EAGLE NEWS The official student media group at Florida Gulf Coast University since 1997
December 2019 Volume 18, Issue 6 eaglenews.org
FGCU FOOTBALL We’re gonna make them an offer they can’t accept
EN GRAPHIC BY KRIS LOCKER
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December 2019
INDEX
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News ..........................................................................................3A-12A Sports .......................................................................................... 1B-5B Opinion ..................................................................................... 6B-12B
Twitter .........................................................................@fgcueaglenews Facebook ............................................................................ Eagle News Instagram .......................................................................... @eaglenews
Eagle News Executive Editor ............................................................ Sean C. Porter Eagle News Editor........................................................... Jordyn Matez Assignment & Features Editor.......................................... Leah Sankey Assistant AF Editor .......................................................... Brooke Stiles Beat Reporter .................................................................. Nina Mendes News Clerk ..................................................................... Lauren Miceli Opinion Editor .........................................................Samantha Roesler Assistant Opinion Editor ..................................................Alana Brooks Sports Editor .........................................................Harold Solomon IV Assistant Sports Editor .................................................... Jake Henning Photo Editor ....................................................................Julia Bonavita Assistant Photo Editor ................................................ Raphaella Matta
Graphics Editor.................................................................. Kris Locker Senior Copy Editor ............................................. Gabriella Livingston Social Media Editor ...................................................... Kara Gardiner
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ENTV Director .....................................................................Kaela Thompson Assistant Director ......................................................... Sommer Senne Head Video Editor ........................................................Hassan Brissett Eagle Radio Station Manager ...................................................Abbey Tomaszewski Programming Director................................................Shelby Hancock
Eagle News, the official student media group at Florida Gulf Coast University since 1997, represents the diverse voices on campus with fairness. We select content for our publication and our website that is relevant to the student body, faculty and staff. Members are committed to reporting with accuracy and truth. Our purpose is to encourage conversations about issues that concern the on-campus community. Eagle News views every culture with equal respect and believes every person must be treated with dignity.
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December 2019
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Editor’s Note with Sean C. Porter
It’s my last issue
O
h, brother. This day has finally come. I’m writing my last column for Eagle News, and it’s getting emotional. I started writing for Eagle News in 2017, and my first story was about a man who was arrested for stealing from Dunkin’ Donuts. Times really haven’t changed. In the last two years, I’ve become a better writer and editor, but I’ve also became a better person thanks to Eagle Media. I’m very thankful for the people I’ve met along the way who have helped me grow as a human. Also, I’m grateful for new opportunities, and I’m glad I stayed at FGCU. After my first semester here, I wanted to transfer out. I felt I wasn’t making any friends, and I thought that I’d have a better chance somewhere else. But instead, I reached out. I found groups of people that put up with me, and it has changed my life forever. Do I still plan on cutting my friends off after graduation? Yes. Will I feel slightly worse about my doing that? Also yes. But I’m a drifter. A wanderer. I go wherever the breeze takes me. And there but for the grace of God go I. Follow me on Twitter, @lunchtime58.
PHOTO BY KRIS PERRY So long, fellas. Smell ya later.
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December 2019
The life & death of FGCU football By LEAH SANKEY & HAROLD SOLOMON IV Assignment & Features Editor Sports Editor
Hundreds of students around the United States were ‘offered’ to play on Florida Gulf Coast University’s football team during the week of Nov. 20. FGCU has 15 Division I sports teams; however, football isn’t one of them. FGCU only has a student-run football club, and as of now, it is suspended through spring of 2020. According to a statement released by FGCU officials, a non-employee, volunteer who works with the football club has been contacting individuals about playing football at the school. FGCU says that is has no plans to add football to their list of DI sports. Kevin VanDuser, the former head coach of the FGCU football club and a Southwest Florida realtor was responsible for sending out the ‘offers.’ Chris Lackey, the booster club president, said he was unaware of any offers being made to prospective players. Amid the weeklong controversy, VanDuser claimed to have resigned. However, an anonymous source at the school said that he was removed from his position. VanDuser announced that he will be coaching football at the newly formed Champion Preparatory School. The Champion Preparatory
School twitter (@FootballCPrep) has taken over the FGCU club football account and is run by VanDuser. Two days ago, The Champion Preparatory School tweeted a form that asked for this information from high school students: their name, graduation year, position, height/weight, state, hudl, GPA, SAT score, and ACT score. “This has been done without FGCU’s knowledge or sanction and has caused a great deal of confusion to not only individuals receiving ‘offers’ but to others reading accounts on social media,” FGCU’s statement said. “These 100+ individuals may not realize the ‘offer’ has nothing to do with our NCAA intercollegiate athletics program, or with the normal process that prospective students use to apply and gain admission to the university.” FGCU President Mike Martin said that it
seemed VanDuser suddenly began to take himself as a Division I football coach. “I hope the students that got [the offer] took the time to do enough research to know this couldn’t possibly be so,” Martin said. “Club sports do not hand out scholarships.” Martin added that it is highly unlikely that FGCU will ever get a football team.
