The DA 10-22-2015

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THE DAILY ATHENAEUM

“Little good is accomplished without controversy, and no civic evil is ever defeated without publicity.”

da

Thursday October 22, 2015

Volume 128, Issue 44

www.THEDAONLINE.com

WV-UNIT

50 Cent comes to Morgantown to promote his new Vodka brand, signs bottles for residents jillian clemente A&e Writer @dailyathenauem

EFFEN vodka, 50 Cent’s new vodka brand, is a little more expensive than some sweets in a candy shop, but hundreds of residents lined up to meet the rapper and get a signed bottle of the liquor. “It’s pretty cool I met 50 Cent while buying a bottle on my 21st,” said Tess McCloud, a senior exercise physiology student at West Virginia University. McCloud decided on a whim to get EFFEN as her first bottle of alcohol and meet 50 Cent. The rapper hit up Morgantown, West Virginia because it contains the liquor store with the most sales in this state, Ashebrooke Liquor Outlet on Beechurst and Third. It’s a part of the promotion of his vodka, and he’s visiting the topselling store in the other 49 states as well. “He’s going to every state and their stores along the tour, doing these big signings and promoting his vodka,” said Brent Jones, an assistant manager at ALO and graduate student at WVU. According to Jones at press time, about 200 people filed through the store, and about 350 were expected to show. In order for 50 Cent to make a stop, ALO had to order 200 cases of EFFEN - that’s 1,200 bottles. The first guests started to come in around 11:30 a.m., Jones said. McCloud said that she

by caity coyne city editor @caitycoyne

submitted

50 Cent poses with Ashebrooke worker Sam Jerome. arrived around 2:45 p.m. and managed to get out by 6 p.m. with her friends Pat McGonigal and Michael Rogers, seniors at WVU. “I called him Mr. Cent and he started laughing,” McGonigal a WVU history student, said. Rogers wore a Grateful Dead tye-dye shirt, which 50 Cent called him out on. “I walked in, and he told

me I had a nice stoner shirt and he laughed,” he said. Rogers is a fan, too, and was appreciative of the experience. “I like 50 (Cent)’s music, too,” he said. “If it had been anyone else, I wouldn’t have cared.” The trio all agreed 50 Cent was nice and friendly and it was exciting to meet a childhood icon in music.

The artist arrived around 4:30 p.m., signed bottles and started meeting fans at 5 p.m. “He’s gonna be here until the line is gone,” Jones said. Each bottle of EFFEN is $25 and was necessary to purchase in order to meet the rapper. Consumers had the option to buy a 6-pack

see 50 PAGE 2

Volunteers find use for plastic bags as part of Million Hour Match by amy pratt

staff writer @dailyathenaeum

Wednesday afternoon, students and faculty from West Virginia University came together in the Mountainlair’s Vandalia Lounge to make use of excess plastic bags the University can’t recycle by weaving them together and creating sleeping mats for the local homeless population. As part of the Million Hour Match, the event was sponsored by WVU’s Center for Service and Learning and WVU We Can to address a need in the community and focus on sustainability.

SGA appoints Bureau of Finance member

this year’s event, we started to think about what kind of unique activity we wanted to do on campus,” WVU has a single-recycling service, meaning all plastic bags are unable to be recycled and instead are considered waste and sent to a landfill. The Center for Service and Learning and WVU We Can decided to partner with the Coordinating Committee on Homelessness in Monongalia County to find a new use Shelby Thoburn/THE DAILY ATHENAEUM for the plastic. West Virginia University students have fun while volunteering at the Million The event, called “RecyHour Match. cling Plastic for a Purpose,” “We participate in (Sus- terim conservation specialist was also in honor of National tainability Day) every year,” for WVU We Can, “… And so said Stephanie Toothman, in- when we were planning for see bags on PAGE 2

The Student Government Association’s Bureau of Finance appointed one new member at Wednesday’s SGA meeting. Tyler Bugg, a senior finance student, was appointed to the Bureau as a paid, voting member. “(On the Bureau) I will make sure organizations get allocated the right amount of funds they deserve,” Bugg said, “not just because one person thinks they need it, it’s because they need it. And it’s benefitting the organization and benefitting the University as a whole.” In the past, Bugg has had internships with various companies working in marketing and sales enhancement. Bugg participated in a study abroad trip last semester that he said “opened (him) up” and made him want to be more of a student leader. “I’m already involved in Greek life and deep in the business school with finance, but I really wanted to get on to student government,” Bugg said. Bugg said he reached out to friends he had in SGA, like Attorney General Matt Blaire, and was directed to Vice President Ashley Morgan, who suggested the Bureau of Finance. Normally, voting members of the Bureau of Finance have been appointed from within SGA, according to Chief of Staff Erin Heeter. However, Bugg has no previous experience within the organization. Heeter said Bugg came to the Bureau of Finance and showed interest, and they decided to appoint him because he seemed qualified and active. “(Morgan) told me to tell her about myself... and that’s when she saw in me what I could bring to SGA,” Bugg said. “I believe I earned (this) 100 percent.” Heeter was recently appointed as Chief of Staff, leaving the Director of Student Organizations position in the Bureau of Finance open for applicants. She said those interested

in the position should fill out the application available at http://sga.wvu.edu and return it to the SGA office in the Mountainlair by tomorrow. Heeter said SGA hopes to fill the position by next week. Also at this week’s meeting, Governor Mac McIntyre passed around a petition for students to sign in support of setting fixed housing rates for University owned apartments. McIntyre’s goal is to make University apartments, like University Place, keep rent prices the same for students who renew their leases for up to three years, so in their senior year, students will be paying the same for housing they did their sophomore year. “It’s just kind of about security,” Mcintyre said. “My vision is that students come in the dorm freshman year, and then they’re on campus, and then sophomore to senior year, if they go into (a lease) with a certain price range, they know they’re going to not suffer increases from that price range.” Also We d n e s d ay , the Board of Governors approved: - To award, by a unanimous vote, $500 to the Scabbard and Blade Honor Society for 20 members of the organization to attend a land navigation course training. - To award, by a unanimous vote, $550 to the Public Relations Student Society of America to help send eight of their members to the annual national conference in Atlanta. $150 of the grant will go toward fees for a rental car, and the other $400 will cover registration fees for the conference. - To award $1,270.05 to the Women’s Ultimate Frisbee Club to buy new jerseys for their team members, and also to help cover the cost of rental vehicles for their spring tournament. The jerseys bought will stay in the club and be passed down in the future. SGA meets regularly at 7:30 p.m. on Wednesdays in Elizabeth Moore Hall. crcoyne@mail.wvu.edu

A look at this year’s Mr. and Ms. Mountaineer candidates West Virginia University has announced the top 10 finalists—five men and five women—who embody the Mountaineer spirit for the 2015 Mr. and Ms. Mountaineer competition. The candidates were chosen based on academic achievements, extracurricular involvement and their individual successes as students at WVU. The Daily Athenaeum will feature biographies on one Mr. Mountaineer candidate and one Ms. Mountaineer candidate in several issues leading up to the annual Mountaineer Week later this month. The Mr. and Ms. Mountaineer competition is an annual tradition during Mountaineer Week, which is dedicated to paying tribute to West Virginia’s heritage and traditions. This year’s Mountaineer Week will be held Oct. 30 – Nov. 8, and the winners of Mr. and Ms. Mountaineer will be announced during halftime of the Nov. 7 WVU football game against Texas Tech.

75°/48°

NOT SO CHEESY

INSIDE

Lotsa Mozza opens on High St. A&E PAGE 4

PARTLY CLOUDY

News: 1, 2 Opinion: 3 A&E: 4, 5 Sports: 7, 8, 9 Campus Calendar: 6 Puzzles: 6 Classifieds: 5

REED ANDREWS

JOY WANG

BY JORDAN MILLER

by CAITY COYNE

Reed Andrews is a chemical engineering student with a pre-medical emphasis from Morgantown, West Virginia. He has already been accepted into West Virginia University School of Medicine’s class of 2020. A fifth-generation West Virginian, every member of Andrews’ family has been a Mountaineer. “(Being a Mountaineer) means you are willing to serve your state,” he said. “(It means) you are humble, strong, resilient and fair.” Andrews is the treasurer of the Society of Biological Engineers, the community

Joy Wang is a dual major in biochemistry and chemistry from Charleston, West Virginia, and a senior at WVU, according to a press release from WVUToday. She is a part of the Honors College, the Mountaineer Marching Band and served as a governor in the Student Government Association for two terms, the press release reads. Currently, she serves as an executive in SGA’s Bureau of Finance, according to the press release. Wang is also the fund-

STAFF WRITER @DAILYATHENAEUM

CITY EDITOR @CAITYCOYNE

wvutoday.wvu.edu

service chair for the American Institute of Chemical Engineers and the fundraising chair for Omega Chi Epsilon, the national chemical engineering honor

see andrews on PAGE 2

THE DA’s HIRING WRITERS

Inquire about paid positions at The Daily Athenaeum at DA-editor@mail.wvu.edu or pick up an application at our office at 284 Prospect St.

