FREE | Take one Week of April 28, 2010 | Vol. 35, Iss. 25
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The Independent Student Newspaper of Fairfield University The Reflection of Fairfield
Students ‘Dig’ The Buried Life By Gabriella Tutino Staff Writer What do you want to do before you die? Have you ever thought about it? Made a list and actually set out to complete it? This is the main goal of the cast of ‘The Buried Life,’ the selected FUSA speaker this past Tuesday. At 8:30 p.m., the LLBCC was crowded with students, eagerly waiting for the Canadian foursome to appear. For those who may not know, ‘The Buried Life’ is an MTV show about four friends--Dave Lingwood, Ben Nemtin, and Duncan and Jonnie Penn--trying to complete their bucket lists. ‘What do you want to do before you die?’ is the question that drives these four to attempt to achieve the impossible. But the show does not just focus on the projects they want
to complete--for every item crossed off their list, the Canadian foursome helps a stranger fulfill his or her dream. The attractive four introduced themselves to Fairfield, and proceeded to give background information on ‘The Buried Life.’ TBL started way back in 2006; they talked about how they all felt as though something was missing from their lives, and how they then came up with a list of everything they wanted to do. “In a world with no boundaries, what would we want to do? We’d go on Saturday Night Live, we’d be on the cover of Rolling Stone, we’d pay off our parent’s mortgages... We don’t want to wait until we’re tired to do what we want to do,” explained Ben Nemtin. “So we had the list, and now we needed a name.” The title ‘The Buried Life’ comes from a poem by Matthew Arnold that Jonnie had come across in an English class.
“This poem speaks exactly to the feeling we had been talking about--this feeling that your day to day life becomes so cumbersome, that it actually buries the life that you want to live, and everybody’s got this desire to live their buried life. And the poem was called ‘The Buried Life,’ Nemtin continued. They continued to talk about their travels and the effort they put into completing their lists. The foursome rented an RV, pulled out a phonebook and called companies, explaining their mission and what they wanted to do. Most places agreed. Together, they have completed such tasks as singing the national anthem at a sports game, riding a bull (Dave Lingwood’s idea), and playing basketball with President Obama. “We didn’t have any money. We wanted to see how much could be accomplished, to prove to our-
Fairfield Women’s Tennis win 2010 MAAC Championship. See page 20
Did You Know... 60% of male college students ìindicated some likelihood of raping or using force in certain circumstancesî
The Buried Life | page 6
Of the college women who are raped -only 25% describe it as rape -only 10% report the rape
Learn More on Page 4 Peter Caty/ The Mirror
Students fill the Lower Level BCC when MTV’s ‘Buried Life’ Cast came to campus
Abandoned Children By Chris Simmons Managing Editor
When Fairfield graduate Doug Perlitz first went to Haiti in 1991, it was one of the poorest countries in the Western Hemisphere. This country with a rich heritage, second only to the United States as an independent nation in the new world and the first free black nation, had fallen into a cycle of poverty and turmoil.
News Analysis
Alumnus Doug Perlitz has been accused of sexual abuse in Haiti. Is he a hero and victim of unfounded accuations or is he a sexual predator?
show the children are lying. “In the little town Cap-Haitian of a poor country, Project Pierre Toussaint was a source of great opportunities,” Sibert told The Mirror in an e-mail. “Perlitz maintained a network of people who were willing and able to carry out his order no matter what the price. They included: local authorities, policemen, hotel, resorts, and restaurant beach owners. The kids’ well-being was the least of their concern. People with Catholic Church connection did have a bearing on the case in the negative way.” Here is an update on the case.
The Beginnings
Paul Kendrick/The Mirror
The streets of Cap-Haitien, Haiti in Jan. 2010. The allegations against Perlitz, a 1992 Fairfield graduate and later commencement speaker, over sex abuse involving homeless boys in the Haitian town of Cap-Haitien have only added to the problems. Perlitz is currently housed in the Wyatt Federal Detention Center in Rhode Island awaiting his Oct. 2010 trial while his accusers are now back on the streets, begging, facing threats and guilt over exposing the alleged abuse. Cyrus Sibert, a Haitian journalist and talk show host who first broke the story in 2007, said that there is a big campaign to
Index Opinion• Page 7 Arts & Entertainment • Page 11 Coffee Break • Page 15 Sports • Page 24
with Carrier and influential Board members to conceal his sex abuse by barring investigators hired by the Board entrance to his room and by flying to Haiti to remove two computers and other items from a safe in Perlitz’s room. Carrier and other Board members have not been indicted on any charges.
Perlitz’s Computer
A motion by the government trying to prevent the release of Perlitz pending his trial attached “Exhibit A,” which stated that after a very preliminary investigation by an Immigrations and Customs Enforcement agent, Perlitz’s computer was found to nline contain “numerous (over 100+) image files depicting nude black males … Many of these files depicted Read the full story at www. younger-looking black males engaged in graphic fairfieldmirror.com with expanded information as well as homosexual activity (e.g. oral and anal sex.)” along with the role of the University and links to Web sites such as www.islandboys.com, www. spankteenboys.com, forum.afriboyz.com and www. Perlitz’s supporters nudeafricanboys.com.
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Perlitz founded a school, Project Pierre Toussaint, in 1997 with a grant from the Order of Malta, a Catholic organization. Then two years later in 1999, the Haiti Fund, an organization led by former Fairfield Campus Ministry Director Fr. Paul Carrier, along with many Fairfield employees and wealthy Catholics from Fairfield County, was formed to oversee fund-raising and operations. Perlitz was indicted by a Bridgeport grand jury in Sept. 2009 and on April 21, 2010, a second superseding indictment returned more counts and specifics on the alleged abuse. He now faces a total of 24 counts relating to travel to engage in illicit sex with 18 boys enrolled in his program.
Fr. Paul Carrier’s Role The new indictment highlights the role of Carrier, referred to only as a “religious leader” who befriended Perlitz during his time at Fairfield and frequently met and talked with Perlitz in Haiti and elsewhere. Perlitz’s travel to Haiti was frequently paid for on Carrier’s credit card and Perlitz also lived with Carrier for short periods of time in Connecticut. The indictment also says that Perlitz used his relationship
The Children v. Perlitz The removal of Perlitz caused a schism in the Board. A large group of Board members and donors supporting Perlitz split, leaving the organization with few fund-raising capabilities and dwindling supplies. The school was forced to close; something that the children feared would happen if they spoke out. The government has alleged that Perlitz would often withhold benefits to children who refused to sleep with him and lavish those who did with gifts, such as cash, clothing and electronics. He took the children to restaurants where he bought them meals and alcohol before encouraging them to spend the night in his bedroom. Those who didn’t: he threatened to kick back out onto the streets. “The school closing is a punishment,” said Sibert. “Their
Perlitz | page 5
Inside This Week “Jack’s Last Call”
See page 8.
Violent Vision for a Sexy Shakespeare
See page 11.
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The Mirror | Week of April 28, 2010
News
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Men’s Lacrosse
page 20.
By Charlotte Adinolfi Assistant News Editor
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Cheers & Boos is Back! See what Students Are Saying In the Coffee Break Section See page 16.
Jail N’ Bail Extra
The Stag Sched This Week around campus ... in five easy steps
Attend: Checked your Spots? On Wednesday April 28th from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. get your spots checked! The Student Health Center is sponsoring an information session so students can be SunSmart. The table will be located next to the Info Desk in the Barone Campus Center.
Listen: Glee Club Concert Don’t miss “Road Trippin’ and Glee Clubin’” Pops Concert at the Quick Center. The concert will take place on Thursday May 6th at 7:30 p.m. Buy your tickets now!
Peter Caty / The Mirror
Fairfield students meet a mounted police horse during the third annual Jail N’ Bail event that benefits Special Olympics of Connecticut last Wednesday. In addition to horses, Fairfield law enforcement officers brought an armored tactical vehicle and a Huey police helicopter.
Campus crime beat Tuesday, April 20 2:43 p.m. Narcotics were found in a Residence Hall and the Fairfield Police were notified. The students were referred to judicial. 4:47 p.m. A report was filed for projectiles being thrown at a vehicle behind the gym. Friday, April 23 9:40 a.m. A car accident was reported behind by Kostka Hall between two vehicles.
No injuries were repoted. 4:15 p.m. Narcotics were found in the Village area. The report resulted in an arrest and the student was reported to judicial.
was found with the two front windows broken. The report is still under investigation and they are unsure if it occured on or off campus.
Saturday, April 24
5:30 p.m. The Dolan West door was vandalized and was unable to be opened. 11:22 p.m. Students were found throwing eggs at vehicles. One of the parties was identified and was referred to judicial.
1:09 a.m. A report of disorderly conduct was filed. The student would not corporate with an Area Coordinator on two seperate incidents and was referred to judicial. 6:44 a.m. A vehicle
Celebrate: Green Movement Award Fairfield University has been named among one of the top environmentally responsible institutions in the country! Fairfield was honored by the Princeton Review on their “Guide to 286 Green Colleges.”
Enjoy: Spring Week Activities Be on the look out for Spring Events in the coming days and the weekend! Participate in these last events before finals!
Sunday, April 25
Better Know a Stag Name: Marit Westenberg Major/Minor: International Studies Hometown: The Hague, Netherlands How did you start playing field hockey and how long has it been since you started? My sister started playing field hockey and I always went to her games. I really liked it and wanted to play but I was too young so once I was seven, I started playing. What made you want to come play in America? I was unsure about what I wanted to do after high school but knew I wanted to study and play field hockey. There was a study abroad program here involving both so I decided to come. What is your favorite place you have ever traveled? If I had to choose it would be my entire trip to South Africa but if I were to pick a country it would be Botswana. I camped in the Okavango Delata and elephants would walk right outside our tents. One night there was a hippo right outside!
Attend: Relay For Life This Friday April 30th from 5 p.m. Friday evening until Saturday May 1st at 5 a.m., attened Relay for Life! The event will include a BBQ, Robeks, competitions, a live band and more! Come enjoy the event!