“There’s not enough players. There’s not enough money, and there’s not enough fans to go around anymore,” Martin said. “It would take someone with a huge checkbook to come in here and say, ‘I’ll subsidize it.’ While I’m president, I won’t tax students for a losing football program.” Kirsten Hunt, a senior at FGCU said that she wants a football team here, but it would have to be done the right way - which she said she
doesn’t think that VanDuser did. “It’s messed up making
false, empty promises that could potentially alter [those students’] futures,” Hunt said. VanDuser denied any wrongdoing and claimed that each student was fully aware that this was a club sport. However, some of the individuals who received ‘offers’ believed that the team would eventually be a DI team and receive monetary packages that would cover football expenses. One of said individuals was Caleb Petersen, a high school student from Arkansas. Petersen was told that his football fees would be covered once the club team became a DI program in a matter of years. “I was not under the impression that I would be receiving a paid scholarship to play football,” Petersen said. “[VanDuser] explained that football was a club sport at the moment and in the next few years the program plans to join NCAA… I was told that next year the school would be giving some scholarship money.”
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Maxwell Gagne, a high school student from Illinois was also under the impression that club football would eventually become a DI team. “I totally knew this was a club,” Gagne said. “I was excited when I found out
it was a club, and that they were going to become a DI program in a year or two.” Another high school student who received an offer asked to remain anonymous. He said that he was also told that he’d have all his football expenses paid upon being admitted to FGCU, and that his talent would help the club team transition into a DI team. The FGCU club football team doesn’t receive any
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funding from the university other than to cover basic club fees. VanDuser declined to speak with Eagle News but released a statement to the press. “There is a wealth of misinformation happening,” VanDuser said in the statement. “My staff and I have had over 800 inboxes of highlights in the last week asking about FGCU. We offered kids we liked roster spots for next year and nothing else, and you can ask any of them.” President Martin said that this situation was a lesson learned, and that FGCU will do better at managing clubs. “This was just a case where one individual thought he was somehow empowered and more important than it turned out that he really was,” Martin said. “I think the students on the team got that, so they were the ones who effectively dismissed him.”
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December 2019
Florida law makes it illegal to ban plastic bags By LEAH SANKEY Assignment & features editor
A plastic bag may never fully decompose; oftentimes it simply breaks down into micro-plastics. According to the Surfrider Foundation, a non-profit organization that works to protect and preserve the world’s oceans, plastics comprise up to 90% of floating marine debris. Despite this, Florida, a state that is known for its beaches, has a law in place that effectively bans local governments from enacting plastic bag bans. The Florida Retail Federation (FRF) sued Coral Gables over their ordinance that prohibited the use of Styrofoam containers and plastic bags – and won. The FRF is a pro-business lobbying group that represents Walmart, Publix, Target, and other retail giants. The court ruled that the city’s plastic ban was unconstitutional due to a 2011 law that preempts the “regulation of the use of sale of polystyrene products by local governments.” The Third District Court of Appeals sided with the Florida Retail Federation after a three-year legal battle. “Local ordinances are illegal under Florida law and create a patchwork of regulations that are confusing to consumers and business owners,” said Scott Shalley, president and CEO of the Florida Retail Federation. “Florida’s retailers are implementing innovative ways to reduce our collective ecolog-
EN PHOTO BY JULIA BONAVITA
The waterfront at North Lake on FGCU’s campus. Florida, a state that is known for its beaches, has a law in place that effectively bans local governments from enacting plastic bag bans
ical footprint,” Shalley said. “The issue of plastic waste is complex and requires a comprehensive approach to material management, consumer education and individual behavior.” Fort Myers Beach town council member, Joanne Shamp, said that the town will continue doing everything that it can to reduce plastic use on the island. The town banned plastic straws in 2017. In April of this year, the Florida Senate passed a law prohibiting local governments from enforcing plastic straw bans; however, Gov. DeSantis
vetoed the bill. The town of Fort Myers Beach paid for and distributed about 3,000 reusable bags in 2018 and plans to have more made. Shamp said that the island would like to ban single-use plastic bags but is concerned about retribution from the FRF. “Water quality and the environmental impacts of micro-plastic pollution must be addressed,” Shamp said. “Community leaders, especially on barrier islands and along Florida’s coastal waters should
not be prevented from making policy on behalf of the health and welfare of the citizens, the local economy and the environment that sustains life itself.” Surfside, Palm Beach, Gainseville and Alachua County all voted to repeal their proposed plastic bag bans in August. According to the Tampa Bay Times, this isn’t because the municipalities decided against reducing plastic waste, but because they each received letters from the FRF. The bans were repealed to avoid lengthy legal battles.
