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N • Campus operations
C • The next date
S • Paving the way
As COVID-19 cases continue to rise on campus following a series of Greek parties, SU may need to adjust campus operations to curb the spread of the virus. Page 3
From Funk N’ Waffles to Oh My Darling, here are the restaurants we recommend you try if you didn’t get to eat out with your significant other on Valentine’s Day. Page 6
Kadary Richmond competed in different youth basketball tournaments all throughout New York City. Now, the freshman is dazzling off the bench for the Orange. Page 12
Security failure
su athletes
Over 50 attend SU athletes’ party By Allie Kaylor
asst. sports editor
illustration by nabeeha anwar illustration editor
SU defends response to data breach as community members express concerns By Michael Sessa news editor
R
omane Gutenbrunner was at work when she heard that a data breach at Syracuse University had exposed the names and Social Security numbers of nearly 10,000 students, alumni, applicants and their family members. Gutenbrunner, a senior political science and career and technical education major, had seen posts about the data breach and the letters that those affected were receiving. She got home and checked her mailbox. “I opened it, and I immediately knew,”
she said. Like thousands of others, Gutenbrunner quickly called her bank and made sure her family members knew to be on the lookout for suspicious activity. She also signed up for identity theft and credit monitoring services from Experian, a consumer credit reporting company SU coordinated with to provide temporary, free services to those affected by the breach. Since letters about the security failure arrived in mailboxes across the country last week, those who’ve received them have said that the breach raises red flags about the amount of personally identifiable information SU employees have access to and the
amount of time it takes SU to communicate about critical issues. Despite the complaints, SU officials said they fulfilled their legal obligations to those affected by the breach and have taken aggressive action to strengthen cyber security at the university going forward. “We feel like we’ve been very thorough in our response,” said Steven Bennett, senior vice president for international programs and academic operations, in an interview with The Daily Orange. The breach occurred late on Sept. 25 after a university employee fell victim to a phishing attack in which the employee see breach page 4
on campus
SU invests $272 million in offshore funds By Michael Sessa news editor
In the last decade, Syracuse University has invested more than $272 million in Central America and the Caribbean. The offshore investments, which SU is required to detail in its tax filings, are a common theme at universities with large endowment funds. But some tax experts warn that the investment strategy can be risky and often leaves high-level administrators and board members in the dark about how their university’s money is being spent. In many cases, some experts said, the investments are also at
odds with universities’ stated educational mission. “What is worrisome in these offshore investments is a continued increase in a lack of transparency and a continued increase in risk taking,” said Thomas Gilbert, an associate professor of finance and business economics at the University of Washington. “That’s what should be of concern to people.” On SU’s Form 990, which provides the public with information about nonprofit organizations, the university lists its yearly investments in geographic regions around the world. In its form for fiscal year 2009, the university didn’t invest a single dollar in Central America
or the Caribbean. The next year, it invested more than $165 million there. By fiscal year 2017, the last year data is currently available for, its investments increased to $272 million in the region. The investment strategy, also utilized by private corporations, puts money toward private equity and hedge funds located in offshore tax havens, such as the Cayman Islands. But tax rules for nonprofit organizations like colleges and universities mean it’s often near impossible to know where exactly the money is going and what kind of risks are involved, experts said. Though some tax laws, such as Unrelated Business Income Tax,
were enacted to protect nonprofits from for-profit businesses, they sometimes blur the details of a university’s investments, said Norman Silber, a law professor at Hofstra University. “The original intention may not have been to obscure or hide the true nature of investments, but the effect of the existing structure is to make it very difficult for faculties at major universities, even sometimes for members of boards, to know precisely where the money is being invested,” Silber said. At SU, an outsourced chief investment officer manages endowment investments. The university see investments page 4
Syracuse athletes hosted a party Saturday night with over 50 people, Director of Athletics John Wildhack said in an email to athletes, parents and head coaches. Department of Public Safety Chief Bobby Maldonado informed Wildhack that no one in attendance was wearing a mask, according to the email obtained by The Daily Orange. DPS responded to a noise complaint made to the Syracuse Police Department, Wildhack said. The party was held a day after SU announced its chapter of the Sigma Chi fraternity was placed on interim suspension for violating public health directives. Members of Syracuse University’s Greek community hosted at least three off-campus parties last week, resulting in at least 20 new COVID-19 cases among students. “Gatherings like this have proven to be a source of COVID-19 superspreader events,” Wildhack said.
Gatherings like this have proven to be a source of COVID-19 super-spreader events John Wildhack syracuse director of athletics
Wildhack didn’t specify in the email how many athletes attended the party or whether any athletes will face disciplinary action. SU Athletics did not immediately respond to a request for comment Sunday night. It’s unclear if the party resulted in new COVID-19 infections. As of Sunday night, SU has already recorded 20 cases within the 14-day reporting period that began Saturday. Like last semester, the university will suspend in-person instruction if it exceeds 100 cases within the two-week period, which ends Feb. 26. Rob Hradsky, vice president for the student experience, said in a campus-wide email on Friday that leaseholders of residences where the Greek community’s parties were held will face conduct sanctions, and SU will refer those who attended the parties to the Office of Student Rights and Responsibilities. The university will also report violations to city and county authorities, he said. “Neither I nor the leadership team of Athletics will tolerate behavior which puts our Athletics community and our University at risk,” the email said. aekaylor@syr.edu | @cincinnallie
2 feb. 15, 2021
about
INSIDE
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NEWS “We feel like we’ve been very thorough in our response.” — Steven Bennett, senior vice president for international programs and academic operations Page 3
OPINION “With the lack of respect for others so rampant in the penitentiary, in this gated community, prison reform is an uphill battle.” — Henry Holifield Page 5
CULTURE “(FaceTime) is sort of our way of being together without being together.” — Julia Mance, SU freshman Page 7
SPORTS “He has some things that you can’t teach.” - Brewster head coach Jason Smith on Kadary Richmond Page 12
how to join us If you are a Syracuse University or SUNY-ESF student interested in contributing to The D.O. on either its advertising or editorial teams, please email editor@dailyorange.com.
COMING UP
Interesting events today and this weekend.
corrections policy The D.O. strives to be as accurate in our reporting as possible. Please email editor@dailyorange.com to report a correction.
WHAT: Orange Zest Talk Show WHEN: Monday, 10-11 a.m. WHERE: Barnes Center Esports’ Twitch Channel
letter to the editor policy The D.O. prides itself as an outlet for community discussion. To learn more about our submission guidelines, please email opinion@dailyorange. com with your full name and affiliation within the Syracuse community. Please note letters should not include any personal information pertaining to other people unless it is relevant to the topic at hand. All letters will be edited for style and grammar.
The Daily Orange is published weekdays during the Syracuse University academic year by The Daily Orange Corp., 230 Euclid Ave., Syracuse, NY 13210. All contents Copyright 2021 by The Daily Orange Corp. and may not be reprinted without the expressed written permission of the editor in chief. The Daily Orange is distributed on and around campus with the first two copies complimentary. Each additional copy costs $1. The Daily Orange is in no way a subsidy or associated with Syracuse University. All contents © 2021 The Daily Orange Corporation
WHAT: Winter Involvement Fair 2021 WHEN: Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, 6-8 p.m. WHERE: Virtual WHAT:
Novelist Viet Thanh Nguyen gives University Lecture
WHEN: Tuesday, 7:30-8:30 p.m. WHERE: Zoom, by registration
Diversity Communications
CAREER FAIR March 5, 2021
2-5 PM
The Diversity Communications Career Fair will provide students access to employers looking for diverse, multi-cultural, communication professionals. This event is open to any SU students who identify as part of a traditionally underrepresented population and have an interest in communications. Visit bit.ly/newhousedcf to get started. Employers schedules open on 2/22. Questions? Email belichti@syr.edu.
NEWS
dailyorange.com news@dailyorange.com
PAG E 3
feb. 15, 2021
coronavirus
suny-esf
How rising COVID-19 cases may impact SU COVID-19 policies updated for spring By Tyler O’Neill
contributing writer
Members of Greek organizations hosted at least three parties that resulted in at least 20 new COVID-19 cases. SU may need to adjust campus operations if cases continue to rise. emily steinberger photo editor By Mira Berenbaum asst. news editor
If COVID-19 cases at Syracuse University continue to rise, the university may need to adjust campus operations to follow state and local orders. SU announced the suspension of the Sigma Chi fraternity on Friday after Greek life members hosted at least three parties in off-campus neighborhoods in the previous six days. Those parties were the source of at least 20 new COVID-19 cases among SU students. As of Sunday, SU reported 79 active cases among students, faculty and staff in central New York. The university also reported that it had 147 students in quarantine.
