Tuesday, September 3, 2013 Print Edition by Collegiate Times

Tuesday, September 3, 2013 An independent, student-run newspaper serving the Virginia Tech community since 1903 www.collegiatetimes.com

COLLEGIATETIMES 110th year, issue 7 News, page 2

Lifestyles page 5

Opinions, page 3

Sports, page 8

Study Break, page 4

TREVOR WHITE/ / SPPS

TUESDAY MORNING TAKEAWAYS

Breaking down the Alabama game JACOB EMERT sports editor

The Virginia Tech Hokies, decimated by injuries and forced to start freshmen at key positions, failed to cover what was more than a twotouchdown spread against the nation’s top team Saturday night, falling to the Alabama Crimson Tide 35-10. The result surprised no one, and the beat down — by Vegas’ standards — was even worse than expected. But that’s not the whole story. That’s not even a smidgen of the story.

1. Oﬀensive Line Among the biggest concerns for the Hokies heading in to the opener was their young offensive line. The interior of Andrew Miller (right guard), David Wang (center) and Caleb Farris (left guard) was

considered a plus — with each having extensive experience at interior positions — but it was how their tackles, who had never started a game before Saturday night, would hold up that worried most. Jonathan McLaughlin and Laurence Gibson performed far better than anyone could’ve predicted. “I thought we hung in there in pass protection,” said Hokies head coach Frank Beamer. “(Alabama was) bringing a lot of stuff. When they bring it, it’s good people coming at you. I thought we hung in there. “We’ve got work to continue to do, there’s no question,” Beamer said. “But for a group, a couple of them playing their first snaps, both our tackles, you know, I thought they hung in there pretty good.” The Hokies outgained the Tide on the ground 153-96,

and allowed their quarterback, Logan Thomas, to be sacked just once. “Those guys up front did a great job the entire night,” Thomas said. “They gave me time to throw. They blocked it up in the run game.“ At least twice Thomas’ passes were errant due to being hit while releasing, but taking into consideration the opponent and the experience level of the line, the Hokies are very pleased with the performance up front. “(The Hokies offensive line) moved on us up front. We whiffed a few times because they have good quickness,” said Alabama head coach Nick Saban. “You know, they overloaded the sides, then would slant back. “They outplayed us up front, if you want to know the truth.” see TMT / page six

KEVIN DICKEL / SPPS

The Virginia Tech Hokies huddle together for prayer prior to the ﬁrst game of the 2013 season.

Upcoming restaurant on schedule Career center suits up students

DEAN SEAL news editor

The incoming Mellow Mushroom is on track in its process of opening later this year, according to Leslie Knapp, the owner of the Blacksburg franchise and Tech alumna. The announcement came out last spring that the lot left vacant following Backstreets’ closing would be repurposed by a new pizza restaurant, Mellow Mushroom. Knapp says the owners are expecting the demolition of the old restaurant to begin somewhere between late September and early October. Once demolition is complete, construction should begin immediately, and they are hoping to “get started before the cold winter months, because (they) don’t want to be stalled by that.” With that timeline, Knapp still anticipates for the restaurant to be open by spring 2014, as originally scheduled, though there is no hard date available at this time. She assured that once the demolition begins, construction should get moving quickly. Before demolition can begin, the franchise has to get final approval on its architectural and design plans from the Town of Blacksburg. “We are kind of in a holding pattern still as far as awaiting

NEWS

VIA VT CAREER OUTFITTERS

VT Career Outﬁtters released a video showcasing their new event.

Smith Career center will be allowing students to snag free professional clothing from Sept. 3-5. LEAH KOMADA news staff writer COURTESY OF LESLIE KNAPP

approval from Blacksburg,” Knapp says. “Final approval on plans have been submitted, and that seems to be going pretty smoothly.” After the Mellow Mushroom’s corporate backing approved the architectural plans, they were sent to Blacksburg, which gives plans a necessary amount of scrutiny. “We want them to be

thorough because we don’t want issues down the road,” Knapp said. “They’re looking at lighting and everything else so that Blacksburg remains consistent.” Knapp says there is only a small amount of time left before the Town will decide on the approval, but that the cooperation between the designers and the Town has been smooth sailing.

LIFESTYLES

“The process since day one has been wonderful, and my architect has built a wonderful relationship with them as well,” Knapp said. “They are taking the time that they’re allotted and we appreciate it, and I know people are very anxious, but it’s just a process we have to go through.”

@JDeanSeal

OPINIONS The new Jazzercise center in Christiansburg offers 28 classes a week that incorporate dance with strength training. Read about their new facilities.

