The Collegiate Times’ comprehensive guide to Virginia Tech F Football ootball
Friday, August 30, 2013
www.collegiatetimes.com
NEVER BY JACOB EMERT | sports editor
BACK DOWN Tech opens the season against No. 1 Alabama. They’re not shying away.
Conventional wisdom says there are two ways to enter a swimming pool. You can use the ladder to test the water, or you can just go for it and jump. Virginia Tech found out there’s a third way. They are being thrown in. The Hokies’ 2013 campaign begins Saturday in Atlanta against two-time defending national champion Alabama Crimson Tide. “Facts are facts. I don’t think you’ll see many people, if any, picking us,” said Hokies head coach Frank Beamer.
Just some of the facts that sit between Tech and a 1-0 start: The Hokies will start freshmen at left tackle, running back and cornerback. They are 18.5-point underdogs. Alabama’s quarterback, A.J. McCarron, has a .923 winning percentage while leading the Crimson Tide, and led the nation in quarterback rating a year ago. It would be easy then, with everything seemingly stacked against them, for the outlook to be grim in Blacksburg in the days and weeks leading up to the game. But it has not been so. Whether the players and coaches are putting up a
see CHALLENGE / page 3
GAYLE, DEFENSE MUST STOP RUN TO COMPETE
HOKIES RB DEPTH VANISHES IN FALL JAMES O’HARA
contributing sports reporter
FILE 2013 / SPPS
James Gayle will have to pump up the Hokies fans in what will be a decidedly ‘Bama crowd in Georgia.
Foster committed to containing T.J.Yeldon and the Crimson Tide running game MIKE PLATANIA sports media manager
Defending the Alabama offense isn’t exactly rocket science. They don’t have a dynamic quarterback like Texas A&M’s Johnny Manziel who can turn a broken play into a touchdown, nor will they run nearly 100 plays per game like Oregon. Alabama bleeds the clock slowly and steadily with their running game and caps almost all of their drives with short touchdown runs. Add in the fact that they can throw to standout receiver Amari Cooper basically anywhere on the field, and opposing defenses often find themselves between a rock and a hard place. The last time Alabama was held to under 100 yards rushing was when they lost at home to LSU in 2011; they ran for 96 yards. If the Hokies are
going to shock the world this Saturday, it’ll start up front. And defensive coordinator Bud Foster knows it. “We have got to be able to stop the run. That sets everything up that they do,” he said. “They have some dynamic players on the outside but their strength is running the football.”
“
We’ve have go to be able to stop the run. That sets everything that they do.”
Bud Foster Defensive Coordinator
T.J. Yeldon is great along the outside but doesn’t run between the tackles as well, so the Hokies’ defensive ends will have to consistently seal the edge and force Yeldon to run
right into linebackers’ arms. Luckily for the Hokies, they are strong and deep at defensive end, with proven starters like James Gayle and J.R. Collins. Another player to watch will be No. 90 Dadi Nicolas, who has freakish speed that may keep Alabama running up the middle, as opposed to off-tackle. In other close games Alabama’s been in — though there haven’t been many — their opponents have forced quarterback A.J. McCarron to do more than manage the game and beat them with his arm. Last year, Texas A&M beat the Tide by not only forcing turnovers, but also by creating third-and-long situations. McCarron doesn’t have a rocket arm and he isn’t laser accurate, but that hardly holds Alabama back since he’s not often asked to do much more than hand it off or throw check-down passes to his backs.
see DEFENSE / page 3
Heading into the 2013 offseason it looked like the Virginia Tech football team would have its hands full trying to sort out their running backs. Both starters from 2012 — JC Coleman and Michael Holmes — were back along with main backup Tony Gregory and redshirt freshmen Trey Edmunds and Chris Mangus. Now heading into the season opener against Alabama it seems likely that only one of those running backs, Trey Edmunds, will be playing. What was once the team’s deepest position on offense is now its most shallow. The attrition began in July, when a student judicial board dismissed Holmes after he pled guilty to a misdemeanor assault and battery charge in June. The Hokies then lost another running back when Gregory re-tore his ACL, effectively ending his career at Tech. In fall practice another switch occurred when Mangus changed positions to wide receiver, with highly rated 2012 recruit Joel Caleb moving over to running back. Caleb took to the position quickly and he is now listed as the second team running back on the depth chart. However, Caleb has been suspended for the season
“
At about noon today I didn’t think there was any chance he would play.”
Shane Beamer Running Backs Coach
BEN WEIDLICH / SPPS
Trey Edmunds will be the key back in the Chick-Fil-A Kickoff. opener against Alabama because of an unspecified violation of team rules. There was more bad news for the Hokie running backs though. When the training staff announced Gregory’s injury, they also announced that Coleman had sprained both his right and left ankles. At the time, they gave an optimistic projection that he would be ready for Alabama, but the latest injury report listed him as questionable. When asked about Coleman’s status on Tuesday,
running backs coach Shane Beamer said, “He looked better. I’ll be honest with you at about noon today I didn’t think there was any chance he would play. He said he feels good.” Only having one running back definitely available is worrisome though, and the Hokies would rather not have one player take all of the carries. “I don’t think it’s realistic against these guys, or any
see BACKS / page 3
2
august 30, 2013
THE MATCHUP
VIRGINIA TECH DEFENSIVE LINE
VS
CRIMSON TIDE
OFFENSIVE LINE
FILE 2013 / SPPS
MCT CAMPUS
James Gayle and the rest of the Hokies’ defensive line will have to challenge Alabama up front.
Alabama’s offensive line lost three starters to the NFL, weakening the Tide offense up front.
On paper, the only advantage Tech may hold over the Tide is the battle in the trenches between the Hokies’ defensive line and the Tide’s counterparts BROOKS AKER sports reporter
Although top-ranked Alabama is a run-first team, its passing game is also strong. Redshirt-senior quarterback A.J. McCarron returns as the leader in passing efficiency rating from a year ago, after tossing 30 touchdowns to just three interceptions. For his career as a starter, McCarron has only thrown eight interceptions, which is attributable to his accuracy as a quarterback and maybe more importantly, the stability of the offensive line he has played behind for two years. But the Crimson Tide lost two-time All-American and Rimington Award winner Barrett Jones, All-American and first round draft pick Chance Warmack and second-team All-American and first-round draft pick DJ Fluker to the NFL this offseason. The trio helped form an offensive line that paved the way for over 3,000 rushing yards and protected McCarron on his way to over 2,900 yards and 30 touchdowns. While Cyrus Kouandjio is another All-American candidate at left tackle and senior Anthony Steen returns at right guard with 25 career starts, the rest of the offensive line for the Crimson Tide is a question mark. Three players will all be making their first starts against a veteran, talented Virginia defensive front. And this is where the Hokies’ biggest advantage, per-
ceived or real, exists in the season opener against the two-time defending national champions. This season’s defensive line unit might be the deepest in recent memory, with Bud Foster and defensive line coach Charley Wiles able to rotate in seven or eight players with game experience. The returning starters along the line bring back tremendous experience. James Gayle garners many of the headlines when it comes to the defensive line, as he should. He recorded five sacks and 11 tackles for loss a season ago on the way to be being named a second team All-ACC performer. Other returning starters include Derrick Hopkins, Luther Maddy and J.R. Collins, who have made 27, 16 and 23 starts respectively. Hopkins was honorable mention All-ACC last season as well. Dadi Nicholas is listed as a co-starter at the defensive end position, and the coaches are excited about his abilities heading into the season. Nicholas entered fall camp with an eye on a starting job after a great spring, when he won the Richard Bullock Award as the most improved defensive player during spring workouts. He made plenty of noise last season as he recorded three and a half tackles for loss and two sacks in the second half. Additionally, Tyrel Wilson and Kris Harley provide more depth at the end and tackle positions respectively, with Wilson owning 10 tackles for loss and seven sacks
in action as a backup on the line. The argument could be made that every football game is won at the line of scrimmage, but if the Hokies want to keep the game close, the defensive front is going to have to be great. Alabama may be replacing three starters, but they aren’t replacing their run first philosophy. “We have got to be able to stop the run,” said Foster. “That sets everything up that they do. If they can establish the run, they like the play-action pass on first and second down, but the run game sets all that up.” Sacks are great, but the tackles for loss will be a more important measure for the Hokies defensive line in the game. If the Hokies' defensive line can disrupt Alabama’s ability to run the ball and force A.J. McCarron to consistently beat them with his arm, the game could be closer down the stretch according to Foster. The Crimson Tide is the top-ranked team for good reason: they boast a talented team, players with championship experience and one of the best coaches in the game in Nick Saban. But Frank Beamer, Foster and company shouldn’t be forgotten. It will all but certainly take a vintage Tech defensive performance to upset the Crimson Tide, but the players believe there is a chance. Expectations for Tech from those outside the program seem to be low, but the guys that will step on the field on Saturday have other ideas — and it all starts with the defensive line.