By the Numbers: Summer Sun 15
Recommended SPF or higher for your sunscreen.
30
How many minutes before going in the sun that you should apply sunscreen.
80
How many minutes it takes for waterproof sunscreen to stop working after you have been swimming.
3.5
Months of summer to enjoy the sun and the beach!
Information provided by http://www.melanomafoundation.org/prevention/facts.htm.
The Mirror | Week of April 28, 2010
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Rape: The Silent Epidemic By Annie Rooney & Dan Leitao Executive and Managing Editors Rape is a crime. Those words, published in Fairfield University’s Sexual Assault Policy, address a topic many people feel uncomfortable discussing. Comfortable or not, the fact is that rape is the most common violent crime on American college campuses today, according to a study published by the U.S. Department of Justice. There are many different campus situations that lead to sexual assault. Rape can happen in an intimate study group session or after a casual date with a boyfriend or girlfriend. More often rape happens at parties. Off-campus and on-campus parties generally include excessive alcohol consumption that end with non consensual sexual activity. Alcohol plays a huge role in college campus rape. Consumption can increase misperceptions by confusing friendly and sexual cues in a social situation. Alcohol has also been used as an excuse by men as they become more prone to sexual behavior when drinking. There is also the stereotype that women who drink are more sexually available and women that do drink are usually unable to resist rape.
“Men are more likely than women to assume that
a woman who drinks alcohol on a date is a willing sex partner...40% of men who think this way also believe it is acceptable to for sex on an intoxicated woman” Seventeen and eighteen year old freshman students are at more of a risk in being raped than they may think. The invitation to unsupervised college drinking parties is a new scenario that can get out of hand. “College students are the most vulnerable to rape during the first few weeks of the freshman
and sophomore years,” according to the same study. This year Fairfield Public Safety reported five different cases of sexual assault. Two were deemed rape and the remaining three were sexual assault. Five cases go on the school’s violence record but what about all the other cases that go unreported? The FBI estimates that only 37% of all rapes are reported to the police. U.S. Department of Justice state “fewer than 5% of college women who are victims of rape or attempted rape report it to the police.” It becomes hard to gauge the criminal activity when it isn’t legally accounted for. Confusion between what classifies as real rape is the heart of the problem. The common image associated with rape is a stranger violently forcing his or her victim to perform sexual intercourse. “We see in the media that rape is something that happens to poor, promiscuous, colored people,” said Jen Martin ‘10. But that isn’t the reality of college rape. Most rape on campus is defined as acquaintance rape. The same U.S. Department of Justice study states that “in many acquaintance rape situations, the victim had been drinking, did voluntarily go with the man to his apartment or room, was not threatened with a weapon, did not fight back, did not report the event to the police immediately, did not have medical evidence collected, and may have even had sex with the assailant voluntarily before.” What matters most in acquaintance rape is the lack of consent. “Climbing to the top bunk is not consent,” said Shawne Lomauro ‘11. Fairfield University has many different outlets for a victim to reach out to whether it be their RA, a public safety or counseling services options are present for victims. The policies that Fairfield University clearly outlines the Student
Handbook are constantly changing to better accommodate students. Sarah Gatti ‘10 is a Resident Assistance in the Jogues dormitory. She is actively involved in bringing awareness to the epidemic on Fairfield’s campus. “When there’s a culture of backlash, it’s even more oppressive,” she said regarding the importance of bringing sexual awareness to campus. As an RA Gatti has also been a resource for students who have been victimized. Assistant Director of Public Safety John Ritchie told The Mirror that the policies are, “A living, breathing, organism between the Dean Of Students, Department of Public Safety and Counseling Services.” The policies Ritchie told The Mirror “the biggest thing is the survivors say how we are going to handle it, reporting an incident does not mean it needs to be investigated or followed through it just gives us the option for future follow up.” That is why Fairfield provides victims of sexual assaults and rape multiple options to report the incident including the ability to anonymously file a report on Public Safety’s Web site. Karen Donoghue Director of Residence Life, talked about Resident Life’s roll as one of the first points of contact for victims. “If brought to the attention of Res Life staff we are trained to provide them with all the option and to make victims feel safe and supported.” They then call the “SART LINE which provides students a list of options: Counselor, the hospital for a medical examination, Department of Public Safety, or FPD to start a criminal procedure.” Donoghue continued. These options present the different paths that the school provides for victims to beginning to asses what they wish to due next. However, the most important part is that victims have the say on which way they can proceed.
Holding Ourselves Accountable: Ending the Violence on Campus By Amber Nowak Associate News Editor V-Day, the global movement to end violence against women and girls founded by Eve Ensler, has teamed up with Students Active for Ending Rape (SAFER) to found a project that intends to help make colleges and Universities across the United States safer for all students. According to
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the V-Day official website, the Campus Accountability Project is “a demand for sexual assault policy reform” that addresses the “epidemic of the secrecy surround sexual assaults on college campuses.” Known for being the foundation behind performance pieces such as The Vagina Monologues, and A Memory, a Monologue, a Rant, and a Prayer, the V-Day movement extends beyond the use of theater to raise awareness. Their mission statement reads, “Performance is just the beginning. V-Day stages large-scale benefits and produces innovative gatherings, films and campaigns to educate and change social attitudes towards violence against women […] In Africa, the Middle East, and Asia, V-Day commits ongoing support to build movements and anti-violence networks. This time, V-Day calls upon college students across the nation to become actively involved in putting an end to the violence within their own environment– college campuses.
The first phase of the project invites students to research their school’s sexual assault policies in order to find out what their schools are doing to prevent and respond to sexual assault. The next step is to submit these findings to the National V-Day/SAFER Campus Accountability Project Database. This will allow the students access to help make changes if the findings yield a need for reform. The Campus Accountability Project’s official statement states, “SAFER and V-Day exist to help students make real, lasting change in their communities, and they have many tools to offer you […] We can help you with a number of projects, from raising awareness about sexual violence to totally reforming your school’s sexual assault policy.” During the 2011-2012 academic year, V-Day and SAFER intend to evaluate the collected data and publish an amended version of SAFER’s “What Makes a Better Sexual Assault Policy?” which is an inventory of ways to prevent, track, and respond to sexual assaults on college campuses successfully. The intent of the project is to share these findings and recommendations with the national media. One essential goal is to “integrate the V-Day/SAFER Campus Accountability Project Database into existing college ranking systems so that a weighted rating system of campus sexual assault policies is available for prospective students and their families.” This could mean another standard for college reviews such as the annual US News and World Report “Top Colleges” lists. Students interested in getting on board can visit http://www.vday.org/cap for more information on how to get involved in making a difference on your campus and in the world.
Peter Caty/ The Mirror
Fairfield Students, Nick Bakalov ‘11, Zachary Tesoriero ‘11, Alicia Bissonnette ‘12, Mary McGrath ‘10 and Sarah Gatti ‘10, promote sexual assault awareness through their performance of the Vagina Monologues. The play is a part of Eve Ensler’s global V-Day movement.
Project Peg
an all-women improvisational troupe, came together in the Fall of 2005. The idea for a theater piece exploring the aging process in women and how they look at themselves in the mirror came from Darci Fulcher. From there, she brought the idea to seven other women to help her bring it to life. After their first meeting, with the eight of them standing in a circle- they decided that whatever powerful energy they were all feeling in that moment could carry on long after this particular show and in that moment, they decided to become a group and dubbed themselves Project Peg. Project Peg is dedicated to exploring women’s issues through art. It is one of our goals to join women together, diminishing the competitive and judgmental nature we can all tend to have towards one another. In Festival ‘07, Peg branched out to include men in this journey for self-acceptance.We are all in the same boat and can survive through sharing. The group has now been expanded and boasts a wonderful listing of beautiful men and women. We want as many people on campus as possible to become involved! WOMEN LIVE CHANGE. Meetings every Thursday, LL BCC, 5:30 6:15. Contributed Photo and Information
The Mirror | Week of April 28, 2010
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Let’s Be Frank - Stag Spotlight FR: And why is that? CT: Your freedom. You don’t have to listen to the boss and he just says, “Go out, cut what you want to cut,” and that’s it.
Fairfield University groundskeeper Chris Trouw is the focus of the latest “Let’s Be Frank” episode. Frank Romano: What are your responsibilities as a groundskeeper? Chris Trouw: The wintertime is snow plowing and shoveling. Spring is like what everybody else does – spring cleanups – and then, pretty much lawn cutting and leaves. FR: What piece of machinery do you like to operate the most? CT: The Toro lawnmower that I use for cutting the grass around campus.
FR: Have you ever gotten poison ivy, and if so, where? CT: Yes, I have gotten poison ivy. I got poison ivy around my eyes from cutting up a tree that had Groundskeeper Chris Trouw shows viewers his poison ivy on it. safety helmet and chainsaw skills in the HAM Channel’s most recent “Stag Spotlight” FR: What do you do when you’re not working? Any interesting hobbies? CT: Once spring comes [and it] gets nicer out, I leave my car at home and I ride my bike to and from work. So that’s pretty much my big pastime. FR: What part of the job do you enjoy the most, and why? CT: I like working in the grounds department. I’ve always been active working outside since high school, and it’s just what I love to do.
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Project Pierre Toussaint must reopen…now. Sadly, the Fairfield University community has been sending a disrespectful message to the people of Haiti: “If your children report that they are being sexually abused by one of us, we will abandon you.” The Jesuits taught me that the service of my faith must include the promotion of justice. Project Pierre Toussaint’s school and drop-in center served the basic needs of hungry, homeless, street kids. We must go to Haiti now to show that we are in communion with the pain and suffering of the victims. We must go to Haiti now to work in “konbit” with our Haitian brothers and sisters to reopen the school. In Haitian Creole, a konbit is a traditional Haitian method of working together to till your friends’ fields as well as your own - a cooperative effort.” Paul Kendrick, ‘72
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Perlitz Updates Continued from page 1 moral is very low. They finally realize that Doug was right when he claimed that: ‘If you disclose what is happening the project will be closed and you will return to the street where you belong. Your situation will be worst. You’d better keep your mouth shut.’ Today, victims are back into the streets, they don’t have food, clothes; they can’t go to school anymore, nor bathe. They survive by begging for food in the public market, restaurants or hotels.” In a recent hearing on April 1, Dow said that in a case like this one, with no physical evidence, it becomes a “credibility contest” between Perlitz and the Haitian children.