CONTACT US Newsroom 304-293-5092 or DAnewsroom@mail.wvu.edu Advertising 304-293-4141 or DA-Ads@mail.wvu.edu Classifieds 304-293-4141 or DA-Classifieds@mail.wvu.edu Fax 304-293-6857

BACK TO THE FUTURE Predicting the future in sci-fi always misses the mark

wvutoday.wvu.edu

raising chair of the Mortar Board student honorary, a national honor society, and president of WVU Global Medical Brigades, where she will lead

see wang on PAGE 2

HIGH RISER Leedom in key cog in Moutaineer attack SPORTS PAGE 7

OPINION PAGE 3

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THE DAILY ATHENAEUM

2 | NEWS

Thursday October 22, 2015

LIGHT group needle exchange program to protect addicts from disease By Rachel McBride Staff Writer @DailyAthenaeum

While drug addiction in West Virginia has proven to be such a serious problem that President Barrack Obama visited the capitol to address the issue, a local group is working to shift perceptions of drug addiction by setting up one of the first needle exchange programs in the state. Living in Good Health Together, is working to make a safe, judgement-free zone for drug addicts to receive assistance while giving them the support they need to stay healthy and safe. Since summer 2015, the program has put together supply kits

for drug users in the Morgantown area, helping prevent the spread of diseases associated with sharing and improperly injecting drugs with needles. “If you don’t give the support and clean needles (to drug users), it could become an even more serious epidemic,” said Yi-Wen Chen, student coordinator for LIGHT and fourth year medical student. Each kit LIGHT provides has “cookers” used for heating and mixing narcotics, alcohol swabs, cotton balls, clean needles and containers for unclean needles after use. The group is trying to prevent an epidemic of diseases among drug users who

share or use dirty needles and to create a safe place for disposing old and for exchanging for new needles. “(Drug users) need a sense of hope, other than doing drugs,” said Laura Jones, executive director at Milan Puskar Health Right. “We get to know them, build a rapport with them.” Drug abuse in the state is increasing and continues to rise, Jones said. With increasing abuse, comes an increase in diseases commonly found among IV drug users. Jones said West Virginia is second in the nation for cases of Hepatitis C infection. Hepatitis B is also at an alarming rate of 10.6 per-

cent per 100,000 people in the state, compared to the national rate at 0.9 percent, according to Chen. Frequently, illnesses contracted from IV drug use are incurable diseases, like HIV/ AIDS. Chen said 10 percent of HIV/AIDS cases in West Virginia occur from needle use alone. “As many know, there is no cure for (HIV/AIDS),” Chen said. “There’s a lot of cost to (those infected with HIV).” But why is West Virginia’s drug abuse rate so high next to other states in the country? While both Jones and Chen said a lack of financial security, education and specialized health care for

addicts could be contributors to the state’s drug abuse problem, it’s hard to pin the issue on just one factor. “(LIGHT) is just one of many things that need to be set in place to help the drug abuse problem in West Virginia,” Jones said. Needle exchange programs are endorsed by the American Medical and World Health Organizations and completely run by volunteers. Many times, these volunteers become listeners for addicts who need someone to talk to, Chen said. Whether its providing clean needles to injecting drug users, or telling addicts there is hope beyond addiction, LIGHT will be “lighting the

way” to lowered drug abuse rates. “When (IV drug users) exchange their needles, we tell them about the risks (of using drugs), but you have to relate to them and acknowledge what they say,” Chen said. “They look like you and me.” Dates, times and locations of the needle exchanges are not publicized to protect the anonymity of participants. For details on exchanges, contact Milan Puskar Health Right at (304) 292-8234. For more information on volunteer opportunities with LIGHT, contact Chen at ychen6@mix.wvu.edu. danewsroom@mail.wvu.edu

ap

Obama says U.S. will tackle prescription drug abuse CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP)—Traveling to a region in the throes of a drug abuse crisis, President Barack Obama promised Wednesday to use his bully pulpit and federal programs to try to combat the “epidemic” of heroin use and prescription painkiller abuse that is upending communities across the country. “This crisis is taking lives; it’s destroying families and shattering communities all across the country,” Obama said at a panel discussion on opioid drug abuse. “That’s the thing about substance abuse; it doesn’t discriminate. It touches everybody.” On stage at a crowded community center, Obama

BAGS

Continued from page 1 Campus Sustainability Day. Out of around 2275 plastic bags, student volunteers made 13 sleeping mats, according to Toothman. “In the past, we’ve done a lot of campus awareness, education pieces, and we really wanted to celebrate Campus Sustainability Day by doing something that is environmentally friendly, but also that has a student engagement component too,” Toothman said. The event, which lasted from 10 a.m.-3 p.m., was open to all WVU students, faculty and staff. Leah Cunningham, operations coordinator at the Center for Service and Learning, said students were “welcome” to stop by for whatever time they had available. “It was a service-on-thego project,” Cunningham said. Being part of the Million Hour Match, the time volunteers spent weaving mats will count toward the million hours of community service WVU vows to accomplish by 2018. The Million Hour Match, however, is not just a number count, said Dr. Kristi

heard from advocates, health care workers, law enforcement officials and policy makers about the depth of a problem that has long simmered at the state level but just recently risen to the national political stage. Charleston Police Chief Brent Webster said his officers deal with a “community of zombies walking around” in need of treatment. A father of five daughters described what it was like to find one of them had overdosed, a needle hanging from her arm. Obama said the stories reminded him of his teenage daughters and his own rebellious teen years. “I did some ... stuff,” he

Wood-Turner, the director of the Center for Service and Learning. She encourages students to remember the purpose goes beyond simply completing service hours. “It’s about all the learning and giving and providing and back-and-forth that happens in a time frame of one million hours,” Wood-Turner said, “So it’s almost more significant than just a number count—it is a count of how much West Virginia is giving to our students at WVU through service.” Emily Tingler, a junior geography and international studies student who works at the Center for Service and Learning, helped volunteers weave the mats, as well. “I do think it’s kind of fun. It’s pretty easy, just like normal basket weaving, but on a loom. It’s pretty cool,” Tingler said. Being the first year Recycling Plastic for a Purpose was held, Toothman believes the experience was a success. “I am so pleased with our event,” she said. “It’s a wonderful feeling to know that we recycled (more than) 2,000 shopping bags to make plastic sleeping mats that will benefit the (homeless) population.”

noted, referencing his drug use as a teenager. “And there but for the grace of God.” West Virginia has the highest rate of overdose deaths in the U.S. - more than twice the national average, according to a report by the Trust for America’s Health and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. State officials say the problem is damaging the economy, depressing the workforce and overwhelming social services. Obama’s trip was briefly delayed by Vice President Joe Biden’s announcement from the White House Rose Garden that he would not seek the presidency. The news threatened to overshadow Obama’s attempt to throw a national spotlight on the drug issue, but his visit was closely watched in West Virginia, where his energy policies have made him deeply unpopular. Obama stressed that the drug abuse problem is a national one. A Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report released in July found the number of people who reported using heroin within the past year had nearly doubled from 2002 to 2013. Heroin use was up among nearly all demographic groups, but showed particular spikes among women and non-Latino whites. Researchers say two factors are driving the trend: the rise in abuse of opioid painkillers - drugs that are often a precursor to heroin - and

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Continued from page 1 for $150 to get a personalized message as well. There were two lines in which patrons could wait. The first was to purchase the bottle; the second, to

ap

President Obama hugs Cary Dixon, a mother of a family member struggling with addiction, after an event at the East End Family Resource Center in Charleston, W.Va., Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2015. Obama was in Charleston to to host a community discussion on the prescription drug abuse and heroin epidemic. the increasing availability of cheap heroin. Researchers found that most users reported using at least one other drug in combination with heroin, which contributes to high overdose rates. Between 2002 and 2013, the rate of heroin-related overdose deaths nearly quadrupled, and more than 8,200 people - by some estimates, one in every 50 addicts - died in 2013, according to the CDC. Experts say few prescription drug health care pro-

viders are properly trained to safely prescribe painkillers, while access to medication-assisted treatment for addicts is too difficult. Obama’s visit comes as politicians are grasping for a policy response, including presidential candidates in both parties. Former Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton has laid out a $10 billion plan that promotes treatment over incarceration. New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie has visited drug rehabilitation centers

show the receipt and meet the rapper to get the signed bottle. Senior criminology student George VanDuzer said it was awesome to meet this rapper from his childhood. “I’ve listened to him since I was about 7,” he said. After his classes, he came

down to ALO to meet 50 Cent and buy EFFEN. “I didn’t go all ‘Black Friday,’” VanDuzer said, not finding out about the event until the day of. The few hour wait was worth it for him, and he’s excited to try EFFEN. daa&e@mail.wvu.edu

danewsroom@mail.wvu.edu

WANG

lease reads, and is being sponsored by the WVU Global Medical and DenContinued from page 1 tal Brigades. Wang was unavailable a medical mission trip to for an interview with The Panama, according to the Daily Athenaeum by the time of publication. press release. Wang is also a Foundacrcoyne@mail.wvu.edu tion Scholar, the press re-

ASKAR SALIKHOV/THE DAILY ATHENAEUM

The manager of Ashebrooke Liquor Outlet allows one of the last people to inside and purchase 50 Cent’s new vodka brand.

ASKAR SALIKHOV/THE DAILY ATHENAEUM

Raquell Hanlin and Breanna Kreutzer are together outside after having their vodka bottles signed by 50 Cent at Ashebrooke Liquor Outlet.

and talked up his work to create drug courts at home that mandate treatment over jail time for non-violent offenders. Before leaving the White House, Obama ordered federal agencies that employ health care providers to offer training on prescribing painkillers. They also must review their health insurance plans and address policies that might prevent patients from receiving medication as part of their treatment.

