The Schine Student Center Dunkin’ Donuts makes his order before he gets to the front of the line. Almost every person smiles at him as he strolls down the Einhorn Family Walk. Most residents of Lawrinson Hall know the wiener dog’s name — Toaster.
“No one else on another floor has a pet,” said Thomas Wit, a sophomore who lived with Toaster in Lawrinson last year. “A lot of people would see (his owner) walking Toaster outside, and they would stop, say hi, try to pet Toaster. He’s like a little mascot for Lawrinson.”
Toaster — Toast or Toastie or Weenie — is Syracuse University senior Ellen Clark’s small, gray and spotted dachshund. The two are roommates in Lawrinson and Toaster helps Clark with her resident advisor duties in the Maxwell Citizenship Living Learning Community. For the spring 2024 semester, she brought the wiener dog to campus for the first time.
Wit woke up after returning from winter break last year because of barking down the hall. He was initially confused and then remembered his RA’s GroupMe message: his floor now had a dog.
Wit grabbed his roommate and knocked on Clark’s door. He remembers Toaster being super small and trying to break out of his owner’s room. Toaster’s presence on the floor made it easier for Wit to come home from winter break after leaving his dog and family.
“When you come back to your room, you either would see him running around the halls, or at night, you see him coming to the common room,” Wit said. “It was a nice experience to have because it was having a small part of home with you.”
see TOASTER
Double Up Food Bucks combats food insecurity in Syracuse
By Delia Rangel asst. news editor
Photos by Joe Zhao
video editor
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National talk like a pirate day
INSIDE
The best quotes from sources in today’s paper.
NEWS
“We all live with inflation, and inflation is hurting everybody. I don’t care where you stand politically or where you stand in life … inflation affects you somehow.” - Chuck McFadden, Farmers Market Liaison
Page 1
CULTURE
“It was a nice experience to have because it was having a small part of home with you.” - Thomas Wit, SU sophomore Page 1
OPINION
“The Venezuelan government took away my right to dream, my hope for a future. In America, I’ve been given the chance to grow into the person I am today.” - German Nolivos, SA president Page 12
SPORTS
“It taught me how to cope with the pressure of big games, playing in a stadium at a high level and how to try your best even when you’re not the better team.” - Iba Oching, SU women’s soccer player
Page 16
COMING UP
WHAT: WEIRD Barrio Exhibit Opening
WHEN: Sept. 20, 6 - 8 p.m.
WHERE: La Casita Cultural Center
WHAT: Syracuse International Film Festival
WHEN: Sept. 20 - 22
WHERE: Manlius Cinema Noteworthy events this week.
WHAT: Westcott Street Cultural Fair
WHEN: Sept. 22, 12:30 - 6:30 p.m.
WHERE: Westcott Street
jordan kimball asst. digital editor
SU holds 3rd annual veteran Suicide Prevention Education Talk
By Duncan Green asst. news editor
Content warning: This article contains mentions of suicide.
Syracuse University’s D’Aniello Institute for Veterans & Military Families hosted Mike Waldron, the founder and executive director of the 23rd Veteran mental health program, for its annual Suicide Prevention Education Talk on Wednesday afternoon.
Waldron, a former infantryman in the United States Marine Corps, discussed his mental health struggles upon returning to civilian life. He highlighted his work with 23rd Veteran, a mental health program that uses exercise and positive psychology to mitigate PTSD, depression and suicidality in the veteran community.
IVMF first organized the SPEd Talk in 2022 to educate veterans and their families about suicide prevention and local mental health resources during Suicide Prevention Month. Now in its third year, IVMF hosted organizations specializing in mental health, suicide prevention, substance abuse recovery and veteran services for an opening resource fair before the talk with Waldron.
Since the first talk, the number of involved organizations has increased from eight to over 20 this year, said Brian Asher, the suicide prevention program manager at Syracuse Veterans Affairs. The organizers had to turn some interested groups away due to a lack of space.
“Unlike different programs, when it comes to mental health, substance abuse and resources, we really try to come together,” said Laurel Jicha, the regional services coordinator representing Conifer Park, a substance abuse treatment program. “I call all of these other (organizations) if we can’t provide services, we all collaborate and help each other out.”
Following the resource fair, attendees entered IVMF’s K.G. Tan Auditorium for the talk led by Waldron and an accompanying panel discussion.
During his remarks, Waldron said he never felt settled or safe in his return to civilian life after serving in the 2003 U.S. invasion of Iraq. Over time, Waldron said he felt increasingly separated from his family and community.
After years of mistaking panic attacks for heart attacks, suffering from undiagnosed depression and other mental health challenges, Waldron attempted to take his own life, he said.
“I figured, I’m a Marine, I’m going to go out like a Marine, I’m going to exercise myself to death,” Waldron said.
Waldron’s family has a history of heart disease, so he decided that extreme exertion could trigger a heart attack and kill him, he said.
After a period of intense exercise, Waldron collapsed to the ground with a heart rate over 185 beats per minute. Instead of dying, he said he started to feel better for the first time in almost a decade. Exercise became a regular part of his life and, for the first time since being deployed, Waldron enjoyed hobbies from his old life again, he said.
Following this discovery, Waldron conducted research and worked with psychologists, exercise scientists and fellow veterans to found 23rd Veteran, a 14-week course that uses exercise and open discussions about trauma to help veterans recover.
The program is named from a report released by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs in 2012 which estimated that 22 veterans commit suicide every day, Waldron said. The VA reported an average of 17.5 veteran suicides per day in 2021.
23rd Veteran uses high-intensity workouts to help participants achieve a stable mental state and engages them in discussions about trauma, triggers and suicide, Waldron said.
“We need to develop a language to share how we’re feeling,” Waldron said. “It is really difficult for me to tell you how I’m doing in
life based on a one to 10 scale of smiley faces if (I) have a loved one thinking about suicide.”
Waldron and the panel highlighted the need to destigmatize discussions about suicide and instead invite these conversations. Panelist and VA Mental Health Specialist Leah Piorkowski said that most suicides could be prevented simply by encouraging people to talk about their feelings and admit that they are present.
Piorkowski said that in many instances, there are only five minutes between the moment a person concludes they want to commit suicide
and when they attempt to act on it. Waldron and the panel encouraged the audience to engage in difficult conversations about mental health.
“Don’t be afraid to ask the question, ‘When is the last time you thought about committing suicide?’” Waldron said. “Do your best to face the fear of being honest with yourself and those around you about your feelings. Once we’re honest with ourselves about where we are, that’s when we can start to draw the line to where we want to be.” digreen@syr.edu @duncanigreen
Micron delays plant construction amid environmental concerns
By Kate Jackson asst. news editor
The groundbreaking for Micron Technology’s semiconductor manufacturing facility in Clay was delayed due to environmental review drawbacks, syracuse.com reported Wednesday morning. Construction is now set to begin in November 2025.
Bob Petrovich, executive director of the Onondaga County Industrial Development Agency, said during a Wednesday morning budget meeting for the Onondaga County Legislature that Micron pushed back its construction plans pending additional environmental review. The company hopes to complete a draft environmental impact statement by mid-December, he said.
“That’s obviously a very big time meter for us. We are working every day, all day long on that (Micron) project,” Petrovich said during Wednesday’s meeting. “It is an all-hands-ondeck operation.”
Earlier this week, syracuse.com reported that the U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service issued formal letters criticizing Micron for its lack of information on how the company plans to mitigate the environmental impact of its construction. Both said that Micron’s plans do not abide by federal law and may have significant negative impacts on aquatic resources, including the 244 acres of wetlands on which the plan is set to be built.
The key reason for Wednesday’s announcement is a reported delay in the creation of an environmental impact report, required by state and federal law. The report is expected to take several months longer than Micron originally planned, a spokesperson for Onondaga County said.
The review process requires Micron to submit an extensive report detailing its expected environmental footprint, ranging from impacts on air pollution to the relocation of endangered bats living in the woods of White Pine Commerce Park.
The company cannot cut down trees with a 4-inch diameter or greater because bats
may be living there from April 1 to Oct. 31. In November, the bats will hibernate elsewhere and construction can start, according to syracuse.com.
Micron first announced its plans to build the largest semiconductor fabrication plant in the United States in Clay, located 10 minutes from the city of Syracuse, in Oct. 2022. The company has planned to invest over $100 billion into the project over the next 20 years.
The plant is expected to create over 40,000 jobs in the surrounding community. Within its first year, it expects to employ about 1,300 people at an average salary of $98,000, Micron wrote in filings with Onondaga County. In April 2024, Micron received a $6.1 billion federal grant under the CHIPS and Science Act, an act created to encourage companies like Micron to invest in domestic semiconductor manufacturing.
Four months after its initial announcement, Manish Bhatia, Micron’s executive vice president of global operations, said the company would begin construction in June
New timeline
2024. Micron later moved the project’s start to spring 2025. Wednesday’s announcement marks the third pushback to the Micron project timeline.
Micron intends to submit its environmental report to the development agency around Dec. 15, Petrovich said. Pending OCIDA approval, the study will then be released to the public with a 45-day comment period. Further review will be conducted by the CHIPS office and OCIDA after public comment.
Since Micron’s environmental report is not expected until this upcoming December, the company will have to wait until Nov. 2025 to commence the tree removal process.