What you missed over Labor Day weekend see page 2 Wondering what to wear this week? Check out Weather Watch see page 2 see page 5

Students now have a new, economical way to put on a suit and tie and impress potential employers. Career Services will be hosting a program designed to provide students with business attire, called VT Career Outfitters. Located in Smith Career Center at the corner of Washington Street and West Campus Drive, the program provides new and gently used business attire for students to purchase while attending

see page 3

career events. The clothing will be free of charge for a limited time from Sept. 3-5. The program has been accepting donations since last semester, and has collected over 600 already items in various sizes for interested students. All Tech students are welcome to browse through the collection of suits, ties and other business wear for career related events they may have in the future.

@LCKomada

ONLINE Read about why one columnist thinks the Virginia Tech ‘Party Positive’ program helps legitimize underage drinking on campus.

Miss the game this weekend? Check out our website for a gallery from the Virginia Tech Alabama game on Saturday.

CollegiateTimes @collegiatetimes

newseditor@collegiatetimes.com

September 3, 2013

collegiatetimes.com

what

you

missed

over Labor Day weekend

Buckle up for safety The Blacksburg Police Department won third place in the Virginia Law Enforcement Challenge for traffic safety in 2012. The department competed with other state law enforcement agencies that had between 51 and 75 sworn officers.

A celebration of pork Roanoke’s first ever Baconfest was held on Saturday in downtown Roanoke. The event offered a variety of porkflavored items from bacon crepes and bacon cheeseburgers to bacon chocolate bites.

Swarthmore RA keeps quiet on sexual assault KATHY BOCCELLA mcclatchy newspapers

A Swarthmore College junior already at the center of a nationally publicized row over how the elite suburban liberal-arts school deals with sexual-assault cases is embroiled in a new controversy, also over the explosive issue of rape on campus. Swarthmore officials say they removed Mia Ferguson, 19, this week from her new job as a dormitory resident adviser, or RA, because she would not divulge the name of a rape victim whose alleged attacker still lives on the Delaware County campus. But Ferguson insists that she is under no such obligation and that Swarthmore’s move is a case of retaliation. She is one of two students behind last spring’s federal complaint that the school has been lax in investigating and reporting sexual-assault cases, an allegation that has roiled the leafy campus. Students led by Ferguson and her classmate Hope Brinn and alumni maintained that Swarthmore violated the 1990

Clery Act, which requires full reporting of campus crimes, as well as the federal education law known as Title IX, which requires certain officers of the school to report misconduct to their superiors.

“

As an RA, she’s considered by law a responsible employee of the college.” Alisa Giardinelli Swarthmore spokeswoman

Now, said Ferguson, an engineering major, the college is using the Title IX requirement against her, insisting that she should have reported the alleged rape victim’s name after a 2-yearold allegation was brought up again during her training to become a resident adviser earlier this month. Some of the basic facts of the new controversy are in dispute.

weather watch

What’s next for Syria? Senator John McCain told White House reporters Monday that President Barack Obama must make a stronger case for attacking Syria if he wants to win congressional backing for the operation.

5th times the charm Diana Nyad, the 64-year-old endurance swimmer, became the first person to swim from Cuba to Florida without a protective cage or flippers. This was Nyad’s fifth attempt, and it took her nearly 53 hours to swim the 103 miles from coast to coast.

Ferguson said administrators twice pulled her out of RA training to press her for details on the past incident. College officials maintain that it was Ferguson who raised the matter and triggered what they say is an obligation as a school employee to divulge the rape accuser’s name. “As an RA, she’s considered by law a responsible employee of the college,” Swarthmore spokeswoman Alisa Giardinelli said. Giardinelli had said earlier that the school has been working hard to change its culture regarding rape and other sexual misconduct since the federal complaints were lodged. Officials acted aggressively in this matter because the accused is said to be still on campus, she said. School officials asked Ferguson for the victim’s name because they did not have it, she said. Ferguson is mystified because she said the victim complained to the university when the alleged rape happened two years ago. She also insists that since she was not an employee when the incident happened she should not be

required to divulge the victim’s name. She said she was asked about the alleged rape, and another incident in which the same perpetrator is accused of pulling a knife at a party, during her RA training, which began the week of Aug. 18. After her training, she said, she was given a contract, which she signed Monday. On Tuesday, she was asked again to name the victim, and when she refused was let go from the program, which comes with a stipend and covers most housing costs. “It’s a really complicated case, but the school’s policy right now is that every single student on campus who is a student employee is going to be required to report as a responsible authority under Title IX,” Ferguson said. Gina Maisto Smith, a lawyer who is helping Swarthmore draft a new set of sexual misconduct policies, said the law was clear. “The school has a responsibility to act when it knows or should have known there is a sexual assault or harassing event,” she said.

