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NFL players’ public protests emphasize the importance of free speech.

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After passing away on Oct. 2, Tom Petty is remembered by loving fans.

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Women’s Soccer Sports Get to know Women’s Soccer’s Alex Madden ‘21.

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U.S. Ambassador Susan Rice Visits Fairfield Independent student newspaper

By Connor O’Rourke Assistant News Editor

Former National Security Advisor and Ambassador to the United Nations under the Obama administration, Dr. Susan E. Rice, came to visit Fairfield on Thursday, Sept. 28, in order to give a talk at the Regina A. Quick Center for the Arts about the state of the American political landscape and the issues most prevalent in our highly globalized world.

One of the students who attended the event, Sean McDonagh ‘20, expressed that, “she is an inspirational speaker who inspired me to become a more informed citizen.”

This event was a part of the Open Visions Forum being held at the University, which was initially supposed to host Mark Ruffalo, famous for his role as The Hulk in “The Avengers,” but he had cancelled a few weeks prior to the event, which left the vacancy for Dr. Rice to speak to the Fairfield community.

While being interviewed, Dr. Rice had given insight into what it was like to work under high pressure situations in both Bill Clinton and Barack Obama’s respective administrations over the years.

During Clinton’s presidency, she served at the National Security

Week of October 4, 2017

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of the notable events of her diplomatic career consisted of the “Arab Spring,” where she made clear that the U.S. encouraged the former Libyan dictator, Muammar Gaddafi, to step down from office or face severe consequences, as well as the attack on the U.S. diplomatic mission in Benghazi, Libya, on Sept. 11, 2012. She was most recently the National Security Advisor during Obama’s second term in office, where she facilitated a deal regarding Iran’s nuclear program and helped respond to the international ebola crisis in 2015.

When speaking about her most valuable experiences while working in government, Dr. Rice said, “I’ve spent 25 years from age 28 to 52 working in the U.S. government; I’ve gotten to do it from all levels from a more junior staffer at the National Security Council to the U.N. and National Security Advisor and I have been Connor O’Rourke/The Mirror really privileged to work for what Ambassador Susan Rice spoke in a panel with (from left to right) Open Visions Forum founder Dr. Philip Eliasoph, Dean I consider to be generally extraorof the College of Arts and Sciences Dr. Richard Greenwald and Assistant Professor of Politics Dr. Gayle Alberda. dinary presidents.” She noted that both presidents she worked with Council from 1993 to 1997, as the improving U.S. relations with the dor to the United Nations during were highly intelligent people and director for international organiza- continent as a whole.

Obama’s first term in office, where it was an honor and a privilege to tions and peacekeeping from 1993 During her time in the Obama she was noted as being the first work with both the Clinton and to 1995 and she was also involved administration from 2008 through African American woman to rep- Obama administrations.

Read Rice on Page  in watching over African affairs and 2017, she was the U.S. Ambassa- resent the U.S. at the U.N. Some

FUSA Hosts 14th Annual Pres Ball

By Connor O’Rourke Assistant News Editor

Connor O’Rourke/The Mirror Students danced the night away at the 14th Annual Presidential Ball. The Ball had a 1940s theme.

On Friday, Sept. 29, the Fairfield University Student Association hosted the much anticipated 14th annual Presidential Ball, which featured, as always, fun, dancing, food and great music. The theme for this year’s event was 1940s elegance, as opposed to last year’s theme, which had the theme of 1950s rock ‘n’ roll. Many questions arose about this year’s Pres Ball due to the fact that it was a tradition started by the University’s former president, Rev. Jeffrey von Arx, S.J., hence, with his departure, the tradition could have possibly changed or have been replaced with a new event altogether.

One of the other concerns that resonated with students was the issue regarding the overall size of the venue, which left some students scrambling to find tickets on the final days leading up to the event. Many would like to see an increase in the venue size to avoid buying and selling on the Facebook page. On all of the class Facebook pages, people were trying to buy and sell tickets for the event due to the supply of tickets not being Read New on Page 

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THE MIRROR | Week of October 4, 2017

News

Students Show Support for Vegas at Vigil

By Kaytlin Barcus Contributing Writer After what’s been named as the deadliest shooting in modern American history, the Fairfield University Student Association, Campus Ministry, school administration and Student Affairs responded with a vigil for the victims of the Las Vegas shooting that occurred on Oct. 1. A man fired into the crowd of the Route 91 Harvest Festival from the 32nd floor of a nearby hotel, leaving 59 people dead and 527 people injured.

Upon arrival, students were given a candle with the name of a victim from the shooting. They were told that later in the program, they would be asked to say the name of the victim out loud. FUSA president Cara Gibbons ‘18 started the program by welcoming everyone who came, saying, “it’s times like these that we need to look to each other in our community and turn to love.”

Campus Minister Katie Byrnes then said an opening prayer and Campus Minister Kevin Molloy read from the Book of Habakkuk 1:14 and 2:1-4. Byrnes then spoke again, offering students three ways to pray for Las Vegas. She encouraged students to “turn away from the news and turn towards prayer,” because prayer “is central to our Christian life.” This is the first thing people can do, according to Byrnes: “pray for the victims.” The second way, she proposes, is to “pray for our civil leaders.” Despite the political division in our country today, she explained that our leaders “are not only grieving as we are, but they’re responsible to lead in the aftermath.” She asked that everyone pray for the Las Vegas sheriff, the Las Vegas mayor, the Nevada governor and President Donald Trump. Her third way is to “pray for those who are hurting.”

After Byrnes finished, Campus Minister Fiona Shovlin and Muslim Chaplain Nargis Alizada ‘12 led the students through another prayer. Then students went around reading the names of the victims off of their candles. Many tears were shed and after all names were read, closing prayers were read and moments of silence were held before students blew out their candles.

Gibbons said, “FUSA felt impelled to do something because it’s important for students, faculty, staff, and administration to understand that it’s OK to feel upset, it’s OK to

Kaytlin Barcus/The Mirror Students, faculty and staff gathered at the Stag Statue on Oct. 3, after the deadly Las Vegas shooting on the 2nd, for a vigil hosted

by FUSA, Campus Ministry, Administration and Student Affairs. Candles were lit and the names of the victims were read.

be angry, and an event such as a vigil makes people come together and recognize that they’re not the only ones having these feelings. It brings together unity and love, and we want to spread that on campus. It makes people recognize that they’re not alone and that, together, change can be implemented and we can see a better America.”

She continued, “It was a horrific event that happened and that’s why we wanted to bring attention to it, be a support system and inform people on what was actually occurring.”

FUSA Vice President Molly Strang ‘18 followed up by saying, “I think we’ve grown numb to these things and I think it’s important to bring attention to them and stop thinking that this is normal. We need to do something about it.”

Sophomore Aileen Morley-McLaughlin spoke of the importance of the vigil, “I am really glad that the school did

something. I think it’s important to acknowledge what’s going on because it can happen anywhere, even on our own campus,” said Morley-McLaughlin. “What really gets me the most is the 59 people that aren’t returning to their families and the 59 families that are now missing a loved one. It’s hard stuff to talk about so I think people avoid it, but like Ellen Degeneres said ‘be angry, be sad … but just care.’ I was also happy to see how many people were there; it had to be at least 80.”

Sophomore Hope Bahnke agreed with Morley-McLaughlin, saying, “I really liked the event. It brought a sense of peace and unity to me because the community came together and the turnout made me happy because many people came to show support.”

New Pres Nemec Hosts First Ball Continued from Page 

enough to satisfy the demand for attendance.

As per the FUSA Programming Director, Danielle Rice ‘19, 2,605 tickets were bought in total, but only 1,838 were scanned, which could be a result of students possibly getting in without tickets being scanned or because many simply decided not to go.

Rice felt as though “this year’s Presidential Ball was a great success … we were incredibly proud of our new entrance to the event as well as the layout of the tent with the dance floor and stage.”

At the event, it was quite apparent that the University took the initiative to increase security measures. According to Assistant Director of Public Safety John Ritchie, “I think we had a couple more staff members on this year over past years.” In terms of the amount of transports, Ritchie stated that there were 10

alcohol related ones across campus in total, including three from the tent. As always, the campus police were ensuring that the event was a safe environment for the University community to hang out and have a good time without incident.

One student in attendance at the event, Kyle Morehead ‘20, when asked about his thoughts on Prez Ball as a tradition, said that “as a student, I think it’s important because it is a coming together of the Fairfield community and we all get to just have a great night together.”

In addition to affirming the importance of the event as a staple of the University community, Morehead also spoke about what should be changed for Pres Ball in the future.

He expressed that, “maybe the addition of more tickets because I know that ticket sales were running low this year as well as last year,

so including more tickets for visitors and more students to come along would be awesome.”

In regards to the maximum capacity of the event space, Ritchie made it clear that, “this year’s tent was a bit larger than usual. It was able to accommodate about 2,600 guests.

We sold just about 2,600 tickets.”

When asked about the state of the tradition and whether or not he thought it would be continued under the new presidency at the University, Morehead said, “I don’t think [the tradition of Pres Ball will stop] because for as many years as it has been going on, I don’t think they would stop it now and there really is no reason to.”

In regards to his feelings about the overall importance of the tradition for the University community, he said ”I think it just opens up a lot of social interaction in the community for everyone from all different classes to get

together and hang out.”

Sophomore Brendan McMahon, when asked about the importance of this annual tradition, believed that ”to me, Pres Ball means initiating in the new year. It’s a big party at the end of September, just as we’re getting into the swing of things, we’ve got this big celebration to really kick start the year.”

As to why the tradition is worth maintaining, Rice replied that “Presidential Ball kicks off the fall semester as the first event of the year that is open to all classes. There is a true sense of community that forms at the event. This could be seen this year among the 400+ seniors that took a group picture on the back of Bellarmine with President Nemec.”