The Future Perlitz will not stand trial until Oct. 2010. Support for his innocence or guilt has been equally as vociferous on both sides. To some, he is a hero; the same culture of poverty that he strove to fix engulfed him and led to false accusations. To others, he is a criminal of the worst kind; he fed off the needs of children, luring them off the streets with food, shelter and clothing; making the children need his help before abusing them; then threatening to throw them back out onto the streets if they talked. University President Fr. Jeffrey von Arx has stressed that Fairfield has not distanced itself from PPT in public statements. “We want to work as closely as we can with the Haiti Fund and we remain ready to assist the Haiti Fund as they ask us to. We are not walking away from PPT,” said von Arx. The current board chairman, Michael McCooey, has not responded to multiple messages on his phone seeking comment after originally agreeing to an interview. Sibert said that he has heard that the project will be reopening, but that the board members are working behind closed doors. But, PPT remains closed. The children remain on the streets, begging. The outcome of Perlitz’s trial won’t change that fact. “The community as a whole is eagerly waiting to fill a gap left by Perlitz,” said Sibert. “It will take some time and continuous effort to put the experience behind, heal the wounds and move forward. It all depends on the human good will and honesty of the new participants and the determination of the leaders involved (local or foreigner).”
The Mirror | Week of April 28, 2010
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The Buried Life Uncovered Continued from page 1 selves what was possible,” said Jonnie Penn. In 2009, MTV contacted the four, asking if they would be interested in making a show. The friends were allowed to call the shots, and so they set out to record eight episodes of the most difficult projects to complete from their list. The documentary reality show has been a big success and has already been booked for a second season. But it is not just fun and games for these guys. Part of their mission is to also help strangers complete projects from their bucket lists. Jonnie Penn told the story of Brent, one of their friends who wanted to give to homeless shelters. To help him, they went in search of a used car dealer who would give them a cheap truck. One car dealer agreed to sell them a $2100 car for $440 because people had helped his daughter realize her dream of going to Thailand. ‘The Buried Life’ boys were able to help their friend Brent deliver food to the homeless; it was after this event that they decided to
help strangers. “That day... taught us three lessons that keep us going even to today,” Penn said. “The reason that we’re talking with you today is because we feel like these lessons are worth sharing.” The lessons were perseverance, networking, and helping people. Another story involved a man from Dallas named Sam. He had become estranged from his son for seventeen years and really wanted to reconnect with him. The Buried Life boys spent three months tracking the son down and finally found him on Facebook. They contacted him in what Duncan Penn called “one of [his] most awkward conversations ever,” in which he was able to convince the son to speak to Sam on the phone. Later, they ended up meeting, and the reconnection was probably one of the most sentimental episodes of the first season. Although the talk was humorous--the boys bragged about partying in the Playboy mansion--it was mostly inspirational. The Buried Life boys stressed the importance of
doing what you do and giving back to people. The Buried Life “was largely about proving to ourselves that these things were possible,” stated Duncan Penn. The idea that anything is possible and that there are no boundaries is the main essence of their show. And the idea of doing things for others is “bigger than us, bigger than all of us,” added Nemtin. The end of the talk involved students getting up at a microphone and stating what it was they wanted to do before they died. The answers ranged from wanting a hug from one of the guys, to learning a skill or performing on stage to opening up a clinic and helping others. Jonnie Penn stated, “If you have something you want to do with your life, don’t take no for an answer. If it means something to you, do it. And you don’t have to listen to anybody else, or whatever anybody else thinks of what you want to do, just do it, if you feel it is important.”
Stags Showcase Speaking Skills
By John T. Padovano Staff Writer The biggest fear in America is not heights or spiders or snakes or even death. It is the fear of public speaking. Fourteen Fairfield Communication students tried to conquer this fear April 21st during the First Annual Speech Showcase. The event was set up by Professor Rhonda TrustSchwartz for students in two of her Argument and Advocacy classes, a 100 level Communications classes required for majors. Students were offered extra credit to give a speech at the event. About 25 students volunteered but for the sake of time the fourteen best speeches were selected. Trust-Schwartz, a former speech and debate team coach, sees the art of speech essential. “Rhetoric is the foundation of a Jesuit education,” said Trust-Schwartz. “It is so important to have those skills. I think a speaking class should be part of the core curriculum”.
The students talked on a variety of topics ranging from for a plea for help in Haiti and to shedding light on sex slave trafficking in America, to touching personal stories about students who have siblings with disabilities. Kristen Dimmling ’13 was one of the students selected to speak. She decided to deliver her persuasive speech. “For this speech our class was required to choose a non-profit organization and try to ‘persuade’ our audience to join the cause we are discussing.” Dimmling continued: “after doing some research online I decided to speak about the non-profit organization, Doctors Without Borders.” Dimmling delivered a strong and passionate speech and emphasized how many lives are saved by Doctors Without Borders. She, like many of her fellow speakers, established very early in the speech that she was qualified to speak on this topic because of the amount of time she spent researching it. The students prepared their speeches about three weeks before the showcase. After Professor Trust-Schwartz critiqued the speeches, the students had a dress rehearsal to
see how long the speeches would run and how to best pace themselves. The dress rehearsal prepared them for all but one thing- the audience of close to 90 students at the showcase. “I was nervous when I saw the crowd of people walking in,” said Dimmling. “But I knew I did everything I could to prepare myself for my speech. When I was delivering my speech I spoke the same way I would have spoken as if it were just the people from my small class.” The showcase not only helped the students giving the speeches but also the ones in the crowd. Meaghan Butler ’13 was one such student. “As a communications major I am constantly forced to make speeches in front of a class, and it helped to see other people and witness their public speaking strengths and weaknesses.” Professor Trust-Schwartz said she hopes to make this an annual spring event and that next year she will ask other communication professors to pitch their “star” students so they can give speeches as well.
The Mirror | Week of April 28, 2010
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Opinion | 7
Stags By The Shore
Peter Caty | Editor-in-Chief Annie Rooney | Executive Editor Dan Leitao | Managing Editor Elizabeth Connors | Opinion Editor
A Shaky Start but a Positive Promise In the past two weeks, The Mirror has been marred with spelling and grammar mistakes that the Editorial staff does not believe is a correct reflection of the paper’s quality. It has become clear that it has hurt the credibility of The Mirror in the eyes of some students. These students want to read The Mirror for an accurate depiction of Fairfield’s academic standards and student programs. It is something that the staff of The Mirror strives to do every week. These errors are as much of a disappointment to the staff as to our readers. The Mirror has been just as disappointed with the blatant errors on the front page as our readers have been. Misspelled words and names, (Check Spelling) faux pas, and old data information displays are mistakes we hope you never have to see again. The Mirror has been going through a transitional period for the past three weeks in which it is graduating thirteen seniors and taking on an entirely new staff to take the reigns at running the content, online, and business staff of the Independent Newspaper of Fairfield University. This transition has also conveniently happened as the semester’s work has begun to pile up. It is easy to develop excuses for any mistake made (especially when you're an investigative reporter) and we do not want to dwell on the negatives. As a student-run newspaper, we at The Mirror will continue in our aim to provide appealing and accurate information to all audiences interested in Fairfield University. We believe that the unfamiliar new faces in the office will bring fresh and new voices to the paper It is the goal of this staff not only avoid the repetition of mistakes but also to bring the paper to a new place in student readership. Not only can you expect the most up-to-date information from our weekly paper but you won't have to circle spelling or grammatical errors on the front page while you're bored in class. We wish you a happy and safe summer and hope you are looking forward to the 2010-2011 school year as much as we are.
Have a great summer and The Mirror will see you in the Fall! Have an opinion? Send it to opinion@fairfieldmirror.com.
The Evolution of Fairfield By Veronica Florentino Staff Writer If you ask members of the class of 2010 about their first look at Fairfield, you will hear a series of different responses. But what makes their stories unique compared with the rest of the University is that most of the stories are void of one thing: The Aloysius P. Kelley Center. The building was opened and operational when we arrived in September 2006, but it was not officially dedicated as the Kelley Center until October 5th. Having the Registrar, the StagCard Office, Career Planning, Financial Aid, Admissions, and other important offices all under one roof is a convenience students take for granted. The reality is that before any of us got here, these important student offices were scattered all over campus. As a tour guide, I love stepping out of the Kelley Center and walking right into Loyola Hall; strolling down the hill from Bellarmine past Donnarumma just seems like an inconvenience. When we returned to campus as juniors in the Fall '08 and observed the changes to the landscape of the quad, many of my friends deemed them unnecessary and inconvenient. The paths that were added were not conducive to the traditional activities we had once enjoyed on the quad, and we pitied the students who currently resided there. Today when I pass the quad, I can't help but notice the freshmen and sophomores sitting outside, enjoying the weather, and making the quad their own. I miss the quad I knew and loved from my little room in 'Zaga, but this is just another example of the evolution of Fairfield. When we arrived in 2006, I never imagined just how
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much these 212 acres would change in our four short years. I can only imagine the surprise of alums returning to their old stomping ground only to find a very different campus. Admittedly, I will never embrace some changes like renaming La Salsa 'Senor Salsa.' However, though the new layout of the cafeteria seriously diminishes traditional Barone stalking, the chairs and booths are pretty comfy. I'm not happy about seeing construction sites daily, I definitely did not enjoy the four-hour power outage in the Village on Friday, and let's not get started on parking in the Village. Although we may find these aspects of life at Fairfield annoying, we can rest assured that generations of future Fairfield students will thoroughly enjoy living at 51 McInnes Road. Years from now when we ourselves return to our alma mater (provided there is a place for us to park), it will be bittersweet to discover a campus that, to us, is unrecognizable. We will find new or renovated structures that are completely unfamiliar to us, and yet home to hundreds of students. Fairfield has become my home and the prospect of leaving is sad. It seems that the best way to adjust to change and to accommodate these few inconveniences is to think about the future. No, I don't mean that future, because goodness knows I'm sick of uncertainty; but I know with a lot of certainty that the future of Fairfield is bright. When Fairfield College of St. Robert Bellarmine purchased the University property in 1942, they probably could have never imagined we would be where we are today. And while the current construction on campus will not affect me, I am excited for the students who will get to enjoy it. I just hope their four years will be as memorable as mine have been.