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Perfect Sequence By NINA MENDES BeAt reporter
Perfect Sequence has been playing in Southwest Florida scene since 2016. The Fort Myers based alternative rock trio has a following of 2,000+ fans on social media. They released their earliest work on an EP titled “The New Beginning” in 2014. The five-track collection of songs features passionate lyrics sung by Caleb Vilca, lead vocals/ guitar, paired with captivating riffs that move fluidly across the rock spectrum. “Away from This” and the album’s title track, “The New Beginning” continue to be fan favorites that often make their way onto the setlist during shows. Brendan DuBois plays bass and Skyler Lapham plays drums. All three members are vocalists. “The three of us have been playing together for a little over a year now,” Lapham said. “Brendan and I make a powerful rhythm section that Caleb is able to build on. We get along well together, and I consider both really good friends.” Perfect Sequence’s most recent music video is for their track “Chemicals,” which was filmed on North Lake Village’s Waterfront. The video was uploaded to their YouTube page. Perfect Sequence’s most viewed video is for the title track of their December 2017 album, Awaken, which hit over 30,000 views. The video is a powerful visual to support Vilca’s lyrics. The song encourages people
to aid those in need because, one day, you may be the one that cries out for help. “Awaken” is the band’s first full-length album and is available on Spotify and iTunes. The record raises awareness around mental illness and talks about overcoming life’s challenges. “We have a genuine interest in engaging with the community through our music without fear that it may come off as preachy,” Vilca said. “We really like letting it all out on stage, but that’s not the only reason we do this. [We do this] to see if we can help society in some way as average humans.” Perfect Sequence aims to give their audience an energetic performance when playing live. Some of their favorite Southwest Florida venues are BroadPHOTO PROVIDED way Palms Dinner Theatre and Dogtooth, in Naples, as well as left to right: Brendan DuBois, Caleb Vilca, and Skyler Lapham. PerRack’em Spirits & Times in Cape fect sequence has been playing locally since 2016. Coral. Perfect Sequence draws inspiration from headliners like The He joined the band in 2018 and toward normalizing talking about Killers, Foo Fighters and Pearl promoted Awaken to the student mental health. Jam. body after its release. The band’s numbers are on a Their approach to the rock genre “I’ve been lucky to use FGCU’s continuous rise, and their fanbase comes across as natural, and their connections as a tool to push our will continue to expand when new music is easy to enjoy. music, and ourselves, into the content is released. “My musical background public,” Lapham said. “We were “In the past three years since consists of pop-punk, shoegaze, able to get the word out about the we’ve been playing, we’ve seen a indie, and hardcore,” DuBois message behind our music video growth in our scene,” Vilca said. said. “These have all had a huge for ‘Learning to Fall,’ in the con“Although we pride ourselves to impact on me and my style of bass text of suicide prevention.” have contributed to its growth, the playing. That’s what I bring to the Perfect Sequence played at last scene has, and will always, belong table in this band.” year’s Out of the Darkness Walk, to many acts with whom we feel Lapham is a senior at FGCU. an event centered on suicide humbled to work with.” In addition to playing at local prevention. They were also asked Perfect Sequence is gearing up venues, Lapham spreads the word to perform at this year’s National to play their next show on Dec. about Perfect Sequence through Alliance for Mental Illness Walk 20 at Rack’em Spirits & Times in his connection with FGCU. to End Stigma, an event geared Cape Coral.
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December 2019
CAPS has a new location But what exactly has changed? By LAUREN MICELI News Clerk
New hires at FGCU’s Counseling and Psychological Services helped reduce students’ time on the waitlist for individual therapy sessions. After relocating to the third floor of the new student and community counseling center building, the CAPS center hired two clinicians and a case manager. CAPS’ space in Howard Hall was smaller, so extra people could not be hired until recently. “We don’t have a waitlist right now, so we are doing very well at this point,” said Dr. Julie Rego, the outreach and prevention director at CAPS. “That’s not to say we won’t have one next week, but it’s significantly reduced.” “Over the last several years, we’ve seen consistent increases in the number of students seeking our services,” said Dr. Michael Ghali, the clinical director at CAPS. According to Ghali, CAPS has seen over 2,000 different students and attended over 13,000 appointments this year. That number rose from about 1,650 clients last year. The increase encouraged CAPS to add more group sessions and workshops, to address the most common reasons students seek services, which are anxiety and depression. “A lot of students come in saying they need more coping skills,” Ghali said. Students can attend CAPS workshops and group sessions an unlimited amount of times.
EN PHOTO BY RAPHAELLA MATTA A photo of the new CAPS building on FGCU’s campus. CAPS’ space in Howard Hall was smaller, so extra people could not be hired until recently.
A six-session limit, however, applies to individual, one-on-one therapy sessions. “I think that certain cases should be an exception to the [six-limit] rule,” said Shania Bogner, a senior at FGCU. “I feel like I have to get so much out at once, and it’s been overwhelming.” Bogner first went to CAPS during the spring 2019 semester, and that was also her first time receiving professional help. She experienced the new building as well as the previous location. “I feel like, in my opinion, it’s lost its warmth,” Bogner said. “It was warm and inviting, and I just haven’t felt that at the new
building.” Bogner had to switch therapists, which made her hesitant to return. “He [her first therapist] changed my mind on therapy for the better,” she said. “The system of having to explain again and again to a new person all of my trauma and wounds has just made my walls go up further.” According to Ghali, CAPS implemented the six-session limit each semester to give all students an equal opportunity to receive treatment. He said some students had 15 individual therapy sessions while other students had none. Along with the individual therapy limitations, the building
change also presents a new challenge in the form of parking. “We’ve had students, especially in the first few weeks, park in the lot and get a ticket,” Ghali said. “There’s no parking for students. There’s no parking for visitors in that lot other than visitors to the second floor.” Parking Lot 1, the closest lot to the student and community counseling center building, is reserved for faculty and staff. Ghali said members of the Office of Adaptive Services are trying to add a shuttle stop nearby to make the building more accessible to students seeking CAPS and Adaptive Services.
