Sept. 28, 2020 by The Daily Orange

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N • ROTC adapts

SU’s Army and Air Force ROTC programs have adapted to the coronavirus pandemic, implementing social distancing in training and workouts. Page 3

C • Engaging education

dailyorange.com

Faculty in SU’s Spanish department have maintained interest in Latino heritage through class activities that include cultural components. Page 7

S • Next Chapter

Beat writer Adam Hillman covered Syracuse’s bizarre home opener win against Georgia Tech, the first game in the renovated Carrier Dome. Page 12

city

SU closes campus cafes

Protesters demand answers from SPD By Chris Hippensteel news editor

Protesters in Syracuse are demanding answers from the Syracuse Police Department about two officers’ killing of Steve Smith. Two officers shot and killed Smith, a Black man, on Sept. 4 during an exchange of gunfire at a Sunoco on the Northside, according to SPD. Since then, city residents, including activists with Last Chance for Change, have protested SPD’s handling of the encounter and demanded more information about Smith’s death. As Last Chance for Change and other activist groups in the city continue to speak out against Smith’s killing, here’s a breakdown of what demonstrators are demanding from the department:

Differing accounts

Students who worked in the closed dining centers have been reassigned to other campus locations, as SU strives to prevent employees from losing shifts or income. micaela warren contributing photographer

Food Services closes Falk, Slocum, iSchool cafes By Sarah Alessandrini and Michael Sessa the daily orange

yracuse University Food Services is closing multiple campus cafes for the semester due to lower sales during the coronavirus pandemic. Food Services decided to close the cafes, which include Falk Cafe, Slocum Cafe and the iCafe, after seeing a decreased number of customers this semester. Students who worked in the closed cafes and dining centers have been reassigned to other campus cafes and dining centers, as administrators strive to prevent employees from losing shifts or income due to the closures. Alexandra Rodriguez, a junior finance major, worked at Slocum Cafe in the School of Architecture. During one of her shifts, her manager told her that the cafe would be shutting down for at least the rest of the semester. “My initial reaction was upset because I’ve been working at Slocum since freshman year,” Rodriguez said. “I am now a junior and am very comfortable with my position.” Business at the cafe had been “super slow” for the first few weeks of the semester, but the news that the cafe would close was still disappointing, Rodriguez said.

Food Services worked with Rodriguez to schedule replacement shifts for her at similar times, she said. She now has a shift at Pages Cafe in Bird Library and another in the Eggers Hall cafe. While Rodriguez lost one shift and now works four fewer hours than she used to, it wouldn’t be too hard for her to pick up additional hours if she looked around, she said. Sue Bracy, director of Food Services, said the department reviews its on-campus operations in the early weeks of the semester to determine how to best use its resources. The review, which led to SU closing the cafes, includes analyzing customer counts and traffic at different cafes and dining facilities, Bracy said in an email. “We discovered that several cafes were seeing a low number of customers, which reflected a larger change in traffic to Food Services locations across campus,” Bracy said. Several cafes in academic buildings, such as Slocum, have seen less traffic because many students are taking classes online, Bracy said. Cafes and food courts near student housing have actually become more popular since students are staying close to their residence halls when getting meals, she said. SU also took the distance between dining centers and cafes into consideration when deciding which ones to keep open, she said. Food Services decided to shut down Falk Cafe because its proximity to Eggers Cafe, she said. Food Services has worked with staff in individual schools see cafes page 4

According to SPD’s account of the shooting, several officers responded to a “man with a gun call” at the Sunoco at 200 N. State St. The report states that officers arrived on the scene and encountered Smith, who was armed with the gun. During the encounter, at least two SPD officers on the scene fired at Smith, striking him at least one time. Ambulance personnel pronounced Smith dead on the scene. SPD said a weapon was recovered on the scene with Smith. SPD has since launched an investigation into the shooting and identified Sgt. Jason Wells and Kenneth Sheehan as the officers who fired at Smith. Both officers serve in the department’s patrol division. SPD Chief Kenton Buckner declined to comment on who shot first in the altercation between Smith and the officers at a press conference following the shooting. He also said the department would not release body camera footage until an “appropriate time” in the investigation. Demonstrators have repeatedly disputed the department’s account of officers’ altercation with Smith. Buckner also said that SPD informed Smith’s family of the shooting. Demonstrators with Last Chance for Change, including Smith’s family, have disputed

see protests page 4

2 sept. 28, 2020

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sept. 28, 2020

student association

SA forms committee to make SU sustainable By Alexandra Pollack contributing writer

Cadets must work and train in groups of 10. While they can’t work out as one unit this semester, the reorganization of physical training has provided additional leadership opportunities for senior cadets who coordinate workouts. elizabeth billman senior staff photographer

on campus

ROTC program implements COVID-19 protocols By Abby Weiss

asst. digital editor

Francis Wiggin planned on attending a monthlong training session in Fort Knox, Kentucky, this semester as an incoming senior cadet in Syracuse University’s ROTC program. But after the coronavirus pandemic led to the session’s cancellation, Wiggin began to worry that losing the opportunity would put him and other upperclassmen at a disadvantage as they start their military careers. Wiggin isn’t alone in his concerns. Cadets in both SU’s Army and Air Force ROTC programs said they have adapted to training in smaller groups, taking classes in a hybrid format and missing out on summer opportunities. While these changes haven’t impacted the ROTC curriculum or basic training, students and professors

in the program said these challenges have equipped cadets with the skills and training to begin their military careers.

Anytime we’re faced with challenges, we always look at those as opportunities Jennifer Gotie lt. col., rotc department chair

“As I tell the cadets all the time, anytime we’re faced with challenges, we always look at those as opportunities,” said Lt. Col. Jennifer Gotie, professor of military science and department chair of the ROTC program. “The opportunities that COVID is presenting us is see rotc page 4

