2:1:17

The Great Divide Opinion Students divide on Trump’s latest executive order regarding the “Muslim Ban.”

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“Midcentury Manhattan” brings the excitement of the Big Apple to the Bellarmine Art Museum.

Colleen Young ‘20 making waves in rookie campaign.

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THE MIRROR

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Independent student newspaper

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Week of February 1, 2017

Vol. 42 Iss. 14

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Trump’s recent executive order placed restrictions on the immigration of Muslims, impacting a significant portion of the U.S. population and on a smaller level, Fairfield University’s student body.

By Jesse Erickson Editor-in-Chief In 1999, Amira Ebrahim ‘20 was only a year old when she moved to the United States from Egypt. Her move came only two years after President Bill Clinton signed the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act, which made it even more difficult for immigrants to become legal citizens in the United States. Now, nearly 20 years later, Ebrahim attends Fairfield University. Her father, Dr. Ahmed M. Ebrahim, is an associate professor of accounting at the Dolan School of Business and, despite the last couple of weeks, Ebrahim still believes that America is the place for her.

“I sometimes wonder, in darker moments, ‘Do I really belong here in America?’ Sometimes you wonder, is [America] really for everyone? But overall, I feel like with every great country, has its great problems so no, things are more into the light but I don’t change my opinion,” said Ebrahim. “I still think it is a great country; it is the best one.”

For many, however, their patriotism toward the United States has changed. On Friday, Jan. 27, President Donald Trump signed an executive order banning travelers’ admission into the United States from seven countries.

“His executive order suspends the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program for 120 days,” said Dr. Gayle Alberda, an associate professor of politics at Fairfield. “It means that travelers who have dual nationality or nationally of Iran, Iraq, Somalia, Libya, Sudan, Yemen and Syria are not permitted to enter the U.S. for 90 days or be issued an immigrant or non-immigrant visa. Syrian refugees have an indefinite ban.”

The ban has received extreme backlash from the entire world, with some calling it a violation of amendment rights, specifically the First Amendment and Fourteenth Amendment which state that people have the right to freely exercise their religion and Read Trump’s on Page  Information provided by CNN, Pew Research Center and Office of Institutional Research at Fairfield University

THE MIRROR | Week of February 1, 2017

News

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RecPlex Initiates Go Move Challenge

By Juliana Sanonsetti News Editor

Jesuit schools value “cura personalis,” or care of the whole person, and for the first time ever, Fairfield is specifically promoting care of the physical body by participating in the Go Move Challenge.

The Go Move Challenge is a challenge between 19 Jesuit schools to exercise for the longest amount of time during the month of February, according to Program Coordinator of Sports Clubs and Intramurals Jonathan Dinihanian.

Sophomore Emily Patchell believes that the challenge is a good example of “cura personalis.”

“I think it’s good because it’s not only good for your physical health but also for your mental health, since exercise is such a good stress reliever,” said Patchell.

The challenge begins on Feb. 1 and will

conclude on Feb. 28.

“I think it’s good because it inspires competition,” said Juliet Bonsangue ‘20. “People are usually motivated by competition, so I think it’s a smart idea to get more people to want to exercise.”

Dinihanian, along with Director of Recreation John Paladino and Visiting Assistant Instructor of Nursing Susan Bartos, is liaison and supervisor of the challenge.

Bartos is a member of Building Healthy Academic Communities, which partnered with the Department of Recreation to initiate Fairfield’s participation in the Go Move Challenge. Dinihanian explained what qualified as exercise in the challenge.

“It’s any kind of activity you’re doing on purpose, so walking to class won’t count, but any kind of running, any kind of fitness classes, any student-athletes’ practices [count],”

Juliana Sansonetti/Mirror

said Dinihanian. “It’s basically just to see which university is the most active.”

Dinihanian spoke about how the challenge was initially only between faculty and staff from the participating universities, however, it has since expanded to include students as well.

After signing up for the challenge, faculty, staff and students log their minutes spent exercising on the challenge’s official website.

According to Dinihanian there will be a table set up in the RecPlex on Feb. 1 to give out T-shirts and phone wallets to the first people to sign up.

“We are using these giveaways as more incentive for people to sign up,” commented Dinihanian.

According to Dinihanian, there were no downsides to implementing the challenge.

Sophomore Vanessa Ciampa, who is an

intern in the Department of Recreation, commented, “one of the main goals this semester is to market the Go Move Challenge in order to increase participation and make the challenge a success since it is the first time we have participated in it.”

Freshman Cassie Hodgson addressed how the University does a good job promoting athleticism.

“The RecPlex is a great improvement to the school,” Hodgson commented. “I know that a lot of my friends use it and I use it as well. They also do a good job with getting people involved in intramural sports.”

“It was agreed that it would be a good thing to push out to both faculty and staff and students because it’s more of an incentive to get people up and moving and active,” Dinihanian added. “So there’s really no negatives, there’s no downside of joining it.”

Juliana Sansonetti/Mirror

Gaetano Annunziata ‘19 (left) starts a set of reps in the weight room of the RecPlex. A group of of individuals (right) begin their spin class in one of the many workout rooms in the basement of the RecPlex. Fairfield’s RecPlex allows students, faculty, staff and community members to participate in classes, free weights and cardio machines. These are some of the many ways students will be challenged to move.

MLK Convocation Raises Issues of Race

By Deanna Carbone Assistant News Editor Restorative justice, Donald Trump and the Women’s March were all topics covered in civil rights trial attorney and long-time social justice advocate Fania Davis’, JD, PhD, keynote speech at the Martin Luther King, Jr. Convocation on Wednesday, Jan. 25.

Interim President Lynn Babington, PhD, RN presented Davis the Reverend John Lafarge S.J. Award for her work in social justice and her national voice on restorative justice. “(MLK) set an example of what it meant to be an authentic human person … a man or woman for others,” said Interim President Lynn Babington, PhD, RN. Davis said she was “humbled to receive the award” and mentioned if Lafarge, an advocate for ending racism by making American Catholics aware of its moral implications, was alive today, he would look at the xenophobia, misogyny and police brutality and call it heresy and sin.

She described MLK as a beacon to lead us through what she described as “this perilous time.”

Davis explained restorative justice to the audience by saying it is based on a desired set of principles and practices to mediate conflict, strengthen the community and repair harm. She articulated how the healing process of restorative justice brings together everyone affected by the wrongdoing at hand with the perpetrator. She discussed it’s applications in schools and communities, more specifically in Oakland. Davis is the founder and Director of Restorative Justice for Oakland Youth (RJOY).

According to their website, “RJOY works to

interrupt cycles of youth violence, incarceration and wasted lives by promoting institutional shifts toward restorative approaches that actively engage families, communities and systems to repair harm and prevent re-offending.”

“It invites us to heal as well as to interrupt the cycle of harm. It’s not about getting even but getting well … a healing justice rather than a punishing one,” added Davis.

Professor of Catholic Studies Dr. Paul Lakeland commented that “Fania Davis is an icon of thoughtful resistance to racism and prejudice.

Her commitment to restorative justice has made her almost as widely known at Fairfield. Davis showed a wonderful blend of engagement, spirited humor and deep seriousness.”

“Her presentation and speech about the power of Restorative Justice was extremely interesting and I think it is a practice that we should try to implement within this University, especially in teams and organizations such as RAs and NSLs. I really enjoyed meeting her and hearing her empowering message,” said Bethany Russo ’17.

In addition to discussing her work in restorative justice, Davis addressed current issues regarding President Donald J. Trump, police brutality and the Women’s March. She discussed the hopeful power the Women’s March in D.C. brought her, which over 500,000 people attended, according to the New York Daily News.

Davis quoted Pope Francis to describe her views on Trump; “a person who thinks only about building walls, not building bridges, is not Christian.”

“Expressions of racism change from generation to generation but the essence of [racism] hasn’t,” said Davis.

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THE MIRROR | Week of February 1, 2017

News

The Mirror Reflects on This Week in Social Media

Compiled by Elizabeth O’Hara Information contributed by the Department of Public Safety.

Wednesday, 1/25 2:38 p.m.- Public Safety responded to disorderly conduct involving a Fairfield Prep Student. The student tore up a ticket he received from DPS and threw the ticket on the ground. The individual was referred to student conduct at Fairfield Prep.

Thursday 1/26 9:55 a.m.- Public Safety responded to disorderly conduct involving two Fairfield Prep students who plastered derogatory flyers on cars in the parking lot. The individuals were referred to student conduct at Fairfield Prep.

5:10 p.m.- Public Safety responded to an alcohol violation outside McCormick Hall. The individual was holding a bottle of Burnett’s vodka. The student was referred to student conduct.

Friday 1/27 7:15 p.m.- There was a report of theft at Alumni Hall. Two visiting athletes at a basketball game reported money taken out of their pants while the pants were in the locker room.

The theft is under investigation.

Saturday 1/28 12:39 a.m.- Public Safety responded to an assault in the Townhouses. A non-student was arrested for breach of peace. Two additional non-students were also involved in the altercation. The student hosts are being referred to student conduct for guest policy violations. The altercation is still under investigation.

Sunday 1/29 12:10 p.m.- An individual returned a reported lost wallet to Public Safety. The wallet was given back to the owner. The owner then reported between $300 and $330 missing from the wallet. The situation is under investigation.

Monday 1/30 1:48 a.m.- A car was found up against the Barlow gate.

The driver was inside the car with the engine running and the car in gear. The driver was unresponsive. An investigation led to the arrest of a man for driving under the influence of alcohol. The individual is not a student at Fairfield University.

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Jesse Erickson, Editor-in-Chief Andrew DaRosa, Executive Editor Catherine Veschi, Managing Editor Editors Juliana Sansonetti, News Deanna Carbone, Assistant News Lexi Thimble, Co-Opinion Brendan Zimmerman, Co-Opinion Alicia Phaneuf, Vine Cara Lee, Assistant Vine Claire Monahan, Coffee Break Alfredo Torres, Sports Daniel Montgomery, Assistant Sports Allison White, Chief Copy Editor Gianna Saladino, Social Media Editor Online Bradley Nordstrom, Web Master Ariana Puzzo, Online Editor-in-Chief Nicole Funaro, Online News Editor Shana Lynch, Online Vine Editor Kelley Eckert, Online Coffee Break Editor Business Department Email: advertising@fairfieldmirror.com Stephanie Van Fleet, Director of Finance Marcus DeSouto, Circulation Adviser Dr. Tommy Xie Contact Information Fairfield University 1073 North Benson Road, BCC 104 Box AA, Fairfield, CT 06824 General email: info@fairfieldmirror.com

St. Joseph Society Honors the Dead

By Juliana Sansonetti News Editor

Many people fear dying before they have a chance to leave a mark on those around them. The St. Joseph of Arimathea Society, a new club on campus, has the goal of ensuring that everyone deceased has someone to remember them even if they did not leave this kind of mark. The club founder and President John Hirschauer ’18, along with the Vice President Christian Kabbas ‘18, started the club to provide dignity to the passing of all people, according to Kabbas. According to Tess Griffin ‘20, who is a member, the club also provides support to those who have lost loved ones.