Rice continued, “students are excited to attend this event and be together as a University.

FUSA is proud to hold and sponsor this event, year after year.”

Connor O’Rourke/The Mirror Students of all classes danced and had a blast at the 14th Annual Presidential Ball. This was the first time that the event was hosted by the new president of Fairfield, Dr. Mark Nemec PhD.

THE MIRROR | Week of October 4, 2017

News

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The Mirror Reflects on this Week in Social Media Compiled by Juliana Sansonetti Information contributed by the Department of Public Safety.

Wednesday, 9/27 7:50 p.m.- A stray soccer ball from the women’s soccer game on Lessing Field struck a vehicle in the Campion parking lot and damaged its windshield. The owner of the vehicle was located and notified.

Friday, 9/29 11:17 a.m.- Staff in the President’s office at Bellarmine Hall reported an unwanted guest in their office. The person was located, identified and left campus without incident.

8:10 p.m.- A male student in 47 Mahan Road reported his hockey bag that he left outside of his room was stolen from the hallway. Officers located the bag in the dumpster outside the building. Someone had gone through the bag, but all its of its contents were recovered. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact DPS. 8:56 p.m.- Eleven underage students were documented for possessing alcohol while walking up to the Presidential Ball.

10:15 p.m.- A male non-student was arrested for interfering with an officer and disorderly conduct after he attempted to climb the pole in the center of the tent at Pres Ball.

Saturday, 9/30 9:22 p.m.- A male student was observed running naked on Leeber Rd. The male was located in his townhouse.

The student was intoxicated, so he was documented and released on his own recognizance.

Sunday, 10/1 1:45 a.m.- DPS responded to a roommate dispute in Kostka Hall. Two female students had an argument and the area coordinator provided one of them with a separate room for the night.

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Allison White, Editor-in-Chief Andrew DaRosa, Executive Editor Catherine Veschi, Managing Editor Editors Juliana Sansonetti, News Connor O’Rourke, Assistant News Lexi Thimble, Opinion Alicia Phaneuf, Vine Cara Lee, Assistant Vine Claire Monahan, Coffee Break Alfredo Torres, Sports Daniel Montgomery, Assistant Sports

Online Bradley Nordstrom, Web Master Ariana Puzzo, Online Editor-in-Chief Pamela Kask, Online Opinion Editor Brendan Zimmerman, Online Vine Editor Kelley Eckert, Online Coffee Break Editor Business Department Email: info@fairfieldmirror.com Natalia Macchio, Director of Finance Phillip Sibert, Circulation Adviser Dr. Tommy Xie Contact Information Fairfield University 1073 North Benson Road, BCC 104 Box AA, Fairfield, CT 06824 General email: info@fairfieldmirror.com

Rice Speaks on Global Affairs Continued from Page  Furthermore, she emphasized that, “I’ve gotten to negotiate some of the most difficult resolutions at the United Nations, toeto-toe with some of our toughest adversaries like the Russians and the Chinese.”

In regards to her role as the White House’s National Security Advisor, she noted, “I’m very proud of many of the things we were able to get done during my 10 years as National Security Advisor such as the deal to prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon, the Paris climate agreement … [and] the investment we have made in terms of resources to the Asia-Pacific region.” She also went on to highlight the significance of the progress made in forging the trans-pacific partnership trade agreement during the Obama administration.

Prior to her extensive political career, when she first developed an interest in being involved with the government, Rice expressed, “When I was as young as 9 or 10, I knew I was interested in government. I was born and raised in Washington D.C., I went to school with kids whose parents were in congress or in the executive branch or ambassadors, so from a very early age I have been exposed to government. My father served for different incarnations in government, [and] my mom worked on issues related to government.” Rice went on further and spoke about how she wanted to be an elected official when she was younger, but the only problem with that was that Washington D.C. has no representation in Congress.

Dr. Rice emphasized that she had always maintained a keen interest in public service, but noted that when she was finishing up her graduate work, she was still interested in policy issues, but could not decide between going into domestic or foreign policy. In regards to this dilemma, Rice pointed out that, “when President Clinton was first elected in 1992, I had a choice between joining

the National Economic Council, which had just been established, or the National Security Council and I chose the security council, which led me down a path that has continued.”

Dr. Rice also spoke to us about how her time in the U.S. government has seen her have to make numerous tough decisions over the years. She expressed that, “I had to make a lot of decisions, often under time pressure, often without every piece of information I might have wanted and it was challenging, but that was also a part of the thrill.”

She was able to deal with the pressures of working within these high level government positions by gaining experience over a long period of time in her career and she stated that, “I was fortunate to have very good preparation over the years … I was also fortunate to have a relationship of confidence and trust with the president that enabled me to know that he was the ultimate decider on the hardest issues. My job was to make sure that [President Obama] had all the options and all the perspectives of his senior advisors fairly represented and then to give him my own best judgment as to what he should do.”

When asked about what she had hoped for Fairfield students and the community to get out of her talk on Thursday, she said that, “I hope they get a better perspective of the central role that American leadership plays in the world and what happens when we don’t fulfill that function as well as we should and that it has real implications for our security.” Dr. Rice also stressed the importance of public and government service in regards to how rewarding the experience can be.

Lastly, Dr. Rice responded to what her plans are for the future, where she stated that, “I don’t know what I want to do as my next big thing … for right now, my priority is to be with my kids and my husband and my friends, as well as family members that have been so supportive of me for the last eight, actually 10 years if you count the work I did on the campaign.”

News

THE MIRROR | Week of October 4, 2017

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Fairfield “Starts Up” the Competition

By Jacob Buttiker Contributing Writer

Stags of all grades with dreams of being future entrepreneurs sat anxiously in the Aloysius P. Kelley Center on Wednesday, Sept. 27, eager for the Annual Business Startup Competition Kickoff to begin.

One hundred people flooded the Kelley Center presentation room, including staff and prior contestants, to welcome new students into this unique program.

In short, the Business Startup Competition gives students the opportunity to present an original idea to a team of investors, with the hope of securing funding to take their business to the next level.

“It’s basically like ‘Shark Tank’ minus the sharks,” said Associate Professor of Information Systems & Operations Management Christopher Huntley, who organizes the competition each year.

The Business Startup Competition began in 2012, with a total audience of about 300 people for the final event.

Since then, the event has grown exponentially in popularity, with almost 5,000 people watching the final event last year, according to Huntley.

As the event has grown in volume, funding for the event has increased as well.

Huntley also disclosed that last year, close to $60,000 worth of investments were given out to students who could prove that they had an original idea and the power to make it succeed.

“I hope to eventually start my own business or pursue a startup. This competition will help us gain the knowledge needed to start our own business and learn about the different aspects of pursuing an idea,” said Ed Falcigno ‘19, who participated in the program for the first time this year.

The Startup Competition has been home to a plethora of different business models and ideas over the years.

Everything from Trees of Life, led by Emily Yale ‘18, a technology that would harvest water from trees that had purified it naturally through their roots, to Africa Requests, led

by Julian Ashong ‘17, a delivery service designed to transport goods safely from the U.S. to Africa.

The Business Startup Competition is a year-long event, with its kickoff happening in September and the final event taking place in the spring, on April 26.

Although the finale receives the most press, there are many events that go on behind the scenes that are crucial to the Startup Competition.

There will be an Elevator Pitch Contest in mid-October, a Business Model Workshop the second week of November, as well as the Showcase Qualifiers on Dec. 13.

Leaders of the program, such as Professor Huntley and Associate Dean of Graduate Programs in the Dolan School of Business, Mark Ligas, stressed that even if you are not the winning team, you leave the competition with a vast knowledge of what it takes to be an entrepreneur, as well as an assortment of connections to people in the industry; no one leaves empty-handed.

“This is a chance for the business side of you, the genius side of you, the entrepreneur side of you, to come out and flourish,” said Ligas.

Dean Ligas highlighted that the program draws attention to how important the entrepreneurship aspect of business is.

As the program’s popularity has grown since 2012, its message of encouraging students to start their own businesses directly correlates with the new Center -Ed Falcigno ’19 for Entrepreneurship that will be featured in the new school of business, spanning 5,000 square feet.

Junior Sam Gindhart commented on what motivated him to participate in the competition this year. “I have heard only good things in the past … it seems like a great opportunity to learn, network and gain real-life experience for the business world,” said Gindhart.

As the event continues to progress throughout the school year, ideas will begin to take shape and business models will be formed.

Come spring, only a few teams will stand at the finale, with the opportunity to secure thousands of dollars in investments and truly display the entrepreneurship that they have began.

I hope to eventually start my own business or pursue a startup. This competition will help us gain the knowledge needed to start our own business and learn about the different aspects of pursuing an idea.

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THE MIRROR | Week of October 4, 2017

Opinion Editor Lexi Thimble » opinion@fairfieldmirror.com

Getting Opinionated with The Mirror

NFL Protests Show America's Need to Unite

By Ariana Puzzo Online Editor-in-Chief

they take a knee, calling them “sons of b*****s,” and throwing gasoline on the debate over whether or not sports should be political.

As a staunch supporter of the First Amendment, I believe that the players are within their rights to protest, as long as the protests are not violent. At the same time, I recognize that the owners have the legal Freedom of speech is the cornerstone of democracy and is one of the many benefits of living in our free nation. Often, taking advantage of the rights that we are afforded, we misunderstand or misrepresent capability to fire players if the protests are in violation of their contracts and threaten the NFL’s ability to “sell their true intention. President Donald Trump and the NFL are at odds regarding the former’s remarks their product.” If you consider any scenario — whether you are an employee at a company or a student at a toward players who protest racial inequality and police brutality by kneeling during the national anthem. university — the individual represents the organization. If said individual does something that the business During his Huntsville, Ala. event on Sept. 22, Trump urged NFL owners to remove players from the field if or university believes will directly disadvantage profits, some degree of action will likely be taken, which would also be outlined in the contract.