Public health guidelines due to COVID-19 have led to changes in SU’s ROTC program. elizabeth billman senior staff photographer

state

New York police crack down on drunk driving By Francis Tang

contributing writer

Law enforcement agencies in Onondaga County and across New York state have been cracking down on drunk driving as part of a statewide effort. The “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” campaign, which ran throughout the state from Aug. 19 to Sep. 7, encourages police departments to take a more aggressive approach to preventing driving under the influence. The annual campaign occurs multiple times each year as part of the state’s STOPDWI program, which aims to reduce crashes caused by drivers under the influence of drugs and alcohol. Counties in New York issued 3,262 tickets for impaired driving during the Labor Day enforcement crackdown, Cuomo announced in a state-

ment on Sept. 18. The Syracuse Police Department, the Onondaga County Sheriff’s Department and New York State Police said they issued at least 15 DWI tickets combined in Onondaga County during the crackdown. “New York has zero tolerance for impaired driving,” Gov. Andrew Cuomo said in a press announcement. “Our message is simple — drive sober or plan for a safe ride home. Impaired driving puts you and all those sharing the road at risk — it’s just not worth it.” The crackdowns generally focus on holidays or other time periods when driving under the influence may become more prevalent. SPD issued nine tickets for impaired driving during the 20-day crackdown period, said Sgt. Matthew Malinowski, SPD’s public information officer, in an email to The Daily Orange. Sgt. Jon Seeber of Onondaga County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that the

county issued one DWI ticket during the crackdown. The state police also made five DWI arrests in Onondaga County during the crackdown period, according to New York State Police’s public information office. Barry Weiss, Onondaga County’s STOP-DWI coordinator, said the program has significantly decreased the number of impaired driving cases in New York in recent years. The state legislature created the STOP-DWI program in 1981, funding it entirely through the fines paid by individuals convicted of driving while under the influence. Each county operates its own program with broad discretion. Methods for cracking down on drunk driving vary from county to county, Weiss said. The state’s commissioner of motor vehicles approves each county’s program expenditure, and periodically evaluates the pro-

grams for the reference of the governor and the state Legislature, he said. Fatal traffic crashes in New York state caused by impaired driving dropped more than 19% from 2010 to 2019, according to the governor’s press release on Sept. 18. Weiss said the decline could be attributed to the rise of public awareness about the dangers of driving under the influence, which is the goal of the “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” campaign. The campaign focuses on educating drivers, not just punishing them, he said. “A lot of it is about the awareness about the issue, and hopefully people will make these proper decisions before they consider drinking and driving,” Weiss said. “People should be aware 365 days a year, not just during certain holidays or certain days of the crackdowns.” btang05@syr.edu

Syracuse University’s Student Association has formed a new sustainability committee that will focus on environmental issues on campus. SA Vice President Ryan Golden started discussions about creating the committee after noticing SA’s lack of action on sustainability-focused initiatives in recent years. “I wanted to create the committee due to SA’s lack of leadership in the area on campus from the past few years and thought this was one position that could ameliorate that,” said SA Vice President Ryan Golden. Alyssa Quintero, a senior majoring in chemistry and environment, sustainability and policy, will lead the committee. Quintero said she’s passionate about environmental issues and already has several plans for the upcoming semester. Quintero’s first initiative is to expand the Gotcha Bike service to other locations on campus to encourage students to avoid using cars and reduce their carbon footprints, she said. SA began an initiative last year to subsidise the cost of Gotcha Bikes for SU students. There are currently several different hubs on campus, including one outside the Martin J. Whitman School of Management. Quintero would also like to place signs on trash cans around campus indicating what waste should go in different bins. Quintero said she worries that students are not aware of how to properly dispose of waste. Adding signs could increase awareness and clear up confusion, she said. “Right now, all they say is paper, trash and recycle,” Quintero said. “I think signs indicating what goes where would be really helpful.” Quintero said one of her biggest initiatives is to remove plastic containers from cafes and dining halls around campus. SU has begun serving food to students in individual grab-and-go containers as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. While this seems like a difficult task to achieve, especially given the world’s current circumstances, Quintero said she remains determined to limit the university’s use of single-use plastics. Quintero also wants to teach the student body about how important environmental issues are. “Everything that you do impacts the world around you,” Quintero said. “Where you buy your clothes, what you eat, how you get around. I would encourage everyone to be more mindful about where their money is going and their consumption habits.” The new committee’s first meeting will be this Tuesday at 7:30 p.m.

azpollac@syr.edu

4 sept. 28, 2020

from page 1

cafes and colleges where cafes have closed as well as student employees to shift personnel to busier cafes and dining centers, such as Kimmel Food Court or Graham Dining Center. Rodriguez said transitioning into new roles at different cafes has been easy. Though each of SU’s cafes offers different menus and products, most share similar procedures, she said. Food Services also reduced hours at some locations based on the data it collected at the beginning of the semester, Bracy said. Pages Cafe in Bird Library used to be open until 11 p.m. but now closes at 7 p.m. from page 1

protests this claim, alleging Smith’s family heard about his killing from a friend and had to take it upon themselves to identify Smith at the morgue. Demonstrators have also criticized local media for what they see as unfairly representing Smith and accepting SPD’s account of the shooting.

What is Last Chance for Change?

Last Chance for Change is one of several organizations in Syracuse that has protested for police reform and racial justice in recent months. The group helped organize 40 consecutive days of protests over the summer, during which demonstrators marched throughout the city, including SU’s campus. After those protests ended, the group shifted its efforts to supporting the local community while continuing to push for systemic change. It is also one of 15 local groups that submitted the People’s Agenda for Policing, a series of nine demands to reform SPD, to Mayor Ben Walsh and other city leaders in June. The movement’s demands included removing school resource officers from city schools, demilitarizing SPD, and implementing the Right to Know Act, from page 3

rotc

allowing our leadership skills, I believe, to be that much better.” Public health guidelines have also affected ROTC’s 6 a.m. physical training sessions. Cadets must now work out in masks, in smaller groups and six feet apart, Gotie said. Cadets must exercise in groups of 10, or a “squad bubble,” said Felicia Showers, a senior and a cadet battalion command sergeant major in the ROTC program. Showers is in charge of enforcing coronavirus mitigation measures in the ROTC program. Cadets, both those studying in person and remotely, use an app to track their workouts. Gotie said there are fewer than five cadets in the program who are taking classes remotely. As a professor, she said the curriculum has not changed much and she has been able to adapt to the hybrid format. In addition to SU’s standard COVID-19 testing, cadets participate in pooled saliva testing once a week and receive a results update twice a day. No one in the ROTC program has tested positive for the virus since the semester began, Showers said. Working out in a mask has been challenging, especially in hot weather, Showers said. As a leader of her battalion, she encourages cadets to hydrate and take off their masks if necessary when they are at a safe distance from one another. While cadets can’t work out as one unit this semester, the reorganization of physical training has provided additional leadership opportunities for senior cadets, who coordinate workouts, Gotie said. “We’ve had to rely heavily on our senior cadets to really fill those leadership roles that they have not necessarily had the opportunity to really exercise in the past as much,” she said. In place of the Fort Knox training, SU’s ROTC program worked with other universities to conduct a 10-day training session