Kabbas explained how the Fairfield chapter of the St. Joseph of Arimathea Society, a national organization with chapters at many Catholic colleges and high schools in the U.S., has made their main goal to remember the forgotten and marginalized deceased through prayer and fundraisers. Thus far, the group has taken several trips to Connecticut Valley Hospital Cemetery to pray for the hundreds of unmarked graves of deceased patients.

Additionally, the group has made prayer service visits to Newtown Village Cemetery in Newtown, Conn. where many of the victims of the Sandy Hook School shooting are buried.

“On top of this,” said Kabbas “we had our first major fundraiser this year in the form of a charity wiffle ball tournament to benefit [the] TEARS Foundation, an organization that helps bereaved families defray funeral costs for children.”

The club raised $60 for the foundation and intends to raise more in upcoming fundraisers, Kabbas said.

According to Treasurer Robert Fredette ‘18, the society accomplishes their goals by “serving as pallbearers at funerals for the less fortunate or

elderly, holding prayer services at local cemeteries to ensure the dead are never forgotten as well as organize fundraisers for funeral costs for parents with deceased children.”

“We have made great progress in both of these goals but there are always ways we can grow and do more great things,” Fredette continued.

The Fairfield chapter of the St. Joseph of Arimathea Society was founded during the spring semester of 2016. After researching other chapters of the St. Joseph of Arimathea Society, Hirschauer reached out to Kabbas along with the club’s other officers Co-Vice President Drew St. Germain ‘18 and Fredette, suggesting that they begin one at Fairfield.

“Many of us have experienced loss in our personal lives, and we all believe that everyone, no matter the circumstances, deserves respect in their passing,” commented Kabbas. ”We all bought into the mission from the get-go and are proud of the work we do.”

The club has monthly meetings to discuss plans for services and fundraisers.

Kabbas has found the club to be successful thus far.

“Our goal is to honor those who have been forgotten and marginalized on any scale,” he said. “We’ve been able to accomplish this through all of our efforts, whether it’s a prayer service in Newtown or raising money for the TEARS Foundation. In small steps, we accomplish our mission.”

Kabbas also commented on the fact that the mission of the St. Joseph of Arimathea Society fits in well with the Jesuit values of Fairfield. He said, “Through small acts of kindness, compassion and reverence, we work to help those who can’t help themselves. That’s a truly rewarding experience.”

Correction Box In the Jan. 25 issue of The Mirror, the story “Rev. von Arx Leaves Amid Mixed Opinions” falsely stated that Carlos Mesquita ‘17 said that Rev. Jeffrey P. von Arx, S.J. “presented masses.” He in fact said that Fr. von Arx “presided at Masses.”

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THE MIRROR | Week of February 1, 2017

News

Students March for Life in D.C.

By Elizabeth O’Hara Contributing Writer

Over a week ago, while many people were advocating for the grassroots movement that was the Women’s March on Washington, an abundance of other people were anxiously anticipating their own march, the 44th annual March for Life on Jan. 27, 2017.

A group of students and faculty from Fairfield University traveled to Washington D.C this past weekend to represent the school at the March for Life.

These members of the Fairfield community joined thousands at the March for Life event.

A total of 10 students participated, in addition to one campus minister, Katie Byrnes, campus minister for social justice and community engagement.

For most of its history, Fairfield has gone on trips to the March for Life, however, due to the event always being hosted at the end of January, some trips have been cancelled.

Regardless of inclement weather, four years ago, the student officers of the Students for Life club, Interim President Kaitlyn Cocuzzo ‘17, Vice President Brianna Cocuzzo ‘17, Secretary Anthony Iorio ‘17 and former President Becky Hyatt ‘17, all realized the annual trip to the March for Life had fallen inactive.

“We realized that the group was no longer functioning when we entered as freshmen four years ago.

We revived the group and the three of us collectively made the decision that Fairfield should start attending the March again,” said Kaitlyn.

Over the course of the weekend, the group partook in the March itself, which was an hour long walk from the Capitol Building to the Supreme Court steps.

In addition to hundreds of thousands of attendees, Vice President Mike Pence addressed the crowd, marking his first major address as vice president and also the first highest ranking official to ever speak at the March for Life.

“Life is winning in America and today is a celebration in that progress,” said Pence.

“The March was nationally put in place immediately following the 1973 Roe vs. Wade decision which legalized abortion in the United States. Those marching peacefully walk that route to petition for the overturn of the Roe vs.

Wade Supreme Court decision,” said Brianna.

Kaitlyn also discussed how there were other events affiliated with the March throughout the weekend, including a Vigil Mass for Life in the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception the night before and an early morning rally and mass at Gonzaga College High School in D.C. for students from Jesuit

Contributed by Brianna Cocuzzo The Students for Life club poses for a photo in Washington D.C. prior to participating in the March for Life on Friday, Jan, 27.

high schools and colleges across the country the morning of the march. The day following the mass, the Fairfield students attended the Cardinal O’Connor Conference at Georgetown University.

For some of the members on the trip, it was their first time engaging in the march.

“I decided to go on the march because I feel it’s very important to give a voice to the voiceless and I think the march set out to do that with love and positivity. It was an incredible experience and to see so many people coming together for a common goal was awe inspiring,” said Katie Curry ’19.

“My favorite part was getting to the top of Capitol Hill and turning around to see the thousands upon thousands of people who stood for the unborn. It was an incredibly moving experience and I felt the love that came from every person who was there,” she continued.

Whatever your political affiliations may be, the students who participated in the March for Life want others to remember to use their voices for all to hear.

“We would like students to understand that we always have a voice. It is also incredibly empowering to be with a community of people who believe the same thing as you do and are willing to stand for what they believe in, in a peaceful manner,” said Kaitlyn.

Echoing the sentiments of his fellow peers, Casey Barry ‘17, who also attended the march, would like students to see the pro-life movement as something beyond

Juliana Sansonetti/Mirror March for Life attendees protest the court ruling that legalized abortion in 1973.

a political viewpoint.

“Hundreds of thousands of people, across all parts of the country, across political lines, cultures and race unite on an issue that protects and preserves human dignity.

This isn’t an ‘Anti-Abortion’ march- it’s a March for Life,” stated Barry.

Trump’s Executive Order Puts Fairfield’s Muslim Population at Risk Continued from page  that those born or naturalized in the United States are granted the rights of American citizens. It has hit home for many students and faculty here at Fairfield like Muslim Chaplain Nargis Alizada. She immigrated from Afghanistan in 2001, just months before 9/11. Alizada explained that her initial experience was “rough.”

“I grew up constantly having to make sure that I knew the right answers if I were ever to be questioned. I always had to be on that ready mode,” said Alizada. “I think that ready mode has been the most defining aspect of my living in the United States.”

Immigrants, specifically those who practice the Islamic religion, have been targets of criticism long before Trump’s presidency. Islamophobia has plagued the U.S. and according to a report by the FBI, hate crimes spiked 67 percent against Muslims in 2015. This fear and hate stems from a multitude of issues, with the primary concern stemming back to terrorism. The fear toward the Islamic religion has increased in the last two years when the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant attacked France and Belgium and threatened the United States.

Due to these terror attacks, many people in the U.S. have bridged an association between the radical extremist groups and the Islamic religion. This fear that the American people have of the Islamic religion, specifically outside of the United States, was one of the reasons Trump signed the executive order to

ban the travel.

“We don’t want them here,” Trump said.

“We want to ensure that we are not admitting into our country the very threats our soldiers are fighting overseas. We only want to admit those into our country who will support our country and love deeply our people.”

This is not the first of travel bans to be installed by a president. The most recent ban before Trump came from the Obama administration in 2011 when Iraqi refugees plotted an alleged terrorist attack. The state department, according to CNN, stopped processing refugee applications for six months.

“President Obama required new screening process for Iraqi applicants after the incident,” stated Alberda. “Data from the State Department indicate that even with this new background check, refugees from Iraq were still admitted into the U.S.” Both presidents have issued travel bans against refugees in the Middle East, however, some believe that Trump’s ban of seven countries was a direct target against the Muslim religion, rather than the people in the country.

“I’ve had an understanding that there’s always been an undertone of things that have been said by the majority in the country and I think with Trump’s presidency and everything that’s going on, I think for the first time, as desperate and sad as it sounds, we are seeing the true face of America, which is white supremacy,” said Alizada.

However, John Nikas ‘18 believes Trump is trying to preserve the safety of America.

“At the very least, Trump is keeping his campaign promise,” said Nikas. “While it is a rash decision, he is at least trying to put the safety of American citizens first.”

Although the United States feels unsafe to many, Fairfield is hoping to create a safe space for all students.

“This executive order will impact the international students on our Fairfield campus in terms of their travels.

Also, Muslims on campus may feel targeted and fearful of others now that Trump has initiated this form of discrimination,” said Nadra Al-Hamwy ‘18.

Ophelie Rowe Allen, Ed.D, Interim Director of Student Diversity & Multicultural Affairs talked about the atmosphere of the campus since the ban, as well as the help students can look for if they are experiencing a problem.

“The atmosphere on campus for those who have family or friends affected by this temporary executive order, is one of uncertainty and anxiousness,” stated Rowe Allen.

“Although executive order travel bans have happened before, for our students who are here today, this is a very emotional time.”

She continued, “Fairfield stands ready to support and help them through this time.”

Despite Fairfield’s efforts, Alizada does not believe that the students of Fairfield have

rallied behind the Muslim community.

“The support has not really been there from those who are not part of minority groups,” said Alizada, “and those who are not in the minority circles, which is the majority of our students.”

With less than a week since the ban has been put into effect, a lot of students seem to be confused about what their next step should be.

“I was scared. [The executive order] made me very nervous, and I don’t know how it’s going to work or how our country is going to react to it,” said Chloe McKeon ‘20.

Although most students may not be directly affected due to their natural-born citizenship, they were concerned to speak out about friends and family who were may be impacted by the ban in the future.

“A person that I know is from Mexico and she is an illegal immigrant,” said McKeon.

“The ban wasn’t on Mexico, but it still makes me nervous because it could put her in trouble and could hurt her family and her kids.”

The Fairfield community directly affected by the ban were not comfortable speaking with The Mirror. At the time, they feared the safety for their citizenship and family. The Office of Student Diversity & Multicultural Affairs will hold a Vigil on Wednesday at 6:30pm starting at the Stag Statue and then into the Barone Campus Center.

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THE MIRROR | Week of February 1, 2017

Opinion Editor Lexi Thimble » opinion@fairfieldmirror.com

Getting Opinionated with The Mirror Trump's Ban On Immigrants and Refugees: A Fairfield Perspective

Trump Botches on Execution Lack of Diversity Divides U.S.

By Andrew DaRosa Executive Editor

By John Hirschauer Contributing Writer President Trump’s executive action regarding immigration is frustrating for those who, like myself, believe in a sweeping sense that the Obama administration did not take threats to national security seriously enough, but in no way desired the ill-conceived reaction of Donald Trump. To discuss this piece of legislation with any degree of intellectual honesty, one ought to acknowledge that this is not a “Muslim ban” per se. It makes it much more difficult for Muslims to enter the country and Syrian asylum seekers are indefinitely suspended, though even under Barack Obama, the United States accepted very few Syrian refugees. While it's entirely disingenuous to call it a “Muslim ban,” an ex post facto side effect of the law is inevitably affective of Muslims seeking refuge, so I will address it as such.

