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The Collegiate Times’ comprehensive guide to Virginia Tech Football

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THE

FALL &

RISE OF D.J. COLES

BY JACOB EMERT | sports editor

L

ess than a week into the 2013 season it became perfectly clear that whatever kind of production Virginia Tech expected from D.J. Coles wasn’t going to happen.

In the Hokies first game of the year, Coles, a redshirt senior receiver, carried the ball twice for one yard and caught one pass despite being targeted six times by quarterback Logan Thomas. Beyond the stats, a lazily run slant route early in the second half, for what could have been a game tying touchdown, led to an interception and the beginning of the Alabama rout.

“I thought he looked like a guy that hadn’t played football in a year,” said wide receivers coach Aaron Moorhead following the season opening loss. “He’s got to continue to practice hard, he’s got to continue to go out in a game now and prove he’s going to

DEFENSE MUST SHUT DOWN PITTSBURGH PLAY MAKERS MIKE PLATANIA sports media manager

catch a football. And when the ball is in the air, he’s got to make plays (on the ball) and he knows that.

To be honest, if he (doesn’t) we’ll find someone that will. And he knows that.”

Coles hadn’t played in a while. The Goochland native played just 13 snaps in 2012 before aggravating an old knee injury against Georgia Tech that cost him the 2012 season. Coles returned to the team this year as the sole veteran of the receiving corps.

After reviewing the Alabama game fi lm, the coaches decided he couldn’t maintain a high enough level of play as frequently as they would have hoped.

“He’s going to be in certain packages.

see COLES / page 2

LOEFFLER’S UNIQUE STRATEGY BOOSTS TECH’S AIR ATTACK ALEX KOMA sports editor

Last year, Pittsburgh pulled the bottom-left Jenga block on the Hokies’ season, sending the entire structure crumbling to the ground.

The Panthers put up over 500 yards of offense in their 35-17 rout of the then-No. 13 Hokies.

“We have to make sure we don’t make the same mistakes again,” said linebacker Jack Tyler. “We’ve got to be a lot better. There’s something to learn from that game, but we’re not going to sit there and weep about it.”

Tech’s defense is going from playing a spread attack with a mobile quarterback last week against North Carolina, to a very old-school, ground attack in Pittsburgh.

The Panthers love to pound the rock with true freshman FILE 2012/SPPS James Conner, who’s averagThe Pittsburgh Panthers ran all over the Hokies when they met in Pittsburgh last season at Heinz Field. ing over 5.5 yards per carry.

Bud Foster echoed Wiles’ things.”

“They’re still a pro-style Tyler Boyd and Devin Street, Bud Foster and company offense,” Tyler said. “They’ve two receivers averaging over opinion, and added that just like every week, the look keen on stopping what got their coaches with that 100 yards per game.

Defensive line coach defense’s plan starts up Pitt does best with what they Wisconsin-style offense do best: defensive line preswhere they just get the big- Charley Wiles said that Pitt’s front.

“Pitt’s got a great tradi- sure. gest offensive linemen there simple approach causes comBut unlike most teams, the tion over the years of having are and try to run it down plex issues.

“There’s not going to be great offensive linemen and Panthers have a very formiyour throat.”

So when a team is fully any gun-runs or read people. I think they’ve got a group dable “Plan B,” if they get committed to running the They’re going to be blocking like that right now,” Foster shut down.

Boyd is a true freshman, ball, the solution seems pret- people — that’s what they said. “If they have a weakness ty easy, right? Logic says to do. They get a hat for a hat,” up front, it might be their and may very well be seeing just stick nine guys in the box Wiles said. “You have to load pass-protection, a little bit. lots of fellow true freshman and make the backs run into up on them against the run, We have to find that out … Brandon Facyson. therefore you get a lot of one- we have to get them behind linebackers’ arms.

Against Pitt, it’s not so sim- on-one matchups with their the sticks where we can pin see DEFENSE / page 2 ple. On the outside, Pitt has two guys (Boyd and Street).” our ears back and do some

When new offensive coordinator Scot Loeffler arrived in Blacksburg to take over for Bryan Stinespring, many wondered how much the offense would actually change.

However, after the first five games of the season, the answer is clear: nothing is the same.

Loeffler had a reputation for orchestrating run-heavy attacks in his previous stops at Temple and Auburn, and some feared he’d institute a conservative system that was similar to Stinespring’s philosophy.

Instead, Loeffler has adapted to the team’s strengths and weaknesses and molded the playbook accordingly.

With the run game currently struggling, he’s opened up the passing offense and the team is already seeing results.

Quarterback Logan Thomas has thrown for 514 yards over the course of the last two games.

“What we’re going to do is week-to-week, try to find ways to win. If it means opening the (playbook), that’s great,” Loeffler said. “There’s a real fine line there, if you overload players, they’re not going to play fast. The reason we’ve thrown the ball a little bit better these last two weeks is that there’s been adds, but there hasn’t been wholesale changes, mass amounts of information.”

That’s not to say that the coordinator wants to abandon the run; instead, he’s simply taking what defenses are giving him. When North Carolina dared the Hokies to throw, that’s exactly what Loeffler called for.

“We’re always trying to establish the run, and they took that away so we threw the football,” Loeffler said.

“We want to run it, but we’ve got to do what’s best for our team and what they give us on Saturdays.”

But no matter what kind of look the defense presents, there’s no use going to the passing game if the quarterback isn’t comfortable in the system.

Thomas looked timid in Stinespring’s system in 2012, but Loeffler’s offense has been a much better fit for the redshirt senior.

“I’m starting to understand it pretty well,” Thomas said.

“The things that we’re doing, it kind of fits into my game and I’m able to go through my progressions a lot faster and get it to the open guys. The more I do it, the better I’ll be at it.”

The quarterback’s improved efficiency at reading opposing defenses is a big part of why he’s thrived recently.

“Early in the season, my criticisms of Logan were not finding (passing option) number two and three,” Loeffler said.

see LOEFFLER / page 2

10

lifestyleseditor@collegiatetimes.com

October 11, 2013

collegiatetimes.com

he she

SAID

Pumpkin flavors are trendy and delicious, but are they overwhelming this fall season?

LIFESTYLES

Company aims to make theatre accessible to all ABBEY WILLIAMS lifestyles staff writer

He said: Pumpkin’s confusing popularity

T

he proliferation of pumpkin seems to have happened almost overnight. Th is fall every store and restaurant seems to be selling a special pumpkin flavored product and people are gobbling them up.

Pumpkin spiced lattes, pumpkin beer, pumpkin ice cream and so much more become available this time of year. As one of my friends said, you can take any food, put pumpkin in front of it, and find someone who makes it.

Pumpkins are so popular now that Food Network has a month-long show dedicated to chefs competing to carve pumpkins into new scary looking desserts. And that’s not the only channel showing pumpkinthemed specials.

When the weather gets the least bit chilly everyone begins talking about pumpkins and their favorite pumpkin-flavored treat.

While I appreciate all the new food and drinks to try, I’m still a bit confused as to how all of this happened.

I’m probably too young to be having a senior moment where I say that everything used to be simpler

back in my day, but everything used to be simpler back in my day.

I remember when the only pumpkin product you could readily find was pumpkin pie. And the only times you wouldn’t look weird eating it were around Thanksgiving and Christmas.

This just goes to show that pumpkin is truly an embodiment of the American dream.

It started out working a couple of small jobs around the holidays, earning just enough to put food on the table for its family. It then pulled itself up by its bootstraps, or some pumpkin equivalent, and began rising up through the ranks.

Today, pumpkin is one of the most famous and talked about flavors in the country. It is quite the inspiring tale.

So while you drink your pumpkin spiced latte from Starbucks and eat your pumpkin soup from ABP, feel good that you are contributing to that dream.

JAMES O’HARA -web editor -senior -computer science

She said: Pumpkin flavors are festive, fun

W

hen the leaves are changing color, the air is crisp and there is a slight crunch in your step, you know fall is upon us. That means one thing— it’s pumpkin season, the best food flavored season of all. Pumpkin is not only delicious but can be eaten in almost any form and quantity.