There will be people who think that is wrong and I would agree with them, but big businesses such as the NFL come down to dollars and cents. If people listen to the president and start boycotting games and sponsors of the NFL withdraw their products, the NFL is likely to react, as any business would. Even so, owners should not take their cue from the president or any other government official, and that is where the situation gets tricky. As Catherine J. Ross, a professor who specializes in constitutional law at The George Washington law school, explained to USA Today, “You don’t waive your right to speak because you’re the president.” Ross goes on to say that although the legislative branch possesses the power to prevent players from kneeling, the president still “yields enormous power” and can use that power to pressure companies, which would in effect be an “unwarranted interference with freedom of expression.” Fortunately, it appears at the moment that the NFL owners are supporting the players who have chosen to exercise their rights as American citizens to peacefully protest.

America has a long history of athletes protesting publicly. Sports are always mixed with politics and it is with our advanced form of media that the message is spreading faster than ever before. According to ABC News, it was in 1967 when Muhammad Ali used his recognition to publicly declare that he would not enlist in the military for the Vietnam War. Likewise, Jackie Robinson admitted in his 1972 autobiography that “I cannot stand and sing the national anthem,” and did so as a form of silent protest after making an agreement with Branch Rickey, the baseball executive who signed him with the Dodgers that he “would not respond to racial slurs and hate.”

What we see on our fields and courts today is not unprecedented; there is a long list of protesters who mixed sports and politics, and did so with the intention that they would highlight injustices that remain prevalent in society. Rather than call for citizens to be fired for exercising Creative Commons/Wikimedia Commons the cornerstone of our democracy, the president should call for our citizens to recognize the chasm that exists in our nation with regard to racial equality and commit to healing the divide.

Fairfield's Career Fair Unjustly Favors Business

By Allison White Editor-in-Chief

On Sept. 27, Fairfield students decked out in their best attire and headed to the RecPlex for the Career & Internship Fair. Little did they know it was basically the “Dolan School of Business” fair. When I first walked into the room and received my name tag, I was told to put my year and majors, Digital Journalism and English, on it as well. Then I was ready to take on the dozens of tables and make some connections.

It took less than five minutes for me to realize that this was not going to happen. Everywhere I went, it had something to do with getting your MBA, working in finance or anything else related to students in the business school.

While walking around, I saw plenty of my peers talking to various tables; what they all had in common was that they were all in the business school.

After talking to friends in other schools, we all realized there was nowhere for us to go. I was there for all of 15 minutes and did not talk to a single representative due to the lack of options available. It’s disappointing to prepare yourself and not have a glimpse of a future employment

Editorial Board "A Single Shooting is One Too Many" Allison White Editor-in-Chief Andrew DaRosa Executive Editor Catherine Veschi Managing Editor

opportunity. As a college student, we’re all pretty busy, yet we take the time to attend important events such as this one. Waking up early, printing out resumes, getting ready and dressed in ap-

Creative Commons/ Pixabay

In a nation plagued by the turmoil hitting the U.S. territory of Puerto Rico as well as the heightening tensions with North Korea, the country was recently dealt yet another tragedy of catastrophic proportions. On the evening of Oct. 1, a lone gunman by the name of Stephen Paddock rained gunfire among the crowd attending the Route 91 Harvest Festival from the 32nd floor of the Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino in Las Vegas, Nev., killing 59 individuals and injuring another 527, according to the New York Times.

Assumedly, individuals barraged the media with questions regarding the identity but surprisingly, nothing has emerged as suspicious from the gunman’s background, other than that he was an avid gambler and lived in a retirement community with no history of mental illness. However, when investigating Paddock’s hotel room, police found a total of 17 guns with hundreds of rounds of ammunition,

propriate attire takes time out of our day when we could be doing work, studying or even just taking a break from our busy schedules to relax. This would be worth it if there were opportunities present, but the lack of these opportunities made it a waste of time. As a student in the College of Arts & Sciences, the favoritism shown at the fair sends the message that the University is only interested in the success of its business students. The inclusion of varied companies that could be prospective employers of students in other schools would provide a better experience.

As a senior thinking about post-graduation, this was a wake up call. How are we supposed to feel prepared for the future when we are not exposed to any options?

Each student pays tens of thousands of dollars to attend the University, not just the business students; so why are we not receiving the same amount of guidance? For the business students, this was a great opportunity and I’m happy for my fellow classmates because I know they will go on to be successful. But for the University, where is a career and internship fair for the rest of the student body?

including AR-15 assault rifles and a variety of scoped rifles. In addition, a raid on Paddock’s house revealed an additional 18 firearms, explosives, electronic devices, and thousands of rounds of ammunition, according to CNN. This brings a question in our minds: where does gun control play in this situation?

It’s unfortunate that it appears as though the media is being repetitive when discussing the topic of gun control once more as it pertains to this incident, but the reality is that more and more tragedies continue to happen that could be avoided if the U.S. had stricter gun control laws. Incidents such as the shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Conn. in 2012 and the shooting at Pulse Nightclub in Orlando, Fla. just last year are clear examples of what happens when people who shouldn’t be in possession of guns get their hands on one and cause extreme harm to others as a result. While Paddock was found

to not have any sort of mental illness, unlike Adam Lanza, who was found to be battling several mental disorders prior to the shooting at Sandy Hook, the end result of his possession of a total of 35 guns clearly signifies that he’s the type of person who shouldn’t have been able to obtain so many guns at once.

Though information is still pouring in in terms of the gunman’s background and motives, there is nothing more despicable than domestic terrorism in an area where individuals were simply enjoying life and the joys attributed with music. Whether he was radicalized by ISIS, as previously claimed by the terrorist organization, or he has some unknown mental illness, we as a nation must unify in moments such as these to combat this evil and implement laws and practices that promote safety with weaponry. Now known as the deadliest mass shooting in America, we can’t help but support the implementation of stricter gun laws.

THE MIRROR | Week of October 4, 2017

Opinion

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Hefner's Legacy Informs Modern Feminism Hugh Hefner died on Wednesday, Sept. 27. His ethos, however, still captivates our culture — the cautiously radical Hefner won the hearts of liberals with his reckless disregard for tradition, religion and established authority. He was the perpetual adolescent — and his intellectualization of the erotic impulse spawned a culture bereft of maturity and modesty.

The messianic figure of America’s so-called “sexual revolution,” Hefner will be entombed in the crypt adjacent Marilyn Monroe. Monroe’s nude portrait once adorned Hefner’s “Playboy” magazine, and the libertine icon whom she never met will occupy her eternal side. It’s fitting, in a strange way; even in death, Hefner finds himself inches from one of the most beautiful women of the twentieth century.

Hefner’s life and philosophy was indeed an embrace of pubescence. America, to him, was a wasteland of puritanical fanaticism, with legions of potential converts to the lascivious life of carnal pleasure being denied their own personal Damascus by an oppressive coup of Victorian prudes. His world was all at once cinematic and biblical in its narrative totality, with a clear cast of straitlaced villains and Hefner himself the lone hero, crucified on the cultural Cavalry for the sake of the sexual liberation of the masses. Hefner’s resurrection was a sprawling grotto filled with naked women.

His sacred scripture? The oblong pages of “Playboy,” filled with pornographic images of gorgeous women nestled between opinion pieces on culture, politics and philosophy.

All a true believer needed to do was to embrace unabated pleasure and he could attain salvation from Hefner’s imagined damnation: a hellish slavery to cultural mores and sexual restraint.

Hefner’s life was as much about destruction as it was creation; he was certain that America’s cultural consensus was largely a moralistic sham. His preferred replacement was a world where sex was free, pleasure an end in itself and the body a canvas for gratifications real and imagined.

Feminists once hated him. As fate would have it, his philosophy is now theirs.

His ideological and moral claims infiltrated feminism’s “third wave,” where chastity is a patriarchal imposition on the female’s newly attained capacity for sex without consequence. Marriage, children and family were monogamous vestiges of the world Hefner left behind. Groans from the

now-troglodytic old guard of the Victorian America that Hefner helped upend indicated that indeed the kids were not alright; wayward sex, objectification and a growing existentialism were the unapologetic cultural replacements for the temperance that marked the previous moral consensus.

The America Hef leaves behind is awash in pornography, illegitimacy and irreligion, though the last of those predates Hefner’s grand experiment, if not exacerbated by its aggressive creep. A new generation of Victorians, under the banner of feminist fervor, despise catcalling, regretful sexual encounters and ill-adherence to their almost catechetical codes of legalistic consent, but refuse to view the Playboy philosophy that spawned its oft-reviled “rape culture” as anything but a force for good. Because these neo-Victorians could not default to the prudish religious objections of their parents, against whom they are in perpetual rebellion, they instead became history’s first cultural pearl clutchers who delight in the very basis of their scorn. Don’t objectify women, they cry, but don’t dare cast aspersions at the growing immodesty of female dress. The pages of their dogmatic academic journals claim that male and female are fungible and meaningless concepts created by scheming groups of patristic overlords, but women, as a category, are specifically oppressed. And so on. Hefner himself is the basis of this contradiction; he was a man whose quest for sexual licentiousness was fundamentally incompatible with the probing intellectualism found in between pages of scantily clad models in “Playboy.” He attempted to give coherence to the incoherence of adolescence, to intellectually bridge the intractable divide between lust and virtue. His failure to do so convincingly was less significant than the mere fact of his attempt.

And yet here we are, and here we are likely to remain: slavishly bound to the conceived virtue of boyish impulse to the eternal detriment of, among other things, the family and its associ-

ated values. Much like an entitlement program, repealing the cultural “progress” Hefner made would have to do the politically unthinkable and take something away: people’s capacity to have meaningless sex, to view others as objects, and to devolve closer to the primal nature from which we evolved. For better or worse, I wouldn’t count on it.