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Bella | German shepherd |4 years old| Female Bella loves everyone she meets and has done well with small dogs. She loves to play fetch. She walks great on the leas. Bella is ready to start looking for her fur-ever home!
Duke| Cur mix| 1-year-old| Male Duke was rescued after being dumped out of a car. He is doing really well with dogs and even shares a foster home with ducks. He loves the kids in the home too. Duke is shy at first, but once he warms up, he’s all yours!
information Find yourhere. furry soulmate at Doghouse Rescue Academy (DRA). DRA is a foster-based 501c(3) rescue that pulls dogs deemed adoptable from predominantly rural areas and highkill shelters, giving them another chance at life. DRA organizes fundraisers, events and in-depth training sessions for our community and volunteers. The adoption fee includes spay/neuter, microchip, and full vetting. If you’re interested in adopting and/or fostering, visit doghouserescueacademy.org to fill out an application.
Baron| Pointer|1-year-old| Male This gorgeous guy was found as a stray by a good Samaritan. He is super friendly and silly. Baron is learning basic commands and has been amazing with both dogs and people. He would fit into almost any household.
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Naples Design District Holiday Stroll Starting at the Republic of Decor in Naples, participants can walk up and down 10th Street to support the Ronald McDonald House by shopping at certain businesses on Dec. 5. The walk begins at noon and ends at 8 p.m. Festival of Trees Starts Dec. 6 at 8 a.m. and ends Dec. 8 at 6 p.m. There is a $2 donation entry. The event features trees decorated by local businesses and raises money for Goodwill of Southwest Florida and the Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center in Fort Myers, where the festival takes place. Winter Wonderland FGCU Winter comes to Florida on the FGCU library lawn Dec. 6 from 8 to 11 p.m. The lawn will be decked out in holiday lights for the Programming Board’s Winter Wonderland. There will be free food and hot chocolate, along with other activities. Babcock Ranch Tree Lighting The third annual tree lighting at Babcock Ranch in Fort Myers is Dec. 7 from 6 to 9 p.m. Florida residents can view the ceremony for $5 and non-residents cost $6. Attendees can enjoy holiday train rides and festive
December 2019
food and beverages. Holiday Bazaar at Koreshan State Park Experience the third annual old-fashioned holiday bazaar at the Koreshan State Park in Estero. The park will be decorated for the holiday season on Dec. 7 until Dec. 8. The fee is the regular state park entrance fee, which is $5 per vehicle. Naples Ballet See the classic ballet “The Nutcracker” on Dec. 14 in North Naples. Ticket prices vary, but the average cost is $88. The event is at Artis— Naples, a center for the arts in southwest Florida. Edison and Ford Holiday Nights The Edison and Ford Winter Estates will have live music and thousands of lights for most of December with the Edison and Ford Holiday Nights. The festivities are every night from Nov. 29 to Dec. 23 and Dec. 26 to Dec. 30 at 5:30 to 9 p.m. Entry for adults cost $20, teenagers are $10 and children age $2. Grand Chanukah Celebration Chabad Lubavitch of Southwest Florida celebrates the first night of Hanukkah on Dec. 22 at Zoomers Amusement Park on Summerlin Road. Along with the attrac-
tions at Zoomers, there will be music, games and a menorah lightning. Community Wide Chanukah Celebration Join the Jewish Federation of Greater Naples in celebrating Chanukah on Dec. 23 from 5 to 6:30 p.m. on the Lawn at Mercato. Everyone is welcome, and admission is free. There will be food,
crafts and face painting. New Year’s Eve Bash Celebrate the New Year by dancing through the decades with Society, a restaurant and lounge at Bell Tower in Fort Myers. Three parties are in one location, and tickets range from $20 to $150. The night kicks off at 9 p.m. on Dec. 31 and goes until 2 a.m. Jan. 1.
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December 2019
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December 2019
SpORTS A brewing storm
FALL SPORTS COME TO AN END See how FGCU volleyball fared in the ASUN Chamionship. See how FGCU men’s soccer and swimming capped off their fall campaigns. See more on 4B
How women’s basketball and raining threes have evolved into an all-out downpour
EN FILE PHOTO BY JULIA BONAVITA
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December 2019
Raining threes all over
EN PHOTO BY JULIA BONAVITA Reigning ASUN player of the year from a year ago, senior Nasrin Ulel surpassed 1,000 career points as she recorded a season-high 23 points in FGCU’s 81-77 victory over No. 20 ranked USF on Nov. 29.
By HAROLD SOLOMON IV Sports Editor
After a first-round loss to fourth-seeded Miami in the NCAA tournament a year ago, FGCU women’s basketball is looking to rebound and repeat as ASUN conference champions and hopefully get over the hump this season. With five players entering their final season, the Eagles hope to use that experience to the same success they had in their 2018 campaign that saw them go 28-5, including a 16-0 record against ASUN conference play. Currently sitting at 8-1 on the season, FGCU women’s basketball has had three outings where
it scored 90-plus points with its lone blemish coming on the road against Princeton. With the team’s early-season success, it’s no wonder why head coach Karl Smesko’s squad has high expectations.