There are pumpkin muffins, pumpkin bread, pumpkin cheesecake, pumpkin ice cream, pumpkin bagel and cream cheese; the list really goes on. The sweet taste of pumpkin spice amps up anticipation for fall while letting nostalgia take its rain over your senses.

Pumpkin not only tastes great but also provides memories of childhood fun at the pumpkin patch and the best parts of fall rolled together in one tasty morsel. As a kid I loved opening my lunch to find the pumpkin snack cake my mom had packed, or baking the pumpkin apple bread for our neighbor’s Halloween party.

Some people may try to ague that the pumpkin hype is out of hand.

To those people I have two things to say. Are you allergic to pumpkin and therefore jealous, or are you crazy? Those are the only two explanations I can think of as to why you wouldn’t be excited about a season where everything is festive and delicious. A menu overrun with pumpkin items isn’t “overboard,” rather considerate as it gives us a greater opportunity to savor every opportunity for pumpkin in the short three months we have in fall.

I think almost everyone can agree pumpkin makes the world a better place—a place where people are excited about the colder weather and shorter days. So take a moment this fall to sit back and look at the colorful trees, walk through a pile of crunchy leaves, and take a bite of that warm pumpkin bread and know that it’s going to be a great season.

MEGAN BURPO -lifestyles staff writer -sophomore -human development and communications

“To be or not to be” at one of Open Air Shakespeare’s upcoming performances of “Hamlet” is a question Virginia Tech students and Blacksburg community members alike will be faced with this October.

Boasting stage combat and intense romances, “Hamlet” will be performed in a variety of locations from now to Oct. 19. Tickets are $12 for the general public and $8 for students and seniors.

“Hamlet” is the fift h production put on by Open Air Shakespeare NRV. The company, founded by Tech alumna Sara Wylie, works to break the stereotype that great theatre can only be found in big cities by bringing Shakespearian productions to Blacksburg and its surrounding counties.

Gabrielle Laskey, 2003 Tech graduate and director of “Hamlet”, explains the goals of Open Air Shakespeare NRV as a theatre troupe.

“We take a little bit of this and a little bit of that,” Laskey said. “Theatre four, in Richmond, is an excellent role model, as well as Shakespeare in the Park.

Those are two really big influences and they serve for us to see what’s successful and what’s not successful.”

Carter Gaylord, a senior studying theatre arts and philosophy, is starring as Hamlet. Although Gaylord had never been involved with theater until he came to Tech as a freshman, he said that theater is now a huge part of his life.

“Hamlet has been a very interesting process for me because I’ve been in two shows at once,” said Gaylord, who just recently fi nished performing in “Suddenly Last Summer”, produced by Virginia Tech’s School of Performing Arts.

Gaylord, like much of the cast, feels a special connection to the works of Shakespeare.

“Of all of Shakespeare’s plays, ‘Hamlet’ has always been my favorite,” Gaylord said. “It’s the reason I actually decided that I wanted to pursue theatre. It’s the one (play) that still remains the most relevant.”

Laskey agrees that the story of “Hamlet” is timeless. She said that Hamlet still has many of the qualities of modern television dramas like “Scandal” and “Downton Abbey.”

“There’s so much action and drama and comedy in this production,” said Heather Ursano, who plays Gertrude.

“We tried to interpret it as

ABBY JETMUNDSEN / SPPS

Actors Paul Hrick and Rocky Nunzio rehearse for their upcoming shows.

more info The Open Air Shakespeare NRV will be performing “Hamlet” tonight at 7 p.m. at 130 Jackson Street. For more information on upcoming performances, visit openairshakespearenrv.com. our own and make it different than any other Hamlet that’s been done before.”

Perhaps one of the most unique aspects of these productions of “Hamlet” is the fact that they will be performed in seven different venues, including Top of The Stairs, 130 Jackson Street, the Inn at Virginia Tech and on other stages in surrounding Radford, Pulaski, and Floyd areas.

“We only have maybe thirty minutes to an hour to get ready before audiences show up,” said Laskey. “We have a really minimal set. Basically, everybody is their own technician. But that’s part of the joy, that’s part of the exhilaration. Going to new places, seeing new things, and bringing it to new people who might not have had it.”

While the cast is excited about performing at all of the venues, some offer unique advantages and opportunities.

“Drinking a beer at TOTS while watching Shakespeare is exactly the way the Bard (Shakespeare) intended it to be,” Laskey said.

According to Gaylord, TOTS is actually set up much like the Globe Theatre. The actors will be performing in the pit and the audience will be watching from above.

Gaylord said that he is most excited about the smaller venues, like 130 Jackson Street, because they offer a more intimate experience for the actors and the audience.

“It’s been a process that’s really kept us on our toes,” said Gaylord. “There’s going to be a fair amount of improv every night but at the same time, because it’s such a different process, I’m given a lot of freedom to do what I want.”

Another unique element of “Hamlet” is that it also marks the troupe’s first big attempt to raise funds for production online.

“Because we are a traveling company, we don’t have a home base of operation,” Laskey said. “We don’t have the economics. We don’t have the storefront. We don’t sell merchandise because that’s really expensive to get going.

We figured it would be better to go ahead and try it online and it’s been moderately successful. Hopefully, if we keep having shows like this, in the next couple of years, we will be kind of a brand.”

Above all else, Open Air Shakespeare NRV wants to make theatre available for all.

“Come out and we’ll negotiate on ticket price. I know eight dollars is steep for college kids,” Laskey said. “I’d rather take five dollars and you come out and see the show and come back later.

Knowing that you’re going to see the next generation of actors, or the elderly, who don’t get to go out except this, that really makes it all worthwhile.”

@AbbeyWilliamsCT

2 COLES:VETERAN WR BECOMES MENTOR October 11, 2013

from page one We’re going to keep him fresh. I still think when he’s not playing a lot, he’s probably in a better position,” said head coach Frank Beamer after Coles caught one pass, a 19-yard touchdown, against Western Carolina. “The weight (gain) will get him a little bit, and the knee will get him a little bit, but he can bring something to this offense. I think we just (have) to play him less plays and get more out of him per play. That’s to me what we’ve got to do.”

The receiver, listed at 234 pounds on the team’s website, admittedly playing a few pounds overweight, saw the field infrequently — about five plays — against Western Carolina. Coles, true to his veteran status, continued to be professional about the reduction in playing time.

“I just go out there. Whenever they call my number I’m ready to play. They pick and choose how many snaps I get. I’m just ready to make plays,” Coles, who played over 400 snaps in 2011, said. “As long as we’re coming out with ‘W’s’ that’s fine with me. Winning is the ultimate goal as a team.”

For players and coaches though, and specifically Thomas and Moorehead, they knew the limited production they were getting from Coles — just two catches in two games — wasn’t his best. His knee injury may have been holding him back physically, but those

around him saw that he wasn’t fully committed mentally. “(Losing playing time) is going to be something that moving forward was probably better for him to understand … that we don’t need (him),” Moorehead said. “We want to have (him), but we don’t need (him). And that’s something that’s awakening for every athlete. When all of a sudden it’s ‘Oh my God, they’ll go on without me.’ That’s something that will get you in gear real quick.”

It became about getting Coles to give 100 percent on every snap he played.

“D.J. can be as good as he wants to be,” Thomas said numerous times after the first two weeks.

“

(Losing playing time) is going to be something that moving forward was probably better for

him to understand.”

Aaron Moorehead Wide receivers coach And all of a sudden, during the Tuesday practice before East Carolina, something clicked. “(Coles) made a big step today,” Thomas said following the practice. “He kind of made up his mind that he’s going to go do it and that’s what we need him to do.

“He’s the leader of that receiver group and when he works like (he did in practice,) he can

be very talented. Yeah, we’re going to have to limit some of the stuff he does — the stuff he is doing — and if he’s going 100 percent, he makes this offense very explosive.”

Moorehead echoed the quarterback’s observation.

“I thought that he went out there with purpose, and there is a difference between practicing hard and practicing hard with the purpose. That’s what I thought he did today,” Moorehead said.