'Playboy' RepresentsWhat Feminists Despise

By Lexi Thimble Opinion Editor In this week’s issue, one of our contributing writers wrote about Hugh Hefner and his legacy, specifically relating his philosophies concerning sexual freedom to the beliefs of feminists. It would be an understatement to say that I have some serious problems with the points he raised, which need to be put forth.

Let me say as a precursor that I knew very little about Hugh Hefner and what he did during his 91 years of life before writing this response. When I first started learning about and becoming interested in feminism, oddly enough my first instinct was not to turn to the slimy old man who created “Playboy” as an inspiration of feminist ideals. This was first compounded by the writer’s mention of Hefner being buried in proximity to Marilyn Monroe, calling it strangely “fitting” that even in death, beautiful women can’t escape his presence. Not only is this an ineffective way to begin an argument for Hefner’s feminist values, but serves as a disgusting mental image to associate him and therefore feminists, with.

From there, the equation between Hefner and modern feminists continued on, and became more infuriating to absorb. The writer states that while feminists once hated him, “his philosophy is now theirs.” Since the writer is holding feminists at arms length, I’m going to assume he’s not one of them and since he’s not one of them, then he should feel free to step back from these assertions. He doesn’t know what feminist ideologies are, and as an actual feminist I can say that people like Hefner repulse me and everything I stand for. Maybe me and other feminists like me are a “new generation of Victorians” — whatever that means — who “despise catcalling” and demand consent to be a part of our sexual experiences, but it’s not because we’re drawing on “Playboy” as inspiration. First of all, disliking catcalling and requiring consent in any sexual situation is basic common sense to all women, which you could find out if you asked literally any woman at all.

Secondly, catcalling as a practice is embarrassing, degrading and bottom-line is something that no one has asked for or wanted. Consent, on the other hand, has only been harped on in recent years because it seems as though men specifically

don’t know what it is and it’s become imperative to remedy this fact.

There’s also the idea that Hugh Hefner was some sort of sexual liberator and that his promotion of free sex is therefore in line with feminists’ wants to have control over their sexuality.

This false equivalency reveals a lack of understanding about why feminists stress this freedom to do with their bodies what they’d like. Sex for women has always been regulated and criticized, both by other women and, largely, by men. Double standards abound for a woman trying to navigate her sexual lifestyle, trying to maintain a reputation as a respectable person that would be “sullied” by sleeping around too much. Feminists believe that what a woman wants to do with her body is her business; others can be free to criticize, but at the end of the day a woman can have dignity and be regarded with respect and have the sex life that she wants.

This is a far, far cry from what “Playboy” and Hefner promoted, promoting grown women dressed as bunny rabbits as sex objects. Feminists who know anything about the things that went on at the “Playboy” mansion wouldn’t hold up Hefner as a liberator of women, but rather as someone who objectified and subjugated women sexually. As Suzanne Moore, a reporter for The Guardian who Hefner once threatened to sue for calling him a pimp, stated in a recent article, “The fantasy that Hefner sold was not a fantasy of freedom for women, but for men. Women had to be strangely chaste but constantly available for the right price.” Hefner’s brand of “feminism” advertised a woman’s freedom to have sex, but only on a man’s terms. There’s a distinct, unignorable difference here between women taking control of their sexuality, and being objectified by men looking to profit off their exploitation.

The writer acknowledges that Hefner’s life and beliefs were “an embrace of pubescence,” which is correct, if pubescence means he was a man who never grew up to learn how to properly respect women and not treat them as sex toys. Hefner was the opposite of a feminist and maybe his written philosophies will say differently, but he lived his life as one who made his living off of selling women as items in his magazines. He twisted a woman’s willingness to have frequent sex as a thing to be used for his personal and financial gain, something I abhor and do not identify with in the slightest as a feminist.

The Vine

arts, entertainment, features Editor Alicia Phaneuf alicia.phaneuf@student.fairfield.edu

Remembering Tom Petty (1950 - 2017)

CreativeCommons/ Flickr

THE MIRROR | Week of October 4, 2017

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This Article is 'Unentitled'

By James DellaRocca Contributing Writer

was the removal of statues. He compared the statues “still standing standing still” to the ideas they stand for standing still in time and how a statue can’t be a symbol for a movement because statues themselves are the antithesis of movement, criticizing those who use those statutes as a symbol for their movement.

It felt like there was only one point in the performance where Robinson pondered what white people could do to ameliorate the plague of racism and inequality in our society. At one point, he started rapping over a Wu-Tang Clan back track, beginning a comparison to chess and how the white pieces always move first. He then used this metaphor to try and inspire the white members of the audience to be the agent of change. If white people use their social status to bring awareness to the problems that don’t affect them, they can alleviate the pressures that are put on people that fit the preconceived notion of white heteronormativity. The performance mainly offers a path to solutions by white people looking introspectively at their place in society and how they can use that to help the downtrodden.

There were a few sections that could’ve been cut down or cut out completely from the performance. At one point, there was a five-minute span where it felt like all he said was “not this white ou but that white ou,” (Ou being an Afrikaans word that can be translated as guy) talking about the person that threw him out in the beginning. There was also a point where he was talking about walking a trapeze wire that seemed a bit confusing. He was repeating words often, so the meaning got lost a little.

This performance can be a very good conversation started for those that need to hear it. Hopefully with the mainstream popularity of other hip hop/rap projects, like “Hamilton,” and the rhythmic and melodic rhymes Robinson performs, the people that need to listen to this will enjoy it and take away something they can do to Photos Contributed by Megan Lewis better their society.

Iain “Ewok” Robinson provided an introspective look on the institutionalized racism that pervades our society as he premiered his hip hop/rap social commentary “Unentitled” at the Black Box Theatre at the Regina A. Quick Center for the Arts this past Saturday, Sept. 30. “Unentitled” explores the aspect of being white in a society that favors the lack of pigment in a person’s skin. Robinson is from Durban, South Africa, so he has some firsthand experience growing up in the system of apartheid and the injustice it created.

Performances based around social justice tend to leave a sour taste in the mouths of its attendants if the right steps aren’t taken to grab their attention. Robinson held the crowd in rapture right from the beginning. Grabbing their attention from the very beginning by throwing himself, symbolizing some person throwing him out of a country and his suitcase onto the Black Box Theatre’s floor, he jolted the crowd awake and directed their focus solely on him.

He started the show by examining the statement that most xenophobes say to people they don’t think “belong” — “Go back to where you came from.” He asks where that place is and how far back he should go to find it, a minute ago, a day, a year, an era?

He answers this by saying “I came from a woman, a womb” and that “I came from bacteria that floated in the oceans millions of years ago.” He breaks apart this line that people throw around by aiming at the weak points of that argument.

The most political point he raised during the performance Iain "Ewok" Robinson presents his show, "Unentitled," at the Regina A. Quick Center for the Arts.

Ledger Drawings Bring Historical Art to Campus

By Alicia Phaneuf Vine Editor

show movement. Within each image, the viewer can tell the movement of soldiers, horses or lay people. The pieces all have nice flow and their rhythmic quality emphasizes the fact that they actually tell a specific story, rather than merely show an image.

“I think this exhibition tells a really beautiful story,” said Katie Duncan ‘18. “The fact that they used this artform to record their history, it came from ledgers, and instead of using written words they used images. I think that’s so much more interesting than using written words because it gives us a better idea of what was actually going on in the world and in their minds during this time period.”

When viewers observe the Ledger drawings, they’ll notice the keen attention to detail each artist paid. Their careful use of color is not only vibrant and beautiful, but it also is used to strategically highlight certain characteristics within a scene. For example, in the piece entitled “Sioux Medicine Men,” there is an abundance of color to show different details such as showing each “medicine man” riding a horse with elaborate jewelry, tattoos and headdresses.

The artist also included a red sash on each of them and on the tail of the horse. Careful detail of color and line choice represents what was important to the Plains

It’s often understood that artists aim to tell a story or send a message through different pieces; however, what isn’t always appreciated is the ability artwork has to preserve history. Fairfield University’s Bellarmine Hall Gallery currently houses a unique collection of Ledger Drawings — aimed at educating both students and faculty about the importance of historical art and the meaning behind it. In an exhibition entitled, “Picturing History: Ledger Drawings of the Plains Indians,” Fairfield hopes to promote diversity while sharing a bit of history to its audience.

“Even though our permanent collection is very small, we have a lot of holes in terms of trying to represent different cultures and time periods from around the world, our exhibition program really does try to range far and wide,” said the Director of the Bellarmine Museum, Thomas J. Walsh Art Gallery and University Curator Linda WolkSimon. “I’ve seen these drawings and have encountered them in different places for the last few years, and each time I come across them I think they are magical and I think they are so interesting.”

According to the Fairfield University Art Museum website, during the second half of the 19th Century, artists from the Plains Indian Peoples produced drawings and paintings that depicted battles, rituals and happenings of everyday life. Pieces that are on display in the Bellarmine Gallery include colored pencil, graphite and watercolor work that show a balance between different battles and basic life events. Ledger drawings are known for both their color, line work and also for their unique quality of being drawn on pages of account books — they essentially look like something one might draw on the inside of a notebook. One interAlicia Phaneuf/The Mirror esting aspect that stands "Crow Ledger Book," Crow, Northern Plains, ca. 1890, courtesy of Donald Ellis out the most in the Ledger Gallery.

Drawings is their ability to

Indians during the later half of the 19th Century.

“You can definitely conceptualize what Native Americans deemed important at the time of these pieces. They show animals being a lot larger than humans, so you can see what they viewed and valued through their artwork,” said Sean Stiso ‘19.