PLAYERS TO WATCH FOR: Keri Jewett-Giles: After the team’s heartbreaking loss to Miami a year ago, Jewett-Giles contemplated stepping away from the team but announced in early August she would return to FGCU for her graduate season. So far this season she is second on the team in scoring with 145 points while posting a .442 shooting percentage from the field through the first nine games. She also reached
1,000 career points in the teams’ win against Saint Francis. If the Eagles do plan on making a run in the NCAA Tournament, they’ll look to Jewett-Giles’ veteran leadership to propel them. Davion Wingate: Wingate, a redshirt senior, leads the Eagles in scoring with 162 points which is almost 20 more than Jewett-Giles who is second. She has recorded game-high performances in points (29) field goals made (10) and finished one three-pointer shy of tying FGCU’s single-game record of eight. Averaging 18 points per game, Wingate also joined the 1,000 career points club in the Eagles’ stunning win over national runner-up Notre Dame on
Thanksgiving. Tytionia Adderly: Adderly enters her senior season with a chance to finish her career as one of the top five rebounders in ASUN history. The reigning ASUN defensive player of the year has already become the top rebounder in FGCU history with 940 and is averaging 10.4 per game so far this season. At that rate, she will mostly become the first player in the program’s history to amount 1,000 rebounds in her career. “She has a pride in her defensive performance. She wants to defend things the right way,” head coach Karl Smesko said. “If she sees something on film, she’ll
December 2019 instantly make a correction. You combine someone who’s athletic, tough, has a relentless effort and really smart, that’s how you get someone who’s as productive on the defensive end and the boards as Ty.” Nasrin Ulel: Entering her senior season as the reigning ASUN player of the year, Ulel has a chance to become one of the top three scorers in the team’s history. Currently averaging 12 points a game, Ulel’s season-high 23 points in the teams 81-77 victory over No. 20 ranked USF propelled her past the 1,000 career-point mark. As the season starts to pick up so will her scoring outage and we’ll begin to see more of her scoring genius we saw a year ago. Ashli O’Neal: O’Neal joins the
Page 3B Eagles as a graduate transfer from Indiana State and has already shown she can be an asset to the team. Currently third on the team in points with 68, she has stepped into the lineup without skipping a beat. In the team’s final game of the Cancun Challenge, O’Neal gave the Eagles the 71-70 victory over South Dakota State with a last-second layup. She also looks to join her teammates in the 1,000 career point club as she now sits 96 points away from the feat.
“DOUBT THE EAGLES AT YOUR OWN PERIL”: After a heartbreaking 69-62 loss to Miami a year ago in the first round of the NCAA Tournament, the FGCU women’s basketball team was fueled to come into this
season and bounce back in a big way. In early August FGCU was picked to repeat as conference champs by ASUN coaches, while returning seniors Ulel and Adderly were named ASUN preseason player of the year and defensive player of the year, respectively. “We expect the conference to be very strong this season,” FGCU head coach Karl Smesko said. “The ASUN has a lot of very good teams and hopefully our non-conference schedule prepares us for the grind of ASUN play.” After rolling through their first three games of the season, outscoring opponents 271-152, the Eagles were brought back down to earth when mid-major power Princeton gave them their first loss of the season (Nov. 17). Since
By JAKE HENNING ASSitANt SportS Editor
Davion Wingate leads FGCU in scoring with her 18 points per game, which she more than doubled from last year at 7.6 points per game. She is also shooting a teamhigh 61 percent from the field and 51 percent from three, another team-high. Wingate is third in free-throw percentage at 87 percent, just behind Ashli O’neal and Anja Marinkovic. Wingate’s best game of the season came when she scored 29 points against UCF, along with five rebounds and three assists. This in a game where she played 34 minutes and FGCU won by 22 points.
the defeat, FGCU has beaten Johnson and Wales (Nov. 19) and Saint Francis (Nov. 22) extending the team’s home-game winning streak to 14. FGCU is coming off an impressive weekend as they went undefeated in the Cancun Challenge, defeating national runner-up Notre Dame, No. 20 ranked USF and mid-major power South Dakota State.
WHAT LIES AHEAD? FGCU women’s basketball looks to continue their winning streak in it’s return to the U.S., facing Houston on Dec. 4 followed by a tough string of games against LSU, Temple and Duke before kicking off its slate of ASUN competition on Jan. 4 with a match against Lipscomb.
Wingate has had two other 20-point games, one where she dropped 23 points on Webber International and another on a night against Johnson-Wales racking up 21 points. She leads all FGCU players in 20-point games this season, with Keri Jewett-Giles behind her at two. Over the weekend the Eagles competed in the Cancun Challenge defeating national championship runner-up Notre Dame, No. 20 ranked USF, and mid-major power South Dakota State. Wingate produced 44 points over the three-game stretch and surpassed 1,000 points in her NCAA career in FGCU’s shocking win over Notre Dame.