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Pages also opens later on the weekends. Food.com, located in the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications, now closes at 3 p.m., four hours earlier than usual. Despite the changes, McKyle Zschoche, a junior health and exercise science major, said he works the same number of hours as he did before the closure. He worked in Falk Cafe before it closed. “At first I was nervous because I was unsure of how fast I would be employed and if I would be at the same hours I was previously at,” Zschoche said. Zschoche said SU handled the situation quickly and professionally. Students who work in Food Services

used to have the option to pick up shifts at multiple locations on campus. But because of the COVID-19 restrictions, most are only allowed to work at one location. Several student employees have said they are working fewer shifts because of the restrictions. Student employee supervisors, such as Zschoche, have the option to work at two locations on campus this semester. Before Falk cafe closed, he split his time between Falk and Life Sciences Cafe. In addition to on-campus cafes, SU has also closed other dining centers and catering venues. The Junction Snack Bar on the lower level of Graham Dining Center is closed for

the semester. So is BBBistro, which is located in the basement of Brockway Hall. Inn Complete, a pub and restaurant managed by SU Catering Services, is also closed. The Goldstein Alumni and Faculty Center Restaurant is only providing take out. SU reopened Otto’s Juice Bar, one of the university’s newest cafes, in the Barnes Center at The Arch after Gov. Andrew Cuomo authorized gyms and fitness centers to reopen. Food Services will continue to monitor traffic to each of its locations throughout the semester, and will adjust hours as needed, Bracy said. msessa@syr.edu | @MichaelSessa3

a piece of legislation designed to increase transparency in officers’ interactions with the public. Walsh responded to the groups’ demands in July, agreeing to four, partially agreeing to three and deferring two to the Syracuse City School District and the Common Council.

What demonstrators are demanding

In recent weeks, demonstrators with Last Chance for Change have pressured SPD and city authorities to release more information surrounding Smith’s killing, including body camera footage of the encounter. Primarily, demonstrators want to know how SPD officers engaged with Smith, whether they escalated the situation and who shot first during the encounter. Demonstrators have marched regularly from the Institute of Technology at Syracuse Central to SPD headquarters. Dramar Felton, an organizer with Last Chance for Change, said the movement has focused on those buildings because they hold the answers Smith and his family deserve. Smith’s family has joined the group in marching on multiple occasions. Felton and other organizers have said the movement will march for 40 days or until they get justice for Smith. cjhippen@syr.edu | @chrishipp15_

at Fort Drum in upstate New York before the start of the semester, Wiggin said. Training at Fort Drum, in addition to leading morning physical training sessions and mentorship programs for freshmen, has eased Wiggin’s concerns about not receiving enough leadership training this year. ROTC offers cadets the opportunity to join several clubs, including hiking, land navigation and running clubs, so cadets can socialize with one another. Wiggin participates in multiple clubs where he can interact with underclassmen on a more personal level. “For this semester, I think we’ve had more experience and more opportunities to step up and take charge and develop our leadership capabilities because of COVID,” he said. Lt. Colonel Travis Sheets, a professor of aerospace science in the A ir Force ROTC prog ra m, sa id that A ir Force ROTC cadets have experienced the same cha nges as the A rmy ROTC progra m, w ith smaller training groups and hybrid courses. The prog ra m resumed summer training at Ma x well A ir Force Base in A labama over the summer but w ith fewer cadets. “COVID is really forcing all of us to think about things in a new way and what opportunities are available for us to still educate, train and develop future leaders with the tools that we have available,” Sheets said. Showers said she and a few other leaders conduct a coronavirus safety brief during ROTC’s three-hour Friday labs. While the COVID-19 safety protocols have been effective at SU, Showers said one of the main risks for the program has been allowing cadets from other universities, such as Le Moyne College’s, to train on the SU campus. “For (ROTC), it just adds another layer of risk that we have to be cognizant of,” Gotie said. “We adapt, and we overcome, and we get the job done.” @akweiss@syr.edu | @abbyweiss_21

Last Chance for Change has been pressuring SPD and city authorities to release more information surrounding Smith’s killing. chris hippensteel news editor

ROTC cadets have adapted to training in smaller groups, taking classes in a hybrid format and missing summer opportunities. elizabeth billman senior staff photographer

OPINION

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column

PAG E 5

sept. 28, 2020

fast react

Centro must connect SU to more areas Syracuse protests show chance for SPD reform

After residents protested, Syracuse now has a chance to enact police reform. sarah alessandrini asst. news editor Underserved neighborhoods such as Syracuse’s Southside lack public transportation connecting them to Syracuse University. emily steinberger photo editor By Camille Daniels columnist

he corner of East Colvin Street and Comstock Avenue presents an invitation for the communities of the Southside and Syracuse University to become acquainted by a mere bus route. But transportation isn’t equally accessible to all in the city, creating a divide between Syracuse residents and SU students. Accessing downtown from campus is easier than accessing Syracuse’s Southside. The Centro bus system should add routes from SU’s campus to surrounding neighborhoods to address a lack of transportation and to further connection between students and Syracuse residents. Nyla Moore, a first-year architectural graduate student, said the Centro bus system on campus runs well. But she doesn’t take it as often as she has in the past due to packed buses and concerns about being late to class. For students who want to go beyond campus, the Centro bus system is not always helpful, Moore said. “It is definitely limiting on where you can go,” Moore said. “I think more routes would be helpful, cause a lot of our buses in general have to go through the hub downtown to go to anywhere else. I don’t see why they couldn’t make more direct routes.” The lack of more direct routes remains a problem, she said. More direct routes would help riders, whether they are out on an errand or working in an off-campus neighborhood, Moore said. For some commuters, public transportation is their only source of getting around. But distance and time can also create problems for riders.

“The bus goes where the bus goes at the time that the bus goes. But people are necessarily going throughout their lives at bus times or bus locations,” said Deborah Hundley, president, founder and CEO of Providence Services of Syracuse Inc. Providence Services of Syracuse is a nonprofit that works to help low-income residents get around Syracuse when public transportation is not an option. The lack of public transportation is something those whom the nonprofit serves notice immediately, Hundley said. “Oh, they all know it, they know it, day one,” she said. Hundley began the nonprofit after she learned how a lack of public transportation impacts employment opportunities for people both in Syracuse and around the world. Despite the need for the services, there’s only so much she and her organization can do, she said. “If we had greater resources, there (would be) thousands of people just in the city of Syracuse that could use our services, but we don’t have the resources for that,” she said. Distance plays a role in creating the high demand for the nonprofit’s services. Providence Services caters to those who can’t ride the bus not only due to time but also due to location. Riders in the program need help being transported to jobs outside of downtown. “It’s a catch-22: you want people to work. People want to work, but they can’t get to the jobs and they can’t get home,” Hundley said. Various studies over the last decade show just how much public transportation plays a role in employ-