“Anytime you’re a senior and you go out and you play just a handful of plays in the game, it’s going to open your eyes a little bit to what could be potentially be going on. I think he took it upon himself to say, ‘You know what, that’s not going to happen again.’ And he practiced like it. I was happy that he did that.”

Almost on demand, Coles’ productivity increased exponentially, despite his still being limited to a scattering of plays each game.

In the team’s last four games Coles recorded nine receptions, averaging just less than 30 yards a game and has pulled in a team leading four touchdowns. Despite ranking 373rd in the country with 11 receptions, his five receiving touchdowns are tied for 13th.

“Any way to help the team win. Right now we’re on a win streak and I’m fine with that,” Coles said. “That’s my area, 25 and in. I’m a big guy, a big target for the quarterback, so that’s what I do. 25 and in.”

As impressive as his on field

success has been, where the 24-year old has shown the most maturation over the last four weeks is as a leader. Understanding now that he serves a niche role for the offense, Coles has likened himself to an assistant coach.

“A guy like Josh (Stanford), he’s hard on himself,” Coles said. “So if he drops a pass he’s kinda hard on himself, but it’s my job to be like, ‘Man, look.

That’s going to happen in a game. Even the best drop it.

You can see it in the NFL all day long, even the best drop passes. You just got to move on to the next play.’

I just keep encouraging him like ‘Look, things are going to happen, mistakes are going to happen. Let that go, move on to the next play and we’ll be fine.’”

Moorehead, who just a few short weeks ago was questioning his receiver’s mentality, is proud of how far Coles has come.

“I think that he understands that the season really is a team build. I think that if you act as an individual, things don’t always go as planned. If you act as a team and you’re helping guys out, things tend to work themselves out,” Moorehead said.

While Knowles is definitely noticing Coles’ maturation and leadership, he’s also catching on to his stat-stealing abilities.

“He’s coaching all the time.

Another thing (is,) he’s taking is a lot of our touchdowns.

It seems like every time he goes in he’s taking a lot of our

TREVOR WHITE / SPPS

D.J. Coles (18) runs for a touchdown against Georgia Tech. touchdowns,” Knowles said.

“Now we got to make sure we don’t get caught on the 10.”

Six weeks ago all eyes were on D.J. Coles, who figured to be the one definite in a receiving corps of maybes. But Coles has drifted from center stage however, as up-and-comers like Willie Byrn are stealing much of the spotlight. The way he’s reacting to his new role and accepting it as an opportunity to help others is a complete transformation from the beginning of the season.

“I think he’s welcoming it. No player wants to ever see their

role decreased or not be able to play, but he’s understanding right now that his role on the field is one thing and when he steps off the field, whether it’s in a game or in a practice, it’s a different thing,” Moorehead said.

“And those guys look up to him, they really do. And if he’s over there pouting and negative, then that’s going to affect some of the other guys. if he’s over there acting like a leader, they’ll see in the future that’s the way they need to act. It helps everybody out.”

LOEFFLER: NEW OC GETS HOKIES OFFENSE ROLLING PLAYER

from page one

TWEETS-OF-THE-WEEK Trey Gresh @Tgresh12 You and I both know I’m a phenomenal dancer

Dadi Nicolas @Lordknowz WARNING: Our Squad, can be described as Sharks in a tank!!

Darius Walter Redman @TheCalc_33 #24 in the country. Rise to the top! #Hokies E.L. Smiling @eL17smile If I ain’t have a fast metabolism and played sports I would def be 900lbs

DEFENSE: STOPPING BOYD, STREET BIGGEST PRIORITY

FILE 2012 / SPPS

Pittsburgh threw for 283 yards against Tech last year, a result Bud Foster hopes to avoid in 2013. from page one Boyd and Facyson have each drawn comparisons to previous school greats like Larry Fitzgerald and Jayron Hosley. Facyson and the rest of the Hokies’ secondary have been lauded all season, and rightfully so, but Foster is still concerned.

“They’re dynamic guys. I’m not sure they’re not the two best we’ve played, going on what I’ve seen,” Foster said.

‘They make the tough catches look easy.”

Meanwhile, rover Kyshoen

Jarrett welcomes the challenge with excitement.

“Well, every week is a good opportunity for our defense, especially the secondary, to show ourselves and act disciplined in the way we play ball,” Jarrett said. “They stretch the field vertically with their speed and catch some difficult passes as I’ve seen. It should be fun.”

Despite having to deal with two elite receivers, the Hokies’ secondary might be licking their chops. The Panthers have been abysmal at protecting the football

this season, as they’re averaging over two turnovers per game.

That bodes well for the Hokies, who have forced three turnovers in three straight games.

Against an offense like Pitt’s, no level of the defense can afford to hiccup at any time.

“BCS football, with the way it is, this is a playoff game. They’re talking about a four-team playoff but in conference play, every game is a playoff game, and this is as big as they get,” Foster said.

“The pass play we ended up hitting Jerome Wright on (in the fourth quarter against UNC) was number five, his fift h progression, so anytime you see a guy doing that, things are starting to click.”

Th is newfound confidence has allowed Loeffler to make some bold calls that would’ve been unheard of before he came to Tech.

Take the deep ball Thomas threw to receiver Willie Byrn when the offense was backed up on its own two-yard line.

Stinespring’s offense would’ve almost certainly run on that play, but Loeffler was courageous enough to take a chance.

“Against UNC, we knew they had the ability to move the football, so we wanted to change the field position right now,” Loeffler said. “We were going to take a shot, and it worked out.”

Players were initially taken aback by the call, but there’s no doubt that it fit with the coordinator’s personality.

“I was actually very surprised by the call, but I know how (Loeffler) is,” Thomas said. “He was ready to attack.”

Moving forward, this boldness is a strong positive for the offense, but it will mean little if the team can’t establish the run.

“Our offense wants to run the ball better, be more productive, get us into more second-andfives,” said head coach Frank Beamer. “It’s not just a ‘gimme’ that you can stuff the box and stop the run.”

But fi xing the rushing attack is hardly a simple task. Between the offensive line, the quarterback and the backs themselves, there are a lot of elements that affect the run game.

“The running game, it’s easy to say, ‘Oh the offensive line is terrible or the running backs or terrible,’ when really it may be the quarterback should’ve gotten us out of that play,” said running backs coach Shane Beamer. “Or the tight end should’ve done this, or the receivers should’ve done that and it’s one guy here and there.”

Part of these issues have stemmed from the young runners’ difficulty adapting to an offense with as many formations as Loeffler’s scheme.

“We’re doing a lot in the run

TREVOR WHITE / SPPS

Logan Thomas (3) has been the biggest beneficiary of the new offense. game. Not necessarily a lot of different plays, but out of a lot of different formations,” Shane said. “And because of that, you don’t get to rep, you rep the plays during the week but there are some plays like last week we had some new things going in so we spent the bulk of our time on that.”

Despite these struggles, the run game has flashed potential. Redshirt freshman Trey Edmunds has shown explosiveness in fits and starts, and the team has run for more than 150 yards in three different games, so there’s reason to expect

things will get better.

“Once everything starts coming around, teams are going to have to be more consistent in what they do against us, especially when the pass game’s working and the run game’s working,” Thomas said.

In the meantime, the offense seems to be in good hands.

These fi rst few games have shown that Loeffler isn’t afraid to get creative, and there’s no sign of that stopping.

“If he keeps making those masterful play calls, then we’ll be pretty dangerous,” Byrn said.

Angry about the noon games?

Friday, October 11, 2013

find out why you shouldn’t be on pg. 6 An independent, student-run newspaper serving the Virginia Tech community since 1903 www.collegiatetimes.com

COLLEGIATETIMES 110th year, issue 31 News, page 4

Lifestyles, page 9

Opinions, page 7

Sports, page 6

Study Break, page 8

Shutdown could hinder Tech research

Blacksburg’s

Late night dining scene Night owls of Blacksburg, whether studying for exams or enjoying the bars downtown, are always looking for a bite to eat.

