Rusted Root
Rugby
Should the Kentucky county clerk be incarcerated again?
The alternative rock band returns to their roots at the Fairfield Theatre Company.
Red Ruggers destroy the University of Albany 34-5.
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Kim Davis
Vine
Opinion
Sports
THE MIRROR Independent student newspaper
Week of September 16, 2015
Vol. 41 Iss. 3
@FairfieldMirror
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New majors introduced in the College of Arts and Sciences By Catherine Veschi News Editor
Catherine Veschi/The Mirror Construction on the Leslie C. Quick Jr., Recreation Complex continues this fall semester.
RecPlex renovations progressing through fall semester By Zachary Durso Contributing Writer
For any student that has taken a stroll up Loyola Drive or happened to hear the clamor of construction equipment from the Barone Campus Center, it is easily apparent that something is happening. That something is the renovation of the Leslie C. Quick Jr., Recreation Complex. The RecPlex has recently been subject to a major facelift with construction beginning at the end of the 2015 spring semester, and slated to be completed by August 2016. The 14-month project is a ground up renovation that will add 10,000 square feet to the RecPlex’s previous size, totaling to become a 61,000-square-foot facility. The renovated RecPlex will boast almost double the amount of workout equipment; there will
now be 20-25 treadmills, a substantial increase from the previous 11. Along with this we will see the addition of an indoor track and hotspots to improve Wi-Fi. There will also be an upgraded air ventilation system that will increase airflow and cooling, making for a more suitable environment that keeps students comfortable, while protecting the integrity of the machines from rust. Additionally, the electrical will be updated to accommodate the greater quantity of workout equipment and also provide convenient outlets for students. With all of these new changes, one would expect attendance to skyrocket next year. However, it appears that patrons of the RecPlex will be primarily underclassmen. When asked who uses the RecPlex, Katie Goodfellow ‘18 jokingly responded, “Mostly first years trying
to keep off the freshman 15; yeah its real, don’t let it creep up on you.” This would seem to be true, according to Director of the RecPlex Philip Palumbo, who notes that nearly 100 percent of the freshman class, along with over 90 percent of the sophomore class, use this facility. A recent survey of 30 random students revealed that most — 57 percent — were unsure how they felt about the construction. An additional 30 percent of students reported they were upset with the construction, while only 13 percent said they were excited. Freshman Rob Bertino replied when asked about the construction, “I am happy that it [the RecPlex] is being renovated, and I’m excited for it to be completed next year.” READ
RECPLEX ON PAGE 2
In order to better adapt with the ever-changing world of media and technology, the Fairfield administration has made some adjustments to its course offerings as a means of providing students with additional opportunities to study today’s digital culture. The College of Arts and Science is now home to two new majors, one being digital journalism, which lies in the English Department, and the other public relations, which falls in the Department of Communication. For Dr. David Gudelunas, associate dean of the College of Arts and Sciences and associate professor of communication, the development of these two new majors is important because “the world of media and communication is changing very quickly.” “We know that in order for our students to be prepared when they leave Fairfield, we need to be constantly innovative with our curriculum,” he continued. The new digital journalism and public relations majors will offer students a variety of courses to take, internship opportunities and research experiences. In the digital journalism major, students will take classes such as news writing, digital journalism and big data storytelling, while those who take the public relations major can expect classes such as mass media and society, persuasion and argument and advocacy. Assistant Professor of English Tommy Xie commented on one of the digital journalism major’s newest course additions, big data storytelling, and its significance to the profession: “With the unprecedented amount of data available to the public nowadays, an ocean of stories are buried there. Without journalists who
have the skills to dig them out, those important stories would be buried forever.” Having varied skill sets appears to be a common theme in both new majors, and is an attraction to students both new and near graduation. Senior Amanda Healey commented on the new digital journalism major’s interdisciplinary components: “I think it’s a very interesting decision and it shows how Fairfield is really trying to keep up with today’s demand of new media in the digital age as well as intersect with film and communications.” According to Gudelunas, “Both of these new majors complement our already strong existing majors in film, television and media arts, as well as communication, that are extremely popular with students.” He expects students to gravitate towards these new majors, as they give students the opportunity to explore media and technology, as well as their impact on our world today. Gudelunas added that both majors were created as a response to the strong student demand for a major geared more specifically to their desired field of study. Had Healey had the opportunity to explore the major as a freshman, she said she would have considered it. Healey came to Fairfield as a film major, then changed to undeclared before settling as a communications major with a minor in journalism. Therefore, had the major been developed earlier, Healey said that she would have given thought to declaring it given that it incorporates all the departments she is interested in. Those students interested in pursuing a major in either digital journalism or public relations can visit the major of their choice’s website, or contact David Gudelunas for more information.
Emotional support dog unleashed at Fairfield By Britta Gunneson Assistant News Editor School of Nursing students have been greeted by a new, furry face this semester. Assistant Professor of Nursing Carole Pomarico, who is also the Adult Program Director for the School of Nursing, has welcomed an emotional support dog to the program named Dakota. “I was reading online that there are many schools that bring in comfort dogs for the students, but they only bring them in for events. So I decided, ‘I’m going to try Dakota,’” said Pomarico. Dakota quickly proved herself to be a great candidate for the job. According to the News@Fair-
field, Pomarico first brought Dakota in to the School of Nursing in July to see how she would react to spending time with students. After bringing Dakota to a nursing class that was held in July, Pomarico noticed that Dakota responded like a “seasoned veteran,” walking up and down the aisles of students to “greet” them. Pomarico said, “Her personality is so calm and sweet. She’s very smart. She was a perfect lady. She went to class, doesn’t jump, doesn’t bark. She’s just very calm.” The process of introducing Dakota to campus was relatively simple. “I registered her as an emotional support dog through the registry, and I got her certified, which took no
training. She’s going to dog therapy school, which does take training, but that’s next,” Pomarico said. Pomarico continued, “I asked permission from [Dean Meredith Kazer of the School of Nursing] and she said yes. I told Public Safety, and they had no problem with it; and I checked with Sue Birge, director of Counseling, and they have no trouble with it.” Students and staff have quickly responded to Dakota’s entrance to the program, often stopping by Dakota’s “office” (a dog bed underneath Pomarico’s desk) to spend time relaxing with her. READ
DAKOTA ON PAGE 2
Britta Gunneson/The Mirror
The new support dog, Dakota, snuggles up to Caroline Neubauer ‘18.
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THE MIRROR | Week of September 16, 2015
News
Britta Gunneson/The Mirror
57% Unsure
30% Upset
13% Excited
Students Ally Phaneuf ‘19 and James Zisa ‘19 interacted with Dakota.
Dakota makes her debut CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1
RecPlex remodeling receives mixed results from students CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1
Other freshmen, like Nikki Seiler, expressed their regret of not having a workout facility currently, but said that “As a new student, I am thankful for what is available on campus.” There are mixed feelings on campus among underclassmen as to their feelings about the construction. Most sophomores and juniors stated they will simply be using off-campus facilities next year as it will be easier, less crowded by underclassmen and more convenient for those in the Class of 2017 living off campus. Therefore they won’t be around to make use of the newly renovated facility for their junior and senior years. Despite those students reporting dissatisfaction with the construction, the University has made a concerted effort to keep students active through such measures as relocating a large sum of equipment from the RecPlex to the basement level of Alumni Hall for students to utilize, as well as Fairfield Fit, which offers free supplement classes such as CrossFit and Pilates to students, faculty and staff. Accordingly, the StagBus now makes hourly stops at the local fitness center, The Edge Fitness Club, whose business seems to have increased due to the construction here on campus. Manager of The Edge Tiffany Lugo notes they hold more than 100 student members from Fairfield. The fitness center’s table at the Activities Fair last Friday saw an additional 25 students sign up in just a few hours. When asked if she notices a specific time that Fairfield students seem to go to The Edge, Lugo replied, “Yes, at about 3 p.m. on [Sept. 8], 41 members signed in, about 20 of whom were Fairfield students.” She also stated when asked if the facility was busier than in the past, “I’m not sure as we have a mostly new managerial staff, but from what I have heard it is apparently much busier than before.” The construction is currently on schedule to be completed by August 2016, which means that students can look forward to utilizing the newly renovated RecPlex as early as the fall of next year.
“Student responses have been perfect. When students come and see Dakota, or she walks down the hall, everyone smiles. You can’t help but smile. She just goes and greets you, sits down, gives you doggy kisses, accepts hugs and is just great,” says Pomarico about the students’ interactions with Dakota. Students agree that seeing Dakota’s friendly face around campus makes the day better. “Just seeing the dog while I am going to class or coming home from work — it is a piece of home and comfort I get to see everyday,” said Olivia Stuart ‘18 to WTNH News 8. Sophomore Jaclyn DiYeso feels that the nursing program can be overwhelming, and believes the addition of Dakota can be a positive addition to Fairfield. “I think many of the students, including myself, put a lot of pressure on ourselves to meet the expectations of the program. The addition of the emotional support dog, in my opinion, is a very great way to build a community of
support — to give myself and my fellow classmates a way to relieve our stress and take our minds off of our school work for a minute,” said DiYeso. Dakota currently has “office hours” in the School of Nursing every Tuesday and Thursday, but as the semester goes on, Pomarico hopes to be able to include her more regularly to campus after she completes her training at dog therapy school. Once that training is complete, Dakota will be able to attend Fairfield University health fairs and other events on campus to spend time with other Fairfield students, according to News@ Fairfield. Pomarico feels optimistic about Dakota’s work at Fairfield, and is hopeful for the impact she’s providing for students. “We’ve gone for walks on campus, and students who are not nursing students stop and greet her, and she greets them. Everybody wears a smile after they meet Dakota. So far, it’s been a positive experience, and we hope that it continues.”