Wolk-Simon explained that due to the opportunity she had to meet and collaborate with Donald Ellis — an international dealer in the field of historical Native American art — Fairfield was able to make this exhibition possible. According to Wolk-Simon, Ellis was an enthusiastic collaborator and due to the fact that he knows what the “great” works are, he was able to bring this exhibition to life and showcase the beauty in historical art.

“I think the impulse to chronicle one’s life, like artists have always wanted to do — they’ve always wanted to represent grand historical battles, history, myth, domestic life, daily events — this impulse of an artist to draw and to depict things that become history I think is really universal,” said Wolk-Simon.

The exhibition, “Picturing History: Ledger Drawings of the Plains Indians,” will be on display in the Bellarmine Gallery until Dec. 20. 2017.

Alicia Phaneuf/The Mirror "Sioux Medicine Man," Southern Cheyenne, Central Plains, ca. 1875-78, courtesy of the Donald Ellis Gallery.

THE MIRROR | Week of October 4, 2017

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Art Department offers Book Making Workshop

By Alicia Phaneuf Vine Editor

CreativeCommons/ Flickr

Remembering Tom Petty

By Andrew DaRosa Executive Editor

The Great American Songbook is often referred to as the great canonical textbook of the history of modern American music, tracing the roots of jazz and traditional music through the crooning orchestral tunes of Irving Berlin to the intricacy found within the piano stylings of George Gershwin. Coming into a new era of music in the 1950s, where the provocative nature of Elvis Presley defined the spectrum of rock ‘n’ roll and the blues began to escape the south and ingrain itself into popular culture, we witness a birth of a new Great American Songbook, one painted by the chord strokes of the electric guitar and the howling inflictions affecting the soul.

This is where the chapter in the life of Tom Petty began; arranging this modern Great American Songbook and crafting new stories that sought to capture the freedom of a generation and the rebellious attitude found within the spirit of rock ‘n’ roll music. With 80 million records sold, numerous lifetime achievement awards, and an induction into the Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame, it is easy to be swept into the mythos of Petty and his crafty writing style, but dig deeper and you shall find one of the most adept songwriters of our generation that not only changed the notion of storytelling through song but the course of music as a whole.

With songs like “Mary Jane’s Last Dance” and “Learning to Fly,” Petty was able to mold worlds beyond on our own that stretched the imagination into ways unfathomable from the precise nature found within the music of the Great American Songbook. Under the influence of his melodic maestro, Presley, Petty set the standard for iconoclast rock ‘n’ roll stars in the 1970s with Mudcrutch and The Heartbreakers, with a Rickenbacker in one hand and notebook of infinite possibilities in the other.

Influencing the likes of The War on Drugs, Ryan Adams and the Foo Fighters, Petty spanned four generations of musicians while maintaining the same timeless aura that drew fans both young and old. No matter if you’re streaming “Damn The Torpedos” on your phone, or setting the needle of your record player down on a scratched-up copy of “Wildflowers, you’re always guaranteed a near-perfect experience that enhances the art form in profound manners.

As a child, I remember first sitting down and listening to the CD “Full Moon Fever,” fascinated with the chord structuring of Petty’s guitar as well as the overarching themes of growing up and falling in and out of love. Though I didn't quite comprehend what was in my 10-year-old hands, I would soon take on an unprecedented appreciation for “Muddy Wilbury,” who would go on to push me into the direction of picking up the electric guitar and pointing me in the direction of my favorite band, the Grateful Dead.

With his passing on Oct. 2 from a full cardiac arrest, I felt as though my house of glass shattered and my perception of reality with it. A chapter in the modern Great American Songbook has closed and with it, tears embellishing the pages. But as this book is still open with the likes of Bob Dylan and Bruce Springsteen, we can still be ensured that the spirit of Tom Petty will live on through every song that fills the air.

The art of book making has been around essentially since the concept of communication emerged. Anything from scrolls to tablets can be considered a book and in a historical context, books have been crafted by humans for a variety of different purposes. On Tuesday, Oct. 3, studio art professor, Jo Yarrington’s Investigation of Text and Images course hosted a book making workshop with guest artist, Elizabeth Sheehan.

“Book-making is such an old practice, so for people to get involved with this lush, historical artform can be really special,” said Sheehan.

Sheehan’s enthusiasm for book art began from a young age and was fostered during her time at Memphis College of Art. She explained that she shifted her focus from printmaking to book art largely due to the fact that once she graduated college and no longer had access to machines and presses, she had to pursue something that required less tools. Sheehan’s work has been exhibited internationally, including shows at Abecedarian Gallery in Denver, Colo., Rutgers University in New Brunswick, N.J., the Center for Book Arts in New York City and El Minia University in El Minia, Egypt.

Her work can also be seen in major private and public collections including the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Robert C. Williams Paper Museum and the George A. Smathers Libraries at the University of Florida. Yarrington explained that she took a book making workshop taught by Sheehan at New York City’s Center for Book Arts, and wanted to bring her charisma and talent to Fairfield’s campus.

Throughout the two and a half hour workshop, students and faculty were able to make six different types of books including: an instant accordion, simple accordion, simple accordion with tabs, land and sky accordion and a concertina fold used for both a tag book or a tunnel book. Students were both engaged and excited to learn how to makes these different types of books.

“My Digital Photography teacher is actually the one who encouraged me to come to this workshop,” said studio art major Adrienne Guzman ‘20. “I thought this workshop was super cool. I never knew that people actually do this type of art as a career. I had a really positive experience and I hope to incorporate my other artwork and art skills into this book making format.”

The tools required for book-making are extremely minimal and Sheehan emphasized how easy it can be to continue practicing this art form from the comfort of one’s bedroom.

Throughout the workshop, the only tools that students used-

were paper, pencil, a ruler, an exacto-knife and a bone folder — a type of stick made out of bone that has one pointed side and one rounded side made specifically to create an ideal fold when working with paper. Students in the workshop ranged from those who have been practicing printmaking and book making for years, to students who have never been exposed to book making.

Senior Jordan Bacon is a studio art major who explained that he has never worked with book-making before, yet was still able to enjoy the workshop. “I’ve never made an accordion book before and I didn’t know that there were so many varieties of these types of books,” said Bacon. “I’m excited to start the tunnel book project that she described and I thought this experience was a whole lot of fun.”

Comparatively, Eleanor Sgaramella ‘20, explained that she pursued an art major in high school, and even though she has previously engaged with the printmaking and bookmaking processes, she still had a positive experience during the workshop.

“It was really interesting to revisit the skills I learned in high school,” said Sgaramella. “This is definitely something I hope to continue to pursue in the future, even though the book making course offered by professor Yarington didn’t align with my schedule this semester.”

It was eye-opening to see students and faculty so engaged with this old artform, since 21st century technology has recently encouraged the practice of digital design and graphic art. However, Sheehan explained that it’s this precise phenomenon that is bringing more attention to the art of book-making.

“With the rise of the technological age, handmade books are becoming more valuable and desirable,” explained Sheehan. “Now is really the perfect time to become exposed and involved with the art of print, book and paper making.”

Alicia Phaneuf/The Mirror

Alicia Phaneuf/The Mirror

The Art Corner "The Landscape" by Alec Lurie '19, Art Club Member

"The La Vie En Rose" by Bronwyn Kelly '19, President of Art Club

CreativeCommons/ Flickr

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THE MIRROR | Week of October 4, 2017

The Vine

A Faire Day During the Renaissance

By Cara Lee Assistant Vine Editor

brawling with real steel swords, axes and other assorted weaponry. To shake things up during these tournaments, a popular Renaissance Faire activity is Live Chess. Two "Kings" begin the game by yelling commands to the other "pieces" as they move across the field. When two pieces come into contact, they fight to determine the winner — not like an average chess match where whichever piece reaches the spot second wins. This, along with much pre-planning, condensed what could be a several hourlong game into a half hour segment full of real sword fights and audience participation. Some of the best "matches" involved children who, in amazing feats of strength, would defeat knights twice their size with the use of foam swords.

"The Tuxedo Faire (which occurs each year from August to October in Tuxedo, N.Y.) is definitely a better Faire. This one is over more area, but since it's for only one day — it's mobbed," Danielle Agate '19 said at the conclusion of the Faire. By the time 2 p.m. rolled around, movement was more than difficult and getting seats at the shows was near impossible. Even the vendors

To those persons who went for an innocent stroll at Fort Tryon Park in Manhattan on Oct. 1 and were surprised to be greeted in Ye Olde English, there's no need to worry about having fallen through a crack in time or the park being permanently overrun by lunatics. Rather, these souls merely stumbled upon the 33rd annual Fort Tryon Park Renaissance Faire. Specifically, they stumbled upon the actors who perform during the 11:30 a.m. opening parade.

Fort Tryon Park attracts Renaissance fans throughout the year since the Cloisters museum — a dismantled castle that was re-built inside of the park in the early 1900s — is located inside, but on the day of the annual Faire, the park becomes a true center for Arts and Entertainment that "peasants" of all ages can enjoy. This year's Faire included activities and entertainment of numerous kinds. At any given time, attendees could watch acrobats or fire eaters —performers who, among other tricks, put flaming objects in their mouths to extinguish them — on the "main stage," a puppet show at the "little theater," or a blacksmith and sculptor at the vendor’s booths.

For instance, a group of literary geeks with an ear, though little talent for, music may have needed to skip out on watching a sword be created at the blacksmith's, but would be able to meet Robin Hood and his Merry Men. This talented acting troupe travels to various Faires and hosts shows where Faire visitors can meet the legendary hero as Robin Hood argues with and evades the Sheriff of Nottingham, harasses and is harassed by his Merry Men and romances Maid Marion. In the same area, the "Little Theater," is the musician's row where talented musicians play original songs on rarely-seen instruments like lutes (similar to a guitar), harps and cornemuses (a double reed instrument that looks like a type of bassoon) for just a few coins from a "bubble-bow" (purse).