Here is what you need to know about how SU might adjust its guidelines if cases continue to rise:
State guidelines
In August, Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced that colleges and universities would have to suspend in-person instruction and limit campus activities if 100 people or more test positive for COVID-19 over a two-week period. The two-week period is a set metric and resets every two weeks. SU’s two-week period reset Friday, and the university has since confirmed 20 new COVID-19 cases. If SU were to confirm 80 new coronavirus cases before Feb. 26, the university would be forced to suspend in-person instruction and limit
on-campus activities. SU canceled in-person classes for the remainder of the fall semester in early November after surpassing the state’s limit. The week before, SU avoided a shutdown by two cases, confirming 98 cases within the two-week period.
SU’s guidelines
SU submitted its fall semester reopening plans to the New York State Department of Health for review in early July. In this plan, SU outlined five different stages of shutdown corresponding to the number of coronavirus cases and exposures on campus. The first stage of shutdown — which SU has already surpassed — comes when less than 10 people
have been exposed to COVID-19. In this stage, those who are identified as close contacts of someone who tests positive go into quarantine and those who have contracted the virus move to isolation. SU has also reached its metric for the second level of shutdown, when between 10 to 100 people have been exposed to COVID-19. At this stage, SU may quarantine certain floors or buildings to prevent the spread of the virus. The third level of shutdown begins when SU identifies more than 100 students who have been potentially exposed to COVID-19. SU said it would begin a shelter-in-place order and move all classes online until the virus has been contained see cluster page 4
on campus
MealMe food delivery app to launch at SU By Mira Berenbaum asst. news editor
An app that compares prices and delivery times of different food delivery apps is preparing to launch at Syracuse University. MealMe, which has been on the Apple app store for over a year, integrates all major food delivery apps and smaller local delivery apps into one platform, said Matthew Bouchner, president of MealMe. The app now has over 70,000 users and is working with an accelerator program called TechStars to reach even more. “Whenever you order food, you probably go to DoorDash and then Uber Eats and then Postmates to try to find the best deal — but we do that for you,” Bouchner said. Users can search for restaurants, see menus and place orders through the app. MealMe has a larger restaurant database than
any single app because it integrates all food delivery apps into one platform, Bouchner said. Users save an average of $5 when using the app, he said. MealMe does not charge users for any additional fees though they have the option to leave a ‘MealMe tip’ after placing their order, Bouchner said. While the app is already up and running in Syracuse and across the country, the staff at MealMe wants to form relationships with colleges and universities elsewhere, too. They began their work with colleges and universities at George Washington University in January where they had their first “hard launch.” Now, MealMe team plans to meet with several student organizations at SU and learn about their favorite restaurants so they can target students with deals at popular restaurants near SU,
Bouchner said. “Although we are live, technically, we want to form relationships with individuals at every university and do a hard launch at every school so that people know about MealMe,” he said. Bouchner also plans to send MealMe merchandise to some student organizations, he said. While the app employs several student interns in both its engineering and marketing teams, it has not formally launched a campus representative program. Bouchner said he is looking into launching one in the future. MealMe began as a foodfocused social networking app, where users could post pictures and then either order take out or make a reservation at the restaurant that was pictured, he said. Bouchner realized that users wanted to know which delivery services worked with each restau-
rant, so he launched a search feature where users could search for delivery services within the app. After adding a feature where users could compare prices among delivery services, MealMe went viral on Reddit. But Bouchner said the app was still too focused on being a social networking app. After pivoting to become “the search engine for food,” the app’s current tagline, the app then launched, attracting more than 2,000 users in its first month. By launching at SU, they hope to further expand their database of users. “If you are hungry, I know it is your first reaction to pull up Uber Eats or DoorDash or whatever you’re preferred one is,” Bouchner said. “But if you make it your first reaction to pull up MealMe, then you will save money every time you order.” mlberenb@syr.edu @BerenbaumMira
SUNY-ESF has implemented new policies and restrictions for its spring 2021 semester to prevent the spread of COVID-19. The college has kept many of its fall policies in place but has also added new ones to align with updated state guidelines and newfound challenges presented by the pandemic, such as requiring weekly testing, adjusting move-in quarantine procedures and delaying the start of the semester. The university coordinated with the Onondaga County Health Department as well as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to create the policies. “Effective guidelines are only as good as our commitment to them,” said John Wasiel, an environmental health and safety monitor at the university. “The ESF community has a history of demonstrating adherence to our plans and testing programs.” ESF pushed the start of the spring semester back to Feb. 8 to align with Syracuse University’s updated calendar. ESF students began returning starting on Jan. 29. Upon their return to campus, students from New York and bordering states were asked to quarantine seven days prior to their move-in date. Students also completed a daily pre-screening survey about their travel and COVID-19 history as well as any symptoms that could be related to the virus. The university recommended that students receive a flu vaccination if they will access any Syracuse University facilities throughout the semester. SU required its students to receive a flu vaccination. ESF required students from noncontiguous states to receive a negative COVID-19 test within 72 hours of departure from their home state as part of New York state travel policies. These students then took an additional COVID-19 test at the end of a four-day quarantine period. The move-in process kept students socially distant, with no more than 70 students moving in per day, according to the university. Students were permitted to have one guest assist with move-in who had to leave after the three hour move-in period concluded. “I liked how the move-in times were all scattered,” said ESF student Christine Kieres. Students from New York and bordering states moved in between Feb. 1 and Feb. 6, and were required to have a negative COVID-19 test result within five days before their arrival to campus. They were also tested again upon arrival. Students living off campus followed similar steps, depending on their state of origin. Similar to the fall 2020 semester, ESF will host some classes online and others in person to ensure that students can maintain social distancing. The university will also require students to get tested once a week if
see suny-esf page 4
4 feb. 15, 2021
dailyorange.com news@dailyorange.com
from page 1
investments hired a new investment firm, Partners Capital, to manage the investments starting in January 2020. Before that, the Korea-based firm Pavilion provided the service. But since investment firms tend to utilize strategies they don’t want competitors or the public to see, they provide little information to clients about the details of their investments, Gilbert said. “The hedge fund manager is under no obligation whatsoever to tell you what they’re doing,” Gilbert said. “You as an investor cannot access your money easily and you as an investor also have very little transparency into what is going on.” The Investment and Endowment Committee of SU’s Board of Trustees provides oversight of and receives regular reports from the university’s outsourced chief investment officer, said Jennifer Horvath, communications director for SU’s Business, Finance and Administrative Services Division, in a statement to The Daily Orange. The committee is responsible for selecting and terminating investment managers and uses an external agent to assist with manager selection and monitoring, the university’s fund administration guidelines show. It also provides guidelines in an investment policy statement, as well as through ongoing and ad hoc meetings and reviews, Horvath said. As of June 30, 2020, the university’s endowment was $1.35 billion, with a distribution rate of 3.79% — a metric that describes how much the university spends from its endowment each year. The university didn’t provide an answer to questions about whether the university or its board members know about the specific investments its partners are making. “Frequently, the precise investments made by hedge funds are opaque,” Silber said. “It’s not an easy matter for trustees to learn that information.” The use of blocker corporations, which
can be used to shield tax-exempt organizations from taxes, can add to the confusion, Silber said. Typically, when schools like SU invest in hedge funds, private equity or other businesses unrelated to their educational mission, they are required to pay a business tax. But by investing funds in offshore tax havens, universities avoid it. SU does pay business tax on its investments in private equity, hedge funds and other corporate entities, Horvath said. It also utilizes blocker corporations but only when the structure of an investment fund has certain characteristics that could cause “a significant level of compliance burden” on the administrative functions at the university, she said. “Many endowments, foundations and other nonprofit entities, as well as for-profit corporations, utilize blocker corporations in the regular course of making investments,” Horvath said. But using blocker corporations isn’t necessarily right just because it’s legal or because it amplifies profits, Silber said. “I take issue with the simple-minded argument that says ‘who can blame the university for trying to maximize that,’” he said. “That isn’t correct if we look at this from the standpoint of the members of the board of trustees or the president of the university whose goal is to balance the financial objectives of the organization with the social, educational, pedagogical values the organization subscribes to.” The idea that large endowments correlate with the quality of a college or university means schools often invest in financial assets that prop up their reputation rather than provide educational resources, Gilbert said. “When they invest in hedge funds or they buy equities, they are making a statement that the rate of return on that financial asset is bigger than the rate of return the university could earn if it invested internally, if it invested in students and research,” Gilbert said. msessa@syr.edu | @MichaelSessa3
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from page 1