My first thought is from a Catholic perspective. Our Pope and ecclesiastical authority have reminded the faithful that we have a moral obligation to harbor those truly in need. Pictures of children fleeing the gargantuan violence of the Islamic State is horrifying and heart-wrenching. The faces of ravaged people of all ages cries out for mercy from those who can so provide it. This move by Trump not only departs from that general sense of charity, but it is moreover boorish and overly broad beyond its optical unpalatability.

So often with Trump, he has his finger on the pulse of things that are real issues, but his remedy for those problems is often wildly blunt or imprudent. In this case, he is entirely correct that the Islamic world has a large and particular problem with radicalization and anti-Western sentiment right now to a degree that warrants discussing it as a real and credible threat by name. The solution he then jumps to is to indiscriminately bar admissions from several Islamic countries, even calling into question the legitimacy of visa holders. This is, on its face, remarkably unfair and imprecise.

What concerns me, and other conservatives who find the optics of the Trump decision uncouth, is that the mostly justified criticisms of this addenda are essentially going to legitimize the view that there is no problem of Islamic radicalism and it is only "Islamophobia" that is the tacit problem. This was the position of the Obama administration — in the wake of mass violence on behalf of radical jihadists, the former president felt it more important to lecture America about Islamophobia rather than to

Editorial Board "Much memes, so wow"

Jesse Erickson Editor-in-Chief Andrew DaRosa Executive Editor Catherine Veschi Managing Editor

assuage the victims’ families that the gubernatorial forces that be are unified in a fight against radical Islamism. Similarly, the moral posturing of people like Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, posting photos of himself with refugees saying “diversity is our strength” is the type of virtue signaling that made people vote for Trump in the first place.

When Trudeau says "diversity is our strength," it is eminently clear by his past actions that what he means is that Canadians have no national culture and that they, as a collective, will adapt themselves to the incoming immigrants and their values. I have no problem with "diversity," but there must be an implicit understanding that those seeking Western shores adapt their values to the liberal values of Western civilization, no ifs, ands, or buts.

If incoming immigrants think that the honor killings of women are sometimes justified, or that the proper punishment for apostasy is death (both of which a highly significant plurality of even socalled moderate Muslims believe according to Pew polls), the West shouldn't "tolerate" such beliefs.

This acceptance should not be allowed just so we can post "woke" Instagram photos saying "diversity is our strength" or some other incontinent spew of verbal diarrhea. If asylum seekers come, they ought to adapt to the West, not the other way around.

Despite the visceral loutishness of the suggestion, I'd echo the refrain of pundit Ben Shapiro and others Republicans who call for the Islamic world do a bit more in harboring these asylum seekers. There are 57 Muslim majority countries on the globe and yet apart from Turkey it has been primordially Europe and the West taking these refugees in. Europe, because of this influx of people with different conceptions of "civilization,” has seen an insurgent culture war. It would be ideal if some Islamic countries could step up to the plate and take in some refugees just like Israel has taken in overwhelming numbers of Jewish asylum seekers throughout its history. The relative inaction of majority Muslim countries, albeit their own issues as regards ISIS, has created this sort of asylum shopping among refugees.

Ultimately, I think the move is dumb and boorish. But I'm concerned that the criticism of this legislation is not only outraged with the prescription for solving the problem but a basic denial of the problem itself.

Scrolling down our news feeds, whether it be Facebook, Instagram or Twitter, it becomes apparent that politics is the dominant source of media that seems to infiltrate our consciousness, especially with the sweeping news of Trump’s bombastic actions.

However, an increasing number of memes, defined by Urban Dictionary as “an idea, behavior, style, or usage that spreads from person to person within a culture (discrete units of knowledge, gossip, jokes, and so on),” have been filtering their way through our social media feeds.

Some of these common memes include “Ermagherd,” “Grumpy Cat” and the “Success Kid.” Perhaps the most entertaining part of these memes is how widespread they have become.

Ask anyone and they’ll know who “Gavin” is from the numerous memes circulating about the 5-year-old boy. Since these memes have become so commonplace in our society, espe

With a little over a week under his belt as the Commander in Chief of the United States, President Donald Trump has fulfilled many of his campaign promises through the signing of numerous executive orders, which range from continuing the construction on both the Keystone XL and Dakota Access Pipelines to enacting a repeal of former President Barack Obama’s Affordable Care Act. While these executive orders are controversial in nature, they pale in comparison to the unconstitutional nature of Trump’s ban on immigrants traveling from seven majority Muslim countries.

Signed on Friday, Jan. 27 under the title of “Protecting the Nation from Foreign Terrorist into the United States,” the executive order bars immigrants from Libya, Sudan, Yemen, Somalia, Iran, Iraq and Syria for 120 days to allow for the implementation of the investigative procedure and afterwards, will require a 90-day processing period in which the Department of Homeland Security will analyze the travel visas to determine approval into the country. Also included in the executive order is the enactment of a sort of tracking system for these individuals, which eerily calls upon Trump’s remarks in 2015 to establish a Muslim registry system.

According to the executive order, “The Secretary of Homeland Security shall expedite the completion and implementation of a biometric entry-exit tracking system for all travelers to the United States, as recommended by the National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States.”

While this may seem precautionary in nature, the reality is that Trump is causing a rift within the United States that may soon become too volatile to repair. With protests erupting across the nation, especially at numerous airports in which individuals have been detained subsequently following the order becoming active, we are becoming testament to a nation that is tearing at the seams due to the egregious blindness of a morally skewed man. As best stated by the New York Times, “The order’s language makes clear that the xenophobia and Islamophobia that per-

cially amongst the millennial generation who are arguably the most active on social media, they have essentially become a device used for bonding among individuals.

Knowledge of these memes can give one a great conversation starter, as the other is likely to be familiar with the meme and will laugh along with you.

Aside from acting as a great conversation starter, memes are a way of distracting oneself from the negative aspects that seem to proliferate in the news as of late.

As mentioned previously, political news, especially that regarding Trump, has become a constant on our social media feeds, and with the randomized inclusion of memes, it makes all those hours scrolling to see what our middle school friends are doing, worth it.

According to the New Yorker, “Memes don’t circulate because they’re true.

They circulate because they’re funny.

They’re about appropriating the culture around

meated Mr. Trump’s campaign are to stain his presidency as well. Un-American as they are, they are now American policy.”

For me, this hits close to home as it was reported by Fox 25 News that two professors from a college down the street from my house, University of Massachusetts Dartmouth, were detained at Boston Logan International Airport after coming home from a conference in Paris. Though the professors have no direct relation to me, I have numerous friends who attend the university and have had these professors in class. This disheartens that human beings can be merely thrown around in the unrealistic practice of infringing on constitutional manners, even though these individuals are legal citizens of the United States with authorized green cards.

Perhaps more troubling is the bearing this will have on refugees coming from these areas, which are predominantly under the ISIS regime. These refugees, 13,000 of which were accepted into the United States in 2016 according to the Pew Research Center, are unable to apply for travel visas to the United States due to constraints on the government with the ongoing civil war. The only solution for these individuals is to attempt to find refuge within countries such as Turkey and Greece, and in this particular case, the United States, but Trump has now made this option impossible for those seeking refuge, only because of his innate xenophobia.

Vice President Mike Pence and Speaker of the House Paul Ryan, who have both previously renounced the ban on Muslims, are the only individuals able to guide Trump into more focused international policies and yet, they sit idly by as the nation seems to fall deeper into an inescapable hole. The old adage of being spineless has taken on a new meaning as has the words etched in the Statue of Liberty: “Give me your tired, your poor, Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, The wretched refuse of your teeming shore. Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed to me, I lift my lamp beside the golden door!,” which read more now as a trivial option rather than a call to action.

Creative Commons/Wikipedia

us and short-circuiting meanings.

Maybe at their best, memes bring power or celebrity or influence down to the level of the crowd.”

This level of funniness and cultural appropriation offers a means of bonding in a time where laughter goes a long way.

Whether you are asking “what in tarnation” or crafting a dank meme, the ideology behind disrupting the political establishment is an unconscious side effect that pushes the meme as a cultural phenomenon.

It makes individuals wonder if, had we not had an object we were in need of distraction from, would the memes be of necessity for our media-centric society?

To answer that question, memes transcend the notion of wording transposed on funny images; they summarize a culture fraught with political fatigue and the ability for one to crack a joke in order to strike the perfect balance.

Page 6

THE MIRROR | Week of February 1, 2017

Opinion

Diversity is Key for a Strong Trump Cabinet

By Lexi Thimble Co-Opinion Editor

Bill Clinton’s time building his cabinet in the 1990s, after acknowledging his lack of diversity in making his selections, was spent looking to incorporate more diversity into his picks.

He began to build a council that would “look like America,” and was representative of the great diversity that our country is able to boast about.

Here we are, however, over 20 years later, with the same amount of diversity that was present when Ronald Reagan was in office.

Both men placed 17 white men in major secretary positions, compared to President Obama, who appointed only eight men in this same demographic.

This comparison is also stark in the number of minorities present, with Trump appointing only five people of minority backgrounds compared to President Obama with 14. In more ways than one, Donald Trump has been turning back the clock on process and his cabinet, which is supposed to act in the best interests of the many facets of America, is following suit.

The central idea behind the hit Broadway musical “Hamilton” is that it is about “the story of America then, told by America now,” as an interview in The Atlantic with creator Lin Manuel Miranda shows.

“Hamilton”’s significance comes from its showcasing of performers of all different races, ethnicities, sexual orientations and genders playing famous historical figures. In a way, this tagline can be accurately applied to a president’s cabinet.

The people surrounding the president are supposed to advise him or her on the best courses of action to take to preserve ideals of “America then” in ways to benefit and improve “America now.” In fact, this is one of the reasons “Hamilton” is such a hit, not just in the musical theater community but for a wide range of music lovers.

Representation matters to people and if something as objectively trivial as a musical matters to so many people because they get to see themselves reflected in something inspiring, how is it any different with the highest office in the country?

Throughout the entirety of the presidential campaign and even long before it, representation has become something of a burden for those who’ve always had it.

Even for Clinton during his campaign, his choice of certain department heads over others were criticized, specifically in one article from The New York Times, where others saw

him playing a numbers game to fill diversity quotas.

This was extremely far from the truth, as diversity was a part of his campaign promise that he was trying to fulfill.

It’s very easy to try and “remove” these biases in theory, to see people purely for their capabilities rather than what gender they are or what color their skin is.

The reality, however, is that because of the society we live in, people with these differences are going to have different perspectives in how they handle different situations.

Physical diversity may not matter to people when constructing policy, but differing opinions are crucial to good decision making. It makes sure that not just one voice is prioritized over another and it allows pure democracy to do its job.

Those voicing these opinions bring with them their own personCreative Commons/Vimeo al experiences that connect them to the people they serve and understand the needs of these people.

If conservatives are so adamant about the founding fathers and how they wanted democracy to work, then they should be all for this differing of opinion — of making sure the diversity of individuals we’ve acquired in our country are not forever represented by the same old white men that have always been making decisions for all of us.