ment. Time and distance are two issues that Steve Koegel, vice president of communications and business planning of Centro, is aware of. Before the coronavirus pandemic, a variety of riders depended on the bus. Now, the ridership has changed, Koegel said. “The only people who are riding public transportation right now, for the most part, are people who are transit-dependent,” he said. Centro is always looking to improve through constant reevaluation of its services, Koegel said. Riders can expect to see changes in various services, mainly an increase in bus frequency, he said. “We’re looking probably within the year at the frequency of service to our busiest bus lines, which also happen to be in locations where we have the most individuals who are the most transit-dependent, they don’t have access to a car,” Koegel said. Low-income neighborhoods have a greater need for public transportation. Public transportation reflects inequalities and solutions all at once. The transportation shows the wealth disparities between neighborhoods and serves as a key way for residents of those neighborhoods to better their own economic standing by connecting them to job opportunities across Syracuse. Expanding bus service into these under-served communities is key to bettering Syracuse as a whole. Camille Daniels is a graduate student in the magazine, online and digital journalism program. Her column appears bi-weekly. She can be reached at cdaniels@syr.edu

from the editors

D.O. Opinion wants to hear your voice By Nick Robertson, Cori Dill, and Jewél Jackson

the daily orange editorial staff

he Daily Orange Opinion section wants to publish your perspective! We’re now accepting personal essay and guest column submissions from members of the Syracuse University and greater Syracuse community. Unlike opinion columns, personal essays center on your lived experiences both on campus and in the city of Syracuse, as well as

the ways in which your identities inform your perspective on a particular topic. Guest columns are your chance to make your voice heard on relevant news, politics and campus events. Students, faculty and staff at SU and SUNY-ESF, as well as residents of the city of Syracuse, are welcome to submit personal essays and guest columns. Submissions must be at least 300 words and no longer than 800 words. If you’d like to submit a personal essay or guest column, please

email opinion@dailyorange. com and include your full name, year, and position on campus, if applicable. Please also include a phone number where you can be reached. This will only be used for verification purposes and will not be published. For more information on submitting personal essays or guest columns, read the full submission requirements at dailyorange.com/about.

Nick Robertson | Editorial Editor Cori Dill | Asst. Editiorial Editor Jewél Jackson | Asst. Editorial Editor

By Kamal Morgan columnist

yracuse residents protested Thursday after a Kentucky grand jury decided against indicting any Louisville police officers for shooting and killing Breonna Taylor. I was not shocked by this decision, and I will only be shocked when police killings of Black people in this country are no longer normalized. I grew up in Baltimore and witnessed the riots that took place after the death of Freddie Gray in 2015. The same arguments that have come up now came up in Baltimore. What is more valuable in the eyes of people: a loss of life or property damage? Syracuse now has a chance to push for reform and rebuke the culture of violent policing with the passage of the Right to Know Act. The Syracuse Common Council will vote on the measure Monday. I remember when Baltimore City State’s Attorney Marilyn Mosby finally announced that the six officers responsible for Gray’s death were being charged and people rejoiced. The trial ended in a mistrial a year later, and by July 2016, Mosby dropped all the charges for the remaining officers. Hope for what we call justice was dead. The people of Baltimore asked for police reform, and they were given it. Unfortunately, those who are sworn to serve and protect saw the opportunity to undermine these reforms. The police with badges on their chests stopped responding to complaints, police unions had slowdowns to prove their need in communities and leveraged violence over residents. And those in plainclothes, with badges in their pockets, ruled the streets by harassing citizens and conducting unconstitu-

tional stops and arrests, sometimes stealing and selling what they found during the arrest. Baltimore is a case study of what Syracuse can do differently. The People’s Agenda for Policing and the Right to Know Act are reforms that are bandages on a wound. Police do not believe in reforms, just the self-aggrandizing pleasure of maintaining their power and need in the communities they claim to serve. Instead of looking for reform, residents of Syracuse must fight for defunding the police and distributing that surplus of money into areas of need, including mental health services, education, afterschool programs, nonprofits and other essential services that help the community at large. We should not be afraid of defunding and eventually heeding the growing calls for abolishing the police because the love for our communities will always be greater than the relationships we have with the police. In Robin D.G. Kelley’s book “Freedom Dreams,” he wishes this same sentiment for everyone: “Now more than ever, we need the strength to love and dream.” Syracuse residents should look at Baltimore and see that obtaining justice in the world means envisioning our communities without the stronghold of police. It means taking the love we have for ourselves and those we hold dear to create the change we want to see and embody. To say we want justice does not mean incarcerating police but eventually ending policing that causes the trauma in our communities. Kamal Morgan is a graduate student in the magazine, online and digital journalism program. His column appears bi-weekly. He can be reached at kmorgan@syr.edu

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A platy pus? illustration by sarah alessandrini asst. news editor

6 sept. 28, 2020

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CULTURE

PAG E 7

sept. 28, 2020

slice of life

Women in Animation club plans workshops

LATINO/HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH

By Abigail Weber

contributing writer

The department has also partnered with La Casita Cultura and SU’s Program on Latin America and the Caribbean to engage students in the classroom. courtesy of gail bulman

Culture in class By Doménica Orellana Gallardo contributing writer

he Spanish Language, Literature and Culture department at Syracuse University has continued to provide classes that maintain students’ interest in Latino heritage despite the obstacles of the coronavirus pandemic. Through class activities and partnerships with La Casita Cultural Center and the Program on Latin American and the Caribbean, the department engages students in Latino culture and heritage. The department is actively looking for a professor to teach about Latino literature, media and culture. Gail Bulman, an associate professor of Spanish and the director of PLACA, said the department had a full-time, tenure-track professor of Latino studies, literature and culture, but the staff member left the university. After that, Bulman said the department was able to hire another professor for the past year and a half but wasn’t able to renew his contract due to COVID-19 complications. For now, the Spanish department offers academic courses that reflect inter-

SU’s Spanish department engages students in Latino culture through class activities est in the Latino community. One of the courses the department offers is a linguistic course called “Community Outreach: Language in Action,” in which students work on projects with members of the community around language usage. Bulman explained that some students have done research projects after taking this course. Projects in the past have included looking at dialect, variation and change, phonetics, difference in word choices and pronuncisee department page 8

ations in Caribbean, South American, and Mexican communities. Elizabeth Juarez-Cummings, an assistant teaching professor, is the Spanish Language Coordinator for the introductory courses Spanish 101 and 102, which concentrate on grammar and structure. But Juarez-Cummings said these courses have a requirement for students to explore Latino culture. The requirement includes activities that engage students in a cultural component, such as researching current events in Latin America. In these current event activities, students find what they like and explore any news that relates to their preferred topic in Spanish-speaking countries. Juarez-Cummings wants students to pursue the topics that they’re interested in and connect it to Spanish-speaking countries, no matter how random the topics may be. “When I did a search on Batman, there was a convention in Mexico City about batman and the Batiseñal, or Bat-Signal, projected in one of the biggest buildings in Mexico City,” JuarezCummings said. “It is funny, right, but it gives the students an idea on how they can connect their interest with the