By Mike Demsko, Emily Wynn, Kevin Lohr, Laura Ratliff and Matt Johnson

JOSH HIGGINS news reporter

KEVIN DICKEL / SPPS

Waffle House

D. P. Dough

Benny Marzano’s

Firehouse Pizza

DXpress

When discussing latenight dining, it’s tough to keep the only diner that is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year in Blacksburg out of the conversation. Waffle House accommodates the nighttime breakfast cravings of Tech students with its entire menu always available for order, and an atmosphere that entices the taste

Sitting near the intersection of North Main Street and College Avenue is D.P. Dough, an eatery that serves calzones as late as 3 a.m.

“The busiest nights are always going be Friday, Saturday,” said Tim Seeman, co-owner and manager of Blacksburg’s D.P. Dough. “Then it kind of varies between

This pizza joint is known for their very large slices of pizza for $3.75- $4.50 per slice.

However, it’s not as well known that they offer over 300 different drinks in their beverage fridge, according to Mike Kight, general manager of the Benny Marzano’s in Blacksburg.

After a night downtown or a full night of reading textbooks, people might want some pizza at unconventional hours of the night sent to their homes.

Firehouse Pizza is open all week until 4 a.m., making Firehouse a convenient late-night option.

“Obviously, I expected to work late, be tired

For those not wishing to stray too far, DXpress at Dietrick Hall is a hot spot for students, especially since it’s the only dining center open after midnight.

It’s open from 7 a.m. until 2 a.m. Monday through Friday and from 9 a.m. to 2 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday.

The late-night menu is

see WAFFLE / page four

see DOUGH / page four

see BENNY/ page four

see FIREHOUSE/ page four

see DX / page four

Competition brings local artists together SENAYT ALEMU news staff writer

KEVIN DICKEL / SPPS

The New River Art Biennial exhibit showcases 30 works from 25 local artists.

NEWS Wondering about football weather this weekend? see page 5 Check out more works of art featured at Perspective Gallery this month. see page 5

The Perspective Gallery in Squires believes in showcasing the a high quality of fine art, and its current exhibition focuses on a local appeal.

From Oct. 2 to Nov. 9, the gallery will hold the New River Art Biennial exhibition, for the fourth time running, which showcases over 30 works of art from 25 different artists within a 150-mile radius of Blacksburg, including parts of North Carolina. The Art Programs Director of the gallery, Robin Boucher, has already seen a good amount of students come visit the gallery.

“A lot of students have been coming and talking about how they really like these shows that I have in here that have lots of artists with different styles, media and technique, because it has an appeal to a wide range of people,” Boucher said. “Many students have never been to a gallery and so it’s really a process for us to figure out how can we make this space approachable

LIFESTYLES

— and shows like this make it very approachable.”

Boucher has also witnessed a great deal of positive feedback from this show, especially due to the locality factor.

“It’s been really nice to hear peoples responses to this exhibit because when they find out this is regional work, and are very excited to know that there’s a great art community even though there’re kind of tucked into nooks and crannies of their own,” Boucher said.

A big part of the art community in Blacksburg is assembled in the Blacksburg Regional Art Association (BRAA), the main organizer of the exhibition. They are a local group of artists or supporters of art who come together monthly to discuss and celebrate all art forms. Six members from BRAA are represented in the current show.

The show is part of the New River Art Juried Biennial, currently in its 12th year, and while the managerial role of the show is with BRAA right now,

x

shutdown rundown

With the government shutdown, the following research sites have been disabled or limited.

• Library of Congress • U.S. Census Bureau • Bureau of Economic Analysis at the U.S. Dept. of Commerce • Institute of Education Sciences at the U.S. Dept. of Education • National Science Foundation • National Institute of Health • Smithsonian Institute

ONLINE Find out how television is evolving and becoming more interactive.

Why you need to get involved in local politics.

see page 7

see SHUTDOWN / page five

see ART / page five

OPINIONS

TECH SEX see page 9

As the federal government shutdown progresses toward the end of its second week, the effects are starting to trickle down from Washington to Blacksburg.

Though much of the shutdown debacle has focused on the estimated 800,000 “non-essential” federal government employees furloughed during the shutdown, Virginia Tech research is feeling some effects of the shutdown, too.

“We’re fortunate because most of the existing federal grants and contracts are not affected because they were funded in fiscal year 2013,” said John Pastor, communications director for Virginia Tech’s Office of the Vice President for Research. “It really impacts the annual renewing grants and contracts which come up on an annual basis.”

The shutdown, resulting from Congress being unable to pass an appropriations bill to fund the federal government, has forced certain government agencies — such as the National Institute of Health and the National Science Foundation, both big funders of Tech research — to close temporarily.

However, the shutdown has only had a minimal effect on current research, Pastor said, due to much of the fund having already been renewed during last fiscal year.

“The effects are not a knockout punch to us,” Pastor said. “We have a lot of work going on that will continue to go on. The shutdown is a temporary condition; it won’t last forever. No one knows how long it will last, but it is temporary.”

In addition to research funding, the shutdown has also caused certain online databases, such as those on the Library of Congress and the Smithsonian Institutions’ websites, to be inaccessible or difficult to access.

Check online for a video featuring Bud Foster. www.collegiatetimes.com

CollegiateTimes @collegiatetimes

4

newseditor@collegiatetimes.com

October 11, 2013

collegiatetimes.com

NEWS

Blacksburg’s late night dining scene Firehouse Pizza from page one

weekend dining hours

pretty often, hate my schedule sometimes... but I found it surprisingly easy to work with,” said William Clayton, a Firehouse employee and communications major at Tech.

Firehouse offers their full menu until closing, and while working the late shifts can be a bit hectic, Clayton said it’s worth the humorous situations he finds himself in.

Clayton recalls customers requesting a variety of strange things during his three-year pizza delivery experience. People have asked for drawings of cats and dinosaurs on their pizza boxes, and once even tried to tip him in cereal.

“Working until 5 a.m. is pretty crappy on the surface, but I actually have a lot of fun with the inebriated clientele and my coworkers,” Clayton said.

Late night munchies?

Here’s what’s open after the party’s over.*

LAURA RATLIFF -news staff writer

Waffle House: open 24 hours DP Dough: 3 a.m.

Benny's: 3 a.m.

Firehouse: 4 a.m.

DX: 2 a.m.

DXpress from page one

the same as the daytime menu with the exception of breakfast sandwiches, however, “(the students) are very heavy into the wraps, subs, personal pan pizzas and parfaits,” said Denny Luz, operations manager at DXpress.

Being the only dining center open between the hours of midnight and 2 a.m., students visit for a quick meal or to study.

“Since the remodel with this big lounge, a good portion of students stick around and work off their computers,” Luz said.

The architectural changes at DXpress, including new bathrooms, are changing it from being a traditional grab-and-go location to a prime study spot.

When asked about any strange late-night experiences at DXpress, Luz said, “just weird costumes around Halloween.”

RYAN SUTHERLAND / SPPS

#CTlatenight Tweet us your favorite late night snacks @CollegiateTimes

MATT JOHNSON -news staff writer

Waffle House from page one

ABBY JETMUNDSEN / SPPS

* Friday & Saturday hours only

buds at any time.

Friday nights and Saturday mornings provide the highest volume of customer traffic for Waffle House, and with that, any sort of inebriated population inevitably makes matters interesting for the staff.

Ira Maxey, a server at Waffle House, described the late-night crowd.

“You always have the handful of tables that are drunk off their tooshies,” said Maxey. “We’ve had several fights here on third shift. We used to have one of our employees pretty much act as a bouncer for the restaurant.”

But the night-dwelling crowd has plenty of perks to accompany its complications.

“Late-night shifts are some of the best… most people who come in are familiar with all the servers and cooks,” said Maxey. “We have their orders memorized, and already have their food started as soon as they walk in.”

As in the entire restaurant business, good service comes down to pleasing the customer, regardless of his or her blood alcohol content. Luckily, Waffle House has mastered the art of wooing the drunken dollar.

“We have our third-shift staff that’s used to drunken customers,” Maxey said. “They’ll have conversations with them, swap stories with them, and keep them satisfied.”

Erik Ferri, also a server and a senior agricultural economics major at Tech, has worked at Waffle House for just over a week and shared his first impression of the Blacksburg diner.