NEWS

JAMES MORROW weather reporter

After a soaked summer season, the weather has finally dried out over Blacksburg. Our region, which has nearly seen our annual rainfall total at this point, will get a rather extensive dry period over next 5 to 6 days as high pressure settles over the area. The few patches of fog around will quickly burn off by mid-morning today and a slight Northwest breeze will continue to usher cooler and drier air into our region today, keeping a cloud or two in the sky, at most. The temperature will struggle to reach 81 degrees this afternoon. Skies remain mostly clear through the end of the week and into the weekend. High Temperatures will hover around the 80 degree mark with little to no rain chances in the near future. Weekend conditions look rather promising with the only weather concern for the fi rst home football game being the need for sunscreen. Check back with the CT on Friday for a gameday weather update.

@wxBONE

crimeblotter date

time

offense

location

status

May 7

2:08 PM

Follow-up to Distribution of a Controlled Substance classified in Schedule I or II/Distribution on or near School Property

Pritchard Hall

Cleared by Arrest

May 14

2:09 PM

Follow-up to Distribution of a Controlled Substance classified in Schedule I or II/Distribution on or near School Property

Pritchard Hall

Cleared by Arrest

Aug 29-30

5:00 PM - 9:49 AM

Vandalism/Destruction of Property

Outside ICTAS II

Inactive

Aug. 31

12:00 AM

Appear Intoxicated in Public

Outside Henderson Hall

Cleared by Arrest

Aug. 31

1:19 AM

Driving Under Influence of Alcohol

West Campus Drive

Cleared by Arrest

Aug. 31

2:07 AM

Appear Intoxicated in Public/ Underage Possession of Alcohol

Slusher Tower

Inactive: Referred to Student Conduct

Aug. 31

2:44 AM

Possession of Marijuana/Possession of Drug Slusher Wing Paraphernalia

Cleared by Arrest

Aug. 31

2:56 AM

Underage Possession of Alcohol

Slusher Wing

Inactive: Referred to Student Conduct

Aug. 31

2:39 PM

Possession of Marijuana

Spring Road

Cleared by Arrest

Aug. 31

11:01 PM

Appear Intoxicated in Public

Alumni Mall

Cleared by Arrest

Sept. 1

2:56 AM

Appear Intoxicated in Public/Underage Possession of Alcohol

Outside of Library

Inactive: Referred to Student Conduct

OPINIONS

opinionseditor@collegiatetimes.com

September 3,2013

collegiatetimes.com

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

Party positive legitimizes underage drinking As

the new school year begins, freshmen may be surprised to find out about Virginia Tech’s Party Positive program. Party Positive is at best characterized as a program that acknowledges the illegality of underage alcohol consumption while giving students tools to practice responsible drinking. On the other hand, Party Positive essentially teaches young college students how to commit a Class 1 misdemeanor and prevent being caught. What other crimes get this sort of special treatment? To try to legitimize alcohol education, one might compare underage drinking to teen sex. Most school systems do not have abstinence-only sex edu-

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cation, because they recognize sexual activity among teens is all but unavoidable. Their best bet is to mitigate the risks of venereal disease transmission and teen pregnancy, taking teen sexual activity as a given. The problem with this comparison is that sex between teens close in age is legal, while underage drinking is generally illegal. Safe sex is taught in schools to avoid the unwanted public health issues of STDs and young, unprepared parents, not because there is anything legally wrong with teens having sex. However, underage drinking is illegal and has serious criminal consequences. The most common response to this dilemma of alcohol

education is to portray drinking as a common feature of college life, and urge that it be done responsibly.

“

However, underage drinking is illegal and its criminal consequences have the potential to taint the lives of otherwise good people.”

However if underage drinking should be considered a college tradition — albeit a potentially damaging one — why is it illegal? And why, setting aside the criminal aspect of it, does the university penalize students harshly

when they commit alcoholrelated offenses? It would seem that the university merely wants to act as an arm of local police, enforcing penalties when students are caught drinking irresponsibly. Students facing alcohol-related criminal charges are penalized enough by the authorities. So what does the university officially say about underage drinking? According to the Campus Alcohol Abuse Prevention Center, “You should consider not drinking if you are not of legal drinking age.” Is that what it means to have a hard line against illegal drinking? Do we tell people “You should consider not robbing cars” or “You should consider not driving under the influence”? Of course not.

