 1
8 9 5 6 4
7
5
Complete the grid so that each column, row and 3x3 box contains the numbers 1-9. Copyright 2007 Puzzles by Pappocom. Solution, tips and computer program at www.sudoku.com
word UNSCRAMBLER
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d i e h
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Track and field jumps to fifth Johnson: First month unsettling ALEX KOMA sports editor
The Virginia Tech men’s track and field team notched a program-best matching fifth place finish at the NCAA Outdoor Track and Field championship on Saturday. The team has now finished in the top ten in its last three national championship appearances, as it placed eighth in this year’s indoor championship and fifth in last year’s outdoor contest. “I feel great about the team’s performance,” said senior Michael Hammond. “We came in ranked eighth, so for us to come in and jump up to fifth was just huge.” The success didn’t end with the team’s honors, however. The U.S. Track and Field and Cross Country Coaches Association named six Hokies first team All-Americans for the 2012 outdoor season. Hammond, Alexander Ziegler, Matthias Treff, Hasheem Halim, Darrell Welsh and Joe Davis were all recognized for their outstanding efforts during the championship meet. “This is my second time as an All-American, and it really means a lot,” Treff said. “Results in the javelin (throw) tend to fluctuate a lot, but I think this says something about my consistency.” Ziegler’s performance at the event was also particularly noteworthy. He earned his second straight NCAA title in the hammer throw and set a personal best in the event. “Most of the events were really close, but (Ziegler) was just dominating,” said Dave Cianelli, head coach. “The amount he won by was just unheard of, and it definitely showed how hard he’s worked all year.” While many of the team’s results were certainly impressive, team members felt as if the meet could have gone a
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Senior Michael Hammond helped the track team place fifth nationally. little better. “We definitely didn’t have a perfect meet, it was probably right down the middle for us,” Treff said. “We were still pretty happy about fifth, but we were hoping for fourth.” Florida took the men’s team title, while LSU, Texas A&M, and Florida State rounded out the top four. “We were hoping to be in the top four, since those are the trophy winners, but there were definitely some good teams ahead of us,” Hammond said. Despite this minor disappointment, earning fifth place nationally should help boost the team’s profile. “I think (this finish) showed that we weren’t one and done after last year,” Cianelli said. “This proved that we can maintain a high level at national meets for years to come and supports the fact that we have some great coaches and student-athletes.” The team’s performance will also have a positive effect on recruiting. “It’s big for recruits to be watching on TV and see Virginia Tech up there with the big name programs,” Hammond
said. “I think we’ll definitely be on the minds of the track community.” An infusion of youth will be key for the program’s competitiveness next season, as the team’s roster featured 14 seniors. “We feel really good about the recruiting class next fall, which is good because we’re graduating so many high quality athletes,” Cianelli said. “We’ll need people to fill the void, whether they’re currently in the program or not.” Hammond is one of the many seniors departing the team in the near future, and his fourth place finish in the 1,500 meter race was his highest at a national meet. “This meet was the end of my outdoors career, so it was kind of bittersweet,” Hammond said. “I was really glad to go out on a high note.” Regardless of the team’s losses, athletes are confident that they can build on this year’s success next season. “We’re losing a lot of seniors, so it’ll be tough to make another run at the ACC title and a top five finish, but I think we’re up for it,” Treff said.
Wilmington. However, Smith won’t be eligible until next season, leaving Wood as the team’s lone signee. Greenberg was actively pursuing several players when he was relieved of his duties, but Johnson’s prospects of reeling any of them in seem to be pretty grim. Players like Anton Wilson and Demetrius Henry are reportedly still considering Tech, but they also have big name programs like Missouri, Baylor and Florida pursuing them, and there’s been no word of any progress in securing either player’s commitment as the pool of available remaining players continues to shrink. The class of 2013 appears to be similarly troublesome. Troy Caupain, a Midlothian, Va. player considering the Hokies, recently committed to Cincinnati despite his local ties. Similarly, Anthony Barber, who hails from recruiting hotbed and Tech favorite Hampton, Va., has expressed greater interest in Alabama and Kansas after the coaching change. Considering that Barber is rated as one of the best players in the nation for next season, and that Tech was formerly a distinct possibility for his services, it’s disturbing to note that he was quoted as saying that the new coaching staff had yet to contact him two weeks after Johnson’s hiring. All of this isn’t to say the sky is falling; any report of Johnson’s
demise before he has even coached a single game is greatly exaggerated. Rather, it’s simply disappointing that he hasn’t filled Greenberg’s shoes the way many fans hoped he would. As a young, likable coach, many expected that he’d be able to be equally effective as Seth was at attracting talent to the program, but so far, that just hasn’t been the case. More than anything, Johnson hasn’t delivered the same kind of buzz to the program that Greenberg did. Even if bigger schools outmaneuvered him when it came to snapping up the remaining recruits, it would’ve been comforting to hear Johnson’s name bandied about by the media as someone aggressively pursuing new players, rather than reacting to his team’s erosion. It’s hard to dispute that Greenberg’s single biggest asset was his charisma, so while he’s certainly a tough act to follow, Johnson is youthful and vibrant enough that his lack of notoriety is disappointing. This may all certainly be a minor critique on what could turn out to be a sterling coaching career, but it would’ve been nice to see Johnson do more in his first month on the job. He has plenty of time to prove his doubters wrong, but to keep the Hokies relevant in the deep ACC, he’ll need to learn to help the team make some noise.
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