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THE MIRROR | Week of September 16, 2015
News
News: In the United States Compiled by Austin Wesolowski Information contributed by the Department of Public Safety. Friday, 9/11 12:13 a.m. – DPS responded to a fire alarm in Regis Hall when they determined the residents were drinking in the room. The use of a vaporizer in the room was what caused the fire alarm to go off. Eleven students were in the room and were all referred to the dean’s office. 10:06 a.m. – Someone damaged a lamp post and ripped off a University banner outside the Regina A. Quick Center for the Arts. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact DPS. 10:08 p.m. – Individuals were found on the Stag statue, taking pictures and climbing all over it. Upon approach one of the individuals ran from DPS. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact DPS. DPS would also like to remind people that the Stag statue is starting to crack in spots and is sinking due to all the activity on it, and to not venture onto the statue. Saturday, 9/12 3:09 a.m. – An individual was found walking by Loyola Hall who had previously in the night been issued a criminal trespass warning. The individual was found by DPS and was arrested by Fairfield Police for trespassing. 1:33 p.m. – A student broke a window in his townhouse on 4 block “accidentally.” Sunday, 9/13 12:46 a.m. – DPS found an unconscious individual with no form of identification on him passed out in the traffic circle; he was transported to the hospital. He lied to DPS and said he was a different person than who he was. The matter is under investigation by DPS. Monday, 9/14 11:02 a.m. – A student was struck by a car when walking across Leeber Road. The driver was stopped at a stop sign then proceeded to move, ultimately hitting the individual. The driver of the vehicle drove the individual that was injured to the Student Health Center. The matter is under further investigation by DPS. Tuesday, 9/15 12:16 a.m. – A group of individuals were found walking into the woods right behind the Regis Hall parking lot. One of the individuals admitted to DPS that he was smoking marijuana in the woods. All of the individuals were referred to student conduct.
CAU TTIO N O I N U CA
By Catherine Veschi News Editor
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1. Los Angeles, Calif. – An armed carjacking suspect was shot and killed by deputies who raided a crowded barbecue restaurant where the man had taken hostages after a high-speed chase across Los Angeles. The suspect could be seen apparently firing shots into the air with a handgun after he fled his vehicle and ran towards the restaurant.
5. Greenwood, Minn. – Five members of a Minnesota family have died in an apparent murder-suicide. Police discovered the bodies Thursday in their mansion near Lake Minnetonka after going to the home on a welfare check. The victims have been identified as Brian Short, his wife Karen and their three children, two girls and a boy.
2. New York City – There will be a medicinal marijuana dispensary right off New York City’s Union Square by January 2016. It will be run by Columbia Care, a New York City-based company that was awarded one of the state’s five licenses to open a medicinal marijuana shop.
6. Washington, D.C. – A security guard at Washington’s Union Station on Friday shot a man who had allegedly stabbed a woman in an isolated incident. Both the man and the woman are being treated at area hospitals for injuries that are not life-threatening.
3. Phoenix, Ariz. – A bullet pierced the side of a tractor-trailer on a Phoenix freeway Thursday, and police said they were treating it as the 11th attack in a string of shootings over the past two weeks that have terrorized drivers.
7. Seattle, Wash. – Seattle public schools were closed for a third day on Friday due to a teachers’ strike that has idled 53,000 students. The teachers’ main grievance is that their salaries have not kept pace with rising living costs, particularly for housing.
4. North Carolina – A North Carolina police officer on his way home from work extended a hand of compassion to a man hanging over a highway bridge Wednesday evening. After talking the man off the bridge and helping him to safety, Raleigh Senior Officer D.V. Hicks pulled him in for a long hug.
8. North Texas – A man and his teenage daughter were jailed after robbing a bank, and then leading officers on a chase through North Texas with speeds that reached as high as 150 mph. After a brief struggle, the man and his daughter were taken into custody. A semi-automatic handgun was recovered from their vehicle.
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Patrick Kiernan, Editor-in-Chief Meaghan Conlon, Executive Editor Angela Sammarone, Managing Editor Editors Catherine Veschi, News Britta Gunneson, Assistant News Ariana Puzzo, Opinion Andrew DaRosa, Vine Juliana Sansonetti, Assistant Vine Allison White, Coffee Break Alfredo Torres, Sports Nicole Funaro, Chief Copy Editor Gabriela Piatek, Assistant Copy Editor Meaghan Kirby, Staff Writer Online Michael Genovese, Web Master Business Department Email: advertising@fairfieldmirror.com Christopher Lapone, Director of Finance Albert Rosica, Director of Advertising Matthew Lazicky, 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
News: Around the World By Britta Gunneson Assistant News Editor
Mecca, Saudi Arabia – A crane collapsed on a mosque in Islam’s holy city on Friday, Sept. 11. An estimated 238 people were injured and 107 have been pronounced dead. According to Saudi Arabia’s civil defense authority, the accident was caused by unusually high winds. Later this month, millions of Muslims will converge on the city for the annual hajj pilgrimage. The city is working on improving safety measures. Al Wahat Al Bahreya, Egypt – At least a dozen Mexican tourists and their guides have been killed following an “accidental attack” on their convoy on Sunday. The group accidentally engaged with police and armed forces in pursuit of terrorist elements. Egypt is currently battling an insurgency still running since the “Arab Spring” of 2013, and has severely hurt their tourist-driven economy.
Canberra, Australia - Australia is getting a new prime minister after a late night party leadership ballot. The former prime minister, Tony Abbott, will be replaced by the current leader of the center-right Liberal Party Malcolm Turnbull. Turnbull will be the fourth prime minister since 2013. Guantanamo Bay, Cuba – The US government is being accused of skirting the Geneva Conventions following the denial of release of a Yemeni detainee, according to a legal brief from the Center for Constitutional Rights. Tariq Ba Odah has been held at the detention camp since 2002, and was cleared for release in 2009 pending Yemen becoming a peaceful country. Ba Odah has held himself on a peaceful hunger strike while waiting, and is starving to death, causing the request for release.
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THE MIRROR | Week of September 16, 2015
News
Freshmen embark on Escape Retreat this weekend By Meaghan Kirby Staff Writer This weekend, 55 freshman will have the opportunity to experience their first escape from campus since move-in day at the fourth-annual First Year Escape Retreat. “[It] is an opportunity for first years to get off campus for an overnight experience wherein they will get to know other first-years while reflecting on their first few weeks of college,” said Escape Retreat Student Director Marc Lee ’17. The roughly 24-hour retreat offers a quick break from campus life at Camp Jewell in Colebrook, Conn., in addition to offering FYE Thrive credit. Activities such as archery, a climbing wall, arts and crafts, various sports and a beachfront are offered at the campground. Attendees also have the opportunity to speak with upperclassmen on their own time of their experiences at Fairfield. “They also hear a talk from an upperclassmen about the college experience and have an opportunity to reflect on that talk with others,” said Lee. Lee, who attended the retreat two years ago, remembers his experience fondly. “I met several of my closest friends on it, and I am still close with them today.” As freshmen look to settle into their lives at Fairfield, Lee recommends
the retreat to anyone who is looking to meet people or wants a small break from campus. For Rachel Carlowicz ‘18, the Escape Retreat provided an opportunity to see beyond the confines of campus. “I didn’t realize how much of a bubble Fairfield is or how much of a break from the chaos I needed until the bus was pulling away from campus. [Afterwards], I felt more comfortable on campus. I genuinely felt happier and more calm after going on the retreat.” After speaking with a retreat leader, Emma Rybacki ‘19 said she decided to go on the retreat in order to get to know her classmates in a non-academic setting. Rybacki expressed her hopes for the retreat in this way: “I hope that with this retreat I can broaden my friend circle and get to know more than just a handful of first years who share classes with me.” Reverend Mark Scalese S.J., director of campus ministry, sees the retreat as an alternative to the pressures of alcohol culture on campus. “I think that it’s an opportunity for students to meet other students who might be feeling the similar pressure and might be similarly not necessarily ready to dive into that.” Sophomore Joseph Imbriani, Escape Retreat small group leader and alum of the retreat, felt similarly. “The first few weeks at school can almost feel intimidating and this is a great way to literally escape,” he said.
Camp Jewell in Colebrook, Conn. will house freshmen from Sept. 18-19 for the Escape Retreat.
According to Scalese, the goal of the retreat is for freshmen to meet people, other than those they live with or see every day. Imbriani echoes the sentiment, saying, “While there, I met a lot of new people and some of those people are still my good friends today. I would definitely recommend it to first-years.” “The Escape Retreat is a one-time opportunity that has seen the start of many strong and lasting relationships among many of its participants which makes it well worth the time spent to be there,” says Lee.
Students learn to “Dress 4 Success” By Katherine Grosso Contributing Writer For the second year in a row, on Tuesday, Sept. 22, Fairfield University is partnering with the LOFT of downtown Fairfield to co-sponsor an event called Dress for Success. About 40-45 female students attended the event last year in promise of a greater understanding of corporate dress code. This year, members of the Career Planning Center have prepared presentations and live demonstrations of appropriate business casual and business professional dress. The event will feature model outfits that can be purchased afterwards in the LOFT at a discounted rate. Their hope is that students will be able to take the skills they learn to internships and future business opportunities. From 7-9 p.m., the LOFT is clos-
ing its doors specifically for Fairfield students and offering a 20 percent discount on top of any store promotions for all who attend. After the presentations and demonstrations, students are welcome to shop with the help of the Career Planning Center’s insight. One of the program coordinators and Associate Director of the CPC,Stephanie Gallo expressed the changing nature of corporate America and trend of casual dress to hedge out professional dress in certain settings. Thus, the goal for the evening was for “students [to] leave with an understanding of what is an appropriate business casual and business professional outfit, and not only what it looks like, but when it is appropriate to wear them.” “First impressions are always so important,” said Jennie Chieco ‘17. “And the discount really helps. As college students it can be hard to afford the
clothing we need to dress for the job we want.” The discount is not all that students are excited about. Junior Mary Osgood would attend solely for the “quality interview clothes and helpful prep.” Because the LOFT is a women’s clothing boutique, this event is currently limited toward women. The Career Planning Center recognizes that both genders would benefit from better business dress education and it is for that reason that they plan to partner with more stores in the future. Among these potential stores includes the LOFT neighbor, Jos. A Bank. They hope to reach an even broader audience and incentivize both men and women to learn more about the ways they can dress for success in the years to come. Professional clothing style tips for students is a StagBus ride away.
Contribute to The Mirror. Add a line to your résumé. Apply your writing skills. Get published. Mondays at 7 p.m. Brainstorm, pitch stories and talk to editors. Thursdays at 7 p.m. Critiques from the EIC and Mirror adviser Dr. Xie.