To my knowledge, there has not been public discussion relating to alcohol education on campus. Most students have just accepted that Tech seems to legitimize illegal underage drinking yet punishes students if they are caught engaging in this behavior. My solution: eliminate Party Positive and similar programs and focus on discouraging all illegal alcohol use. However, if the university acknowledges behind closed doors that underage drinking will happen, it should lessen the degree to which students are punished. HECTOR QUESADA - regular columnist - senior - political science

Obama boxed in by own ‘red line’ Y

ou might be wondering why President Obama looks likely to strike Syria over the deaths of several hundred civilians from nerve gas when the Assad regime’s slaughter of tens of thousands of Syrians by conventional weapons has triggered no such response. You are right to wonder, because the answer to that question will determine whether a U.S. military strike does more harm than good. There is one obvious reason for military action. The use of chemical weapons is a huge breach of a longstanding global taboo. It is especially horrific to watch videos of young children foaming at the mouth or gasping for breath, with their little bodies piling up like cordwood, in the Damascus suburb that was attacked last week. The use of chemical weapons on a massive scale flouts a historic taboo in place since the widespread use of gas on World War I battlefields, and not broken since the 1980s, when Saddam Hussein gassed Kurds and Iranians during the Iran-Iraq War. One hundred fift y nations (not including Syria) signed a Chemical Weapons Convention in 1993 banning their use. A failure to respond to this breach could erode international norms against weapons of mass destruction norms that President Obama takes very seriously. And there appears little doubt that it was the regime not the rebels that mounted the gas attack. Unlike the rebels, the forces of Bashar

al-Assad have both the weapons and the delivery vehicles. They have been conducting smaller chemical attacks over the last year, without any Western military reaction, so they probably assumed they could use such weapons again to clear civilians out of a hotly contested area. Indeed, U.S. intelligence officials reportedly have intercepts of panicked phone calls between Syrian defense officials and leaders of a government chemical-weapons unit over the attack (which may have claimed more victims than intended). Yet the breaking of the taboo on chemical-weapons use doesn’t seem like an adequate explanation for a possible military attack. Th is president is clearly reluctant to get militarily involved in the Syrian conflict. He rejected advice from his most senior military and civilian officials, a year ago, to arm secular rebel commanders who had been vetted by the CIA. As a result, these moderate commanders, short of serious weapons and often lacking bullets, have been marginalized by hard-line jihadi militias that get plentiful money and weapons from the Arab gulf. As a result, a new al-Qaida heartland has been established in eastern Syria, spilling over into western Iraq, attracting Arab jihadis who could threaten the West in the future. Floods of Syrian refugees are destabilizing Lebanon and Jordan. This hasn’t moved Obama to take military action (even promised small arms

haven’t been delivered to vetted rebel leaders). So what is driving Obama now? My answer: The latest Syrian chemical attack boxed Obama in. One year ago, he warned that the Syrian regime’s use of chemical weapons would cross a “red line.” He repeated that warning over and over, yet failed to respond to previous chemical attacks.

“

So the president probably feels he has been cornered into authorizing some form of a military strike.”

This latest, massive Syrian chemical attack appears to have embarrassed him into action. Unless Obama makes good on his warning, his credibility will be in tatters and his “red line” over the building of an Iranian nuclear weapon will look like a joke. So the president probably feels he has been cornered into authorizing some form of a military strike. Administration officials have repeatedly leaked the message that any action will be short, minimal, and meant only as a warning to deter future Syrian chemical attacks. They insist that any strike won’t aim to change the military stalemate between regime and rebels. They say Assad’s exit can only be achieved via political negotiations.

Sadly, this reluctant intervention divorced from a broader strategy may make a negotiated peace even less likely. “This sort of hesitant, half-hearted action may be worse than no action at all,” says Faysal Itani, a Syria expert at the Atlantic Council’s Rafik Hariri Center for the Middle East. I agree. That’s because a limited strike, say, on the headquarters of units that conducted the chemical attacks, will achieve little. Assad may refrain from using chemicals again, but he will continue to slaughter civilians with bombs and artillery. He will brag that he surmounted America’s efforts to unseat him. He will be less, not more, likely to negotiate or to contemplate resignation. To succeed, any U.S. attack must be tied to broader policy objectives. Having backed into military action, Obama should use this excuse to degrade Syria’s war-fighting capability at least destroying some regime aircraft. (He should also ensure that moderate rebel commanders get serious arms so they can organize a fighting force that can counter the jihadis and can morph into a new national army if Assad goes.) Only when the military stalemate is broken will Assad and his Russian and Iranian backers be forced to consider serious talks with the rebels. Otherwise even without the horrors of sarin gas tens of thousands more Syrians will surely die. TRUDY RUBIN -mcclatchy newspapers

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September 3, 2013

your ad here. interested? call us for the deets!