ANDREWS

Continued from page 1 society. Additionally, he is a member of WVU MEDLIFE, the WVU pre-medical club. Andrews plans to use his passion for medicine and work as a physician in West Virginia. Having worked as a trauma surgery researcher and a clinical associate at WVU’s Ruby Memorial Hospital, he considers becoming a trauma surgeon one day. Andrews is also the alternate mountaineer mascot for the 2015-16 school year. As the alternate Mountaineer Mascot, Andrews attends events three to four times each week where he represents the University by publicly speaking to current and prospective students. “Being Mr. Mountaineer would mean that I get to serve and represent my state in the years to come, and it would be an honor to look back and know that I made a difference,” he said. Andrews’ proudest moment as a Mountaineer was on his third day volunteering in Ruby Memorial’s emergency department. Assigned the task of obtaining a supply of the correct blood type for a patient with lifethreatening injuries, Andrews was able to play a role in saving the patient’s life. “Mountaineer pride is in my blood,” he said. Ultimately, Andrews thanks WVU and hopes he can serve the University as much as it has served him. “I owe a lot to WVU,” he said, “They’ve raised me ever since I was born in the WVU hospital, and they’ve given me so many opportunities and blessings.” danewsroom@mail.wvu.edu


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OPINION

Thursday October 22, 2015

CONTACT US 304-293-5092 ext. 4 | DAperspectives@mail.wvu.edu

editorial

Detecting cancer more effectively Earlier this week, the American Cancer Society changed its age guidelines for mammogram screenings. It now suggests screening for breast cancer 10 years sooner than the previous age requirement of 55 and has also requested that women over 55 receive mammograms every other year instead of every year. The age change will hopefully work to prevent false positives while ensuring more effective diagnoses and subsequent treatments for cancer in its early stages of development. Though cancer research and treatment options have expanded exponentially since the beginning of modern medicine, major areas of concern still exist. Oncologists have been confronted with the risk of false positives for many years. A study published on CancerConnect.com indicated

one in four women receive false positives for breast cancer, even after multiple screenings. Cancer.gov lists overdiagnosis, false positives and fasle negatives as three main problems with current mammogram technology. If mis- or over-diagnosed patients receive chemotherapy or radiation treatment without actually having cancer, their bodies are at a much higher risk of developing the disease after undergoing treatment. Current cancer treatments unfortunately destroy both good and bad cells in the body, which cause notable side effects like hair loss, vomiting and extreme fatigue. New screening age suggestions could help reduce the number of false positives and misdiagnoses per year by only screening women during the ages when they are most at risk for developing

breast cancer. West Virginia has a slightly higher incidence of cancer than the national average. Towns near heavily mined areas report higher numbers of diagnoses, likely due to coal dust inhalation caused by poor air quality or carcinogenic chemicals used in the mining process affecting the area’s groundwater. The unique environmental and physical health situation in this state makes cancer treatment and quality of care important and necessary for many residents. Everyone either knows someone with cancer or who is struggling with a family member’s diagnosis, and to prevent unnecessary physical and emotional pain, new screenings could help stop cancer before it has the chance to affect lives forever. daperspectives@mail.wvu.edu

Mammogram machines can sometimes report false positives in breast cancer rates.

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commentary

What fictional futures can teach us about humanity kody goff columnist @retrosyk

“Back to the Future Part II” was released in 1989 and made several predictions about the future. When Marty McFly wound up in a fictionalized version of Oct. 21, 2015, he encountered strange clothes, self-lacing shoes and hoverboards able to glide over large bodies of water. As movies, television shows and novels often do, it’s easy to say this film missed the mark about what the future is really like. It often seems predictions in the science fiction genre are either wonderful or disastrous for humanity, so what does this say about our true mentality about the future? Marty’s adventures in the film’s version of 2015 may look ridiculous today, but “Back to the Future” is not the only media property to make outrageous predictions that turn out to be far from reality. For example, George Orwell’s classic novel “1984” describes an oppressive dystopia in which language and free thought are subjugated by collectivism. The work takes place in the year 1984, which is now more than 30 years in the past. While many paranoid people may argue the predictions of “1984” have come true in some ways, the world Orwell describes is almost nothing like today’s society.

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Marty McFly’s hoverboard is one of many predictions “Back to the Future Part II” made about 2015. Other famous fictional future years include “2001: A Space Odyssey,” in which a ridiculously advanced Artificial Intelligence gains sentience aboard a Jupiter-bound exploration vessel. As of 2015, A.I. is only roughly equivalent to some advanced mammals and a manned mission has never made it past the moon. Predictions aren’t just in movies and literature, either. Video games, a popular nesting site for the sci-

fi genre, are just as prone to overwhelming futurism as other forms of media. In “Metal Gear Solid 4,” microscopic “nanomachines” are used to heal soldiers, spread diseases and even transfer minds between bodies in the then-futuristic year of 2014. “Street Fighter 2010,” a 1990 Nintendo Entertainment System game, features karate cyborgs and technological demons that—you guessed it—are far from existing today.

A notable and strange exception to this is the longrunning television show “Star Trek.” In the wellloved science fiction franchise, handheld communicators with multiple useful functions are commonly used. Sound familiar? The existence of these communicators in the show, which are much larger and more cumbersome than any modern cell phone, is odd because “Star Trek” takes place centuries from now, with the earliest series be-

ing set around 2264. It doesn’t matter if it’s a utopia or a dystopia; very little about these fictional futures ever comes true in any meaningful way. “The Jetsons” is another obvious example of a wildly inaccurate future, taking place a decade ago in 2005. Where works like “The Jetsons” may seem too optimistic to ever possibly come true, the doom and gloom of dystopian worlds like “Judge Dredd” are just as unrealistic. However, while

these futures never come to pass, there is definitely something to be said about mankind’s projection of the world through fiction. I believe the extreme positives and negatives of these imaginary universes, though inherently meant to entertain, depict what humans more or less expect the future to look like. The futures are always either idyllic and fantastic or desolate and depressing, with very little middle ground. It’s almost as though the artists and authors of these predictive works could not picture a world like the one we live in now as having any significant entertainment value; there is either extreme progress or extreme disaster. Even so, all of the stories listed here are made better because of their wildly outlandish technology and settings. I admit Marty’s adventures in 2015 would be a lot less interesting without a hoverboard or those weird clothes and hairstyles. The past can be catalogued and recalled and the present is under our immediate control, but the future is one universal unknown. Humankind naturally seeks to control all aspects of life, so we desperately try to control the future in the only way we know how: by telling stories. These fictionalizations of the future resonate with so many people not just because they are fun, but because they speak to the inherent futurist in all of us. daperspectives@mail.wvu.edu

commentary

Homelessness problem in Morgantown is difficult to solve long-term kayla asbury columnist @kaylaasbury_

It seems you can’t walk down High Street without seeing a homeless person sitting on a stoop or shuffling down the sidewalk. After moving to Morgantown, I was surprised by the amount of homeless people on the streets. Coming from a small town, I had only seen homeless people on visits to larger cities. Homelessness is an epidemic. According to the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development, there were 2,240 homeless individuals in West Virginia in 2013. Unfortunately, the upsetting truth is that it is nearly impossible to help the homeless and keep them off the streets long-term. I never give the homeless my spare change. To begin with, I rarely have cash on hand to spare, and frankly, I don’t think

DA

Homelessness is a problem not unique to just major cities in America. giving someone $2 helps their situation. Sure, giving someone spare change will buy them a snack or drink, and overall, I think giving money to the homeless is a philanthropic idea and that it comes from the right place. However, I don’t believe a few dollars

helps their situation over time. You can make the homeless blankets for the winter or volunteer at soup kitchens, but it is nearly impossible to get them out of their situation. It is easy to make them more comfortable in their lives

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on the streets, but it is much more difficult to find them jobs and homes altogether. Obviously, the homeless person in question has to have initiative and the desire to work in order to better their lives, but even with all of the drive in the

world, it is still hard to overcome homelessness. It is difficult for homeless people to acquire jobs due to lack of resources such as clean clothing and a home address, which many businesses consider necessary when hiring. Many homeless men and women also suffer from untreated mental illnesses like posttraumatic stress disorder that make maintaining a job next to impossible. Is there anything one can do to help the homeless long-term? In order to provide long-term assistance, you would have to supply them with a place to stay, which is cost-prohibitive. Unless you are extremely wealthy and willing to donate income to the cause, there aren’t many ways for anyone to make a lasting difference for the homeless. If one is looking to do as much as possible in the short-term, there are many organizations in and around Morgantown that support the homeless. An effective way to combat homelessness would be

to volunteer at these organizations. Christian Help Inc. provides the homeless with food and blankets. Additionally, the Bartlett House is a homeless shelter located on University Avenue that can house 72 people in need. While it is not my attempt to criticize or downplay the act of giving money or food to the homeless, illuminating the currently futile attempts at helping the homeless may spur better solutions for the future. As with all social issues, the only way to create change in homelessness is to come together as a community and help those in need. Small numbers of people donating time and money to the homeless may not make a significant change, but if West Virginia University and the Morgantown community band together to combat homelessness, we could make a lasting change in the lives of many individuals. daperspectives@mail.wvu.edu

Letters to the Editor can be sent 284 Prospect St. or emailed to daperspectives@mail.wvu.edu. Letters should include name, title and be no more than 300 words. Letters and columns, excluding the editorial, are not necessarily representative of The Daily Athenaeum’s opinion. Letters may be faxed to 304-293-6857 or delivered to The Daily Athenaeum. EDITORIAL STAFF: MADISON FLECK, EDITOR-IN-CHIEF • DAVID SCHLAKE, MANAGING EDITOR • ABBY HUMPHREYS, OPINION EDITOR • CAITY COYNE, CITY EDITOR • PAIGE CZYZEWSKI, ASSOCIATE CITY EDITOR • NICOLE CURTIN, SPORTS EDITOR • DAVID STATMAN, ASSOCIATE SPORTS EDITOR • CAITLIN WORRELL, A&E EDITOR • WESTLEY THOMPSON, ASSOCIATE A&E EDITOR • ANDREW SPELLMAN, ART DIRECTOR • CASEY THEDAONLINE.COM VEALEY, COPY DESK CHIEF • LAURA HAIGHT, CAMPUS CONNECTION & SOCIAL MEDIA EDITOR (TWITTER) • ALLY LITTEN, SOCIAL MEDIA EDITOR (INSTAGRAM & FACEBOOK) • ALEXIS RANDOLPH, WEB EDITOR


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A&E

Thursday October 22, 2015

CONTACT US 304-293-5092 ext. 3 | DAA&E@mail.wvu.edu

Local cafe hosts Halloween-themed Tea Party

LOTSA FLAVOR

Shelby Thoburn/THE DAILY ATHENAEUM

Lotsa Mozza offers multiple different wood-fired pizzas with customizable options for customers.

New late-night eatery gives students options to personalize yelp.com

The Tea Shoppe is located in the historic Seneca Center in Morgantown, WV.

