Grateful Dead
Leonard Nimoy Opinion
Vine
Leonard Nemoy shows that acceptance is a universal value. Page 5
The Grateful Dead are to be the topic at the American Studies Conference.
Stag Spirit Sports
An in-depth look at Fairfield’s dance team, cheer team, and pep band. Page 16
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THE MIRROR Independent student newspaper
Week of March 18, 2015
@FairfieldMirror
Follow us! FairfieldMirror.com
Vol. 40, Iss. 19
Theoharis uncovers the truth about Rosa Parks By Catherine Veschi News Editor As a commemoration of both Black History Month and Women’s History Month, Fairfield University welcomed the author of “The Rebellious Life of Rosa Parks,” Dr. Jeanne Theoharis, a distinguished professor of political science at CUNY Brooklyn, as a guest speaker. In her lecture, which took place on Wed., March 4 in the Aloysius P. Kelley Center Presentation Room, Theoharis discussed the major points of the life of Rosa Parks that she wrote about in her biography of the famous civil rights activist. For Theoharis, the initial purpose of her lecture was “to give people a scope of her life history of her rebellion and political activities.” Theoharis emphasized that what students are taught about Parks in their elementary years is not necessarily the full story, challenging students to ask “why do we get the stories we get?” and “why did you learn it the way you learned it?” She explained that most students associate Parks primarily with her famous refusal to surrender her bus seat to a white passenger, but that there is more to Parks than just that. After acknowledging this, Theoharis gave students a more detailed biography of Parks’ life in her lecture, including insight into the other monumental events in her life aside from the notorious bus incident, such as her lesser-known ejec-
tions from buses and establishing the Civil Rights Voting Act of 1965. For Dr. Elizabeth Hohl, visiting assistant professor of history, this lecture was “an opportunity to learn from the scholar who’s immersed herself in the sources, so she’s telling a story that still resonates.” Hohl added that Parks’ view that “young people are the future” makes this discussion all the more
The story of Rosa Parks shows us ways to be active and struggle today. It gives us tools for what to do today. -Jeanne Theoharis Professor of Political Science at CUNY Brooklyn
pertinent for college students, citing this as one of the major reasons she encouraged her students to attend Theoharis’ lecture. Despite the fact that Rosa Parks’ fight for civil rights happened more than 50 years ago, according to Theoharis, her push for social justice is still relevant today. “Racial and social inequalities are still with us,” Theoharis said, referencing the recent Ferguson trial. “The story of Rosa Parks shows us ways to be active and struggle today. It gives us tools for what to do today,” Theoharis hoped that through her lecture, students were able to
grasp the “perseverance and persistence” Parks showed in her civil rights activism, and her “ability to see an injustice and both believe no matter how small or big the thing is, to keep doing it over and over, and that it’s not going to work at first.” Hohl agreed that the fact that Parks “pursued social justice when she was a young woman and there was no hope of succeeding, and that she really committed herself ” and vowed to “not quit until there’s social justice everywhere,” makes her a viable role model and someone “worth emulating.” For Julia Aparicio ‘16, Parks’ “civil activism is still very much relevant today,” noting causes such as “gaps in education, opportunity and achievement in our nation’s school systems.” Aparicio added that “looking to Parks for inspiration, we know that we need to be courageous and persistent in our attempt to tackle such social injustices- these gaps will not be closed overnight.” According to Theoharis, her inspiration for writing “The Rebellious Life of Rosa Parks” came from her discovering that “there’s no serious biography about her. There’s a gazillion children’s books, young adult books, school books, but there’s not a serious, foot-noted biography.” For this reason, Theoharis wanted to pay Parks homage with a more substantial biography that doesn’t display her as “a children’s book hero,” like the other biogra-
Britta Gunneson/The Mirror Dr. Jeanne Theoharis (above) presented in the Kelley Center and gave a deeper Rosa Parks story than people are usually taught in their elementary years.
phies. Hohl felt that the lecture was a success, saying “we had to add extra chairs, which was wonderful, and the questions were terrific on the part of the students.” Julia Aparicio agreed, saying Theoharis did a good job in “building off of well-accepted notions of Parks’ life galvanizing a year long
bus boycott, bringing Dr. Martin Luther King to fame, and launching the Civil Rights Voting Act of 1965to debunk many of the common myths that still surround her life and legacy.” She added that Theoharis’ speech was truly “an eye-opening experience,” for her.
Management Club launches StudentLeader app By Patrick Kiernan Editor-in-Chief
Contributed Photo The StudentLeader app is available on the App Store with the above logo.