Today’s Birthday Horoscope: It’s easier to make important changes this year. Your network has everything you need. Up your game by taking new group responsibility. Contribute to others, and it comes back to you. Respectfully and frugally expand your in luence. Discover or amplify romance. Inspiration and connection abound. To get the advantage, check the day’s rating: 10 is the easiest day, 0 the most challenging.

(540) 961-9860 Piled Higher and Deeper by Jorge Cham Quote of the Day

The future is called ‘perhaps,’ which is the only possible thing to call the future. And the important thing is not to allow that to scare you. - Tennessee Williams Send us your quote and see it here! creative.services@collegemedia.com

xkcd by Randall Munroe

66 Remote abbr. 67 “Charlie’s Angels” actress

By Brad Wilber and Doug Peterson

Week of September 3 through 6

ACROSS 1 Fictional Bagne of Toulon prisoner 12 “How relaxing!” 15 Military sanction 16 Friend of Piglet 17 The Hulk, untransformed 18 Double-chevron wearer: Abbr. 19 Universal signal since 1908 20 Ultravox frontman Midge __ 21 Held up 23 Office orders 26 Tessellated artwork 27 Native American in Connecticut

Hot Songs Go Outside - Cults Bombay - El Guincho Doses and Mimosas - Cherub Heartbeats - The Knife Cathode Ray - Blonde Summer

9/3/13

30 Dylan contemporary 31 Gave a shot, say 34 Spica’s constellation 36 Sprinkling 37 Lacking a point 38 First name in spy fiction 39 2010 Literature Nobelist Mario Vargas __ 41 Ga. airport that serves Hilton Head Island 42 Prefix with -loquent 44 Highest score possible with a single dart

45 Keen 47 Missed payment result 49 Louisiana license plate image 51 Baseball Hall of Famer Cap 54 Easy to erect 55 Crony 57 Memory unit, briefly 59 Labyrinth location 60 The Bridge of the Americas locale 64 Gone by 65 Yellow Brick Road terminus

DOWN 1 Ring sequence 2 Reason for striking out 3 Divert 4 White House foreign policy gp. 5 Certain migratory pattern 6 Jump 7 Brace with a 90degree bend 8 Krakowski of “30 Rock” 9 Southwest addon 10 Really drawnout 11 Dunn and Ephron of Hollywood 12 Lemming predator 13 Trousseau trunk 14 Reigns 22 __ Miguel, largest of the Azores 24 “Well said!” 25 PC peripheral 26 Hitchcock title kleptomaniac 28 “B.J. and the Bear” star Greg 29 Goliath, for one 31 Become extinct 32 Typically 33 London street known for highend haberdasheries 35 His watch signals Superman 40 Whoppers 43 Mobile home?

46 Lack of similarity, informally 48 Holly follower? 50 “War with the Newts” sci-fi novelist, 1936 52 Old Dodges with front-wheel drive 53 “Swell!” 55 Trim

56 Key of Liszt’s Piano Concerto No. 2 58 Romance novelist Elinor 61 Circus safeguard 62 Quarantine advisory org. 63 Speech balloon cry of dismay

Friday’s Puzzle Solved

8/30/13

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

W E

WORD BANK

W F

W V

W N

W O

1 Azalea 2 Buttercup 3 Sunflower 4 Rose 5 Poppy 6 Orchid 7 Magnolia 8 Dogwood 9 Lilac 10 Bellflower 11 Lily 12 Daffodil 13 Honeysuckle 14 Hibiscus 15 Hydrangea 16 Thistle

W M

W A

W S

W E

Aries (March 21-April 19) You’re gaining respect. Friends give you a boost, especially regarding love. Appreciate and enjoy what you’ve acquired. A female works out details with useful suggestions. Emerge unscathed from a possible situation. Share thanks generously.

Leo (July 23-Aug. 22) Replenish reserves for later. A female handles picky details. Relax and keep momentum. Someone leads you to victory. Get into communication, and express what you’re up to. There’s a happy ending, with a delightful discovery.

Taurus (April 20-May 20) Gather support. Love emerges triumphant again. Find the money. It’s a good time to sell and pro it. Tardiness will be noticed. Do work you love. If it seems boring, focus on the fun part.

Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) Repay a favor. Provide leadership and visualize immense success. Great ideas for home improvement develop. Count your blessings. Set priorities. Others help out behind the scenes. Take them out for lunch or dinner.