“You can’t please everybody. Especially during the morning shifts, people come in tired and grumpy and they want everything to be perfect,” said Ferri. “With every customer you have a moment of truth where they decide whether they’re satisfied or dissatisfied, and if they’re drunk it can go one way or the other really harshly.”

MIKE DEMSKO -news staff writer

D.P. Dough from page one

ABBY JETMUNDSEN / SPPS

Tuesdays and Thursdays as the next busiest nights, because on Tuesday there’s ‘TOTS Tuesdays’ and other bar nights.”

D.P. Dough opens at 11 a.m. every day, closing at 2 a.m. from Sunday to Wednesday and 3 a.m. from Thursday to Saturday.

On Fridays and Saturdays, D.P. Dough’s Fast Lane is open from midnight to 3 a.m., meaning that customers can pick from D.P. Dough’s five most popular calzones and receive their orders quickly, as they are made every 15 minutes.

“That’s specifically to keep everyone moving, to provide something specific as soon as possible,” Seeman said.

Late-night customers range from the insomniac students cramming for exams to inebriated partygoers.

“Toward the end of the semester, we have a lot more people coming in,” Seeman said. “We provide really good Wi-Fi so people caught on to that, and so we have more study groups coming in. Throughout the semester we have more of the

downtown people late at night from the bars.”

Most of their late-night visitors may be chanting, “Let’s go Hokies!” with a little more enthusiasm and spontaneity than they normally would sober, but every once in awhile people get a little too rowdy.

“We get a few scraps but usually it’s just the typical drunk people,” Seeman said. “We just kind of let them do their own thing, and if it ever gets out of hand we let the managers step in.”

Nights are not the only popular times for D.P. Dough, however. In such a strong football community, some of the busiest days have been game days.

“We get a lot of typical drunken college students, especially the game days are our busiest days,” Seeman said.

EMILY WYNN -news staff writer

Benny Marzano’s from page one

ZACK WAJSGRAS / SPPS

“Benny’s,” as it is commonly known, is open until 3 a.m. on Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday. On each of those nights, all manner of students and Blacksburg residents visit the restaurant late, ranging from people ending their night downtown to students up late studying, Kight said.

“Some of the things people say after a long night downtown are crazy,” Kight said. “We’ve heard a lot of funny jokes, comments and nicknames for people.”

These hungry night owls seek out the food and an atmosphere that is unique to the town of Blacksburg.

“The food choice is a novelty item due to the size of the slice as well as the fact that it is high quality and good late night food,” Kight said. “The atmosphere is a little bit different

than any other place in Blacksburg - it’s kind of a more New York-feel.”

Kight said that the cheese slice, pepperoni slice and monthly specials are usually the most popular orders at Benny Marzano’s. However, the Benny Sticks, which are garlic and cheese breadsticks, are often popular among patrons who may not feel hungry enough to tackle one of their huge slices of pizza.

The management at Benny Marzano’s enjoys staying up with and serving their late-night customers.

“It’s been wonderful, the Blacksburg community has been amazing in how it supports one another and local business,” Kight said.

KEVIN LOHR -news staff writer

NEWS

newseditor@collegiatetimes.com

October 11, 2013

collegiatetimes.com

Shutdown: Institutions disable sites

Art: Best works to reap cash prizes

weather watch JAMES MORROW weather reporter

from page one

“It makes it a lot harder for students and faculty to get their work done,” Pastor said.

Paul Decker, a senior natural resources conservation major, was not able to complete an assignment for his forest soils and hydrology class.

“The Natural Resources Conservation Service Web Soil Survey was closed,” Decker said.

“No access to soil surveys and characteristics was open.”

To resolve this, Democrats and Republicans must reach an agreement on an appropriations bill to fund the government.

Negotiations bet ween Democrats and Republicans in Washington continued Thursday, as President Obama reached out to House Republicans and Senate Democrats to discuss ending the shutdown. In addition, both the House and the Senate are in session Saturday to continue negotiations, inching closer to the deadline at which the federal government will reach its “debt ceiling,” the point at which the federal government defaults on its already existing debt.

And as the government shutdown continues, Tech’s future research projects will likely be hindered.

“If someone has a great idea to capture greenhouse gases to slow down global climate change, or a way to supply clean water to an impoverished town, or an idea for a new drug that can help cancer patients — and Virginia Tech researchers are involved with these kinds of things — that affects the people at home,” Pastor said.

As government workers are furloughed, many of the renewing grants and contracts are unable to be renewed because government employees aren’t in their offices. In addition, funding for new projects has been cut off by government agencies, such as the National Science Foundation, which is currently not issuing any new grants or cooperative agreements.

However, funding for research is continuing to flow from business and industry sources, giving Tech some access to funding for research.

“We are not totally reliant on the federal government,” Pastor said.

“But it is very, very, very important to us.”

KEVIN DICKEL / SPPS

The Blacksburg Regional Art Association is hosting the exhibit as part of the New River Art Juried Biennial, currently in its 12th year. from page one

it changes every two years between three organizations: BRAA, the Fine Arts Center of the New River Valley in Pulaski and the Jacksonville Center for the Arts in Floyd, and is held in those respective locations.

The show was organized by the 3 representatives of BRAA: the Chairman of the committee Leslye Bloom, who was also a former teacher at VT, Gerri Young, a local artist, and Diana Francis. This is the biggest show that the BRAA participates in, and it used the gallery because it is currently the biggest gallery open in Blacksburg. While it is a lot of work, Young is very pleased with the results of their hard work.

“I’m personally very pleased with the selection of art and the geographic diversity of the people who made it on the walls here in Blacksburg,” Young said.

This year, the committee decided to put the submission process online at CallforEntry.org, which they believe helped reach a wider variety of people, with over 200 entries during the fourmonth open application period.

“We thought it was time to step forward and do that--it’s a wonderful program,” Young said.

As soon as the pool closed, the three appointed judges, Michael Haga from College of Charleston, SC, Jeffrey Allison from Virginia Museum of Fine Arts and Boucher, were able to go into the online system to judge and comment on the submitted pieces on a scale of one to seven.

Those selected pieces were then placed in the gallery by Boucher and her associates, and the best will be given awards at an opening, as well as an awards reception on Oct 18. There will be nine awards, totaling $2100, with financial contributions given by the local community, from Mish Mish to the employees of the Center of the Arts.

KEVIN DICKEL / SPPS

The show received over 200 entries in its four month admission period this summer.

@CollegiateTimes

A variety of art forms are accepted, and the nine best pieces will win cash prizes.

Every Friday Night

Mike Armstrong Duo

9-12 pm, NO COVER!

922 University City Blvd, 540.953.2700

Clouds and drizzle have engulfed much of the region since Wednesday morning. This trend will continue into the weekend with cloud cover overhead each day.

The remnants of Hurricane Karen parked off the coast of North Carolina and Virginia on Wednesday. The high pressure that kept us sunny and dry slowly moved out, allowing for clouds and dreary conditions to move in overnight.

Cloud cover and rain chances will continue through Friday night as the system fi nally makes its way farther north away from our area.

Te m p e r a t u r e s for the game on Saturday will start off pretty chilly. By kickoff, temperatures will be around 66 degrees under mostly cloudy skies.

The sun may make an appearance or two throughout the game, but sunscreen won’t be as valuable this time around.

Chances of rain are minimal during the game.

Clouds continue to hang around next week, keeping temperatures around the 70 degree mark each afternoon.

Lows at night will drop into the 40’s.

Be sure to enjoy the fall colors as we head into peak foliage viewing season.

@wxBONE KEVIN DICKEL / SPPS

@joshualhiggins

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sportseditor@collegiatetimes.com

October 11, 2013

collegiatetimes.com

SPORTS

Noon kickoffs remain an unfortunate, unavoidable reality It’s every Hokie football fan’s mortal enemy: the noon kickoff.

Yet thanks to the football team’s lackluster 2012 season and an uninspiring ACC schedule, the Hokies have faced three noon starts and a 1:30 p.m. kickoff so far, with another scheduled for Saturday against Pittsburgh.

But while it’s easy to take shots at athletic director Jim Weaver and the rest of the athletics department for the unpleasant schedule, the anger about the kickoffs is likely misguided.