Of course, the jousting and weapons area was the hit of the Faire. Weapons experts from throughout New York gathered to compete against one another in authentic Renaissance garb. As in, 60 pounds of armor and all-out Renaissance Faire actors prepare for Live Chess Event.

were backed up, growing confused and running out of staple Renaissance Faire products with hours left before the Faire closed.

Sadly, this meant that the crowds surrounding the axe-throwing and archery areas were impossible to breach.

From music to artists to actors and jesters, the Faire has something for attendees of all ages to enjoy, but due to the crowds and the limited hours it is open, the Tryon Park Faire is an unfortunate choice for a first venture into the Renaissance world.

There is just not enough time to get a feel for the event and far too many people to successfully partake in many of the basic Renaissance Faire events without discomfort to all involved. Still, for those returning Renaissance fans already familiar with Faire activities, Tryon Park, especially with its proximity to the Cloisters, is a real treat.

Cara Lee/ The Mirror Boy defeats Robin Hood Merry Man outside Cloisters.

CreativeCommons/ Flickr

Sabrina's Style: How to Conquer a Bad Hair Day

By Sabrina Musto Fashion Columnist

If you’re like me, then you are probably always searching for a cute way to style your hair for a night out or even just for going to class. However, I hate spending too much time agonizing over getting my hair to be perfect, so I wanted to know some fast and fashionable options for getting my hair to look as cute as possible. The following are some of the season’s trending hair looks as seen in New York Fashion Week and sported by various celebrities and several brand models.

The High Ponytail is seriously in style right now. Since it is both casual, easy to achieve, but can be elegant if that’s what you’re going for, this style is a Jack-of-all-trades. An added trick is to wrap a piece of your own hair around the hair tie so it looks like your hair is actually holding up the pony.

Straight and sleek is also a style that has been coming up a lot. A center part with flat ironed hair might not be your style, but for people who are not gifted at curling hair like myself, it’s a blessing that this style is trending.

However, for people with extremely curly hair, this style might not be as time efficient for you, but this next style will be.

All natural curls are back in and the bigger, the better. For those with gorgeous natural curls, this style is for you, but for those without natural curls, they can easily be achieved. Aside from the classic curling iron, my favorite way to get curls in my straight hair is by putting my hair in a braid of any kind fresh out of the shower before bed. Sleeping with wet hair in braids is a good way to achieve those curls easily, because you can sleep while your hair does the work for you.

Flat waves are my personal favorite hairstyle. They are so seemingly effortless and are not overly curly. Whereas big curls do not suit my naturally straight hair, soft waves are good for me to do a style other than straight without being too much. Flat waves are a big trend on the red carpet this season, probably because they look great on everyone.

Bob haircuts are also in style right now and might be a good option if you are someone who is drastically seeking a change in your look. A dramatic haircut is a good way to make a bold statement of change and they are a lot less maintenance than having long hair. Bob cuts are awesome if you are someone who does not like to spend time styling your hair.

Bows were the runway hair trend in New York, Paris, Milan and London. Brands such as Tory Burch, Marchesa, Rochas and more all opted for black bows on their runway.

Braids, though always in style, were particularly present on the runways this season.

Rihanna’s Fenty Show, Christian Siriano, Balmain all exhibited different kinds of braids, which is also what makes them so great, the fact that they have so many different possible styles. Regular messy braids, boxer braids, dutch braids, cornrows and braid crowns are all trending and all super chique.

Going platinum blonde might seem excessive and kind of crazy, but it is a trend that is very popular in the celebrity community at the moment. A-listers like Kim Kardashian, Katy Perry, and Cara Delevingne are all ditching their old color for a platinum blonde tone and it really does look good on all of them. Not saying that platinum blonde is the right look for everyone, but maybe if you have been thinking about it these celebs will give you some inspiration to actually go for it.

Final tips: most of the trends emphasize being effortless and natural, and so sometimes the best trend might just be to rock your all natural hairstyle and enjoy not putting in the max effort every morning to achieve the perfect look.

Photos taken from Rihanna and Cara de Levingne Instagram

THE MIRROR | Week of October 4, 2017

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Inkwell Spotlight

Who Are You Calling Old?

By Maeve Nowak Contributing Writer at the Inkwell

Sabina Dirienzo/The Mirror

The Mirror Abroad: Sabina's Sightseeing

By Sabina Dirienzo Study Abroad Columnist

“Hey! Numbskull, yes you, a little more water if you please,” said a voice from behind me.

“Shut up Lilly, you’ve got plenty for today. Now watch your tone or I’ll take away your fertilizer privileges,” I barked back. It had been about a week since I first started hearing the plants speak to me and I’m already sick of it. It’s all “I need water, feed me, I’m dying,” well I need things too you know; like to finish the rest of the “How I Met Your Mother” series before it gets spoiled by the treacherous lands of Tumblr, which I recently made an account on. I’ve considered that I’ve gone crazy, lost my marbles as you would, and at the ripe old age of 82 that’s very likely; except for the fact that I am reigning county champion in the crossword puzzle championships for three years running. I only took up gardening because I literally had nothing better to do, other than crossword puzzles, I live in an old folks community. AN OLD FOLKS COMMUNITY. They’re all old and boring. I mean, I’m not exactly a young sprite, but I at least have the gusto to go skydiving every other Tuesday.

CreativeCommons/ Pixabay

A weekend trip to County Cork, Ireland brought me to one of Ireland’s most famous tourist attractions: Blarney Castle. The 600-year-old castle appealed to my historical sensibilities while the supposed mythological properties of the Blarney Stone appealed to my sense of adventure.

The Blarney Stone, a.k.a. “the Stone of Eloquence,” has several supposed origin stories, ranging from “it’s where Irish kings were crowned” to “it belonged to the Prophet Jeremiah” and “someone found it on the crusades.” So obviously the origin has been lost through time, but the stone is supposed to give the gift of gab/eloquence to anyone who kisses it. Sounds easy, right? Sort of, except that in order to kiss the stone you have to be dangled over the battlements of Blarney Castle holding onto two metal bars so that you don’t fall several stories to your death. Sure, there’s a person there holding onto you, but his grip didn’t look very secure and I’m scared of heights.

While in line for the Blarney Stone, I had several thoughts as I took off my raincoat and purse lest they inconveniently fall onto the ground.

I already talk good, what if I skip this?

The little sign says that the Discovery Channel thinks you should do this before you die.

Great, so I’ll do it and then die when I fall out this tiny window.

I’m sure people don’t die that often.

We’re so high up, what the heck! Who put the magic stone this high up? How do we even know it’s magic? What if it’s bad magic?

I ended up doing it, because I had already told friends and family from home that I was going to before I found out about the whole ‘heights’ thing and I didn’t want to go back and admit that I had chickened out. Besides that, my dad kissed it when he went to Ireland in the 1980s and I thought that it would be a cool to have the same experience.

I had to take off my glasses, which added a whole element of near-blindness to the experience. The castle employee’s grip was loose, but I felt more secure than I had expected and slowly lowered myself down to the stone. I tried to kiss it too early a couple times, to which the guy said, “Not yet!” and I thought “omg I can see the ground and the ground is blurry.”

But then I reached the stone! It was shiny and gray and I kissed it, and then I clambered back up and put my glasses back on and was awfully proud of myself for not having an acrophobia-induced heart attack during the experience.

Did it work? I don’t know. I haven’t noticed any marked difference in how well I talk, but I also haven’t had to talk anyone into anything yet. Whether it worked or not, I still did something cool and famous – and got to (partially) triumph over a long-held fear while I did.

Cara's Cuisine: Sweet Potato Fries & Burgers

By Cara Lee Assistant Vine Editor

Sweet Potatoes can be bought in grocery stores throughout the year and because of this most people don’t group them with other fall produce like apples, butternut squash and pumpkins. Yet, all of these products taste best when purchased and consumed during their Fall season, because yes, like sports, food has a season too. While there are many recipes that use sweet potatoes, one of the most popular is undoubtedly the sweet potato fry. Joined with Fall marking the start of cold weather moving in and grills needing to be safely stowed away, there is no better recipe to join this tantalizing side dish with than the perfect oven baked burger.

The Oven Baked Burger Oven Baked Burgers are relatively simple. Let’s say you’re cooking for a crowd and get a pound and a half of meat. That will make between six and eight burgers — for leftovers, your roommates, who knows.

The trick is to make sure that this meat remains juicy while it cooks in the oven.

Ingredients: 1 ½ pound ground beef 1 teaspoon of salt (separated) ¼ teaspoon of black pepper

1.

Add salt and pepper. Combining the meat with about ¼ teaspoon of pepper and a ½ teaspoon of salt before separating it into patties will help the meat retain flavor, meanwhile salting the outside of the meat with another half teaspoon of salt before cooking will trap the juices inside while the meat cooks.

2.

Sear all sides of the patties over high heat on the stove for two to three

minutes. You don’t need to oil these pans as the meat has more than enough fat of its own. Then put the patties on an oven safe tray and bake at 400’ for about 10-15 minutes, pricking with a fork to see when the interior reaches your desired color.

Oven Baked Sweet Potato Fries Oven Baked Sweet Potato fries are healthier than fries that are, well, fried,

CreativeCommons/ Flickr

but they can be just as tasty if cooked the right way. The trick? Baking them at a high enough temperature that the outside becomes crisp while the inside stays soft.

Ingredients: 2 large sweet potatoes, cut into wedges (peeled or unpeeled) 3 tablespoons Extra Virgin Olive Oil ½ teaspoon salt ½ teaspoon freshly ground pepper ¼ teaspoon paprika 1.

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees and spray a baking sheet with non-stick spray.

2.

Toss the potato wedges in a bowl and add the extra virgin olive oil tablespoon by tablespoon until each wedge has some. Add salt, pepper and paprika and toss until covered.