Gemini (May 21-June 20) Consider another’s opinion, or trouble breaks out. Stay respectful. You’re the peacemaker. Continue your studies and, with a loved one’s encouragement, your career takes off. You’ve earned it. Satisfaction is the best reward.

Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) Others ask your advice. Draw upon hidden resources to improve your living conditions. A compromise gets achieved. You’re in tune and harmony is building. The team has a creative breakthrough. Exceed expectations. Offer congratulations.

Cancer (June 21-July 22) Grasp an opportunity. This will bring great satisfaction, with good reason. Reaf irm a commitment. Friends are there for you. Your partner scores. You can build what you want and need. Your creativity busts out.

Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) Take the time to get it right. Something that seems impossible won’t take much longer, if you keep momentum. Friends are there for you. Turn on your abundant charm. Accept a nice bene it.

Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) Prepare for a test. If career causes relationship problems, close up the books. A female gets philosophical. You’re especially cute. Ask for help to have it all work out. Rely on others, and be reliable. Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) Your good service leads to security. Take care of family. Join forces with a female, and share the load. Accept encouragement. Enjoy the beauty around you. Find hidden treasures. Stash away the goodies. Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) Your past work speaks well for you. Reinforce an old bond. Allocate resources. Discuss a good deal you’ve discovered with loved ones before buying. Get all the facts together. Express your affection. Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) -- Today is an 8 -- Make it a big work party. Don’t push against the tide. Plan ahead, and provide delicious enticements. Work out a balanced agreement. Everything falls together. Use talents you’ve been keeping secret. Get the best.

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LIFESTYLES

lifestyleseditor@collegiatetimes.com

September 3, 2013

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watch: This Is Us Movie Rating

Say what you will about their talent, public love lives or collection of impressively awful tattoos, but One Direction is undoubtedly the biggest boy band on the planet right now. Following the lead of the Jonas Brothers, Miley Cyrus and Justin Bieber, One Direction released “This Is Us,” a documentary-slashconcert-film, this weekend. Interspersed with live concert footage is the backstory and day-to-day lives of five of the most famous young adults in the world. The fi lm is intended to both cater to the existing fanbase, and entertain the casual moviegoers. I assume most people who walk into this movie are already fans, but the film tries valiantly to appeal to all audiences either way. Each of the boys is deliberately introduced with the maximum appeal, as all are carefully presented as being from a regular, workingclass background. The director Morgan Spurlock, famous for his documentary “Supersize Me,” captured their lives with a surprising amount of access. It’s a much more personal movie than, for instance, Justin Bieber’s “Never Say Never,” which focused primarily on concert footage with just a touch of the Bieb’s private time. “This Is Us” is flooded with behind-the-scenes footage, from Niall Horan recording shirtless to Harry Styles getting his bum pinched by an old woman in a bakery. It is, for those who care to let themselves take it in, delightful. As previously stated, those not already involved in the

Jazzercise enthusiasts open new center in Christiansburg

KEVIN DICKEL/ SPPS Certiﬁed instructors (left to right) Alexa Gardner, Alisa Hewitt, Lindsay Long and Vanessa Ruccolo lead daily Jazzercise classes.

MADELEINE GORDON lifestyles reporter

fanbase are unlikely to be as charmed by their antics, but even the naysayers should be impressed by the live concert video. As a whole, the movie is competent, if not particularly groundbreaking or uninspiring. It has been unfavorably (and rather unfairly) compared to the Beatles’ classic “A Hard Day’s Night.” Spurlock lacks the technical skill and artistic flourish of “Hard Day’s Night” director Richard Lester, and the boys, while earnestly sweet, simply don’t have the wit or the script that the Beatles did. There are some cool moments, though, like the comic-book style ani-

mated sequence during the live footage of “Teenage Dirtbag,” but this is a movie obviously made with a young audience in mind. The mission here is to not rock the boat, which is understandable, but it also means that you feel a bit like you’re watching a propaganda film, rather than something that feels deeply personal or “real.” It’s a good, solid movie that will do decently at the box office and please those who were already going to love it anyway. KATIE WHITE - lifestyles staff writer - senior - history major

Jazzercise challenges the notion that exercise can’t be enjoyable by helping members dance their way toward a healthier life and smaller waistline. A typical one-hour class combines dance and strength training for a total body workout that can burn up to 600 calories a session, according to Jazzercise, Inc. Th is exercise form uses popular music from various genres and has choreographed routines that are used worldwide and updated frequently. Although Jazzercise was established in 1969 and is now practiced in 32 countries, it wasn’t until recently that this alternative form of exercise found a home in the New River Valley. On June 24, the Jazzercise NRV center, located at 2725 Market St. in Christiansburg, opened its doors to a community ready for their own Jazzercise experience. Alisa Hewitt, the center’s owner, said Jazzercise has been in the area since 2001 with classes held at the Christiansburg recreation center and Blacksburg YMCA. As the local Jazzercise community grew, though, Hewitt realized the need for their own space. “(The idea) came to us and we were like hey, we can open a center, make it our home and really grow it,” Hewitt said. “It was an awesome opportunity to expand the brand and expand the message (of Jazzercise).” Finding the right location was a difficult task because Hewitt was aiming to find a place that could maintain both Christiansburg and Blacksburg members. After a lot of deliberation