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THE MIRROR | Week of September 16, 2015
Opinion
Opinion
Editor
Freestockphotos.biz/Creative Commons
Competition between women needs to end By Ariana Puzzo Opinion Editor In a culture where a great number of women strive to attain the same respect afforded to men, it is unfortunate that some of those same women fail to recognize that their interactions with other women often fall short of the respect they are seeking. We, as women, cannot expect to receive the respect that we believe we deserve if we are unwilling to model the same values that we think others should uphold. Rather than laugh at the mocking comments that women make to one another, we, as a society, must evaluate the severe impact that hurtful language can have on not only one person, but on the pursuit for gender equality. The 2015 Video Music Awards, held on Aug. 30, is the most recent public example of
women showing little respect for other women. At the VMAs, Nicki Minaj called out Miley Cyrus at the end of her [Minaj’s] acceptance speech for Best Hip-Hop Video, creating an Internet and media frenzy. Minaj’s closing words, “And now… back to this bitch who had a lot to say about me the other day in the press. Miley, what’s good?” was in response to an interview that Cyrus had with The New York Times earlier that week regarding Minaj’s recent Twitter argument with Taylor Swift. Cyrus stated, “If you do things with an open heart and you come at things with love, you would be heard and I would respect your statement.” She went on to say, “What I read sounded very Nicki Minaj, which, if you know Nicki Minaj is not too kind. It’s not very polite.” While Cyrus may have arguably taken her
Wikimedia.org/Creative Commons Nicki Minaj at the BET Awards in 2013.
Editorial Board Tech-not-logy Patrick Kiernan Editor-in-Chief Meaghan Conlon Executive Editor Angela Sammarone Managing Editor
Already halfway through September, the semester is finally beginning to settle in to what we imagine will be a beautiful fall, given the mid-70s temperature and first few leaves on the pathways. There have been exciting events on campus already, and more on their way, giving Fairfield students of all ages an opportunity to make unforgettable memories. Yet, the probable complaint that is sure to come out of planning to go to these events is that one friend who experienced major FOMO because he or she was forgotten in the mass group text, and later saw their friends having a blast on Instagram. We’ve heard this objection before — that technology makes for bad friendships — and it may not be entirely
comments a bit too far, referring to Minaj as unkind and impolite, I consider Minaj’s response to be entirely unjustified. At the heart of the matter was Minaj’s earlier Twitter rant in which she tweeted, “If I was a different ‘kind’ of artist, ‘Anaconda’ would be nominated for Best Choreo and Vid of the Year as well.” She then went on to say, “If your video celebrates women with very slim bodies, you will be nominated for Vid of the Year.” Many, including Swift herself, felt that Minaj was disgruntled that Swift was nominated for an award that she felt she deserved and went about expressing her disappointment poorly, in the way that people of our generation have the propensity of doing – by indirectly blasting Swift on social media. If Minaj felt so strongly about the matter, she should have addressed her feelings with Swift privately. Swift’s response, “I’ve done nothing but love & support you. It’s unlike you to pit women against each other. Maybe one of the men took your slot,” prompted Minaj to reply, “Huh? U must not be reading my tweets. Didn’t say a word about u. I love u just as much. But u should speak on this.” The entire exchange could have been handled much better if addressed in a friendlier, more appropriate manner. Social media is never the place to solve conflicts and Swift’s upset by Minaj’s tweets is justifiable. More so, I was disturbed by Minaj’s entitlement. Her claim that her tweet had nothing to do with Swift is suspect, given that the only other woman nominated for that particular award was Beyoncé. However, I was most appalled by the amused reactions that people were expressing both in the audience and over the Internet. Rather than use Minaj’s words, “What’s good Miley?” as a punch line, we should be addressing the larger issues: Why, after all this time, do people find it so humorous when women fight? That question also leads to why, as a whole, do we dismiss the greater impact that our words have on the pursuit for gender equality? Although Minaj tried to deny that the dig was directed at Swift, the move seemed calculated and I am not surprised that Swift felt upset by the tweets and reacted as she did, especially considering the hard work that she put into her music video, “Bad Blood.” I am in full agreement with Swift’s initial response. Rather than create a further divide between women, especially those in such a malicious industry where divides are perpetuated by the media, women should be encouraging each other’s achievements.
untrue. People are blinded — literally — by their smartphone screens at family dinners in Barone; this is makes not only for a quiet and awkward dinner, but also one that breeds poor dining etiquette. This fear of missing out is driving our generation to reach for our phones to quickly scroll through our Twitter feeds, but not reminding us that there is a living human five feet away from our faces that deserves our attention. But to blame our poor social habits on technology’s omnipresence is too easy, and frankly, too unfair. Technology is an aid, a convenient tool, that makes some situations that were previously near impossible, a staple of our everyday lives. Text messaging is what allows us to keep close with friends and family back home on days
There have been times when I have felt like I should receive an accolade for something that I worked hard for, but someone else received it. Undoubtedly, all of us have felt that way at one point or another. However, the reality is that placing blame on one person who likely worked just as hard is a discredit to their hard work and our own characters. There must be a line drawn between outright disrespect toward other women and the act of defending oneself. In my Anthropology of Gender class with Professor Wessler here at Fairfield, we discuss the fact that society naturally pits women against one another for the sake of entertainment. We discussed the idea with the knowledge that “woman vs. woman” is not a new or groundbreaking phenomenon. Women have an extensive history that involves competition and the need to be better, stemming from men classifying some women as better, or more “desirable” than others. Meanwhile, women have been so ingrained by that mindset that many will stop at nothing to prove themselves more worthy. What I find troubling, however, is that I am not entirely certain that Minaj wanted to be better than Swift, as much as she made the hateful comments purely for the sake of publicity. I have no doubt that Minaj confronted Cyrus with the knowledge that her words would provoke the exact response they did. Should Cyrus have referred to Minaj as “unkind and impolite?” Honestly, Cyrus’ disapproval would have been made without those words. However, Cyrus’ initial criticism was valid. Tina Fey has a line in the film “Mean Girls” where she states to the high school girls that calling each other derogatory names only makes it acceptable for men to do the same. Minaj’s reference to “other girls” when lamenting her exclusion from the Video of the Year nomination list serves to perpetuate gender inequality, and undermines the efforts of all of those, men and women alike, who continue to strive to achieve gender equality. I am not sure why the public is so amused by conflict between women, especially women in the entertainment industry. However, I do think that a lot of the issue boils down to the fact that many people consider women’s issues to be a joke. Therefore, seeing them fight with each other in an overly sensationalized manner is just confirmation that their issues are not validated. I hope that eventually the VMAs, and other similar award shows, will focus on the talent that the artists exude rather than the drama that they create for attention.
where a packed class schedule doesn’t allow for a lengthy phone call. A simple “Thinking of you” or “Wanted to say hello” text, accompanied by an emoji of course, is the kind of gesture that says to people that you’ve been thinking about them, not that you’re too lazy to call. It’s because of Skype that Pat and Angela were able to reach out to Meaghan in Ireland last semester to write the editorials you see here, as well as why, for the people on campus missing their roommates abroad, they’re able to catch up during that one slot of time that isn’t an inconvenient time difference. It’s an unfair blame game when we start to use excuses like, “I already saw you were doing something on Snapchat,” as the reason why you didn’t invite a friend out to the movies. The re-
sponsibility will ultimately always lie on you to create and maintain the friendships you believe are worth having. Cosmopolitan, who featured this topic in their September issue, said it best when they defended technology once and for all: “It's about finding creative ways to be a better friend than you could have been before you carried a computer around in your pocket.” We’re aware that an app is not the same as spending quality time with the people you love. But why not exploit the hundreds of thousands of apps created to strengthen your friendships instead of letting your friendships fall to the wayside? There are so many new ways we can interact with our best friends with the technology at our fingertips, so let’s make it happen.
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THE MIRROR | Week of September 16, 2015
Opinion
Stag-gering Opinions How do you feel about an arbitrator overturning Tom Brady’s suspension for allegedly deflating footballs?
“Well, I’m a Pats fan, so I think it’s awesome. They really didn’t have any evidence against him.”
Bobby McNiff ‘19
“I am a huge Patriots fan — I live and breathe Tom Brady. I don’t respect and think it’s OK that the balls
Caroline Metcalf-Vera ‘18
“I’m not very happy about it — I’m a Dolphins fan. So, I think it’s just a little unfair for the rest of the league that nothing
Andrew Burke ‘18 To see the rest of Caroline and Andrew's responses, and to read Chloe Lazar's ‘19
Denying marriage is not a choice By Renee Nouri Contributing Writer Kim Davis, a Kentucky county clerk, was jailed on Sept. 3 for refusing to give marriage licenses to same-sex couples. However, she was released after five days. Today, same-sex marriages does not have the same stigma that it once did. We have television shows that promote positive reinforcement of anybody’s sexuality to ease the process of coming out. Although Davis is completely out of line by abusing her government power in order to deny any couple of a marriage license, she should not be incarcerated again. Davis had a sworn-in duty to serve the community with marriage licenses and her opinion on same-sex marriage got in the way of her doing so. What I find offensive and appalling is that she had the support of her town when she carried out the clear wrongdoing. After being released, Davis appeared to her cheering supporters outside of the Carter County Detention Center, where she was held. The fact that she walked on stage to a roaring applause followed by the song, “Eye of the Tiger,” is outrageous. Davis threw up her hands in triumph at the encouragement of her lawyer Matthew D. Staver.
The crowd is clearly protected under the First Amendment for freedom of speech, but the community is idolizing Davis, and in turn, making samesex couples targets. Additionally, by accepting Davis’s actions, the community is creating a clear separation between those who are heterosexual and those who are not. I do not support or believe in anything that Davis is doing, but incarcerating her once again is an excessive punishment. There are other rational actions to take. I believe that she should no longer hold a government po-
Pixabay.com/Creative Commons
sition. She clearly cannot serve her community and the people of her town objectively. As a government worker, she should proudly represent her county in only positive ways. Her job, first and foremost, is to improve the quality of life within her town, but by staying inside her assigned government
duty. It was not like Davis denied her actions or showed remorse. According to USA Today, when Judge David L. Bunning ruled last month that she was forced by law to issue the licenses, she still did not sign off on it. It was when she remained resistant that they held her in contempt until she was sent to jail. Davis is drawing attention to her county in Kentucky by making it a symbol of denying same-sex marriage. Davis has consciously started a battle in the courtroom for the right of marriage licenses that were voided. In addition, there have been rallies scheduled on her behalf — she has completely caused an uproar. Davis is not only causing a vast separation between the gay community and the police and government, but is poorly representing her county and soiling Kentucky’s reputation. On Sept. 14, Davis returned to work and turned to the public to say that she will no longer be interfering with marriage licenses. Even though she is retiring her power, she still continues to state that without her authorization, she does not trust the validity of future marriage licenses. Davis should no longer be involved in government work if she continues to have her judgement get in the way of her job.