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The Mirror | Week of April 28, 2010
Opinion
Jackstaposition: Jack's Last Call Jack McNamara Staff Writer
This past week I had a rare and extremely relieving moment of serenity in what has otherwise been a high-strung semester. It was a reminder of how far positive thinking can get someone, but more importantly it was a reminder of this time when I was misled into going to an underlit building in New Jersey. During the tail end of my first semester of college, my good friend Jayson Cowley – who last I checked is currently hunting for pelts in the wilderness of suburban Denver – came up to me and asked if I would be interested in attending a RENAISSANCE FAIR. I, best put, was uncertain. “I don’t know man, what exactly does one do at one of those?” “Renaissance stuff, I hope,” he replied. Having been sold by Jayson’s unparalleled wordsmithery, later that week I piled into a hijacked (possibly rented) university van containing myself, Jayson, Kelly Young, Steph Burr and Jeff ‘Wild Jeff’ Seiser. The drive was long, and we pulled over for a quick stop not too long after crossing into New Jersey, or at least that’s what I thought we did. We were somewhere in Lyndhurst, literally a stone’s throw away from the concrete Hoffa mausoleum that is the Meadowlands Sports Complex. “We’re here,” Jayson proclaimed, much to my surprise. “Where’s the fair?” I asked. “Well, it’s not so much a Renaissance fair as it is a Medieval Times.” To those not familiar with this fine establishment, it’s a national chain of knight-themed, family-friendly dinner theaters which treats silverware with the same kind of tolerance Fairfield University has for trees. This particular Medieval Times was a very ELABORATE dinner theater, but that didn’t change the fact that it was as authentic a historical experience as Taco Bell was to a vacation in Tijuana. I felt deceived. This being the case, I was pissed, and probably would have remained that way if it weren’t for the fact everyone else was being so stubborn about having a great time and enjoying each other’s company. So I rolled with it for everyone else’s sake, and actually ended up enjoying myself as a result of fake-enjoying myself. Our section -- representing the Principality of Blue or something like that -- never had a crowd as fanatical as the one led by me that night. Slogans, shouted at a very high volume so as to promote our Blue Knight’s inevitable victories, included: “If you’re not blue, you’re through!” “O-blue-terate him!” and “Murder your enemies to death, Blue!” Because of my direct support, the Blue Knight won two of his epic battles, which were surely not staged. Both times he took a victory lap, tossed a rose into the crowd and both times the rose was caught by Jeff ‘Abs of Steel’ Seiser. I’m pretty sure Jeff would have gotten a third rose too, were it not for the Green Knight being such a cheat. In retrospect, I like the memory of me having fun at Medieval Times more than the memory of me hating it. It’s a useful frame of reference for when I find myself in unpleasant situations. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m off to Tijuana.
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Once a Cheater,
Always a Cheater?
By Ashley Zangara Asst. Entertainment Editor
“I don’t have a girlfriend, but I can totally see why so many guys cheat. Living in the dorms is like living in a brothel. Girls are down to give it and I’m down to get it,” said sophomore Nick Lauretti. Originally a commuter, Lauretti now lives on campus and thinks the temptation of cheating is too great to have a girlfriend. Romantic relationships are hard to maintain on college campuses. Fairfield University is notorious for breakups and hardships. With a male to female ratio being 2:3, males are left with more variety when it comes to choosing a hookup on campus. Interviews with 20 Fairfield University students revealed that 17 of them believe it is impossible to have a monogamous relationship in college. Students who have found significant others encounter issues when it comes to remaining faithful. Junior Chris O’Reilly said, “I had a girlfriend freshman year, but it didn’t last long. I was always surrounded by temptation and finally gave in. When alcohol comes into the picture it makes things even more complicated.” A fun night of partying often leads to late night “booty calls,” and people are prone to making the “mistake” of cheating on their loved one. Fairfield University substance abuse counselor, Kevin Curry said, “Alcohol lowers inhibitions and at elevated blood alcohol contents (BAC’s), it really affects decisionmaking process and reasoning. That
impairment is the effect of alcohol on the brain. I also think sometimes it is used as an excuse for bad behavior.” It is not just the men who have difficulties staying loyal. A Fairfield junior who wishes to remain anonymous due to her promiscuous behavior said, “I have a boyfriend, but I hook up with guys sometimes. I love my boyfriend, but when alcohol comes into the picture and he’s not around things sometimes get tricky.” She has yet to admit her transgressions to her boyfriend and says she probably never will.
only cheated once and got caught. I became so caught up in the moment and just went with it. I didn’t establish in my head that night that I wanted to cheat on my girlfriend, but it kind of just happened.” He wishes to remain anonymous due to the sensitivity of the subject. The effects of being cheated on are psychologically damaging. Nassau Community College Sophomore Alyssa Kaiser said, “I’ve been cheated on three times and each time it has felt worse and worse. I was not expecting it, and then it made me believe our whole relationship was a lie.” After finding out, she questioned every aspect of her former relationship. She said that she would stay in most nights following the break ups and cry herself to sleep because she did not feel good enough for the men who cheated on her. Psychologist Dr. Henry Malone said, “It is a proven fact that men are more prone to cheat than women, but either way it is a toxic situation and the person being cheated on will usually need a lot of time to recover. ConContributed Photos stantly comparing oneself to the person with whom “I don’t find it necessary to tell one's significant other has cheated is him," she said. "But if I ever found common.” out he was cheating on me the relaThe question remains, “Why be tionship would be over.” in a relationship if your are going When asked, “What goes through to cheat?” Many students did not your head before you are about to want to comment on this question. cheat?” students were unable to offer Lauretti said, “I think it mostly has to specific responses. The men simply do with the security aspect. It’s a nice laughed and shrugged their shoulfeeling to know you have someone ders, while the girls became quiet. who cares about you and will be A senior male student said, “I’ve there when you get home at night.”
Letter to the Editor To the Editor, I want to take this time to thank the Fairfield University Student Community for all the love and support you have provided me with over my college career. Serving as FUSA President for the past two years has been a life changing experience and something that I will remember forever. As FUSA President, I have learned a wide range of skills and lessons such as responsibility, hard work and goal setting. The lesson I have the greatest appreciation for, however, is that a leader’s success depends on the support he has from those with whom he serves. I have been blessed to serve with an amazing FUSA Team, and I am especially thankful for those with whom I have worked closest on the Executive Cabinet. I would like to thank and recognize David Axelrod ‘10, Rachel Feyre ’10, Frank Fioretti ‘10, Alison MacNeill ’10, Erin Mackey ’10, Eddie Muniz ’11, Christine Ruane ’10, Nicole Sweeney ’10 and Vice President Lauren Johnson ’11 for the support you have given to me, to one another, and to the student body over the past year. I believe our greatest accomplishment together has been making structural changes to FUSA so that it is more efficient in serving the student body. Due to our
work, FUSA has structures in place to both attract and reach out to students to get involved, develop leadership skills of all officials, and to make a difference on campus. This has been done through establishing roles and responsibilities for FUSA Officials, defining a training and community building program, and expanding opportunities for students to have meaningful roles in areas such as campus programming, student advocacy, and club advisement. These structural changes will enable FUSA to build upon our work for years to come. In looking back at my time as FUSA President, I can say with fullest sincerity that although having a prestigious title is nice, it is the skills I have learned, the people I have worked with, and the differences I have been a part of bringing about that make this position so special to me. It has truly been an honor to serve the Fairfield University Student Body and I thank you all for this opportunity. Good luck in all your future endeavors and may God bless you.
Sincerely, Jeffrey Seiser FUSA President
The Mirror | Week of April 28, 2010
Opinion
Page 9
Looking Back on Our Time At Fairfield Leaving One Home For Another By Ana Ziegler Staff Writer I am an international student and I had the privilege to study at Fairfield University for the academic year of 2009-2010. Soon I will be leaving again, just as many seniors will be. The past two semesters here have been a blast and I am truly glad I made the decision to leave my home country of Germany and my family for nine months abroad. Things may not have always been pleasant, and surely not easy, but the good times more than made up for that. There are many things that I will miss, but what I will miss most are the people because I have met some really great friends over the past year. We have had crazy parties (dancing on tables), fun trips and adventures, the best mac n’ cheese ever, and entertaining lunch hours (I will not go into details of what we talked about but the conversations involved feeding a turtle, oranges and many other things that I can’t mention here). I will miss attending the basketball games, playing beer pong and flip cup, and beating the guys at joust. I will also miss just hanging out with some friends having a great time being silly (these occasions did not always, but mostly, involve a considerable amount of alcohol). There are also some things that I won’t miss too much: The walk to and from Dolan, not having a car or any other means of transportation, and always having to rely on the shuttle or others to drive me wherever I needed to go. Another thing is the cafeteria food. It was fun for a while and in the beginning it seemed like they had so many different options, but after a couple of months those options started to shrink with every single day. I am definitely looking forward to my mom’s home cooked meals. My time here is almost up; the end of the semester is approaching fast. It has been great knowing all of you and I am thankful for people always being helpful and friendly and inviting me into their circle of friends. I envy all of you who are able to return in the fall. Coming here was a great decision and I don’t regret any second of it. We still have a couple weeks left until the semester is over so let’s enjoy the rest of the time and make it count. I hope I will see all of you again someday. Until then, arrivederci, bye-bye, hasta luego and auf Wiedersehen.