“

Before, the instructors and classes were doing their own thing, and now we’re like one big Jazzercise family.” Alisa Hewitt Jazzercise NRV owner

and research, Hewitt said they finally found the perfect space in its Market Street location. The space was then transformed into a full-fledged Jazzercise studio, equipped with a stage for the instructors, a sound system and specially engineered sports flooring. Whereas the other local fitness places typically schedule

KEVIN DICKEL/ SPPS

KEVIN DICKEL / SPPS

Jazzercise is a type of dance workout mixed with strength training. around nine or fewer classes a week, Jazzercise NRV offers 28 class times. With the center’s seven instructors and around 100 members of all ages, Hewitt and Long agree that Jazzercise has become more unified now that it has a home base. “It made so much sense to bring everyone together and feel like a team,” Hewitt said. “Before, the instructors and classes were doing their own thing, and now we’re like one big Jazzercise family.” “At the heart of it, Jazzercise is just a fun way to exercise,” said Alexa Gardner, a certified instructor at the center. “Anytime I’ve had a hard day, by the time I leave (the studio), I feel a million times better,” Gardner said. “I think it’s the combination of the music and the endorphins from working out.” Not only do the instructors have a blast at every class, they are also proof of the program’s effectiveness. Long and Gardner have each lost around 30 pounds since they started as students.

At the end of the day, Gardner said, it isn’t just the music and the exercise that keeps her passionate about Jazzercise; it’s the members. “They are out there smiling at us, giving us feedback and laughing at our jokes when we’re up (on stage),” Gardner said. “They are really supportive.” In fact, a real sense of camaraderie has grown among the instructors and the members, Hewitt said. “It’s such an awesome community,” she said. “You know that someone is going to miss you when you’re not (in class), and that helps keep you motivated to come to class.” With the hard work of opening their own studio and uniting the NRV Jazzercise community, Hewitt said she and her team are looking forward to introducing this welcoming form of exercise to others in the area.

@maddi757

health. ealtth. eemployment. mpl crime. music. sports. art. dorms. education. duc cation. housing. government. world politics. sales. travel. raveel. trafﬁc. tr construction. business. relationships. entertainment. ntertainmen virginia tech. ut prosim. construction. We share your concerns Check us out in the paper or online at collegiatetimes.com

sportseditor@collegiatetimes.com

September 3, 2013

collegiatetimes.com

SPORTS

TMT: Positives in place for Hokies moving forward from page one

2. Running Back For the first time since the departure of David Wilson in 2011, the Hokies have a legitimate top running back. It would be very surprising if, even after J.C. Coleman returns to full health, Trey Edmunds doesn’t receive a very high percentage of the carries this year. Edmunds exploded onto the scene against Alabama — a la Ryan Williams in 2009 — for 132 yards and a touchdown on 20 carries. The 132 yards are the most ever for a Hokies running back in their debut. The touchdown, a 77-yard burst in the first quarter, was one of few offensive highlights for the Hokies. Hyped up since arriving on campus, Edmunds pulled away from Alabama defenders toward the end of the run, putting his elite speed on display for the first time. “The offensive line blocked everything well,” said the Danville, Va. native. “I just ran behind them, and I saw a crease and took it. At that point I was just hoping I wouldn’t be tackled.” It was the much shorter runs however — the two and threeyard efforts — that Tech fans should be happiest about. Eliminating the long run, Edmunds still averaged 3.4 yards-per-carry against what many consider to be the best front seven in college football. Often, he was able to absorb contact at or behind the line of scrimmage and still gain positive yards. Last year, similar plays would often end in the backfield for a loss. “I think Trey is going to be a terrific back,” Beamer said. “He showed speed. He’s a powerful guy. Each and every week I think he’ll get better and better. First time he ever stepped on a college foot-

ball field there tonight. Pretty good crowd he stepped out there against.” Last year Alabama’s defense gave up an average of 76.4 yards-per-game and allowed more than 153 yards on the ground — the Hokies’ total from Saturday — to only one opponent: Texas A&M.