After about two years of trials and tribulations, Fairfield University’s Management Club has finally launched its own app called StudentLeader. The focus of this app is to provide students who are put in positions of leadership on campus with tips and tricks on how to succeed. “We wanted [it] to be a Fairfield University app and we wanted to craft our own real estate in cyberspace,” said management professor Lisa Mainiero, Ph.D. “The whole idea behind this is to give back. This isn’t about making money or being profitable, it’s about giving back to our leaders on campus.” Mainiero, the adviser of Fairfield’s Management Club, came up with the idea two years ago while on sabbatical. When returning to campus, she presented the idea to her students who were very excited at the idea of an app for student leaders on campus. She cites a
need to create pedagogy for millennials. Millennials don’t necessarily want to read lengthy pieces of text, but rather quick information because of the new Internet era. Aside from assisting those students with tips on how to be a good leader, Mainiero hopes that the app can serve as a way to give back to student leaders in the form of scholarships, grants, or some sort of prize. According to Mainiero, this is the reason that the app is priced at $1.99 on the App Store. “What we want to do is create a social enterprise within the business, because we believe in giving back, and want to make sure that if this ever becomes profitable that we are able to give scholarships to student leaders on campus or student grants,” said Mainiero. StudentLeader was initially launched on the App Store on February 26, but is not yet available on Google Play.
READ STUDENT ON PAGE 3
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THE MIRROR | Week of March 18, 2015
News
News Brief: Fairfield fights Gov. Malloy’s budget cuts By Catherine Veschi News Editor
concern for the impact this bill would have on the availability of academic resources for students In his state budget plan pro- here at Fairfield. posed in February, Conn. Gover“This legislation adds anothnor Dannel Malloy suggested cuts er layer of expense that must be that would directly impact private passed on to our students,� Facolleges and universities, such as ther von Arx said at the legislative Fairfield University. hearing. As a response to Gov. Malloy’s “It is tantamount to a reproposed budget plan, President duction in financial support for of Fairfield University Father Jef- students in need, putting higher frey von Arx, education outS.J. testified side their reach against the This legislation adds when the state’s budget cuts on another layer of expense economic future Wed., March that must be passed on to is contingent on 11 at a legisla- our students. an increasingly tive hearing. educated workFather force,� Father von Arx arvon Arx contingued specifiued. cally against In addition, House Bill 6965, a bill that would Vice President for Finance Mike require private colleges to pay tax- Trafecante testified against House es on real and personal proper- Bill 6845, which proposes that ty purchased after 2016. The bill from 2016 on, students who live would also include taxes on the in CT and choose to attend private purchase of computers, scientific colleges in Connecticut will be exequipment and other items. cluded from the Governor’s ScholIn his opposition to the bud- arship Program. get plan, Father von Arx argued “At Fairfield, acccessibility to that these budget cuts would fur- higher education is a strategic prither hinder the financial challeng- ority, and we undertake efforts to es Fairfield University is facing as operate more efficiently and keep an institution. He also expressed tuition increases in check.�
Professor Profile: Shawn Rafalski By Juliana Sansonetti Assistant Vine Editor Fairfield University has enjoyed the professorship of Shawn Rafalski for the past six and a half years. Rafalski has taught courses such as Calculus and Complex Analysis over the course of his time here at Fairfield. Rafalski has not, however, always known that mathematics was his calling. In fact, he was originally a Philosophy and English double major. It was not until he transferred to a state school from his small liberal arts college in Michigan that he became a Math major. He later obtained his Ph.D. at the University of Illinois Chicago. “I decided some time in my junior year of college that I wanted to work in academia. I was a tutor in my school’s mathematics learning center, and I realized that I liked discovering new math and teaching math to people more than I liked most other things.� According to Rafalski’s former student Rebecca Hyatt ‘17, Rafalski not only helps students improve in math; he also changes the way they see the subject. “Professor Rafalski was an engaging professor who found unorthodox ways to help us learn,� said Hyatt. “From seeing Calculus the Musical to having us create videos integrating mathematical concepts, he would not let us settle for the standard perception of math as boring.� For Rafalski, his favorite thing about teaching “is seeing that moment when a difficult concept ‘clicks’ for my students. The ability to discover and comprehend is how the human race de-
velops.� “This is the purpose of an education: to learn how to explore, how to question, how to better understand both ourselves and the world around us,� Rafalski continued. “Seeing a student understand something is like watching the human race grow.� It is clear that Rafalski concerns himself with the well-being of his students. Dana Saad ‘18, a former student of his, said that “Professor Rafalski will
always want and do the best for his students. He is a great professor, and I would definitely take him again, if the chance arises.� Along with teaching calculus, Rafalski is an avid fan of science fiction of all kinds, and even wrote a novel of his own when he was in high school. He was also the editor of his high school’s literary magazine and considered being a fiction writer and astronomer before he decided to go into academia.
ĆŤ ĆŤ ĆŤ Contributed under Creative Commons Students can now take the Stag bus to and from the Dolan area at their own convenience.