There’s no doubt that early start times are unpleasant.

There’s only so much time to tailgate after all, and the midday sun is truly brutal, as the Western Carolina and North Carolina games demonstrated.

While Weaver deserves plenty of hate mail for turning down Thursday night games - a mistake he is already trying to correct by requesting two for 2014 - his hands are tied when it comes

to the early kickoffs.

Instead, the start times are tied to the performance of the team and college football’s landscape.

When the ACC signed a lucrative television deal with ESPN and ABC, the schools in the conference lost almost all control over when their games actually start.

The only kickoff Weaver could actually control was Tech’s home opener against Western Carolina, which he slated for 1:30 p.m. It may not be perfect, but it’s better than noon.

It may produce some unfavorable outcomes, but it’s ESPN and ABC that actually control the start times.

The big networks only have three appealing time slots to offer: 3:30 p.m., 5:30 p.m. or 8 p.m.

Those are fiercely contested by top tier ACC schools, like Florida State and Clemson this season, as well as major Big 10 and SEC programs.

The only games from the ACC that stand a chance

at scoring those premier slots are the Florida StateClemson game on Oct. 19 and the Miami-Florida State matchup on Nov. 2.

“

For Tech to break into a later time slot against (some) stiff competition, the Hokies don’t have a lot of options left.”

Even last weekend’s Maryland-FSU contest, which was hyped as a major ACC Atlantic clash before it turned into a huge blowout, only warranted a noon kickoff.

For Tech to break into a later time slot against that kind of stiff competition, the Hokies’ don’t have a lot of options left.

The only two remaining home games after the Pittsburgh match-

up are against Duke and Maryland, which hardly present the most compelling storylines.

If the Terrapins can recover from the 63-0 beat down they suffered at the hands of the Seminoles, there’s a chance that game could get pushed to 3:30 p.m.

But if Tech should stumble between now and then, or the Terps lose to one of their upcoming opponents – namely the third ranked Tigers - that game will be another relatively uninteresting one.

The Hokies’ matchup against Miami on Nov. 9 will likely decide the Coastal Division, so that game could warrant a late start, but that’ll be played in Florida rather than Blacksburg.

It may be rough on fans, but it’s the cold reality of big time college football.

As it stands now, the networks are giving the conference more than $240 million per year for broadcasting rights, so it’s not like these

start times come with no benefit.

If Hokie fans actually want to see some sort of concrete change in this status quo, they should lobby for the team to make the step up to a more respected conference. However, that hardly seems likely any time soon, so noon kickoffs are here to stay.

There are a few glimmers of hope for Tech, however.

Besides the two Thursday night games Weaver requested for next season, the team will likely earn prime treatment for its road game with Ohio State.

With the news that Tech will travel to the Bristol Motor Speedway for a game against Tennessee in 2016, it’s clear that national respect for the program is building.

That contest could attract a record crowd for a college football game, thanks to the arena’s capacity of 160,000 seats, which will only serve to further improve Tech’s national standing.

National perception is what it all comes down to. If people aren’t interested in the Hokies and the ACC as a whole, then desirable kickoff times won’t follow.

Things could be looking up for the conference; if Clemson or Florida State can make a serious bid for a spot in the national title game, then that would go a long way toward getting the ACC noticed.

But if the conference remains a joke, then there just isn’t any incentive for the networks to give its members prime placement.

There will be afternoon and even night games in Blacksburg again at some point, but it will take some serious improvement on the part of the Hokies and the whole ACC to make that a reality.

ALEX KOMA - sports editor - senior - @AlexKomaVT

Volleyball prepares for its home conference opener WILL GROOMS sports staff writer

Good times creeping down your antenna?

The Virginia Tech volleyball team has high hopes as it enters this weekend’s home conference opener.

The Hokies will face Boston College on Friday night and Syracuse on Sunday. Both opponents are conference bottom-feeders ranking 13th and 15th respectively.

Additionally, both teams own a conference record of 0-4.

Tech looks to right the wrongs of the loss to Pittsburgh last weekend.

The loss to the Panthers tallies loss number four for the Hokies, who have now lost three of their last five contests.

Additionally, the loss to Pitt marks the second consecutive weekend that the Hokies have lost a match in three sets. Head coach Chris Riley and the team look to right the ship this weekend.

“For us to be better, we have to both play cleaner and pass better,” Riley said. “We uncharacteristically made a lot of mistakes in a row (against Pittsburgh) which we don’t normally do, and against better teams you can’t do that and expect to win.”

Despite the rough patch the Hokies have hit over the past couple of weeks, junior setter Jordan Fish insists that this is not habitual.

“The loss is over with, and going forward, we just need to take it one game at a time,” said Fish. “We can’t think about the loss, we just need to move on to the next game.”

“

For us to be better, we have to both play cleaner and pass better.”

Chris Riley Head coach

Fish recorded 22 assists in the loss. She went on to contend that the team is improving in an area that it previously struggled with.

“We are improving very much in committing errors,” said Fish. “As a team, it continues to be our main focus and we’re getting better at it.”

Managing errors continues to be a work in progress for the Hokies, who committed 27 against Maryland, but just 16 against Pitt.

High-error performances were the downfall for the Hokies in their fi rst three losses of the season, but senior middle blocker Victoria Hamsher suggests

ZACK WAJSGRAS / SPPS

Outside hitter Lindsey Owens (1) jumps for a ball against Lipscomb. that the Pitt loss was a matter of effort.

“We need to show more of a sense of urgency early in the match,” said Hamsher. “We all know we want to win but you can’t really see it in our emotions.”

The team looks to ride the momentum of its five-set victory against Maryland on Saturday into this weekend.

The BC Eagles are the first matchup of the weekend.

They’re coming off of a six game losing streak in which they were dominated by a combined margin of 18-4 in set-play. Additionally, the Eagles are hitting just .185 as a team, ranking them 186th nationally.

The following matchup, Syracuse, proves to be even less of a challenge. The Orange have just five wins on the season. They’ve struggled to get anything going offensively, averaging only 11.4 kills per set.

Though both opponents figure to be favorable matchups, the Hokies aren’t taking any team for granted.

“I wouldn’t call them lesser opponents,” said Riley.

“They’ve played some of the best teams in the conference, so I think by no means does their record indicate their level of talent.”

The keys to victory are the same as usual for the Hokies.

upcoming games -Fri. Oct. 11, BC -Sun. Oct. 13, Syracuse -Fri. Oct. 18, NC State -Sat. Oct. 19, UNC -Wed. Oct. 23, Virginia -Fri. Oct. 25, Notre Dame “We need to just keep doing what we do well,” said Hamsher. “We need to get off to a fast start and if we win the first set, we can’t let them come back.”

Also the same for the Hokies is their offensive approach.

“We haven’t had a problem scoring all year,” said Riley.

“Our offense has been the best part of our game and one loss doesn’t change our approach.”

The Hokies sit in the seventh position in the competitive ACC. Two wins this weekend could, with some help, springboard them into the top 5 in the conference and put them within striking distance of the top 25 nationally moving forward.

@CTSportsTalk

OPINIONS

opinionseditor@collegiatetimes.com

October 11, 2013

collegiatetimes.com

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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 Lifestyles Editors: Chelsea Giles, Madeleine Gordon Opinions Editors: David Levitt, Sharath 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

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[staff editorial]

Support Hokie basketball this season

Staying informed and involved in local politics is crucial for students

S

tudents, A new basketball season is just around the corner and I’m looking forward to seeing you as part of the Cassell Guard this season.

Cassell Coliseum is one of the toughest places to play in the country because of the atmosphere our students and fans create. I encourage you all to purchase student season tickets as we move “Forward Together” in 2013-14. You make a huge difference in terms of how our team responds each game. Sometimes the result of a game may come down to a single possession, and we all have a role in what the result of that play may be.

To prepare our players and the student section for a new season of Hokie Hoops, I’m inviting all students to attend our practice on Friday, Oct. 11 from 3-4:15 p.m. inside Cassell Coliseum. We need you to come out to this practice and help prepare our players for the hostile student sections we’ll see all season playing in the nation’s toughest conference.