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December 2019
FALL SPORTS RECAP By HAROLD SOLOMON IV Sports Editor
VOLLEYBALL: FGCU volleyball rounded out its 26-4 regular season with wins over Lipscomb and NJIT before entering the ASUN Tournament as the No. 1 seed. After defeating Lipscomb 3-1 in the semifinal match on Nov. 22, the Eagles were set to face No. 2 seeded Kennesaw State in the ASUN Championship the following day. FGCU found themselves in an unfamiliar position, as they were at a two-set disadvantage at home against KSU. With the game on the line, the Eagles would try to fight back into the matchup but again found themselves trailing 21-19 in the third set of the game. After stopping the first set point, Shelby Beisner and Chelsey Lockey would team up for a block that would give them their first set victory of the night. FGCU would continue its hot streak and amounted a 4-1 lead to start the fourth set but Kennesaw State would respond and eventually lead the match 23-21. Following a block from the team of Daniele Serrano and Snowy Burnam, back-to-back kills from Amanda Carroll
would earn the Eagles a set point. KSU would tie the match up but FGCU would respond with two consecutive double-blocks to take a 26-24 win and force a fifth set. The final set of the night saw the Eagles in position to take the match with a reverse sweep as they held a 12-10 lead at one point. Kennesaw Stwate would respond with five of the six final points, including the game-winning kill. With the victory, Kennesaw
State secured the ASUN’s automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament, forcing FGCU to miss the tournament. “Definitely proud, not surprised at all,” said FGCU head coach Matt Botsford. “That’s been the hallmark of this team all season long, their toughness and grit... Obviously, we would have liked a different result, but I just loved the way they performed tonight.” Tori Morris’ record-breaking performance of 12 blocks against KSU earned her a spot on the all-tournament team. Dana Axner was also selected to the all-tournament team for her two 30-plus dig outings over the weekend. Had the Eagles won the match, it would’ve been the first time
in program history that the team came back from a two-set disadvantage.
MEN’S SOCCER:
After a rough start to the season, the FGCU men’s soccer team turned its season around and found itself as the No. 2 seed heading into the ASUN Tournament. The Eagles had to start their postseason run in the ASUN semifinals against No. 3 seeded UNF at home on Nov. 10. Each team scored within the first 15 minutes of the contest and let their defenses do the work, until sophomore O’Vonte Mullings scored what would be the game-winning goal in the
EN PHOTO BY JULIA BONAVITA The FGCU volleyball team’s record-breaking season came to a bitter end when they lost to Kennesaw State 3-2 in the ASUN Championship, elimanting the Eagles from the NCAA Tournament.
December 2019 70th minute to give FGCU a 2-1 victory. With the win, FGCU would return to ASUN Championship game for the first time since 2016 against top-seeded NJIT in Newark, NJ. In the match that mattered most, FGCU was able to strike first as redshirt-junior Noah Bushey recorded his first goal of the season just before the end of the first half. With a 1-0 lead at the start of the second half the Eagles looked to ride their momentum but NJIT would respond. The Highlanders would tie the match in the 70th minute before tacking on the game winning
Page 5B goal with four minutes to go in regulation. At the conclusion of the match, Thomas Delplace, Shak Adams, O’Vonte Mullings and Ivan Rosales were named to the ASUN All-Tournament team.
SWIMMING & DIVING: FGCU swimming and diving struggled in back-to-back trimeets where they beat Marshall 166.5-113.5 but fell to Toledo, Oakland, and Eastern Michigan University through the weekend of Nov. 8 Wiktoria Czarnecka led the Eagles, earning two first-place finishes in the 50-yard freestyle
and the 100-yard freestyle, and a third-place finish in the 50-yard butterfly.Petra Halmai picked up a first-place finish in the 100yard breaststroke and a thirdplace finish in the third event of the meet, the 100-yard individual medley. Reese Wakefield rounded out the weekend, as the freshman won the three-meter dive with a score of 270.55. In the Phil Hansel Invitational hosted by the University of Houston, the Eagles finished ninth with 554 points. Petra Halmai highlighted the meet, as set a new program record and a new CCSA record in
the 200-yard breaststroke, with a time of 2:11:21. “What an incredible final session,” said head coach Dave Rollins. “Ultimately the relay [disqualification] and our lack of platform experience cost us in the team standings. However the team did a great job cvompeting, and we are starting to see the potential of our program and are setting up well for CCSAs.” FGCU swimming and diving will take a break before returning to the FGCU aquatics center on Jan. 4, 2020 with a meet against Liberty University, Illinois State University, and Tulane University.
Opinion
DO YOU THINK COLLOQUIUM SHOULD BE REQUIRED AT FGCU? Feel free to let us know your thoughts! Email us, DM us or come in and talk to us. See more on 8B
Technology is sabotaging our mindfullness By BROOKE STILES ASSISTANT AF EDITOR
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hether I am at school, at a restaurant, or even driving down the road, I look around to see mindless robots, eyes glued phones. We have forgotten how to walk to class, wait for the bus, or make coffee without feeling the urge to reach for our phones. Technology can deliver information to us at light speeds. Translation – we want everything to be fast-paced in our daily lives. As we continually check emails and social media we are so used to always being occupied that we have forgotten how to slow down and breathe. A typical young adult unlocks their phone more than 70 times a day and uses it for about 260 minutes a day, according to 2018 research by Dr. Larry Rosen, a psychology professor at California State University. Our over-reliance on technology has turned into a mindless obsession. Whether we are distracting ourselves from tasks at hand, or using it in the spare moments, we are always reaching for our phones.