breach clicked a link and exposed their credentials to a “malicious actor,” Bennett said. The university locked the compromised account on Sept. 28. “Usually that happens very, very quickly, and we’re able to isolate an account very quickly,” Bennett said. “In this particular case, it was a little bit longer than usual.” After securing the account, SU’s Information Technology Services looked at the account to try to establish what information had been exposed. The department didn’t detect that any files were accessed or copied by the unauthorized party but couldn’t prove that the files weren’t accessed, either, Bennett said. ITS didn’t respond to questions about when it became aware of the breach or how the department responded. SU’s general counsel also didn’t respond to similar questions. On Oct. 6, SU escalated the investigation to a firm that specializes in data security. The firm finished its investigation on Jan. 4 and was unable to confirm whether files containing names and Social Security numbers had been accessed. The university sent letters to those whose information was exposed on Feb. 4. Helpline representatives whom students spoke to about the breach said they worked for Kroll, a corporate investigations and risk consulting firm based in New York City. Leonardo Saraceni, the company’s vice president of marketing, said Kroll does not comment on the existence or non-existence of a particular client relationship. Gutenbrunner’s still upset about the university’s lack of transparency in reporting the failure to the university community. “To the outside public, you’re not saying anything or holding yourself accountable,” she said. “My concern right now is that I didn’t hear from the people I pay $70,000 to in six months. I think that is unacceptable.” The university’s public silence about the security breach has also added to confusion about what truly took place and what those affected should do next, said Morgan Horner, who graduated in 2018 with a degree in biology. When Horner received her letter, which was postmarked from Georgia, she thought it was fake. She thought SU would’ve made an announcement if the security risk was real, she said. “I’m just in shock,” Horner said. “That lack of transparency is making people think that it’s not real, and that’s frustrating.” The letters sent to impacted people came from unusual addresses because SU partnered with an independent firm to handle the mailing, Bennett said. Outsourcing those services is standard practice when institutions encounter a large-scale breach, he said. “To be sure, a number of people contacted from page 3
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cluster at this level. The fourth level of shutdown occurs with an outbreak exceeding 100 cases and “lowconfidence” in the university’s ability to identify and contain all potential cases of the virus. In this stage, SU said it would move all programs online and restrict students to their dorms, floors and bathrooms. SU said it would enter the fifth and final level of shutdown if the virus begins to spread at a “significant rate” and there is “no realistic strategy to contain or control the situation.” At this level, SU would shut down campus operations immediately and would ask students living on campus to move out of university housing as soon as possible. When SU suspended in-person learning during the fall semester, students were not required to immediately move out of from page 3
suny-esf they will be on campus regularly. Students can use SU’s testing center in the Carrier Dome for their weekly tests. In the fall, ESF established the Acorn Emergency Assistance Fund for the fall semester to provide grants using funds allocated by the CARES Act, according to the school’s website. On Jan. 31, ESF received more than $2 million in higher education emergency relief funds,
me directly asking if they’re legitimate,” Bennett said. “I answered them all promptly.” State law requires that institutions inform people of data breaches via United States mail. Since the firm SU partnered with had to track down the mailing addresses of applicants and other individuals not enrolled at the university, the process took considerable time, Bennett said. Still, SU believes its response time was average or slightly above average, he said. “We had to validate U.S. mail addresses for all of these people. We had to line up a help desk. We had to set up the appropriate remediation,” Bennett said. “That takes a while. It’s not outside the norm.” It would’ve taken far longer to track down email addresses for everyone affected by the breach and reach out that way, and doing so is not best practice, Bennett said. He didn’t respond directly to questions about why the university didn’t put out a press release about the breach. SU’s response isn’t good enough, said Horner, whose mother’s personal data was also exposed in the breach. The university’s offer to provide year-long identity theft and credit monitoring services is a temporary solution to a permanent issue, Horner said. “It doesn’t give me much comfort at all, considering my (Social Security number) is with me for life,” Horner said. The university is enacting steps to ensure personal data is better protected in the future, including establishing a task force to look at the management of digital documents, Bennett said. Samuel Scozzafava, vice president for information technology and chief information officer, will lead the task force. “We are looking to tighten up the management of any document that has personally identifiable information in it,” Bennett said. “That was something that, in the wake of this event, we realized we really needed to do, and that’s underway at this moment.” SU will also increase training for staff to prevent another similar breach and will move the entire campus to a two-factor authentication sign-in system by the end of the fiscal year, said Sarah Scalese, senior associate vice president for communications, in a statement. Students already use the sign-in procedure, but some faculty and staff don’t, Bennett said. “We have what I would consider to be good cyber security defenses, but cyber security defenses can always be better,” he said. Bennett said he understands the frustration of those who have been impacted by the breach but wants them to know that SU is enacting change. “This was a really regrettable event. I understand it’s quite upsetting to some people,” Bennett said. “The university has learned a lot from this experience, and we’ve taken some important and meaningful steps and accelerated some other ones as a result.” msessa@syr.edu | @MichaelSessa3
university housing.
Previous clusters and outbreaks
In early October, SU confirmed a cluster of COVID-19 cases after an individual traveled to Binghamton and spread the virus at a party on Walnut Avenue. At the peak, SU was monitoring 99 active COVID-19 cases in central New York. SU was able to contain the cluster after shutting down several on-campus facilities. SU also amended its coronavirus protocols to limit off-campus gatherings from a maximum of 25 people to five or fewer. In late October, the university confirmed a second cluster of cases associated with two off-campus gatherings — one at Orange Crate Brewing Company and another at an unrecognized Greek organization’s off-campus party. The two unrelated gatherings resulted in 21 COVID-19 cases. mlberenb@syr.edu | @BerenbaumMira
granted to public and nonprofit institutions through the federal relief bill. The university must allocate about $800,000 for student aid. As the semester continues, Wasiel said that ESF will continue to update its policies alongside guidance from local and national health authorities. “We are pleased to have students back on campus and excited to report that the guidelines and requirements for students to return to campus were solid,” Wasiel said. tmoneill@syr.edu
OPINION
dailyorange.com opinion@dailyorange.com
PAG E 5
feb. 15, 2021
column
Love is complicated but important for students amid COVID-19 By Polina Plitchenko columnist
L
ove was the center of Shakespeare’s work, but today, the meaning of love has drastically changed in the age of COVID-19, online dating and hookup culture. As students, we’re so used to hearing about love and romantic relationships serving as a distraction. But love tends to evoke a broad spectrum of emotion that goes past just an elating escape from reality. Balancing romance, education and the challenges that come with becoming an adult is never easy. Yet, many students dealing with the conflict between their social life and an isolating pandemic find themselves in a unique situation where loving other people has never been more critical. Love can be focused on the discovery of the feeling itself or on that one person that gives you “butterflies.” For SU sophomore Braeden Rowley, love is “constructive. You’ll learn a lot from it, but it can also be very disruptive.” Most of us fear falling in love and ending up hurt and alone in the end, which helps explain why many college students resort to quick hookups, one-night stands and “situationships” to avoid the consequences. But the challenges that can arise from love can help us identify what we want in life and prepare us for our future. Relationships can help collegeaged couples determine their compatibility, as they can often spend time together in small dorms and share responsibilities that can
prepare them for their futures, according to the Brig Newspaper. And if the relationship doesn’t work out, the breakup process might go smoother because a shared lease and bills are not yet a make-orbreak issue. Dating during your college years can provide a once-in-alifetime chance to see whether your partner and your love connection is strong enough. Love can also provide relief from loneliness and serve as an escape from overwhelming weekly routines and school stress. Being with someone who deeply cares about you can have influential healing properties. Plato once said, “Love is born into every human being; it calls back the halves of our original nature together; it tries to make one out of two and heal the wound of human nature.” Luckily, we all are born with the ability to love and care about others. Since the beginning of the pandemic, many people have been alone for extended periods of time, causing feelings of detachment from the rest of the world. The dating app Hinge had a 17% increase in dates over the summer. All because humans were lacking the affection and love in their life that they had prior to the pandemic. “Now, people need to be a lot more loved for who they are and what they are,” said SU junior Jaylen Bartley, emphasizing the timely need for attachment. Many college students tend to understand that love is a constructive emotion that shouldn’t be cut off in their lives. But not everyone
illustration by katelyn marcy asst. illustration editor
agrees. SU sophomore Katie Steel said that falling in love is an inconvenience “because of classes, and you need to do homework, but I feel like it can be nice.” However, any disadvantage could turn into a challenge that will strengthen a person. The college years tend to challenge students mentally, physically and sometimes spiritually. But having the support system in the form of a partner during these challenges
can significantly help students get through uncertain times. Love should be unconditional, so through all the changes, it’s essential to have a person that’s there for any version of you that evolves. And when the responsibilities of being a student get too stressful, it’s always comforting to be with someone who understands what you are going through. University students tend to hear about love being a massive distrac-
tion for GPA and concentration. And indeed, it can be a challenge to have all that on one plate. But during a Valentine’s Day impacted by the trends of the digital age and an isolating pandemic, it’s important to know that, while college love is complicated, it’s equally important. Polina Plitchenko is a junior psychology major. Her column appears biweekly. She can be reached at pplitche@syr.edu.