After the larger review is done, Micron will still need several environmental permits and approvals, including a permit from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. This permit would allow the company to build on top of wetlands and streams. USACE said it would wait to assess the permit until the review process has concluded, according to syracuse.com.
kjacks19@syr.edu
Oct. 2022
The opening of Micron's semiconductor fabrication facility sees a new timeline after environmental concerns disrupt construction
The Micron plant is awarded an additional $6.1 billion in CHIPS grant funding April 2024
Micron announces plan to build largest semiconductor fabrication facility
Micron announces plans to establish an o ce in downtown Syracuse
Initial planned start date of construction June 2024
Sept. 2024
New intended date for Micron to start construction Nov. 2025
Micron intends to submit environmental report to development agency Dec. 2024
SPEd Talk panelists discuss the importance of destigmatizing veterans’ mental health. The talk featured veteran Mike Waldron. christian calabrese contributing photographer
Joey Spallina is starring as the youngest player on Team USA ahead of the 2024 World Lacrosse Box Championships
By Zak Wolf sports editor
Joey Spallina paused to think about the last time he went through a lacrosse tryout. It took him a few seconds to revert back to an All-American team he made as a junior in high school in 2021. Outside of that, there hasn’t been much.
Since middle school, Spallina has been considered a lacrosse phenom. He played for Mount Sinai’s (New York) varsity team as an eighth grader, blossoming into the No. 1 player in the country. He was then given No. 22 — worn by many SU greats — and entrusted with helping bring a mediocre program back into national prominence.
The pressure on Spallina to deliver is immense. However, when he traveled to Utica, New York, for the Team USA Box Lacrosse tryouts in September 2023, there was no pressure. The 66-man player pool was filled with National and Premier Lacrosse League stars. Spallina was the youngest of them all. It wasn’t a guarantee he would even make the final cut. As a result, he played freely and reaped the benefits.
“It was just go out there and play hard, make the right play and hopefully things will take care of itself,” Spallina said.
Following two more observation periods, Spallina was named to Team USA’s 23-man roster for the World Lacrosse Box Championship. From Sept. 20-29, he’ll be in Utica competing for his country. Spallina is one of two college
players on Team USA, alongside Cornell’s CJ Kirst. Despite his youth, SU’s star attack could play a pivotal role for the U.S. as it looks to make it to the championship game for the first time.
Over the past two summers, Spallina has made waves playing Junior A box lacrosse for the Orangeville Northmen in Ontario, Canada. Spallina’s goal in year one was to refine his offensive repertoire. He did just that, recording 148 points, the most ever by an American in the Ontario Junior Lacrosse League.
Despite the gaudy numbers, Spallina said he was still figuring out the intricacies of box. Though this summer, he felt more comfortable and didn’t think as much.
The results were evident. Spallina scored 80 goals and dished out 122 assists in 29 games. Alongside SU teammate Trey Deere, who will suit up for the Haudenosaunee National Team, Spallina led Orangeville to an OJLL title. His 13-point Game 7 performance proved crucial in a 20-12 win over the Mimico Mountaineers.
“He’s playing the best lacrosse right now that I’ve ever seen him play,” Joe Spallina, his father, said.
The mere decision to play in the OJLL got many people’s attention within the box community, including USA head coach Regy Thorpe. He knew the level of commitment for an American player to participate in a predominately Canadian league.
Thorpe kept tabs on Spallina throughout the summer and invited him to Team USA’s first training camp a year ago. Initially, Thorpe felt it was somewhat of a longshot for Spallina to make the team. Team USA attack Joe Resetarits said it was the first time the team had a “legit” tryout since he’d been involved.
With the popularity of field — and especially box — lacrosse growing, Thorpe helped garner a more organized selection process. Resetarits said previously the USA roster was depleted due to various injuries and a lack of commitment. This time, a group of 150-to-160 players were highlighted as potential players. Before a tryout, the group was cut in half.
Spallina had his work cut out for him, but he quickly proved Thorpe wrong.
Joey Spallina looks to spearhead Team USA to its first-ever World Lacrosse Box Championship game appearance. The tournament goes from Sept. 20-29 and will be held in Utica. courtesy of usa lacrosse
SU roundtable discusses issues impacting Latine communities
By Henry Daley asst. copy editor
Syracuse University hosted a group of university professors and administrators for a roundtable discussion on issues impacting Hispanic and Latine communities in Bird Library Wednesday night.
During the discussion — titled “‘Latino’: Unpacking Identities, Narratives, Roots, and Demographic Diversity” — the four speakers discussed their personal identities as people of Latin American descent, as well as issues their respective communities face. The roundtable was part of SU’s annual Latine Heritage Month programming.
Speakers used Marie Arana’s book, “LatinoLand: A Portrait of America’s Largest and Least Understood Minority,” to frame their conversation. Her book retells her personal life experiences and those of hundreds of Latine people living in the United States.
The panel answered questions about the role of the Latine community as viewed by Arana, while offering their own opinions about how their backgrounds have shaped their careers. They then opened up the floor to questions from the audience.
Ricardo Nazario y Colón, the senior vice chancellor of diversity, equity and inclusion and chief diversity officer of the SUNY system, spoke about the impact of the word “border” in Arana’s book. Colón said the word is often weaponized against Latine people, which he said creates polarization and isolates their community.
“We hear a lot of conversations about the border and who’s crossing the border, who belongs, and who doesn’t belong. That’s very much part of what happens when you create an ‘us’ and ‘them’ situation,” Colón said.
The panel analyzed Arana’s definition of the word “Latino,” which her book calls a “made-up” and discriminatory label.
Rich Salas, chief diversity officer at Des Moines University, said the word’s historic usage, dating back to the Napoleonic era, was both problematic and complex. The word originates from the Spanish colonization of modernday Latin America.
Suzette M. Meléndez, a professor at the SU College of Law, said the term Latino resonates with her and appropriately captures her identity. She described the word as unifying.
Another topic of conversation was the accessibility of the “American Dream” to the Latine community. Meléndez, who said she has seen people of her descent get denied opportunities because of their identity, said her decision to pursue work in law was inspired by this injustice.
The professor said she faced many doubters during her time in law school, many of whom told her she wouldn’t make it in the field. Despite this, Meléndez said she wouldn’t change anything about her experiences, as it helped her realize what she wanted to do with her career in law.
“A lot of the work that I chose in the law was specifically because of my culture, my pride, and wanting to help people that shared that culture,” Meléndez said. “Other people as well were seeking the American dream but were not allowed to simply because of the package that they came in or the language that they spoke.”
After the guided portion, the panel opened up discussion to the audience, fielding questions about how they’ve personally dealt with cases of racism and discrimination, even among other members of the Latine community. Roberta Hurtado, associate professor of Latina/e/o/x literature and culture at SUNY Oswego, answered the bulk of those questions.
Hurtado, who is of British descent in addition to her Latine heritage, said that the color of her skin has afforded her opportunities some of her colleagues haven’t had. She talked about witnessing altercations involving discrimination against skin color before commending the audience for openly discussing these topics, which she called “difficult” to face.
“I would agree with the need for the closer examination and conversations within the Latino community about the way our privilege plays out, not just among ourselves, but in the larger U.S. experience,” Hurtado said. “Someone who looks like me, who has my skin color, is going to have a very different experience.”
Latine Heritage Month is celebrated from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15 and offers an opportunity for Latine students to share their culture and interests with the SU community. Latine and Hispanic students make up 10% of SU’s student population excluding international students, according to a fall 2023 Census by SU.
“I don’t lose anything of who I am and what my culture is by being able to appreciate the culture and the experiences of others, whether they came from the same place as me or not,” Meléndez said. “I think we gain more of our own cultures as we allow ourselves to see the individual experiences of those that are different.” hdaley@syr.edu
DOD awards $30M to NY ‘Microelectronic Commons’ hub
By Julia Boehning news editor
The United States Department of Defense is awarding $30 million to Northeast Regional Defense Technology Hub, a New York state-based microtechnology development consortium, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer announced in a Wednesday morning press release.
Four NORDTECH projects — led by nanotech company NY CREATES, Rochester Institute of Technology, Cornell University and circuit manufacturer AIM Photonics — will receive the award, Schumer said in the release. These groups will partner with several other institu-
tions, including Syracuse University, to conduct defense-related microtechnology research.
The DOD apportioned the funds using the federal CHIPS and Science Act’s $2 billion CHIPS for America Defense Fund. NY CREATES’ project, of which SU is a partner, received around $8.5 million in funding to develop new quantum computing technology, according to the release. Research areas include semiconductor manufacturing and radar communication improvements, among others.
The CHIPS Act, signed into law in August 2022, invested billions of dollars into the United States semiconductor manufacturing industry. Schumer was involved in developing the legislation.
NORDTECH was named one of the DOD’s
eight regional “Microelectronic Commons” hubs in September 2023, winning $40 million in CHIPS funding. The investment into the consortium was one of the first major CHIPS awards.
Today, the collective consists of over 150 members, including defense industrial bases, military labs, industry partners, non-profit organizations and academic institutions, according to its website. Along with SU, many NORDTECH affiliates, such as Micron Technology and Lockheed Martin, have presences in central New York.
The additional NORDTECH hub funding comes amid increased investments into the semiconductor manufacturing industry throughout the region. After Micron first announced plans to invest $100 billion to build a
semiconductor fabrication facility in Clay, state officials and institutions have funded workforce development projects ahead of its arrival. On April 18, the federal government awarded the Micron project an additional $6.1 billion in CHIPS grant funding. A week later, President Joe Biden visited Syracuse to discuss the investment. SU has also pushed additional funds into STEM programs ahead of Micron’s arrival as part of an “academic partnership” with the company. In May, the university announced it would construct a $20 million Center for Advanced Semiconductor Manufacturing, a research and teaching facility, within its existing Center for Science and Technology. jmboehni@syr.edu @juliaboehning
ricardo nazario y colón and amanda debose host a discussion exploring the Latine community and the challenges it faces. leonardo eriman contributing photographer
-ticipating booth at the farmers market. Tokens are only accepted for fruits, produce and seedlings. They are transferable at participating locations throughout New York state.