3. Defense Those familiar with Tech football know that Bud Foster’s defense will show up year after year, though not many expected a performance quite as impressive as the one the Hokies put forth Saturday night. Just two of the five Tide touchdowns came against Foster’s defense, and one of those scores, Christion Jones’ 38-yard touchdown reception, came against Desmond Frye who was playing for an injured Kyshoen Jarrett. The Hokies defense fared better against the Tide than just about every SEC team from a year ago. The defense limited the Tide to 206 total yards, where as in 2012 Alabama averaged 445.5 yards and didn’t record less than 305 in a game. Up front the defensive line sacked Tide quarterback A.J. McCarron three times, with a fourth by linebacker Jack Tyler. In addition, a very young secondary did an impressive job handling one of the better wide receiver tandems in the country. “Defensively they’re one of the toughest groups that we played against,” Saban said. “They certainly did a great job against us tonight.” McCarron, who completed 67.2 percent of his passes and led the nation in efficiency last year, went 10-23 for 110 yards, an interception and a touchdown. “I think we played very well,” said true freshman cornerback Kendall Fuller. “We pre-

pared and trained and worked hard throughout camp and throughout the preseason and it kind of showed right there in the game.” Kendall, along with older brother Kyle, manned the outside for the Hokies and limited receptions for Alabama’s top receivers — most notably Amari Cooper, who only had four receptions despite being thrown to 10 times. Tyler made many big tackles, perhaps none bigger than when he blew up a third-andone in the backfield during the first quarter. Tariq Edwards looked like his old self — despite admitting after the game he was playing through leg pain — as he flew around the field recording six tackles.

4. Wide Receivers Logan Thomas will be blamed for his 5-26 night, but those pointing fi ngers need to take a closer look. He wasn’t great by any standard, accumulating just 59 passing yards, but a myriad of drops and poorly run routes by Tech’s receivers made his job much harder. Thomas and Beamer know that the receivers, mainly D.J. Coles and Demitri Knowles, have more talent than they exhibited Saturday night, and both the head coach and quarterback think the receivers need to be more focused. “They can be as good as they want to be, and we just have to push the right buttons, get them going, and once they do we’re going to be a dangerous offense,” Thomas said. “I just think it’s concentration. I’ve seen D.J. Coles make a lot of tough catches. Demetri, he has to go up and get it at the highest point,” Beamer said. “I’ve seen D.J. do it and Demetri do it. It’s a matter of concentration and confidence. We’re going to throw a lot of balls this week.” Thomas’ 59 yards were aided

TREVOR WHITE / SPPS

Desmond Frye (26) dives for Christion Jones (22) after a long pass from quarterback AJ McCarron. by a 34-yard connection to Coles in the fi rst quarter. Without that play, Thomas went 4-25 for 25 yards. The lack of a passing game allowed Alabama to put eight and even nine men in the box — making Edmunds’ success even more impressive — and essentially prevented the Hokies from putting together successful drives. The return of Charley Meyer, who missed Saturday’s game with a hamstring injury, will help deepen the receiving corps, but no matter the target, the receivers need to catch the ball.

5. Special Teams Normally a trademark of Frank Beamer and the Hokies, the special teams Saturday let the defense down, allowing two of Alabama’s three nonoffensive touchdowns. Before the game Christion Jones had returned 39 kicks and punts for Alabama, one

of which he took back for a touchdown. On Saturday he took two of his six returns back to the end zone. After the Hokies went threeand-out on the game’s opening possession, A.J. Hughes outkicked his coverage — the nearest Tech player was six yards away from Jones when he caught the punt — and Jones returned the punt 72 yards for six points. After the game, Beamer explained that three of Tech’s cover guys on the right side of the punt coverage team were playing there for the first time as a result of numerous injuries. After a 39-yard field goal by Cody Journell with 3:25 left in the second quarter cut the deficit to 11, Jones returned the ensuing kickoff 99 yards for his second special teams score of the day. Jones broke a tackle around the Alabama 28 yard line, and was able to take it all the way

back after a number of Hokies slowed down, assuming the play was over. “We had a guy, a freshman, who had him wrapped up,” Beamer said. “Didn’t quite wrap up. I think some of the other guys pulled off, thought he was wrapped up. All of a sudden, down the sideline he goes.” Beamer added that he would “absolutely” consider using veteran players on special teams to stop those kinds of mistakes from reoccuring. Despite the loss, the Hokies experienced certain levels of success that should excite fans for the future. With that however, the Hokies have plenty of room to improve moving forward. “We’re going to evaluate it and get it better,” Beamer said. “I can assure you we’re going to get it better.”

@JacobEmert