column
Absence of Light: Incarcerated individuals more than a label Editor’s Note: Absence of Light is a project created in collaboration with incarcerated people at Auburn Correctional Facility in Auburn, New York. By Henry Holifield columnist
E
verything, and I do mean everything, I’ve learned in life is from someone and something, whether it be from another human, periodicals, television or my own self. I’ve learned what to expect in life based on my decisions. Even if, ultimately, I end up being wrong, or an outcome differs from a plan that I swear I had figured out. It all enables me to fathom every possibility. The information that I have accumulated, and am still accumulating, is a staple of my ability to adapt to anything. Now, adapting to “anything” does not mean that I adapted maturely. I wish I could go back in time and change a lot of things. Not situations,
News Editor Michael Sessa Editorial Editor Cori Dill Culture Editor Sydney Bergan Sports Editor Roshan Fernandez Presentation Director Shannon Kirkpatrick Photo Editor Emily Steinberger Video Editor Rose Skylstad Podcast Editor Moriah Humiston Illustration Editor Nabeeha Anwar Enterprise Editor Gabe Stern Asst. News Editor Sarah Alessandrini Asst. News Editor Mira Berenbaum
specifically, but the handling of said situations. But, hey, we live and we learn. But one thing I was never privy to learn was how to live in captivity. Nothing in life prepared me for such a way of living. No television, periodical or human interaction ever taught me how to live in constant confinement. Let’s backtrack for a second. We, as humans, are so tolerant of a great number of things that we can understand. Even if only a little bit. The misunderstood tend to get the short end of the stick. The misunderstood get overlooked or mistreated. A great percentage of corrections staff are not regarded with the utmost respect because of who they are. Directly and indirectly, it is lost on so many of those that come in contact with corrections staff. Whether it be a prisoner or other corrections staff. Corrections staff are not what their employed titles are first. They are people first, not titles. Losing sight of that lessens that individual, no matter what position that individual holds. How-
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ever, this is not a one-way street. Corrections staff who only see an incarcerated person as anything other than a human being first will see that incarcerated person as “less than.” Ultimately treating them as such. An incarcerated person is not what they are in prison. They are a human being first. Wanting, looking, searching, hoping and yearning for the same things that the majority of all humans on this planet are wanting, looking, searching, hoping and yearning for. The prison system is in itself a gated community. So to speak. A community that does not teach the importance of people but of titles. Being a certain race, color or creed is a title. A label. Other labels? Thief, murderer and all the other titles someone is immediately labeled as when convicted of an infraction against the law. Again, everything that I have learned I have learned from someone and something. With the lack of respect for others so rampant
in the penitentiary, in this gated community, prison reform is an uphill battle. A battle that requires attention. The more attention we pay to what and who’s around us, the more successful prison reform will be. The more society pays
Casey Darnell
Emma Folts
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MANAGING EDITOR
DIGITAL MANAGING EDITOR
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Auburn Correctional Facility, about 30 miles from Syracuse, is an allmen’s maximum security prison. gabe stern enterprise editor
attention to this gated community, the more this gated community will become successful. We all have a job to do.
Henry Holifield is a Syracuse resident serving a life sentence at Auburn Correctional Facility.
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CULTURE
6 feb. 15, 2021
dailyorange.com culture@dailyorange.com
Valentine’s Day Guide slice of life
Date-night dining
COVID-19 presents dating problems By Shaun Collins staff writer
Oh My Darling (left), Water Street Bagel Co. and New Century are some of the restaurants The Daily Orange Culture Staff chose for your next date. sydney bergan culture editor
By The Daily Orange Culture Staff
H
opefully you spent Valentine’s Day celebrating your relationships by showering loved ones in roses, chocolates and gigantic teddy bears. But, most importantly, we hope that you used the day as a great excuse to eat all of the food you want — and have your significant other pay for it. If you avoided crowded restaurants and decided to eat at home instead, here’s what The D.O. Culture staff would eat, and recommends that you try, for a foodie’s ideal date night:
Breakfast
Sydney Bergan: Water Street Bagel Co. Any excuse to go to Water Street Bagel Co. is valid. The shop’s interior feels like walking through Brooklyn on the way to your 9-to-5. I recommend you and your significant other try their bacon, egg and cheese on a rosemary salt bagel. You won’t be disappointed. Christopher Scarglato: Dunkin’ on Marshall One of the greatest joys in my life is Dunkin’s overly sweetened, watered-down, light with cream hot coffee. Or those two bacon, egg and cheeses on a greasy croissant you can get for $5. For me, “gourmet” is way too mainstream, even if I’m supposed to splurge
We have you covered with the best spots for your next date on the second date. I’ll go with this bargain beginning-of-the-day perk up when I’m with the bae. Louis Platt: Scratch Bakehouse Indulge your Valentine at Scratch Bakehouse where you’ll want to pick up warm croissants and bagels from Corey Bruce, the head baker. The locally sourced flour and sourdough recipe is friendly to everyone — the bakery even offers a money-back guarantee on all products if it triggers a reaction to your gluten intolerance. Scratch tables at the CNY Regional Market on Saturday or place an order for pick up Tuesday through Saturday. Gavi Azoff: Rise N Shine There’s no better way to start your day than with a tasty breakfast or brunch from the cutest diner in ‘Cuse. From specialty milkshakes that are out of this world to fluffy pancakes, you can’t go wrong. Or if simple is
more your style, Rise N Shine offers breakfast staples like omelettes and French toast. For those of legal age, they have some of the prettiest drinks you will ever lay eyes on, like their cocktails served in a juiceboxlike pouch. Treat yourself and your date (or friends) to the sweetest and most unique breakfast and brunch dishes in the city. Abby Weiss: Oh My Darling This American cuisine restaurant on South Salina Street has a gorgeous ambiance with even better food options and cocktails. What better way to spend your morning than with a wide selection of well presented comfort foods, such as banana bread French toast, eggs Benedict and burgers. You and your significant other can share truffle fries while listening to good music and enjoy the restaurant’s fast service. There’s a reason it’s called “A Love Letter to Syracuse.” Jordan Greene: Peaks If you’re a vegan like me, sometimes finding a place to eat can be difficult. However, Peaks offers a variety of vegan friendly options ranging from avocado toast to delicious pastries from The Sweet Praxis, a local bakery. The local coffee company is located right next to the 505 on Walnut, making it just a short walk from campus. see restaurants page 8
For Maddie Lentz and TJ Tracy’s second date, they watched the Disney classic “Ratatouille” in Lentz’s car. The two Syracuse University students first met on Tinder, but it was challenging to spend time with each other because of COVID-19. Tracy, an SU freshman, couldn’t visit Lentz in her sorority house, and Lentz couldn’t come to Tracy’s dorm. Without any other option, they chose the car. “No one was allowed in other halls, and he can’t come into my (sorority) house, so the car movie date was the move,” said Lentz, an SU sophomore. Lentz and Tracy are one of many couples that met each other during the pandemic. There has been an uptick in dating app usage during COVID-19, according to The Wall Street Journal. But as the pandemic continues to complicate the college dating scene, Michelle Goode, the health promotion specialist at the Barnes Center at The Arch, hopes that the center’s monthlong campaign to highlight sexual health awareness — called Frisky February — can promote programs and services offered at the Barnes Center that students might not know about. Goode acknowledged that new relationships are facing a challenging learning curve as people limit social interactions to slow the spread of the coronavirus. The Barnes Center website provides tips on sexual health to mitigate the risk of transmitting COVID-19, including instructions to access sexual health supplies from Safer Sex Express, she said. “(The Barnes Center is) not an abstinence-based program,” Goode said. “We really want to encourage people to do what’s right for them and to do that in the safest way possible.” Students can sign up for workshops and events led by peer educators, such as “Sexy Bingo,” through the Wellness Leadership Institute, a series of workshops held by the Barnes Center. During Frisky February events, participants can expand their knowledge of sexual health and win prizes, said Amanda Chau, the educator and team leader for the Barnes Center’s Peer Educators Encouraging Healthy Relationships and Sexuality. The peer educators go through a certification program that addresses the role of diversity see safe
dating page 8
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PAG E 7
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feb. 15, 2021
Pandemic romance
courtesy of julia mance (left), elijah morrison and kyle chi photo illustration by emily steinberger photo editor
SU couples reflect on their relationships during the pandemic By Nicholas Santangelo contributing writer
T
he thought of Valentine’s Day evokes images of date nights and extravagant romantic gestures. With limited restaurant capacities, travel restrictions and social distancing requirements, couples are facing new obstacles in spending time together. The Daily Orange spoke with three Syracuse University couples to learn how they spent Valentine’s Day, and how they’ve kept the spark alive despite the pandemic.