Many Fairfield memories are made right here on campus
John Padovano/The Mirror
The Things I Leave Behind By John Padovano Staff Writer My four years are almost up and I can’t believe it because (cliché warning) they’ve been the best four years of my life. What follows are some things I love about this school and things I think could be improved, as well as some advice in there- take it at your own risk: The Core: Two math classes? Okay- one is probably enough but that’s fine. A foreign language? That makes sense. Even HI-30 is completely understandable. But two religions, two philosophies and one more of either of the two? It’s utterly ridiculous. We should replace three of these classes with something we can actually apply to everyday life. By the time we are juniors the majority of Fairfield students have full kitchens and most of these students have no idea what they are doing. I didn’t think I would need a cooking class until my first day in Townhouse 94 when my roommate went running out of the house with an oven mitt on fire. The Levee: Make it a bar! Bars have hard alcohol and bartenders who know how to make mixed drinks. The Levee isn’t a bar. Despite all this, The Levee has a lot of potential, especially because more and more of age students will be living on campus. The major appeal of The Grape is that it is within walking distance for all the students who live at the beach. The Uni-
versity is trying to keep as many people as they can on campus; the least they could do is give students a legitimate place to hang out. Food: Some of my fondest college memories took place in the cafeteria. Every night, during my first two years of school, at 6pm my friends and I would walk across the quad together and end up at the same table in the back left corner. Then junior year came around, we had a kitchen in the townhouse, and Barone got a facelift. I think this was a huge mistake. Barone looks much better but I think the makeover robbed it of its soul. The booths make it hard to see across the room, which was half the reason people were there and the only reason why people stayed so long. There was nothing like sitting at those old round wooden tables coming up with nicknames for people you didn’t know or hashing out the details of what actually happened last night. Study Abroad: Do it. I went to Florence, Italy and it was one of the most amazing experiences of my life. One weekend I was in Dublin for St. Patrick’s Day and the next I was off on the Greek island of Corfu for Spring Break. I ended up visiting six different countries, my favorite of which was Germany. Springfest in Munich will change your life. And only in Florence could I have gotten an A in physics. Intramurals: Do them. Intramurals have been one
of the strongest bonding experiences for my friends and me. There is nothing like a group of friends coming together with a common goal and going to battle for it. Plus, there is the guarantee that something funny/embarrassing will happen to one of you and it will be a point of laughter for years. Flag football was by far my favorite and basketball was by far my least favorite. Pickleball and softball were really fun too, even though we never won a game. Lacrosse was always the least organized but the most fun even though I broke more sticks in the ten intramural games I played in than I did in four years of playing in high school. Alumni Hall: I understand why the men only play two games a year there. Harbor Yard is a great recruiting tool and we would never get schools like Georgetown to play us at home if we played in Alumni Hall. Also, if the games were on campus people still would not go. On a Thursday night would you rather go to a townhouse party or go to a game against St. Peter's? The only way people are going to go to the games is if the Stags win. That being said, the women only had ten home games in Alumni Hall this year, yet every time I have tried to play in there Public Safety kicks me out. My friends and I would only go in there when all the other courts were being occupied but public safety wanted nothing to do with it. Why can’t my friends and I feel like big shots and play on a DI court every now and then?
Deposits Must be Due, Choose Fairfield U! By Dan Leitao Managing Editor This Saturday marks the deadline for the deposit for admitted students. The Mirror often forgets that prospective students, alumni, and others also read the paper. All too often we tailor our content only to college students. My writing is no different. The combination of articles about sex, alcohol, and partying does a poor job of providing an accurate reflection of Fairfield University, but some of them are fun to read. With deposits due this Saturday I figured I would turn my attention to a different readership, admitted students, and the question: Why Fairfield? Class size, internship opportunity, job networking, location, community, Jesuit Ideals, the campus, the list goes on. These are all the reasons you find in any guidebook, info session or tour. These are the reasons that you cross a school off an excel spreadsheet or give it a star. However, by May 1st none of that is what matters. So why Fairfield? It would be a lie for me to say that the number of gorgeous girls I saw on my campus tour was not a small factor in coming to Fairfield. But let's move past that factor. It is the people. It sounds cliché but it is true. Take anything on campus from FUSA to The Mirror, from intramurals to Loyola Residential College. You can have the framework, the list of activities, and the goals, but if you don’t have the
people none of these matter. The reason that Loyola Hall has been a success is because students want it to be a success and they love it. This is true of everything at Fairfield. I’ll never forget the first time I called Fairfield home in front of my mother and that is a moment that you can’t show on a tour. It's the fact that people hold doors open here when you are so far away that you feel bad and start running so they don’t have to hold the door too long. Or the fact that as I write this I have realized I don’t have enough time to see all the seniors I want to see before they graduate. It is the best four years of your life and the people at Fairfield from Mary in Barone swiping us into the cafeteria, to Jim Fitzpatrick who's been here longer than I even know, to the teachers who sit waiting for students to come office hours, to everyone else at Fairfield. So when you are debating among Fairfield, Loyola, Providence, Holy Cross, and any other schools, just remember it is the people like you that will make Fairfield great. And while you sweat it out the rest of this week, debating where you will be sending your deposit on May 1st, just know that by the time your deposit gets here I will be at Clam Elizabeth Connors/The Mirror Jam down on Lantern Point (The Beach). There is nothing better than being with all of your friends, whether it is at the Beach, in the dorms, or locked in the Library. It is the people that prove there is no question that Fairfield is the right school.
The Mirror | Week of April 28, 2010
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Violent Vision for a Sexy Shakespeare By Amber Nowak Staff Writer Sex and violence- not the first words you would associate with Shakespeare? Brace yourself, because Theatre Fairfield’s production of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet actually holds true to the shocking content of this famous play. Although director Barbara Berlovitz set this production of the universally renowned tragedy of two lovers entangled in the quarrels of their feuding families within a contemporary context, the nature of the performance does not stray far from its Elizabethan source. Sophomore Pamela Perrimon, who plays Prince Escalus, commented on the violent and sexual nature of the performance. “We took the text directly from Shakespeare. Barbra wanted to emphasize the violence because it is so relevant to today’s world,” she said. “As for the sexuality, I was really surprised to see how well the play fit into the emphasized themes of sexuality and violence.” Startling instances of intense stage combat, overtly sexual gestures, and one horrific scene in particular in which Juliet’s father beats her, would probably not have been included in productions during Shakespeare’s day, but they do reflect the intensity of Shakespeare’s words. In the Director’s Note, Berlovitz said, “Shakespeare chose to write about the warring families first. […] Although the play is more than four hundred years old, any news source today will tell us that civil wars continue all over the world.” Everything about this production seems to have a shock value, including the vibrant color schemes. Sonya Berlovitz designed the costumes employing color for specific significance. Perrimon said, “The Montagues wore cooler colors, the Capulets warmer to show the characters’ affiliation with either family. Paris and Mercutio wore traces of green. Paris, Mercutio, and Prince Escalus all had variations
of red-colored hair to show their family ties.” Overall, the performance is best described as “intense.” The acting and the visual components work together to create an energy simulating the whirlwind of animosity that is mutually felt between the rival families. As Romeo and Juliet are swept up in this cyclone of hatred, so is the audience, who quite literally becomes a part of the first scene, acting as spectators to the opening brawl initiated by a silly “biting of the thumb.” The focus of the play is actually the conflict between the families. The romance between Romeo and Juliet serves to highlight the pointlessness of this violence. Director Berlovitz writes, “Sometimes even a reason cannot be articulated. Only empty hate is to be found. [...] This is not a happy play, although it certainly contains some humor, but it does supply food for thought. Surely it is time for discussion, collaboration and most of all, listening.”
Song: Toes Artist: Zac Brown Band What’s better than a song about your ass in the sand and a cold beer in your hand?
Song: In My Head Artist: Jason Derulo I can’t leave this one out. I mean have you seen the music video?
Song: Tell Me What We’re Gonna Do Now Artist: Joss Stone I saw her in concert with Jason Mraz in Amsterdam this past summer and in order to get back to that...’state of mind’, all I have to do is turn on this song (and something else too)....
Song: Gravity Artist: John Mayer I don’t care about all the stupid things he says, he still sounds the same to me and he’s great in concert.
Song: All At Sea Artist: Jamie Cullum I can listen to this song on repeat all day. To any of his songs, really. Jamie Cullum should pay me for promoting him in America.