Britanny osteen A&E writer @dailyathenaeum

Vampires, werewolves and zombies have always held the attention of the public. It is time to bring back some love potions for the witches and warlocks. The Tea Shoppe is hosting the first annual Witches and Warlock Tea Party. Grab your cauldrons and wands and prepare for a delicious witch’s brew. On Saturday, locals can enjoy a quaint tea party with spooky treats and scary activities. Witches and warlocks are encouraged to dress in their finest robes or other magical attire. Whether you are Glenda the Good Witch, Sabrina the Teenage Witch, Elphaba the Wicked Witch, Dumbledore or even classic Merlin, all witches and warlocks are welcome. “We are always looking for different kind of events to hold at the Tea Shoppe,” said Lisa Biafore, owner of The Tea Shoppe. “We want to get children interested in the event, but also to get families in as well. We try to do something at least monthly. We have had Alice in Wonderland, we have done American Girl and done princess teas, and we just thought that we need to do a witches and warlocks tea for Halloween.” Participating witches and warlocks can enjoy common tea and sandwiches as well as Halloween-themed foods such as mummy hot dogs, monster sandwiches and strawberry ghosts. Some of the scary Halloween-themed activities will include small games such as a candy corn guessing jar, a pumpkin ball toss and a Halloween ‘feel-box’ where peo-

ple can identify the ‘body parts.’ Participants can win candy and other small door prizes. Locals are encouraged to dress up for the costume contest; so do not forget your hat and broomstick. There will be an adult winner and a child winner for the best costume. Winners will walk away with a gift card. “We just want people to know that we are here and that we do a lot of things,” Biafore said. “Most people associate tea shops with, I won’t say a bunch of older people, but this way we are trying to introduce the whole tea concept to a different generation.” Biafore explained that the store may begin to hold events for a wider range of age demographics. While trying to get more people to see their shop, it will start hosting events for adults and young adults. Many of the events are very successful by being either completely filled or almost filled. There may be an up-coming Alice in Wonderland adult-only party. For now, the shop has made the Witches and Warlock Tea Party directed at both children and also adults. Overall, child-focused events feature games, crafts, and in some cases, a visit from a special guest. On the other hand, there are also tea tastings and Tea 101 events. The Tea Shoppe is hosting the Witches and Warlock Tea Party from 3-5 p.m. on Oct. 24 at its storefront. Early registration is required and costs $20. For more information on the event and The Tea Shoppe, visit http://www. theteashoppewv.com.

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daa&e@mail.wvu.edu

Mel Smith

A&E Writer @dailyathenaeum

One of the newest additions to High Street is the open window spilling out smells of mozzarella and marinara. This is none other than one of Morgantown’s freshest restaurants, Lotsa Mozza. Lotsa Mozza opened on Oct. 7, two weeks officially this week. The new pizza joint turns heads with modern style and unique interior design. A long window lines High Street, which is opened up on Friday and Saturday evenings to reel in customers. Lotsa Mozza‘s hours are flexible, with late hours Thursday through Saturday that stretch into early mornings. The new pizza joint is unique through the speedy, authentic process in which the pizza is made. Customers can select their dough: traditional, ancient grain or gluten free. The employees hand shape the dough on the spot using fresh, in house ingredients. Customers move down the line and select sauce, toppings or even a pre-made origi-

nal pizza. Once the pizza is prepared, it goes into the custom-built wood fired oven and only takes three minutes until it is crisp and ready. The wood fire oven is a unique accent to the restaurant, providing a signature wood smoke taste to each pizza. Regional managers, Alex Lanasa and Nicole Aust, are graduates of Temple University and University of Maryland. They were brought to Morgantown through the idea of Lotsa Mozza and an opportunity to gain hands on experience running a real restaurant. Aust said the idea started between the two partners and has been in the works for several years. The owners wanted to “attack a college town” and fell in love with the location of Morgantown. “Joe (a partner of Lotsa Mozza) was looking around for a lot of different places, and college towns are just the best place to be. He flew and drove to a bunch of different places, but for him the most important was location,” Aust said. “He figured he would give Morgantown a shot, and this space ended up being per-

fect. That is how we are here now.” Lanasa and Aust believe the late night hours are the busiest time for Lotsa Mozza thus far, but it always seems to be busy throughout the typical workday. The restaurant is different with how customers can create their own pizzas and see them be made before their own eyes. “I think the ability for the customer to completely customize their own meal is amazing,” Lanasa said. “We also hand make all of our crucial elements on our menu. We pass on the knowledge to our employees because everyone plays a part in the process.” Lotsa Mozza also offers a variety of salads and a “notso-Italian” burrito bowl. Aust believes once customers figure out this is offered on the menu, these items will be a hit. Lexi Mazzie, a freshman criminology student at West Virignia University, visited Lotsa Mozza during the weekend with friends. Mazzie is not familiar with many Morgantown restaurants and was blown away by this corner stop.

“The service was fast, and the taste of the pizza was fantastic,” Mazzie said. “Lotsa Mozza reminded me of home. I miss my grandmother’s Italian cooking a lot, and the food definitely had an authentic taste. I would recommend.” The regional managers want the community to know they truly are enjoying their time here in Morgantown. The difference in the types of customers that come in has humbled Lanasa, showing how this restaurant appeals to everyone in the community. “I think it is awesome we can really hone into all different types of demographics. We will sit here and watch the transition from business to families to college students,” Lanasa said. “We can appeal to everyone across the board. It has been amazing to realize that our product and atmosphere is transparent and can appeal to everyone.” Lotsa Mozza’s hours and prices can be found online at http://lotsamozza.com/. daa&e@mail.wvu.edu

WV Rivers Film Festival returns to Met ally litten

A&e writer @dailyathenauem

The state’s winding rivers, rolling streams and babbling brooks are a huge part of any West Virginian’s life. Whether it’s fishing, floating on a pontoon boat or swimming, the waters are an integral part of Appalachian culture. On Oct. 22, the West Virginia Rivers Coalition is coming to Morgantown, bringing awareness and celebration to the beloved natural resources of the state. Held at the Metropolitan Theatre, the coalition will put on the 6th annual West Virginia Rivers Film Festival. This year, the film festival will feature not just West Virginia filmmakers but Appalachian filmmakers, films, conservation issues and overall Appalachian adventures. “We wanted to have an event for Morgantown to show who we are,” said Kathleen Tyner, Outreach Manager at West Virginia Rivers Coalition. “We decided to do a film festival because it was fun, it was a celebration and party for people who knew us.” The West Virginia Rivers Coalition has a special treat in store for partici-

pants. Starting at 6 p.m., The Halftime String Band will perform before the festival starts and during the intermission. “We will be showing eight short films,” Tyner said. “This year we have 100 percent homegrown West Virginia films.” At 7 p.m., the films will begin. The filmmakers will be Gabe DeWitt, Robert Tinnell, West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection, Choose Clean Water Coalition, Laughing Fly, Zach Yomboro, Mike Youngern and Brett Mayer. “Last year we had about 300 people,” Tyner said. “Each year we get a bigger and bigger crowd.” Although the film festival attracts newcomers every year, many familiar nature fanatics return to celebrate the cause. “My favorite part of the event is seeing people I only get to see at the film festival every year,” Tyner said. “Its fun to see people come back, and it’s something they look forward to.” Most of the featured films portray the surrounding Appalachian areas. Just by reading the descriptions of the short films, one can tell how much each filmmaker values not only their work but the quality of nature and life here in

Appalachia. The West Virginia Rivers Coalition understands this. In fact, they loved the natural waters of West Virginia so much that they decided to dedicate their lives to protecting and restoring the fresh resources we have at our fingertips. Starting in the early 1990s, a group of paddlers and water enthusiasts grouped together to better the local community. “Our mission statement is to conserve and restore West Virginia’s exceptional rivers and streams,” Tyner said. The coalition is dedicated to ensuring water quality, reducing pollution, protecting headwaters, promoting recreational access and much more. Tickets can be purchased for $10 at the door or $8 with a valid WVU student ID. All proceeds from this event will go back to West Virginia Rivers Coalition. The 6th annual West Virginia Rivers Film Festival will begin at 6 p.m. on Oct. 22 at the Metropolitan Theatre located on High Street. For more information or to make donations to the West Virginia Rivers Coalition, visit http:/wvrivers.org/make-a-difference/film-festival. daa&e@mail.wvu.edu

Lab Theatre gives students experience beyond acting woody pond

A&e writer @dailyathenauem

Theatre is a place for artists to come together as equals and combine their knowledge, talent, creativity and drive to produce beautiful, organic works of art on stage. The possibilities for how this can be done are endless—and what could be better for students than to continue learning and practicing their craft, and also having a blast working on any form of that art that they choose? Well, this was Jim Knipple’s idea for what West Virginia University Lab Theatre could become, and all he had to do was start the first ripple in the School of Theatre and Dance water. WVU Lab Theatre is a black box theatre that is presided over by a faculty member, in this case the WVU Resident Artist Jim Knipple, but executed by ambitious students of the department. The importance of this is obvious, it

gives students tons of room to direct, write, act, design and produce any play they wish if they have a concrete plan for how this can be done and can be persuasive in their application. But Knipple felt that two to four plays a semester was not enough opportunity for the students, so he proposed to them the idea of banding together as a committee and helping one another to realize their goals. “What I’m encouraging the students to do is to follow their own rabbit holes— I just wanted to expand out and to empower the students to be curious, to own it and to explore it,” Knipple said. So far, they have been doing just that. Groups of theatre and non-theatre students have formed several groups who communicate with one another in the hope that they can bring their ideas to life. There is a group of people who are working on a social media platform for Lab The-

atre, and other who are brainstorming ways to update and improve the technology and capital resources available to students who are producing their own work. A YouTube channel is in the works, where people can write, act and edit video skits and other fun activities that are only available in a video medium. There are students who are writing plays and bringing together student voices to do read-throughs and workshops so that they get the chance to focus on how to become better playwrights. These are goals that normally would be almost impossible to get accomplished, or would at least require a siginificant amount of extra time and effort. Not only this, but the Lab Theatre is a place for students who have been emphasizing their desire for directing training in their degree to actually get some real practice. Both of the plays being directed this semester—“She Kills Monsters” by Qui Nguyen and