With Trump in office and the assembly of his cabinet well under way, it is becoming more important every day to realize that diversity is what makes America great.

Not walls that function as isolationist tactics, not fear-mongering about a religion that shares its roots with Christianity, and not disrespecting every person with a differing opinion from yourself.

America has been blessed with a beautiful array of ideas and beliefs and values, and the clashes they encounter with each other are to be expected. But why these clashes can’t be viewed respectfully and seen as positive discourse is baffling in and of itself.

If Trump is to be taken seriously, he’d rather put an end to not just diversity in his cabinet and his decision making, but in America itself. Trump’s cabinet should “look like America;” America is beautiful and complicated, and if that notion is too much for him, he shouldn’t have taken the job in the first place.

Should the guy always be responsible for paying for a date?

Lucas Santiago '20 "It's the cultural norm for whatever reason for guys to be paying all the time, but I believe the girl should consider splitting the bill.

Sometimes guys like it, we like to be able to provide, but it's cool to share too."

Samantha Menello '20

"I believe it should be split all the time. If it's fair and equal all the time, it's not a problem."

Gabriel Dasilva '20

"It should be split, but if it's the first date, it should be the person who invited the other person who pays."

Photos by Lexi Thimble/The Mirror

The Vine

arts, entertainment, features Editor Alicia Phaneuf vine@fairfieldmirror.com

Adolf Dehn's New York Scenery Impresses Fairfield Students

Artwork by Adolf Dehn Photo Illustration by Alicia Phaneuf

The Vine

THE MIRROR | Week of February 1, 2017

Page 8

An Artistic Mastery of Midcentury Manhattan

By Alicia Phaneuf Vine Editor

“Take me back to Manhattan, take me back to New York” — a famous lyric from the 1934 musical “Anything Goes” — is the first thing that comes to mind upon viewing the works of artist Adolf Dehn (1895-1968). Dehn was a mid-century artist known for his captivating paintings, lithographs (a type of print) and drawings of iconic New York sceneries.

And, as the song suggests, New York’s unique atmosphere is what makes the city so adored.

Dehn’s striking pieces are highlighted in the exhibition entitled “Adolf Dehn: Midcentury Manhattan,” which is on display at the Fairfield University Art Museum in Bellarmine Hall. Dr. Philip Eliasoph, an art history and visual culture professor at Fairfield, is the guest curator for the exhibition who has dedicated a great portion of his career to researching Dehn. This infatuation with the artist led Eliasoph to write an up-and-coming book, also entitled “Adolf Dehn: Midcentury Manhattan,” that discusses Dehn’s work and will be published by The Artist Book Foundation.

“In ‘Adolf Dehn: Midcentury Manhattan,’ I argue that stylistic transformations in American art simply left Dehn by the wayside,” said Eliasoph. “The world changed, and by the late 1940s into the 1950s, the art world progressed into abstract and expressionist work.”

Eliasoph explained that the present skyline of New York, 75 years following Dehn’s work, showcases an abundance of buildings and new skyscrapers. Eliasoph’s personal love of New York — as he once knew it — is an additional aspect that drove him to resurface Dehn’s art. This quality is something that did not go unnoticed by observers.

“The most interesting part of the exhibit is how all of his works were kind of rediscovered by a professor at our school,” said Haley Pilkington ‘19. “All of the works are very close to where we are and are based off of New York and the city skyline. The fact that we didn’t know that these existed or how popular they once were is very fascinating.”

Beauty never goes out of style, and that proved to be true at the exhibit’s opening reception on Jan. 26 where, according to Fairfield University’s snapchat, over 300 people gathered to observe 28 of Dehn’s pieces. The extreme attention to detail and harmonious weaving of paint left viewers in awe.

“I came here tonight for a watercolor class that I have to take for the core [curriculum],” explained Davis Doherty ‘19. “I don’t usually come to these sort of events because I’m an engineer, but as I was looking around at all of the different pieces, I noticed that Dehn does an amazing job at blending different colors together and utilizing different wash techniques.”

Doherty’s observation that Dehn harnesses multiple artistic techniques is evident. His work shows signs of applying paint to one section and then scraping it away to apply a different, overlapping color. There are places where paint is built up and there are other places that show thin scratching gestures. These diverse techniques make Dehn’s work appealing to the observer, whether or not they’re an art aficionado.

The first thing one might notice upon entering the gallery is the variety of different media forms on display. There are watercolor and gouache (opaque watercolor) paintings, ink washes, charcoal drawings and — Dehn’s main attraction — lithography work. By in-

corporating numerous types of Dehn’s pieces, the exhibition enthralled observers and holds something new to look at on each wall and around each corner.

Another intriguing quality to Dehn’s work can be found in some of the figures represented in his paintings. The people shown are almost caricature-like in the sense that they have evident human characteristics while also having playful, disproportionate qualities. For example, most of the people painted by Dehn have interestingly skinny legs that slightly come to a point or disappear into the landscape. As a social realist artist, this aspect adds a unique and fascinating quality to his pieces due to the fact that social realism is an art form that aims to draw attention to everyday conditions and pays close attention to critical detail.

According to “The Art Story: modern art insight,” social realist artists thrived during the 1930s — a time of economic downfall and racial conflict — because they created pictures of large groups of people which highlighted the lifestyle of the middle class. Eliasoph holds a clear adoration for Dehn’s work and is excited for the resurfacing of the widely unknown artist.

“The works coming into focus here, unfettered by a politically charged agenda and critical myopia, allow us renewed pleasure from Dehn’s artistry,” said Eliasoph.

Because the lively city became his home, Dehn’s work truly encompasses all aspects of mid-century Manhattan. His passion for the city is demonstrated in the exhibition due to the vast variety of locations represented. Some major scenes include the “Brooklyn Waterfront,” “Lower Manhattan,” “New York Harbor,” “New York Skyline,” and many different representations of Central Park. The exhibition fully engrossed the stimulating vibe of midcentury New York and the inspiring dedication Dehn emulated.

The exhibition will be on display in Fairfield’s Bellarmine Museum from Jan. 27 until April 7.

Artwork by Adolf Dehn Contributed Photos by Alicia Phaneuf

The Mirror Abroad: Brendan's Italian Experience

By Brendan Zimmerman Co-Opinion Editor

It is amazing how much can happen in one week. Before Jan. 23, all I knew was the bitter cold of New England winters, mixed in with the comfort of my suburban life both at home and at Fairfield.

However, that comfort would soon be tested with the knowledge that I would be studying abroad in Florence, Italy for my spring semester. There are plenty of things that come to mind when one thinks of Italy: the amazing food, the beautiful landscape or maybe even the timeless art and history behind the culture. I would soon get the chance to interact with all of these aspects and I could barely wait to begin.

Arriving at JFK International Airport to start my journey, I was suddenly hit with feelings of excitement and anticipation; my mind began to race. What would happen? How long would it take to adjust? Would my flight even make it to Florence? These unchecked fears continued to flood my mind as I said goodbye to my parents and set off on an adventure of a lifetime.

Getting on the plane, I met with my fellow Fairfield peers heading to Florence as well and we all could barely wait to takeoff. As the plane began to pull onto the runway and the engines signaled that it was time to leave the comfort of the United States, I slipped back into my seat and began to imagine my next few months in Europe. Our flight was destined for Paris as a layover and then straight to Florence. Everything went without a hitch on the flight, we survived border security in Paris and continued the journey.

By the time our flight landed in Florence, I stepped out onto the plane runway only to be greeted by the temperate Italian weather under the Tuscan sun. It is hard to put into writing the sheer beauty of the Italian horizon. Picture rolling green hills and mountains that stretch across the landscape, each sprinkled with countless villas and Renaissance-era castles that evoke a culture torn between

modernity and the medieval. For our first few days, we would stay in the Florentia Hotel just outside of the city for orientation. There, we had the chance to meet more students from Providence College, Saint Joseph’s College, along with others that would be a part of our program. We were also greeted by the program directors and advisors that would help us adjust to our new life in Italy and they provided us with several informational meetings regarding safety and Italian culture.

After orientation, we were all bused into the city to move into our apartments. My address would be on Via Ghibellina, a street that I would later discover to be located near countless restaurants, stores and landmarks, like the magnificent Santa Croce church. Upon moving everything in, my roommates and I quickly realized how different living would be in Florence. Natural water is harder to come by, electricity is a delicate balance of use and conservation, and the Italians are serious recyclers. Mistakes would be made. And the language would certainly be a barrier for a long time. However, I can safely say that after a week of getting lost around the Duomo a dozen times, accidentally buying sparkling water instead of still water an embarrassing amount of times and slowly building my Italian vocabulary, I now feel myself gradually acclimating to the Italian culture.

Even though my semester has barely begun, I cannot imagine living anywhere else. My classes are just beginning at the Florence University of the Arts, which is located near the scenic Arno river that runs through the city. As the days continue into the spring, I hope to explore everything in Florence, from the hidden gardens that overlook the cityscape to the multitude of food places that I’m sure will drain my wallet at an uncomfortable rate. Traveling to even more countries will be a big part of my abroad experience, but I still cannot shake the dreamlike feeling of finally living in a city on the edge of forever.

Photo contributed by Brendan Zimmerman

THE MIRROR | Week of February 1, 2017

The Vine

Roxane Gay Weaves Captivating Tales in 'Difficult Women'

By Sabina Dirienzo Contributing Writer Roxane Gay’s “Difficult Women,” a 2017 anthology of short stories, has a self-explanatory title.

The female characters in these short stories behave in ways that are opposed to society’s standards. The women portrayed include reluctant mothers, sexual assault victims, resistant wives, sex workers and even the members of an all-female fight club. These women are not convenient. They do not always act in a way that the people around them think would be ‘easy’ or preferable.

The stories in “Difficult Women” vary in genre, although most are realistic fiction. “The Sacrifice of Darkness” is set in a world which lost the sun after a light-deprived coal miner swallowed it whole.

“Requiem for a Glass Heart” features a protagonist who is literally made of glass. Ultimately, Gay’s stories are connected by the “difficult” nature of the female protagonists portrayed.

Gay’s characters seem extraordinarily real. “Break All the Way Down” is an almost painfully honest portrayal of a couple’s anguish after the sudden death of their only son. Natasha, the protagonist, is considered crazy by everyone except for her husband because of her grief. Her grief isn’t easy and while it’s self-destructive, it’s not self-sacrificing, making her one of the titular “Difficult Women” of the anthology. Natasha’s grief feels real, even though her story is fictional.

“Break All the Way Down” highlights what makes this book so cherished. Gay writes stories that feel like looking into a window into someone else’s

mind, and she painstakingly provides the little details that readers can frequently only find in full-length novels.

The stories weren’t necessarily easy to read, with dark and sometimes depressing elements, but rather were enthralling and extraordinarily well-written. In a work with so many stories included, identifying a simple theme can be difficult. However, the stories in “Difficult Women” are at their core about women who are fighting and hoping for a better existence for themselves. “Difficult Women” is worth the effort, and leaves readers hopeful.