3.

Arrange the wedges in a single layer on the baking sheet, bake for about 20 minutes, turning after seven minutes and then intermittently until done to ensure they don’t stick and all sides are evenly cooked.

4.

Let sit for a few minutes, plate, serve and enjoy sweet potato fries made from the freshest sweet potatoes of the year!

THE MIRROR | Week of October 4, 2017

Coffee Break

Page 12

Coffee Break Editor: Claire Monahan

President’s Ball Graveyard

See shirtless push up contest displayed below.

RIp All Sense of Decorum

RIp Shoes

A lot of people are now faced with the challenge of either growing a third foot or losing one.

You’ve seen too much to ever look at that kid in your psych class again.

RIp Faith in Humanity

RIp StagCard

See @JackSparrowWannabe below, leave the pole climbing on the boat.

Looks like no one’s getting breakfast tomorrow :(

RIp Inhibition

Photos That Didn’t Make it to the Front Page

3.

4.

1. Man defies gravity and basic common sense climbing a tent post 2. Happiest man alive rates Pres Ball experience 3. Two unidentified men battle for alpha male position

1.

2.

4. Mirror darlings Julianna Sansonetti and Andrew DaRosa pose for a photo

Sports

SPORTS

THE MIRROR | Week of October 4, 2017

This Week in Sports:

Sports Editor: Alfredo Torres » sports@fairfieldmirror.com

In Case You

Page 13

Stags' Volleyball Standouts

Missed It: Wednesday, September 27th -Dartmouth defeats Field Hockey, 3-2 -Men's Soccer defeats Quinnipiac, 1-0 -Quinnipiac defeats Women's Soccer, 2-0 Thursday, September 28th -Women's Tennis defeats Providence, 4-3 Saturday, September 30th -Canisus defeats Women's Soccer, 2-0 -Volleyball defeats Rider, 3-1 Sunday, October 1st -Volleyball defeats Niagara 3-2

Photo Contributed By Sports Information Desk

On Tuesday, Oct. 3 Skyler Day ‘18 was named MAAC Player of the Week after her unbelievable performance against Niagara University on Sunday, a match which resulted in a 3-2 Stags win in a meeting of MAAC unbeatens. Day tallied 30 kills and 23 digs in the match, career highs in each category for the defending MAAC Player of the Year. The 30 kills was the most by a player in the MAAC thus far in the 2017 campaign and makes Day one of 20 players in the nation to have an outing with over 30 kills in a single match this year. Furthermore, she is only the second Stag in program history, along with teammate Megan Theiller ‘18 to surpass the 30 kill marker in match. To date, the Illinois native leads the conference with an average of 3.67 kills per set and ranks second on the team with 2.67 digs per set. The honor was the second time Day was named MAAC Player of the Week this fall and the fifth time during her illustrious career in the red and white. Day is back in action this Saturday, Oct. 7 when Quinnipiac comes to Alumni Hall for a 5 p.m. match.

Upcoming This Week: Wednesday, October 4th -Men's Tennis vs. Rider, 2 p.m.

-Women's Tennis vs. Rider, 2 p.m..

-Women's Soccer at Marist, 7 p.m.

Friday, October 6th -Field Hockey vs. Monmouth, 4 p.m.

Saturday, October 7th -Women's Soccer vs. Niagara, 12 p.m.

-Women's Volleyball vs. Quinnipiac, 5 p.m.

-Men's Soccer vs. Siena, 7 p.m.

Sunday, October 8th -Field Hockey at Albany, 1 p.m.

Monday, October 9th -Men's Golf at Connecticut Cup, All Day

Photo Contributed By Sports Information Desk

On Tuesday, Oct. 3, Megan Theiller ‘18 was chosen as a candidate for the 2017 Senior CLASS Award, one of 30 student-athletes nationally nominated for the award. The award stands for Celebrating Loyalty and Achievement for Staying in School and highlights the studentathletes’ excellence in the areas of community, classroom, character and competition. Theiller’s success on and off the court is unparalleled.

On the court she is a three-time captain for the Stags and in 2016 was named First Team All-MAAC as well as ECAC First Team All-Star.

Not to be forgotten, she won MAAC Rookie of the Year back in 2014 in her first year in the red and white. In the classroom, Theiller is a biology major who has recorded three semesters with a GPA of 4.0. In both 2015 and 2016 she was named to the MAAC All-Academic Team. Theiller looks to lead the Stags to another NCAA Tournament appearance this year with the hunt continuing on Saturday, Oct. 7 at 5 p.m. when Fairfield welcomes Quinnipiac to Alumni Hall in hopes of keeping their unbeaten record in conference play alive.

In this week's issue...

- NHL Season Preview: Teams to Watch Out For (Page 14)

- Women's Soccer Falls to MAAC Rival Bobcats (Page15)

- Stags Enjoy Success on the Tennis Courts (Page 15)

- Getting To Know Women Soccer's Alex Madden (Page 15) - Softball Looks To Start The Season Strong (Page 16)

Sports

Page 14

THE MIRROR | Week of October 4, 2017

NHL Season Preview: Teams To Watch Out For

Contributed by NHL/Instagram The NHL is back and better than ever. With a new franchise in Las Vegas and a crop of stars such as Sidney Crosby, Alexander Ovechkin and Connor McDavid leading the charge, a great season awaits.

By Joseph Imbriani Contributing Writer As summer turns to fall, the days get shorter and the nights get colder, the NHL season quickly approaches. With that in mind, there are a lot of teams to watch after an eventful offseason. The first is the newest of the NHL teams and that is the Vegas Golden Knights. It will be interesting to see how the Golden Knights approach their first season with the new front office, new roster, new coach, etc. Their roster certainly has enough talent to make some noise in a very weak Pacific division. Led by three-time Stanley Cup winning goalie Marc-Andre Fleury and notable names such as James Neal and Oscar Lindberg, look out for this team. Probably the most dangerous part about this team is that no one has any film on them.

The next team to watch is the winner of the offseason and that is the Dallas Stars. The signing of former Vezina Trophy winning goalie Ben Bishop was arguably the biggest acquisition of the offseason. Considering that they were in the basement in the NHL last year because of their lackluster goaltending, which means that phenomenal offensive players like Tyler Seguin and Jamie Benn will have the ability to hit the ground running. Look for them to be at the top of a division that has been long dominated by both the Chicago Blackhawks and the St. Louis Blues.

Weekly 4x5 Because we have witty things to say ...

Allison White Editor-in-Chief

The MLB Playoffs start this week. The Volleyball team is currently undefeated at 6-0 in MAAC Play.

What are your team's expectaThink they can keep it going? tions?

Let's go Yankees!! Plz lower your beer prices too.

Definitely! These girls kills it every season.

Speaking of the Chicago Blackhawks, they made probably the biggest trade of the offseason. Artemi Panarin had a huge season last year for the Hawks, but they decided to deal him to the Columbus Blue Jackets for a package that involved longtime former Blackhawk Brandon Saad. Saad helped the Blackhawks win two cups in 2010 and 2013 alongside Jonathan Toews, Patrick Sharp and Patrick Kane. Considering that Artemi Panarin was arguably the Hawks’ second best offensive weapon and they didn’t get much in return other than Saad, look for the Blackhawks to have a little decline this year, but still easily make the playoffs.

Artemi Panarin’s new team in Ohio is going to be exciting to follow this year. Coming off of 108 points and an MVP caliber season from Sergei Babrovsky a year ago, the Columbus Blue Jackets look like they are ready to finally take down the Penguins and the Capitals in the extremely deep Metropolitan division. Look for guys like Cam Atkinson, Nick Foligno and Boone Jenner to have phenomenal repeat seasons.

My two biggest teams to watch this season are very similar in that they are young teams with a lot of talent and good coaching that could make long playoff runs. The Edmonton Oilers led by Hart Trophy winner Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl and Cam Talbot; look for the Edmonton Oilers to win the Pacific Division and challenge anybody coming out of the West to make it to the Stanley Cup Finals. And lastly, the Toronto Maple Leafs with arguably the best coach in the NHL running the show on the bench in Mike Babcock and young stud players like Auston Matthews and William Nylander; look for the Leafs to take the Atlantic and compete with teams from the Metropolitan division in the playoffs.

Your 2017-2018 4x5 Columnists:

Allison White, Alfredo Torres, Daniel Montgomery and Andrew DaRosa Week four of the NFL is through.

How are you team's faring so far in the season?

The NHL season is set to commence this week. Are you excited for the new season?

Any plans for the Columbus Day Weekend?

The only football I'm interested in is Powderpuff in December. Let's go ladies!!

OH YES! Already bleeding blue for my husband, Kreider. Also, got the text today from Daddio that we will be making our ice debut in Nov. so catch ya girl at MSG ON THE ICE!!

I plan on hibernating with my pup from Sunday to Tuesday and then making a celeb appearance at $2 since we have no Mirror that week!!!

Just so sad about it...

Alfredo Torres Sports Editor

Daniel Montgomery Assistant Sports Editor

Week four is over and the Gianst are 0-4, I don't really have much to say here but keep your head up New York we still got the Yankees.

Let's go Rangers! Bring it back to New York!

Enjoying the days off and all of the nice weather we have left before winter comes ... but I'll be in Maine if you were wondering.

Bombers will hoist number 28 in a Stags OWN the MAAC! They went matter of weeks. undefeated last year and they'll do it again in 2017.

I don't think I can stomach another Big Blue loss on a gameending field goal.

Really not a hawkey guy but excited to see that McDavid dude light it up.

Couple home cooked meals with Mama, hopefully convincing her to buy my ticket to the Hunt.

While I have complete faith in my

Don't want to talk about it...but at least my fantasy team is doing pretty damn well. Also shout out to Luigi, your losing streak begins next week.