“The Last Days of Judas Iscariot”—are being done by two aspiring directing students. Max Gould, who is directing the first show of the Lab season, “She Kills Monsters,” loves that this concept gives him the ability to collaborate and grow outside of the classroom. “It’s trial and error—you work closely with your peers who are at the same level as you for the most part, and you work through problems as they arise and work through them together,” Gould said. “It’s more hands on for me in that sense, I would rather work that way rather than watch someone else solve it their way.” WVU Lab Theatre is open to anyone interested in doing creative work in the performing arts with other passionate students. For more information on joining, email Knipple at James.Knipple@mail. wvu.edu. daa&e@mail.wvu.edu


Thursday October 22, 2015

ap

‘Rock the Kasbah’ review

Bill Murray is asleep. Or at least he appears to be sleeping when we first meet his character, the down and out music manager Richie Lanz, in “Rock the Kasbah.” Holed up in a dingy San Fernando Valley motel room, he’s at least half listening to the shrill sounds of a woman singing Maroon 5 and deciding whether or not to sign her. He does, and promptly collects a $1200 fee from his newest client. His other client, Ronnie (Zooey Deschanel, sporting hot pants and smeared eyeliner), who also seems to double as his assistant, scolds him for playing this game and abusing the hopes - and checkbooks - of gullible dreamers. Then he takes Ronnie out to a dive bar and has her sing some cover songs. This is Richie. Swindling some, going to bat for others and never really getting anywhere in the process. It’s an inauspicious, and grating, start to the film from “Scrooged” writer Mitch Glazer and “Diner,” and “Good Morning, Vietnam” director Barry Levinson. Thankfully, Murray wakes up, and the movie gets a little better, but in sum, “Rock the Kasbah” is a strange mishmash of snark, sincerity, slapstick and glib cultural appropriation that’s redeemed in part only by the eternal charisma of Murray. Ronnie doesn’t get discovered at the bar, per se, but a drunk guy convinces Richie to take her to Afghanistan to play for the troops. From there, the movie suddenly becomes a mad-cap series of increasingly disparate events as Richie struts and jokes his way through a foreign land after Ronnie absconds with his money and passport. Within a day of discovering that he’s stranded in Kabul for a few weeks, he’s inexplicably cruising the city’s dangerous streets in a white convertible with some fedora-wearing war profiteers (Danny McBride, Scott Caan) and trading in a Keith Haring watch to bed the region’s most popular prostitute (Kate Hudson). Soon enough, he’s riding through the desert with Bruce Willis’s short-fused mercenary soldier and discussing that time he dated Danielle Steele while on his way to negotiate a weapons sale with the leaders of a tiny village. The movie is half over before Richie finally meets Salima (Leem Lubany), a Pashtun girl with a voice to kill and a penchant for Cat Stevens. He hears her singing “Trouble” while he’s out relieving himself one night and decides that getting this girl on “Afghan Star” is his new purpose in life, even though it might mean death for both himself and Salima. It’s here that “Rock the Kashbah’s” tone becomes a real problem. The movie wants to be both glib and emotionally resonant, but it can’t seem to figure out what the stakes are - even as people are getting shot. When Richie’s with the war profiteers and Willis’s Bombay Brian, the outlandish caricatures almost work, making the movie feel like a loopy, exaggerated feverdream with no actual political stance. But everything goes awry once the focus shifts to Salima and her determination to defy her family, village and traditions to pursue her passion of singing on a reality television show. This story is probably about the wrong character. Richie is a sideshow. Salima is the heart. Here, she’s reduced to an exotic means of redemption for a character we barely care about. Levinson and Glazer try to weave “Rock the Kasbah” into a complex tapestry of satire and sincerity and come up instead with a big knotted mess. And it’s always a bad sign when one of Murray’s best moments is completely unrelated to the movie at hand, and plays only while the credits are rolling. “Rock the Kasbah,” an Open Road Films release, is rated R by the Motion Picture Association of America for “language including sexual references, some drug use and brief violence.” Running time: 100 minutes. One and a half stars out of four.

THE DAILY ATHENAEUM

CLASSIFIEDS | 5


THE DAILY ATHENAEUM

6 | CAMPUS CONNECTION

S U D O k U

Thursday October 22, 2015

Difficulty Level Medium

Complete the grid so each row, column and 3-by-3 box (in bold borders) contains every digit, 1 to 9. For strategies on how to solve Sudoku, visit www.sudoku.org.uk.

wednesday’s puzzle solved

GAMEDAY

Contact the Daily Athenaeum Sales Department to reserve your gameday roster spots

304.293.4141

Across 1 Lead-ins to some online games 4 Magnetic induction unit 9 Nobelist Curie 14 Petal plucker’s word 15 Use at the table 16 Dunderhead 17 Ditty from 1970s-’80s NFL wide receiver Lynn? 19 Replicate 20 Fighting against 21 Rarely seen item on casual Friday 22 Enjoy Whistler 23 Rule 25 Unwinding places for actor Russell? 30 Sagittarius, e.g. 32 Sign of hope 33 See 8-Down 34 Mass __ 37 Wander 38 Tough spot for actor Walter? 40 Computer menu heading 42 Hockey positions 43 Big club in Atlantic City? 44 Neurologist’s printout, briefly 45 Find out about 49 Easter adornment made by politician Dan? 53 Gretzky, during most of the ‘80s 54 Foreign __ 55 __ Cruces 57 Not 58 Emulate Whistler 61 Facial feature of actor Ethan? 63 Bike wheel feature 64 “Little Miss Sunshine” Oscar winner 65 Rebellious Turner 66 Structural support 67 Kids around 68 Some municipal trains Down 1 “Broken Arrow” co-star 2 Wet blanket 3 Radio problem 4 Notable Downing Street number 5 “__ of Eden” 6 Stiff-upper-lip type 7 Hardly a social butterfly 8 With 33-Across, “Life of Pi” director 9 Pluto’s master 10 Improvise in a sketch 11 2014 World Cup city

12 Charged particle 13 Printemps follower 18 Lingerie purchase 22 Bundled up 24 Pi Day celebrant, stereotypically 26 Circular gasket 27 Soothing succulent 28 Accelerate, with “up” 29 Understand 31 Common allergen 35 Mont Blanc covering 36 Emilio Estevez, to Martin Sheen 37 “Goosebumps” series author 38 Court answer 39 Twistable treat 40 Website help sect. 41 Post-op area 44 Privileged groups 46 Stand-up comic Boosler 47 Breakfast choice 48 No-tell motel meetings 50 Pulls hard 51 Intimidating look

52 Rubbernecks 56 Monty Python segment 58 Vancouver setting: Abbr. 59 30-day mo. 60 Note from one who’s short 61 “The __”: Uris novel 62 “No, No, Nanette” foursome

wednesday’S puzzle solved

C R O S S W O R D

PHOTO OF THE DAY

Tom the Preacher expresses his thoughts on Christianity to students outside the Mountainlair | Photo by John allen

VISIT US ONLINE AT: THEDAONLINE.COM

HOROSCOPE GEMINI (May 21-June 20) HHHH An unexpected professional develARIES (March 21-April 19) HHH opment changes things. Provide Wait on a final decision. Finish the leadership over the next few days. research first. You can get the facts. No stretching the truth now. TempoRest and review. Slow to avoid po- rary confusion could rattle you if you tential collisions. If you feel the let it. Friends make good coaches. weight of the world, ask for someCANCER (June 21-July 22) HHH one to stand with you. Your wanderlust is getting worse today and tomorrow. Plan your itinerary and make reservations in adTAURUS (April 20-May 20) HHHH vance. Adapt for changing working Your influence is spreading. Accept a conditions. Manage your schedule nice benefit. More work is required, carefully. Reserve your strength, and and your team can handle it. Pracpack light. Simplicity saves time and tice making respectful requests. Your energy. popularity is on the rise. Check public opinion and participate in a bigLEO (July 23-Aug. 22) HHHH ger conversation. Contribute to family finances over

BY NANCY BLACK

the next few days. Do the bookkeeping, maybe. Bring home the bacon. Avoid gambling. Stash resources. Make long-term plans. Sort, file and organize papers. Get to the bottom of a controversy. VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) HHHHH Bounce ideas off your partner today and tomorrow. Contribute another perspective to each other. Compromise on priorities to move forward. Get multiple bids. Avoid assumptions. If you want to know something, ask. Good news comes from far away. LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) HH Don’t believe everything you hear. Get a second source. Stick to tested

pathways. Put together a profitable learning to a domestic project today deal that takes advantage of your ex- and tomorrow. Mix up the recipe for perience and talents. Meticulous ser- something original. vice keeps your customers satisfied. Fulfill (or reschedule) your promises. CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) HHHH Get your message out SCORPIO (Oc t. 23-Nov. 21) over the next few days. Choose your HHHHH Hang out with someone words carefully, or risk an unexyou admire. Play with strong com- pected reaction. Have answers for petitors to learn more. A delicious different scenarios and keep them conversation could lead to romance. up your sleeve. Hone your talking Relax and savor the moment. Linger points. Let your feelings show. to watch the sunset. Share your appreciations of each other. AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) HHH You’re making money today and toSAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) morrow. It’s profitable if you avoid HHH Adapt to shifting circum- spending it all. Stash some where stances. Get strong feedback from a you can’t get it. Pay bills and buy grotest. Discuss research in private and ceries. Don’t borrow or lend. Postput in corrections. Apply what you’re pone giving your time away for free.

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20) HHHH You’re coming into your own, especially over the next few days. Assume responsibility. Ask probing questions to get to fundamental issues. Your partner helps. Make a logical case. Use your persuasive charms. Take charge of your destiny. BORN TODAY Fortune grows with thoughtful planning this year. Meditation, contemplation and review provide clarity. Make bold declarations. Produce results through communications and networking. Participate! New professional opportunities next spring rearrange personal priorities.