Kyle Chi and Mara Baker
SU freshman Mara Baker, from Toronto, will be experiencing her first Valentine’s Day in the United States this year. This is also her first Valentine’s Day with her boyfriend, fellow freshman Kyle Chi, who is from Massachusetts. However, making plans has been difficult because of COVID-19. The two met over their class’ Facebook group and began dating in December, while they were separated by the U.S.Canadian border lockdown. Since returning to campus this month, the two have found it challenging to spend time with each other while following public health guidelines. Chi lives in Brewster Hall while Baker lives in Flint Hall, making it tough to see one another. But for their Valentine’s Day dinner, they went to The Cheesecake Factory at Destiny USA — one of their favorite places to
go together.“This day has been a long time coming,” Chi said. “I can’t wait for the date, but it was tough to find a (dinner) reservation.”
Julia Mance and Jack Bisaillon
Freshman Julia Mance was unable to see her boyfriend this Valentine’s Day, as he lives three hours away in Pine Bush, New York. But they still found a way to celebrate together. “The distance can be hard, but we make it work,” Mance said. “I would normally have him come visit, but obviously that isn’t possible right now.” The couple met in high school. Before Mance left for college, they decided to make it work long distance, since they have been together for two years, she said. With few options to see each other for Valentine’s Day, they planned on having dinner separately while on FaceTime. Mance plans on spending time with her roommate and another friend to take her mind off the fact that she can’t be with Bisaillon in person. “(FaceTime) is sort of our way of being together without being together,” Mance said.
Elijah Morrison and Rayna Schiering
SU junior Elijah Morrison and sophomore Rayna Schiering only began dating this past August. Their relationship has never existed outside of COVID-19. They’ve never even gone on dates together without masks on. But, despite this, the two credit the successfulness of their relationship to the pandemic.
“If we weren’t at home, and people weren’t mindlessly on social media posting, this probably wouldn’t have gotten to the point we’re at now,” Morrison said. While Morrison is from Delaware, Schiering is from New York. The couple started messaging over social media during the summer but found that the distance was a challenge when it came to seeing each other over the breaks, with frequent testing and quarantining becoming a necessity. The couple had to think outside of the box to figure out what they could do together, including a mini-golf date and a walk along the Hudson River. After arriving back to campus, the two continue to face new obstacles. Schiering, who is a member of the Gamma Phi Beta sorority, isn’t allowed to bring Morrison into her chapter house. “I always feel so bad because I’m always going to Elijah’s because he can’t come here,” Schiering said. “So, I’m just like, just wait until I’m in my apartment next year and you’ll be able to come over and I’ll be able to cook you dinner and stuff like that.” Valentine’s Day was also Morrison’s 21st birthday and Schiering made reservations at Grotto, an Italian restaurant in North Syracuse, to celebrate. Because of COVID-19, Morrison and Schiering spend a lot of time inside and avoid hanging out with large groups of people. “We always have to think outside the box to find out what we actually can do,” Morrison said. “What’s feasible, what’s open, what’s running.” nsantang@syr.edu
8 feb. 15, 2021
from page 6
restaurants Abby Presson: Funk ‘n Waffles What better way to start the day than with a waffle? With both sweet and savory options, you’re bound to find a waffle that will make your morning better. Try the “Star Child” for some classic strawberries and whipped cream, or go straight for the sugar with bananas and Nutella with “Crepe Expectations.” You can even add a healthy drink with a fruit smoothie, but let’s be real — a sweet breakfast waffle is the way to go.
Lunch
Sydney: Elephant and The Dove If you’re in desperate need of a change of scenery, take a 30-minute drive over to Skaneateles for this restaurant, which features delicious Mexican food and an aesthetic that will fulfill anyone’s Instagram feed dreams. The chips and salsa come at a never-ending pace and the tacos are a must-try. Chris: Joelle’s French Bistro Nothing is more romantic than something that is French, so Joelle’s may be the perfect place for that special someone. Serving up French dishes like escargot and foie gras, you may even believe you’re in Paris, the city of love — although it’s over 3,000 miles away from Syracuse. Louis: Mother’s Cupboard Brunch is arguably Americans’ most romantic contribution to food and dining culture. Mother’s Cupboard also happens to be a quintessential Syracuse breakfast and brunch location. The restaurant, easily recognizable by its red exterior wooden walls, is open 6 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. every day, and inside the kitchen plan allows customers to watch their frittatas and waffles be made. Owner Amy Easton even called her restaurant operation “breakfast theater.” Gavi: Sakana-ya Sushi Bar If you love sushi and want a calm atmosphere, check out Sakana-Ya Sushi Bar in Armory Square. You can never go wrong with sushi, whether you want to dine in or do takeout. Not in the mood for sushi? Sakana-ya has you covered. Along with classic and specialty sushi rolls, they serve up stir-frys, tempura and bento boxes.
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Jordan: CoreLife Eatery If you’re craving a nice hearty meal, CoreLife Eatery is the place to go. The restaurant offers a wide range of selections from salads to soups, and even allows you to customize your order to fit your heart’s desires. I highly recommend either the Sweet Potato Buddha or Ginger and Sriracha Tofu Bowls. And, with CoreLife recently making their way onto campus in the Schine Student Center, no driving is required. Abby Weiss: Bleu Monkey Cafe You won’t have a Bleu date night when it comes to this Marshall Street favorite. While it isn’t open for dine-in, this is the best and closest place to go if you’re like me and frequently crave sushi. You and your significant other can stay in and share Blue Monkey’s wide selection of specialty rolls, or enjoy a build-your-own poke bowl, ramen or dumplings. Abby Presson: Dinosaur Bar-B-Que There’s a reason that everybody wants to go to Dinosaur Bar-B-Que when they first come to Syracuse — all the food, from the barbecue classics to the sides, is as good as it sounds. Spend lunch diving into some comfort food, and with this menu, you really can’t go wrong. Not afraid to get your hands dirty? Go for a staple like wings or ribs. Want to go through fewer napkins? Try ordering a sandwich.
Dinner
Sydney: New Century During a chilly Syracuse winter nothing is more comforting than a ridiculously large bowl of pho from this hole-in-the-wall Salt City staple. Sipping soup with your significant other is an intimate, yet oftentimes awkward experience, so I don’t recommend this for a first date. But, if you’re looking for something to make you feel warm and fuzzy inside, definitely hit up this place. Chris: Alto Cinco If you want to go local and support your local businesses — like you always say you will — this Mexican cafe is a walk away on Westcott Street. While eating at Alto Cinco, you’ll see there’s just something different about you and your significant other squeezing a lime slice over a steaming-hot, soft taco. Something different about you and your beau’s taste buds
C
Dinosaur Bar-B-Que is one of the Culture section’s choices for lunch because of its diverse assortment of comfort food.. gabe stern enterprise editor
being enveloped by the high dose of sodium from the cafe’s stacked nachos. The food makes you feel loved. Makes you feel at the center of the world. Louis: Red Chili Normally, Valentine’s Day requires booking a reservation weeks or months in advance. But since we are in a pandemic, take-out Chinese food and chill is the perfect night cap to your long romantic date night. Red Chili’s menu offers a wide range of choices, like the Szechuan style smoky pork dish and the spicy vermicelli with minced pork and bok choy. Just don’t sleep on their cumin or garlic style entrees. Gavi: XO Taco There’s a reason why XO Taco is almost always busy and bustling –– it has delicious food and a fun atmosphere to boot. LED light signs in the shape of lips line one wall and the letters ‘XO’ line another wall in black and white. Their tacos are served all together on a metal platter, which is ideal for sharing with your date. XO also serves burritos and Mexican street corn rolled in Flamin’ Hot Cheetos. If you or your date have allergies or dietary restrictions, fear not. XO Taco labels menu items as gluten-free, vegan, vegetarian and dairy-free.