iPick
By Anne Nieuwenhuis Staff Writer Contributed Photo
No Guarantee for Your Degree By Andrew Robinson Staff Writer
It’s around 1 a.m. in Greenwich Village, New York City. I make up exactly one-seventh of the audience in the basement of the Comedy Cellar, a stone’s throw from Bleecker street. The stage is about five feet wide and a single strand of Christmas lights adds a decorative touch to the generator protruding from the stone walls. I’m nursing a warm beer from the tap, listening to the host describe his most recent hallucination from his current acid trip. In his rare moments of audible clarity, the audience learns about his four-year degree in psychology from a reputable institution. He then sarcastically describes finally achieving his dream of becoming a professional comedian as he pokes an invisible audience member in the front row with his mic stand between his legs, alluding to obscene gestures, in complete disconnect with his audience. The struggling artist is in no way a new idea. In certain ways, some artists would describe the entire profession as a constant struggle to keep from sinking while picking which battles of artistic integrity they should choose to fight. For the comedians at the Comedy Celler, the bar for such integrity was set remarkably low. One female comedian casually flirted me into staying for her next set, while others offered free beers from behind the bar in an effort to keep the miniature audience satisfied. The lack of an audience became the punch line for a
majority of the jokes for the comedians who performed. Behind a wall of sarcasm, a dark eerie quality of bleak misfortune seemed to be a reoccurring theme for the performers. In moments of extended pause, one could almost feel the comedians asking themselves, “How did it end up like this?” The reality of the situation was that all four were talented performers and I thoroughly enjoyed each of their fifteen minutes under the lonely stage light. I left the comedy club in a fog. As I found the myself
“Like the struggling artist, we also need to know where we’re going to draw the line; how far we are willing to push our moral standards to achieve success.” submerged in the densely occupied streets of Greenwich Village , an imminent reality began to set it. I began asking myself mountainous questions such as “What the hell am I going to do in two years when I graduate?” and “How did such interesting people find such misfortunate plights?” The current economic crisis is a reality one meets everyday in the news and television. However, as college students, how are we affected directly? Personally, the financial sting has gone unnoticed. I sympathize with any-
one who may disagree, however my life hasn’t changed. I still work at the same beach I’ve worked at for the last four years. My paycheck has steadily increased annually and I had my most successful year yet last summer. Every morning I stop at the same cornerstone, order my breakfast sandwich and a coffee and begin my daily routine of saving lives and tanning. I would ask myself, “What is everyone so worried about?” My trip to New York answered a number of questions. For one, a four-year degree doesn’t mean anything unless you use it. How people market themselves is going to be the deciding factor for many graduates. Let’s face it, Fairfield is a great school, but the name doesn’t turn heads. Although it’s advised that nursing and accounting provide job security, finding your niche is going to land you the position you want. Like the struggling artist, we also need to know where we’re going to draw the line; how far we are willing to push our moral standards to achieve success. Students must also rely on their own self-efficiency and constantly bulk up their resumes with programs, internships, and even those “showed up once” group memberships if necessary. The struggling artist is an example to us that nothing is a sure thing any more. As students, we must prepare for success as equally as failure. For those graduating, I offer my supreme confidence in our Fairfield University education as well as offer my prayers for their continued growth in the spirit of learning and maturity.
The Mirror | Week of April 28, 2010
Arts & Entertainment
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“House Rules” Ruled a Definite Page Turner By Rosemary O’Connor Staff Writer
What would you do if you were obsessed with crime? Jacob Hunt, the principal character in Jodi Picoult’s latest novel “House Rules,” has this addiction. He watches CSI shows religiously, fabricates his own crime scenes in his home, and crashes real crime scenes after listening in to local police frequencies. The only problem is, Jacob can’t help himself. His autism won’t allow him to let go of his fascination and lead a normal life, even when it gets him into serious trouble. Picoult’s moving book follows the lives of Jacob, his mother, and his younger brother as they all struggle to cope with Jacob’s disability and blend in with normal society. None of them were able to retain close friends due to Jacob’s inability to carry out typical conversations or function in the real world as most people do. Jacob cannot look people in the eyes without feeling severely uncomfortable, nor can he control himself when something does not go his way, often resulting in full-blown tantrums in the middle of public places. Average people in their Vermont hometown avoid the Hunt family like the plague. Unable to understand Jacob and those who love him, they simply distance themselves and label him as “different.” But the real problem with this label arises when police misinterpret Jacob’s differences for guilt after he comes under suspicion for murdering his social skills tutor. His unwillingness to answer questions, fidgety nature, and avoidance of eye contact all lead the police to believe that they have found their culprit. Running through the novel is the burning question – are these signs only prevelant because of Jacob’s disability, or did he truly commit murder?s Sibling rivalry doesn’t even begin to cover the relationship between Jacob and his brother Theo. Though three years younger, Theo constantly has to step into the role of the older sibling when it comes to things like making sure Jacob does not get picked on at school or remembering their mother’s birthday.
Theo is continuously overlooked because their mother has to put most of her time and energy into caring for Jacob. Theo often did not receive sufficient birthday gifts because all extra money goes to Jacob’s treatments and psychiatrists. All food in their house must be prepared according to Jacob’s gluten and dairy-free diet. Luxuries like pizza and ice cream are nonexistent in Jacob’s – and therefore Theo’s – life. It is no wonder then that Theo finds it extremely difficult to abide by his mother’s house rule: “Protect your brother. He’s the only one you’ve got.” Faced now with more hardship than they have ever had to endure before, the Hunt family must not only fight society, but also the court system to prove Jacob innocent of the heinous crime without letting the disability tear them apart. Jodi Picoult masterfully crafts a tale of an average family with average problems gone seriously wrong. Any mother can relate to Jacob, even though she has much more on her plate than others. Her intense love for her son as she so vehemently battles to keep him out of prison is apparent on every page. Her desire to lead a normal life that she will never have is also painfully poignant. The scenes where she encounters her ex-husband set the reader’s nerves on edge. Her reminisces about what could have been and all her white-picket-fence dreams that never came to fruition will undoubtedly bring a tear to even the most hard-hearted person’s eye. Warning: Do not begin this book if you have too much to do with finals hanging over your head. Picoult’s characters and her intricate plot will be stuck in your head until you have turned the last page.
TOP 10 JODI PICOULT BOOKS: 1) My Sister’s Keeper 2) Nineteen Minutes 3) The Pact 4) Plain Truth 5) Change of Heart 6) Keeping Faith 7) The Tenth Circle 8) Salem Falls 9) Handle with Care 10) Vanishing Acts According to goodreads.com
Contributed Photos
The Mirror | Week of April 28, 2010
Arts & Entertainment
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Low on Dough? See a Show! By Renne Borghesi Staff Writer As Fairfield University students, we are lucky to be in such close proximity to New York City. But as students, we probably don’t have the extra cash to take advantage of everything exciting the city has to offer. There is one place you can go to that offers a rich entertainment experience without hurting you wallet: the TKTS Discount Ticket Booth in Times Square. The TKTS booth sells discount tickets on a variety of Broadway and Off-Broadway shows. There are over 30 musicals and plays to buy tickets for with discounts ranging from 50 percent, 40 percent, 30 percent and 20 percent off the full price. “Being from Massachusetts, I don’t get into NYC as often as I would like but every time I go, I end up checking out TKTS,” Katie Foley ’10 said. Foley has used TKTS about five times, seeing popular musicals like “Movin’ Out”, “Spamalot”, “Thoroughly Modern Millie”, “The Music Man” and “Chicago”. The choices at the TKTS booth are filled with a vast array of popular shows. Okay, so “Wicked” will probably never be at TKTS (and trust me, I will be first in line when it does), but there are many other hit shows available. Last week the list included “Phantom of the Opera”, “In the Heights”, “Chicago”, “Avenue Q”, “South Pacific”, “Next to Normal”, “God of Carnage”, “Memphis”, “Mamma Mia”, “Hair”, “Mary Poppins” and so on. Even new and critically acclaimed shows like “West Side Story”, “Billy Elliot”, “Shrek the Musical” and “9 to 5: The Musical” were on TKTS soon after their openings. These shows were also all featured at the 2009 Tony Awards. Two new musicals that just opened in the last couple of months, “American Idiot” and “Promises” are already on the billboard as well. TKTS is really convenient and easy to use for both
matinee and evening performances. To check online to see what was playing at the booths, visit their website at tkts.org. If you find yourself wondering where exactly the ticket booth is, then go to Times Square by the red steps in Father Duffy Square and check their choices in case something new is showing or if an older show is no longer available. Like anything that requires buying tickets in person, the lines can be pretty daunting. Although the lines move pretty fast once the box office opens, the ideal plan would be to get there an hour early to get better the seats. Waiting in line is not so bad because there are workers standing by to tell you different details about a musical or play which can help your
Contributed Photo
decision making. According to Foley, it’s worth waiting in line because there is so much going on around you and there are always people performing up and down the line. Getting a seat for certain shows are guaranteed because the theaters give the TKTS surplus tickets, but it’s always a good idea to have back-up plans. Sometimes, you can get up to the window and they tell you there is only partial-view seating. In other instances, musicals listed online as being at
the booths are no longer on the board for that given showing. More than once I’ve waited for “In The Heights” to go back to TKTS and when it finally did, I got there only to find out that those tickets were only being offered for the evening performance. When Claire Barnes ’10 and her family were staying in New York City for a week, they decided to see a show only a few days before trying to get their tickets through TKTS. Originally planning to see the evening performance of “Avenue Q”, her father stood on line for an hour in the rain. However, “Avenue Q” was not selling tickets at TKTS that day so instead, they went to see “39 Steps”. According to Mr. Barnes, one of the best things about TKTS is that it offers cheap tickets that you can’t find anywhere else, even if you’re searching online. $60 seats from TKTS can be just as great as the $100 seats others paid for months in advance. “We ended up with excellent seats that I never would have paid for had they been full price,” Barnes’ father said. The family wound up sitting center orchestra five rows in front. Foley had sat up in the balcony for a few shows and revealed that she had an “obstructed view” for ‘The Music Man.’ They missed a little bit of the action that happened on the side of the stage, Foley said, but overall they were really good seats. From my own experiences and from hearing those of others, seats through TKTS are best compared to ones from Ticketmaster. When I went to see “Avenue Q”, I was in second row center orchestra. At “9 to 5: The Musical”, we were about four rows in left orchestra. At “Next to Normal”, I got partial view seats six rows left orchestra that turned out fine. My farthest seats were when I went to see “Spamalot”, where I wound up sitting in the front row of the balcony. “You don’t always get the show you want,” Foley said, “but you really can’t see a bad show on Broadway.”
Online
The Mirror | Week of April 28, 2010
Check online every week for answers to our games.