7

SPORTS

Thursday October 22, 2015

Receiving corps could reach former glory BY DJ DESKINS

SPORTS WRITER @DAILYATHENAEUM

West Virginia University football fans have been spoiled since head coach Dana Holgorsen first arrived on campus. Maybe not with championships or conference titles, but with one of the nation’s most exciting offenses comprised of some of the nation’s most electric athletes. Tavon Austin immediately comes to mind. The No. 8 pick by the St. Louis Rams in the 2013 NFL Draft will always be regarded as one of the greatest receivers in WVU history, and for good reason. Austin’s records speak for themselves: all-time leader in receptions (288), receiving yards (3,413), kickoff return yards (2,407) and all-purpose yards (7,286). His all-purpose yard total leads all other Mountaineers by nearly 1,500 yards. He also ranks second in career touchdown receptions with 29, a record he concedes only to the other half of his dynamic duo, Stedman Bailey. Bailey, who also plays pro ball in St. Louis, recorded 41 career touchdowns, including 25 in one season, which ranks thirdbest all time behind Troy Edwards’ 27 at Louisiana Tech and Randy Moss’ 26 at Marshall. His 3,218 reception yards rank only behind Austin for a career. After their departure, Holgorsen found a gem out of Lackawanna College in Scranton, Pennsylvania in Kevin White, who was also selected in the top 10 of the NFL Draft just two years after Austin. Although White only played in Morgantown for two seasons, he found himself in the top 10 in WVU for both receiving yards, receptions and touchdowns with 1,954, 144 and 15, respectively. West Virginia fans and Holgorsen have not had the luxury of one of the nation’s top wide-outs this season, but that’s not a trend anyone involved in the program feels will last much longer. The Mountaineers feature two very young, im-

pressive receivers on the outside in redshirt sophomore Shelton Gibson and true freshman Jovon Durante. Gibson has emerged as a huge possibility for WVU’s next superstar. Through six games, he’s recorded 540 reception yards and six touchdowns. He also has averaged 23.5 yards a catch, tied for thirdbest in the FBS. “We have a bunch of first-year receivers or second-year receivers that we are going to be talking about for a long time,” Holgorsen said. “How quick we can get there, I don’t know. I know (Gibson) is getting really close for us. He’s getting really close.” Gibson has also emerged as a return threat for WVU. Since he’s begun getting reps, he’s returned nine kicks for 272 yards, including a 100-yard touchdown against Baylor, for an average of 30.2 yards a return; good enough for ninth-best in the NCAA. A surprising candidate comes in the form of David Sills, a quarterback who ranks low on the depth chart and has put coaches on notice with his play on the scout team. Sills has been groomed to be a quarterback ever since he was offered a scholarship to USC when he was 13 years old, but has found his way onto the field using a different set of skills. “He started playing receiver for (defensive coordinator Tony Gibson) because we don’t have enough bodies to play receiver on the scout team,” Holgorsen said. “He turned some people’s heads down there, so I took him last week and had a talk with him. We practiced, and he looked pretty good. I asked him if he wanted to go play ball, and he said that he wants to do anything he can to help the team.” Against Baylor, Sills caught two passes for 64 yards, including a 35-yard touchdown pass from Skyler Howard. It appears the Mountaineers could have the national recognition they’ve become familiar with in their receiving corps very soon. dasports@mail.wvu.edu

CONTACT US 304-293-5092 ext. 2 | DAsports@mail.wvu.edu

LEEDOM’S FREEDOM

West Virginia’s Zak Leedom saves the ball from going out in a game against UNC Greensboro last month.

ASKAR SALIKHOV/THE DAILY ATHENAEUM

Leedom has become essential to WVU attack BY ALEC GEARTY SPORTS WRITER @DAILYATHENAEUM

Senior midfielder Zak Leedom has quietly developed into a key component of the West Virginia men’s soccer team this season. We all know the cornerstone players of this year’s team. Joey Piatczyc leads the NCAA in assists, while Jamie Merriam and Ryan Cain lead the team in points; but Leedom is quietly turning heads, climbing up the nation’s assist ranks. In his senior year, Leedom is making a name for himself on the offensive side of the ball, shifting his game and becoming more involved in offensive situations. That wasn’t the case a year ago. In 2014, Leedom had a mere three assists in 19 games while playing 1,087 minutes. He found himself playing behind defender Alex Ochoa and Paul Eh-

renworth. Toward the end of the 2014 season, Leedom was given a larger role compared to the two and he started to solidify a spot in the starting lineup. With Ochoa transferring to University of Texas-Rio Grande after the 2014 sesaon and Ehrenworth graduating, the spot was officially Leedom’s, and he was poised to break out in 2015. “His game is a mature one,” said WVU head coach Marlon LeBlanc, back on the 2012 signing day. “He’s a two-way midfielder, an honest player and gets after things in the midfield.” LeBlanc’s words proved to be true, as Leedom is taking complete control of the opportunity given to one of WVU’s best twoway playmakers. Currently, Leedom is tied for third in assists in the Mid-American Conference as well as 19th in the NCAA. He is the second Mountaineer to rank in the

nation’s top 20 in assists, the other being Piatczyc. Leedom has started 13 of the 14 matches this season, one of six Mountaineers to start in at least 10 games. The Mountaineers are 4-0 when the Dublin, Ohio native records as least one point. L e e d o m’s chemistry with Merriam and the rest of the offense is what helped the Mountaineers get through their tough stretch without Cain and Jad Arslan. Leedom is as comfortable as ever with the passes he is making, creating room for other players to score. “I think it comes with many years of soccer,” Leedom said. “Each game calls for its own strategy and game plan.” You could consider this season Leedom ending his WVU career on a personal high note, as he already surpassed his assist total in his junior year, and is on track to pass his min-

utes played total from the same year. With the personal success of Leedom comes the sobering fact that WVU just hasn’t had Lady Luck on their side this season. After falling to 6-8 two days ago, Leedom is looking for the team to finish strong. “Our conference games are going to be more important,” Leedom said. “We have to win our conference if we are going to have a shot at the postseason.” Leedom and the rest of the Mountaineers will continue that conference push against the Bowling Green Falcons. “Getting a [positive] result any way we can is important for us,” Leedom said. The senior logged in a then-career-high 91 minutes the last time the two teams met in the MAC semifinals. dasports@mail.wvu.edu

VOLLEYBALL

West Virginia loses ninth straight to Iowa State by johnna herbig sports correspondent @dailyathenaeum

Last night, the West Virginia University volleyball team was defeated by the Iowa State Cyclones in a 3-0 shut-out, making this the ninth straight loss for the Mountaineers. The set scores for this match were 20-25, 11-25 and 16-25. “I thought we had some good moments,” said WVU head coach Reed Sunahara in an interview with WVUsports.com. “We’ve got to play a lot more consistent to string more points together. If we can do that, then we’re going to be in the game.”

This losing streak puts WVU at an overall record of 5-15 for this season so far, and 0-7 for the conference games. Sophomore outside hitter Morgan Montgomery led the Mountaineers, with 10 kills. Senior middle blocker Caleah Wells followed behind her having a total of seven. Junior setter Haley Roe led the team’s defense with six digs. Sophomore defensive specialist Taylor Cross followed posted five to contribute. This win for Iowa State brings the Cyclones to a 12-6 overall record, and 5-2 for the conference. Freshman outside hitter

Jess Schaben had the game high of 12 kills and junior outside hitter Ciara Capezio was also a big help for the team, posting 10 kills. Senior libero Caitlin Nolan led the Cyclones defense getting 14 digs. Iowa State jumped out into a 4-0 lead to start the first set. Montgomery was responsible for putting the Mountaineers on the board when her kill got West Virginia’s first point. A few more kills, but Iowa State still working its own outside hitters, rolled into a 15-7 Cyclone lead. Even with the Mountaineers getting a few kills and errors on the red side of the net, WVU was not able to

keep up with Iowa State. The set ended with the score of 25-20 and the Cyclones first win of the night. The second set started similar to the first, with a 4-0 lead by Iowa State. A kill by Swanegan gave the Mountaineers their first point of the set, bringing the score to 1-5. Junior Dzeni Hadzisehovic helped WVU getting another kill, but they were still behind 3-8. With West Virginia continuing to make errors, they were put behind 11-4. Soon after, WVU got back-to-back kills and managed to get a few points, edging into the score, but still down 14-7. The Gold and Blue managed to get three points in a

row, even with another attacking error. That streak helped, but West Virginia was still dragging behind 23-10. The Cyclones won the set, 25-11. Set three started off almost exactly the same with an Iowa State 3-1 lead right off the jump. West Virginia actually tied it up and took the lead 5-4 off a kill from Hadzisehovic. The score was brought to a 5-5 tie when WVU had an attack error. Both teams scored points back and forth continuing the tie to 8-8, kills from Wells and Talia helped extend the score. Iowa State edged out of the tie, extending its lead to 15-11. The Mountain-

eers stayed behind, held back from an attacking error while the Cyclones kept pushing ahead to the lead 12-17. With a few block errors from both teams, Iowa State continued to control the score and took the win 16-25. “I thought the energy level was better in the third set,” Sunahara said. “Hopefully we can build on that and carry it over into the next couple of days and be ready for Oklahoma.” The Mountaineers will be back in action at home this Saturday in a match against Oklahoma. dasports@mail.wvu.edu

WOMEN’S SOCCER

Steadman setting records in final WVU season BY CONNOR HICKS SPORTS WRITER @DAILYATHENAEUM

Often in sports, defense is easily overlooked. Offense is typically the focus of the fans’ excitement, even when the defense ranks second in the nation. However, defense wins championships. And as the No. 2 West Virginia University women’s soccer team (14-1-1, 6-0-1) is just weeks away from their shot at a national championship, the remarkable play of the defense has to be recognized. Kadeisha Buchanan, the standout defender who received the FIFA World Cup