Every game from here on out is do or die, win or go home! Yankees Nation is strong and alive right now, it's gonna be nice to host the World Series back in the Bronx!

Andrew DaRosa Red Sox this season after claiming Executive Editor the top spot of the AL East, I am nervous as for how they will do come playoffs. Praying for another championship but time will tell.

Of course! This is Stags' volleyball we're talking about, these girls forgot how it feels to lose in the MAAC. They've got a whole lot of season left, but they've got all they need on that team.

Hell ya, this team is on fuego this year and are destined to be MAAC Champions this year.

With some exciting offseason transactions and promising play thusfar, I like what I am seeing from the Bruins.

Wish I could go home but I have work Friday night but come Sunday, I will rage full nerd mode at New York Comic Con. Come fnd me screaming stuff about Rick and Morty. WUBBA LUBBA DUB DUB!

Sports

Page 15

THE MIRROR | Week of October 4, 2017

Women's Soccer Falls to MAAC Rival Bobcats

By Christopher Lazazzera Contributing Writer

Photo Contributed By Sports Information Desk

On Wednesday, Sept. 27, fans packed the stands to watch their Fairfield Stags take on the Bobcats from Quinnipiac University. Quinnipiac came to play and was visibly dominant from the start, scoring two goals in the first four minutes of play. The Stags lost by a final of 2-0, dropping to 4-6 overall on the season.

The Bobcats first goal came 30 seconds into the game. A cross to the middle was placed to the left of the net to put the Stags in a 1-0 hole. Several minutes later, a Fairfield turnover in their own end lead to Quinnipiac upping their lead to 2-0.

The Stags seemed distraught after this, mad that they had just given up such a costly turnover. Unfortunately, Fairfield was never able to get anything going offensively. Quinnipiac had a solid defensive strategy swarming every Fairfield player as soon as they touched the ball in their zone. Of the five shots that Fairfield had on goal, all of them were directly at the Quinnipiac keeper. The Stags attack had little room to operate in the Bobcats’ part of the field.

The Stags played solid defense the next 85 minutes though, not letting their crosstown rival put another goal on the scoreboard. First-year Alex Madden had a solid game with four shots, three of which were on goal. On Wednesday, Sept. 27 was a night of firsts as Kiley Deignan ‘20 and Alexa DiComitis ’20 logged their first career minutes as Stags. Goalie Jenna Pike ‘18 had two saves in her first official start of the season.

Fairfield has faith that they can solve their offensive struggles and get back on the right track. They realize certain difficulties occur during a season and that they can recover from a tough loss like this. With six games left in the season, Contributed by Sports Information Desk improving their spot in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference standings is a must.

Stags Enjoy Success on the Tennis Courts

By Daniel Montgomery Assistant Sports Editor As Providence College descended upon the Walsh Athletic Center courts on Thursday Sept. 28, the Stags were determined to take down the big, bad Big East foe from up north.

The day started off ominous as the Friars took the doubles point from the red and white in early action. Although Nicole Aragones ‘18 and Diana Prinos ‘20 won 6-3 at the second doubles spot, Providence was able to win the other two doubles matches to take a 1-0 lead headed into singles play.

Aragones used the momentum from her doubles win in singles as she pulled out a gutsy 6-0,6-2 win at the No. 4 spot. Sophomore Jessica Pil continued the good singles play for Fairfield as the second year player won 6-4,6-0 to give the Stags a 2-1 lead headed into the remaining singles matches.

After a 6-4,6-3 singles triumph by Anna Komer ‘21 for the Stags third win of the day, Sarah Stuhlmann ‘18 and Emily Lombardi ‘19 fell at the number one and three singles spots 6-4,6-1 and 6-1,6-4, respectively.

Going into the sixth singles match of the day, the score was knotted at 3-3. With all eyes on Prinos, the pressure did not phase the Foxborough, Mass. native as she came away with a huge 6-4,6-4 win to give the Stags a 4-3 victory over the Friars.

Fairfield’s win gave them their first match play victory of the year to begin the fall. The red and white are back on the court Wednesday, Oct. 4 as they take on the Rider Broncos in a Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference match at 2 p.m. at the WAC courts.

Contributed by Sports Information Desk

Getting To Know Women Soccer's Alex Madden Before coming to Fairfield you spent some time playing for Leicester City Women’s Football Club. Can you tell me about that experience?

By Alfredo Torres Sports Editor

What can you say about all the support your teammates and coaches have given you?

AM: It’s a lot more specific than back home, we train everyday, we have weight sessions, stretching it’s a lot more professional I would say. I get along really well with my whole team and coaches. One of my coaches, still is a striker and he’s phenomenal, he’s got every technique absolutely spot on so I like working with him a lot on shooting techniques and honestly I would just watch him but I’ve learned a lot already but I’ve got a lot more to learn.

AM: Playing for Leicester was a big step up from the junior side because I played for under 17, it was a huge step, with a lot of physicality and then the age gap as well, you can just turn 17 and can play against people that were 27 or 28, you know 10 years on me. It was intense because we didn’t play in a league system for the under 17’s but then we went straight into the league and we had cups, so it’s a lot more competitive.

You guys are currently 2-3 in conference play. How do you like your team’s start?

Why did you decide to come to Fairfield University?

AM: It was a great start, the win against Siena was huge and then we kept it going against Iona. Slightly disappointed at the weekend against Rider, the score didn’t reflect the match. It really could have gone either way, we got a goal that was disallowed that would have put us at equal so that was quite tough but unfortunately we can’t win everything but we’ll definitely try.

AM: The location is fantastic, near the beach. I’ve got family and friends in White Plains near New York. When I came for my visit I just fell love in place. It’s phenomenal, I’ve got lots of exciting opportunities.

How has the adjustment been from playing overseas to here in the states?

With more MAAC games to come how do you guys keep the momentum going?

AM: Fitness is a lot higher over here. Obviously we don’t have overtime in England unless it’s a cup match, so when we get to a tie at the end of the match you’ve really got to find that extra boost of energy to keep yourself going. I remember playing Binghamton and I had literally nothing left in the tank with three minutes left and I managed to score the winner. I was just so happy to score but at the same time I was so relieved that the game had finished.

AM: Just move on to the next one and try to learn from our mistakes but move on basically.

What do you have to do individually to help this team get wins?

You guys started the season in Hawaii, how was it like being out there with your team?

Contributed by Sports Information Desk

AM: To score goals, that’s our main objective just to score as well as assist but I don’t mind either way.

How would you describe the season thus far?

What are your expectations for the rest of the season?

AM: It was probably the best experience of my life. I had such a nice time, it was a beautiful place, the weather was gorgeous and nothing really like England so very hot. Pearl Harbor, the beaches, the culture it was phenomenal it was really really good.

AM: I’d say we’re doing really well. A few hiccups on the road but we’re definitely working on them and trying to better ourselves every practice. We’re just working hard, we’re really really trying. It’s good we’ve beaten records already from last year and we still have a lot to come.

AM: Good standings in the MAAC would be fantastic and then posing a good place for the tournament in Florida. I’m just really excited for what’s to come.

@MirrorSports Fairfield Mirror Sports Week of October 4, 2017

fairfieldmirror.com

SPORTS 16 Sports Editor: Alfredo Torres » sports@fairfieldmirror.com

Softball Looks To Start The Season Strong

Contributed by Sports Information Desk Fairfield softball is poised for another strong season as they gear up for this year's campaign. Fresh off a MAAC championship in 2017, a solid mix of veterans and youngsters lead the Stags as they defend their title.

By Patrick Getz Contributing Writer The Stags Softball team has made a name for themselves in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference and head coach Julie Brzezinski does not want her team slowing down. The softball squad is coming off a season where they won the MAAC title in astounding fashion.

Coach Brzezinski holds her players to a high standard and sees every game as important as the next one. Even though the Stags only play six games this fall, the skipper sees it as a good time to get a grasp on how her team is performing.

Just this past weekend, the softball squad played four games, two of which were home and two that were away. Seeing them out on the diamond, she immediately noticed some intangibles with her players.

“I saw a different approach that the girls had and I think it has to do with confidence, and then they are coming off a successful season last year especially the upperclassmen who went to Louisiana State University,” said the New Jersey native. “I am hoping that carries over throughout the fall and comes into our spring. It was a totally different approach than I have seen in the past.”

The veteran Stags head softball coach wants to apply that championship atmosphere into the team’s clubhouse since they have captured the MAAC title twice in three years.

“Now it’s just knowing how to win and realizing that we can win. Each year we can

always add on and it’s more of an approach and demeanor than anything else. The team that won in 2017 is affected by it because they are all a part of it. We have to get the next bunch of kids inducted into it,” stated the Furman University graduate.

The skipper sees her team for sure repeating and she sees it as a definite possibility.

She knows how hard her team works every day.

“They have been having such strong fall practices and they have been focused. They do their job and they know what it takes now to get to that level and to be able to compete with LSU,” said Brzezinski.

The New Jersey native knows what players are her difference makers and she knows which players will take her down the stretch back to the MAAC championship.

“Destinee Pallotto was our number one and she has picked right back up in the fall. She has been dominating a lot on the mound. Also, we’re looking for some seniors and some younger kids to step up,” said the former Furman softball player. “Courtney Hankins was a top hitter for us last year. Angelina Maguire is one of our top seniors and those guys will lead us to where we need to go.”

Coach Brzezinski surely lives up to her former MAAC Coach of the Year status by commanding her players in the best way she can. She is genuinely familiar with handling a season after a conference title so there is no championship hangover.

The Stags are in good hands with head coach Brzezinski as they look to reclaim the top spot in the MAAC.

Contributed by Sports Information Desk Senior pitcher Destinee Pallotto (left) leads a strong group of returning hurlers on the mound. Sophomore infielder Hannah Futo is coming off an impressive freshman season and looks to be even better in year two.