Hope to see you on Friday inside the Cassell!

On

Tuesday, the Blacksburg Town Council unanimously voted down a major housing project that would have been the largest student-housing complex in Blacksburg.

The meeting included a section where the council listened to public citizen comment on the issue. During that time, 34 members of the community spoke up, expressing their opinions on the proposal that, if passed, would be a major addition to the town.

Only one student spoke out of the 34.

On a campus with 31,000 full time students, it seems troubling that students aren’t involved or aware of what goes on at a local political level.

We, at the Collegiate Times, fi nd it important that students remain informed and educated about national, state and local politics. Though our time here at Virginia Tech may

James Johnson Basketball head coach

be fleeting, for the time we call Blacksburg our home we need to make informed choices about who we vote for.

The people who make up town council, have a major effect on what occurs in Blacksburg.

Th is coming November, four people are running for three seats on the Blacksburg Town Council—April DeMotts along with incumbents Susan Anderson, Cecil Newcomb and Krisha Chachra.

Understand their platforms. Ask questions. Attend a town council meeting, which are held on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of every month at 7:30 p.m. in the Municipal Building right off of South Main Street.

Let your voice be heard, because even though we’re students, our opinions have an effect on the future of Blacksburg.

Social media, complex storylines are contributing to evolution of television

W

hy do some television shows captivate us? What makes an audience so loyal that it will tune in religiously every week to watch the new episode?

There has been an upward trend in communities of passionate television show followers, especially with the powerful rise of sites like Netflix, which lets a viewer watch entire seasons before the new one premieres. Shows like Breaking Bad, The Walking Dead and Homeland are just some of television’s most followed shows. They average millions of viewers for each episode and even have talk shows after each episode finishes.

According to an Entertainment Weekly article by James Hibberd, the series finale of Breaking Bad shattered records with 10.3 million viewers tuning in to see how the saga of Walter White would end.

AMC charged up to $400,000 for each 30-second commercial spot during the finale. That number is getting close to Super Bowl heights in terms of cost.

There has to be a reason these television shows hypnotize viewers into a cult-like following. It is not by chance that millions like a show just because it is good entertainment. The recent trend of shows gaining popularity is related to anti-heroes and social media. These two factors, which seem to be drawing viewers in, are good for the evolution of television.

An anti-hero is defined as a central

character in a story, movie or drama who lacks conventional heroic attributes.

This means that instead of a pristine character who saves the day, some of the anti-hero’s actions can be borderline villainous. At the end of the day however, they will make the right decision restoring them in the audience’s eye.

“

The more interactive a show is with its viewing community, the more loyal the fans will be when returning each week to watch.”

Examples are Bryan Cranston’s character in Breaking Bad and Andrew Lincoln’s character in The Walking Dead. Both characters have had to make dubious decisions throughout the run of their respective shows, but both remained in the limelight and drummed up millions of viewers each week. This is a positive change from the one-dimensional characters plaguing basic cable.

Audiences are craving complex characters to match increasingly in-depth storylines.

Social media is complementing many shows, which elevates them to new heights of fandom never reached by series aired before the advent of Facebook and

Twitter. Fans can follow their favorite actors from the show and learn more about the show through them. Online features allow viewers to follow along while the newest episode of their show is playing. An example of this is AMC’s Story Sync. This specific feature prompts users with questions and trivia that connects to the streaming show.

The more interactive a show is with its viewing community, the more loyal the fans will be when returning each week to watch. This is also a positive for the viewing community because, as television races to compete with streaming sites, they need to keep upgrading the way fans can stay in contact with their favorite show.

As the acting, writing and production of a show evolves, so does the technology that surrounds it and how fans are connected to it. There are almost unlimited possibilities to how a show can stay in contact with its fan base. The use of antiheroes and social media are positively changing the evolution of television, so in the words of Walter White, “tread lightly” because a show could suck you in and grab your attention and devotion at any given moment.

ADAM ROTHE -regular columnist -sophomore -marketing

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.

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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.

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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.

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October 11, 2013

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Today’s Birthday Horoscope: Get adventurous this year. Build on what works at work. Romantic fantasies become more achievable, with domestic bliss available. Career or studies may include travel, which suits you ine. Discovery and exploration recur as themes. Good news develops for you and your partner next spring. Keep squirreling your nuts away and take time for play.

Piled Higher and Deeper by Jorge Cham Quote of the Day

“So we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past.”

- F. Scott Fitzgerald

For Sale BOOKS: dangerous dreams, stolen memories, collapsing societies, lost identities, lost souls, engineered life, our world transformed: Remembering the Future, science fiction stories by Alan Kovski. On Amazon.com.

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Send us your quote and see it here! creative.services@collegemedia.com

xkcd by Randall Munroe

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6 5 8 5 3

DOWN 1 “__! what poverty my Muse brings forth”: Shak.

2 Camera-ready page By

7 9 1 5 4 6 8 9 9

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1

2 Annemarie Brethauer

music downloads

ACROSS 1 Secret rival 6 Pool regimen 10 Devoid of emotion 14 Pope after John X 15 Lamb by another name 16 Australian gem 17 Recesses 18 Riffraff’s opposite 20 Picasso in preschool?

22 WBA stats 23 Estonian, e.g.

24 Critic who’s a Chicago talk radio co-host 28 Rub the right way?

29 Feel crummy 30 Way to go: Abbr.

for the week of October 8th through 11th

Flavor of the Weak- American Hi-Fi Ocean Avenue- Yellowcard Just the Girl- The Click Five Stacy’s Mom- Bowling for Soup The Middle- Jimmy Eat World

listen up

10/11/13 31 When only a synthetic will do?

35 Home to many Indians, but few cowboys 37 Television network with a plus sign in its logo 38 “This just __ my day!”

39 Double-cross Old MacDonald?

44 Mother of 35Down 45 __ Cruces 46 Passé platters 47 Not as critical 49 Clay pigeon flinger 51 Pipe cleaner

54 What Eddie did to warm up for his “Shrek” role?

57 Kept an eye on 60 Outstanding 61 It may be gross: Abbr.

62 Spy’s device 63 Sale, in Calais 64 Tampa Bay team playing in this puzzle’s longest answers?

65 One trading in futures?

66 Award for Elmore Leonard

3 Día de San Valentín gift 4 “Hurlyburly” Tony winner 5 Fail to follow 6 By the book 7 Flag down, say 8 Lager order 9 Like The Onion 10 “Cape Fear” co-star, 1991 11 “100 years of journalistic excellence” org.

12 Yoga equipment 13 1889-’90 newsmaking circumnavigator 19 Sicilia, e.g.

21 Defense gp.

25 Binoculars component 26 Historic prep school 27 Musical modernization of “La Bohème” 28 “I Kid You Not” author 29 Puberty woe 31 Custom-made things?

32 Quibbles 33 “How impressive!”

34 Impersonal letter intro

35 Son of 44-Across 36 British Open champ between Jack and Tom 40 Bering Sea native 41 Plants with flattopped flower clusters 42 Blubber 43 Sanction 48 President Santos portrayer on “The West Wing”

49 “Voilà!”

50 U-Haul rival 51 “Advertising is legalized __”: Wells 52 Busybody 53 Landscaping tool 55 __ dieu 56 Agape, maybe 57 Transitional mo.

58 __ tight schedule 59 Anti vote

Thursday’s Puzzle Solved

(c)2012 Tribune Media Services, Inc.

2/17/12

WORDSEARCH: New York City Locate the list of words in the word bank in the letter grid.

W W T

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WORD BANK 1 Big Apple 2 Taxis 3 Broadway 4 Statue of Liberty 5 Times Square 6 Central Park 7 Shopping 8 Crowded 9 Museums 10 Night life 11 Entertainment 12 Tourist 13 Penn Station 14 City 15 Busy 16 Lively

Aries (March 21-April 19) Write or record your ideas. Continue to increase enthusiasm. Except for right now, when there could be a breakdown ... more research is required. Love gives you extra patience. Be careful now. Go ahead and get started.

Taurus (April 20-May 20) A friend’s change in plans alters your anticipated expenses. Work it out. Take the philosophical high road. Resist spending for the time being. Consider it all with a sense of humor. Research gets fascinating.