The DUFB program is available throughout Syracuse at Brady Farm Stand and two Syracuse Cooperative Market locations, according to its location finder. According to the Syracuse Onondaga Food Systems Alliance, around 45,000 people living in the greater Onondaga County area suffer from food insecurity — the state of having limited access to nutritious food.
“We all live with inflation, and inflation is hurting everybody. I don’t care where you stand politically or where you stand in life … inflation affects you somehow,” McFadden said. “And inflation is just killing people, mostly at the grocery store. This helps with your produce.”
Field & Fork Network, a nonprofit organization dedicated to fostering a sustainable food system, began the Food Bucks programs 10 years ago, according to its website. The initiative began with a group of seven farmers markets in western New York, but has since spread across the country to include 25 states.
The program benefits Syracuse farmers by encouraging more customers to shop locally, Bernard said. After farmers receive the tokens from shoppers, she said, they turn them in to be redeemed for a matching check the next week.
In 2022, $422,000 went directly to New York farmers through the program, according to Field & Fork’s 2022 Impact Report.
“There’s people who end up shopping at the farmers markets that maybe normally wouldn’t, and are able to get the local produce they normally wouldn’t get. So it definitely helps and impacts the local farmers,” Brown said.
Liza Bernard, economic development coordinator at the Downtown Committee of Syracuse, said a program like this is especially important in Syracuse as a significant population of the city receives SNAP benefits.
In 2023, 28.8% of households in the city of Syracuse received SNAP benefits, the 11th highest percentage in the U.S., syracuse.com reported. 2022 data from the United States Census Bureau indicated that 29.6% of Syracuse residents are living under the poverty line, higher than the 12.5% national average.
The Double Up Food Bucks program began 10 years ago in western New York with only seven farmers markets. Today, the program expands across the United States with over 230 participating sites in New York alone. aidan to contributing photographer
“(The program) probably wants to expand and reach more people,” McFadden said.
“We’re fairly close to the inner city, the near Westside and the Southside where they need those dollars most.”
The DUFB program was previously available at Brady Market, which temporarily closed in August due to lack of customers and financial struggles, according to localsyr.com.
Brady Market was located on Gifford Street on the Westside of Syracuse, an area categorized as a food desert. The market hopes to reopen in 2025.
In April, state lawmakers maintained investments in the Nutrition Outreach and Education Program, which supports the program, according to Feeding New York State. The program received $2 million in the state’s 2025 fiscal year budget.
McFadden said he hopes more people throughout Syracuse continue to make use of the program and its offerings.
“If you come here with only $10 and you need to buy produce, we’re gonna double it to help you even more,” McFadden said.
Delia Rangel dsrangel@syr.edu
CULTURE
‘A PART OF THAT HISTORY’
Jada Marie Knight fulfills her position with empathy as the student co-chair of SU’s Coming Back Together 2024 alumni event
By Olivia Fried senior staff writer
Jada Marie Knight wears a bracelet that spells out “HBCUSE 2025 Knight” — meaning Historically Black Syracuse — in shimmering orange and white beads. A heart replaces the “0” in “2025.” The phrase connects her to the legacy of Black students and alumni at Syracuse University.
“By embracing that, I become a part of that history,” Knight said. “So I rep it with pride and a lot of heart – it’s not just a phrase.”
At last weekend’s Coming Back Together 2024 alumni reunion, Knight continued this legacy, serving as a student co-chair for the event. The reunion, a triennial celebration of alumni of color that provides a space for them to connect with current students, marked the fourteenth CBT since its inception in 1983, and Knight’s second time attending.
When she first attended CBT amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Knight was uncertain of her place at SU. Originally from Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, the move to Syracuse was a big change for Knight, who had a network back home she relied on.
Now a senior television, radio and film major, Knight said the confidence she exudes is something that was built, in part, by the Our Time Has Come Scholarship Program. In addition to OTHC, Knight is also a Posse Scholar.
CBT was much different for her this year, Knight said. It’s been a “fullcircle moment” for her, as she’s taken on a leadership role alongside other members who have contributed to her experience at SU. Knight said that to her, community means everything, so she’s been guided by the desire to uplift those who have helped her find that sense of community.
“Being able to shout (my people) out whenever I can, I live for that,” she said.
As a part of organizations like OTHC and SU’s Office of Multicultural Advancement, where she’s surrounded by like-minded people with similar identities, Knight has grown a stronger sense of self and some of her closest friendships.
Sofia Rodriguez, Knight’s CBT student co-chair and fellow Posse scholar, said that when the two met through the scholarship program, they quickly became friends.
“We found a constant solace in knowing each other,” Rodriguez said.
Though CBT wasn’t the first event that Rodriguez and Knight have
worked on together, it was their most significant undertaking yet. Knowing Knight was by their side made it easier to take on a project of such magnitude, Rodriguez said.
“Having that support system in her to navigate and connect with people made (the weekend) so much more meaningful,” Rodriguez said.
Knight’s empathetic leadership is part of what makes her have that effect on people, Rodriguez said.
Rachel Vassel, associate vice president of SUMA and one of Knight’s mentors, said Knight’s thoughtful and positive demeanor also guides her leadership capabilities. Having seen many students move through SU while leading SUMA, Vassel has cherished the opportunity to watch Knight thrive.
More than that, Vassel is grateful for the impact the program had on her. During a panel celebrating the success of OTHC scholars, Knight said she couldn’t name another school with a similar program. She credited the merits of the program to the alumni whose donations and support make it possible.
In light of Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard, the Supreme Court case that ended affirmative action, students of color at institutions around the country have feared for what that means for the spaces they value, Knight said. Knight highlighted the University of Florida’s announcement that it had closed the office of its chief diversity officer in March as an example.
“My experience (at SU) wouldn’t have been the same without SUMA, so the idea of that no longer being here,” Knight said, pausing to suck in her breath.
“That doesn’t sound like a lot of fun.”
In addition to providing Knight with a sense of community, SUMA has given her professional opportunities. This summer, Knight interned at the American Black Film Festival after Vassel connected her with the organization, an opportunity that solidified her passion for production and showrunning.
While her aspirations guide Knight throughout her college career, she said she is also inspired by the desire to give back to her community.
Knight said she never loses touch of what got her to the place she is today. She has big dreams of helping her family buy a home in Jamaica and hopes to “drop a bag” on OTHC to help incoming students have the experiences she had.
“If my family knows I’ve got their back, then I know I’m successful,” Knight said.
oefried@syr.edu
beyond the hill
Grace Finding Hope’ looks to raise suicide awareness
By Nate Lechner senior staff writer
Her
Dec.
-
ily and help spread awareness about suicide prevention.
“Making the film was emotionally hard to relive all that has happened, but it was also a gift to get to share her with the world,” Sue said. “Watching the film, I get to revisit her amazing self again and share how special she was with the world.”
“Losing Grace Finding Hope,” a documentary feature about Grace Loncar’s passing, will be screened at the Syracuse International Film Festival this Satur-
day, Sept. 21. Sue worked with her friend, director Marcia Carroll, to produce the film. It tells the story of the Loncar family’s journey to the realization that surviving and thriving after the death of a loved one by suicide is possible.
Carroll previously produced, directed and starred in the 2021 short film “JADED,” also inspired by Grace’s death. Following that production, Sue and Carroll spoke about her working on the documentary, which Carroll said she
was honored to do. Over a 10-day shoot, Carroll spoke to members of the Loncar family and the Dallas, Texas, community affected by Grace’s passing.
“It was just people that were very important to Sue, who had an important part in Grace’s life and knew the dynamics of her tragedy well enough that they could speak to it,” Carroll said.
With a $95,000 budget,
said her storyboarding process and vision of the documentary was essential to
its success. Carroll’s small crew also added to the efficiency of the short, lower-budget shoot.
Carroll said balancing her responsibilities as the director of “Losing Grace Finding Hope” and as Loncar’s friend challenged her throughout the shoot. The thought of getting the story right frequently kept her up at night until the film’s production was complete, she said. She knew the interviews would
siff page 11
Content warning: This article contains mentions of suicide.
Sue Loncar’s daughter Grace died by suicide on Nov. 26, 2016.
hus
band, Brian, died by suicide on
4 of the same year. Over five years later, Loncar began working on a film about their deaths to honor her fam-
Carroll
jada marie knight helped plan Coming Back Together 2024 in her position as a student co-chair. Syracuse University organizations like the Office of Multicultural Advancement and the Our Time Has Come Scholarship Program have supported her. lars jendruschewitz photo editor
Latine Greek life showcases their values at Night with NALFO
By Hailey Roy contributing writer
Norma Ayala Ramirez, president of the Zeta Epsilon chapter of Lambda Theta Alpha and a senior at Syracuse University, experienced a tough transition attending the predominantly white institution after growing up in a Hispanic community. Her Latine sorority helped her regain confidence and reminded her she belonged.
“I now see other freshmen who might be in the same position I was in, and being that helping hand that says, ‘You deserve to be here,’” Ramirez said.