“Difficult Women” has important, real stories, with characters who speak to the reader despite their ‘difficulties.’ They are not the idealized women sometimes found in fiction, but women who seem genuine and deal with their lives in their own ways. Gay’s work is very different from much of what can be found in mainstream fiction and readers who have not gone through similar hardships as her characters can still empathize. Although the work is definitely womenoriented, I would not hesitate to recommend it to male readers as well. (Female readers, after all, are frequently asked to read male-centered works.)

The best review I could give for “Difficult Women” is that I read it in a day and a half.

Roxane Gay’s other works include the novels “An Untamed State” and “Ayiti,” as well as the essay collection “Bad Feminist.”

Page 9

Wine and Dine with the Vine: Jinn's Fresh Noodle House and Cafe

By Shana Lynch Online Vine Editor Whether you’re new to Fairfield or not, it’s no secret to anyone that this town is packed full of delicious restaurants. No matter what you’re currently craving or where you’re currently located, the town of Fairfield has something to offer you. From Post Road to Black Rock Turnpike, from quick takeout to high quality dining, you’ll never go hungry when you’re living in the 06824 and we all know the classic options. In the mood for pizza? Hit up Colony Grill. Feeling a burger tonight? Flipside is your place. Craving Chinese? Wild Rice is waiting for you.

But I’m here to propose something new — what if, instead of visiting the same restaurants enough times to gain a loyalty card, we start trying new places? There are so many underrated, amazing restaurants in Fairfield that go unnoticed. Jinn’s Fresh Noodle House & Cafe is one of those places.

Located in the same plaza as Bob’s Stores and Village Bagels, Jinn’s Fresh Noodle House & Cafe is tucked into the right corner, almost out of sight from the road behind Mo’s Wine & Spirits and Dogwood Cleaners. When Jinn’s was recommended to me this summer from a friend, I had never noticed it before (and I’m a regular at Village Bagels). The only times I had eaten Asian-style food while at Fairfield was when I tried Wild Rice freshman year and when I ordered Chinese takeout from a random restaurant that put a flyer under my door sophomore year. I was ready to have a new go-to.

Under the advice of my friend, I ordered the Fresh Sautéed Chicken Noodles, which are offered at $10.95. I was expecting the dish to come out tasting like a Chicken Lo Mein, but I was wrong.

The noodles, along with crisp vegetables and strips of grilled chicken, were sautéed together with a really yummy, light and fresh sauce. The serving was huge (which means I brought home my leftovers, score), but I didn’t feel grossly full or bloated after. I also tried their Steamed Homemade Pork Dumplings, which were delicious.

The rest of their menu is diverse, ranging from appetizers like Chicken Lettuce Wraps and Fried Crab Rangoons to classic Chinese takeout options like General Tso’s Chicken and Moo Shu Pork to some items you wouldn’t expect, like Thai Curry Tofu and Mongolian Lamb. The atmosphere inside the restaurant is quiet and calm, and the people who work there are very friendly, but I think my favorite part is the convenience. You can order online, and they offer both pick-up and delivery options, so they next time you’re craving easy Chinese takeout, you know where to go.

Creative Commons/Flickr

YouTube Sensation Rhett Price Plays his Way to Success

By Cara Lee Assistant Vine Editor

No one was sure of what to think before the most recent South Side event. A violinist playing pop songs? Memories of failed elementary and middle school music lessons haunted the students’ minds, but due to the recent popularity of more obscure groups such as the acapella group Pentatonix and fellow violinist Lindsey Stirling, South Side’s regulars gave Rhett Price a try. Within two songs, the café was full and every eye and phone in the room was angled towards this newly discovered musician. The games went untouched, movement was scarce, and everyone in the room remained in sustained silence in anticipation of Price’s next notes.

“Southside has never been like this before — but we like it.” Olivia McEvoy ‘19 observed after just listening to Price tune his violin. When the show began, her opinion didn’t change and others who attended the performance were in complete agreement. Price played numerous songs, some pop, some hip hop, but each one held the crowd captivated. “The performance was pure talent. If I have the opportunity, I would see him perform again,” remarked Nick Trewartha ’20. “I liked when he gave a shout out to his college friend, Charlie Puth, and performed [Puth’s] single ‘See You Again.’”

Price also played crowd favorites such as “Again” by Fetty Wap – which created the joke of the night, as no one could tell if he had played the “clean” or “explicit” version since there were no lyrics —”Cheerleader” by Omi and Haddaway’s “What is Love,” among many others before he wrapped up his show with his personal favorite, “Pony” by Ginuwine.

In between his songs, Price took moments to tell an eager audience anecdotes about his past concerts as well as his life. One such anecdote was about the best career advice he had received, which came from John Mayer’s saxophone player and Price’s saxophone teacher, Bob Reynolds. “One time I asked [Bob Reynolds] if he had any advice for making [music] professionally and he asked me immediately, ‘What’s your backup plan?’ I responded that I didn’t have one, that I just wanted to make music, and he responded, ‘Good. Then you’ll be successful.’”

A 27-year-old Texas native, Price spent a year studying at the University of Berkeley where he met and trained with stars of the music industry, such as his friend Charlie Puth, before he found himself homeless and playing in the subway to afford food. By posting videos on

his YouTube channel, he was slowly able to save some money and eventually purchase a small apartment. Then, in one last effort to make his musical career succeed, he used his last $300 to pay a Boston film student to record him playing Taylor Swift’s “I Knew You Were Trouble.” By the end of the week, he was a YouTube star. “It doesn’t matter what your parents or your peers are saying. If you work hard and don’t listen to naysayers — you can do anything,” said Price.

“You can feel his passion [when he plays]. His aura is positive and happy and he vibes really well with the music,” said Aisha Khan ‘17, a fan of Price who was very excited when she heard he was going to perform at Fairfield. Price created his own success and now has not only played with Fetty Wap, but also has his own album coming out later this year. He spends most of his time either traveling around the United States performing and recording or trying to discover the manufacturer who made his violin. At the end of his performance, he made a swift exit, saying good night and disappearing — leaving his crowd in a state of disbelief, awaiting a song that will never come. This concert was a complete success and Price has now gained himself a number of new fans. “[Rhett] was very talented in his renditions of popular songs,” John McGovern ‘17 enthused, “going beyond simply copying the melody and instead imposing his own style on the song.”

Contributed photo by Fairfield@Night

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THE MIRROR | Week of February 1, 2017

The Vine

the Concept of Classical Music

By James DellaRocca Contributing Writer After Cameron Carpenter’s performance, the organ should no longer be considered strictly an instrument used in churches, but a beautiful instrument that everyone should experience listening to in this manner at least once in their lives, with speakers blasting walls of sound at the audience. Carpenter played at the Regina A. Quick Center for the Arts on Saturday, Jan. 28 to a crowd so large that a screen was used so that people in the back rows could see both him and his one of a kind International Touring Organ.

Carpenter played a total of nine pieces, as well as a few sections of improvisation. Even though many of the pieces he played were not generally known, he still blew the audience away with his instrumental proficiency. So much so that they gave him a standing ovation and he came back to perform an encore before receiving another standing ovation.

Carpenter played with his entire body, mind and soul throughout his performance. He used not only his hands to play the organ’s keyboard, but also used his feet on the pedal board. In between pieces, Carpenter would stand up and speak to the audience about the history of the organ and of the pieces he would play. This knowledge helped to increase the audience’s appreciation of his playing and of the pieces themselves. Just by looking at the way he played, the audience could tell that he loved what he was doing and enjoyed every moment he spent on that bench. Sophomore Ricci Gold said, “I thought Cameron Carpenter’s performance was amazing, because his touring organ allows more people to experience organ music and classical music in a way they might not normally be able to.“ The only drawback to his performance was that Carpenter had his back to the audience the entire time. He could have improved his performance by at least turning the organ on an angle so that the audience could see more of him. With his back to the audience, only the people on the front rows could see anything he was doing without looking at the projection.

Carpenter’s performance was an extraordinary experience that should be seen by as many people as possible. Even though potential listeners might be turned off by the idea of an organist playing for two hours, Carpenter subverts this idea in the first piece he plays. People sitting down were probably expecting somewhat bland, traditional organ music. Instead they were treated to an incredible wall of sound created by the large number of speakers surrounding the stage at every angle, an array of pieces from different periods such as the Baroque, Classical and more Modern eras, and Carpenter’s sensational playing. Carpenter took center stage and was surrounded by over half a dozen enormous speakers. Cameron Carpenter brings new life to an instrument that has been brushed aside as a relic of the past.

Contributed Photo by James DellaRocca

Creative Commons/Flickr

ashionably airfield

by Nicole Funaro Customize your Style Imagine walking into your favorite store in search of a fashionable new style to add to your wardrobe, but after doing a once over, it seems that your go-to shop has let you down. Out of the countless racks and stocked shelves of clothing and accessories, nothing is sparking an interest and you leave empty handed and frustrated. You may even wish that you could design that sought-after item yourself. We’ve all had moments like this, but the good news is that you no longer have to wish that you could create the style of your dreams — with these simple tools, you can play designer from the comfort of your dorm room.

Shoes of Prey This 6-year-old footwear company allows you to create the shoes you’ve always wanted, but could never find in stores.

Specializing in everything from flats to boots, Shoes of Prey allows users to either customize one of their existing designs or start from scratch and build their own pair of shoes. Their easy design interface first prompts you to choose a style, which includes tall, mid-calf and ankle boots, stilettos, and pointed-toe flats. After selecting a style, users can select their shoe size, additional style features (like open toes for heels or elastic backs on boots), heel height, material, color and embellishments. What results is a custom shoe that fits all of your style needs. While nothing can beat the convenience of Shoes of Prey, custom footwear tends to be a bit pricey, with base styles (styles not yet designed) starting at $129. But don’t be discouraged: Shoes of Prey offers free shipping to most of the United States, so what you spend on your custom kicks you can save on shipping.

Mon Purse If you’re willing to splurge even more for a custom design, Mon Purse is sure to provide the luxury with style to match.

Offering men’s and women’s leather goods, Mon Purse lives by the statement, “Designed by you, made in Europe and worn around the world.” While Mon Purse offers ready-made products, such as tote bags, messenger bags, laptop cases and wallets, the online retailer also gives users the chance to design their own styles, though these are reserved to handbag silhouettes only.

Similar to Shoes of Prey, Mon Purse allows you to choose the size, color and metal hardware of your purse. They even give you a chance to leave your mark on your new handbag with a monogram. All of this style comes at a price, however, with the cheapest customizable option — a leather pouch — clocking in at $65, while a customizable tote bag will cost (at least) $480.

Adidas If you’d rather put your newfound design abilities into something a little more casual, there’s no better way to do so than by participating in one of the biggest trends: athleisure. Largely associated with the sporty-casual trend, Adidas has an online design lab called “miadidas” that allows users to create footwear that will fit into their active, yet stylish, lives. Shoppers can choose from the ever-popular Stan Smith silhouette, running styles, basketball sneakers and even the comfy Adidas slides, only to then decide everything from the color of the laces right down to the shade of the sole. Once you settle on the style you like, you’ll be able to have your custom shoes shipped free to campus, as Adidas offers free shipping on all custom products. Likely the most affordable of the custom outfitters, customizable Adidas styles start at $65 for slides and at least $170 for MI D Rose 7 Basketball shoes.