Dear Dee,
Coffee Break | 15
fairfieldmirror.com
I just got done registering for classes and I am more frustrated than ever. I wanted to take a couple of classes I need for my major (I am a sophomore) but I still have a lot of core classes to take. Since I don’t know what is offered next semester, it is hard to decide what I can put off to take then instead of in the fall. I am afraid that I will miss a class I need and it won’t be offered the following semester. Also some of the classes I need have pre-requisites and I don’t have them either. I feel like I am taking too many electives and I will end up being here an extra year, which I KNOW my parents are not going to pay for. Please help me. Thanks, What to Take
Editor Dan Leitao and Rosemary O’Connor » info@fairfieldmirror.com
Send YOUR questions to deardee@ fairfieldmirror. com
Dear What to Take,
Registration time is both exciting and nerve wracking. I love figuring out what classes I want and what my schedule will look like. Then when I register it often looks quite different than I had hoped. Regardless, so far I have enjoyed the classes I have taken and I believe I am on the right track for my degree. My first bit of advice is to go on StagWeb to the Academic tab. On the bottom right is a Degree Evaluation link. If you “run” this process, it will tell you what requirements you have met, which ones you haven’t met, and how many more credits you need for graduation. It is great to do even now that you have registered because it includes the classes that you have registered for so you will be able to track exactly where you are. I usually run the Degree Evaluation once a semester. It helps me to plan what I need for next semester and map out the rest of my terms. As far as you selection of classes, it would be great to know exactly what classes will be offered the following semester, but understand it is not possible to do this. Keeping that in mind, I have found if you need to fulfill your language requirement, take the Intermediate I class in the fall; then you will be able to take the Intermediate II class the following spring. This seems to also hold true for all I / II type classes. For example, take Creative Writing: Fiction I in the fall and the Creative Writing:Fiction II should be available the spring semester. It is also a great idea to look in the Course Catalog (available on
Fairfield.edu) and list all the classes you need. You can keep a check list of what you have taken. This will help you see what pre-requisites you need and what classes will help you get your degree in time. Finally, it is sometimes difficult to get all the classes you need and want completed in 8 semesters. This is especially true if you ever change your major and cannot use all the classes you already took. Try looking at the Summer Class schedule. There are quite a few online classes that you can complete while still working over the summer to earn the money we all so desperately need. Get all your information together and go see your advisor. They are really knowledgeable on all these issues and will be able to help you figure out how to get the most out of your scheduling. As much as I love it here at Fairfield, I know my parents aren’t willing to pay an extra semester bill. Explain to your parents that you may have to pay for some summer classes though and when they see how hard you are working to save them that FULL semester bill, they might even offer you some of the “savings” as a reward. Disclaimer: This column is for entertainment only. The author is a student, not a licensed therapist, and this column is not intended to take the place of professional advice. The views expressed are the author’s and are not necessarily shared by The Mirror or its staff.
The Mirror | Week of April 28, 2010
Coffee Break
Page 16
Cheers & Boos Is Back Don’t Want To Read The Mirror’s Inside Jokes Send In Your Own
Send in your own Cheers & Boos Send in Cheers and Boos by Tuesday at 5 p.m!
cheersandboos@fairfieldmirror.com or Mailbox AA
Cheers... TO SC for finally showing up to the office... TO turbos getting out early... TO missing a clinical for a snow day the intrusctor forgetting about having us make it up later... TO getting all the classes I wanted during registration... TO the Burried Life coming to campus... TO getting an A on a paper I wrote the night before... TO the last issue... TO only one more week of classes... TO DK for bringing back the speedo party... TO Girls Tennis for winning MAAC... TO trivia at The Field for getting a mic... TO people who try to Cheers themselves... TO the team who won second
Boos... place and got a better prize then first... TO Rose Finally Finding A Date... TO Jail N’ Bail... TO the helicopter on campus... TO jailing Ruffini for having a ponytail ... twice ... TO FOX cartoons on DVD... TO playing Twister while drunk... TO sneaking by the bouncer at SBC... TO playing Monopoly for nine hours... TO changing the Cream Filling to The Inkewell... TO people with musical notes on their nails... TO skyping roomates in class... TO IMs with roomates while in the room... TO coming up with enough...
TO those who ride in golf carts. I thought this was a pedestrian campus... TO the new parking situation... TO the crusted waffle irons in Barone... TO the study abroad office for still not getting back to me after all this time... TO people who pop their collars... TO paychecks being five days late... TO “I can drive there but I can’t prmise I’ll be able to drive home”... TO poeple at Archie Moore’s asking for ID... TO away messages that nobody understnds... TO people messing with my Facebook... TO people stealing stuff
from my townhouse... TO not calling Clam Jam Clam Jam... TO my friends not being able to find me a date... TO Fairfield Cab, enough said... TO not having a date for Friday... TO being stuck at the Info Desk when my friends are drinking... TO being at The Mirror instead of drinking... TO people who break the “I” on keyboards... TO history professors who don’t know the difference between succeed and secede... TO the Jersey Shore party in th Oak Room... TO The Luau. It used to be a beach tradition...
The Editor Reserves The Right To Not Print Any Cheers or Boos Submitted And Remember This Is Just For Fun
Coffee Break
The Mirror | Week of April 28, 2010
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Can’t Wait For Next Issue For The Answers... You Can Find Them At www.fairfieldmirror.com
Coffee Break
The Mirror | Week of April 28, 2010
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CAN YOU FIND ALL THE MISSING PARTS?
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GO ONLINE TO FIND THE ANSWERS... FAIRFIELDMIRROR.COM
Sports
The Mirror | Week of April 28, 2010
Page 20
This Week in Sports The week that was in Fairfield Athletics
Introducing...
Senior Dana Postupack Tennis
Men and WoMEN's Crew The men's and women's crew teams traveled to Mercer Lake, N.J. this past weekend to compete in the 2010 Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) championships. The women finished third in the final MAAC championship standings with 135 points, one point better than Drake University. The men’s team placed fourth in the final results with 92 points, as Marist captured the overall title with 189 points. The men's and women's pair each won a gold medal at the MAAC championships. The men’s pair, which finished third at the Knecht Cup, won the MAAC title with a time of 7:42.6, nearly four seconds better than Marist’s secondplace finish. Ben Andrews and James Jessup captured the gold medal with their stellar effort. The women’s pair consisted of Krissi Gorsuch and Jessica Keefe, who went on to win gold at the MAAC championship as well. Doing this, they became the first Stags to win a varsity race at this event since the 2002 competition. The duo won the race with a time of 8:23.5, beating runner-up Marist by more than 20 seconds.
Men's Tennis Stags fall to Marist at MAAC Championships The Fairfield men's tennis team were defeated by the Red Foxes of Marist College this past weekend at the MAAC Championships at St. Peter's College. The Stags lost to top-seeded Marist 4-0 after making it to the final round of the MAAC Championship. Fairfield finishes the season at 14-9 and 5-1 in the MAAC.
The Band
« The Bio: Postupack, from Kingston, N.Y., has certainly established herself for the Stags' tennis team throughout her four year career at Fairfield University both athletically and academically. She is currerntly a member of Sigma Iota Rho, the honor society for international studies. Postupack is majoring in International Business with minors in both Management and Spanish.
«The Props:
For the past four seasons, Postupack has been one of head coach Ed Paige's best and brightest on the court. That stretch reached a new high this weekend when the Kingston native led Fairfield to its second consecutive MAAC Championship. Postupack scored the match-winning point and was named the tournament's Most Outstanding Player. Overall, her senior year was a phenomenal follow-up to last season. In her junior year, Postupack earned First Team All-MAAC honors. « The Outlook: The Stags head to the NCAA Champion-
ship for the second straight season. The seedings and tournament schedule will be revealed on May 4th.
What to Watch for
Men's and Women's Golf MAAC Championship
Celebration Golf Course, Orlando Fl. April 30-May 2 2010 The men's and women's golf teams will travel to Orlando, Fl. this weekend to compete in the MAAC Championship tournament.
Sports
The Mirror | Week of April 28, 2010
Mirror Sports 3x5 Can I Get an Encore?
Tom Cleary Editor-in-Chief
Chris Simmons
Follow us at mirror3x5 now on Twitter! Don't be obsessed with your desires. A flute with no holes, is not a flute. A donut with no hole, is a Danish.
Really? You guys are back already?
So, how's the Mirror-free month going?
I heard Tom Cleary was in Mock Wedding....
So, Mirror Softball in the postseason? Is that serious?
How 'bout a little love for the omniscient question writer?
We just can't stay away. We are like chicken pox, or shingles.
I think I have been in the office as much as the new staff. They just can't do this without me.
Only because I was able to get my shift off at Electronics Boutique. Thanks for covering Joe!
It's our time. We are like the Indians in Major League. Just watch.
Eh, could have been better.
Walking around the house pantsless never felt so good. It's liberating. Really.
There's a reason I wrote a Sam Snow profile this week, eh, Tom?
In many ways it never left. Big Boy has always offered Keith Connors high quality meals at comGeneral Manager petitive prices.
Managing Editor
Page 21
We're back like MJ on the Wizards. Sad shells of our former selves. If only Mariah will wear a 3x5 dress and sing the national anthem before our playoff game.
Amazing. Until this comes up. Gotta bail out the new editors again ...
Nose clams. Sweet, delicious nose clams. The kind of nose clams that make you want to dance the night away.
It's like Donkey Kong. At least we figured out what went wrong with last postseason: this time, we're gonna use a live chicken.
We were gonna stiff you. Bu, hey, uh, how about a little something for the effort... You know.
I'm breaking out the big wood for that game. Ladies.
No. These questions suck and so does Dan Leitao. I'm assuming anything this bad was his doing.
Goodbye Tom, Keith, and Chris....
Hello... Sasha, Kristen, and Tom Fitzpatrick
Sports
The Mirror | Week of April 28, 2010
Page 22
Snow Storm on the Field
He said it...