Night with NALFO, the National Association of Latino Fraternal Organizations, showcased an array of music, performances and presentations on Wednesday evening. Each organization highlighted its mission, history, requirements to join and initiatives to attendees in the Schine Student Center Underground. The event was a part of Latine Heritage Month events at SU that are running from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15.
Alhassan Bangura, vice president of NALFO and member of the Latine Heritage Month planning committee, said he deliberately aimed for the event to take place during the annual cultural observance.
Four Latine sororities and five fraternities each held tables decked in paraphernalia, pamphlets, accolades and souvenirs representing each group’s history and core values. Ramirez said the event showed that Latine fraternities and sororities are a priority on campus.
As songs by artists like Bad Bunny, El Alfa and Meek Mill reverberated through the space, various organizations took to the stage, showcasing their talents. Each group performed dances affiliated with the Multicultural Greek Council, while other chapters cheered from the sidelines.
The members participated in strolling, a synchronized rhythmic dance traditionally performed by historically Black sororities and fraternities. Performers moved across the stage decorated in Greek letters, dancing to music genres like Dembow, Reggaeton, old-school
hip-hop throwbacks and even creating their own beats.
National President of Lambda Theta Phi Jeffrey Chavez came to the event from Connecticut. He said this sense of community was absent during his undergraduate years at Central Connecticut State University.
“I think the culture of Greek life has changed a lot. To be honest, it was quite petty, with a lot of drama,” Chavez said. “There is now much more Greek unity and support among organizations.”
After information sessions and performances, organizations mingled with each other and potential members. Julianna Perez, a sophomore attendee, said she originally attended due to the event’s promotion but left with a greater understanding of each organization’s mission. Perez was drawn to groups addressing community service, such as St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and violence against women, that are causes she personally cares about.
The event changed Perez’s perspective on what she previously thought about sororities and fraternities – that they primarily cared about party culture. She said the experience put to rest negative stereotypes she had associated with Greek life in general.
“We want our Latin-identifying individuals to feel safe, have a fun and welcoming environment, and find a place on campus where they can be themselves and build a community,” Bangura said. hroy02@syr.edu
Prospective members learn about various on campus Latine sorority and fraternity organizations at Night with NALFO. The event aimed to create a community for students. henry zhang contributing photographer
Fraternity brothers strolled and danced to dembow and reggaeton music at Night with NALFO, hosted by the National Association of Latino Fraternal Organizations. While they performed, other chapters watched and cheered from the sidelines. henry zhang contributing photographer
SU students try local sweets at Dessert Crawl
By Lily Zuckerman contributing writer
Like most freshmen, with no car and little desire to spend money, Madi Tsuchida and Audrey Meierhoefer find it challenging to try local Syracuse restaurants. Eating a banana pudding from Worth the Kavity or a donut from Honeycomb Bakery was the first time Tsuchida and Meierhoefer had tried off-campus food since arriving on-campus last month.
“This little sweet treat gave me a taste for Syracuse businesses, and the fresh ingredients that go into foods here,” Meierhoefer said. “It was just a nice exposure and I didn’t have to pay a dime or swipe.”
On Wednesday, Syracuse University hosted a Dessert Crawl with sweet treats made by local bakeries, organized by Student Events and Activities Coordinator Lily Wegerski. The event is part of Let’s Be Engaged, a new programming series at SU that aims to give students a sense of community amid the school day. Students taste-tested desserts from Worth the Kavity, The Mixing Bowl, The Sweet Praxis and Honeycomb Bakery.
Kaehla Gardner, co-owner of The Mixing Bowl, hopes her participation in events like the Dessert Crawl will give her business exposure. With a storefront in Camillus, Gardner hopes her customer base will expand to students who tried her desserts.
“This was a good way to get our name out to some of the younger people and show that we are a cool, hip place with good, natural food,” Gardner said.
Kayla Johnson, owner of Worth the Kavity, which she operates from her home in Syracuse was excited to showcase her desserts at the Crawl.
Though she doesn’t have a storefront, Johnson hopes to expand her business into a food truck, and participating in events like this will help her reach that goal, she said.
Students who tried the desserts, like Johnson’s white-chocolate-covered strawberries, used the desserts to take a break from studying.
“I love exposing students to good food during their stressful school days and good food and bringing some joy,” Johnson said.
For Tsuchida and her friends, the Crawl was something to look forward to after back-to-back
classes. She said she appreciated SU’s interest in nurturing their student body.
“They want us to engage in the Syracuse community, while also coming together as a student body,” Tsuchida said. “They actually want to invest in the livelihood of the student community.”
Wegerski said she was amazed by the success and student support of this first crawl. The event, meant to last two hours, lasted just 30 minutes once all of the confections had been taken. Twohundred thirteen students participated in the event, Wegerski said.
Born and raised in Syracuse, Wegerski was eager to ensure that students were exposed to various shops. While she hadn’t yet sampled some of the vendors at the crawl, others, like Honeycomb Bakery, have been a staple in her life since childhood, she said.
Nonetheless, Wegerski hopes students can acquire as much of a passion for the desserts offered in Syracuse as she has.
“I want them to leave with more friends, and the knowledge of good bakeries in the area,” Wegerski said.
lilyvzuckerman@gmail.com
A budgeting guide for all your adult expenses
By Sarah Wells humor columnist
I’ve noticed something interesting lately. Not just on campus, but everywhere.
Did you guys know that living as an adult is, like, kind of expensive?? It’s not just fun stuff either, like the Nintendo Switch I saved up for or the Squishmallow I impulse-bought last week at Target. Apparently, bare necessities like food and clothes are also quite the pretty penny! This week, I have to pay something called a “utility bill?” What do you mean the lights cost money? They’re lights. Who am I paying, Thomas Edison? I can’t leave my TV on all day when I leave the house? This is absolute bull-honky, and you can quote me on that.
I’m not a fan of the fact that things cost money, thank you very much. I’m sure that you, dear reader, are not either. So, in the spirit of giving, I want to give you all a very useful, completely free, extraspecial guide to budgeting.
The first rule of a good budget is to prioritize. By this, I mean make a list of all the things that are most important for you to spend on. For example, your budget priorities may look like: 1. Food, 2. Rent, 3. Health Care. And mine may look something like: 1. Those Cool Looking Pants I Saw, 2. Nothing Else. That is perfectly OK! Everyone’s spending goals look different. Sure, you may have a goal to have good credit and enough money for a down payment on a house in a good neighborhood, but I want to wear those cool pants.
It’s also a good idea to plan for unexpected expenses. This could be anything from a surprise doctor’s office visit to a car accident. Let me give you an example from my life that happened just the other day. I was walking down the street when I got a call from my roommate: apparently, my pet goldfish, Froot Loop, had broken his fin! I rushed him to the vet and got him taken care
CONCERTS THIS WEEKEND
Rapper Lil Tecca will headline this year’s Juice Jam concert hosted by University Union. His career took off in 2019 after the release of “Ransom,” which earned a top 10 spot on Billboard’s Hot 100 list. Indie singer-songwriter Maisie Peters and rapper Smino will open the show. For the first time ever, the concert will be held in the JMA Wireless Dome and open to the public. Tickets are $20 for Syracuse University and SUNY ESF students with a valid student ID, and $40 for all other attendees. Tickets are also available for purchase at the box office. Doors open at 6 p.m.
WHEN: Sunday at 6 p.m.
WHERE: JMA Wireless Dome PRICE: $20
Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night
and
At the Empower Federal Credit Union Amphitheater at Lakeview, Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats and My Morning Jacket will perform for a stop on their Eye to Eye Tour this Tuesday. The two groups are co-headlining.
Nathaniel Rateliff, a Denver, Coloradobased folk artist, performs R&Binspired tracks with The Night Sweats. From Louisville, Kentucky, five-piece band My Morning Jacket is known for rock hits like “One Big Holiday” and “Steam Engine.” Gates open at 6 p.m. and the show starts at 7:30 p.m. Ticket prices vary and are available online.
WHEN: Tuesday at 7:30 p.m.
WHERE: Empower Federal Credit Union Amphitheater at Lakeview PRICE: $33.39 to $239.69
For over 101 years, The Duke Ellington Orchestra has performed under the guidance of Ellington’s family. On Sunday, they will perform jazz classics in Hendricks Chapel. The Grammy-award winning group pays homage to Ellington’s history. The performance will include Ellington’s songs, like “Sophisticated Ladies” and “Satin Doll,” and a segment featuring the Hendricks Chapel Choir. The orchestra’s performance connects with Syracuse University Art Museum’s “Homeward to the Prairie I Come” exhibit, which highlights the work of Gordon Parks. Parking is available in the Shaw Quadrangle and Hillside Lots. This event is free and open to the public.
WHEN: Sunday from 4 to 5:15 p.m.
WHERE: Hendricks Chapel PRICE: Free
Teddy Swims
Teddy Swims will bring his I’ve Tried Everything But Therapy Tour to Landmark Theatre this Tuesday. Swims’ career started on Youtube where he posted covers to popular songs like Mario’s “Let Me Love You” and Marvin Gaye’s “What’s Going On.” Through singing and songwriting, the artist has continued to explore and blend a range of genres, including R&B, soul, gospel and country. Swims is notable for “Lose Control,” his first song to reach the Billboard Hot 100 list. Tuesday’s show will feature songs from his recent album and past projects. Tickets are available online.
WHEN: Tuesday at 8 p.m.