The next time your favorite store lets you down, just remember that you have the power to design exactly what you’ve been looking for — it’s only a click away.

THE MIRROR | Week of February 1, 2017

The Vine

Page 11

Inkwell Spotlight The Best Low-Price "The Drive"

Spring Concerts

By Alyssa Vigorito Marketing Director at The Inkwell The drive was the very worst, Under canopies of trees it was evident our quiet conversation was clearly coerced Flowers we nurtured together died of thirst and left behind petals soaked in malevolence The drive was the very worst Our roses died yet we still tried to nurse all but one, who remains desolate Drive it to the hospital, you coerced You hit redo like a car in reverse, hit a tree stump the size of an elephant The drive was the very worst Windshield cracked like an outburst yet I never voiced my sentiment until now — confessions coerced Our roses died yet we still tried to nurse all but one, who developed an impediment The drive was the very worst My silence, thereafter, uncoerced

By Andrew DaRosa Executive Editor With the semester in full swing, we college kids are already looking for ways to find a reprieve from the obscene amount of work piled upon us. Have no fear as I have compiled a list of concerts coming to the area that appeal to a wide variety of tastes and won’t cost you an arm and a leg to go see.

For indie fans: Lady Lamb: Thursday, Feb. 9 - The Ballroom at The Space; Hamden, Conn.

The Flaming Lips: Wednesday, March 8 - College Street Music Hall, New Haven, Conn.

Modern Baseball: Saturday, March 18 & Sunday, Mar. 19 - Warsaw; Brooklyn, N.Y. Tennis: Tuesday, March 21 & Wednesday, March 22 - Bowery Ballroom; New York, N.Y. Andrew McMahon In the Wilderness: Sunday, April 9 - Toad’s Place; New Haven, Conn.

Tycho: Wednesday, May 3 & Thursday, May 4 - Brooklyn Steel; Brooklyn, N.Y. For pop, rap, R&B, EDM fans: Lukas Graham: Wednesday, Feb. 1 - Toyota Oakdale Theatre; Wallingford, Conn.

Kesha & The Creepies (Free Show): Wednesday, Feb. 15 - Grand Theatre at Foxwoods Resort Casino; Mashantucket, Conn.

Ariana Grande: Friday, Feb. 17 - Mohegan Sun Arena; Uncasville, Conn.

Run the Jewels: Saturday, Feb. 25 and Wednesday, March 3 - Terminal 5; New York, N.Y. Vince Staples: Thursday, March 30 - Terminal 5; New York, N.Y. For folk and country fans: River Whyless: Saturday, Feb. 25 - StageOne; Fairfield, Conn.

Nikki Lane: Thursday, March 2 - Music Hall of Williamsburg; Brooklyn, N.Y. Strand of Oaks: Tuesday, March 14 - Music Hall of Williamsburg; Brooklyn, N.Y. The Decemberists: Saturday, April 15 - College Street Music Hall; New Haven, Conn.

Eric Church: Thursday, April 27 & Friday, April 28 - Mohegan Sun Arena; Uncasville, Conn.

Matthew Logan Vasquez (of Delta Spirit): Saturday, April 29 - Rough Trade; Brooklyn, N.Y. For rock and metal fans: Red Hot Chili Peppers: Wednesday, Feb. 15 - Saturday, Feb. 18 - Madison Square Garden; New York, N.Y. Love Rocks NYC!: Thursday, March 9 - Beacon Theatre; New York, N.Y. Twiddle: Friday, March 31 & Saturday, April 1 - Playstation Theater; New York, N.Y. Killswitch Engage & Anthrax with Special Guest The Devil Wears Prada: Tuesday, April 4 - Toyota Oakdale Theatre; Wallingford, Conn.

Dopapod: Sunday, April 9 - Warehouse; Fairfield, Conn.

Trey Anastasio Band: Friday, April 14 & Saturday, April 15 - Capitol Theatre; Port Chester, N.Y. For classical fans: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone - In Concert: Friday, March 31 & Saturday, April 1 - Radio City Music Hall; New York, N.Y.

Creative Commons/Flickr

Creative Commons/Flickr

New Series shows Modern Perspective on Victorian England

By James DellaRocca Contributing Writer Prepare to be taken back to the Victorian Era, a time in British history which brought forth some of the best literary works and when many historical events occurred, such as the Crimean War and the creation of the British title of Emperor of India. “Victoria” presents this era from the perspective of the eponymous ruler, Queen Victoria, as she begins her reign.

The story starts when 18-yearold Alexandrina Victoria (Jenna Coleman) receives the news that her uncle, King William IV has died and that she is to be the next queen of Great Britain. Immediately after this news is released, her mother and advisors try to choose her royal name for her. To spite her mother and anyone else that would try to control her, she defies them and chooses her own name. This action sets the tone for the rest of the show, as Victoria goes against what they say and goes with her own choices. This sets how Vic-

toria will deal with any other conflicts such as her real life refusal to change any of the ladies in her court so that there can be a balance of Whigs and Conservatives (two of the political parties in the U.K.) “Victoria” originally aired on the U.K.’s ITV Network in August 2016, but PBS began broadcasting it for its Masterpiece series in January where PBS airs British dramas for American audiences, such as “Downton Abbey” or “Sherlock.”

PBS aired the first two episodes continuously and the next week it went back to only airing a single one hour episode.

“Victoria” could be compared to Netflix’s “The Crown” since they both tell the stories of two of Great Britain’s most well-known queens’ early reigns. The focus on queens is where the comparisons stop. This can be attributed to the age of the monarchs when they inherit the crown. Queen Elizabeth II (Claire Foy) was 25 years old when she became queen and so is more mature in handling

her assumption to the throne, giving “The Crown” a more serious tone. Queen Victoria was only 18 years old when she ascended to the throne, so she has to learn how to be an adult and how to rule. This innocence that she possesses at the beginning of her reign is evident when she drinks a little too much during a party and starts speaking without a filter. This results in “Victoria” having a lighter tone.

Queen Victoria’s age and experience plays into many of her experiences as she prepares to be coronated. She would rather trust her own instincts than trust people who tell her how she should act and behave, and it is these conflicts that drive the plot of the show.

With stiff competition in the queenly bio-series field, “Victoria” manages to stand equal to her competitors. By giving the drama a lighter tone, the show is a unique telling of the young queen’s life and early reign. Hopefully future seasons that go forward in Victoria’s life carry this trait.

THE MIRROR | Week of February 1, 2017

Coffee Break

Page 12

Coffee Break Editor: Claire Monahan

For Fairfield’s 75th anniversary, The Mirror is bringing back one of it’s most iconic features: Boos and Cheers. Boos and Cheers is a section in the paper where you can anonymously submit tips about the things you’re happy about and the things you’re unhappy about. It’s a place where your inside jokes get published but only your group of friends understands what they mean. Better watch out next time you decide to cry and tell your Uber driver your entire life story … you never know if you’ll end up in Boos and Cheers!

Boooos Boooos to all the treadmills being taken … to late night at the levee … to being late to class because my car was surrounded by turkeys … to my roommate for ditching the boys when we needed him most … to the person who stole $300 from Gonzaga … to construction messiness … to getting my beer poured out by DPS … to class not getting canceled on Tuesday … to the random construction going on outside of Dolan … to the guy who almost ran me over … to the lacrosse team gathering in front of the Stag making it a pow-wow ceremony for others to get through … to Laz sending his stories in at 3 p.m. on a Tuesday night xoxo … to the Patriots being in the Super Bowl … to the associate director of programming … to the Editor in Chief of The Mirror … to the music playing at The Grape on Saturday … to the Stag bus driver who almost hit a person today ...to my roommate’s friend who jumped on my lofted bed and destroyed my sheets...

In honor of Fairfield’s 75th anniversary not only are we throwing it back to “Boooos and Cheers,” but we are featuring a front page story from a 1990 edition of The Mirror.

This article, written by then Editor in Chief, Lynn Ann Casey, chronicles a FUSA transition of power.

By Lynn Ann Casey Editor-in-Chief

Thomas C. Pellegrino took over the reigns of the FUSA Presidency on Wednesday, January 17 after Warren DiDonato was declared academically ineligible to continue in this position.

Pellegrino, former Student Legislature President, according to the FUSA Constitution, was next in line to DiDonato. He will hold office until the next FUSA President is sworn in the beginning of April.

Robert Housler will be the acting Legislature President until the next Senate President is elected on January 30.

DiDonato will not be allowed to take classes at fairfield this semester. At this time, his future academic plans are unknown. DiDonato was unavailable for comment at time of publication. The College of Arts and Sciences would release no information pertaining to whether or not DiDonato would be allowed to graduate from the University sometime in the future.

“It is unfortunate that things have ended up this way because I think FUSA has gained respect during Warren’s term,” said Pellegrino.

While in office, DiDonato, along with other key members of FUSA, helped organize the student protest concerning the housing lottery and the naming of the chapel. He attempted to help increase

Cheers Cheers to booze … to finding an empty room at the gym … to 8 a.m. being cancelled ... to movie night at Gonzaga not being bad … to the best salad I’ve ever eaten at The Stag … to drinking rosé and watching “The Bachelor” at the Levee … to whoever cleaned the puke out of the Jogues bathroom so the cleaning lady didn’t have to … to bringing “boos and cheers” back … to new buildings ... to #21 … to the the Girls Dupe … to sodexo sushi … to James Blake … to fun in the snow … to Campion 102 … to Barone having chicken nuggets all the time … to whoever cleared the snow off of the Loyola stairs … to my roommate for turning 21 at the beginning of the semester, now I’m 21 too … to the Patriots being in the Super Bowl … to the random girl who told me I had a nice butt while I was brushing my teeth … to the boyfriend who held the bag for his girlfriend … to finding an open washer and dryer ... to winter and drunk people leaving their Northface in my bedroom...

Blast From the Past

DiDonato Removed From Office Pellegrino Sworn in as New President communication between the sectors of the university.

“At this time of year with the position I’m in, yes I am prepared to continue the job.

I have a lot of good people under me, otherwise it would not be an easy transition,” said Pellegrino. “It was also my knowledge of the Constitution that made the transition smooth.”

Mr. Jim Fitzpatrick, Assistant Dean of University Activities said “It is a credit to Warren that we don’t anticipate problems with the transition. FUSA is still functioning very efficiently.” Fitzpatrick’s office is the initial link between the Student Association and the administration.

“The position of FUSA President is naturally difficult,” said Pellegrino. He feels that time management is essential to the position. He also notes the importance of delegating responsibility. He feels that many of the people in the FUSA cabinet are very capable and willing to help him in this transition.

“The FUSA presidency is a tremendous challenge,” said Fitzpatrick. “It is difficult, but it is by no means impossible.” He says that “Warren’s devotion to the University and FUSA was tremendous but somewhere along the line, the academic part of his like wasn’t equal to FUSA.” Pellegrino is responsible for resuming all the duties DiDonato was responsible for.

The majority of the programming for this

year is done, but Pellegrino must maintain the programs and finish programming for May Day weekend in the Spring.