Abby Weiss: Blaze Pizza After a long day, you and your significant other can enjoy a cozy night in with the comfort of Blaze’s large pies and cheesy bread. You two can make pizza together with the DIY kit or order a ‘Take Two’ special with dough knots. Strongly recommend it if you want something quick, cheesy and romantic. Jordan: Strong Hearts Strong Hearts has food that will have your meat-eating significant other in a food coma. The 100% vegan restaurant perfectly veganizes even the meatiest of meals including wings and burgers. Located in Marshall Square Mall, it’s very convenient to pick up your order and take it home for a nice COVID19 friendly date. Abby Presson: At home End the day in some comfy clothes and cook a nice dinner with your partner, all in the comfort of your own home. The benefits? No need to tip your waiter, to go out in the cold or to get dressed up in something kind of uncomfortable that you rarely wear — because your sweatpants are always the better choice. Put on some music and have fun working in the kitchen while you and your significant other make a dinner to share.
from page 6
virus because the university monitors Tracy’s residence hall, Tracy said. The couple also discussed whether they were seeing other people, a conversation that Lentz said she wouldn’t have imagined having so early in a relationship, if not for the pandemic. “From the beginning, we had to have more upfront, honest conversations,” Lentz said. “If we were dating not in a pandemic, some of those conversations would be pushed to later.” Goode recognized that the pandemic has affected where and how quickly relationships form. But she recommended that students take time to reflect on what they want in a relationship instead of focusing on what they don’t want. The Barnes Center also provides sexual health services, such as pre-exposure prophylaxis for HIV and the newly expanded initiation of hormone replacement therapy, Goode said. “We want to be partners in health care for folks, and we really want to help work around different barriers that might exist,” Goode said.
safe dating and inclusion in programming and discusses how inequities limit access to health care. The work to create programming for the studentled workshops is intentional and includes voices from students with a variety of identities, Goode said. To adapt to the pandemic, SU’s Instagram account @BeWellSU promotes virtual health hubs, a supplement to Barnes Center tangible health hubs around campus. The virtual health hub allows students to answer polls and interactive questions on its Instagram stories. “The main thing during this pandemic would be to promote (healthy relationships and sexuality) and to make sure our students know (the Wellness Leadership Institute) have these workshops,” Chau said. To date safely, Lentz and Tracy get tested for COVID-19 weekly. The two were not imminently worried about transmitting the
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shcollin@syr.edu
Frisky February promotes healthy relationships, sexuality and holistic health and wellness through workshops and events. sarah allam senior staff illustrator
feb. 15, 2021 9
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from page 12
free throws Lewis said of the team’s free-throw shooting after defeating Wake Forest. “It’s been a tough stat for me all season.” Lewis isn’t the only SU player shooting career-low averages from the line. Tiana Mangakahia — who led the ACC with an 88.2% free-throw percentage in 2018-19 — has seen her free-throw shooting slip under 84%. While that’s still best on the team of players who have attempted at least 10 free throws, it’s far off from the fifth-year senior’s career average. Besides the two guards, Emily Engstler is the only player from last season’s team that is a regular at the charity stripe. Just like Lewis and Mangakahia, Engstler’s shooting has diminished this season. After shooting nearly 70% last season, Engstler is converting on just 54.5% of her shots from the line. Inconsistent shooting — as well as limited attempts — has prevented Syracuse from pulling away from lesser teams. “You’re in that situation for a lot different reasons. You miss a free throw here and there,” Syracuse head coach Quentin Hillsman said. from page 12
griffin to get to the end of it, Syracuse needs junior Alan Griffin to consistently be its best player, to peak at the right time so the Orange can do the same. Because when the Illinois transfer is humming offensively, flying defensively and limiting mental lapses, Syracuse is at its apex. Can he string together an exceptional threeweek stretch? Who knows. But all the pieces for Griffin are there. He has all the talent, athleticism and shot-making ability. He just needs to continue putting it together on both ends. He’s shown steady progress since the season began, but the time to make a leap is now. “As the season has gone on, I’m getting more comfortable knowing where I have to be,” Griffin said after Tuesday’s NC State win. Over the last two games, both SU victories, Griffin has scored 22 and 14 points by shooting over 50% from both 3 and overall. He’s added
“We did some things that (were) uncharacteristic of winning a game down the stretch.” Syracuse has two of the better guards in the ACC, a bundle of former five-star recruits and one of the best post players in the country. But free-throw shooting has been its biggest area of weakness. While it’s an uncharacteristic trait for one of the better ACC teams, it’s become a defining flaw in Syracuse’s game. In Syracuse’s 76-63 loss to Georgia Tech, Lewis had a chance to cut the Yellow Jackets lead to just three points in the fourth quarter. After driving to the left side of the hoop, Syracuse’s guard was fouled by forward Lorela Cubaj. Lewis had a chance to change the momentum, but that potential boost for the Orange vanished once Lewis’ first free throw rattled around the rim before falling out. On her second attempt, Lewis’ shot bounced harmlessly off the front of the rim. In a back-and-forth game, Syracuse’s free throws often failed to change the scoreboard. Cardoso’s inconsistency at the charity stripe is one of the main reasons Syracuse has struggled from the line. So far in her first sea-
son, Cardoso is shooting 55.7% from the line. Almost all of her scoring production comes on the low blocks, where Cardoso can either box out opponents and shoot over them or take a power dribble and spin move to get to the basket. But when she’s forced to shoot from outside the paint, she struggles. But, there are games where she shoots from the free-throw line consistently. In SU’s second matchup with Pitt, Cardoso attempted a careerhigh 11 free throws, finding the bottom of the net on eight of the shot attempts. After trailing by just three against No. 1 Louisville at halftime, the Cardinals limited Syracuse’s foul shots and pulled away from the Orange in the second half, winning 67-54. Syracuse shot just 6-11 from the line, with Cardoso attempting two shots. Instead of pushing closer to the basket, Cardoso often used her size to simply shoot over opponents. Early in the second quarter, with Syracuse leading 22-19, Cardoso drove from the baseline and tried an underhand layup. After missing, Cardoso grabbed her own rebound and misfired again. The freshman collected her miss before
jumping for another shot. This time, she was fouled. While Cardoso hit one of two free throws, it was the only time she used her length inside to draw a foul. Only three Syracuse players shot a foul shot against Louisville. Even when SU did get to the free-throw line, it failed to capitalize. “We got to make shots. You can’t shoot 15% from behind the arc and shoot 54% from the free-throw line,” Hillsman said. So far this season, Syracuse hasn’t consistently made shots from the free-throw line. Games where Syracuse hits just half of its free throws aren’t anomalies. As the regular season draws closer to an end, Syracuse is running out of time to fix a yearlong problem. As a result, Syracuse is failing to close the gap with the best teams in the ACC and to stomp out games against inferior opponents. “At the end of the day, we got to start to put our foot down on some of these games and really get the game under control.” Hillsman said after losing to Georgia Tech. tgshults@syr.edu @ThomasShults_
elite rim protection for his size and is starting to limit turnovers. Against NC State, he played nearly mistake-free basketball, which at one point felt like a pipe dream. “He needs to make better decisions when he makes the move and doesn’t have something,” Jim Boeheim said after the BC win on Saturday. “It’s a learning process. It’s going to take some time.” Despite occasionally forcing the issue on drives, Griffin’s been the Orange’s most potent offensive weapon for the majority of the season. His scoring punch is more than just his team-best 15.8 points per game. Griffin has scored efficiently at all three levels and has the most 20-point games on the team (six). His 37.3% clip from 3 mirrors Buddy Boeheim’s team-high 37% mark from last year, and Griffin often takes tougher, off the dribble 3s. His turnaround fadeaway on the left elbow has been unguardable at times, and he’s shooting 70.2% at the rim, per Hoop-Math, a rate better than sophomore forward Quincy Guerrier.