Sujean Gahng realized as a freshman that the College of Visual and Performing Arts wasn’t providing enough resources to animation students like herself. Gahng also noticed that there wasn’t much opportunity for students outside of her computer art and animation major to get involved with the art of animation. Gahng created a Syracuse University chapter of Women in Animation with the help of e-board members, such as Leia Bisgard and Amanda Lennes. The club drew 17 students for its first informational meeting on Sept. 19 and plans on having more events, including workshops, in the future. Gahng, president of the chapter, said WIA at SU seeks to educate members about the animation industry, teach technical skills and help students network with professionals. “What we’re trying to do is make animation people more aware of the animation resources on campus,” Bisgard said. “No matter their gender.” The club is entirely event and workshop-based and has held meetings entirely online due to the COVID-19 pandemic but hopes to conduct workshops in person at the Shaffer Art Building. At the workshops in Shaffer, students can to participate in “mini crash courses,” on animation programs like Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Creative Cloud and Adobe After Effects. Until in-person workshops can be held, WIA will upload pre-recorded workshop lessons to YouTube Live or conduct the lessons over Zoom. Professionals from the animation industry will also be guest speakers at the club and provide a networking outlet for members. Despite being a club based on animation and created by a computer art and animation major, a large number of recurring members are not animation majors. At least 40% of the WIA chapter is non-animation Gahng said. “We believe knowledge of resources and also understanding the resources that you have are very important,” Gahng said. The gender divide is a current issue that SU’s WIA e-board is aware of, Gahng said. The computer art and animation major boasts an average of 50% female students, but the animation industry does not follow suit. According to the WIA website, 60% of animation students are women, but only 20% of animation creatives are women in the industry. Despite the WIA parent organization’s major focus on the equal representation of women in the animation workforce, SU’s WIA chapter also stresses the importance of inclusivity. Identifying yourself as a female is not a requirement for this chapter, Gahng said. The club is open to students from every gender, race and sexual orientation. “Anyone can be an animator; anyone can be in the animation industry,” Gahng said. “This is just for people to kind of be like a gateway drug into the wonderful industry of animation.” aweber02@syr.edu

8 sept. 28, 2020

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from the kitchen

Syracuse Cucinas interviews, photographs kitchen staff By Louis Platt

asst. copy editor

Michael Massenzio interviewed and photographed Rich Strub, a chef and partner at a restaurant called Eden, a month after meeting. The photos, taken in Eden, were posted on Massenzio’s Instagram page, Syracuse Cucinas. Since January, Massenzio has taken pictures for his Instagram page in at least 11 more kitchens, including Kasai Ramen, Gannon’s Ice Cream and Via Napoli Food Truck. Syracuse Cucinas has become an homage to Massenzio’s Italian heritage, and the page blends his passions for photography and cooking together. “He’s got an eye for (photography),” said Nick Salibrici, Massenzio’s friend. “And on top of that, he’s a passionate cook himself, so I think him combining two things that he is super passionate about is what led to this project.” Massenzio developed an interest in photography while a student at Paul V. Moore High School in Central Square, New York. He and his friends met outside of school to take photos, and they “pushed each other to try different things and to have fun,” he said. A lot of his photography knowledge and skills came from trial and error. After conducting photo shoots during high school and college, he looked at his work and thought about what he could do better next time. His love for the craft eventually led him in 2009 to create Ammerican Photography, a photography business based in Syracuse. The business served as a side gig for his main job as a teacher at Homer Senior High School. The Syracuse Cucinas project has given Massenzio a chance to combine his love for photography and food, allowing him to explore culinary photography and observe cooking techniques and flavor combinations to try at home. Massenzio is an amazing cook, and he even shovels out his backyard smoker for winter barbecues, Salibrici said. His experience photographing the kitchen staff of Eden in January launched the Syracuse Cucinas project. In the kitchen of Strub’s restaurant, Massenzio introduced himself to the kitchen staff and began photo-

graphing them for about an hour and a half. When he felt intrusive, Massenzio would find a corner to stay in until things calmed down in the kitchen. “I try to be as unopposing as possible, which is really tough because, in the kitchen, people are just flying around doing their thing,” Massenzio said. Dim lighting in many restaurants was a challenge to Massenzio’s work process, but he began to embrace it. He goes into a restaurant with two cameras, and he uses whatever light is in the kitchen. He rarely poses kitchen staff for photos because his objective is to get their working portrait, or a photo of them at work. His presence can become an added obstacle for cooks to maneuver around if he’s not careful. “What I’m learning is that chefs don’t necessarily want you in their kitchen because they might think the idea of a story is cool, but when you are in the kitchen you are in the way of (their work environment),” Massenzio said. Massenzio interviews people in the kitchen in addition to taking photos of them. His interviews rarely take place the same night as a photo shoot because chefs or owners are busy cooking and connecting with guests. When an interview does happen during a photo shoot, Massenzio enjoys the candid answers and interesting anecdotes. So far, Massenzio has received positive feedback about his photos and professionalism. John Gannon, co-owner of Gannon’s Ice Cream, said his pictures came out “awesome.” There were no social distancing issues when Massenzio came to photograph Gannon’s Ice Cream, because their kitchen space is large and only a few employees were working at the time, Gannon said. Since school started at Homer Senior High School earlier this month, Massenzio has limited his commitment to Syracuse Cucinas, but he’s organizing projects for later this year. He’s looking forward to going back into kitchens. “I wanted to give a shout out to the people in the back making the food we love in Syracuse,” Massenzio said. “I think it’s important for an artist to have their space and be given their props.” lcplatt@syr.edu

Michael Massenzio photographed Kasai Ramen for his food photography Instagram account, Syracuse Cucinas. courtesy of michael massenzio