DiDonato was unable to come through on his promise to have a concert in the Fall semester. Pellegrino will attempt to get a concert for the Spring Semester, possibly for May Day weekend. According to Fitzpatrick, a concert will depend on the groups that will be touring in Spring and the dates they will be available.

It will also be Pellegrino’s responsibility to get the next FUSA president acquainted with the procedures of FUSA. Specifically, Pellegrino notes two things he would like to do this semester. He hopes to have the Student Telephone and Address Guide (STAG) out by the second week in February. Problems with the database in the FUSA office have delayed its publication.

He also wants to “develop a modified system” that would monitor members of the FUSA cabinet so that something like this could not happen again. Cabinet members must maintain a 2.4 grade point average to continue their positions. He hopes to find a system that would help members keep up with their academic life.

Pellegrino is a Politics major from East Haven, Connecticut. After graduation Fairfield, he plans on attending law school.

Eventually, he plans on entering the education field.

Contributed by Rich Nunziante Thomas Pellegrino ‘90 (above)

Thomas Pellegrino graduated from Fairfield University in 1990. He went on to graduate from Syracuse University College of Law in 1993 and was an attorney until 2004. After earning his Ph.D in Educational Administration, Pellegrino then became a professor at the Dolan School of Business and is currently the Senior Vice President of Student Affairs at Fairfield.

THE MIRROR | Week of February 1, 2017

Sports

SPORTS

Sports Editor: Alfredo Torres » sports@fairfieldmirror.com

In Case You

Page 13

This Week in Sports: Stags Receive Recognition

Missed It:

Thursday, January 26th -Monmouth defeats Women's Basketball, 60-53 Friday, January 27th

-St. John's defeats Women's Tennis, 7-0 Saturday, January 28th -Men's Basketball defeats Marist, 72-62

On Monday, the baseball team was picked to repeat as conference champions in the MAAC Preseason Coaches Poll for the first time in program history. Coming off a spring in which the Stags won 17 conference games and 32 games overall en route to a tournament championship and a berth in the NCAA Tournament, the veteran bunch looks to show that last year was no fluke. Led by the leadership of senior Preseason All-MAAC selections Mac Crispino and Troy Scocca, much is expected from the red and white this spring. Crispino, who spends most of his time in the infield but was chosen by the coaches as a utilityman, hit .292 with 59 hits and 35 RBI’s in his junior season. His middle of the order mate Scocca hit .283 with 58 hits and 35 RBIs.

Sunday, January 29th -Women's Basketball defeats Niagara, 66-63 -Davidson defeats Men's Tennis, 7-0

On Wednesday, Jan. 25 both the women’s volleyball team and women’s soccer team received recognition for their academic success. According to College Factual, the volleyball team was ranked 47 out of 318 schools for their combination of outstanding athletics and academics. As for the soccer team, the squad was ranked 27 out of 315 schools in the same College Factual survey. For each team, this recognition speaks to the hard work the athletes put in on the field and inside the classroom. With many student-athletes returning for the fall season, expect volleyball and soccer to repeat their successes on and off the field.

Upcoming This Week: Thursday, February 2nd -Women's Basketball vs. Quinnipiac, 5 p.m.

-Men's Basketball vs. Niagara, 8 p.m.

Saturday, February 4th -Women's Tennis vs. Lafayette, 2 p.m.

-Men's Tennis vs. Lafayette, 2 p.m.

Sunday, February 5th -Women's Basketball vs.

Saint Peter's, 2 p.m.

Monday, February 6th -Men's Basketball vs. Quinnipiac, 7 p.m.

On Monday, the softball team was selected third in the MAAC Preseason Coaches Poll. After finishing the 2016 campaign with a 12-8 conference record and a 27-23 overall record, Fairfield picked up 91 points in the preseason ledger, finishing behind Monmouth who garnered 107 points and Marist who collected 119 points. Senior catcher Tori Reed was the Stags’ only player selected to the Preseason All-MAAC team. Reed hit .320 last year with three home runs and 24 RBIs in 50 games played. Fairfield begins the season on Feb. 24 when they fly down to Charlotte, N.C. to take part in the Green and White Tournament hosted by UNC-Charlotte.

Photos Contributed by Sports Information Desk

In this week's issue...

- Carey's 20 Points Leads Stags Past Niagara 66-63 (Page 14)

- NBA All-Star Weekend to hit Streets of "Big Easy" (Page 15) - MLB Offseason Sparks the Spring (Page 15)

- Colleen Young Makes Waves as a Freshman (Page 15) - Stags Take Care of Manhattan 78-49 (Page 16)

Sports

Page 14

THE MIRROR | Week of February 1, 2017

Carey's 20 Points Lead Stags Past Niagara 66-63

Alfredo Torres/The Mirror Senior Kelsey Carey paced the Stags with 20 points and four rebounds on Sunday afternoon, tallying 17 of her points in the second half. The forward made nine out of 16 shots taken from the field in just 25 minutes of play.

By Chris Lazazzera Contributing Writer The women’s basketball game against Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference foe the Niagara Purple Eagles this past Sunday, Jan. 29 had a special meaning behind it. Sunday afternoon’s matchup was tabbed as the Alzheimer’s Awareness Game, with all donations going toward the nationwide “We Back Pat” initiative, in remembrance of the late legendary coach of the Tennessee Volunteers Pat Summitt.

For Stags head coach Joe Frager, the game was significant for him personally. “I know it [Alzheimer’s] affected my Dad in his 80s so it really was a special day for me. Hopefully we are working to get a cure for this because it really is an insidious disease that I would like to see go away in my lifetime.”

After hearing their head coach talk in the pregame about each team member playing for those people who have struggled with the disease, the Stags went out and bested Niagara 66-63 at George Bisacca Court in Alumni Hall.

While Kelsey Carey ’17 lead the charge with 20 points in the game, it was really Kristine Miller ’17 and Khadidiatou Diouf ’18 who carried the Stags in the first half. With Carey out minutes into the first quarter due to early foul trouble, Miller and Diouf contributed big baskets

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

for the Stags to keep them down by two as Fairfield trailed 31-29 going into halftime.

Fairfield dominated the paint not just in the first half but in the entire game, scoring 34 of their 66 points down low. Miller’s biggest play of the game came with four seconds left when she blocked a corner 3-point attempt to seal the victory for the Stags.

The senior finished the game with 10 points on 4-4 shooting while Diouf ended with six points on 3-5 shooting. Other key contributors for the Stags included seniors Samantha Cooper and Casey Smith who had 13 and nine points, respectively.

Although Frager did not agree that this contest itself was a big win for his team, he wanted to place focus on his squad’s MAAC record at the end of the season, especially with some competitive games coming up in the schedule.

“We are 7-5 right now in conference and we are right in the thick of things. Right now it is about positioning for the MAAC tournament,” said Frager of what the team needs to do in the coming days. “I think what we need to do better, is when we get a lead, we need to make better decisions and take care of the ball better.”

The Stags will look to carry the momentum garnered from Sunday’s win into their matchup with in-state rival and MAAC leading Quinnipiac Bobcats on Thursday, Feb. 2 at Webster Bank Arena in Bridgeport.

Your 2016-2017 4x5 Columnists:

Jesse Erickson, Alfredo Torres, Daniel Montgomery and Catherine Veschi

What was your favorite performace from the Student-Athlete Talent Show?

The Super Bowl is near, what are your plans?

Softball is chosen third in this year's MAAC Preseason Poll.

What are you reactions?

Should the Knicks trade Melo?

With the lacrosse season near, what do you expect from this year's squads?

If you were to ask my roommates

I am trying to be a man's girl and

They will surpass all expecatations.

weekend.

Not sure where I got the moves from, wish I never got them.

pain of not being able to eat Buff Chicken dip. Go Pats, though!

sweet talk, get your stories in on time. I've got enough lovers.

For sure. I haven't seen him give a solid performance in years. Not to mention, last time he played he forgot to dribble.

PSA: I have no idea who Melo is.

I am still not over the men's team losing in the quarterfinals two years ago. The pain and agony has scarred me and I hope they can help me with recovery when they win this year.

Round of applause to all, you guys really shaked your butts off

Wings, wings and more wings!

So much deserved regonition in my opinion, but it is our time to stand out and show who runs CT.

Honestly, I don't want Melo to leave New York it's like leaving your bed in the morning. Sucks that Melo has to suffer this yeah, but patience is the key.

I'm expecting a lot of big things, all my neighbors better kill it out there! Represent 15 Block!

Didn't go :( and I regret it a lot.

Watching the game with some pals, some stiiinky wings and some chips.

That they are going to win it all this year! To the NCAAs they go.

The Knicks should trade Phil Jackson.

I expect a ton. CAA and MAAC Championship banners on the horizon.

I would've loved to see student-

I use the Super Bowl as an excuse to pig out on Domino's with my friends and watch a bunch of funny commercials with some football on the side, so that's exactly what I'll be doing.

Honestly, I know very little about Fairfield sports teams but I know softball has done well in the past so I'm definitely rooting for them!

I know so little about sports that aren't tennis that you guys should be proud I know the Knicks are a basketball team.

Fairly certain lacrosse is one of our better sports as well so I'd say a MAAC Championship could be in the future for sure!

Jesse Erickson this quesstion, they would say that drinks lots of beers and eat wings Stag nation!!!

Editor-in-Chief their favorite performance was but my house is on a diet so I think (Italian EIC) my performance at Liffey's this we will just sleep through the LARARARAZA enough of your

Alfredo Torres Sports Editor

Daniel Montgomery Assistant Sports Editor

Catherine Veschi athletes prove once again just how Managing Editor much more talented they are than I am but sadly, I didn't go either.

THE MIRROR | Week of February 1, 2017

Sports

Page 15

MLB Offseason Sparks the Spring

By Pat Getz Contributing Writer

Creative Commons/Flickr

NBA All-Star Weekend to Hit Streets of "Big Easy"

By Ryan Marszalek Contributing Writer One of many NBA fans’ favorite parts of the season is the yearly All-Star Weekend in New Orleans. NBA All-Star Weekend consists of several challenges including the NBA All-Star Game, the Rising Stars Challenge and other events like the Three-Point Contest and Slam Dunk Contest.

With the All-Star Weekend just two weeks away, many of the scheduled events have yet to announce its participants. The Three-Point Contest has had only one player confirm he will participate so far, C.J. McCollum of the Portland Trailblazers who is currently shooting 41.5 percent from beyond the arc.

There have been rumors that Dallas’ Wesley Matthews will participate and Klay Thompson of the Golden State Warriors will defend his title, but nothing has been confirmed.

Last year’s winner of the Slam Dunk Contest, Zach LaVine, will not be defending his crown this year as he decided to pass off on the opportunity.

Aaron Gordon, who came in second last year, will be participating again this year with hopes to avenge his loss from his debut in Toronto. Glenn Robinson III of the Indiana Pacers will also be participating in the Slam Dunk Contest and there is buzz that the Clippers’ high flyer DeAndre Jordan may join the festivities.

This All-Star game is more controversial than usual, as the Oklahoma City Thunder’s Russell Westbrook, an MVP candidate, will not be starting in the game. Instead, the Warriors’ two-time league MVP Stephen Curry will start in his place, thanks in large part to fans’ votes.