@BrooksAker
X’S AND O’S VIRGINIA TECH ALABAMA
James Gayle
Derrick Hopkins
Luther Maddy
99
98
92
71
77
Cyrus Arie Kouandijo Kouandijo
J.R. Collins Dadi Nicolas
42 91
70
61
79
Ryan Kelly
Anthony Steen
Austin Shepherd
august 30, 2013
DEFENSE: STOPPING THE RUN WILL BE KEY from page one So how do the Hokies expose McCarron’s limitations? Lock down their top receiver. Amari Cooper was an AllAmerican last season for good reason. Hokies head coach Frank Beamer and secondary coach Torrian Gray have both likened Cooper’s ability to Clemson’s Sammy Watkins. With Antone Exum sidelined, true freshmen Brandon Facyson and Kendall Fuller will probably be seeing Cooper with some safety help over the top. Gray is aware of
the risks that come with starting true freshmen. “Unfortunately they are freshman, they’ll probably do a freshman thing here or there, but I honestly believe they are going to hold up there end of the bargain,” he said. If the Hokies can stop the run, take Cooper out of the game and force McCarron to throw on third down, the Hokies will have a shot. Of course all three are easier said than done — but crazier has happened in college football.
3
PLAYER
TWEETS-OF-THE-WEEK AJ Hughes @AJ_HughesVT I don’t think Miley Cyrus found “the best of both worlds” when It come to Lindsay Lohan and Lady Gaga lmao
Charley Meyer @CHUCKit2yaboy In chemistry imagining that my teacher cooks crystal meth and is really good at it! #breakingbad
Desmond CP Frye @DTFrye26 Classes too easy...I need to decide a major lol
Dewayne Alford Jr. @iGoEliPorter @MikePlatania
all i want in life is for Squidward to learn how to play the clarinet...
Darius Walter Redmond @TheCalc_33 I guess some people think leggings are like pajamas..
CHALLENGE: TECH WILL BE TESTED from page one facade to try and convince the public — or themselves — that they have a chance, or whether they really believe it, the Hokies are saying all the right things heading into the opener. Atop the list of the most vocal and optimistic is Jack Tyler. “We know the magnitude of the situation. We know the skill level of the opponent we’re playing, but like I’ve said all along, they’re on scholarship just like we are,” Tyler, a senior linebacker, said. “We dominate if we do what we are supposed to. We can shut them down.” It would be easy for the Hokies to be intimidated — Alabama has won three of the past four national championships. But that’s not the case either.
“
We dominate if we do what are supposed to. We can shut them down.” Jack Tyler Linebacker
“Maybe it’s my background, coming from wrestling with (Tech) coach (Kevin) Dresser,” senior center Andrew Miller said. “One of his main sayings is ‘Never take a backseat to anybody.’ And that’s something I never do.” And it’s not just the players who aren’t afraid to do battle with the football goliath. “We’re just as good as any-
body around,” said associate head coach Shane Beamer. “They have great coaches and they earned those national championships, but our guys certainly aren’t shying away from anybody.” Frank Beamer has scheduled some daunting opponents before to start a season, but none quite this good. In fact, he said he’s never played anyone this good. “When you look at this (Alabama) team overall, I think they’re the best we’ve ever played,” said Beamer, who has more than 319 games under his belt. “We have started out with teams that are really good where you got about a 50/50 chance of winning, and less than that with Alabama,” Beamer said. “I know we are a big underdog.” So then why continue to schedule these big games to start of the year? “In the big picture when you play the best team in the country, if you win it that’s a big win for the ACC and your program,” Beamer said. “But regardless, you become a better football team.” And a better football team is exactly what fans of the program want. Especially after a season that ended the longest consecutive 10-win season streak in the country. But that’s the past. And the Hokies are doing nothing but looking forward. “This is one of the best summers we’ve all been through. We’re really working hard,” said starting left guard Caleb Farris. “We’ve worked a lot independently on our own without the coaches to learn the offense and be ready to roll.” In addition to a more pro-
FILE 2012 / SPPS
Most people aren’t giving the Hokies a chance in Atlanta. Tech refuses to let that rhetoric keep them from playing their best against the Tide. ductive offseason, the Hokies have a couple other factors, some tangible, some not, which could be in their favor heading into the Georgia Dome. One of the most notable is capitalizing on the element of surprise. Following Tech’s new offensive coordinator, Scot Loeffler, to campus is a new offense scheme. Because of that, both he and Frank Beamer are limiting the amount of information and
video that is getting out. “Looking at our offensive fi lm from last year won’t serve (Alabama) a big purpose, other than personnel,” Frank Beamer said. “We need to try and use every advantage we’ve got.” Another tactic, employed more by players than coaches, is to try and psych themselves up for the game. “I don’t think (Alabama is) thinking about us too much, honestly,” Farris said. When James Gayle was
asked how he felt about Alabama getting all the attention, the senior defensive end had to censor his first reaction. “I’m tired of it,” Gayle said. “We’re a good team also. But they’re coming off a strength season last year. With the national championship, so respect should be given. I just don’t feel like we’re getting much on our end. “It definitely motivates us,” Gayle said. “We’re not a slouch ourselves. We had
a down season last year but we’re still Virginia Tech.” Whether the Tide are truly overlooking the Hokies or not, Tech looks to use every trick they’ve got on Saturday — psychological or otherwise. The Hokies have been tossed in the deep end. Now they have to learn how to swim.
@JacobEmert
BACKS: DEPTH MAJOR CONCERN FOR TECH from page one game, to ask Trey Edmunds to take the entire game,” said Beamer. To help combat the depth issues, the Hokies moved Chris Mangus back to running back. With Caleb unavailable, if Coleman cannot play Saturday, Mangus will be the backup to Edmunds. “Now we’ll have packages where Mangus will have to get in the game,” said Beamer. To his credit, Edmunds seems willing to take on the challenge. “Football is a contact sport. Being a running back, the contact is definitely going to come,” said Edmunds. “The thing is to have each and every guy ready so when one guy goes down we have other guys ready, and that’s why myself and some of the other running backs were able to step up,” said Edmunds.
Going into a big game against the consensus number one team in the nation, especially with just one healthy full-time running back, can be daunting and the Hokie aren’t pretending otherwise. “They are really good, but they are really good fundamentally,” said Beamer. “It’s definitely going to be big. I haven’t really set too many personal goals but from a team aspect it’s definitely going to be big,” said Edmunds. According to Thursday’s injury report, Coleman is still listed as “questionable,” leaving the depth chart uncertain. In any case, the running backs will have to step up against a daunting opponent. “I just want us to play hard. Hopefully we can get everything to click,” said Edmunds.
@nextyeardc
WANTED YOU to advertise in our classified section. Its easier than you think. Just go to collegiatetimes.com and you can write, buy and post your own classified ad in the Collegiate Times today!
TREVOR WHITE / SPPS
Trey Edmunds will carry the load after a series of injuries rocked the Hokies’ running backs this fall.
4
august 30, 2013
HEAD TO HEAD Collegiate Times sports editors face off with their weekly game predictions. Find out why they made their picks.
L
JACOB EMERT SPORTS EDITOR
ALEX KOMA SPORTS EDITOR
Beating Alabama would be a transformative, program-defining win for the Hokies —but it’s just not in the cards. While Tech does have a few advantages heading into the game, they’re vastly outweighed by the negative factors working against the Hokies. There’s no doubt that Alabama could look past the Chick-Fil-A Kickoff game to the team’s subsequent match against Texas A&M and get distracted. And it’s entirely possible that Tech’s formidable defense could come together incredibly quickly and shut down the Tide’s relatively simple
offense. But neither of those things is particularly likely to happen. On top of that, the Hokies have suffered some crucial injuries at key positions. The biggest absence is outside linebacker Ronny Vandyke. Vandyke was poised for a breakout season anchoring Tech’s defense at “whip” linebacker, but now he’s out for the year. Redshirt sophomore Josh Trimble will take his place, and while he’s shown promise in practice, he has little game experience. Tech’s offense is similarly inexperienced. Jonathan McLaughlin will be the first true freshman to ever start at tackle under Frank Beamer, while injuries have forced redshirt freshman Trey Edmunds to start at run-
ning back. Both players will be key to Tech’s success, and while both have looked good in spring practice, that’s very different from playing the defending national champion on ESPN. The bottom line here is that Alabama has too much talent at every position for the Hokies to handle. Whether it’s explosive receivers like Amari Cooper or dominant defenders like C.J. Mosley, the Tide are loaded even after sending a host of prospects to the NFL. It would be a nice story if the Hokies win, and would certainly be a defi ning moment for Beamer. But a loss just seems far more likely.
@AlexKomaVT
W
Rarely, if ever, is there a useable link between Virginia Tech football and the 1994 fi lm “Dumb and Dumber,” — trust me, I’ve looked. But amidst all the lopsided speculation heading into this weekend’s opener I can’t help but find a connection. Late in the fi lm, Lloyd, played by the most nerdy, awkward Jim Carrey imaginable, asks the beautiful Mary, “What do you think the chances are of a guy like you and a girl like me... ending up together?” She tells him not good, saying it’s just about one in a million. Lloyd, stunned, freezes before smiling and proudly exclaiming, “So you’re telling me there’s a chance!”