iDon't choose to have another Apple product By Pamela Kask Contributing Writer Looking at my desk while I write this, I see a variety of technological items, including my laptop, iPhone and iPod. My friends’ desks are quite similar, give or take a Kindle, iPad or tablet. As if dorm desks aren’t crowded enough already, we had better get ready to add something else to the pile. Apple unveiled its new products on Sept. 9 and people will soon be flocking to pre-order the new treasures. However, there was one item in particular, the iPad Pro, that I feel is an unnecessary and irrelevant addition to the Apple family. Referred until its official release in November as the iPad Pro, my first thought upon seeing the new product on CNN was “Why on earth do we need another iPad?” I personally do not own an iPad of any size, and I am in no hurry to get one. I never understood the point of what to me is just a larger version of my iPod and a smaller, less useful version of my computer. The new iPad Pro is a perfect example of this. It will have a 12.9 inch screen and a 2732 x 2048 pixel display — only slightly smaller than my ASUS Ultrabook laptop screen. I do realize that some people prefer iPads or other tablets for just that reason because they are smaller than a computer,
but still have a screen large enough to get work done efficiently. However, I believe that when you weigh the pros and cons of iPads and laptops, the laptop will come out on top. Apple reasons that the iPad Pro will be the middle ground between a regular iPad and a Mac, targeting customers who want a large screen without actually having a laptop. However, I feel that it is just a waste of money. The new iPad will cost anywhere from $499-$829. That price, however, does not include accessories, such as a keyboard attachment or iPencil. My current laptop cost somewhere between $650-$700. For both products, the price will vary based on how much storage space you need. Given that the new iPad Pro screen is already close to the size of most small laptops, I believe a laptop would be a better investment than the new iPad Pro. A laptop computer can run more programs than an iPad and is compatible with more things, such a Microsoft Office, can play and burn DVDs, CDs and run softwares, and still be small and easily portable. I also find computers more comfortable to use. If I need a big screen, I want my anti-glare laptop screen with my trusty keyboard, not a reflective touch screen or even one of those special attached keyboards that many people have with their iPads. According to Business Insider, iPad
The Mirror welcomes the opinions and contributions of its readers: Letters to the editor must be timely and submitted by email to info@fairfieldmirror.com or Box AA. All letters to the editor that are appropriate will be published either in print or online. The Mirror reserves the right to edit letters and articles for content, length and grammatical error. Letters should be free of obscenities and personal attacks and should contain correct and factual information not exceeding 500 words.
sales have fallen 23 percent year-over-year for the past few years, and Apple may hope that this new iPad Pro will revert that statistic. While I don’t believe that the new iPad Pro will serve any real purpose, I will readily admit that Apple is probably right. Whether the iPad Pro is serving a useful purpose or not, it is painfully obvious that people will buy almost any new device simply because it is new. They rely so heavily on their current devices and accept that they are making their lives so much easier that they reason
the new ones will make their lives even less complicated. Apple products tend to lose their attraction because there is always another version around the corner. The iPad Pro is unnecessary and will not make up for the excessive cost with its usefulness. If someone spends just as much, or a little more, on a computer, one can get something more practical and with a greater purpose rather than just another version of the same product.
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arts, entertainment, features Editor Andrew DaRosa vine@fairfieldmirror.com
Rusted Root kick off Warehouse opening
THE MIRROR | Week of September 16, 2015
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'Send Me On My Way': A conversation with Michael Glabicki By Andrew DaRosa Vine Editor Fairfield Theatre Company’s newest venue The Warehouse will kick off its fall season with a sold-out performance of the Rusted Roots on Thursday, Sept. 17. Known for their mega-hits including “Send Me On My Way” and “Ecstasy,” this acoustic rock group from Pittsburgh has been going strong for the past 30 years and shows no indication of slowing down. Since 1988, Rusted Root has been responsible for establishing some of the deepest grooves of the ‘90s. To catch a full glimpse of their organic complexity, one simply needs to spin their 1994 debut “When I Awoke,” which blends African beats with a Latin American fusion that isn’t afraid to explore the realms of Indian spiritual themes. A personal favorite of mine is the song “Back on Earth,” which evolves from the spiritual essence of the sitar playing from the previous track “Infinite Tambora.” While their work during the ‘90s is what has established Rusted Root as a household name, their albums in the 2000s essentially capture the history of their almost 30-year-old band, especially 2012’s “The Movement,” which describes the band’s new work ethic and a shift to a new spiritual age of music. Coming off a hugely successful tour with The Wailers (Bob Marley’s backing band) and the Adam Ezra Group, Rusted Root continues to push sonic boundaries with an extended fall tour as well as a new album in the works slated for 2016. Michael Glabicki, lead vocalist, guitarist and primary songwriter for Rusted Root, was thrilled with the great turnout for the shows, which spanned down the East Coast through June. “It was amazing that this other energy was created out of us and The Wailers and people really came out for that show. It was a huge success and just a great vibe,” said Glabicki. “We have toured with Santana, Robert Plant and Jimmy Page, and the Allman Brothers and a lot of [other] bands and we’ve always learned a lot from everybody. The Wailers are no exception.”
mately three months before the official announcement in August that they would usher in The Warehouse. As of now, FTC released that the concert is now sold out, setting a precedent to the type of ethic we can expect over at FTC and The Warehouse. With the establishment of this new live experience comes the continuation of another that has been in the works for the past 30 years. The band continues to expand their sound to this day and always try to renew themselves for the legions of new fans that seamlessly continue to attach themselves to the band. “We are doing a little more improvising from the older tunes in a different way and fans are picking up on the energy from the creativity,” said Glabicki. “We get surprised each night and there are five or six times where we are doing something that we haven't done before and we all kind of go ‘Wow, did you hear that?’” While Rusted Root continues to tour deep into the year, Glabicki relayed that the playing field is tougher than it was in the ‘90s because of the generation of new bands due to the advancement of technology. So what’s their edge? They continue to write music Contributed by Rusted Root that reflects on their past history while still varying their Starting on Sept. 10, Rusted Root took the road again sets from night to night. “When I first started writing music, I sort of would picfor a fall tour of the ages with plans that extend until December and bring the band from San Diego, Calif. to Fall ture locking myself in a room, which is kind of what I did River, Mass. and just play music until you feel something come through But perhaps the most interesting show on the itinerary you that is bigger than what you know of yourself,” said Glais the show at The Warehouse in Fairfield, Conn., which is bicki. set to be the first show to premiere at the newly built venue. “It’s a different landscape out there and for us, it's great “We actually started out renting out warehouses in to see a lot of new bands come out but at the same time, Pittsburgh and we would put on our own show, we would go there are legitimate bands out there and it is great to be able on and build a stage and a sound system,” said Glabicki re- to access those bands easily.” Now, Rusted Root is coming back to show these newer garding the symbolism between their roots and establishing new roots with The Warehouse. “I’m sure it will bring back bands how live music is supposed to be performed and to provide a new work ethic that should be copied by most upthose memories.” Glabicki also described that there is always a draw to coming bands. playing shows in the Northeast since he and the band have When reflecting on the new album, set to release in always considered it “our backyard, you know, it’s our sec- early 2016, Glabicki exclaimed, “Each song is a foundation piece for the next 25 years of our career.” ond home.” According to the Glabicki, they were contacted approxi-
Saitta Studies Abroad: It's all Italian to me
By Danielle Saitta Abroad Columnist
I was never a fan of my language classes at Fairfield. There were multiple occasions during class when I asked myself “When will this ever be useful?” Since I’ve been in Florence, I’ve come to realize that learning a second language has not only become useful, but also incredibly necessary. Most people here speak English, but not fluently. I give the locals a lot of credit as they try to communicate to help us out. Even though the people here are very nice and patient, communicating exactly what you need can be very difficult. Without searching for the translation of a word, communication can be incredibly time consuming. Junior Stephanie Galea, currently studying in Prague this semester, admitted that adjusting to the cultural norms has been a bit challenging for her personally. “People in the Czech Republic are more reserved than people in the United States, so I’ve had to be more aware of my actions to avoid disrespecting their culture.” This is Galea’s second visit to Prague, however she felt that because she was there as a tourist for four days, there was no real adjustment to the Czech Republic. She continued, “Most Czechs don’t speak English and I’ve had many instances where I didn’t know how to communicate even in the simplest terms. I am grateful that I’m here with a big group of American students, it has made translation a lot easier, especially because they are in the same position as me.” For many students studying abroad, help from friends who speak the language has been useful. This new adjustment to the language has been tricky for most students, including those who are familiar with the native language. “It was hard the first few days adjusting to some of the everyday tasks such as taking out the trash, going to the grocery store, etc. However, I definitely feel like I’m finally becoming a citizen of Florence,” said Joe Tamburello ’17, who is studying in Florence, Italy. For me personally, going food shopping is absolutely miserable at this time when I am still learning simple Italian. I dread it every week. Knowing how to say something in Italian is crucial while shopping, otherwise the employees will look at you like you have three heads. I never imagined that trying to find something as simple as teriyaki sauce to make stir fry would be so hard.
The language barrier really becomes apparent when you are searching for items that don’t exist in the country. Trying to explain to the locals what it is you are looking for is a nightmare. For example, small little convenient items like Tide pods for laundry and Ziplock bags do not exist here. I must’ve spent 10 minutes trying to communicate these items. Aside from trying to find American items, understanding labels on bottles and boxes is also a headache. If I’m looking to buy shampoo, I want to know that I’m buying the right product instead of accidentally buying conditioner or body wash. There’s almost no way to tell the difference due to the Italian labels. I’ve tried to use Google Translate to search for items, however employers at the market will still look at me funny. Even for students who have taken courses in Italian like Chelsea Merse ‘17, communicating can still be challenging. “I always try to ask a question in Italian and then they usually reply back in really fast Italian and I can’t understand a thing they say. I like being immersed in the language because it really forces me to practice it more every day.” With each day that goes by, students are expanding their knowledge of the language. They are not only learning about it like any other subject, but also hearing, living and breathing it. “When I’m here, I feel like I need to be able to speak the language to accomplish everything. At Fairfield, if I don’t know the language, it doesn’t matter because I don’t rely on it to find my way around,” said Tamburello. Whether the students studying abroad this semester had studied the language beforehand or not, everyone seems to have their own individual challenges regarding language. Junior Luke Fain believes that everyone who studies abroad should at least have a beginner level understanding of the country’s language. “Even though many people know English, not everyone does and it’s smart to have a basic idea of the language. You never know if you’ll be in an emergency situation and need it.” To the Stags back home in Fairfield, my best advice to you would be to try to really understand the language courses you are required to take. Despite how annoying or tedious the class may be, learning the language may one day be incredibly time saving or life saving.