WHERE: Landmark Theatre
PRICE: $135.70 to $580.32
Sweats
My Morning Jacket
The Duke Ellington Orchestra
Juice Jam
Freshman Connor Transue said one of Toaster’s main giveaways is the jingle of his collar in rhythm with his bouncy walk. When Transue heard Toaster’s bells for the first time this fall, he opened his doors and the wiener dog bound into his arms.
Toaster loves to run into rooms with open doors, laundry baskets and sometimes even an elevator. At the first floor meeting, Clark let him get acquainted with the residents. The elevator dinged in the middle, but some Lawrinson residents clicked all the buttons on the elevator of the 22-floor building because they thought it was funny.
Toaster ran to see who was there, but the elevator was empty. He waddled in and was transported down a floor by himself. Leaving the elevator, he encountered another RA’s floor meeting. Clark halted the meeting for 10 minutes before returning with Toaster.
“Many times he’s in the lounge, and so it seems like sometimes, the elevator doors will open up and just swarms of people and all the different floors will just come in to say hi,” Transue said of Toaster.
While Toaster might sometimes float between floors, many flock to Clark’s floor just to see him. Often people tell Transue they see the dachshund around all the time. He then gets to tell them he’s on his floor and invites them over.
For Clark, Toaster breaks the ice and creates a way for her to interact with residents. Transue said his friends on other floors barely see their RA’s, but Clark regularly gets knocks on her door from him and others.
“I feel like sometimes, as an RA, you’re like, ‘Oh my God. Like, what’s wrong?’” Clark said. “But for me the first reaction is ‘They want to see the ween.’” Transue and his friends love to hang out on their floor with Toaster. The dog joined them to watch the presidential debate on Sept. 10 and sat with them as they wrote their first college essays.
Brielle Brzytwa, a freshman on Clark’s floor, works at Trader Joe’s. She secretly asked Clark
make the documentary engaging, but did not want to make anyone uncomfortable discussing Grace’s death.
“You just want to create a safe environment where they feel compelled to speak from the heart and share some difficult truths,” Carroll said. “It was a remarkable outcome, and I felt humbled and honored to be charged with the task.”
Since wrapping production in January 2024, Carroll and Sue have traveled worldwide on the film festival circuit. In addition to SIFF, “Losing Grace Finding Hope” has been an official selection of the Portland Film Festival in Portland, Oregon, and the Ferrara Film Festival in Ferrara, Italy. This experience has spread awareness by shining a light specifically on the loved ones left behind, Carroll said.
When Michelle DiBernardo, president of SIFF, saw the trailer for “Losing Grace Find-
what Toaster’s favorite treats were. Brzytwa returned from work soon after with a box of peanut butter dog treats, which Clark now has sitting on her dorm’s dresser.
“(Toaster) just brightens up my day,” Brzytwa said. “So I thought I’d brighten up his.”
Last fall, Clark had nearly taken a semester off. Her life felt “gloomy” — she was exhausted and overwhelmed. Over Thanksgiving and spring break, Clark was forced to stay because of the cost of travel, with her family being in Idaho.
Before Clark made the decision, her mother — Dig Chrismer — and therapist agreed that she should consider getting an emotional support animal.
Clark looked into this idea and decided on two guidelines — someone social and small. At home, she has big dogs and loves them. However, traveling back to Idaho with Toaster and living in the dorm, she preferred a small dog.
Instagram knew she was looking. She would see dachshunds while scrolling on Reels. It just worked out that one of her brother’s friends had a litter of dachshunds. While Clark was still at school, her brother, along with Chrismer, visited his friend’s farm to choose a dog.
Most of the puppies were quiet and gave Chrismer a side eye. But not Toaster, then known as “the gray one.”
“When I picked him up, he gave me that side eye, but then started licking my face nonstop,” Chrismer said. “He’s the one.”
When Clark returned home for winter break last year, they picked him up.
Since she’d never met Toaster, she questioned whether he liked her. But she carried him all the way home as he fell asleep in her arms.
Clark knew she wanted to name “the gray one” something humorous and cute. One of her friends had a dog named Spatula, and she wanted to replicate it. Because of the dachshund’s silly personality, they went for playful names of inanimate objects.
They tried Concrete, among other names, before reaching Toaster. Toaster came with an
ing Hope,” she was intrigued and immediately watched the entire film. DiBernardo knew she wanted SIFF to show the film for mental health advocacy during the festival.
“It’s something that needs to be brought more to the table because there are too many amazing lives that we’re losing to mental health that people are turning their nose to or may not understand,” DiBernardo said.
The topic of suicide that’s central to “Losing Grace Finding Hope” is rarely covered at SIFF, but DiBernardo said the change in tone is essential. September is Suicide Awareness Month, and she wants to use cinema to raise awareness of mental health and tell viewers they are not alone.
In addition to screening “Losing Grace Finding Hope,” SIFF will welcome Garra Lloyd-Lester, coordinator for community and coalition initiatives at the Suicide Prevention Center of New York on Saturday.
Lloyd-Lester will discuss different resources available for people struggling with mental health. Struggling with thoughts of suicide is a
abundance of nicknames, too. Her mom tried to convince her out of the name, until it finally grew on her.
Toaster’s qualities helped Clark put her life into context. She is a lot more patient, forgiving and social. She’s mended bridges with people because of how much her dachshund loved them.
“Oh, if my dog’s not concerned, like, is it really that serious?” Clark said.
As her mother, Chrismer appreciates SU allowing Clark to have Toaster in her dorm. There are times where she knows Clark is stressed but feels reassured that Toaster is there.
“She can divert that energy to the dog because he either needs a walk or he needs attention, or she can just sit down and rest with him and cuddle him,” Chrismer said. “He is there for her 100%. It is a huge relief.”
When Clark brought him to school, Toaster was surprisingly good in a dorm. He may bark when Clark is gone for a long time or if he wants something, yet her residents don’t mind it. They like to know that he’s there. He did pull up some carpet that was sticking out in her dorm — but Clark had facilities fix that right away.
part of the human condition, Lloyd-Lester said, and educating people about ways to get help is extremely important to him. He hopes to connect the ideas in the documentary to the broader matter of suicide prevention and the importance of communication.
“Losing Grace Finding Hope” is an example of safe messaging about suicide, which describes pieces of media that discuss suicide as a public health issue and provide resources for viewers in need. Lloyd-Lester said there are ways of discussing suicide that do not add value to the conversation and could even increase the risk of someone taking their own life.
“We don’t want to dismiss the fact that some people do take their lives, and that is an absolute tragedy beyond compare, but it’s important to balance that in a respectful way,” Lloyd-Lester said. “Thoughts of suicide aren’t uncommon, and most people don’t go on to act on themselves
Lloyd-Lester said filmmaking is a way to connect with global audiences about suicide awareness, leading to meaningful discussions
Clark took Toaster to training classes during his first semester on campus. He graduated later that year and became very socialized by living in a dorm.
Because Toaster’s a “dorm dog,” he adores the attention. He never barks at someone unless he wants to play. While some dogs are food motivated, Toaster is people motivated. Sometimes when Clark takes Toaster out on the Lawrinson courtyard, students in the dorm will yell and ask her if that’s Toaster.
Clark doesn’t know what she will do when Toaster isn’t living in a dorm building and surrounded by residents year-round. She will have to search for another large group of people when she graduates at the end of this spring.
Brzytwa and Toaster have the same birthday, Oct. 6, and they will be celebrating together in the Lawrinson penthouse. Even people who walked by Toaster on the Einhorn Family Walk said he looked all grown up. One year later, with one year left, Toaster is a campus celebrity.
“They suit each other really well, and they each bring something to the table as our RAs,” Brzytwa said of Toaster and Clark. “Toast is watchdog.” rlboehm@syr.edu
and accurate reporting around the issue. If the producer and director understand safe messaging and can present the topic engagingly, a film can empower its audience to fight for mental health support and reach those who need help.
Watching “Losing Grace Finding Hope” with an audience has been a spiritual experience for Sue. Although it is sad to relive Grace’s passing, sharing her story can bring healing, she said. Sue hopes the documentary can destigmatize mental illness and show people it’s okay to open up about their feelings. Although Carroll and Sue will not be able to attend the SIFF screening, Carroll said they are grateful for the exposure, the platform and the ability to spread awareness.
“I am so touched and humbled by every person sharing this intimate experience with me,” Sue said. “I feel love and pride in my family and friends and grateful to have been Grace’s mother. I hope people are moved to take action in their own lives.”
Venezuelan immigrants deserve respect from policymakers
By German Nolivos student association president
As I watched the recent presidential debate, I found myself being characterized against my will by former president Donald Trump. His statements in the debate labeled immigrants like myself as dangerous criminals and a threat to the economy.
During those 90 minutes, I found myself grappling with statements that challenged my right to be in the United States. Trump took the stage and, with conviction, claimed that immigrants “can’t even speak English” and that they “don’t even know what country they’re in”. As a Venezuelan immigrant, this wasn’t just bigoted political rhetoric, it was personal. The portrayal of immigrants by someone running for national office cast doubt on my place in the country I now call home.
I fled a regime that stole my childhood in search of a better life in a so-called “land of promise.” But it has become increasingly apparent that this promise came with the risk of being labeled a threat in the place I considered my safe haven. When Trump’s rhetoric includes statements like,“Crime in this country’s through the roof, and we have a new form of crime called migrant crime. I like that. It’s happening at levels nobody thought possible”, I am led to the conclusion that he sees immigrants as the problem.