Leo (July 23-Aug. 22) Share a dream with associates, and advance a level when they sign on. Stay cool and move quickly.

Practice what you preach. Shift emotional direction.

Consider consequences before acting. Keep increasing your authority this week. Build organizational structures.

Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) Stand up for what you know is right. Watch your step, though. Build a strong foundation. Get what you need. Have it delivered. Bring order out of chaos. Find the fun in the situation and grow that.

Gemini (May 21-June 20) Make travel plans, although you have more at home than you may realize. Continue to increase creative output. Generate a little controversy. Veto power could get exercised. Intuition guides you.

Keep completing tasks and decreasing obligations. Your outlook shifts.

Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) Your status rises.

Review recent action to gain greater insight. Store books and papers. Stay out of somebody else’s argument. Check equipment before launching. Continue to gather data. Relax, and it will come naturally.

Cancer (June 21-July 22) Make your move already. An emergency at work requires full attention. Postpone travel and commitment. You’re gaining in luence.

Expand your understanding. Push hard to inish a project, and start a journey another day.

Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) You get a jump on the rest of the pack. Don’t gamble. Keep doing your homework. Be diplomatic. Gain more than expected, although there may be a disappointment as well. Take time to pamper yourself with creature comforts.

ADVERTISE HERE WWW.COLLEGEMEDIA.COM

Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) You’re moving up. Make adaptations to your living arrangements. Revive old associations and friendships. Career opportunities percolate. Check work orders for changes. Plan your strategy so you can strike while the iron is hot.

Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) Take it one step farther. Stay lexible when something you try doesn’t work. Open your heart, but don’t tell all, yet. Watch for hidden complications. Don’t get intimidated. Maintain objectivity in a controversy. Finish up and reward yourself with a treat.

Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) You and your team accomplish more than expected. Share expenses. Keep playing and expand the game. Apply theories logically. Maintain your eye on the ball.

Anxiety could push you to act too soon.

Review your wish list.

Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) New possibilities open up, including an interesting development. You’ll need to choose! Cut stress by relaxing with friends. Consider ideas as you apply elbow grease to a household chore. Keep practicing. You’re gaining wisdom. Be willing to expand.

LIFESTYLES

lifestyleseditor@collegiatetimes.com

October 11, 2013

collegiatetimes.com

Heattech transcends changing temperatures Many of us mistakenly expected the weather to remain 80 degrees this week after that scorcher of a weekend. Yet, Blacksburg has fooled us once again with its indecision of choosing a season. It is always pleasant when the weather tricks us and we haphazardly dress ourselves hoping to have matched what is waiting for us outside.

Ladies, you’re most likely contemplating wearing the leggings you wore over the summer along with your Northface windbreaker and equestrian-styled boots, and guys, you probably don’t even care enough to think that hard about your outfit, so that long sleeve VT sweatshirt and jeans should hopefully do you right.

Let’s face it. Most of us don’t have enough time to ponder the drudging question of “what to wear.” Also, it is frustrating to pinpoint what the temperature will be since it changes so often Heattech apparel adjusts to body temperatures in various weather. throughout the week—or day.

However, I know of a secret that can simply help you dress for the shockingly The first Uniqlo store opened in 1984 in Hirocold/hot fall, which some of you may or may not be shima, Japan. The company has since grown familiar with. But as your from a few roadside stores into an internationdesignated fashionista, it is ally recognized leader in style, quality and fun. my duty to let you in on it.

The secret—Uniqlo, a eight functions such as, heat blouses, skirts and winter Japanese brand that has been generation which absorbs jackets.

Heattech apparel promises making its way in American body moisture and converts fashion since the early it to heat, heat retention to keep you warm as needed.

2000’s, especially with one which collects body heat So hopefully, you are now of their many breakthrough and body moisture through at ease when you find yourinnovative Heattech appar- tiny air pockets between self uncertain about what to el. Although it is relatively fibers, odor control against wear for the entire day withunknown, it is essential for perspiration, stretch com- out having to change mulevery closet and geographic fort to create a perfect fit tiple times. and maximize comfort, and region.

Heattech apparel repre- anti-static due to heat genPRIYA SINGH sents the evolution of fash- eration that absorbs body - fashion columnist ion that doesn’t only consid- moisture.

- junior The last extra function that er aesthetics but functional- apparel, housing, and resource ity. As we experience colder is included in only the mensmanagement temperatures, Heattech wear collection, is mois- @ctfashionatvt apparel is designed to keep ture wicking. This incredus warm without wearing ible function allows fibers to absorb excess moisture in bundles of clothing. order to avoid feeling sticky and, ultimately, releases the excess onto the outside of the garment. Finally, the perspiration dries up Heattech apparel quickly and keeps the fabrepresents the ric feeling fresh, which is evolution of fashion great for men who sweat easily. that doesn’t only The great benefit to investconsider aesthetics ing in either their leggings or long johns, is that regardbut functionality.” less of what you purchase, it is affordable for something so technologically advanced.

Prices range between $12With a line of leggings, 20, comparable to products basic long sleeves and made by Forever 21 and short sleeve shirts, under- H&M. Not only does Uniqlo shorts, long johns, accesso- specialize in this form of ries, and more, it can be technical fashion, but they worn as inner and outer produce basic apparel designed with simple prints garments.

Each item in the collection and colors, required for any is designed with seven to staple piece, such as jeans,

more info

“

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Playing October 11-17!

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Mon: 10:00am, 9:30pm Tues-Thurs: 7:00pm, 9:30pm

TECH SEX

What to do with the hair downstairs

R

ecently, body hair has been a trending topic of discussion among young people.

In some people’s opinion, there is a right and wrong to what kind of hair you keep and what you get rid of.

However, there is a science behind body hair that most people do not understand. In regard to pubic hairs, there are a few different reasons as to why they are there.

The first is that the hair that grows around the genitals and under the arms locks in sexually stimulating scents called pheromones. For some, scents released from these areas are noticeable and can increase sexual desire. For others, pheromones might not be obvious but may be subliminally sensed.

Another reason for body hair is that it indicates reproductive capability to your partner. Girls hit puberty around the ages of 8 and 13. Boys, on the other hand, hit puberty between the ages of 9 and 14. While a lot of changes happen in your body during these years, one of them is the growth of hair on your genitals and other regions.

A lot of people report that having sexual relations with someone without pubic hair makes them feel like they are having sex with someone who is prepubescent.

Pubic hair is also there to keep germs, bacteria and other unwanted things out of your genitals.

The thought is that the hairs will catch the bacteria, and then be washed away in the shower instead of entering into your body and potentially causing issues.

There are also a number of cultural differences in body hair.

Some countries and cultures do not believe that shaving body hair is necessary or natural. In our culture, however, we have been exposed to nudity in movies, pornography and other facets that portray that hair on genitals should be removed, or groomed.

Men and women are also sometimes held to different standards

regarding body hair. In most cases, men’s body hair is accepted as long as it is “groomed” or “manscaped.”

Women, however, are expected to be shaven clean or groomed with extreme care.

So what are your options?

There are a multitude of hair removal options, for those of you who are interested in hair removal.

Among them are shaving, waxing, laser hair removal and tweezing.

There are pros and cons to each of these options. Each option should be carefully weighed and thought out before making a decision.

Some people claim that removing your pubic hair completely can increase feeling in your genital area and in turn, make stimulants feel better. There is no concrete research determining whether or not this philosophy is true.

According to Men’s Health magazine, only 20 percent of all college-aged women remove their pubic hair on a very regular basis.

What does this mean? It is ok if you decide not to remove your hair.

Removal or non-removal of body hair is a very personal choice. I do not think people should feel pressure from outside sources about their body hair, but instead, do what is best and most comfortable for them. While there are reasons for the hair “down-there”, it is fine to do without, too.

meet the writer TECH SEX is a brand new, weekly column about sex on Virginia Tech’s campus, written

by Abby Broughton.

Broughton, a junior marketing major, will eventually be pursuing a Ph.D. in sex therapy, in the hopes to make a career out of sex therapy. If you have any questions or comments, email her at ambrough@vt.edu

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