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Michael McGregor keeps story of Robert Lax authentic By Juliana Sansonetti Assistant Vine Editor The exciting opportunity to meet and listen to Michael N. McGregor, author of “Pure Act: the Uncommon Life of Robert Lax” will be possible on Sept. 17 at 7 p.m. when McGregor will visit the Fairfield University Downtown Bookstore to host a book talk and signing of his newest novella. The book, a biography of Robert Lax, recounts the life of the American poet who influenced the likes of writers such as Thomas Merton, an American Catholic who wrote “The Seven Storey Mountain,” an autobiography popular among the WWII generation, and Jack Kerouac, author of the “On the Road.” When questioned about why Lax is not a household name despite having such a wide influence, McGregor mused that it was perhaps “[Lax] was less outwardly ambitious than Kerouac or Merton.” Lax experimented with writing for much of his life, and for the last 38 years of his life, Lax lived on a remote island of Greece, which is where McGregor met him. McGregor, who knew Lax personally for the last 15 years of his life, found the older writer to be fascinating. For this reason, he thought him to be a worthy topic for his first and only book. “I think Lax’s story is a story for people of any age, no matter what orientation they are. As the subtitle says, he lived an uncommon life. I think he’s an inspiration to anyone.” Although this is McGregor’s first book, he
is a writing veteran; his undergraduate degree is in journalism, and he has experience working for magazines. “A book of this type is somewhere between journalism and creative writing, because you have a strong central character that you are writing about,” explained McGregor. His book, which has already been received with warmth despite not being officially published yet, is sure to be not only an interesting read, but also an enjoyable one. “[The book] has only been available for about a week, but people have already emailed me. People have called it inspirational, have said that they were engrossed and that it brings Robert Lax to life, which is what you are aiming to do with a biography.” McGregor enjoys the chance to speak with his readers and is hopeful that he will be able to do this when he comes to Fairfield. According to McGregor, he has already done three book discussions, all of which were rewarding. “They’ve all been great. They’ve been wellattended and we’ve sold some books. It’s been quite good so far.” When asked who should read his book, McGregor said, “The intended audience is people who are looking for meaning in life, especially younger people who are still finding their way [and]especially those who are spiritual or creatively inclined.”
Cooking with Colleen: Six healthy alternatives By Colleen O'Connor Nutrition Columnist Let’s face it, even though most people say they’ll eat healthy foods in college, the temptations in the dining hall sometimes prove to be too much. Sure, you go into Barone saying you’ll get a salad and some form of protein, but then you catch sight of the pizza or french fries, your morale weakens and you end up saying, “I’ll start eating healthy tomorrow instead.” Here are some healthy, easy-to-get options to keep in your dorm to balance out your diet. 1. Almond Milk I swear by this stuff. It's leagues better than soy milk and regular milk, and the chocolate almond milk tastes better than a milkshake. This is a great alternative if you're lactose intolerant like myself or just sick of regular milk. The chocolate almond milk also works great after a workout to boost recovery, help build muscle and regain lost sugars and vitamins back as quickly as possible. 2. Tea Sure, coffee may have more caffeine in it, but a good cup of any type of tea in the morning will give you the boost you need without the major caffeine crash coffee brings come midday. Sleepytime tea is also a good way to wind down at the end of the day. 3. Green vegetables The greener the vegetable, the better it is for you. Personally, I hate kale and do not understand how people can eat it, but if you just so happen to be one of those people, props to you. There are other vegetables besides kale, like peas, spinach, broccoli, watercress, and green beans that work just as well and are more widely appreciated. Same goes for salad leaves. I know the iceberg lettuce tastes better, but it has nowhere near as many necessary vitamins and minerals as the darker romaine and spinach leaves do.
4. Raisins Want a good post-workout snack that isn't a sugary sports drink or energy gel? Look no further than raisins. These little guys will give you all the energy boost you need during or after your sports workout without all the added sugar of Gatorade. 5. Berries Have you ever heard the saying, "An apple a day keeps the doctor away"? Well, this saying isn't entirely true. Apples have a surprisingly high amount of sugar, making them a sub-par choice for a fruit snack. However, according to WebMD, most berries, whether they be strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, boysenberries or any other type of berry, are much better for you in the long run as they have many essential antioxidants that other fruits lack. I tend to put pieces of strawberries in my water in the morning for a refreshing boost throughout the day as well. 6. Granola Ah, granola. An extremely easy option for all. Whether it be served crumbled on top of yogurt in the morning or in the form of a bar for a quick mid-afternoon snack, granola is an easy option when you feel the need to balance out that ice cream you ate with your meal. My personal favorite is the KIND granola, as it doesn’t have any harmful GMOs that some other granola does. They also sell KIND granola bars in the bookstore, which is great when leaving campus isn’t an option.
THE MIRROR | Week of September 16, 2015
The Vine
ashionably
by Nicole Funaro
Dressing for the upcoming fall weather can present many challenges, from deciding when it’s the right time to break out your sweaters and jeans to figuring out whether or not you need to wear a jacket for your walk to class. Arguably one of the most annoying problems about adjusting to the cooler fall weather though is deciding on footwear that’s suitable for the fluctuating temperatures. But with so many footwear options available, there are several great styles that will having you stepping into the fall weather with ease. Oxfords, a classic lace-up style, are a fashionable fall footwear option for both men and women that are perfect for the milder weather of September because they provide more coverage on the foot while not being as heavy as a boot. These menswear inspired shoes will look ultra-feminine when done in a lace-like laser-cut leather. Men should look for oxfords in the classic low-rise style in rich cognac browns and dusty greys to give a fresh take on the traditional style. As we move into October and November, you’ll want to starting wearing shoes with a bit more substance. And that’s where boots come in. Ladies have a vast array of boot options to choose from, ranging from knee-high riding boots to combat boots to heeled ankle boots, which are gaining in popularity with casual styles often worn with skinny jeans. Guys have the option of wearing cool combat boots or chukka boots, which look like oxfords but come up to the ankle. But there is one style for both men and women that is gaining in popularity this season, and that’s the chelsea boot. These casual slide-on ankle boots usually feature a low heel, making them a comfortable and versatile footwear option that can easily pair with all of your favorite outfits. While choosing appropriate footwear for the dipping fall temperatures can be one of the most pesky problems of the season, these great options will take you from the milder weather of September through to November, allowing you to walk through the season in style.
'Everyman' reenvisioned to reflect 21st century By Miandabu Kalala Contributing Writer Many of us work so hard trying to make it in life; in fact, isn’t that the reason why we are all here in this school? Well, maybe your parents said, “Stay in school and be great,” to drag you to college or maybe you came for the parties. The bottom line is we all want to have it all and be successful in whatever we do. On Sept. 9 at the Regina A. Quick Center for the Arts, the 15th century morality play “Everyman,” recently adapted by Director Carol Ann Duffy, streamed through NT Live. The play targeted the modern society’s love and pursuit for material things instead of integrity. The first scene was of god represented as a cleaning-woman called Good Deeds, portrayed by Kate Duchene, who spoke on how she was forgotten and paid no mind to. The main character Everyman, played by Chiwetel Ejiofor, attends his 40th birthday party where he and his friends drink, dance and enjoy an entire table of cocaine until the birthday boy loses consciousness. Everyman in this play is a rich and successful guy who, because of money, forgets not only his family but also what it means to be a good person. He is, however, quickly reminded that material wealth is not what makes a man when Death, in the figure of Dermot Crowley, comes knocking on his door. Death enables him to see the person he knew he should have been all along by forcing him to account for his life, and when all his friends, family and wealth could not help him on this journey, he is left with only Knowledge, portrayed by Penny Layden, a relative to Goodness. When all else fails, Everyman realizes that he needs to make peace with his creator and, with the help of Knowledge, he faces death with a newfound humility and appreciation for life. The cast of the play was well-selected. The star of the play, Ejiofor, who some of you may recognize from the movies “12 Years a Slave” or “Half a Yellow Sun,” gave an amazing performance, and the transformation from being extremely happy and enjoying his birthday to being terrified and desperate was very genuine and convincing. While Ejiofor’s performance seemed to appeal to the moral and emotional part of the audience, Crowley as Death did an incredible job in bringing the house down in almost every scene he was in. Overall, the message of morality in the play was very clear and it implored all of us to recognize our faults and become better individuals for a better society.
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Inkwell Spotlight 'Stormy Sea'
By John McGovern Technical Manger for The Inkwell I feel I’ve known you for a million years We’ve had our laughs and our own share of tears But now I feel the time has come To leave all we made behind I think it’s about time to slip away I see the future coming today I wish I could know where I should be But I’m a blind man in a stormy sea I can’t go back to where it all began I used to be a boy but now I’m a man And though I know it’s hard to say I think you’ll understand this all someday And though there’s no path through the clouds ahead I can’t look back at where I’ve tread I’m sure I’ll miss you when you’re gone But I have no choice except to carry on I don’t mean to cause you sadness and sorrow But this is the only way to find a tomorrow I hope this choice will set us free But I’m a blind man in a stormy sea We can’t go back to where it all began I used to be a boy but now I’m a man And though I know it’s hard to say I think you’ll understand this all someday
Sam Smith to sing Bond theme in new 'Spectre' film By Brendan Zimmerman Contributing Writer This past Tuesday, British musician Sam Smith took to Twitter to officially announce his involvement with the theme song for the new James Bond movie, “Spectre.” The new track is titled “Writing’s On the Wall.” There has been much speculation over who would sing the title track for the past couple months with candidates like pop singer Ellie Goulding and even the band Radiohead. Smith, however, had been the most favorable, even with constant denial of having any attachment to the production of the song. Smith, who actually recorded the song back in January, had been forced to remain quiet about the experience for months. With each new Bond film, there is an opening sequence that sets the tone for the movie. In the past, Grammy award-winning musicians and other popular artists like Tina Turner, Paul Mc-
Cartney, Madonna and Alicia Keys have written and performed the themes for Bond movies with varying amounts of success. One of the more notable releases came recently with Adele, who sang the theme for the movie “Skyfall,” and went on to win an Oscar. With the addition of Smith to the list of musicians who have performed Bond title tracks, there is a little bit of an attempt on the producer’s part to achieve the same magic that occurred with Adele’s release. Smith, who is fresh off his multiple award-winning debut album, “In the Lonely Hour,” is following a similar path as Adele upon entering the studio to record “Skyfall,” who also achieved massive success with her own debut back in 2011. Smith will also be the first male solo artist since Tom Jones, who recorded “Thunderball” back in 1965, to sing an opening title for the Bond movies. With “Spectre” set for release on Nov. 6, the accompanying title track will be released on Sept. 26 in order to promote the upcoming film.