I am part of a so-called “migrant crisis.” I’m held responsible for what he labels “migrant crime.” To him, I represent a disruption, something that needs a solution. What he sees is a distorted version of immigration that excludes, ignores and rejects anything beyond his privileged reality. Yet, I am here, thriving in this country, at “levels nobody thought possible,” to contrast Trump’s own words in the debate. Like another 8 million Venezuelans, my family and I were forced to leave our homeland in search of a better future. Venezuela, often referred to as “the north of the south,” is a country blessed with immense natural wealth—oil, natural gas, gold and diamonds.
Yet, 25 years ago, Venezuela was taken hostage by a regime that has shattered countless lives, reducing one of the region’s wealthiest nations to a place where inflation has spiraled to 344,509.5%. Today, Venezuelan migrants have created the largest displacement crisis in the Americas. Inside Venezuela, 45% of the population faces food insecurity, and 86% of people report they cannot afford enough to eat or are concerned about running out of food.
I live in the United States and am proud of where I come from. Contrary to the anti-immigrant statements Trump makes, I don’t feel I have to justify my existence in a country to which I’ve given as much as it has given to me. My presence here is a testament to resilience and the hope for a future in America that my homeland could never provide.
Packing an entire life into two suitcases is hard, but living in a country with no future is even harder. It became normal for me to see people eating from public trash bins out of desperation to survive, all without the right to voice their truth.
In Venezuela, freedom of speech doesn’t exist – anyone who criticizes the government faces persecution, imprisonment, kidnapping or worse. The authoritarian government took everything from me. Though I have fond memories of my childhood, they are bound to the same country my family and I were forced to flee.
Political persecution shaped my life from the moment I could understand the world around me. At 12 years old, I arrived in Miami without knowing a word of English, witnessing firsthand the enormous sacrifices my parents made to give me a chance at a future. It was their example that inspired me to work hard, to embrace the responsibility of fighting for that future – not just for myself, but for all immigrants like us.
The Venezuelan government took away my right to dream and my hope for a future. In America, I’ve been given the chance to grow into the person I am today. All I ask in return is respect for my contributions. The crisis in my country isn’t
Stephanie Wright EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
flynn ledoux illustration editor
about politics, it’s about humanity. I’m almost 21 years old, and I’ve still never had the chance to vote. Even now, the political struggles surrounding me still impact my path to citizenship. In a democracy, our choices shape not only our policies but the future of our communities. Voting isn’t just a right; it’s a responsibility. This is why I encourage every eligible Syracuse University student to vote in this presidential election. Members of the United States non-citizen community wish they had this ability, so please execute this constitutional privilege if you are able. In a democracy, voting shares the future, rights, and opportunities of not only U.S. citizens, but immigrants like myself.
Though I am not a U.S. citizen yet due to the long and grueling immigration process, I am driven to succeed and to become the person I know I can be, for myself, for my parents, and for Venezuela. I deserve every opportunity I’ve fought for. My presence here is a testament to resilience and the hope for a future in America that my homeland could never provide.
This platform empowers me to challenge the toxic narrative surrounding immigrants, especially in the face of Trump’s current campaign. But while I can use my voice and position on campus to reach others, I cannot vote. I cannot cast a ballot against the rhetoric and policies that threaten my future.
For this reason, I call on those who can vote: amplify the voices of those who can’t. Vote for the sake of your loved ones, your community, and those who are labeled as “unwanted” in a country they’ve fought to belong to. As the rising generation, we must demand equal opportunity and respect from those in power. We are not just surviving, we are enriching the very fabric of this nation. My community is far more than the word “immigrant” can ever capture.
German Nolivos is the president of Syracuse University’s Student Association and a junior majoring in Political Science and Public Relations. He can be reached at ganolivo@syr.edu.
Cooper Andrews
Cassandra Roshu
Syracuse’s lockdown defense propels it to 4-1 start in 2024
By Jordan Kimball asst. digital editor
Just two and a half weeks into its season, Syracuse’s defense has been elite. The Orange have allowed just seven goals through five contests (1.4 per game average).
Newly acquired Bo van Kempen, Taja Gans and Phoebe Hall make up SU’s starting defensive front. In their first season with SU, van Kempen, Gans and Hall have stepped up to allow just two goals when all are on the field at the same time. A strong defensive unit has led Syracuse (4-1, 0-0 Atlantic Coast Conference) to a hot start, winning four of its first five games with a +8 goal margin.
Though a defender, van Kempen leads SU’s offensive attack with four goals on the season. She scored Syracuse’s game-winning goal with 36 seconds left in its Sept. 15 game against Lafayette.
Hailing from the Netherlands, van Kempen was one of the top scorers at the Hockey Club MOP. She was also selected for the Dutch U15 and U16 teams while debuting with Kampong, a top club in Utrecht, Netherlands, at 15 years old. She previously attended Liemers College before coming to SU for her graduate year.
Gans, a freshman from Duisburg, Germany, played for Club Raffelberg e.V. and was named to the U21 German National Team. Gans also helped lead her team to the U18 European Championship before playing in the U21 World Cup in Chile.
Hall is from Auckland, New Zealand, and played over 100 games for the 1st XI Hockey Team. She helped lead the team to third in the Auckland Competition and 12th in the national championship.
Together, van Kempen, Gans and Hall have allowed just 14 shots on goal through their first four matchups, including a stellar performance in SU’s season opener versus Lock Haven. Syracuse didn’t let the Bald Eagles’ offense record a single shot attempt, the first time since Sept. 2, 2017, where SU’s defense accomplished the feat.
Alongside Syracuse’s regular defensive front, the team’s penalty corner defense has lifted
Across the two-day training camp, Spallina displayed his usual poise seen at Syracuse. He flashed his elite passing ability while also showing an eye for goal. Resetarits, the all-time American points leader in the NLL, said Spallina looked like an NLL player with his ball movement and quick understanding of the game’s flow. As the player pool was cut down to 46, Spallina remained.
The next weekend, players were split into two teams, who both participated in the North American Invitational — a premier box lacrosse tournament. Despite it being his first in-game action against professionals, Spallina was right at home. He helped Team USA White to the LAXNAI championship, further boosting his status within the group.
“He just made plays, and didn’t seem to make many mistakes. So we certainly drew our attention to his consistency,” USA offensive coordinator Brian Hobart said.
A final tryout was held seven months later in June. The roster was trimmed down to 32. Only six wouldn’t make the final cut, with three being alternates.
From a young age, Oching always wanted to play for Canada and she knew the Whitecaps provided a pathway toward that goal. One of the Whitecaps’ objectives is positioning players to represent their country by putting them in front of national team coaches and instilling similar tactics to the international squads.
Oching got that chance when she made Canada’s roster for the 2022 U-17 World Cup in India. She was getting coffee with some of her friends when her parents told her she made the Canadian squad. Oching couldn’t believe it. But when she checked her email, a message from Canada Soccer confirmed the news. Though Canada was eliminated in the group stage,
some pressure off the Orange’s goaltenders. Midfielders Berber Bakermans and Lieke Leeggangers each have recorded critical blocks on penalty corner attempts. Lottie Summers also has multiple deflections, giving SU’s offense extensive opportunities.
“We are just really brave, to be honest ... We had a really great goalie who was making really good saves. Besides that, our first runner also caught a lot of balls,” van Kempen said about SU’s penalty corner defense following its win against Lafayette.
Even with Syracuse’s elite penalty corner defense so far, there have been miscues on its side to put it in pressure-filled situations. The Orange allowed a season-high 16 penalty corners against Lafayette. Yet, their defense
Over a month later on July 31, Spallina remembers sitting around a couple of hours before Game 1 of the OJLL Final. Then, he received a call from Hobart. He informed Spallina that he made the team. The news was made official on Aug. 14 when Team USA announced its roster.
“He earned it, he made the team for a reason,” Resetarits said. “The coaches know he’s going to be good for us, and he’s gonna hold his own.”
Though he’s the youngest player on USA’s roster, Spallina doesn’t read too much into it. The year prior, then-reigning Tewaaraton Brennan O’Neill was in a similar situation. As the only collegiate player on Team USA for the World Lacrosse Championship, O’Neill scored 14 goals in seven games, including a hat trick in the Gold Medal Game against Canada in a 7-5 win.
It’s not a one-to-one comparison, yet Spallina could have a similar impact. Hobart didn’t shy away from Spallina’s importance. Typically a ball-dominant player, Spallina will act as more of a cutter in Hobart’s system. He said that Spallina’s going to need to score for them to be successful, especially
Oching still sees the U-17 World Cup as a major learning experience.
“It taught me how to cope with the pressure of big games, playing in a stadium at a high level and how to try your best even when you’re not the better team,” Oching said. “It’s something I look back on and want to experience again.”
Throughout Oching’s three years on the Whitecaps, head coach Katie Collar called Oching the “glue” of the team. Collar nicknamed Oching “Miss Consistent,” saying that Oching was always a clever and intelligent player who tended to make the right decisions in big moments.
Oching’s consistency was integral to the team’s approach in winning the Blue Stars tournament in 2023. The Whitecaps were one of eight teams invited to compete, including household clubs in
to a gold medal at the National Championship the same year.
allowed just one goal in those attempts en route to a 2-1 victory.
“You saw our defensive penalty unit stay strong over and over again,” Farquhar said after the win. “We cycled some people in and they came out with fire.”
In net, Syracuse has rotated between Louise Pert and Vera Hekkenberg in each game this season. After the 2023 season, where Abby Neitch spent 500 minutes in net, she is yet to play in 2024. Even with Neitch on the bench, the SU goalkeepers have totaled 15 saves, eight more than SU’s 2023 goalies five games into the season.