Syracuse Cucinas takes portraits of kitchen staff while they work instead of having them pose/instead of having them pose for the camera. courtesy of michael massenzio

from the stage

Social justice singer Heather Mae performs virtual concert By Amaya Harvey

contributing writer

Singer-songwriter Heather Mae discussed her mental health issues, as well as body positivity and racial justice, in a virtual concert Sunday night. Students United for Body Acceptance hosted and organized the live concert, which Mae performed on Zoom for Syracuse University students and faculty. Mae is an artist known for openly addressing social issues such as self-love, women’s rights, racial injustice and LGBTQ rights in her music. The concert was the first that SUBA organized, The organization formed in fall 2019 and focuses on topics such as body acceptance and anti-racism. “There’s a lot of messaging from a campus like SU’s that’s conformity-based, and if you don’t look a certain way you don’t belong there, and we from page 7

department Spanish-speaking world.” Students in Spanish 101 and 102 also complete reflection papers at the end of the semester. These reflection papers ask several questions related to the student’s experience with the language and help them understand the relevancy of learning Spanish in their future, Juarez-Cummings said. Additionally, students have to research the number of Hispanic and Latino individuals in their community and do a reflection on the language presence in their community. The reflections also have to include three ways that Spanish has impacted their life. The second part of these reflection papers focuses on

want to create a space, at least an hour a week at our meetings, where you don’t feel that,” said Eli Blodgett, co-founder and president of SUBA. Blodgett has been following Mae on social media for a while and even went to one of her concerts. He reached out to Mae last year about performing at SU and planned a concert for the spring 2020 semester, which was then canceled. This time, Mae performed virtually. During the concert, Mae wore a white shirt, yellow striped pants and an orange beanie as she performed in her home. She played the keyboard throughout the entire performance and opened the concert with a song called “Hero” from her debut album “I Am Enough,” which was released in 2016. “It feels good to actually see humans experience my music, so thank you for those jazz hands,” she said. In 2013, Mae developed nodules, or growths that form on vocal cords, and thought she

would never sing again. The time she had off made her reevaluate her singing career. “I made a vow to the goddess, I like to call her, and said, ‘If you give me my voice back I will do you justice. I will fight for the oppressed, those marginalized. I will come out in my music. I will be free with my voice once again,’” she said. Mae also performed another song, “Stand Up,” from her album “I Am Enough.” She encouraged her audience to sing the lyrics along with her. In between each song, the artist engaged with her audience, giving them the opportunity to talk to her. “If anyone has any questions about being queer, coming out to parents, how to have body neutrality, coffee recipes. If you need a coffee recipe, anything, just throw it in the chat. If you don’t want to make it public, write to me privately and I will not say your

name,” she said. Attendees asked about coffee recipes and body neutrality, which focuses on the capabilities of one’s body instead of its appearance. Mae also gave advice on body neutrality through her own personal lens, ending her performance by talking about how one can reach neutrality. “One thing that you could do to reach that neutrality is to become a blank slate. Recognize the appearance ideals you think you should have and ask yourself ‘Who put that there?’ Was it you?” She called each person out by their name and asked “Are you good? Is everybody good?” And before the Zoom concert ended, she shouted out Blodgett. “Thank you so much for the work that you do to gather people, we need more people like you,” Mae said.

acknowledging the benefits of being bilingual, including professional benefits and better understanding of the presence of Hispanic and Latino people in the U.S.

are really enriching for us and the students,” Juarez-Cummings said. CNY Latino, a media publication based in Syracuse, published a couple of the reflections in 2017. The Spanish department also strongly collaborates with La Casita Cultural Center and PLACA. This semester professor Bulman is teaching a new course called “Latin American Performance Today,” which is based on live theater from Argentina, Peru, Mexico and the Caribbean. “We look at different performance artists, stage performances and street theater,” she said. “We examine how these come forward both artistically but also in some ways they are very activist theater and the artists care a lot about social justice, diversity and equity and that is reflected in the aesthetics that they choose to use.”

In addition to the efforts made by the Spanish department, student organizations such as Las Naranjas also contribute to promoting Latino heritage through activities such as El Día de los Muertos. Last year, Las Naranjas handed out free churros in the atrium of Huntington Beard Crouse Hall to students who followed the Las Naranjas Instagram account. This semester they are adjusting to a different setting because of COVID-19. “We are still going to make the best of it by having meetings every two weeks to discuss current events, history, culture, music, art in Latin America,” Las Naranjas president Samantha Branshaw said. “We are hoping one of the Spanish department professors will do a virtual cooking class with us this semester.”

We have gotten interesting essays that are really enriching for us and the students Elizabeth Juarez-Cummings assistant teaching professor

“We have gotten interesting essays that

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men’s soccer

Q&A: Former SU player Ryan Raposo on 1st year in MLS By Eric Storms staff writer

Ryan Raposo set a program record for a sophomore in 2019 by scoring 37 points for the Syracuse men’s soccer team. The Vancouver Whitecaps selected him as fourth overall in the 2020 MLS SuperDraft in January, making him the second-highest selection in program history. It didn’t take long for him to make an impact when he made his first appearance as a substitute March 7. In a road matchup against the Los Angeles Galaxy, he recorded an assist on a Tosaint Ricketts goal that led to a 1-0 Whitecaps victory. But then the coronavirus pandemic hit, and the season was suspended in March. The MLS’ Back Tournament resumed play in July inside a “bubble” in Orlando, Florida before shifting back to a more traditional traveling schedule. Raposo caught up with The Daily Orange to discuss his whirlwind 2020. The Daily Orange: How well were you able from page 12

hillman Though the circumstances were strange, that’s how they should be. Bringing fans back at this moment could impede New York states impressive recovery from the horrific spring. Starting a game with uncertain test results could be catastrophic. Both could also pop Syracuse’s bubble, as the university has kept active COVID-19 cases under 100 for the first five weeks of the semester. As peculiar and contrived as covering a game with no fans was, it was necessary. The entrance process started in a white tent across the street from the Carrier Dome, in between the SUNY-ESF campus and Sadler Hall. Temperatures were taken with an infrared thermometer, and workers asked reporters the obligatory questions: Have you been exposed to COVID-19? Do you have symptoms? There were no tailgaters or fans awaiting admittance into SU’s game against the Yellow Jackets. Inside, the stadium was no different. Concession stands were shuttered, drink vendors were nonexistent and the only people standing around were security guards to halt any nonessential personnel. Director of Athletfrom page 12

denoyer “Hopefully what happens is, (Proulx) ends up being an extension of me, and in turn an extension of (Adams), because she’s putting them in the positions they need to be and telling them what they need to hear,” DeNoyer said. Leadership was a big part of Booth’s progression at Siena, as she went from a midseason starter as a freshman to the MAAC Goalkeeper of the Year as a senior. Booth credits DeNoyer for always making sure she performed at the highest level. Whether encouraging her when she’s had a rough time from page 12

mercado the “Syracuse, NY” location listed below the number, but did his best to answer the phone calmly. It was defensive coordinator Lelan Rogers telling him they’d like to talk to him again on Zoom the next day to talk about his future at Syracuse. “It was important to me to tell them that, right when they called that night, to say I’m heavily interested,” Mercado said. “There’s no need to look around to fill my spot.” He became Syracuse’s first class of 2022 verbal commit on Sept. 2. No other 2022 recruit verbally committed until a week later. Since, Mercado has been joined by 11 others, including three five-star recruits, and is the first-ever Syracuse recruit from Austin. Mercado began playing lacrosse in third grade because his then-flag football coach in middle school told the players they needed to find an offseason sport to stay in shape. He still enjoyed football, but lacrosse