Meet your Virginia Tech Hokies. With a chance. The Hokies chances heading into the opener are slightly better than one-in-a-million, but not much. Not much is a start. “It’s not always who should win,” said Hokies head coach Frank Beamer, “it’s who does win.” I know the Hokies aren’t a better football team than the Crimson Tide, but then again this prediction isn’t based on what I know; it’s based on a gut feeling I have. If you want evidence supporting why the Hokies will win, I’m sorry, I don’t have it. My prediction — admittedly based on gut feeling rather than the mounds of evidence in front of me — Virginia Tech beats Alabama 24-20. You should probably note, however, that Lloyd never does end up with Mary.
@JacobEmert
Friday, August 30, 2013
An independent, student-run newspaper serving the Virginia Tech community since 1903 www.collegiatetimes.com
COLLEGIATETIMES
110th year, issue 5 News, page 2
Features, page 3
Opinions, page 5
Sports, page 4
Classifieds, page 6
Street performer attracts student audience
KEVIN DICKEL / SPPS
Chris “Dr. Moon” Saunders has been a part of the Virginia Tech community since 2007 and continues to serve them daily with music.
BY JESSICA GROVES | lifestyles reporter
Local artist has always sought to support Virginia Tech students. His story continues in downtown Blacksburg. The cicadas are buzzing, cars are streaming down College Avenue and Chris “Moon” Saunders is perched outside of Top of the Stairs strumming away on his Yamaha guitar. He’s been playing music
downtown all week, speaking with and smiling to passersby. Saunders is no new face to Virginia Tech’s students, however. He and his wife began working in Owens Dining Hall in January 2007.
During that time, Saunders waited on many students, including some who were killed in the tragedy of April 16. Saunders distinctly remembers serving Seung-Hui Cho that winter and, today, still wishes he could have helped the obviously upset student. Months later, Saunders and his wife were working when the shootings occurred.
Troubled by the thought of a student he had interacted with, Saunders was compelled to not let an opportunity to help another slip by again. “For me, with children in college myself, it was so traumatic that I really thought that people needed a connection to someone or somebody other than the school,” Saunders said.
So, Saunders embraced his artistic roots as a musician and actor, planted himself on the streets of downtown Blacksburg and began reaching out to students with his acoustic melody. “My point in being on the street is to actually bring music and art directly to people instead of having it be something you’ve got to go to,”
Saunders said. “Being able to speak to students as they come by and touch base with them, I enjoy that interaction.” Saunders started using theatre techniques to memorize students’ names. He has also been learning phrases in other languages to engage with members of the community. see MOON / page three
Committee convenes to Hokie Bird faces off with move forward with search rival mascots in contest DEAN SEAL news editor
The presidential search is ready to begin, but not without substantial participation from the Virginia Tech community. The search committee for Tech’s next president assembled at 8:30 a.m. on a cloudy Thursday morning, settled in an immaculate conference room at the Inn. As one of the first input meetings in the presidential search, the four-hour session had a variety of purposes, all with the intention of preparing the group for a full launch into the search over the next few months. The search committee, who is charged with pinpointing three presidential candidates and submitting them to the Board of Visitors (BOV) for a final decision, is an eclectic mosaic of 22 faculty, students, staff, alumni and BOV members. After the compulsory opening motions were completed, the committee reviewed the results of a preliminary survey, conducted across the past several weeks, that compiled the input of students, faculty, alumni and various other participants involved with Tech. The survey, coordinated by three graduate students that have been selected to assist in the search, had received roughly 650 submissions. However, the preliminary survey only provided a limited level of insight, leaving some members of the com-
THE SEARCH HAS BEGUN vt Presidential Search
FILE 2012 / SPPS
The Hokie Bird lost the competition in 2004 and 2007, and hasn’t been in competition since. MATT MINOR staff writer
mittee to dismiss its results as being somewhat inconsequential. It was noted, however, that a more thorough survey is being released to a wider audience, and its results should be more telling. Currently, the survey is lacking faculty input— made up of 38 percent students and only nine percent faculty. Committee members addressed this issue, and looked for ways to get faculty and staff involved in the process.
more info To have your voice heard, fill out the Presidential Search Survey www.presidentialsearch.vt.edu
see SEARCH / page two
Missed the party? see page three
For the third time since its inauguration in 2002, the Capital One Bowl Mascot Challenge announced that the Hokie Bird will be competing for the top prize as the best mascot in all of college football. The challenge is set up in a weekly football-style format, where two mascots go head-to-head per week. Next week, the Hokie Bird will be squaring off against PeeDee the Pirate from East Carolina University. The award includes a $20,000 scholarship to the winning school’s mascot fund, donated by Capital One, and $5,000 for being
nominated. “Mascots are the center of school spirit at colleges across the nations,” said Marc Mentry, senior vice president of Advertising and Creative at Capital One in a press release. “With the added layer of fan challenges to this year’s program, we are looking forward to seeing the enthusiasm, support and humor shine through for their favored mascots and schools.” A new feature of this year’s mascot competition is fan challenges. Replacing the old system of single votes, which would be repeated an unrestricted amount of times per day, fans can now either create a short cheerleaderstyle chant and upload it
via Twitter or Facebook for 25 points, or perform their chant in public (using video or photographic proof) for 100 points. Last year, Raider Red from Texas Tech University came out on top. As of now, there has only been one mascot that has won multiple challenges: Monte from the University of Montana. In Virginia, the only school to win the challenge was Big Blue from Old Dominion University in 2010. Votes can be cast for the HokieBird by going to www. capitalonebowl.com.
@CTNewsroom
2
newseditor@collegiatetimes.com
August 30, 2013
collegiatetimes.com
Search: Committee looking for input from page one
Afterwards, the committee conducted a roundtable discussion of their belief in the attributes and skill sets required by the next president, though it initially digressed into comments on potential faults in the current search process. Some were worried that the process being considered a “closed search” may be misinterpreted. “We’re closed in the process, but that doesn’t mean we’re closed in the input,” said committee member Stephanie Adams. Many agreed, and committee member Ben Davenport concluded, “(We) need to communicate that its not a closed process… in that we take input.” He suggested that the committee remedy the situation by working with the deans of each college in collaboration. The separation was made between what they considered a closed search and what was simply a confidential search. Mirah Horowitz, of the search and assessment company Russell Reynolds Associates, reminded the committee that the search
must remain confidential so as to not put any applicants at risk of losing their current position in other universities. The committee discussed which attributes would be required of the next president to help accelerate the universities standing as an institution, while keeping it an affordable and valued
“
It’s not a job, it’s a life. Steger did it for 14 years and committed his life to it.” George Nolen Chair of the VT Presidential Search Committee
experience for generations of students to come. Emphasis was placed on the university’s role as a land grant university, as well as the importance of continuing research and innovation in years to come. “It’s difficult to put it into one attribute, clearly they are looking for a visionary leader—a strategic thinker, who is a great communicator and a good professional manager at the same time,” said George
Nolen, chair of the search committee, after the meeting. Committee members were also quick to point out that a stigma has been placed on Tech’s administration regarding its ability to enact change in policy. Some agreed that Tech can at times become too bogged down in its own bureaucracy and processes, and that a new president would need to overcome this limitation. Additionally, there was a lot of talk about the positive aspects of Blacksburg and the sense of community the town can cultivated. This was seen as a strong suit that needed to be communicated to applicants, in order to attract strong candidates to a job that has serious longevity attached to it. “I learned a lot more today about how we really have a great sense of community here at Virginia Tech and its going to be a great asset for us to share with the potential leaders that come in to apply,” Nolen said, after the meeting. “We have a great sense of community here that will portray itself on almost everything we do.” While applications aren’t being accepted yet, the com-
mittee hopes to keep a wide range of potential candidates in mind, on a national and global level. They are also cognizant that pulling in the best candidates nationwide could be challenging. “We say we want to play this on the national level, but we have to figure out how to play up to those larger institutions,” said committee member Patricia Dove. After more results are taken from the survey, the committee plans to meet again in five weeks to aggregate the data and start compiling applications and resumes. They hope to have their recommendations to the BOV by early January, but Nolen says they are “not going to move so fast as to not have the exact right people in that pool,” understanding the magnitude of the position and their decision. “It’s not a job, it’s a life,” Nolen concluded. “Steger did it for 14 years and committed his life to it. Sometimes doing jobs you don’t want to do, but have to do.”