"With the feeling we
Freshman Sam Snow Scores a Game High Three Points vs. Denver By Keith Connors General Manager Emeritus
have right now, I certainly wouldn’t want to play us on Saturday." -Junior Sean Bannon on the hype that men's lacrosse feels going into the game this Saturday against Maryland
Game of the week
If anything else, one would think that a freshman in a game of this magnitude and on a national stage would sound rather borderline awestruck. Still, in the depths of Rentschler Field in East Hartford, Conn., and in the shadow of Fairfield’s devastating setback to Denver, a 9-8 loss that potentially ends the team’s stirring postseason run, freshman attackman Sam Snow sounded more like a veteran than a rookie, his words far more indignant than indebted, more compelled than complacent. “We’ll grow up as a team,” Snow said without hesitation. “We’ll remember this and come out and give it our all in practice. The way we practice is the way we play.” “As far as I’m concerned, the season’s not over,” he added. “Credit our kids, they didn’t quit,”
head coach Andy Copelan said. “We battled back, we persevered. "I just thought that the meaningful plays went to Denver," he added. At the outset, though, Fairfield seemed poised to steal the show, much of that the fruits of Snow’s sterling play. Within the first minute of the game, the Brainbridge, Wash. native found sophomore midfielder Brent Adams for his team-high twelfth assist on the season. Snow, the reigning Eastern Collegiate Athletic Conference (ECAC) Rookie of the Week, also leads the team in goals and points, giving him the team lead in all three major offensive statistical categories. The freshman has even showed flashes of clutch in his brief collegiate career. With the first half winding down and the Pioneers on a 3-1 run that narrowed the game to within one goal, Snow tallied a game-high third goal,
Men's lacrosse takes on the No. 3 Maryland on May 1, 2010 at Byrd Stadium in College Park, Md. ECAC standings
Loyola (Md.) Denver Fairfield Quinnipiac Ohio St. Bellarmine Air Force Hobart
Conf 6-0-0 5-0-0 4-2-0 3-3-0 3-3-0 2-4-0 0-5-0 0-6-0
All 9-2-0 10-4-0 8-4-0 6-5-0 7-6-0 8-6-0 1-11-0 2-10-0
Freshman Sam Snow proves his worth to the Stag's early on in the season in a game against Hobart.
his 15th on the season, with just under three minutes to play, to secure a Fairfield lead at half. For a player that garnered firstteam All-State honors in both his junior and senior seasons at Brainbridge High School, as well as honors as the Spartans’ most valuable player, one would think that this play should’ve been expected from the get go. While Copelan anticipated big things from the attackman – “He really has a ton of upside,” Copelan said – that it came so fast was a pleasant surprise. “Sam, from Washington, it really could’ve been a tough transition,” Copelan said. “But he really comes to work every day. We can really count on him when we need him.” Despite the loss, the season is far from over. But for the Stags to taste the postseason for the first time in Copelan’s tenure, Fairfield needs to mount borderline insurmountable odds and no shortage of equations, power rankings, and strength of schedules. Still, in the eyes of Snow, it all comes down to wins and losses, the first opportunity of which comes this weekend against No. 3 Maryland at Byrd Stadium in College Park, Md., the same locale that saw the Terps upended, 10-6, by the top-ranked Virginia Cavaliers for the Atlantic Coastal Conference (ACC) Championship. “Come Saturday, we’ll be hungry,” Snow said. Flanked by junior defenseman Sean Bannon, the freshman’s words met a nod of approval, a smile, and then a resounding response. “With the feeling we have right now, I certainly wouldn’t want to play us on Saturday,” Bannon said. Maybe, just maybe, the kid is right.
Peter Caty/The Mirror
Seniors Leave Their Mark By Ivey Speight Staff Writer They joined a program that was in the midst of suffering four consecutive losing seasons. A school that went 23-43 over that span. Who would have thought that the class of 2010 would have been the beginning of the turnaround for the Fairfield women’s lacrosse team? Four years, three head coaches, three regular season championships, 1 MAAC title, 1 NCAA tournament birth, and 54 wins later, this senior class has been arguably the most successful in school history. Together they have formed a crew that have combined for three All MAAC teams, seven All-Academic teams, 259 points and 368 groundballs through their four seasons. On an overcast Sunday afternoon the five upperclassmen, Erin Rigby, Renee L'Heureux, Kelly Barnes, Kate Reardon, and Amy Kelleher, were honored before their final game ever at Fairfield, a place they called home for 34 games going 26-8 during their careers. Playing in the last regular season game for 2010, the Stags faced MAAC foe Siena at Alumni Stadium.
Erin Rigby
Kelly Barnes
The Saints of Siena College gave the Stags everything they could handle. Siena (7-8; 3-3 MAAC) tried to control the tempo of the game. They dominated the time of possession for the first ten minutes of the first half but still trailed 6-2. Junior all-star Kristen Coleman led the Stags with three points including two highlight assists to help Fairfield with the slim first half lead. However, on senior day it was a freshman who proved to be the most impressive in the first half. Siena attempted 13 shots but only managed a couple of scores as goalie Katie Keenan ended the first 30 minutes of action with 6 saves. The first year player from Wantagh, NY was a vital part in the Stags early lead according to Coach Mike Waldvogel, who said, “She made some good saves it really set the tempo for us.” The Stags came out struggling in the second half and
MeettheSeniors....
Amy Kelleher
found their lead shrink to as little as 1 goal with 11:39 left on the clock. Junior attack Caitlin Mikel touched net twice as the Saints trimmed the deficit to 8-7. Kristen Coleman then took over the game., recording a goal and an assist in the next two Stags scores which gave Fairfield a 10-7 lead. The Saints caught up late in the game making it a 1 goal difference in under a minute, but it proved to be too little too late as the Stags held on to a 10-9 victory. The Stags now have won 18 straight MAAC games and enter the MAAC Championships as the number one seed. They will have a rematch with the Saints on Friday in the semi-finals to open the tournament. The five members of the class of 2010 know that it is their last chance to make a name for the Fairfield lacrosse team and are ready for the challenge. Senior Erin Rigby enjoyed a “bittersweet” final home game but wants a win for her head coach. Rigby said, “He’s the best guy I’ve met and he’s the reason I keep playing lacrosse. To play for him and to win for him is all that really matters.”
Kate Reardon
Renee L'Heureux
Dogwoods: Arabian Nights Saturday, May 1st 8:30 pm-12:30 am at Alumni Hall Tickets on sale NOW at the BCC Information Desk
Sports | 24
Online New and improved sports blog. Online only coverage. Week of April 28, 2010
fairfieldmirror.com
Sports editors Sasha Campbell and Kristen Golen » sports@fairfieldmirror.com
Tennis Team Triumphs Stags Steal the MAACs for the Second Straight Year From left: Kristen Lui '11, Hannah Blau '13, Nikki Jackson '13, Gretchen Amberg '10, Michaela Cerrone '10, Paulina Rys '10, Dana Postupack '10, Meghan Sullivan '13, Alyssa Ruiz '11, Assistant Coach Marisa Voloshin and Head Coach Ed Paige.
By Sasha Campbell Sports Editor
Undefeated in regular season MAAC play, the number one seeded Stags had one goal in mind going into this past weekend: A Metro-Atlantic Athletic Conference Championship repeat. The women's tennis team can now happily say: mission accomplished. For the second year in a row, the Stags celebrated a MAAC Championship win when they defeated the Red Foxes of Marist College 4-1 in the final round on the indoor courts of the Yanitelli Center at St. Peter's College. Even though the venue of the MAAC Championship was changed from Flushing, N.Y. to St. Peter's College due to inclement weather, the change in location could not change the mindset of the team. "We worked really hard throughout the season, and all of that hard work paid off in the end. It was really rewarding," said senior Dana Postupack. Postupack, who had the match-winning point for the second consecutive year, was also named the MAAC Tournament Most Outstanding Player. Postupack defeated Marist's Kelsey Raynor '13, 6-1, 2-6, 6-3, at first singles for the Stags’ fourth point to win the MAAC Championship. Head Coach Ed Paige said, "Last year we all wanted to win. Since we did that, we didn't feel as much pressure going into the MAAC Championship this year...but it was still a wonderful feeling to win."
Paige was happy with the performance of all his players throughout the season and at the MAAC tournament. At fourth singles, freshman Meghan Sullivan defeated Kayla O’Donovan '12, 6-2, 6-0, to win her eighth-straight match and improve to 20-7 overall this season. At fifth singles, junior Alyssa Ruiz blanked Jeannie Lukin '11, 6-0, 6-0, to win her eight-straight match and
“We know anything's possible when you're determined.”
-Senior Dana Postupack MAAC Tournament Most Outstaninding Player 2010
improve to 24-6 overall and 20-4 this spring. Despite a valiant effort, at second singles, senior Paulina Rys was edged by Erin McCarthy '12, 6-3, 6-4. Two matches were also underway when play was called. At third singles, junior Kristen Liu was battling it out with Joana Sun '13, taking the first set 6-4, before falling in the second, 6-4, and trailing 3-1 in the third. At sixth singles, senior Gretchen Amberg was leading Retta Byron '11, 6-2, 2-0. In doubles play, in the first seed, Liu and Rys edged Raynor and Sun, 8-6, to win their fourth-straight.
Stockton Photo
At third doubles, Sullivan teamed with senior Michaela Cerrone to defeat Lukin and Byron, 8-5, for their fifth-straight win. At second doubles Postupack and Amberg were leading McCarthy and O’Donovan, 6-5, when the Stags took the point. With the victory this past weekend, Fairfield claimed its third NCAA Tournament berth and ninth MAAC Championship. The Stags, winners of eight-straight and 13 of their last 14 competitions, improved to 19-5 overall, tying the program record for victories in a season. The last time Fairfield won 19 matches was in 2003-04 when the Stags made their first NCAA appearance. After this tournament win, the women's tennis team earns an automatic bid to the NCAA tournament. Paige said, "We find out who we play May 4th and it's going to be a top 16 seed." According to Paige, Fairfield will fall in the bottom 16 seedings for the NCAA tournament and therefore will play a top 16 seed in the first round of the tournament. He continues, "This is going to be a chance for us to play in the tournament again and we know that we belong there." As they await their seeding fate, Postupack and the women's tennis team are looking forward to another trip to the NCAA tournament. "We were there last year and we know what it's all about now," Postupack said. "We work hard and we know anything's possible when you're determined."
InsideSPORTS: ; Women's Lacrosse Seniors MAke Their Mark p. 22 . Freshman Sam Snow Scores Game High for Stags p.22