to integrate into Vancouver going into the season? Ryan Raposo: I think I integrated well into the squad when I first came. (Head) coach (Marc Dos Santos) put me in a position to succeed by giving me minutes and giving me opportunities right away. On the teammate side of it, they all welcomed me with open arms, so overall it was a good transition. D.O. What was it like finally stepping on the field to make your debut and then scoring an assist right away? R.R. It was a dream come true. Of course warming up, you’re focusing, you’re thinking about what you have to do if you get subbed on. My name was called — and again, it was a dream come true — I was brought on the field and put 100% of my effort on both sides of the field, attacking and defensively, and I was able to create those chances. D.O. Did you have a “Wow, I made it,” moment? R.R.No, I don’t think it’s all really hit me at once. I feel like it’s been a gradual process from getting here in January up until now, with the

season almost over. Maybe in that first game versus the Galaxy, playing on the same (field) as a guy like Chicharito, who’s played for Manchester (United) and Real Madrid. After the game, I was thinking, “Wow, I really did that.” It was pretty cool. D.O. What was it like when the COVID-19 pandemic hit and suspended the season? R.R. We did Zoom workout calls and stuff over the phone and FaceTime. We made it work, but it was definitely a tough time. But at the same time, it was a tough time for everyone in the world. D.O. What was the team’s attitude when you first heard of the possibility of playing a tournament in a bubble in Orlando? R.R. It’s tough because a lot of guys have families. It was tough for them to leave their families and be away for a long period of time, but we had to do it. D.O. What was it like getting into a routine in the bubble, from the meal situation to just being stuck in one place? R.R. It’s like the same thing right now. We’re in Portland, we’re relocated here. We all

basically live in the hotel. But I guess we’re used to it from Orlando, and it’s just something we have to do. Overall, it’s kind of been a tough time for everyone, but adjusting to Portland now and Orlando then was definitely tough. D.O. Several MLS games were postponed Aug. 26 as much of the sports world went on strike because of the police shooting of Jacob Blake. Has there been a dialogue around these issues throughout the team? R.R. Yeah, for sure. It’s definitely talked about often within the team. Of course, we’re kneeling before every match in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement. D.O. Have any of your teammates in specific really helped you adapt? R.R. Yeah, some of the older guys, like Tosaint Ricketts and Andy (Rose). They’re older vets that really help all the young guys, especially me, in transitioning from college to here, talking to them on and off the field and letting me know what the coach wants and what he’s looking for.

ics John Wildhack greeted one of the security guards outside the press box, wearing an orange mask and a dark blue suit and bumping elbows to show his appreciation. For the last two years, Syracuse developed and underwent the first phase of a $118 million renovation project. The brightness of the new lights shone through the Dome, illuminating its green turf. The natural light from the new roof created a modern atmosphere. Fake crowd noise was rehearsed for the game 90 minutes before kickoff. Boos and jeers rained down as Syracuse offensive lineman did high knees during warm-ups. Then cheers were played as Georgia Tech receivers caught passes from Yellow Jacket quarterbacks. That noise escalated during the game. Georgia Tech’s third downs seemed louder than Syracuse’s upset over Clemson in 2017. Unlike normal games, where the roar is authentic and builds up during marquee plays, this one was sudden and sometimes lasted longer. Babers said he lost his voice because the stereo systems were so loud that he had to scream all game. “I think someone with the volume control was showing off,” Babers said. “No one could

hear what I’m saying.” Just below the roof and speakers is the jumbotron. The four-sided videoboard — each 62.5-feet wide — stands 20-feet high and shows highlights in high definition. It’s the largest center-hung scoreboard in a collegiate stadium. Junior defensive back Trill Williams said it was his favorite addition, and he often caught himself glancing at the screen, only to refocus himself back to the game. “My first time seeing it when we came in for Thursday practice, I felt like a recruit again and this was my first time seeing the Dome,” Williams said. This experience was novel enough. But as the game approached, the players were nowhere to be seen. They played the pregame hype video narrated by Zaire Franklin and the national anthem, preparing for Syracuse to sprint out of the tunnel. But Babers called his team back to the locker room. The next half hour was surreal. Was there going to be a football game that day? What happens if there’s an outbreak within the team? Are both teams now at risk because they were on the field at the same time? Reporters scoured social media, looking for any new breaks. On the field, only SU redshirt players

remained. The Georgia Tech sideline was vacant. Managers tossed a football around as pop songs played through the speakers. An Atlantic Coast Conference line judge even did crunches as expectations to postpone the game grew. But then the players ran out of the tunnel, and suddenly there was a football game to play. The game itself was fairly typical: SU’s defense stifled the Yellow Jacket offense in a 37-20 win, creating five turnovers. The offense finally found rhythm on the ground, and Tommy DeVito responded by throwing two long touchdowns. I wrote in July, that Syracuse shouldn’t hold fans for the entire 2020 season. New York state has avoided any further outbreaks because of the precautions, not in spite of them. Keeping the measures in place for three more months may prevent any further spread before the winter, a season that health officials have feared since the initial outbreak in the spring. If covering lifeless games with no one in attendance and having kickoffs delayed continues, so be it. Saturday was the first one. But five more would be preferred.

at practice or creating a healthy competition between the keepers in training, DeNoyer always found a way to push his goalkeepers to perform, Booth said.

Booth is now an assistant coach at NYU, and she employs many of the same drills and mantras, such as “next shot, next save.” DeNoyer stressed the importance of creating solid relationships with his goalkeepers, and he believed that he has coached most of the goalkeepers to tell or ask anything of him. That was always the case for Booth in her four years as a player and in her one year as a coach alongside DeNoyer. While the mental aspect of a goalkeeper’s play is crucial, DeNoyer also likes to scout opponents and study their tendencies. If an opponent tends to cross more from the right side than the left side of the field, DeNoyer’s team will practice more crosses from the right to make sure the

goalkeepers are prepared. “Once you get to the game, it’s like I’ve already done it 60 times in practice,” Proulx said. “So, it just is a huge advantage to be prepared for a game and being confident about what you’re about to do.” As the team enters its second season under Adams, the rest of the team may take some time to adjust to the new system. But for the goalies, preparation is already underway. “Shutouts, that’s what we’re looking for,” Proulx said. “Yeah saves are great but we don’t win games if we concede goals right, so our goal this season is as many shutouts as we possibly can.”