'Beasts of No Nation' opens eyes and hearts By Alyssa Kelleher Contributing Writer Cary Joji Fukunaga’s new Netflix original film “Beasts of No Nation” is getting people to talk about something that otherwise would be unfamiliar to them: the pressing issue of child warfare. Fukunaga, who also directed the film, cowrote the screenplay and directed the photography, based off the novel of the same name by Uzodinma Ikweala. The film peeks into the life of a young boy named Agu, played by Abraham Attah. Living a typically normal life in an unnamed African country in the midst of a civil war, Agu’s life gets capsized during a military raid on his town. Agu’s educational upbringing and social background make him a noticeable asset to the Commandant, played by Idris Elba, and he soon gives Agu training to become an active soldier. Attah, though not a household name, is sure to be a success in this film. Choosing an actor that the audience is unfamiliar with to play Agu gives less of an emotional attachment to the actor himself, shifting the focus toward the character. Oftentimes we associate actors and actresses with their characters from other movies that they have been in. As Attah is a new face, we will not have any preconceived notions unconscious or otherwise about what the character is like. Because the actor isn’t necessarily famous, he gives the movie a more authentic feel. It is clear that his exceptional talent did not go un-
noticed, as he won the Marcello Mastroianni Award for Best Young Actor at the 72nd Venice film festival this year. However, it is clear that Fukunaga definitely took a chance on this film. A lot of times, we, as an audience, want to see movies that will make us feel good, not necessarily ones that will make us feel something. We want comedies that will give us a chuckle and romance movies that will make us believe in love. We even crave action and sci-fi films that will make us feel powerful. But a movie that awakens us to the harsh realities of society? Are we ready for that? Will people be willing to sit down in front of their TVs, Netflix or go into select theaters to view this heart wrenching, real life film? There is no doubt that this film is going to raise questions about this topic, as well as provoke strong emotions from the audience. I personally think this should be the goal of more movies and television shows today. The film industry plays such a vital role in impacting our society and how we perceive different aspects of life, so I think that focusing on real issues is imperative to get people to start thinking. The Oscar-eligible film is expected to hit Netflix and select theaters on Oct. 16, so make sure to keep an eye out.
Coffee Break
THE MIRROR | Week of September 16, 2015
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COFFEE BREAK Editor: Allison White
... As Overheard in Barone Compiled by Allison White Coffee Break Editor
“I’m living on the Edge … I mean at.” “A spider had babies in my room last night.” “Can we all get Segways?” “It’s like a desert in my dorm, but the arctic in my classrooms.” “Is it Thanksgiving yet?” Tweet us your #OverheardBarone comments @FairfieldMirror and be featured next week!
Stags Trivia 1. What is the first stop that the StagBus makes? 2. How many Division I sports are at Fairfield? 3. What residence halls on campus have air conditioning?
DM us on Twitter @FairfieldMirror with the correct answers to these questions to win an exclusive Mirror giveaway.
Play some...
Sudoku
How to play: Complete the puzzle by filling in numbers one through nine (with no repeats or missing numbers) in each column, row and 3x3 square.
Sports
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THE MIRROR | Week of September 16, 2015
SPORTS
Sports Editor: Alfredo Torres » sports@fairfieldmirror.com
Mets take league by storm behind Cespedes' bat By Morgan Rosemann Contributing Writer It’s amazing how a few last-second trades before this season’s trade deadline has transformed the New York Mets and Toronto Blue Jays from
mediocre to championship contenders. New York acquired All-Star outfielder Yoenis Cespedes from the Detroit Tigers just before the deadline, and have gone 27-12 since. Cespedes has carried the Mets, hitting .309 with 17
Flickr/Creative Commons Since joining the New York Mets, Yoenis Cespedes has become a National League Most Valuable Player candidate leading the Mets to playoff contention.
home runs and 42 RBI since his arrival. Coupled with strong pitching from Noah Syndergaard, Matt Harvey and Jacob DeGrom, the Mets have built themselves a commanding 8.5 game lead for first place in the National League East. In Toronto, their acquisitions included shortstop Troy Tulowitzki and former Cy Young Award-winner David Price. Both made an immediate impact, especially Price, providing a muchneeded ace in the Jays’ pitching staff. Their sharp play was on display last weekend, as they won three games out of four against the New York Yankees. Toronto now has a three game lead over the New York Yankees, who have been showing their age as the postseason approaches. With a lineup that includes three players with over 30 home runs each (Josh Donaldson, Jose Bautista and Edwin Encarnacion), it’s hard to imagine any team that could halt their goal for a World Series title. While a playoff spot for the Mets looks more and more likely as we approach October, the Yankees have
taken a step back in their hunt to get back in the playoffs. They lost their AllStar first baseman Mark Teixeira for the rest of the season due to a bone fracture in his right shin. Although Alex Rodriguez has surprised everybody with 30 home runs on the season, his age is starting to show after playing a lot more than expected. The Yankees’ pitching has not been strong as of late, including C.C. Sabathia, who fears his latest knee injury could be career-threatening. They still hold first-place in the American League Wild Card race, but the Texas Rangers and the Minnesota Twins lurk closely behind. Clearly, the Yankees need to get into a rhythm before the postseason begins so that they can get back there for the first time since 2012. Like the Yankees, the Washington Nationals have also collapsed, falling well out of first place in the National League East to the rolling Mets. Bryce Harper may very well win this year’s NL MVP with the way he has played, but it won’t save the reeling Nats. Considered World Series favorites
heading into the season, the Nationals now find themselves nine games out of the second Wild Card spot in the NL playoff race. The St. Louis Cardinals own the league’s best record and are prime for another deep run at a World Series title. Out west, Clayton Kershaw leads the Los Angeles Dodgers as they look to finally represent the NL in the World Series, which hasn’t occurred since 1988. In Chicago, young stars Kris Bryant and Anthony Rizzo have made strong contributions for the Cubs this season, as they sit in first place in the NL Central with an 83-61 record. The Houston Astros one of the younger teams in baseball, yet they find themselves in the playoff picture as they hold a slim lead over the Texas Rangers in the American League West. It should be a tight finish in the AL, as there are a number of teams fighting for playoff spots. There’s no doubt that these final few weeks of regular season play will be exciting to watch.
Highlights from the past week: The Fairfield men's soccer team faced off against Northeastern University this past Saturday night and finished with a 0-0 tie. The Stags forced two overtimes, but were close to winning the game in the second overtime as Justin Lewis '16 released a long shot from outside the box that was just over the crossbar. This is the third game in the last five games that Fairfield has finished in a tie.
Over the weekend, the Fairfield women's golf team participated in the Tignanelli Towson Invitational. Fairfield was one of 19 teams that participated in the invitational. Junior Danielle Dalessandro started the opening round with an 80, the lowest 18-hole score by a Stag over the weekend. Senior Michelle Applegate added a 165 and Olivia Brooks '16 scored a 167. The Towson Tigers came out victorious as they finished the event with a 618. The Stags will be back on the golf course on Sept. 26-27 for the Darmouth Women's Invitational.
This week in sports: Friday, September 18 Men's Tennis at Connecticut State Championships, All-Day Women's Tennis at Quinnipiac Invitational, All-Day Field Hockey at Drexel, 7 p.m.
Saturday, September 19 The men's golf team took part of the Ryan T. Lee Memorial Tournament and finished ninth. The Stags were led by Eric Austin '18 as he carded an even par 74. Austin shot a final-round 71 on Sunday for a total 144 over two days. Over the weekend, two Stags made their collegiate debut, Kevin Duncan '19 who recorded a 152, and Thomas Urciuoli '18 recorded a 153. The Stags will be back at it on Sept. 21-22 at the Hartford Hawks Invitational.
Men's Cross Country at Rider Invitational, 10 a.m. Women's Cross Country at Rider Invitational, 11 p.m. Volleyball at Niagara, 1 p.m. Women's Soccer vs. Niagara, 1 p.m.
Fairfield volleyball traveled to Philadelphia on Saturday where they took on both Towson and Delaware State. Fairfield's first game was against Towson, where Megan Theiller '18 picked up 12 kills and 12 digs, but that was not enough as the Stags dropped a four-set loss. Fairfield bounced back by leaving Delaware State scoreless as Skyler Day '18 led the Stags to a 3-0 victory with 15 kills and 13 digs.
Men's Soccer vs. Fordham, 7 p.m.
Sunday, September 20 Softball vs. Sacred Heart University, 10:30 a.m. Field Hockey at Villanova, 12 p.m.
Photos contributed by Sports Information Desk
In this week's issue... - College football week one highlights (Page 14) - Field hockey drops third straight at home (Page 15)
Volleyball at Canisius, 1 p.m. Softball vs. Providence College, 2:30 p.m.
Monday, September 21 Men's Golf at Hartford Hawks Invitational, All-Day
Tuesday, September 22 Men's Soccer vs. Army West Point, 7 p.m.