Westbrook is having a statistically amazing season so far, as he is averaging a triple-double with 30.8 points per game, 10.6 rebounds per game and 10.2 assists per game.

Westbrook is doing something that only has been accomplished once by Hall of Famer Oscar Robertson back in 1961.

Westbrook has also been a hero for the Oklahoma City Thunder not only for his play but for his loyalty, as they lost their superstar Kevin Durant in free agency this past summer.

Durant left for the Warriors and now plays alongside point guard, Curry. The two will be starters, which will most likely fuel Westbrook’s fire in this game.

The other Western Conference starters include James Harden of the Houston Rockets, Kawhi Leonard of the San Antonio Spurs and Anthony Davis of the New Orleans Pelicans.

As for the Eastern Conference, this year’s starters include Kyrie Irving of the Cleveland Cavaliers, DeMar DeRozan of the Toronto Raptors, LeBron James of the Cleveland Cavaliers, Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Milwaukee Bucks and

Jimmy Butler of the Chicago Bulls. This starting five surrounds some controversy as well, as the Celtics’ Isaiah Thomas, who is second in scoring this year, is not starting in the All-Star Game.

The 5-foot-9-inch point guard has dazzled on offense this season just like Westbrook, as he has been a one-man show for the Celtics this year especially in the fourth quarter, as he leads the league in scoring in the final quarter of the game.

There are also many players in this AllStar game who will be playing for the first time, including Gordon Hayward of the Utah Jazz, Kemba Walker of the Charlotte Hornets, DeAndre Jordan of the Los Angeles Clippers and Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Milwaukee Bucks.

NBA All-Star Weekend kicks off on Friday, Feb. 17 with the Rising Stars Challenge between Team U.S.A. and the World Team. This game features a matchup of the league's best young stars as 10 first and second year NBA players from the U.S. against 10 first and second year players from around the world.

The All-Star Saturday Night extravaganza consisting of the Slam Dunk Contest, Three-Point Contest, and Skills Challenge will occur on Saturday, Feb.18. Followed by the All-Star Game on Sunday, Feb. 19 as Russell Westbrook will take his vengeance out on the NBA All-Star voting system, as he plays alongside conference rivals, the Golden State Warriors.

The MLB offseason is in full swing as baseball fans prepare for spring training. The offseason is a time where teams address weaknesses and learn from what happened last season. It is also a time where teams have to decide which players to keep and which players have to test free agency.

Every team possesses a different offseason approach when it comes to free agents. Some teams like to sign players with teamfriendly contracts. However, other teams love to take risks and sign players to enormous contracts. The Cleveland Indians are one team that are taking a risk, signing Edwin Encarnacion to a three-year, $65 million contract with an option for 2020. Coming off of a tough World Series loss, the Indians did not shy away from spending some money on the slugger. However, it will be tough for the 34-year-old to repeat what he did last year, belting 42 home runs with 127 runs batted in.

The New York fan bases are also happy this offseason with the Mets and Yankees bringing in key pieces to their respective teams. The Metropolitans re-signed Yoenis Cespedes on a fouryear, $110 million contract, which makes him the highest paid Mets’ free agent ever.

The Bronx Bombers brought back Aroldis Chapman surprisingly even after the Pinstripes dealt him to the Cubs at the trade deadline this past August. The flamethrower signed to a five-year, $86 million contract which makes him the number one paid relief pitcher in the MLB. The Mets and Yankees both retained their respective playmakers for the future, which makes both teams’ futures bright.

Additionally during the offseason, the new Hall of Fame class is revealed in January and later enshrined in July. The notable inductees are Tim Raines, receiving 86 percent of the votes, Ivan “Pudge” Rodriguez, receiving 76 percent of the votes and Jeff Bagwell, receiving 86.2 percent of the votes. It was his first year on the ballot for Ivan Rodriguez, seventh for Bagwell and tenth for Tim Raines.

One big surprise for this year’s ballot was Vladimir Guerrero not being selected to the Hall of Fame. He was 3.3 percent shy of joining Bagwell, “Pudge” and Raines, which is seen as a disappointment to many since he was such a dominant hitter while being a consistent defender. He posted a career .385 average while hitting 449 career home runs during his 16-year career. He also had eight seasons with 30-plus home runs and 10 seasons with 100-plus runs batted in. Amazingly, he hit over .300 for 13 out of the 16 years he played in the Major Leagues.

Despite these overwhelming statistics, Guerrero was denied the Hall of Fame this year and Rodriguez entered first ballot despite steroid allegations during his career. Even though Vlad did not get into the hall this year, he will for sure be inducted next year for the 2018 class. He will just have to wait for his second year on the ballot to achieve the majority or 75 percent needed to be enshrined.

Colleen Young '20 Making Waves in Rookie Campaign

By Amy McDonough Contributing Writer Upon entering their first year of college, many incoming freshmen experience similar feelings and emotions. During the first month, one might miss the comforts of home or old friends, or one may worry if they’ll ever find their way around campus, or hand in all of their assigned work on time. Within those first few weeks, a good number of college freshmen are preoccupied with new classes, meeting new people or picking what clubs to join — that is, unless you’re Colleen Young ‘20.

Last September, student-athlete Young was not among the rest of the Class of 2020 finding their place in the herd just yet — she was busy winning a bronze medal for the 100m breaststroke, as well as placing fourth in the 100m backstroke at the 2016 Paralympic Games in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil. For Young, “there’s probably no other feeling like it, it’s definitely in the top five best feelings ever,” and it’s easy to understand why.

Upon returning to America, Young came to Stag Nation and made Fairfield into her home by doing what felt familiar: swimming to success. Just last week, the swimmer from Saint Louis, Mo. broke the school record at Fairfield in the 200m breaststroke at a meet against Siena College, surpassing the record previously held by Lauren Kennedy ‘12 in 2009, with a time of 2:43:25. “It feels cool to be a part of such an amazing team,” Young said. “The support that the team has for each other really helps.” In that same meet, Young snagged first place in the 200m IM, also scoring her personal best with a time of 2:30:48, helping the Stags to a victory over Siena.

The victories for Young definitely did not end in Rio. For her, it was only the beginning.

Photo Contributed by Sports Information Desk Colleen Young has taken the MAAC by storm with her incredible individual performances in her first year.

Just this Wednesday, Jan. 25, Colleen was named Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Female Swimmer of the Week after her three outstanding meets last week. As a freshman, this “was a pretty cool honor.” Following her historic meet against Siena, she placed first in two events and second in one event as the Stags faced Iona College. Although Fairfield fell to crosstown rival Sacred Heart University, Young still came out on top, placing first in the 200m breaststroke and second in the 100m breaststroke.

With the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Championships around the corner, Young is feeling confident. “I think we’re going to do really great at MAACs, everyone’s been working hard and training hard and putting up some fast times,” the swimmer said. Young’s future at Fairfield is as promising as ever right now and the idea of breaking more records in the years to come is “definitely a possibility,” including records she has set herself. “I think it’s a possibility — we have a good coach and we have a strong, supportive team, we have fast commits coming in,” Young said of her team. The Fairfield family is excited to watch Young’s already successful swimming career reach new heights in the years to come.

SPORTS 16

@MirrorSports Fairfield Mirror Sports Week of February 1, 2017

fairfieldmirror.com

Sports Editor: Alfredo Torres » sports@fairfieldmirror.com

Stags Take Care of Manhattan 78-49

Alfredo Torres/The Mirror In the Stags win, Curtis Cobb '19 scored a game-high 22 points. Cobb dominates against Manhattan, as the second year swingman has totaled 68 points in his two contests against the Jaspers this year.

By Alfredo Torres Sports Editor The Stags picked up their second consecutive victory on Tuesday, Jan. 31 as they dominated the Manhattan Jaspers for a final score of 78-49. For the Stags, defense was the key to victory as they limited the Jaspers to just 25 percent shooting from the field.

Fairfield was led on offense by both Curtis Cobb ‘19 and Tyler Nelson ‘18 who combined for 42 of Fairfield’s 78 points.

“We’re much better when they’re clicking. The ball is going to find them and they’re taking quality shots, they need to share it when they draw two but when they’re wide open we certainly want them to let it fly,” said head coach Sydney Johnson following the win on the duo of Cobb and Nelson.

The Stags jumped out in front early as they played well on both sides of the court. Through five minutes of play, the Stags had themselves a 12-point advantage while limiting the Jaspers to just four points to start the game. “We said we need to pick up where we left off against Marist in the second half where I thought we were really locked in. The first four minutes tonight, I thought defensively, we were outstanding and we just build on that from four-minute stretch to four-minute stretch,” said Johnson on the emphasis on defense early in the game.

Last time the Stags competed against the Jaspers, Cobb had himself a night to remember as he finished with a school record

46-point performance. It seemed like déjà vu all over again as Cobb jumped out to a hot start on offense, scoring 16 of Fairfield’s first 21 points in the game, leading the Stags to a 21-10 lead.

Manhattan would battle back to cut the lead down to nine on two separate occasions but the duo of Nelson and Deniz Celen ‘20 carried the Stags to a halftime lead. In the final seven minutes of the first half, Nelson dropped 11 points shooting a perfect 4-4 from three-point territory while Celen added seven points off the bench. Fairfield went into the half with a comfortable 43-21 lead as Cobb lead all scorers with a total of 18 in the half.

The second half of basketball was all Fairfield as they continued to excel on both ends of the court. Through 10 minutes of play in the second half of the contest, the Stags built a 30-point lead. The Stags not only executed on offense, but most importantly on defense, limiting the Jaspers to 19.2 percent shooting for the rest of the game. Fairfield would build its largest lead of the game at 33 points on two separate occasions in the second half. The Jaspers’ struggle would continue as the Stags dominated the rest of the way, finishing the game by a final score of 78-49.

The Stags finished with a game high 19 assists compared to Manhattan’s lone four. When asked about the team’s ball movement, Johnson said, “I was just happy that the guys are

embracing sharing the ball. We have to do that to take really good shots.”

Although Cobb and Nelson enjoyed great performances, dropping 22 and 20 respectively, it was another Stag who really made their mark on the game. Celen finished the game with a near double-double, finishing with a total of nine points along with nine rebounds. “[I’m] really proud of him because I know how skilled he is offensively. But defensively [he had] nine rebounds, good ball screen defense, good post defense; just outstanding effort from him defensively,” said Johnson of Celen’s contributions.

When asked about the Stags current two-game winning streak, Cobb said, “it just means we’ve got to keep moving, we’ve got a couple of tough games coming up and just going into these tough games off a win is better than a loss, as we have the momentum going our way.”

With two games remaining in this homestand, the Stags looks to carry the momentum. When asked how to prepare for their upcoming game Cobb said, “the same way we’ve been preparing, focusing on defense, knowing the scouting, knowing other player’s tendencies and just do what we do on offense and don’t let the other team dictate what we do.”

The Stags will be back in action to defend home court as they host conference foe, the Niagara Purple Eagles on Thursday, Feb. 2 at Webster Bank Arena.

Alfredo Torres/The Mirror Freshman Deniz Celen (left) had a breakout performance in which he tallied nine points and nine rebounds. Junior Tyler Nelson (right) scored 20 points to go along with four assists in another stellar performance.