When Griffin’s in rhythm, SU’s other shooters can find more space. With as much attention as Joe Girard III and Buddy attract behind the arc, defenses collapsing on drives from Griffin could create more space for them. Teammates feed off his energy. But when Griffin’s off, Syracuse doesn’t have much of a chance. In four of SU’s six losses, Griffin shot below 40% from the field. Griffin hasn’t been Syracuse’s best all-around player for most of the season, though. That distinction goes to Guerrier, who’s been a beast inside on both ends. But Guerrier doesn’t have the dynamic offensive arsenal that Griffin does. The blueprint for Griffin to ascend to SU’s clear No. 1 is in front of him. Limit mental mistakes on defense. Improve his drive-andkick game on offense — sometimes, when he gets stuck, he panics and coughs it up. Expend his energy on defense and play in a controlled attack mode on O. Raw talent will
take care of the rest. “Aggressive is different for each player,” Adrian said. “For Alan, it’s taking those open shots, creating a little space and getting his shot off, staying composed and reading the defense, taking what the defense gives you. And I think he’s doing a better job of that.” If Griffin can continue to score efficiently while also doing his job in the zone, Syracuse’s ceiling raises. He can power SU through its most pivotal stretch of the season. Syracuse’s current NCA A Tournament odds are 21.1%, per Barttovik. A win at Louisville on Wednesday boosts it to 46.7% — a major step closer, but there’s still work to do. So to find a path to the Tournament, the Orange need Alan Griffin as its driver. And it needs him full throttle. dremerma@syr.edu @DannyEmerman
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10 feb. 15, 2021
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ice hockey
Jessica DiGirolamo scores twice, SU beats Lindenwood 4-1 By Alex Cirino staff writer
The morning of Friday’s series opener, Jessica DiGirolamo took over the Syracuse Ice Hockey Instagram account, giving fans a glimpse of their captain’s unique game-day routine on the road. A pregame skate, a study break and a Normatec recovery session all preceded DiGirolamo’s hat trick. She found her scoring touch once again on Saturday afternoon , netting two goals in Syracuse’s (6-8-1, 6-6-1 College Hockey America) 4-1 win over Lindenwood (2-101) to sweep the weekend series. DiGirolamo now leads the team with eight goals after a six-point weekend over the Lions. The Orange’s first three-game winning streak of the season cemented a muchneeded conference win that propelled the team to a .500 win percentage, less than a win behind third-place Mercyhurst.
Lauren Bellefontaine scored Syracuse’s opening goal for the second consecutive game just 5:13 into the first, assisted by DiGirolamo and Abby Moloughney. A goal and an assist capped off a sevenpoint weekend for Bellefontaine, and two goals and five assists against Lindenwood propelled her season point total to 14. Both of DiGirolamo’s goals came in the first period. Her first was assisted by Bellefontaine and Moloughney. DiGirolamo followed that up with another goal 9:07 into the opening period. Syracuse’s quick 3-0 start was the fastest it had scored three goals to start a game all season. DiGirolamo was on the ice for 10 of Syracuse’s 13 goals this weekend, including all four of Sunday’s. Moloughney was also on ice for 10 goals, recording six assists over the weekend. Midway through the third period, Mae Batherson scored the Orange’s second power-play goal of the series, giving the
team a 4-0 lead. Along with an assist on the team’s third tally, Batherson’s second goal of the season extended her point total to six in her last six games after only recording one through the first nine.
We have to come together, so I think (the captains) are playing a really important role in our success so far. Lauren Bellefontaine forward
Allison Small earned her third start of the series after becoming in Saturday’s 5-2 win the sixth goaltender in program
history to surpass the milestone of 1,000 career saves. Small made 21 saves, allowing her only goal during the same timeframe as she did on Saturday — the game’s final seven minutes. Small faced 22 shots, her third fewest of the season. As the CHA tournament approaches, Bellefontaine believes Syracuse captains DiGirolamo and Kristen Siermachesky are going to have the biggest influence on how the team closes out the season. “We have to come together, so I think (the captains) are playing a really important role in our success so far,” Bellefontaine said ahead of last weekend’s series against Mercyhurst. It was a crucial six points for Syracuse to obtain as it sits comfortably in fourth place, ahead of Lindenwood who, after being swept by the Orange, possess a 0.192 win percentage. ahcirino@syr.edu @Acirino19
sports business
SU graduates create show about athletes and acupuncture By Sam Warren
contributing writer
In the Warner Brothers Studios’ office space in Burbank, California, David Levine scrolled through YouTube, searching for inspiration. Working as an intern for the talk show “Conan” as part of the Syracuse University Los Angeles summer program in 2019, Levine spent his free time coming up with ideas he could produce on his own. After bingeing episodes of shows such as “Hot Ones” and “Cold as Balls” — two interview shows that put their guests in uncomfortable positions — Levine had a breakthrough. “I’m very injury-prone, and my doctors always recommended acupuncture as a new form of treatment,” said Levine, who graduated from SU’s Newhouse School of Public Communications in 2020. “I was deathly afraid of needles, but one day I got it and realized it didn’t hurt. I wanted to make a show that would get people out of their comfort zone.” Levine’s idea turned into the YouTube show “Gettin’ To The Point,” on which Levine and his guests receive acupuncture treatments while Levine asks questions about their lives and careers. Levine is the host and executive producer of the show, which is similar to “Hot Ones” and “Cold as Balls.” He creates episodes out of his apartmentturned-acupuncture clinic, and four other from page 12
richmond because of its interest in Jackson. At that point, he’d never played point guard. Mark already had an established and effective point guard at South Shore, so Richmond played two guard or combo guard. Most scouting and recruiting websites listed him as that, too. Richmond came to Mark his junior year of high school and asked what it would take for him to become one of the best high school basketball players in the city. Mark set up workouts at I.S. 068 Isaac Bildersee, a school in Brooklyn that had a gym right down the street from South Shore. After games and practices for school basketball ended, Mark held workouts for Odukale and Richmond from 8 to 11 p.m. each night. Once they finished, Mark handed Richmond $2 to cover his bus fare, and Odukale walked Richmond to the 6 bus for his trip home. By his junior year, Mark knew exactly where Richmond would spend his postgrad prep year. Smith had coached Mark at Notre Dame Prep when Smith first began coaching in the late 90s, and the two maintained a close relationship. Mark hadn’t had a player at the level of Smith’s program until Richmond’s class. Richmond’s class lost in the first round of
recent Syracuse graduates are a part of the show’s production crew. Guest stars on the show have included NBA player Cole Anthony, online sports personality Overtime Megan and NBA trainer Chris Brickley. The show has amassed over 50,000 views since the first episode was released in November 2020. Levine is an avid sports fan, and he wanted to try to have “Eastern medicine meet Western culture” in a unique combination, as he says at the beginning of every show. While he isn’t promoting acupuncture specifically for athletes, he wanted the show to have a sports twist. YouTube wasn’t always Levine’s first choice of streaming platform. He planned to film a pilot and pitch the concept to Quibi, a short-form streaming platform, but Levine’s hopes were abruptly shut down due to COVID-19 concerns. Months later, Quibi ceased operations. Undeterred, Levine decided to reach out to his connections, including Jack Upton, an executive assistant of Creative Artists Agency and a fellow Newhouse graduate, to build a team and materialize his vision. “David texted and asked me if he could run an idea by me, so I said ‘yeah,’ and had to act like I knew anything and could help him,” Upton said. “He pitched me the idea for ‘Gettin’ to the Point.’ I fell in love with it and knew I had to join the team.” By then, Levine had already locked in his the city playoffs in his sophomore year but won two city championships in his junior and senior year. Odukale, Richards and Richmond lost to Alan Griffin and Stepinac in the state playoffs during Richmond’s junior season, but they’d shown their pedigree across the city. Mark recommended both Richmond and Odukale for Smith’s nationallyknown program at Brewster. After Smith came to see Richmond play at the Barclays Center and realized he was a highmajor talent, Richmond turned down a chance to go to Rhode Island after high school in an attempt to get more exposure and go high-major. At Brewster, Richmond was expected to be the lead guard immediately. Despite a drastic culture shock — moving from Brooklyn to a small town in New Hampshire with just over 6,000 people — Richmond arrived for morning workouts at 6 a.m. He attended class during the morning and early afternoon and practiced again for another threehour window before night study hall. The structure and year of playing point guard at Brewster eased his transition into college, Smith said. “Kadary is a very talented player,” Boeheim said. “I think he was underrated because people thought he was a small forward. He’d actually be pretty good as a small forward, but he’s not that good. But he’s really good as a