- Red Ruggers open season with huge win (Page16)
Sports
Page 14
THE MIRROR | Week of September 16, 2015
College football's first week showcases young talent By Conor O'Brien Contributing Writer Utah 24 - Michigan 17: Normally a low-scoring game between two unranked teams would not garner much attention, but this was no ordinary game. After leading the San Francisco 49ers to three NFC championship appearances in four years, Jim Harbaugh has returned to college football to coach at his alma mater, Michigan. Michigan, once hosting a proud football program, has fallen from grace in recent years. Unfortunately for fans, the team did not look much improved against Utah. Senior quarterback Jake Rudock especially did not play well. Failing to consistently move the offense, Rudock threw for a measly 6.5 yards per attempt and threw three interceptions. The only consistent drive Rudock was able to muster was in the final minutes of the game, and it was too late to turn the tide. Michigan fans will have to wait a few years before their team is a national powerhouse again. Years of bad recruiting from previous regimes have left inadequate talent on the current roster. Make no mistake, once Harbaugh gets his hands on quality players, this team will be knocking on the door of the college football playoffs. TCU (No. 2) 23 - Minnesota 17: At the end of last year's regular season, many people believed that Texas Christian University deserved a spot in the college football playoffs, especially after they dropped a 42-3 destruction of Ole Miss in the Peach Bowl. After losing very few players to graduation/NFL draft, TCU returns locked and loaded for a run at the national championship. However,
Minnesota showed them how hard it is to win when you have a target on your back. It took the recovery of an onside kick attempt from Minnesota in the game's final moments to seal the victory for TCU. No player was under the microscope more in this game than TCU quarterback Trevone Boykin. Boykin entered the season as a front runner for the Heisman Trophy, and while he showed some signs of rust, he ended up throwing for nearly 250 yards, and added 92 yards rushing. Alabama (No. 3) 35 - Wisconsin (No. 20) 17: Alabama football no longer puts the fear of god into opponents like it used too. After ugly bowl game losses to Oklahoma and Ohio State respectively in the past two years, Nick Saban’s football teams no longer carry the same invincible swagger that they possessed in blowout national championship wins over Louisiana State University and Notre Dame. Saturday night was a big step towards restoring that fear. Pegged as the week's marquee match-up — the only one between two ranked teams — the clash in Dallas had Saban’s team looking its old dominant self. Running back Derrick Henry looks like the next Crimson Tide running back to enter stardom (the last four starting running backs at Alabama have been either first or second round draft picks in the NFL). The defense led by defensive tackle A’Shawn Robinson stifled Wisconsin for most of the game. The Badgers clearly missed last year’s 2,000-yard-rusher Melvin Gordon as Wisconsin was held to 40 yards on the ground, its lowest total since 2012. With Auburn struggling to put away unranked Louisville, look for Alabama to be in the hunt
for the Southeastern Conference championship, and a playoff spot, for the whole year. Temple 27 - Penn State 10: Over the years, Temple and Penn State have been interstate rivals with Temple’s last victory over Penn in 1941. On Saturday, the Owls said that enough is enough. The only other contest to this historic win was the shock at how poorly PSU quarterback Christian Hackenberg played. Considered by many analysts to be a potential first round pick in the 2016 NFL Draft, Hackenberg certainly did not look the part on Saturday. It looked as bad as the numbers make it seem; 44 percent completion rate, 103 yards, 0 touchdowns and an ugly interception thrown to a defensive lineman that was nearly returned for a touchdown. In Hackenberg's defense, he received equally awful protection. The Penn State offensive line clearly missed last year's starting tackle, Donovan Smith, who was selected in the second round of this year’s NFL Draft. They allowed 10 sacks, some of which came when Temple sent only a two-man rush. On offense, Temple was efficient, managing the clock by consistently giving the ball to running back Jahad Thomas, who had 29 carries for 135 yards, including a 24-yard run late in the game that put a dagger in Penn State's heart. When it comes draft time, NFL scouts are going to put this film in front of Hackenberg and ask him what happened. For the Owls, it’s a huge victory for a program that has been struggling in recent years. Look for Temple to begin picking up many more high profile recruits if they can build upon this win.
Oregon (No. 7) 61 - Eastern Washington 42: Normally, a game between a Football Bowl Subdivision powerhouse and a non-descript Football Championship Subdivisions team wouldn’t garner much attention. This game was a little different. After losing last year's Heisman Trophy winner Marcus Mariota to the NFL, Oregon needed a new playmaker to put under center. The winner of the camp battle was Vernon Adams Jr., a transfer from Eastern Washington. Adams' Oregon debut tasked him with dismantling his old team, and they did most of their work on the ground. As a team, the Ducks piled up a whopping 485 rushing yards. Adams threw for 246 yards and two touchdowns before leaving the game in the fourth quarter after taking a big hit. The concerning part was how poorly the Oregon defense played. Eastern Washington had over 500 yards of total offense, with most of the yards coming through the air. Oregon needs to rebound quickly as they travel next week to Michigan State to face Connor Cook, one of the top quarterbacks in the nation. Ohio State (No. 1) 42 - Virginia Tech 24: No matter how competitive their games are, or aren’t, Ohio State will be fun to watch this year. No team has a better quarterback situation than Ohio State, as both Cardale Jones and J.T. Barrett are capable of lighting up the scoreboard. Braxton Miller, their quarterback from 2013, has switched to wide receiver, in part to help the team and in part because that is the position he best translates to in the NFL. Their backfield is led by Ezekiel Elliott, Heisman frontrun-
ner and one of the best in the nation at his position. The Ohio State offense looked the part against Virginia Tech. Miller's move to wide receiver was perhaps the most impressive. After missing all of the 2014 season due to a shoulder injury, Miller looked like his old self again. He hauled in a long touchdown pass and added a long touchdown run on an end-around. Elliott also played well, showing off his talent on an 80-yard touchdown run in the first quarter. Virginia Tech didn’t go down without a fight though. Led by quarterback Michael Brewer, the Hokies actually led at halftime 17-14. Brewer displayed many good quarterback traits, standing in the pocket and delivering throws into tight windows; however, he went down with an injury in the second half, ending any hope of an upset. The scariest part, despite all of the playmakers they possess on offense, is that Ohio State's best player didn’t even suit up; defensive end Joey Bosa was serving a one-game suspension. Last year, Bosa produced an outrageous 13.5 sacks, and he is in the discussion for the No. 1 overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft. A player that the offense must account for every play, Virginia Tech may have not cracked 10 points had he been on the field. Whether or not any team can slow down the Buckeyes remains to be seen. The one problem their schedule presents is that when they face a team like Alabama, TCU or Baylor in the playoffs, it will be a massive increase in quality of opponent from what they will have become used too. Whether or not they can pull off the repeat remains to be seen.
Your 2015-2016 4x5 Columnists:
Patrick Kiernan, Alfredo Torres, Angela Sammarone and Jesse Erickson First week of the NFL went great, Mets keep winning. Do they have well, except for all the injuries. a chance or is this just another Your thoughts? meltdown waiting to happen?
Men's soccer plays its first home game this weekend! Excited?
Sweater season is near, how are you dealing with the early breeze?
Lucas the Stag will throw the first pitch at Citi Field tomorrow. Is his fastball better than Harvey's?
One game in, and as a Giants fan, I already feel the same agony and pain I do as being a Knicks fan. And on top of that, the Yankees are faltering. Sports fandom is tough.
I'd be so happy to see a New York team emerge from the World Series victorious, but come on Mets fans, act like you've been there before. We get it, you're leading the division by a good amount.
The boys had a good run at the MAAC crown last year, and I expect them to be right back up there. First home game should be electric at Lessing.
I always try to ride the summer clothing out even when the weather gets a little chilly. On a side note, I just recovered from a cold ... Wait, I get it now.
Yes, he'll throw a strike right down the middle, and then the Mets will give him an unoriginal superhero nickname just like the rest of their team. My guess: Daredevil.
Giants lose, Jets win, Buffalo wins. New York did good this week, Shoutout to New York!
It's only a matter time before the Mets crash and make history for all the wrong reasons. Yankees will be back, October baseball is in the air. Joe Girardi can smell it.
Women's soccer has been taking great care of Lessing Field but now it's time for the men to take over and show Fordham a thing or two on the field.
I LOVE IT! Sweater on, hair flowing in the wind. I'm going to miss the nice weather but it's time budle up and stay under the covers.
Lucas > Mets Yankees > Mets
Hey Pat, the Jets won and it's not preseason anymore. Angela Sammarone But seriously, I was pleased Managing Editor with the first week aside from Cromartie's injury which is making me a tad nervous.
Just in case my die-hard Yankees friends from back home read this, I'm going to plead the fifth on my opinion on the Mets. But for Meaghan's sake, yay go Mets!
Yeah! I can't wait to watch them kick Fordham's ass. Everyone better come out and support men's soccer.
Considering all of my sweaters are still at home and that I wore a tank top on Monday, I guess you can say I'm delusional that the first day of fall is next week. #LongLiveSummer
Yes, and then the Mets will sign Lucas the Stag to be their starting pitcher and we'll need another mascot.
You know Alfredo is a better sports editor when he asks all sports orientated questions when I ask none.
I just went to a bar and watched a soccer game with a bunch of die hards. Please remind me what Mets are!
Well according to Pat, Monday is actually Thursday so I think the weekend game is approaching even faster than we think!! Stay away from alcohol kids, like Pat, it can cause you to lose track of days.
I'm going to the beach this weekend, what are you talking about Alfredo? It's 80 degrees in Firenze.
Three boys from Providence asked my friends and I about our new mascot. I was the only one who knew about this change so it was awkward but #GOLUCAS ... I didn't answer this question.
Because we have witty things to say ...
Patrick Kiernan Editor-in-Chief
Alfredo Torres Sports Editor
Jesse Erickson Italian Spy
Sports
THE MIRROR | Week of September 16, 2015
Page 15
Alfredo Torres/The Mirror
Field hockey drop third consecutive home game By Alfredo Torres Sports Editor After dropping two games last weekend, the Stags looked to bounce back to the winning side as they faced the University of California, Davis Aggies. However, after a quick goal for the Aggies to start the second half, Fairfield would struggle to tie in the final minutes as they fell 3-2 on Friday, Sept. 11. UC Davis set the tone early on offense. Less than a minute into the game, Eden Borsack found her teammate Agustina Singh right in front of the cage for an open shot at the net for her first goal of the season. Six minutes after scoring their first goal, the Aggies struck once again on a similar play as Courtney Hazy received a pass at the center and shot one past Stags’ goalkeeper Caitlin Bennett ‘17 to take an early 2-0 lead over Fairfield. After 12 minutes without scoring,
By Morgan Rosemann Contributing Writer With Deflategate finally in the rear view mirror, the Patriots were back in action and opened their season with a 28-21 victory on opening night against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Quarterback Tom Brady reminded us why the Pats won it all last season, finishing with 288 yards and four touchdowns. Three of those touchdowns went to his favorite target, tight end Rob Gronkowski. It was evident that Brady was ecstatic to be the Pats starting QB on opening night, as he ran down the field pumping his fist when starting lineups were announced. For the Steelers, they were controlled by the Pats for much of the game despite a close final score. QB Ben Roethlisberger threw for over 350 yards, including a late touchdown pass to All-Pro wide receiver Antonio Brown during garbage time. Despite the loss, their running game showed promise. With running back Le’Veon Bell serving a suspension, backup DeAngelo Williams led the way and finished with 127 rushing yards. The former Carolina Panthers running back showed he can still be a productive player, and will be a valuable backup when Bell returns. Pittsburgh was also without deep-threat WR Martavis Bryant due to suspension. After the game, Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin was furious, saying that he and his coaches couldn’t communicate at times during the first half. Their radio connection was interfered with the Patriots’ radio broadcast of the
the Stags would get on the board. Midfielder Jaclyn Gallagher ‘18 battled off heavy defense to swing a pass to Ann Burgoyne ‘17, who hit the ball past the defender to score her fifth goal of the season and Fairfield’s first goal of the afternoon. Both offenses settled down as they went 15 scoreless minutes, keeping the score 2-1. Fairfield would end the scoring drought after forward Erin Connors ‘16 found herself open in front of the goal and received a quick pass by Jamie Appelberg ‘18 to score and tie the game at two. This was captain Connors’ first goal of her career. The game was tied 2-2 at the half. However, just minutes into the start of the second half, the Aggies would score their third and final goal of the game to take a 3-2 lead over the Stags. “It took us a while to wake up. We had some great goals to get our team excited
and then we let them back in,” said head coach Jackie Kane. The Stags would struggle to get another goal on the board after several tries at the goal. With one minute remaining in the game, the Stags had a final opportunity to score and tie the game. They decided to take out their goalkeeper, Bennett, giving them an extra attacker on the field. As a result, Fairfield was able to draw two penalty corners in the last seconds of the game. On the final possession of the game, Ruth Smalbraak ‘19 set the ball from the penalty corner finding its way toward Erin Buckley ‘18 who shot the ball, but was blocked. Fairfield had another opportunity to score as the ball rolled to Ariana von Schenck ’18, but her shot was wide and, just like that, the game was over for the Stags.