Best Young Player Award and just this week was named a finalist for the FIFA Ballon d’Or Award, is given much of the credit for the astounding performance of the Mountaineer defense this season. However, recognition must be given to the wall playing behind Buchanan. Senior Hannah Steadman is the steady Mountaineer netminder who has helped her team to 13 shutouts this season, which rank first in the country. With two shutouts on her senior weekend, Steadman is on pace to break the West Virginia single-season record of 14 shutouts. If the season ended today, Stead-

man would be the new record holder of career goalsallowed average in the West Virginia record books. Steadman has a .051 GAA, due in large part to a .026 GAA this season. “It’s not something I think about, but it’s in the back of my head,” Steadman said. “If the season does come to an end and I’m the leader, then that’s great.” But the season is far from over, as the Mountaineers have two games remaining before another postseason run. They are on pace to gain their fourth consecutive Big 12 title and be a regional host for the NCAA tournament. Steadman’s senior week-

end went exactly as one would expect, with the Mountaineer defense posting two shutouts in a 6-0 win over Kansas and a 4-0 win over Iowa State. While Steadman did not begin her career as a Mountaineer, she has become the core of the West Virginia team. A New Jersey native, Steadman transferred to West Virginia following her sophomore year at Tennessee, and started all 38 games since. She has allowed just 19 goals in those 38 games and is responsible for 23 shutouts in her two years in Morgantown. She has found a home and hopes to pursue a first national championship title

before her career concludes. Steadman has faced just 27 shots on goal in 14 games this season, due to the remarkable play of the defense in front of her. However, she has only allowed four goals on the shots she has had to face. “With the limited amount of shots, when they do come down, I have to be ready. Sometimes that’s hard for a goaltender. I’m pretty confident, and I give credit to the 10 girls in front of me that they are able to limit shots,” Steadman said. Steadman remarked that the feeling of her career nearly being over has not set in yet, despite the final horn

sounding on her last regular season game at Dick Dlesk Soccer Stadium, where she only lost one game in her two years as the Mountaineer net-minder. “It might set in when that final whistle blows, and hopefully that’s the National Championship Game, and we can walk out of here on a high. We’re still trucking along,” Steadman said. The Mountaineers take to the road to finish the season against Oklahoma State and Baylor, before heading to Kansas City, where they will likely be the top seed for the Big 12 Tournament. dasports@mail.wvu.edu


THE DAILY ATHENAEUM

8 | SPORTS

Thursday October 22, 2015

SWIMMING AND DIVING

NICK GOLDEN/THE DAILY ATHENAEUM

West Virginia women’s swimmers hit the pool at the Gold-Blue intrasquad meet last month.

Underclassmen showing their quality for WVU BY ROGER TURNER SPORTS WRITER @DAILYATHENAEUM

The emergence of underclassman swimmers and divers has been valuable for the experienced WVU women’s swimming and diving squad entering their fourth week of competition. Thus far in their 2015-16 campaign, the West Virginia women’s team has managed two first place finishes in three meets. Strong leadership and the experience from upperclassmen have been the catalyst for the two victories, but as the Mountaineers move forward, top

performances from freshmen and sophomores will be at a premium. Among those creating the biggest impact for the Mountaineers in the pool as an underclassman is sophomore swimmer Amelie Currat. Currat, an international student from Dunkerque, France, provided a spark for the Mountaineers as a freshman last season. During her first year as a Mountaineer, Currat solidified her role as a top performer in freestyle events, finishing with the top time in the 50-yard, 100-yard and 200-yard freestyles at last year’s Big 12 Championships. Currat also touched the wall

first in the 100-yard freestyle at the 2014 Mizzou Invite, which featured top competition from the Midwest. As the fourth consecutive home meet for West Virginia approaches this weekend, Currat is surpassing accomplishments from a season ago, with freshman Emma Mitchell striving for top finishes as well. Mitchell, who hails from London, made her debut for the Mountaineers in the West Virginia State Games. In her first meet, Mitchell finished first in the 200-yard freestyle and as a member of the women’s 800-yard freestyle relay team. Harris finished ahead

of Currat in the 200-yard freestyle in both the State Games and against Georgia Tech in the Big 12 vs. ACC Weekend quad meet. Mitchell finished first place in the 500-yard free against Virginia Tech this past Saturday, which accounted for one of only four first place finishes for the women’s team. Mitchell also came in second in the 1,000-yard freestyle event with the top time of 10:27.63 for the Mountaineer women. On the springboard for West Virginia, the women’s team has benefited from the promising display put forth by freshman Averly Hobbs. In her inaugu-

ral season as a Mountaineer, Hobbs has already qualified for the NCAA Diving Zones Championships, which take place two and a half weeks prior to the NCAA National Championships. Hobbs enters her freshman season as one of the team’s top prospects of this year’s recruiting class, and with a long road still ahead, Hobbs looks to be next up for the West Virginia women’s diving squad. Hobbs hails from Littleton, Colorado, and chose WVU after competing at a high level on the national stage during her high school career. In the first three meets of this year,

Hobbs has finished top five in both the 1-meter and 3-meter board events. Right there to aid Hobbs in her freshman journey is senior diver Lindsay Schmidt, who has also qualified for Zones and finished first or second in the 1-meter and 3-meter board to open the season. The season has just begun for the talented group of young swimmers and divers on the WVU women’s team, but production from the underclassmen will be key to the Mountaineers’ success until season’s end. dasports@mail.wvu.edu

Rowing

Adjustment of freshmen vital to WVU’s future BY VINCE GAUDIO

SPORTS CORRESPONDENT @DAILYATHENAEUM

For the West Virginia University rowing team, leadership and experience have led them so far to become a team that has raised eyebrows around campus and, more importantly, around the competitive Big 12 Conference. With the help of the freshman class, this year could end up being very special for the Mountaineers. When talking to any

member of the team, you will hear numerous stories about each individual member. Each teammate seems to share a story with each other. Team chemistry like this is hard to come by. No matter how well the team may be bonding, sometimes the transition for freshmen is just not always easy. “The transition is very different. It comes with more work and more pressure,” freshman Janae Hurst said. Hurst, a native of Maryville, Tennessee, is

hoping to take her four years of success in high school to make an immediate impact for WVU. Due to her high ambitions, she wants nothing but to make her team better. Calm and easygoing, but shy, Hurst is thankful that her team is always there for her. “I feel like I can talk to any of the girls if I need. They would do anything to help me and make me feel more comfortable transitioning into the season,” she said. Kaitlin Sullivan, another

freshman on the Mountaineer team, agrees on how different the transition is, but makes it clear how nice it is to have her team for support. “Everyone has been very welcoming and very nice. They showed us the way and how to do things here,” Sullivan said. Sullivan started rowing in high school after looking for a sport that would “take some time off her hands.” During the start, she was not a big fan of the sport at all. But after spending time practicing and competing,

she transitioned into becoming a key member for Pine View High in Nokomis, Florida. Her success led her to receiving the role of coxswain. Hurst and Sullivan represent the freshmen that ultimately will lead the Mountaineers for the next four years. No matter their different personalities, they both share the same goals. Their plan is to lead the team to success any way possible. “I want to become a

stronger and better overall athlete. I hope that will help me lead my team to Big 12 medals,” Hurst said. More importantly, both rowers said they are striving to continue to succeed in their classes and look forward to getting a degree in their respective fields of study. This freshman group hopes to produce big things for West Virginia, whether it’s in the water or in the classroom. dasports@mail.wvu.edu

AP

GRADUATE AND PROFESSIONAL SCHOOL FAIR. Thursday, October 22 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Mountainlair, Second Floor Thinking about graduate or professional school? Representatives from WVU graduate and professional programs will be on hand to share information and admission requirements. • Attendees should swipe their Mountaineer Card to be eligible to win prizes including Graduate Application Fee Waivers valued at $60. Panel Discussion • Graduate School Funding Options and Opportunities, 10 a.m. Presentations • How To Write A Personal Statement, 11 a.m. • GRE Preparation Tips, Noon • What Graduate Admission Committees Are Really Looking For, 1 p.m. All of these sessions will be in the Mountaineer Room on the second floor of the Mountainlair.

Can’t make it to the Fair? Call 304-293-5980 to set up an individual appointment.

No sign of Bartman at Wrigley for playoffs CHICAGO (AP) -- Steve Bartman is the most infamous Chicago Cubs fan the city has ever known, blamed by many for destroying dreams the same way Mrs. O’Leary’s cow is blamed for destroying the city more than a century earlier. Twelve years after that October night when Bartman deflected a foul ball that appeared destined to land in left fielder Moises Alou’s glove and help land the Cubs in the World Series for the first time since 1945, 78-year-old fan Phil Grinstead feels only sadness for perhaps the most vilified fan in baseball history. “I think he made a big mistake by going for that ball,” said Grinstead, who was sitting maybe 20 feet away from Bartman that night and was back in the park on Tuesday night for Game 3 of the NL Championship Series against the New York Mets. “But it wasn’t big enough to bring the wrath of the world on him.” Bartman was hustled out of Wrigley Field that night and as far as anyone knows he has never been back. He avoided the spotlight ever since. Many feel he should be escorted back as a guest of honor. “It would be great to have Steve Bartman come back

to throw out the first pitch,” said Wayne Broadfield, a lifelong Cubs fan who now lives in Washington, D.C. “There is such a great feeling and moment right with this team now that I think everybody would embrace that.” There has been talk over the years that the same man who issued an “apology from this Cub fan’s broken heart” after the game is owed an apology himself. Some started a GoFundMe page to buy Bartman a ticket to a game, airfare and some spending money if he would just return to Wrigley for a game. To the surprise of no one familiar with the anger in and around Chicago after that game, he has declined the offer and many like it. “Right after it happened, it could have easily made hundreds of thousands or more than a million dollars,’ said Frank Murtha, a longtime family friend who has been acting as a spokesman for Bartman and saying no to the hundreds, if not thousands, of requests for interviews. Bartman was not interested in anything from a “six figure” offer from a tax company to do a commercial to a playwright’s proposal to tell his story on Broadway to an offer to sit behind home plate during a World Series game at Yankee Stadium. “He has just gone about his life,” Murtha said.