The goalkeeping rotation between Pert and Hekkenberg provides Syracuse with a flexible defensive structure. Both goalies have shown
with star player Tom Schreiber sidelined with an injury.
“My goal is to just go out there and play as hard as I can and bring those young legs to a legit team,” Spallina said.
A 3-time PLL MVP, Schreiber is considered by some as one of the best lacrosse players of all time. For Spallina, Schreiber was the player he was looking forward to playing with most.
Players like Jack Hannah, Blaze Riorden and Resetarits also piqued Spallina’s interest. Admittedly, Spallina was starstruck at the first session. He grew up idolizing these players, watching them on television. Now, he gets to play with them.
Yet the goal for Spallina and the rest of the group is simple: make its first-ever appearance in the championship game. Canada and the Haudenosaunee have met in all five World Box Lacrosse Championship finals. The Canadians have claimed victory in each, while the Americans claimed bronze.
The first step for Spallina is getting through a familiar face. On Sept. 20, Team USA takes on the Haudenosaunee in the Adirondack Bank Center, pitting Spallina and Deere against each other.
world soccer like Arsenal, Liverpool, Rosengård and Juventus.
The tournament’s schedule created another challenge. The cup only lasted two days and the games were 40 minutes instead of 90. On its way to the title, Vancouver played its first two group stage games on May 17 and competed in its final group stage games, the semifinal and final, the following day.
“The ability to go and have that moment at the beginning, seeing all these teams we admire, was special,” Collar said. “Then to be able to win it was validating … Without (Oching) during that period, we probably wouldn’t have won those games.”
As Oching and many of her Vancouver teammates left the team this summer to pursue college careers, Collar said the legacy of Oching’s group was “ambition.” They won big trophies and advanced the Whitecaps team
they can play in high-pressure situations, and depth in the net offers constant stability.
While the Orange defense has shown moments of brightness, maintaining a level of intensity will be crucial as they enter ACC play. The conference is known for having some of the most dynamic offenses in college field hockey. SU’s backline will need to tighten up on conceding penalty corners to avoid giving extensive opportunities for any scoring chances.
“Every opponent you are going to face has a different challenge. It’s not always one step forward,” Farquhar said after its win versus Northeastern. “It’s a set piece. It’s simply about doing our job and we need to sharpen that up.”
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Living together over the past two summers in Orangeville helped foster a close bond, but for the first time they’ll be on opposite ends. Deere is set to play transition defense and some offense for the Haudenosaunee. In preparation, the two have been going one-on-one against each other in practice. Spallina joked that he’s been burning Deere, but said it’ll be exciting to play against each other for the first time.
Despite it being his first time playing for Team USA, Spallina’s approach remains the same. He’s going to go out there and play his game, without anyone dictating otherwise. It’s the exact mentality he’s brought to Syracuse. Spallina has totaled 156 points in just two seasons. He helped the Orange to their first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2021 as a sophomore this past season.
His newest challenge isn’t one of bringing a team back to the pinnacle of lacrosse. It’s about getting them to reach the peak for the first time. Spallina will have the chance to do that, donning his No. 22. And with a slight color change.
“Playing for team USA, it’s every kid’s dream,” Spallina said. “It’s gonna be awesome, and I can’t wait to put on the red, white and blue.”
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made up mostly of youth players to the point where they are competing in the CONCACAF W Champions Cup this fall against the best professional teams in North America.
“They were so hungry for more,” Collar said. “They didn’t just want to be good, they wanted to be the best. You can already see it in their college debuts. There’s a handful having the same success as (Oching), and their legacy is ambition and their willingness to do the extra work to be the best.”
With Syracuse entering Atlantic Coast Conference play and Oching stationed as a key factor on the right side of its defense, Collar wants her former player to translate that ambition from Vancouver to SU.
“Don’t get complacent,” Collar said. “Keep pushing for more.”
njalumka@syr.edu @nalumkal
New Hampshire transfer Charli Kettyle will provide a veteran presence on defense. Kettyle is no stranger to playing on the biggest stage. Before spending four seasons with New Hampshire, the Perth, Ontario, native played with Team Canada at the 2020 U18 World Championship. She also led U18 Team Ontario
Division III transfer Klára Jandušíková and Mercyhurst transfer Sami Gendron joined the unit as well, along with freshmen Jessica Cheung, Celia Wiegand and Laura Leitner.
SU’s goalie room Kelley was one of the lone bright spots for Syracuse last season, and will return as its starter. The graduate student set a school record in single-game saves with 65 in Syracuse’s 6-3 loss versus St. Lawrence on Jan. 16, 2024. At the same time, Kelley managed to remain solid in net, with a save percentage just above .900 despite facing 40.4 shots per game.
came in during the final moments of a 12-0 loss against Colgate on Jan. 9, 2024.
In the backup role, the Orange retained Bella Gould, but lost Amelia Van Vliet. Gould saw action just once as a freshman last year when she
Syracuse also picked up sophomore Maïka Paquin, a D-III transfer from Nazareth University. Paquin started four games for Nazareth in 202324, posting a .960 save percentage with two shutouts. With Kelley leading the unit, Gould and Paquin serve as quality depth in the crease. mgray06@syr.edu
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In four games playing together, SU defenders Bo van Kempen, Taja Gans and Phoebe Hall have allowed just two goals. The lockdown defense has helped Syracuse get out to a 4-1 start. leonardo eriman contributing photographer
Pert has secured spot in net after season-ending injury in 2023
By Alex Rubinson staff writer
Louise Pert took a final glance at her notes, preparing for her final exam in spring 2021. She sat in a parking lot in the car with her mother, Sharon Burke.
Pert remembers peering down at her phone and seeing then-Syracuse head coach Ange Bradley calling her. Pert immediately stopped everything and, overtaken by nerves, told Burke to get out of the car to let her take the call alone.
It was then when Bradley offered Pert a scholarship to SU. Pert wasted no time thinking about the offer, committing to Syracuse on the spot.
“That day was pretty special,” Pert said.
In her third year with Syracuse, Pert has established herself as its starting goaltender despite not appearing in a game since October 2022. From 2021-22, she was limited to 11 appearances before missing all of 2023 with a lower-body injury. This season, Pert has appeared in five games — one shy of her career-high.
The junior has played field hockey for as long as she can remember. Originally, she only played it because Burke had as well. Pert thought it made her mother happy, so she stuck with it. However, it wasn’t until moving between the pipes as a teenager when she started to enjoy the sport.
“I really started to fall in love with it when I became the goalie,” Pert said. “The style wasn’t like any other sport I had played.”
When she was 15 years old growing up in Ireland, Pert moved to the Pembroke Wanderers Hockey Club, allowing her to receive more exposure. Pert was nervous at first, but quickly realized the avenues field hockey could open.
Eventually, she moved to the United States after committing to SU, arriving on campus in 2021. Pert made limited appearances across her first two seasons with the Orange. As she looked to break into the rotation in fall 2023, Pert found out she’d miss the rest of the year midway through the season. During the offseason she worked to strengthen her lower body again by biking and rowing, among other exercises.
“I was really focused on getting my strength back,” Pert said. “For me, it was about getting back into game (shape) and getting that explosiveness back into my legs … being able to push off one leg with no pain was the main goal.”
SU head coach Lynn Farquhar took over in 2023 when Pert missed the entire season. Farquhar watched Pert closely during her
After not making an appearance last season, Louise Pert has established herself in net for Syracuse. Pert played in just 11 games during her first three seasons with SU, but has already made five in 2024. leonardo eriman contributing photographer
recovery, saying she was intentional with everything she did.
For Pert, getting back in physical shape is only half the battle. This offseason, she was entrenched in a three-way competition for the starting goalie spot with Abby Neitch and Vera Hekkenberg. When Syracuse faced off against Lock Haven on Aug. 30 in its season-opener, Pert got the starting spot.
“We love how she is aggressive,” Farquhar said. “She is really trying to fine tune her decisionmaking on when to use the ability to come out … to close space, and that is something that’s been really evident as soon as we got her back in pads.”
When Farquhar was hired by SU, she brought in assistant coach Sally Rutherford. A former
Olympian with New Zealand in 2016, Rutherford works with the goalies and, despite Pert being injured last season, her vocal presence stood out.
“You need a little bit of fire … a little bit of crazy,” Rutherford said.
Rutherford has been impressed with Pert’s understanding and approach. Over the summer, she watched field hockey at the Olympics, observing different styles of goalkeeping — specifically in shootouts.
Being detail-oriented is part of Pert’s philosophy. Rutherford explained that Pert initiates film sessions between goalies to analyze previous performances. According to Rutherford, Pert often comes up with solutions to her errors.
“I see the game very technically,” Pert said. “I enjoy learning about all the teams and how they play (compared to how) we play. I’m an aggressive goalkeeper. (I need) to read the scenario and play what I see.”
Pert has played the first half of every game to begin Syracuse’s season. In four of the team’s first five games, Pert hasn’t allowed a single goal, helping SU to two shutouts.
“It’s been a huge growth from last year when she was trying to figure out where she fit into the program,” Farquhar said. “She brings people on board. That’s what makes her special.” narubins@syr.edu @RubinsonAlex
Ty Corey earned D-I baseball scholarship despite rare condition
By Curran Coakley contributing writer
Ty Corey posted colossal numbers at the plate for Phoenix High School (New York) as a junior. However, Corey was at a clear disadvantage. Whenever he hit a ball into the gap, Chuck Chawgo, his head coach, only allowed him to advance to second base if he could get there walking.