NEWS
weather watch JAMES MORROW weather reporter
Luckily, weather won’t play a factor for the game inside the Georgia Dome. But, for those planning to participate in pre-game festivities, both locally and in Atlanta, you will need to keep an eye to the sky. For those traveling on Friday, the skies are looking mostly clear here in Blacksburg. Storm chances begin to increase as you head south out of Virginia. Your best chance of hitting rain will occur as you pass through South Carolina into Georgia, a region that has seen a surplus of rain as of late. Your best chance of arriving dry in Atlanta will be Saturday morning. A few showers will be possible en-route, but the majority of the rain will hold off until the mid-afternoon hours. Be wary of patchy fog as you head out Saturday morning. Locally, Friday is looking pleasant, with temperatures hovering around the 80 degrees. Skies will remain mostly clear. Storm chances pick up Saturday, with the best chance of rain hitting around kickoff. A few storms may contain heavy rain, but severe possibilities should remain small, and skies should clear after the game. Storm chances will continue to increase throughout the Southeast on Sunday into the Labor Day holiday. The sun will return on Tuesday bringing cooler and drier weather into the region.
@wxBONE @JDeanSeal
crimeblotter date
time
offense
location
status
Apr. 9-10
11:00 PM - 5:00 AM
Follow-up to Vandalism/Destruction of Property
Squires Student Center
Inactive
Mar. 30-31
5:00 PM
Follow-up to Burglary/Breaking and Entering SPH M
Inactive
Aug. 28
1:31 AM - 1:50 AM
Harassment
On Campus
Active
Aug. 26
5:07 PM
Threatening E-mail
Shanks Hall
Active
Aug. 28
8:30 PM
Larceny
Outside McComas Hall
Inactive: referred to student conduct
Aug. 28
2:00 PM - 6 PM
Larceny of Bicycle
Johnson Student Center
Active
Aug. 28
11:22 PM
Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol/ Refuse to take breath or blood test
Draper Road
Cleared by Arrest
LIFESTYLES
lifestyleseditor@collegiatetimes.com
August 30, 2013
collegiatetimes.com
3
Parachute brings out students Va. Moonshiner goes legal after despite gloomy conditions
TV documentary
NICK SMIRNIOTOPOLOUS multimedia editor
Despite ongoing rain showers, hundreds of students attended the Welcome Back Kickoff Concert, which was held outside for the first time this year. The Class of 2015 and the Student Alumni Association teamed up to host the event; the Class of 2015 planned the concert, while the SAA planned the Spirit Rally, which featured the Low Techs and the Dance Company at Virginia Tech, among others. The concert’s headliner, Parachute, is a pop group from the University of Virginia that’s steadily grown in popularity. They just released their third album, Overnight, on Aug. 13. According to Maddie Potter, marketing director of the SAA, the event was held outside in part to promote the completion of the newly renovated College Avenue Promenade. “They wanted to promote it and not just bring in the students, but also the community,” Potter said. Katie Agnos, Class of 2015 Leadership Team marketing cochair, was on the team that helped plan the event; her responsibilities included everything from social media, to preparing tents and giving away free gifts. Despite preparing a rain location at Squires Colonial Ballroom, the Class of 2015 decided the morning of the concert to keep the event outside. According to Agnos, the only reason they would have had it inside was for thunder, not just rain. “The event was definitely better than expected,” Agnos said. “Even with the rain, people still came around and stayed. I think that has a lot to do with Parachute, because people like them and want to hear them.” Two close friends, Brandee Bryant and Alexis Vaughn, attended the concert together and stayed despite the rain. The two freshmen met last year at Gateway, a two-day Tech event that helps students transition into their first year of college. “We just came because it seemed like something fun to do,” Bryant said. They’ve never heard of Parachute before and their favorite music genres are hip-hop and R&B, but they were excited to hear from the band. While they enjoyed their time and decided to stay, they had some complaints about the venue. “It was tough to see,” Vaughn said. “And if it’s going to rain, I would say to put it inside. Other than that, (the venue) was fine.”
MARK DAVIS mcclatchy newspapers
BEN WEIDLICH/ SPPS
RACHEL FRANKS/ SPPS
BEN WEIDLICH/ SPPS
TREVOR WHITE / SPPS
Top: Students gather by the stage on College Avenue in preparation for the Parachute concert. Center left: Michael Conway, a junior marketing major, performs along with the Low Techs. Center right: A fan’s outstretched arms frame lead singer Will Anderson of Parachute. Bottom: The Hokie Bird dances downtown while holding an umbrella to keep dry in the rain.
You have to understand the role a dog plays in the manufacture of whiskey, especially that created in the dark of night, away from prying eyes of government agents. A good dog keeps watch and lets her human know whether strangers are afoot. A crackle in the leaves, a limb snapping: She’s on it, a four-legged alarm. That brings us to Camo, a fine hound. She comes by her name honestly. She’s got mottled fur, perfect camouflage in the Virginia woods where she found work guarding moonshine for her human, Tim Smith. Now, dog and human have honest jobs. Smith _ a star of “Moonshiners,” Discovery Channel’s series about a collection of liquor-making goobers who drink, get in trouble, drink, get out of trouble, drink, then get in trouble again _ has gone legit. He’s brewing ‘shine with the government’s approval. Camo? Her noble visage graces every bottle of Smith’s legal lightning, debuting in Georgia and South Carolina. Smith hit town a couple of weeks ago. He came bigtime, riding in a black Ford Excursion whose smokedglass sides bore Smith’s likeness as well the name of his whiskey, Climax Moonshine, aka the Drink of Defiance. He was shirtless, as usual, and wore his signature camouflage hat. The name of his liquor was stitched on the back of his Liberty overalls. Thursday afternoon found him in the tasting room of Tower Beer, Wine & Spirits, where customer Maegan Joseph reached uncertainly for a short plastic tumbler. A half-inch of Smith’s moonshine glistened inside it. With his advice, she tossed it in her mouth, swished it around, then took an additional sip of sweet tea. Gulp! She blinked once, twice. “It’s good,” she managed. Her vocal chords sounded scorched. Smith grinned. “It’ll sneak up on you after six drinks,” he said. “Especially if it’s under an hour.” Ask any moonshiner and he (most are
men) will tell you: It’s a generational thing. Most distillers who set themselves up in business without benefit of government license learned it from a daddy, granddaddy, great-uncle or other family member. Smith says he got his start at 7, carrying jugs for his father in the woods of Climax, Va. When the elder Smith died, his son took over the art of making family ‘shine. For art it is. Making liquor on the sly calls for equal parts distilling and disappearing. Smith says he never got caught, even as the cops nailed others. Once, he hid his product in a tobacco field. Several years ago, producers wanting to make a documentary about the illegal distillation of whiskey sought him out. “They knocked on my door, and that documentary led to a reality show,” he said. Smith is such a big deal these days that he has his own website. He also has a site devoted to his legal liquor. Th irteen years ago, about 25 small distilleries operated across the country. Today, more than 400 are producing small batches of booze, defined as less than 40,000 cases annually. A quick glance at the white liquor at Tower proves that consumers are taking a shine to high-octane, clear bourbon. Their names are an homage to moonshining’s colorful past: Ole Smoky, Full Throttle, Midnight Moon. And, now, Climax Moonshine. John Layne, a big guy, tossed back an ounce or so. His eyes bulged, then watered. “This is great,” said Layne, who recalled some moonshiners in his family’s past. “I’m used to the woods, so to speak.” Well, so is Smith. He’s legal now, but he still has a whiff of _ what? Woodsmoke? Forest? Whatever it is, Smith is cashing in on it. “We’re in the legal business now,” he said. That brings you, dear reader, back to Smith’s dog. Let other booze makers adorn their bottles with a turkey or a gray goose or even a ruffled grouse. That liquor is for, well, you know ... for the birds. If you want something that is as much bite as bark, look for Camo.
Moon: Traveling musician engages, builds community from page one
“I speak a sort of hillbilly Arabic and Chinese and several other different languages to try and greet the kids,” Saunders said. However, Saunders needed a name that was easy for the students to remember, too. “A lot of people have the name Chris, and so the name Moon, or Dr. Moon, is easier for people to remember,” Saunders said. What began as a desire to encourage the student body at Tech became “Dr. Moon’s Traveling Show.” The title comes from Waxing Moon, a candle and incensemaking company the Saunders family once operated. “A waxing moon is actually different from a waning moon in that it’s a growing moon,” Saunders said. “That was me, always trying to grow.” Tech is a university with more than 30,000 students, so trying to reach the entire university is no easy task. Nevertheless, Saunders is honored to accept the challenge. Thanks to a local program, Sidewalk Stage, Blacksburg is one vast outdoor stage for Saunders and other performing artists to share their passion with the Tech community.
Blacksburg’s Sidewalk Stage has been active for several years, but the town recently moved to allow artists to perform without a permit. In addition, performers are no longer limited to certain locations in town, as long as they do not impede traffic. Heat her Brow ning, Blacksburg’s community relations manager, said that Saunders was one of the first artists in Blacksburg to take advantage of the Sidewalk Stage program. In fact, the biggest sign inside of Saunders’ guitar case says “Support Street Art!” in bright neon letters. Saunders said one of the benefits of performing in public is being able to reach members of the community directly. Audiences constrained by time, transportation or money are able to see performers on the Sidewalk Stage when they can’t access a club or theatre. The Sidewalk Stage program benefits performers, too. In many cases, an encouraging word and a friendly face from students rushing on and offcampus is all they need to sustain their zeal. Also, since the town no longer requires performers to have a permit, the program rests in the hands of the artists themselves.