first guest: Cole Anthony, a former North Carolina guard and current player for the Orlando Magic. Levine had been good friends with Anthony since they played on the same AAU team in the third grade, and the pair stayed close since. When he pitched Anthony the idea, Levine had to quell Anthony’s enthusiasm to start filming because Levine hadn’t even built a crew. “He believed in me, so when I called him and pitched the idea, he was ready to hop on board right away,” Levine said. While Anthony was excited to be the show’s first guest, he also wanted to help Levine on the production side. He joined the team as an executive producer, and he was able to line up the show’s next two guests. Anthony joining the team was a nobrainer, Upton said. “Athletes get drafted day one now and want to get involved in the entertainment space, and this was a good opportunity for Cole to do so,” Upton said. From there, Levine continued to build his crew and iron out the details that would set the production in motion. To bolster his team, Levine reached out to high school classmate and fellow Newhouse graduate Michael Gaines to help with the production’s creative and promotional side. “David initially reached out to me asking how (to) position and promote the show,” Gaines said. “But, we have such a small, scrappy group of people doing so many dif-
ferent things, so I do everything from social media to making memes on Photoshop for the show.” Along with Gaines, Levine also connected with fellow SULA alum and Newhouse graduate Elisabeth Palomba and persuaded her to work as a producer for the show. “I immediately jumped into a catch-all, anything-we-need type of role to do anything we need for the show to succeed,” Palomba said. After assembling the crew, they started production of the first show in Levine’s apartment. There are certain “quirks” involved in trying to film a show in such a unique space, Gaines said, but he’s proud of the quality of the production they are able to put out. “When we set up, we have to turn David’s apartment into a sound stage, and when we break down, we have to make it look like an apartment again,” Gaines said. “I think it shows how resourceful the crew is at getting a product out there at a good quality but by any means.” Although not all crew members are Syracuse graduates, Palomba believes that the Orange nucleus of the team creates good chemistry in all phases of the show. “There’s a bond between all of us because we share the same experiences and trust each other’s skills,” Palomba said. “It definitely shows how strong the connection between Syracuse alumni is and how we are all able to work so well together.” swarre03@syr.edu
KADARY RICHMOND’S 6-foot-9 wingspan has been tormenting opponents for the last six years. courtesy of bart boatwright
point guard.” Boeheim said that he only saw Richmond play once in high school, when he played off the ball and was expected to be a small forward. It made it difficult to evaluate Richmond based on him playing a different position, Boeheim said. Now at Syracuse, Richmond is playing a relatively new position in the most unusual of years to be a college freshman. Mark sets up group phone calls between himself, Richmond and Richards to talk about their
progress and lives. Mark sends Richmond texts after games and they’ll talk about home, about basketball and about life. Mark and Boeheim both want to see more consistency off the bench from the freshman. More games like North Carolina State and Buffalo, fewer like Boston College. It starts with practice. “People still haven’t really seen him go yet at Syracuse,” Mark said. amdabbun@syr.edu @AnthonyDabbundo
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feb. 15, 2021 11
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SPORTS
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Kadary Richmond’s past paved his path
PAG E 12
feb. 15, 2021
women’s basketball
SU shoots worst free throw % in ACC By Thomas Shults staff writer
KADARY RICHMOND (RIGHT) didn’t play point guard for most of high school, but now he plays there for Syracuse. Richmond has appeared in photo illustration by emily steinberger photo editor, courtesy of bart boatwright every game as a freshman for Syracuse.
Freshman Kadary Richmond’s playmaking abilities on both ends of the court led him to Syracuse By Anthony Dabbundo
W
senior staff writer
hen Syracuse trailed Buffalo by double digits in the second half of its game in December, the Orange couldn’t get stops. Their offense was stagnant, and their defense was allowing easy post entries and getting beat inside. Then, Syracuse head coach Jim Boeheim inserted Kadary Richmond. Almost immediately, the Orange went on a 12-4 run to close the margin before pulling out an overtime win to avoid a bad home loss. Richmond finished with 13 points, eight rebounds, five assists and three blocks in 32 minutes, proving that he had the conditioning to play extended minutes in a game. Richmond’s high school coach, Shawn Mark, said that game was the best he’s seen Richmond play this year. While Richmond often provides a spark, Mark wants more consistency. Boeheim does, too. While Richmond has seen more minutes as a result of excellent two-way performances against North Carolina State and Buffalo, the freshman point guard’s had games with turnovers and lackluster defensive rotations, like during the Orange’s win against Boston College on Saturday in the Carrier Dome. “He needs to work on being consistent when he comes in the game at first,” Mark said. “It’s motor-wise. Sometimes, he comes in blazing — he needs to come in more hard every time he steps in the game, with the same intensity.” Richmond has appeared in every game as a freshman for Syracuse (12-6, 6-5 Atlantic Coast), the third guard behind Buddy Boeheim and Joe Girard III. He’s seen his minutes increase as the season has progressed, and he ranks fifth nationally in steal percentage and has the highest assist rate on Syracuse. Two years ago, when Richmond committed to Syracuse, he wasn’t listed as a point guard by any recruiting websites and played just two games at the position prior to his prep year. Now, he’s emerged as Syracuse’s copoint guard, alongside Girard. “He has some things that you can’t teach,” said Jason Smith, Richmond’s coach at Brewster Academy in New Hampshire. “He had elite-level skill in ball-handling ability and playmaking ability.” Richmond arrived at Syracuse in 2020, after the Orange lost out on a commitment from Andre Jackson, a top 50 player from
Albany. When Jackson chose Connecticut, Syracuse called Mark and Smith and added Richmond less than a month later. “This kid is a point guard,” Smith said. “It’s a matter of him becoming more consistent.” Mark met Richmond when he was in sixth grade and was playing for St. Vincent Ferrer on Flatbush Avenue in Brooklyn. He was “a little chubby kid with a bunch of handles,” Mark said, adding that he knew Richmond would be tall when he was older. Richmond’s dad is 6-foot-4, and the two are built similarly, Mark said. Mark previously worked with Richmond’s older brother, Daquan, and knew the family through working and coaching basketball in their community. It wasn’t until eighth grade that Richmond lost some of the baby fat and started to slim down, Mark said. Richmond began running every morning to get into better shape, and he became more involved with organized basketball instead of just local games in his neighborhood. He grew into his lanky frame, his 6-foot-9 wingspan that’s created trouble for opposing offenses throughout the last six years. During Richmond’s freshman year at Midland (MI) High School, Richmond asked Mark if he could come play for him at South Shore. Before he arrived as a sophomore, though, Richmond spent the summer after his freshman year playing at dozens of T-shirt tournaments across the city. “Running from park to park, changing hisT-shirt like a mad man. He would play different tournaments every day,” Mark said. Richmond played five or six games every other day, and he played in games and tournaments that Mark had never even heard of. He needed more exposure if he wanted to break in on the top AAU circuits, often the focal point of recruiting for Division I college coaches. Richmond’s old AAU team had folded, so Mark met up in Maryland with Isaiah Davis from Team New England. Davis had three spots on his roster, and Mark had three players in need of an AAU team: Pittsburgh’s Femi Odukale, Louisiana-Lafayette’s Isaiah Richards and Richmond. When Richmond was a sophomore, Mark texted Syracuse assistant coach Allen Griffin, also a Brooklyn native, and said that Richmond was a high-major talent. Griffin told Mark that the Orange had a scholarship available. But Syracuse didn’t offer it to Richmond
see richmond page 10
Syracuse guard Kiara Lewis was waiting, dribbling at the top of the key, with SU leading 61-57 on the road against Pittsburgh. As the defense rotated, the fifth-year senior made her move, driving past a couple of defenders before leaping for a layup. Pittsburgh forward Cynthia Ezeja jumped to contest, misdirecting the shot but fouling Lewis in the process. Lewis walked slowly to the free-throw line and readied to shoot. Her first foul shot bounced off the side of the rim, as Syracuse struggled to pull away from Pitt. Lewis’ next shot didn’t connect, either. Last season, scorekeepers had to be attentive to Lewis’ free throws. As the primary scorer for SU, Lewis shot 70.4% from the free-throw line. This season, Lewis’ free-throw percentage has fallen to 64.7%, which is still almost a percentage point better than the team average of 63.9%, the worst it’s been since its 201415 season. Syracuse’s (11-5, 8-5 Atlantic Coast) porous free-throw shooting ranks 283rd in the nation and is the worst in the ACC. But the Orange aren’t just struggling to make their shots from the stripe — they’ve struggled to draw fouls all season. The Orange’s 305 free-throw attempts are 38 fewer than Clemson, who has attempted the second fewest in the conference. “We just need to take our time,” see free
throws page 9
men’s basketball
Griffin’s success drives Syracuse In this labyrinth of a shortened COVID-19 season, there’s a path. That’s right, a path to the NCAA Tournament. For Syracuse.
DANNY EMERMAN
UBUNTU
Syracuse’s path to the Big Dance requires winning at least four of its last five regular season games. That would bring SU (12-6, 6-5 Atlantic Coast) to double-digit conference victories, and it would mean the Orange finished the year playing their best ball — and it also wouldn’t hurt if SU had one of its lost games rescheduled. It’s a narrow, one-way street. And see griffin page 9