Corey was born with Hemophilia A, a condition found in 12 out of 100,000 males that results in excessive bleeding, both internally or externally as a result of trauma. As a two-way player, Corey’s chronic condition affects his ankles, which hinders him significantly more in the batter’s box than on the mound because of the need to run.
“He’s never let it define him,” Beth Munger, Corey’s mother, said. “It was always just a secondary thing.”
As a junior, Corey had a .554/.786/1.411 slash line while posting a 1.40 ERA and striking out 112 batters across 58.0 innings pitched. Corey’s dominance on the mound earned him Onondaga High School National Division II Pitcher of the Year honors. After graduating in 2025, the 6-foot-2 left-hander will continue his baseball career at St. Bonaventure, an incredibly rare accomplishment especially considering his medical condition.
A challenge that would have caused most to shy away from athletics instead turned to motivation for Corey. His parents agreed to put him in sports as a kid to keep him active and out of trouble. From there, those around him realized he developed a relentless motor. He wanted to focus on baseball.
“He’s the kid that you look out the window, and he’s throwing balls at the shed trying to hit the tape strike zone like it’s Game 7 of the World Series,” Brandon Munger, Corey’s father, said. “We never had to make him do anything.”
Once Corey got to high school, he received limited playing time on Phoenix’s team. His
fastball sat in the mid-60 miles-per-hour range and he had a .212 batting average. It drove him to work even harder.
In the ensuing offseasons, Chawgo said Corey helped reshape the Firebirds’ culture.
In the past, Chawgo noted only around five or six players would show up for offseason workouts. But led by Corey, the head coach says all of the school’s varsity and junior varsity players now show up. Additionally, Corey began pushing his teammates to start lifting weights outside of practice.
“He changed the level of the norm,” Chawgo said.
As Corey matured, he began to blossom on the diamond. Two years later, his fastball topped out at 86 MPH — a nearly 20-MPH increase from when he was a freshman.
Additionally, the pitch now has a strong arm side run, giving it blistering movement. Opponents totaled just a .147 batting average facing the left-hander in 2024.
When he doesn’t pitch, Corey plays first base and is a force in Phoenix’s lineup. After notching a .212 batting average as a freshman, he more than doubled it as a junior.
“When he came in, he had a swing where, without the weight room, he was never going to hit it far,” Chawgo said.
However, once Corey gets on base, he avoids running because of his condition. So, Phoenix was honored with the right to pinch run for Corey after it petitioned the state of New York to have an automatic courtesy runner. Syracuse Sports Zone, Corey’s summer club team, also was allowed a courtesy runner.
Despite his condition, Corey had always worked toward playing D-I baseball. St. Bonaventure caught Corey’s attention after he pitched at the university during a showcase. Once recruiting opened, he was quickly in contact with head coach
Jason Rathbun and soon after, he verbally committed to the Bonnies.
“It’s easy to forget to be a kid when you work as hard as Ty does,” Munger said. “He’s always looking for the next thing, he’s always setting goals and trying to get a little better and sometimes we want him to just take it all in and enjoy every single moment of his senior year even without baseball.”
Corey’s obstacles to getting where he is have been unique. Still, it’s something that’s never held him back. Before he takes the next step in his baseball career, Corey has one year remaining at Phoenix, where he wants to leave a mark on the program forever.
“Win sectionals,” Corey said of his goals for his senior year.
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ty corey earned a scholarship to St. Bonaventure despite being born with Hemophilia A, a condition found in 12 out of 100,000 males. courtesy of ty corey
‘MS. CONSISTENT’
Iba Oching developed into an elite defender while playing with the Vancouver Whitecaps
By Nicholas Alumkal asst. copy editor
Iba Oching stepped up to take a pressure penalty kick on May 18, 2023. It was the final of the prestigious Blue Stars/FIFA Youth Cup, and Oching’s team, Vancouver Whitecaps FC Girls Elite, was trailing 1-0 in penalty kicks against FC Basel (Switzerland). After the Whitecaps missed their first shot, Oching approached the penalty spot.
“I just thought, ‘I have nothing to lose. If I miss, we might lose the shootout, but if I score, it will help us get back on track,’” Oching said.
In the past, Oching primarily placed penalties to the goalkeeper’s right. As she readied to shoot, FC Basel keeper Irina Fuchs dove left. Oching sent her penalty the other way, and the ball nestled into the top left corner. Oching’s conversion was a tone-setter. The Whitecaps cashed in on the next four shots and Vancouver goalkeeper Leah Parsons denied two Basel shooters en route to the Whitecaps hoisting the trophy.
“It was super intense but one of the best experiences,” Oching said. “I had never been part of a penalty shootout in a big game like that before, so learning to handle the stress and knowing you have to convert to win was important.”
While playing for Vancouver, Oching won three British Columbia provincial titles, two Canadian Championships and the Blue Stars Tournament. As a result of her success with the Whitecaps, she earned a spot on Canada’s 2022 Under-17 World Cup Team. Oching’s accumulation of high-level experience with the Whitecaps and Team Canada has helped her instantly become Syracuse’s go-to right back as a freshman.
“(Vancouver) actually played very similarly to my system,” Syracuse head coach Nicky Thrasher Adams said. “So, I knew coming in that (Oching would) fit in really well. She’s made a major impact as a freshman and has found a spot continuously for us.”
see oching page 14
2024-25 season preview: Offensive additions, stability in net
By Matthew Gray asst. digital editor
Last season, Syracuse hockey had its worst finish in program history. The Orange won just seven games and missed the College Hockey America playoffs for the first-time ever. SU is just two years removed from its second CHA championship title and an appearance in the NCAA Tournament. There have been notable developments off the ice for Syracuse since it last played in February. In April, the CHA merged with the Atlantic Hockey Association to form a new league: Atlantic Hockey America. The league contains the same six teams that occupied the CHA (Syracuse, Mercyhurst, Penn State, RIT, Robert Morris and Lindenwood), but plans are in place to add Delaware ahead of the 202526 season.
Entering the 2024-25 campaign, the Orange return just one of their top five scorers from last year. Tatum
White is set to lead SU’s offense after losing Darci Johal and Kate Holmes.
In 2023-24, Johal led the Orange with 24 points while Holmes was not too far behind, with 21.
Syracuse also has been forced to restructure its defense after the departures of its top two defenders, Rachel Teslak and Alexandria Weiss.
SU will also continue to rely on Allie Kelley at goalie after she provided stability in ne t last season.
Ahead of Syracuse’s season, here’s what to know as it enters its third year under head coach Britni Smith:
Schedule breakdown
SU begins the season with a weekend road series against No. 9 Minnesota Duluth, then returns home to face Stonehill for two games. The Orange then face No. 7 St. Lawrence on Oct. 8 before three straight weekend series against RPI, Quinnipiac and Boston University.
Syracuse opens conference play when it visits the defending CHA champion Penn State from Oct. 31
to Nov. 1. PSU outscored SU 16-7 last season, and won three of four matchups. Scattered within Syracuse’s schedule is a home-and-home series against No. 4 Colgate from Nov. 29-30, and a single home game against No. 6 Cornell on Jan. 14. In the same three games last season, the Orange were outscored 28-0.
SU plays every CHA team four times each, twice at home and twice on the road. It wraps up the regular season with two games against Mercyhurst on Feb. 14-15. Last season, the Orange needed to pull out two wins against the Lakers to try and sneak into the postseason. Mercyhurst swept Syracuse and knocked it out of the CHA playoffs.
With a nonconference schedule loaded with elite opponents, Syracuse will have to rely heavily on winning its CHA games to make the NCAA Tournament. The last time SU defeated a ranked opponent was a 4-2 win over then-No. 9 Robert Morris on Jan. 6, 2018. The Orange
have lost 49 straight games against ranked opponents.
Offensive additions
After so many significant losses in the offseason, SU’s offensive unit will look vastly different this season. Syracuse’s remaining graduate students White and Bryn Saarela, an incoming transfer from Holy Cross, will lead its attack.
White is coming off a career-best season, finishing with six goals and 14 assists. Her best performance came in a 4-4 tie at Boston University on Oct. 20, 2023, when she notched three assists to help the Orange steal a point from the Terriers.
As for Saarela, she joins Syracuse after spending four seasons at Holy Cross, where she recorded 21 goals and 31 assists. In each year with the Crusaders, Saarela was one of their top-three scorers.
In an effort to fill the gap that players like Johal and Sarah Thompson left behind, SU’s offense has added five freshmen forwards. Stella Costabile’s resume suggests
that she may be the most ready of any freshman to contribute.
The Belmar, New Jersey, native has spent the past eight seasons with the Philadelphia Jr. Flyers. Costabile competed in the USA Hockey National Championships at the Girls Tier I U19 level in her last season with the Jr. Flyers before committing to the Orange.
Previewing the defense
Similar to Syracuse’s offense, its defense also lost two key cogs with the departure of Teslak and Weiss. The two combined for 42 points in 2023-24, and were the least penalized of the defense.
The defense has just three returners from last season, in Maya D’Arcy, Jocelyn Fiala and Charlotte Hallett. The trio combined for 89 penalty minutes last season, far more than Teslak and Weiss’ 28 minutes. The remainder of SU’s defensive core has been brought in through transfers and freshmen. see ice hockey page 14
Freshman defender Iba Oching has started eight of Syracuse’s first nine games, emerging as a lockdown right back for the Orange. Oching has helped Syracuse secure six shutouts, already four more than it had in 2023. aaron hammer contributing photographer