The Sidewalk Stage has given Saunders and other performers a chance to practice old favorites and develop new material right in front of an ever-present audience. “I think it’s something that is going to grow organically over time and will evolve into whatever the community desires,” Browning said. As Saunders said before, audiences need money, transportation and time to see most performing acts in town. At the same time, the performers need resources to express their talents. The Sidewalk Stages in Blacksburg are non-exclusive and free to the community, enabling both groups to come together on any budget. “It allows the stage to be the people’s stage,” Saunders said. “It allows people to try out their dream.” As students sprint between classes and meetings in preparation to chase their own aspirations, Dr. Moon strums to their steps in hopes of encouraging them on. “Sometimes you have to be the community that you want to be,” Saunders said. “You’ve got to be the hope that you’re looking for.”
@JessicaHGroves
KEVIN DICKEL / SPPS
Chris Saunders, also known as Dr. Moon, plays his guitar in front of Top of The Stairs along College Ave.
4
sportseditor@collegiatetimes.com
August 30, 2013
collegiatetimes.com
SPORTS
Freshman cornerbacks will be tested early RACHEL FRANKS sports staff writer
When cornerback Antone Exum tore his ACL and lateral meniscus in his right knee last January while playing pick up basketball the question on everyone’s mind was, “how will the Hokies face Alabama without their star corner?” Exum was a pivotal player last season, and it’s easy to speculate that Virginia Tech would not have won the Russell Athletic Bowl without his fourth quarter interception that led to Tech’s only touchdown of the game. Of course, some fans held out the hope that Exum would have a miraculously speedy recovery and be healthy enough to play on Aug. 31. However, with an ACL surgery, it is hard to predict how long recovery can take. Accordingly, during spring practice the competition to replace Exum began. At first, it appeared to be between sophomores Donovan Riley and Donaldven Manning, but once practice started, earlyenrolled freshman Brandon Facyson started to impress the coaches. By the end of spring practice, the top two candidates were Facyson and Manning. Then, in the summer, a third candidate arrived in Blacksburg.
“
I’ve really been pleased with Kendall’s football IQ, his body positioning.” Bud Foster Defensive coordinator
Five-star commit Kendall Fuller, the fourth and final Fuller brother, started training with his older brother and fellow corner Kyle. Once preseason practice started Kendall Fuller was prepared and astounded coaches with how ready he was for collegiate play. Defensive coordinator Bud Foster admitted at Media
Day that he could not think of another player who came in as ready as Kendall was. “It is just refreshing to see a guy who has good abilities and tremendous football IQ come in that early and be ready to go,” Foster said. At the start of preseason practice it was announced that Dr. James Andrews, renowned orthopedic surgeon, had declared Exum was not going to be ready for Alabama. As of Aug. 7, it will be at least two months before Exum will play again. Exum, who created a rap video about coming back to play Alabama, was not pleased by the news. “I definitely wanted to play,” Exum said. “I don’t know if I thought it would be two months. That’s not just the first game. That’s a couple of games.” The rest of the team was disappointed by the news, but not surprised. Kendall says they know someone has to take his spot. “(Antone) being out is definitely going to hurt the team, just him being around us, but we all know some guys are going to have to step up for the Alabama game,” Kendall said. In the beginning of training camp the plan was to have Kendall play at nickel corner and the competition for the open corner spot would still be between Manning and Facyson. However, in the second week of preseason practice, coaches announced that Kendall would also be competing at the corner spot. The next day, Manning announced that after talking with head coach Frank Beamer he would be transferring. The announcement was not a complete surprise, as Manning had considered transferring before. That left two true freshmen competing to start at corner against Alabama. Both Kendall and Facyson have been highly praised by all their coaches. “We’ve got two outstanding prospects, Brandon Facyson and Kendall Fuller,” Foster said. “I’ve really been pleased with Kendall’s football IQ, his body positioning. He’s
TREVOR WHITE / SPPS
Freshman cornerback Brandon Facyson is competing with Kendall Fuller as Bud Foster tries to figure out who to start at cornerback. just very instinctive, solid technique-wise and has tremendous ability … Those two guys are going to continue to grow. They’re true freshmen, but at the same time they both have a lot of abilities and I’m excited about their futures.” In the preseason so far, both players have been impressive, but also have shown that they are still freshmen. Facyson had a diving interception on a pass from Logan Thomas to Demitri Knowles, as well as one solo tackle and a break-up in the open scrimmage on Aug. 17. Kendall had four tackles and a pass break-up in the scrimmage, but also allowed a touchdown when Josh Stanford got behind him and caught a thirty-yard pass from Thomas. The competition between the pair is fierce, but they are friends off the field and try to
put the team first. “In a couple years you’ll be seeing us next to each other on the field,” Facyson said. “So it’s a competition, but we never let that get in the way of what really matters, which is what’s best for the team.”
“
In a couple years, you’ll be seeing us next to each other on the field.” Brandon Facyson Cornerback
Right now Kendall is listed as the starter, though both freshmen are expected to play. Kendall will likely play more of the nickel corner, while Facyson will be playing
Volleyball looking for leaders ALI BOWKER sports staff writer
The Virginia Tech volleyball team opens up their season today with a pair of games against Towson and Pacific. The two matchups are part of the Hokies invitational taking place in Blacksburg this weekend. “The girls are excited to play someone else,” head coach Chris Riley said. “I’m looking forward to the competition and playing the best we can and how we match up against other teams.” That competition will be on full display when they take on the No. 14 Michigan State Spartans on Saturday. Riley said the team has their work cut out for them this weekend. Tech is looking to improve from last year’s 16-14 record. Senior middle block Victoria Hamsher was named to the preseason All-ACC team. She led the team last year with 95 blocks and had one of the best hitting percentages in the ACC at .351. According to the team’s blog on Hokiesports.com, Hamsher and the rest of the team have been excited for the season to get underway. They started conditioning and having open gyms multiple times a week since mid July. In addition to Hamsher, the Hokies are returning three other starters—middle block/right side Kathryn Caine, setter Jordan Fish and outside hitter Samantha Gostling. “The starters have been there before, they’ve done it, they know what to expect,” Riley said. “I
important games Fri., Oct. 4- at Pittsburgh Fri., Oct. 18- vs. NC State Sat., Oct. 19- vs North Carolina Sun., Nov. 3- at Georgia Tech Fri., Nov. 8- vs. Miami Sat., Nov. 9- vs. Florida State Fri., Nov. 29- vs. Maryland expect for them to teach the young kids what to do, how to calm them down and bring stability to the court when things get overwhelming.” Riley expects a lot out of Hamsher and Gostling who have come to grow into their leadership roles since they began their careers three years ago. “They both have been playing since they were freshmen. They understand what the game entails at this point,” Riley said. “They are ready to lead us to greater heights.” With the team’s sights set on finishing in the top half of the ACC and getting a bid to the NCAA tournament at the end of the year, the Hokies will have to do it without recent graduates Cara Baarendse, Jennifer Wiker and libero Morgan O’Neill. Baarendse and Wiker both scored over 1000 points in their careers and O’Neill snagged the fift h spot on Tech’s all-time dig list. Baarendse, Wiker and O’Neill were also Tech’s starters for serve
receive last season. Riley knows that they will be hard to replace, but he’s confident that his team will step up to the plate after they get some experience. “We have been working on that and we have some good kids,” Riley said. “We have to put them in the line of fire and see how they do.” Though Tech lost three key members of the team they gained five new freshmen, who all stand at six foot and taller. Riley says this freshmen class may be the most talented class Tech has ever had. “We have been patient with the freshmen so far,” Riley said. “They need time to learn, grow and see what they need to do to be successful.” Of all the freshmen Lindsey Owens is the most prepared and has stepped up the most. Owens an outside hitter from Orlando, Fla. was named the MaxPrep Medium Schools National Player of the Year. The team’s short term goals for this weekend are to get better on serve receive and learn how to handle the pressure of different servers. “Obviously our ultimate goal is to win,” Riley said. “But I am looking forward to competing at the highest level.”