As a result, the way we think about the future is very short-term, or about as long as it takes for the next notification to pop-up on one’s phone. Philip Zimbardo, a famous psychologist, calls this being trapped “in a cycle of instant gratification.” He describes this as being stuck in a present moment that is not actually present because we focus on the next moment or the next post or notification. We have started using technology in place of times with which we could be engaging in free thoughts. The mindless scroll uses up moments we should enjoy like walking our dog, going to the mailbox, or even on a drive home. Neglecting to pay attention to EN PHOTO BY BROOKE STILES our thoughts can crowd our minds Mindfulness takea practice. Give yourself time. Allow yourself to and cause us to feel anxious or make mistakes. stressed. Practicing mindfulness, Paying careful attention to what Set aside time. You do not need however, can train us to be aware our minds and bodies are telling to sign up for a yoga class or a of our thoughts and not to be over- us can nurture our thoughts and breathing seminar, but you should come by them. feelings. Then, we can use those find a space where you feel relaxed Mindfulness allows us to be thoughts to strive towards a more and comfortable. Give yourself in the present moment and to be pleasant and peaceful way of about five to 10 minutes every day aware of our thoughts, our feelliving. to be in this place. ings, our body, and even our surPracticing mindfulness involves Stay still. Lay criss-cross appleroundings. It enables us to observe everything from breathing and sauce or even lie on your back. Do our minds and be in tune with our meditation to yoga. Here is the whatever feels most comfortable bodies. easiest way to start practicing: for you, but make sure to be still.
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Close your eyes. Closing your eyes will expand your other senses. You will be more in tune with the sensations of your body (the feeling of the wind kissing your skin) and the thoughts that float by in your mind. Take deep breaths. We all know how to do this. Breathe in through your nose and out through your mouth. Take time to feel your lungs fill with air, then your stomach as it pushes back out when you let the air escape your mouth. Observe the moment. Mindfulness is not about quieting the mind but instead is about paying attention to moments without judgment. Listen to what is going on around you. Pay attention to thoughts that roll by. Feel your external and internal bodily sensations. (I like to pretend I am beside myself simply observing my own life and ignoring any judgment.) Be gentle with yourself. Simply observe. When the mind decides to wander, gently return it to the
present moment. Practicing mindfulness is something we all can do. It is not something that asks us to change who we are, but rather something that can help us more deeply recognize ourselves. Jon Kabat Zinn, the creator of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR), explains that when we are mindlessly in auto-pilot, different parts of the brain are lit up versus those that are engaged during mindfulness practice. He calls this “selfing,” or “how much of our time we are running the narrative of I, me and mine.” When we meditate or practice mindfulness in other ways, we are getting rid of our obsessive, controlling thoughts. We gain awareness of our human experience — our growth, conflicts, emotions, and other conscious acts that define being human. Mindfulness practice, in return, reduces stress and supports the thoughts or emotions we are
peacefully manifesting. It allows us to be more in tune with the now, so we can easily concentrate on tasks at hand. It re-creates stepping stones to a future that can reflect the authentic human experience. One of the best things about mindfulness is that anyone can practice mindfulness. You don’t have to be a barefoot hippie to understand how to live more peacefully. You might feel funny at first, or it might feel challenging to sit down and not let your mind wander to your to-do lists; that’s OK. Mindfulness takes practice. Give yourself time. Allow yourself to make mistakes in your practice and know that you have the power to refocus your mind back to the present moment. With time, you will start to notice yourself being in a more relaxed state, you will have heightened senses, and your concentration will improve. I have been trying to optimize my mindfulness practices through
yoga and meditation since high school. However, I, too, can sometimes find it challenging to release control of my thoughts. Whenever I have days like this, I am more patient with myself. I give myself more time to close my eyes, focus on my breathing, and relax. I don’t punish my mind, but rather help guide it back to a mindful state. Since I started my journey to a more mindful life, it is easier for me to examine my thoughts and feelings and act on them appropriately. I can find peace with my decisions and actions. I am conscious of when my thoughts start controlling me. I am even aware of the state of those around me. These are all skills that you, too, can obtain through mindfulness. Skills that will allow your mind freedom from technology and the influx of constant notifications. These skills can guide us all toward a more positive and peaceful human experience as an individual and as a whole.