sports. Despite Mercado being a varsity player, his football head coach allowed him to play with the JV or freshman team on Thursday nights so he could fly out at 6 a.m. on Friday for lacrosse. Because he missed weekend football film sessions, he would make those up during lunch next week. Since sixth grade, Mercado attended Trilogy Lacrosse camps coached by former Cornell D-man Mitch Belisle. As he was named an all-star in 2018, he was invited back for a nineday ‘ICE’ program, which Belisle described as a sort of national team. Because all the 2022 slots were filled up, Mercado played with 2021 recruits. Mercado and Tennessee-native Eli Bowen were Belisle’s most-trusted middies. Before Mercado worked with Belisle on defense, he would try to read the opponent’s face and body. Belisle taught him to focus on hips. “You don’t go anywhere without your hips,” Mercado said after. Offensively, Belisle pointed out that Mercado dragged his stick after dodging past defenders, leaving him susceptible to long-poles recov-

ering and knocking the ball away from behind. Mercado now keeps his stick in front of him and is working on a more deceptive shot. Syracuse coaches told Mercado that he’ll play a more defensive role, at least early on, because of his ground ball abilities, speed in transition and powerful shot, Belisle and Jordan Ruggeri, said his high school head coach. On that Sept. 2 Zoom call, Mercado and Julia sat down with all three SU coaches. The youngest of the trio, offensive coordinator Pat March spoke the most, and the two connected well, Mercado remembered. Within hours, he announced his commitment to Syracuse via Twitter. “It’s not hard to say yes to Syracuse because that doesn’t happen every day,” Julia said. “People are like, ‘Why did he commit so early?’ I mean, how do you turn down Syracuse when you’re an unknown kid from Texas?” On recruiting pages, Mercado still doesn’t have stars beside his name. But now he’s got a big block “S” instead.

Once you get to the game, it’s like I’ve already done it 60 times in practice. Lysianne Proulx syracuse goalie

offered a creative outlet. In practices with the Texas Heat — and then Marquee when the club folded — he could play around with behindthe-back shots, around-the-world passes and Indian pickups. Mercado didn’t want to limit himself. He transitioned to midfield, and has been there since. As early as sixth grade, Mercado started traveling out of the state for lacrosse camps and showcases. In comparison, he only played football for his high school, and still had a recruiter reach out earlier this year about playing in college. Going into his freshman year, lacrosse was Mercado’s primary sport. But football helped Mercado gain aggression and size. His mom used to ask him why he was always “on the floor” during lacrosse games, but the 20 pounds he gained during football training between eighth and ninth grade changed that. “I’m not getting knocked around anymore,” Mercado said. “I can deliver some blows too.” Mercado struck a balance between the two

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PAG E 12

sept. 28, 2020

Inside SU’s home opener

After recently completing phase 1 of a $118 million renovation, Syracuse’s vacant home opener began late after a 35-minute delay awaiting COVID-19 test results. will fudge staff photographer, courtesy of rich barnes usa today sports

SU’s home opener featured a renovated Carrier Dome, no fans and a COVID-19 testing delay ADAM HILLMAN

JUST RELAX

walk outside the Carrier Dome on a typical home opener features the smell of grilled hotdogs, the sight of orange and blue apparel and the sound of a booming

stereo. Syracuse students and fans from across the region arrive to celebrate the end of summer and the return of college sports. But this Saturday, the opening of the renovated Dome was silent. Only one student in a dark blue Syracuse shirt strolled through the Quad at 10:30 a.m., a time when tailgaters traditionally converse as the marching band plays the fight song on Hendricks

women’s soccer

Chapel’s steps. I attended the first football game in the newly renovated Dome and saw the empty seats, heard the fake crowd noise and watched what seemed like an average college football game. I also witnessed the kickoff between Georgia Tech and Syracuse being postponed by 35 minutes to retest three Syracuse football personnel for COVID-19. see hillman page 10

men’s lacrosse

DeNoyer brings new mantra to SU Zach Mercado’s path from Austin to SU By Gaurav Shetty staff writer

When Brandon DeNoyer worked with Taylor Booth in their five years together at Siena, the focus wasn’t on goals conceded. Instead, they turned their focus to stopping the next shot, using DeNoyer’s mantra of “Next shot, next save.” “He would always be in the back of my ear saying ‘Next save, next save, let that one go, focus on the next one,’” Booth said. DeNoyer joined Syracuse (0-1, 0-1 Atlantic Coast Conference) back in July as an assistant coach. He specializes in goalkeepers and coached Catalina Perez to All-America honors in a previous stint at Mississippi State. Perez now plays for Italian club Napoli and the Colombian

National Team. While at Siena, DeNoyer helped Booth win MAAC Goalkeeper of the year. At SU, DeNoyer is set to work with last year’s ACC saves leader, Lysianne Proulx, but also a Syracuse defense that conceded 28 goals in 16 games last season. Proulx has carried her strong play over into this season through one game, while the defensive issues on the field remain. Proulx tied a career-high with 10 saves in the 2-0 loss to Pitt, but the Panthers peppered her net with 27 shots, 12 of which were on target. “Saves are great, but shutouts are better, and shutouts come from the full team,” DeNoyer said. “So getting her (Proulx) organizing, making sure we’re tracking runners, making sure the whole field is organized,

making sure we’re blocking shots, so she doesn’t have to do as much.” A challenge to conceding fewer goals is integrating newcomers into the defensive line. Freshman Lindsey Brick and recent transfer Alina Miagkova both featured in head coach Nicky Adams’ first game of the season. Communication and leadership are required to ensure the new players are in the right positions to stop their opponents, DeNoyer said. As the starting goalkeeper, Proulx will be required to be the leader of her defense. By putting teammates in the right position, Proulx may not have to make as many saves as before. Both Proulx and DeNoyer said the emphasis this season will be on shutouts instead of saves. see denoyer page 10

By Arabdho Majumder senior staff writer

Zach Mercado was ready to pick up the phone starting at 11 p.m. central time on Aug. 31. The revised recruiting contact period opened at 12 a.m. eastern time on Sept. 1, and Brown, Towson and Binghamton texted him within minutes. But Mercado was still waiting for Syracuse, his No. 1 school. Unsure of which time zone the Orange would go by, he decided to go on a three-mile run when a call hadn’t come by 11:45. The Austin, Texas, native never had stars under his name on his Inside Lacrosse profile. Instead,

the unranked recruit emailed college coaches his highlight tapes, with his mom, Julia, hovering to ensure he added specificities to each message. The truth was Mercado wasn’t sure if a call would come. His Iron Horse Austin coaches, former Syracuse players Dom Fin and Luke Cometti, relayed SU’s interest in him, but at showcases, he didn’t have a throng of college coaches watching him. After Mercado returned from his run at 12:30 a.m., he was preparing to go to bed when his phone rang. Mercado started “jumping around” when he saw

see mercado page 10