@AlisonBowker_VT
field corner. It will be an interesting sight to see the two Fuller brothers starting opposite of each other in the backfield, one that secondary coach Torrian Gray never expected to see. “Now you know Kendall will have a role somewhere in there, but never this because I always expected Antone would be back for us," Gray said. "It’s kinda neat, kinda cool I guess you’ll have Fuller, Fuller on both corners, on the back of their shirts. I’m sure they are proud of that.” Foster is not worried about having a freshman start in the secondary against Alabama, but wants the rest of the team to be able to help them out a little, when possible. “We’ve got to be able to help (Kendall Fuller and Brandon Fayscon) a little bit whether it’s in coverage and getting a safety over the top or getting pressure on their quar-
terback," he said. "I know Alabama’s a protection conscious group on play-action.” Of course it’s good to remember that last year no one had any idea if Exum would be any good at corner. He played as a safety in 2011 and was switched to corner for the 2012 season, making his first start at the position against Georgia Tech on Labor Day. In reality, the Hokies corners are in almost the same situation they were last year. Kyle Fuller will be a solid starting corner, but there will be a new guy, who has never started a game as a collegiate corner, in the backfield with him. Hopefully, one of the true freshmen will step up and be as impressive as Exum was.
@RachelReports
HEY YOU! Yeah, the person doing the sudoku puzzle.
Are you creative? Do you like working in a fun and friendly atmosphere? Do you especially like making friends? You should probably work for
College Media Solutions.
We are currently accepting applications for Account Executives and Creative Services Staff!
Apply today at www.collegemedia.com/join
OPINIONS
opinionseditor@collegiatetimes.com
August 30, 2013
collegiatetimes.com
5
The Collegiate Times is an independent studentrun newspaper serving the Virginia Tech community since 1903 Collegiate Times Editorial Staff Editor in Chief: Priscilla Alvarez Managing Editor: Danielle Buynak Art Director: Kevin Dickel Design Editors: Brad Klodowski, Andrea Ledesma Public Editor: Andrew Kulak Web Editor: James O’Hara Multimedia Editor: Nick Smirniotopoulos News Editors: Cameron Austin, Dean Seal News Reporters: Melissa Draudt, Leslie McCrea News Staff Writers: Kelly Cline, Josh Higgins, Matt Minor Features Editor: Chelsea Giles Features Reporters: Madeline Gordon, Jessica Groves Opinions Editors: David Levitt, Shareth Reddy Sports Editors: Jacob Emert, Alex Koma Sports Media Manager: Mike Platania Assistant Photo Editor: Ben Wiedlich Collegiate Times Business Staff Business Manager: James Dean Seal Circulation Manager: Keith Bardsley
MCT CAMPUS
Your Views [letters to the editor]
Presidential search survey lends students a voice in decision Dear Virginia Tech Student, First, let me extend an enthusiastic welcome and my very best wishes for a productive and fulfi lling 2013-14 academic year. The coming year is a pivotal one in Virginia Tech history, and we’d like you to be a part of it. President Charles W. Steger announced last spring that he will step down as president of the university. Now the search is on for Virginia Tech’s 16th president. A 22-member search committee representing every facet of the university community has been convened and is assessing what academic, professional, and personal credentials will be important in our next president. Here’s where you come in. We’d like you to tell the search committee what qualities and qualifications you think are important for the leader of Virginia Tech. We want to know what priorities students feel are important to address. Th is presidential search survey is your chance to help shape what higher education will be at Virginia Tech. This anonymous assessment will make a huge impact but will only take a small amount of your time. Whether you are a new or returning student, all of you have a stake in this decision―because you are a part of this university community and you will be a member of the Hokie Nation your entire life. The future success of this institution will play an important part in your life as you navigate your career, your civic engagement, your service work, and your personal fulfillment. The student voice will help define the next presidency. Let yours be heard. Invent the future of Virginia Tech. All my best for a wonderful academic year,
Patty Perillo Vice President for Student Affairs
Corporations beneficial to colleges I magine waking up on a Saturday and going into a brand new Lane Stadium on game day - a stadium that is completely renovated and redesigned. Now imagine that happening with no increase in tuition or without any government subsidies. This idea is not too far outside the realm of possibility. Thanks to the investors at the clothing chain Abercrombie & Fitch, the way that colleges generate revenue could, and more importantly should, change substantially. The Ohio State University’s Board of Trustees will vote Friday on a possible name change to their newly expanded emergency medical center. Because of A&F’s past philanthropic support towards Ohio State, most notably a $10 million gift by the company towards the school’s medical programs, the Board is considering naming the entire emergency medical center after the company. If the vote is successful, the precedent could be set for the commercialization of other parts of colleges. Companies would be able to market their brands by contributing funds towards the building of new colleges. Imagine entire dining centers fully sponsored by food service companies, or new engineering and business buildings financed by firms in their respective fields. Better yet, entire dorms financed by hotel chains. The possibilities are seem-
ingly endless. There will be a cost however. Much of the charm and feel of a college is instilled in the history of the instituition. Much could be lost if colleges “sold out” and instead of naming buildings after people who have impacted the university, they go to the highest bidder. These costs may seem great at first,
“
Colleges would be able to finance huge developments that they never thought economically feasible.”
but such is the price of progress. In order to answer the looming question of the rapidly increasing cost of college not just on students, but on the federal government, we have to do something. Why not let capitalism do its job? In this market, colleges would be able to finance huge developments that they never would have thought economically feasible. Instead of raising tuition prices, colleges could look for corporate partnerships and investments. Instead of asking for more government money and further increases in our taxes, institu-
tions could head into the private sector to secure assets. With more incoming cash flows, colleges could specialize and develop top tier talent in cutting edge fields here in America instead of having to outsource information. Universities could also develop further connections with the private sector. By sponsoring college departments, corporations could be able to create a pipeline into the job market. They would have an outlet to teach skills that their future employees would need long before hiring. But the best part of the situation is that the colleges would be in control. With many clear advantages posed to the firms, the colleges would be in the driver’s seat to hopefully mitigate any substantial changes to their institution. The opportunities are vast and heavily outweigh the costs. In order to again consider ourselves a true world power we need to spend time and money investing in the future of the country. And by that I don’t mean machines, or anything tangible. We need to invest in our people, our human capital.
MARCUS WILLIAMS - regular columnist - senior - economics
Rape cases need harsher penalties In 2008, high school teacher Stacey Rambold was charged with three counts of sexual intercourse without consent. The victim, Cherice Morales, was 14 at the time, and in 2010 committed suicide. Rambold will serve 30 days in jail. The paltry sentence and statements issued by District Judge G. Todd Baugh defending his sentencing decision brings up the issue once again of the apathy some people feel towards sexual assault. Baugh, during the sentencing, stated that Morales was “as much in control of the situation” as Rambold and declared her “older than her chronological age.” As if that matters. On Tuesday, he defended his sentencing decision saying “people have in mind that this was some violent, forcible, horrible rape. It was horrible enough as it is, just given her age, but it wasn’t this forcible beatup rape.” As if that matters. On Wednesday, Baugh apologized for his statements but remained steadfast with the sentence. The embarrassing 30-day sentence is the culmination of a complicated prosecution that was forced to cut a probationary deal after Morales committed suicide (the Morales family blamed the rape and pending trial as the reasons for their daughter’s distress, and won a $91,000
settlement in a wrongful-death lawsuit). According to the “Billings Gazette,” the terms of the deal outlined a three-year probation during which Rambold would be required to complete a sex offender treatment program, among other conditions. At the conclusion of the probationary period, the case would be dismissed. Rambold was kicked out of the treatment program, violated a few other conditions of his probation, and despite the prosecution’s recommendation of a 20-year sentence with 10 years suspended, he will get 30 days in jail with the rest of the formal sentence, 15 years, suspended. What went wrong? Surely this says a lot about the institutional failure of the justice system when a rapist gets nothing more than a slap on the wrist. But outrage should extend far past an unfortunate legal technicality. Rape and other forms of sexual assault are grossly underreported, a topic that has been discussed extensively in recent years. This is especially prevalent on college campuses where only five percent of college women report rape to the police, according to various college and university sexual assault prevention programs citing Robin Warshaw’s “I Never Called it Rape.” It seems that increasingly talking
about sexual assault has become the most uncomfortable form of taboo. Blaming the victim is an oft-repeated punch line, as if what a woman wears justifies her assault. Attitudes about sexual assault are
“
It seems that increasingly talking about sexual assault has become the most uncomfortable form of taboo. Blaming the victim is an oft-repeated punchline...”
approaching appalling territories. If a judge can confidently sit on the bench and declare that a 14-year-old girl had as much control over her situation as her attacker, what does that say about our attitudes as a whole? It says that we have become entirely too laissez-faire about sexual assault. That is, until someone in a position of authority misses the big picture and says something absurd.