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December 2019
Should colloquium be a required course at FGCU? By ARIANA LEBLANC BESSETTE CoNtributiNg WritEr
Florida Gulf Coast University has a graduation requirement of taking a colloquium class that, “introduces students to the complexities of developing sustainable societal patterns each will face as they launch their careers,” according to the University’s website. Any student is eligible to register for the course as long as they are at least as sophomore. However, many students chose to take it in their third or fourth year. The class is writing intensive rather than consisting of the traditional exams and quizzes. Students may also receive service-learning hours to add onto the 80-hour graduation requirement. However, should the class be a requirement for all students? “I believe colloquium helps everyone understand the impact they have on the environment,” sophomore biology major Hanna Vanderhei said. Vanderhei is currently enrolled in the colloquium class. “It is quite eye-opening to see what privileges we have compared to others around the world. With the everyday use of these privileges, such as our vehicles and plumbing, we shorten the lifespan of the Earth without realizing it, which this class
teaches you about.” Personally, I think the idea of taking the class is great. However, I do not think it should be required. Taking a class that does not necessarily have to do with your major costs extra money and extra time that could be used towards class that would be beneficial to your major. As a student who does not receive financial aid, paying out of pocket becomes expensive, especially adding on other living costs. For my in-state tuition, a three-credit hour class will cost me $611.82. I would rather save the money and use it towards a class that has to do more so with my business major. On an educational perspective, the course can open your eyes to many new topics and subjects that you may not have realized beforehand, so keeping the course as an elective might be a better option. “Colloquialism is important because it connects unaware individuals to an essential part of life, the Earth,” environmental studies major Alissa Humber said. “That being said, the colloquium course should be enforced, however, I think it should be provided at a lower tuition cost than our normal course work because it does not relate to a lot of student’s majors.”
EN PHOTO BY JULIA BONAVITA Taking a class that does not necessarily have to do with your major costs extra money and extra time that could be used towards class that would be beneficial to your major.
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Is the campus Starbucks an effective study space? By ISABELLA CUMMINGS Contributing Writer
With the grand re-opening and remodeled Starbucks on campus, students and faculty regularly merge into crowds creating lines out the door. As an additional study spot, it is common to encounter an abundance of students gathered at tables with a laptop and a book, alon with a pastry and a beverage. Located adjacent to the library, many have found Starbucks a far more convenient setting to study between classes, while others seem lost and overwhelmed with the setup of the design. “For the amount of people that
come in all day, you’d expect there to be a designated section that separates where people can study and where people can eat and hangout,” said FGCU freshman Hunter Armstrong. Armstrong currently works at the campus Starbucks. “But, it seems to kind of blend together and you tend to see a lot of customers [standing] around the pickup area with nowhere to sit because the few chairs that they are occupied by studiers,” Armstrong said. Entrepreneurship major Jade Gibson and her sister Sapphire, a health science major, study regularly in Starbucks. They agreed that this is the perfect location since it is the core
EN PHOTO BY JULIA BONAVITA Starbucks is a go-to study place for many FGCU students despite the crowds and limited space.
of campus and any other place is usually too hot. They said Starbucks is better to study as a group because it’s more conversational, while the library is too quiet. Since Starbucks doubles as a laid back environment and a familiar study spot, the comfortable medium of music volume with respect to the visitors has become a topic of debate. “I like the noise, especially with constant movement it helps keep me productive and on track,” Gibson said. Alternatively, Armstrong has personal experience with upset
students who have been disturbed by the music volume. “Many people even from outside come up to me and request that the music volume be turned down because it interferes with their concentration,” Armstrong said. In my opinion, this free spirited location has an inspiring and creative feel to it. I believe with any spot on campus, there are pros and cons; one must discover their own personal preference of where they feel most comfortable studying on campus.
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December 2019
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hat does responsible travel really mean? As a beginner traveler, I believe it is important to travel as sustainably as possible. An easy start to traveling sustainably is to invest in items that aren’t disposable. For example, a metal water bottle, whether you’re traveling across the globe or just up the state, is an easy alternative to buying water bottles (and creates less waste). Another item I’ve incorporated into my travels is switching to bar shampoo and conditioner. The pros: They cost less money (less packaging also means less waste), they’re small enough to fit in your palm, bars last longer than the bottled stuff, and they’re carry-on approved. If you’re having trouble packing in a carry-on, try switching your liquids to bar alternatives. Aside from sustainability, be responsible as a traveler. Meet Phu Noi. He is a young Asian elephant (pictured on the right). Phu Noi is taken care of by mahout Edy (mahout means an elephant caretaker). Each day Edy will hike Phu Noi’s habitat to ensure he is healthy and fed properly. Phu Noi’s view is pictured below. I support people like Edy who protect animals, not exploit them. Responsible travel can mean a variety of things, but find how you can incorporate it in not only your travels, but in your life.
Tips from a seasonal traveler
Kasey Powell is a seasonal traveler from Outer Banks, North Carolina. With her photography company, Powell holds business from May to September. The colder months from October to April are spent in different countries. “I don’t think I am wealthy. I think I’m comfortable,” Powell said. “After college I budgeted using different blogs and found ways to save as much money as possible.” Powell chooses places that stretch her dollar. She recommends researching where you want to travel and what type of trip you want to have.“There is a difference between backpacking and going on vacation for two weeks,” Powell said. Through research in her early travel days, Powell discovered ways to aid her packing. Packing cubes were her early discovery. She said they keep her organized during longer trips. Another tip Powell added is that people pack differently. “I pack a mini steamer because my clothes get wrinkled when I backpack,” Powell said. “Some might think it is unnecessary, but I don’t.” Powell added that traveling is different for everyone. Her final advice is to know yourself and your trip. Try stepping away from the tourism and into your uncomfortable zone. Happy travels, Kris
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December 2019
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