“Kudos to UC Davis, but our team needs to rise to the occasion and realize that this is our field and we shouldn’t let anyone come in and push us around,” said Kane after the game. “We got the corners, we had the ball on cage. It was just unlucky that we didn't finish when we had the opportunity to. We had the opportunity to take the team to overtime where we probably could have won at that point, but we didn't get there. We have to learn from the situation, pull together [and] work hard this week because we have a really tough trip to Philadelphia next weekend,” Kane continued. The Stags are now 1-3 on the season and are set to travel to Philadelphia where they will take on Drexel on Friday, Sept. 18 and Villanova on Sunday, Sept. 20.
game. Another Patriots cheating conspiracy? Not this time, it seemed. The Pats also experienced trouble with their radio communication, and the NFL announced that this has happened before in Gillette Stadium. If you’re a New York Giants fan, then you might’ve had a particularly bad case of the Mondays. The Giants suffered a heartbreaking loss to the Cowboys on Sunday night, as QB Tony Romo threw a touchdown pass to TE Jason Witten with just seven seconds left in regulation to pick up the narrow 27-26 win. The Giants had multiple chances to score late in the game, but they were held out of the end zone by the Dallas defense. QB Eli Manning wasn’t exactly sharp, throwing for just 187 yards and no touchdowns. As for the other New York football teams, the Buffalo Bills and New York Jets opened with strong victories. Rookie head coach Todd Bowles notched his first win for the New York Jets, 31-10 against the Browns, thanks to a great performance from All-Pro WR Brandon Marshall. They scored 24 unanswered points after being down 10-7 early in the second quarter. Marshall finished with a touchdown, and finally provided the Jets with a much-needed star caliber receiver who can help their red zone success. In Buffalo, the Bills set the tone from the start. With head coach Rex Ryan now calling the shots, their defense rattled star QB Andrew Luck and the Colts. QB Tyrod Taylor won the starting job for the Bills in training camp, and did not disappoint, completing 14 of 19 passes for 191 yards. He
threw a 51-yard bomb to WR Percy Harvin that went for a touchdown. But in the end Luck and the Colts struggled, despite finishing with 243 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions. The Super Bowl favorite Green Bay Packers started off on the right foot, defeating the Chicago Bears 31-23. QB Aaron Rodgers finished with three touchdown passes, two of which went to newly-signed WR James Jones. The biggest upset on Sunday occurred in St. Louis, where the Rams pulled off a thrilling overtime victory, 34-31, against the Seattle Seahawks. The Seahawks erased an 18-point deficit in the fourth quarter,
but their sloppy play got the best of them in overtime. They tried to fool St. Louis with an onside kick to start overtime, but the Rams didn’t fall for it. All-in-all, it was a great Week 1 to kickoff this 2015 NFL season. Next Sunday should continue to bring good football, as the Pats take on the Bills in an American Football Conference East showdown. In New York, the Atlanta Falcons visit the Giants. The Dallas Cowboys will face their National Football Conference East Philadelphia Eagles, with RB Demarco Murray facing his former team for the first time since signing with the Eagles in free agency.
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SPORTS 16
@MirrorSports Fairfield Mirror Sports
Sports Editor: Alfredo Torres » sports@fairfieldmirror.com
Week of September 16, 2015
Red Ruggers open season with 34-5 win
Javier Rivilla/The Mirror
By Kelsey Shockey Contributing Writer The Fairfield Red Ruggers kicked off their regular season in the right way on Saturday, winning their first Division 1AA game with a final score of 34-5 against the Great Danes of the University of Albany. As the sun peaked through the clouds, so did the fans on the sidelines and on top of the hill at Grauert Field. The Red Ruggers were up against some good runners and big players from the Albany team. However, this factor was actually an advantage and disadvantage for the Great Danes as the Red Ruggers played a better strategic game overall. After coming out aggressive, Fairfield finished the half leading 10-0. “We had a specific game plan and style of play. We wore them down, defended very
well, and took our opportunities as we pressured them. The crucial plays of the game were the goal line defense, the great hard hitting tackles, and the outset and our ability to keep our cool despite being down to 14 men,” head coach Marc Downes said. Compared to last season, there is high intensity in terms of the training and commitment level. According to Vice President Hunter Boesch '18, who scored on the first try of the game, “Our biggest strength is our fitness. When we step onto the pitch, we may not be the biggest pack, but we definitely are the fittest.” Sophomore Joaquin Moraiz, Anif McDonald ’16, Christian Wallace ’17 and Justin Paton ’17 also scored on tries throughout the game. As the Red Ruggers dominated in the third and fourth quarters, it made it challenging for the Great Danes to catch up.
“For Albany, their defense in the back line was almost non existent, which allowed us to break through the line and move the ball forward,” Wallace said. Besides the support of the fans, the dedication, tenacity, and bond that the team has is what mainly catalyzed their momentum and contributed to their victory. McDonald, a team captain, said, “The work ethic is key and we are in the gym all the time. We always have to work hard, train hard, eat healthy and stay hydrated since we need to be in the best shape for the team.” A motto that has helped the team along the way is “B.E.S.T,” which encompasses four mains points: body language, eye contact, speech and tone of voice. “By following these simple things, we all will better ourselves not only on the field and in the gym, but in the classroom and overall, make us
become better individuals,” Boesch said. Now that the team has stepped up to the Division 1AA conference, they will be playing against stronger competition. “We are starting a legacy that the underclassmen will build upon and eventually pass down to future Red Ruggers. We now have the chance to play an elevated level of rugby against more difficult opponents which gives us the opportunity to show just how far we can go with our skill and knowledge,” Wallace said. The Red Ruggers will travel to take on New England College on Sept. 19 and their next home game will be on Sept. 26 versus the University of Massachusetts. “The team’s main goal is to compete at every game and position ourselves to become a powerhouse in Division 1,” Downes said.
Women's soccer edges Holy Cross 2-1 By Travis Day Contributing Writer Two first-half goals for the Stags were enough to hold on for a 2-1 win over the Holy Cross Crusaders at Lessing Field on Monday. Fairfield wasted no time, striking first off of a long Karolyn Collins '16 free kick that found its way to the head of Cassidy Boegel '17 inside the box. Boegel fired a shot into the left side of the net to give the Stags a 1-0 lead just one and a half minutes in. “Holy Cross has two young goalkeepers,” Fairfield head coach Jim O'Brien said. “They graduated a real top-level keeper last year. [Collins] played that ball right into the box and the keeper was a little bit shy coming off the line. We told the girls to test her, and they did.” This set the tone for the Stag offense, who controlled the pace and possession for the majority of the first half. They would create another quality chance at the 26:30 mark with Boegel again cutting inside, but having her shot blocked. The resulting scramble in front of the net landed on the head of midfielder Sydney Arestivo '17, who sent home Fairfield's second goal of the game for a 2-0 lead.
The Crusaders had done a good job of keeping up with Fairfield's pace up to this point, which paid off with just a few minutes to play in the first half. Off of Holy Cross's second corner kick of the game, the ball came to midfielder Emily George who found freshman forward Andj Seslija on the other side of the box. Seslija narrowly put home her shot which Fairfield just barely failed to clear off the goal line. The Crusaders would threaten again with just 30 seconds to go in the half. A booming shot from Seslija from 25 yards out arced just out of reach of the Stags’ goalkeeper Jenna Pike '18 and off the crossbar. Fairfield would take their 2-1 lead into halftime. The Stags narrowly outshot the Crusaders 12-1, while Pike made three saves. Fairfield had a well-rounded attack in the first half with five different players registering shots. Forward Jenny Jacobs '19 was the most active with four shots, followed by Boegel with three. “We conceded another late goal, a bit of a soft one,” O'Brien added. “It shifted some momentum their way, but we handled it pretty well. We managed to grit it out.” Both teams locked down in the second half, with neither side threatening the net for
long stretches. A shot on goal was not registered until the 31:30 mark. The game turned much more physical, with both sides eventually combining for 30 total fouls by the time the final whistle came. “We do have to match other teams in terms of the physicality,” said O'Brien. “We Alfredo Torres/The Mirror need battlers. All these teams talk to each other, Junior Pamela Coufos battles her way towards the opposing net. the scouting reports all say that Fairfield doesn't like a physical game, so Stags open conference play on Saturday, Sept, 19, hosting Niagara University at Lessing Field we have to be ready.” Holy Cross tried to ride that momentum at 1 p.m., and must again rely on a young, but of their late first-half goal — racking up seven well-rounded squad to lead the way. “We'll look to our upperclassmen as well,” shots in the last 45 minutes compared to Fairfield's two — but could not find the back of O'Brien said. “Karolyn Collins has stepped up net. With the help of the defense and Pike's really well at center back for us. Cassidy [Boefive total saves, the Stags would hold on for a gel] pitched in her first goal of the year today. Sydney [Arestivo] was phenomenal today. 2-1 victory. Fairfield improves to 3-5 while Holy Cross Brenna Brown ‘17, who was out basically half falls to 2-3-1. O'Brien's side now has a 10-0-2 of last season, is really starting to find her form record against the Crusaders since 1993. The again, so they'll all be crucial to our success.”