Thursday October 22, 2015

THE DAILY ATHENAEUM

SPORTS | 9

AP

NBA coaches peeved at number of preseason games Real basketball is almost here. The NBA preseason schedule, with so many games that Gregg Popovich didn’t even bother going to San Antonio’s opener, is mercifully nearing its end. It’s already over for Kobe Bryant, nursing an injury. LeBron James also was done last week. Everyone would be, if some coaches had their way. The schedule can become such a bore that Milwaukee’s Jason Kidd longs for the glory days of the lockout, when teams could squeeze in only two warmup games before the real ones arrived. “No one complained,” Kidd said. They do now. The league allows for a maximum of eight preseason games, or nearly one-tenth of an entire regular season. But it’s condensed into a span of just three weeks, sometimes creating the necessity of back-to-backs that players dread when the games count, let alone when they’re just for practice. Kidd, who was still playing when the 2011 lockout ended, favors four preseason games. Cleveland

ALEX BRANDON/ASSOCIATED PRESS

Washington Wizards head coach Randy Wittman makes a Wittman Face on the sideline last season. coach David Blatt agrees. and the beginning of the you do during the regular “I’ve expressed myself regular season. season. There’s really no It’s just that the games need to.” to the people that make Well, there is to the orgathose decisions on more get in the way of the work. “It’s something that with nizations and the league. than one occasion,” Blatt said. “My voice is only one, the CBA you can only have New rules can be tested, but it’s clearly my opinion five days of training camp, game-night operations that we should play four, and you can have two-a- ironed out, and of course, maximum five preseason days and even in that, one money can be made. games and create a situa- of the practices is only an “I like the number of tion where we could have hour with limited con- games. I love giving young fewer back-to-backs and tact,” Nets coach Lionel players a chance to play. give players a little bit Hollins said. “You need And off the court it lets us more time to rest and a lit- practice time. Guys need get our entertainment and tle bit less wear and tear to be able to prepare and presentation put together,” during the preseason.” get comfortable with each Dallas owner Mark Cuban It’s not that coaches other, get comfortable with said. “It’s also the best and rewant to shorten the pre- whatever you’re trying to season itself. They like the implement. It’s hard in the ally only way to introduce month they get between preseason when you’re NBA teams around the the start of training camp playing and traveling like world.”

The NBA added preseason games in Canada and staged another exhibition in Brazil, seeking to drum up more interest before the All-Star Game and Olympics are held in those countries in 2016. And the two-game trip to China got a boost with the inclusion of the Charlotte Hornets, sending owner Michael Jordan to fans that are crazy about basketball. The Hornets paid for it, though, on the back end with four games in six nights, a brutal stretch that would have coaches seething if the NBA had drawn it up. But the teams handle their own preseason scheduling, determining how many games to play (there is no minimum) and how often. Coaches aren’t always thrilled with what they get. Hollins didn’t like that the Nets’ six-game slate included two games apiece against Atlantic Division rivals Boston and Philadelphia. “I wouldn’t mind playing some of the Western teams that are close by, but it is what it is,” he said. “It’s easy to get to these games and it makes the travel different. It’s not a huge issue, but I would prefer to play some teams that you’re

not playing all year long in your division, in your conference, that you’re battling with for playoff positions.” Players don’t gripe as much, since most of the top ones don’t even consider playing in every game. Carmelo Anthony noted that the Knicks’ sixgame schedule was better than the seven they played last year, then promptly sat out the second night of a back-to-back at Charlotte. Popovich, who sits players out of regular-season games for rest, held Tim Duncan, Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili out of the Spurs’ opener at Sacramento along with himself, keeping to his policy of letting an assistant run the team each year in a preseason game. The NBA would probably welcome a shorter preseason, since that could lengthen the regular-season calendar to create more rest opportunities for players, a goal of Commissioner Adam Silver. Silver said during All-Star weekend that coaches told him they don’t value the exhibition games as much as they once did, so perhaps those can be reduced and the overall preseason trimmed.

NCAA disassociates college sports from daily fantasy I N D I A N A P O L I S (A P) — The NCAA is pulling the plug on daily fantasy sports games. In a letter sent Tuesday, college sports’ largest governing body notified executives from DraftKings and FanDuel it would cancel future meetings and ban advertising from the two popular websites during NCAA championship events such as the men’s basketball tournament. Because the NCAA believes the fantasy games meet the definition of wagering, it has decided to ban all advertising, on site and on television, during

championship events - a potentially big hit for two companies that have become major advertisers, particularly on television. The NCAA said its advertising policy for broadcasters “has a longstanding section that states we will not accept advertising from sports wagering entities.” The ban does not necessarily apply to the College Football Playoff, which is not run by the NCAA. While the CFP abides by NCAA bylaws, the organization has discretion over advertisements during its three games.

“What I can say is that we have not discussed it,” CFP executive director Bill Hancock told The Associated Press. “Whether we will or not remains to be seen. We’re watching the situation with great interest.” The unregulated daily fantasy sports industry is under scrutiny from regulators and lawmakers after it unleashed an advertising campaign promising to make millionaires out of players competing on the sites. Customers pick player lineups and win based on points earned during a sin-

Beckenbauer probe puts World Cup votes under renewed scrutiny ZURICH (AP) — As the number of World Cup voters publicly accused of wrongdoing reached 17, German soccer great Franz Beckenbauer and FIFA vice president Angel Maria Villar are waiting to discover if they will be found guilty of obstructing the investigation into the 2018 and 2022 World Cup bidding contests. Five years after the 2018 tournament was awarded to Russia and the Middle East was given its first World Cup in Qatar in 2022, the shockwaves from the landmark dual decision by a much-discredited FIFA executive committee still reverberate throughout the soccer world. Although the Russian and Qatari successes, along with the conduct of rival bids, have been tainted by five years of allegations, FIFA’s ethics judge ruled last year there was not enough evidence to prove that the decisions were corrupt. But the contests remain subject to a criminal investigation in Switzerland where the attorney general is examining if there was financial wrongdoing, including money laundering. Two members of FIFA’s 24-man executive committee were suspended even before the 2010 vote after being caught in newspaper stings. Eight voters have since been banned or suspended from duty following ethics investigations. Two voters, including acting FIFA President Issa Hayatou, were linked to bribes in a British parliamentary hearing, and three others have been implicated in investigations or media reports. Hayatou has denied any wrongdoing. Both Beckenbauer and Villar - now serving as FIFA’s No. 2 official while President Sepp Blatter is suspended - have been investigated by ethics prosecutors and are awaiting ver-

dicts in their cases. The two men would face sanctions if found guilty of obstructing then-FIFA prosecutor Garcia’s investigation, ethics committee spokesman Marc Tenbuecken told The Associated Press. Beckenbauer and Villar have previously been identified by media as targets of the bidding investigation but were only publicly named Wednesday after FIFA’s executive committee agreed to lift strict secrecy rules it imposed on the ethics committee in 2012. The official disclosure inflicts more damage on FIFA, which is reeling from waves of corruption allegations that led the ethics committee two weeks ago to suspend Blatter and Michel Platini, who was previously the front-runner to succeed him running the world’s most popular sport. In a wide-ranging statement, the ethics committee said it aimed to judge Blatter and Platini, the UEFA leader, during their 90-day suspensions. Blatter is also under criminal investigation by Swiss authorities for a suspected “disloyal payment” of around $2 million from FIFA funds in 2011 to Platini, who was also questioned. Both deny wrongdoing. At the FIFA Congress in May, Blatter suggested that choosing Russia and Qatar as World Cup hosts was the catalyst for investigators targeting the governing body. “If two other countries had emerged from the envelope, I think we would not have these problems today,” Blatter told delegates. The Russian and Qatari wins - over losing bidders including England, Australia and the United States provoked rifts among former allies and intense scrutiny of allegations of bribery, financial favors and rules-breaking voting

pacts. Under pressure to investigate the allegations seriously, FIFA appointed former U.S. Attorney Garcia in July 2012 as its ethics prosecutor. Garcia delivered his investigation report to Eckert in September 2014 only after finding trouble dealing with Beckenbauer and Villar. Beckenbauer, who captained and coached World Cup-winning West Germany teams, twice refused to meet with Garcia and was barred from traveling to the 2014 World Cup in Brazil by a provisional suspension. It was lifted during the tournament when he sent answers to Garcia. Villar, a lawyer who chairs FIFA’s legal committee, tried to have Garcia thrown off the case in March 2014 after the prosecutor came to Zurich to question FIFA officials. The public naming of the Spanish football federation president adds to embarrassment for UEFA, where Villar is the highest ranking elected official after Platini was suspended by FIFA pending his ethics inquiry. Villar did receive the backing Wednesday of fellow FIFA executive Vitaly Mutko, the Russian sports minister, who said the Spain player turned federation head had the right not to speak to Garcia. “He just doesn’t want to give any testimony to anyone,” Villar told Russia’s TASS news agency. “What issues can there be with Villar? He’s devoted his whole life to football.” Villar was second-incommand at Tuesday’s FIFA meeting behind Hayatou, who felt compelled when assuming the presidency temporarily from Blatter two weeks ago to again deny allegations by a British Parliamentary committee that he took a seven-figure bribe to vote for Qatar.

gle day. Nevada gambling regulators have told daily fantasy sites to get out or get a gambling license while federal lawmakers are calling for hearings. Several lawsuits hoping to become class-action suits have also been filed. An already wary NCAA sent the two sites a ceaseand-desist letter on Aug. 27, explaining the contests were “inconsistent” with the values and rules governing college sports. Then came Tuesday’s letter from Mark Lewis, executive vice president of championships and al-

liances, who wrote that it would be “inappropriate” to continue the discussion with the two daily fantasy sites because they are currently under investigation at the state and federal level. “As Mark Emmert, Donald Remy and I explained to you in our Aug. 31, 2015 meeting, we believe that your product should not be offered in the college space for a variety of reasons,” Lewis wrote, referring to the NCAA president and its top attorney. “We do not believe a further meeting with your organization will change that

view.” Lewis also said the NC A A is reminding schools about the rules, regulations and potential punishments for anyone participating in DraftKings or FanDuel contests. The NCA is notifying all referees and game officials who might be used during NCAA championships that they cannot participate in the paid fantasy games and is asking executives from the two companies to help verify none have yet. Lewis wrote that the NCAA will submit a list of names soon.


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Thursday October 22, 2015


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