ERIC JONES - regular columnist - senior - psychology
College Media Solutions Ad Director: Michelle Sutherland Account Executives: Taylor Moran, Stephanie Morris, Danielle Pedra Inside Sales Manager: Amanda Gawne Assistant Account Executives: Catie Stockdale Jordan Williams, Emily Daugherty, Emily Reina, Becca Schwartz Creative Director: Diana Bayless Creative Staff: Mariah Jones, Samantha Keck, Kitty Schaffernoth, Seden Craig. Katherine Miller
Voice your opinion. Readers are encouraged to send letters to the Collegiate Times. 365 Squires Student Center Blacksburg, VA, 24061 Fax: (540) 231-9151 opinionseditor@collegiatetimes.com All letters to the editor must include a name and daytime phone number. Students must include year and major. Faculty and staff must include position and department. All other submissions must include city of residence, and if applicable, relationship to Virginia Tech (i.e., alumni, parent, etc.). All letters should be in MS Word (.doc) format, if possible. Letters, commentaries and editorial cartoons do not reflect the views of the Collegiate Times. Editorials are written by the Collegiate Times editorial board, which is composed of the opinions editors, editor-in-chief and the managing editors. Letters to the editor are submissions from Collegiate Times readers. We reserve the right to edit for any reason. Anonymous letters will not be printed. Have a news tip? Call or text 200-TIPS or e-mail newstips@collegiatetimes.com Collegiate Times Newsroom 231-9865 Editor-in-Chief 231-9867 College Media Solutions Advertising 961-9860 The Collegiate Times, a division of the Educational Media Company at Virginia Tech, was established in 1903 by and for the students of Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. The Collegiate Times is published every Tuesday through Friday of the academic year except during exams and vacations. The Collegiate Times receives no direct funding from the university. The Collegiate Times can be found online at www.collegiatetimes.com. Except where noted, all photographs were taken by the Student Publications Photo Staff. To order a reprint of a photograph printed in the Collegiate Times, visit reprints.collegemedia.com. The first copy is free, any copy of the paper after that is 50 cents per issue. © Collegiate Times, 2013. All rights reserved. Material published in the Collegiate Times is the property thereof, and may not be reprinted without the express written consent of the Collegiate Times.
6
August 30, 2013
#BEATBAMA
tweet to start a national trend!
TUNE INTO WATCH AUGUST 31st
Today’s Birthday Horoscope: Today’s Birthday (08/30/13). Launch this year into a romantic whirlwind of fun and activity. Networking with inspiring experts and friends expands dreams. Strut your stuff when the light shines on you. Water your garden, sharing and preserving the harvest. Your community appreciates your leadership. Step it up a level.
Piled Higher and Deeper by Jorge Cham Quote of the Day
Help Wanted
Style is knowing who you are, what you want to say, and not giving a damn.
SELL YOUR
- Gore Vidal
SHIITAKE MUSHROOMS
HOOPTIE RIDE The Hooptie Ride is currently hiring drivers with good driving records. Drivers must be at least 23 years old. Earn $ while having fun! Call Ken @ 540-998-5093 hooptieride@verizon.net
Send us your quote and see it here! creative.services@collegemedia.com
XKDC by Randell Monroe
HERE
Advertise in the
Classifieds.
Don’t have edible East Asian mushrooms? Totally cool. Sell something else!
www.collegiatetimes.com
540-961-9860
Week of August 26th through 30th
By Jack McInturff
8/30/13
ACROSS 1 Certain lymphocytes 7 Clumsy sort 10 Kind of signal 14 Had none left 15 Ajman and Fujairah, for two 17 Adelaide altercation? 19 “Are we ready?” 20 Pose 21 Relay part 22 Singer’s yeshiva boy 25 Samoa’s capital 29 Joint acct. info 31 Beginning poet? 34 Jazz __ 37 Keen on
Hot Songs Summertime Sadness Remix - Lana Del Rey vs. Cedric Gervais Perfect for Me - Mike Studd Leave (Get Out) - JoJo The Cops- The Front Bottoms Red Lips- Sky Ferriera
38 Pince-__ glasses 39 Fight over the last quart of milk? 42 ESP, e.g. 44 Palm starch 45 Exhaust 46 One always talking about his MacBook Air? 49 Court team: Abbr. 53 Org. at 11 Wall St. 54 Rubs the right way? 57 Big Apple subway div.
58 Sneeze, cough, etc. 61 Certain college member 63 Can’t color the sky, say? 68 Stuff in the back 69 Soaks 70 Cleaning challenge 71 Date 72 Swarms DOWN 1 Gets behind 2 Things to get behind 3 Naval officer
4 Early 2000s Senate minority leader 5 Virginia’s __ Caverns 6 Life time 7 Island welcome 8 Emma’s portrayer in “The Avengers” 9 Wins a certain card game 10 Drink listing 11 Hagen of Broadway 12 Alter, maybe 13 Fashion monogram 16 Slugger’s stat 18 Pine 23 Bridge renamed for RFK in 2008 24 Olin of “Alias” 26 Glass piece 27 Wrath 28 Wood-smoothing tool 30 Place for buoys and gulls 32 Words spoken before the Senate 33 Have-__: disadvantaged 35 Gentle slope 36 __ League 39 Market fluctuations 40 Wolf Frankenstein shoots him, in a 1939 film 41 Green span 42 Trash, in a way 43 Alias user 47 Landlord’s fileful 48 Mtn. stat
50 Like nobility 51 Band on the road 52 Burnout cause 55 Crayola color renamed Peach in 1962 56 Cold War defense acronym 59 B&B 60 Fords of the past
62 Handle user, and a hint to this puzzle’s theme 63 Impede 64 Unlock, in verse 65 Mini-albums, briefly 66 Make haste 67 Fire
Thursday’s Puzzle Solved
(c)2012 Tribune Media Services, Inc.
8/29/13
WORDSEARCH: Things at the Beach Locate the list of words in the word bank in the letter grid.
D
B
S
E
A
S
H
E
L
K
J
E
G
W P
O
P
L
N
Y
Q
D
F
A
H
S
I
F
Y
L
L
E
J
U
L
A
N
A
C
I
L
E
P
L
T
T
O
V
V
S
U
G
S
T
C
W T
D
O
B
E
V
O
H
P
C
G
A
U
X
U
I
H
Q
G
Q
K
Y
S
L
W A
A
R
Y
E
L
D
R
A
A
W C
R
I
A
K
J
E
Y
B
C
M
P
X
T
F
Q
U
Q
U
A
F
U
S
M
L
Q
B
Y
S
R
X
L
B
M
S
S
K
E
N
L
W J
R
L
I
E
I
D
R
I
O
E
A
I
E
S
L
D
E
K
S
A
S
A
S
W P
Q
A
D
E
H
P
V
L
H
H
M
R
S
H
P
A
L
Z
J
R
J
U
N
L
B
A
Y
A
J
A
C
N
V
H
Z
C
K
D
I
A
B
R
N
O
T
D
L
N
Y
E
J
S
B
N
H
J
I
K
G
B
N
E
X
G
U
I
S
N
D
I
P
Z
N
H
G
Y
Q
E
I
E
WORD BANK
N
Y
N
U
M
W L
L
Y
F
X
D
V
W W O
L
M 1 Sand 2 Surfboard X 3 Bucket R 4 Towel U 5 Chair 6 Sunscreen O 7 Lifeguard U 8 Waves G 9 Seashell 10 Sunglasses D 11 Jellyfish R 12 Dolphin A 13 Shark 14 Umbrella U 15 Bodyboard G 16 Pelican E 17 Seagull 18 Seaweed F
U
V
S
X
E
O
S
O
L
L
O
I
A
X
Z
X
A
I
S
N
C
U
D
E
J
K
Y
B
J
E
Q
K
A
P
U
L
P
X
Z
X
L
L
V
L
V
D
S
R
Q
S
T
I
A
Q
Aries (March 21-April 19) Thinking outside the box provides great ideas. Playing with the box is a lot of fun, too. Balance playtime with work time. Your family has important things to contribute. Give them the credit they deserve. Taurus (April 20-May 20) Spread the good around, and it comes back to you, possibly even tenfold. Don’t judge too harshly -- not yourself, or others. New hope blossoms. Remind everybody of the rules and the budget. Gemini (May 21-June 20) A new assignment brings in more revenue, but don’t go wasting it. It would be easy to blow, but it’s important to conserve resources. Your discipline is admirable. You’re in visionary mode ... you can see the big picture. Cancer (June 21-July 22) Watch out, world! You have the con idence to handle anything. Follow your dreams, but don’t spend what you haven’t got. You’re getting more sensitive. It’s a good time to express love.
LETS GO HOKIES!
Leo (July 23-Aug. 22) Today and tomorrow get introspective. You may want to hide from the world. However, you can be very persuasive now. Think it over. Choose your battles wisely and assume responsibility for the results.
Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) Do the paperwork and pay the bills. Let your partner help. Enjoy the company of elders. There’s plenty to learn. You provide the imagination and the sense of humor.
Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) This week is good for travel. Believe you can prosper, and do so. Go for what you believe in, pretend you’re good at it, and it’s easier to accomplish. Ask people with more experience to teach you.
Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) The next two days are good for negotiations and compromise. Things get easier with your partner’s help. Give and take without consequence. Your discipline is admirable. Give yourself the deserved credit.
Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) Get back to work, and bring home the bacon. If you’ve done the homework, you’ll get more respect, and you’ll be able to pay down debts. Study the situation. A blissful moment entrances.
Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) Read any news or fresh reports and make an important connection. You’re entering two days of steady work effort. It seems like everybody wants you. Keep giving everything you’ve got to provide full satisfaction.
Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) Upgrade your image. Surf the web for ideas, and then shop locally. Call ahead to avoid running all over town. Family vibes are positive. Beat the deadline, and then go out for an adventure.
# B E AT B A M A
Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) Streamline your routine and your nerves will become less frazzled. Use what you can get for free. Your partner is in agreement. Love blossoms over the next few days to take you by surprise.
LIFESTYLES
lifestyleseditor@collegiatetimes.com
August 30, 2013
collegiatetimes.com
8
Fall fashion, denim lines reach back ADAM TSCHORN mct campus
While some denim brands are pushing the trends this fall _ giving blue jeans motocross details, quilting finishes or leather-like coatings _ two of the biggest players are looking back instead of forward. Levi’s and Gap are both mining their archives and leveraging a nostalgic longing for decades past. The most high-profi le effort is Levi’s relaunch of its Orange Tab collection in mid-August. Produced from 1969 through the late 1970s, the line was created as a less expensive offering for the burgeoning youth movement of the time. According to company lore, the lower price and a manufacturing process that allowed Levi’s to quickly adapt to changing styles (fi rst slim and skinny, later with flared legs) made a huge success of the jeans, which bore a Levi’s orange tab logo affi xed to the pocket in place of the traditional red one. For the re-created version, the company has gone to great lengths to duplicate every exacting detail from the original manufacturing process, from the fabric “recipe” (a specific 14-ounce, wideloomed denim made by Cone Denim in North Carolina) to forgoing its famous rivet details in favor of bar tack stitching. The silhouettes are simple (a 1960s’ skinny leg designated the 606, a 1970s’ regular fit called the 615 and a 1970s’ bootcut called the 607), the range of washes uncomplicated, and there’s nary an embellishment to be seen. In a zen-denim way, it’s precisely what’s not there that Levi Strauss & Co. hopes resonates with today’s denim consumer. “What we’re finding is that people are so overloaded with options on denim, all RYAN ARNOLD -regular columnist -
ROBERT MAYER / MCT CAMPUS
Denim lines, Levi’s and the Gap, will stand out this fall by revamping vintage cuts, washes and stitching. the brands, all the (different) things,” says Miles Johnson, creative director of the premium Levi’s collections. “In essence, Orange Tab jeans are a very simplified construction of a five-pocket Levi’s jean.” To launch the collection, Levi Strauss & Co. re-created the vibe of the times as painstakingly as it did the product itself, publishing “Zipper,” a 60-page faux music magazine circa 1972 crammed with vintage Levi’s ads; launching a period-appropriate online radio station called KLVC; and staging a music festival on a 40-acre Topanga Canyon estate earlier this month. The Gap, which opened in 1969 at the corners of Haight and Ashbury and has long leveraged its roots, recently announced it too would be looking to the past with a fall
ad campaign called “Back to Blue.” According to Gap’s global chief marketing officer, Seth Farbman, the campaign is about “getting back to what matters most, our truest selves, when we are most comfortable in our own skin.” The campaign includes tapping 24 “influential millennials” (bloggers, reality TV stars, stylists) to share their stories “about what it means to be one’s most authentic self” in short video clips, photos and animated GIFs, in support of a fall collection grounded in Gap’s 1969 denim program. The collection is a range of simple, slim-fitting jeans for men and women (retailing from $60 to $90), buttonfront chambray and denim shirts and a variety of denim jackets.
With fall collections just hitting stores, it’s far too early to tell how the two companies’ efforts will ultimately resonate at the register, but one thing’s certain: If either Levi’s back-to-basics merchandise mix or Gap’s earnest, soulbaringly authentic ads manages to cut through the indigo clutter and connect with consumers, expect other denim labels to follow suit. Of course to authentically mine a company’s heritage circa the late 1960s or early 1970s, it would be best for it to actually have existed then, and there’s not an awfully deep bench of brands that had boots _ or bootcuts _ on the ground back in the day. Which could make Levi’s and the Gap’s “back to the future” strategy for fall 2013 nothing short of true blue genius.
8
August 30, 2013
collegiatetimes.com
SAID
lifestyleseditor@collegiatetimes.com
Our he and she said writers share what their summer experiences taught them.
NICK SMIRNIOTOPOULOS / COLLEGIATE TIMES
Oaxaca, Mexico, situated at about 5,500 feet altitude, is known for its ancient Mayan ruins, beautiful mountains and Indigenous people.
She Said: Take life day by day Summer came and went as fast as I chowed down on my mom’s delicious engagement chicken (roasted chicken with lemon, garlic and onion that is moist and then the extra sauce can be drizzled over mashed potatoes), which is pretty darn fast. Even though it was meant to be a break, it was hard not to think about what would need to be done once I got back to school, but I learned to just take everything a day at a time. I endured various conflicts that I regret letting bother me so much. I currently live in an apartment off-campus. We had new roommates coming in and old ones moving out. For some reason, I thought I needed to handle everything with that situation at once, even though it was still a few months away. But with the help of my wise mother, I began to realize time is short and those things were not worth stressing over, especially so soon. To fill up my precious time, I took a class at Virginia
Commonwealth University and really enjoyed it, especially experiencing a different college environment. The campus was bustling with students and even though it was not Virginia Tech, it had a cool vibe. I thought a summer class was going to be horrible, but I soon realized it was a great way to get some credits done and keep me from being completely bored until my babysitting gigs started. I was far from bored though, in fact, I felt overwhelmed this summer. What’s scarier is I know I am going to be even busier this semester with an 18-credit workload (I know, it gives me nightmares too). However, being busy over the break helped me organize myself more, and not just with my schedule. I tend to lose a lot of things. My mother can usually find most of the stuff I lose but she is obviously not here to remind me where I put my shoes or my new purple pillow cases that I was so excited to have, which,
by the way, I left at home. With the realization that I am now 20 years old, I need to get it together. I can’t stand people who are scattered or unorganized, so in order to not be a hypocrite, I want to organize my life. This includes making time for the people that matter. Seeing friends from high
“
I endured various conflicts that I regret letting bother me so much.”
school this summer proved how important it is to stay connected with all of them. I want to maintain better connections with my friends from home. Technology is such a powerful tool, and I plan to take full advantage of it by using Skype, Snapchat and Facebook to keep up with my friends and see what they are up to.
I remember how we all promised we were going to stay in touch once we went off to college, but that turned out to be easier said than done. We are all busy with classes, making new friends and doing completely different things that it’s hard at times to relate to one another anymore. Instead of fretting over what our friendships used to be like, we want to focus on embracing that we are all thriving in our own way and to celebrate our victories and successes together. They have known me longer than anyone else, except my mother of course, and have always had my back. So, as I try to get my life together, I plan on sharing this hectic semester with them as much as possible.
HAYDEN ROBERTS -lifestyles staff writer -junior -communication major
LIFESTYLES
He Said: Forget the plan, find adventure Internships, internships, internships! I feel like that’s all we are ever told to do on our summer breaks. Anything else – getting a job, traveling, just hanging out with friends or doing something different – seem to be looked down upon. Don’t get me wrong, I think internships can be a great thing. They help you get job experience and can often shape your career path. But, it’s not the only thing you can do over the summer, and not doing an internship doesn’t screw over your future like people might try to convince you. Maybe it’s just my hipster heart crying out, but I think we shouldn’t just do everything we’re told or encouraged to do. I think we should think for ourselves to see what’s best. I spent the summer on a mission trip for two months in Mexico. I was in a small state in the Southern part of the state called Oaxaca. Yes, that’s were Nacho Libre was filmed and yes, I went to a real Lucha Libre match just like from the movie (I actually got to see two people from the movie, no big deal, but that’s a story for a different day). Everyone asked me when I got back what a typical day looked like, and that is quite a tough question to answer. We didn’t go by a master schedule like I was used to but instead simply took it one day at a time – and I loved it. Some days we went to an orphanage and played with the kids, other days we helped out churches in the area and other days we just hung out with the people and built relationships. If I had to sum it all up in
one word, I would call it a pure “adventure.” It wasn’t your typical 9-5 job and it wasn’t your typical summer. It was a summer I’ll never forget, not just because of the experiences, but because of the people we met.
“
I think we shouldn’t just do everything we’re told or encouraged to do.”
It’s because of the 7-yearold boy at the orphanage who hopped up on my shoulders every time I saw him. It’s because of my friend who took me to the Lucha Libre match, went to the Sunday market with me and continues to stay in touch on Facebook. And it’s definitely because of my team, whom I think about and pray for every day. Eight months out of the year are already planned for us. We have our classes, go to football games, make new friends and hang out in Blacksburg (and find random things to do when there seems to be no better options). So this summer, I chose not to have my whopping three-month summer break planned for me. I chose to go on an adventure I would never forget.
NICK SMIRNIOTOPOULOS -multimedia editor -senior -communication and psychology double major