Students reflect on new buses to Dolan Commons By Britta Gunneson Photography Editor For students living in the Dolan Commons, the walk to class can be very tedious. These students must face bitter winds, long routes and potholes that further inhibit the oftentimes arduous walk to class. For this reason, Dolan residents have been given the opportunity to ride the Stag bus from Dolan to the Barone Campus Center. Now, students have a safe, dry and reliable way to arrive at class. By this point in the semester, many Dolan residents have taken advantage of the Dolan bus route. One such student, Kira Delia ‘16, feels that the Dolan bus route is very advantageous in her day-to-day life on campus. “I’ve used it as often as I can. Probably at least three times a week. It makes the commute so much easier,� stated Delia. Junior Cristina Boyle agrees, saying, “It’s very convenient especially on days
when there’s bad weather. It was a great decision by the university.� Not only do students feel that the Dolan bus route helps them avoid the cold weather, but it also helps “especially when you’re in a pinch to get somewhere on campus,� said Taylor Rosello ‘16. This new route is not only an asset to Dolan residents, but it is also beneficial to students on campus, according to Myles Golymbieski-Rey ‘16. “I didn’t go to the health center before, even if I was sick, because it was really out of the way,� stated Golymbieski-Rey. “But the Dolan route makes it easier to get there when I need to.� However, other students recognize the harmful effects that the Dolan bus route may have on the campus. According to Matt Caminiti ‘16, “we need to think of our impact on the world. Even though this bus may not be a big deal in a smaller scheme, transportation may cause a lot of pollution issues.�
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THE MIRROR | Week of March 18, 2015
News
Student leaders can benefit from new app Continued from page 1 Those involved in the development hope that the app can be downloaded through Google Play by late April or early May. The decision to go with the App Store first was based off the idea that most Fairfield students have iPhones. The initial content of the app was created by Mainiero, who felt that students needed to be reminded of the lessons she was teaching in class. The app’s features include tabs for leader tips, leader plans, notes to self and leader legacies. Additionally, students can create their
Progress so far of the app has been tremendous. If properly managed, marketed, and updated, I think this has the potential to be really big.
own templates to the leader plan tab. These plans can be edited however the person may like. The app also features a customizable calendar that can be synced with a Google calendar or iPhone calendar. Several management students have become involved in the production of this app, including Amanda Dentico ‘15. According to Dentico, her engagement in the app has been “as acting as a beta tester and brainstorming with Professor Mainiero during class on what we can add to the app and what we should remove.” “Now, I am doing an independent with her and I will be creating a Facebook page,
Twitter and trying to market the app as much and as best I can to get the word out,” Dentico continued. According to Mainiero, the students were her consultants in the development of the app, and they worked hand in hand to come up with something that made sense. Her students would tell her what Fairfield students would be interested in and what they would dislike. Regardless, Mainiero took the major risk of this project, putting down the initial investment of $8,000. Before ultimately becoming profitable and obtaining the ability to give out scholarships and grants, she and the others involved with the app hope to gain back that initial investment. This is not the first time that Mainiero and the Management Club have taken the initiative to give back to students, as they have been involved in a number of previous projects. They raised funds back when 9/11 happened, and raised over $1,000 for Hurricane Sandy relief. They have also been involved with causes associated with pets and animal welfare. Currently, they are working with programs such as Clam Jam and the student disability office. For now, though, all those involved in the development of StudentLeader are eager to see what the reception of the app will be after its first few months of availability. “Progress so far of the app has been tremendous,” said Dentico. “I remember when it was just an idea towards the end of my sophomore year and to see how far it has come already is really impressive to me. If properly managed, marketed, and updated, I think this has the potential to be really big.”
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business.rutgers.edu/finmaccy Rutgers Master of Accountancy in Financial Accounting On-campus & Online Program Earn your Masters in Financial Accounting in 12 months for less than $25K.* The program requires 30 credits, 15 are earned during the summer session, when students are enrolled on campus on a full-time basis. The remaining 15 credits are electives taken on a part-time basis online in the Fall and Spring semesters. The program provides flexibility for students and firms. Accounting graduates admitted into the program in the summer can complete 50% of the degree requirement prior to joining a firm. *The Board of Governors reviews the tuition and fees on an annual basis and sets new tuition and fee rates at its July board meeting.
Online Audit Analytics Certificate As an alternative to the masters program, non-matriculated students may complete four online courses to receive a certificate in Audit Analytics. The certificate program consists of courses in advanced topics such as Audit Analytics and Information Risk Management. Visit: business.rutgers.edu/finmaccy Email: admit@business.rutgers.edu Telephone: 848-445-9229
THE MIRROR | Week of March 18, 2015
Crime Beat
News
Compiled by Austin Wesolowski Information contributed by the Department of Public Safety.
News: In the United States
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By Catherine Veschi News Editor
Tuesday, 3/3 5:22 p.m. – A silver and white iPad air was taken from an unlocked locker in the Recplex. Anyone with any information please contact DPS. Wednesday, 3/4 12:37 p.m. – A student ordered pizza from Planet Pizza and refused to pay the bill after his credit card was declined. The student was referred to student conduct. Thursday, 3/5 8:26 p.m. – A contract company plow truck bumped into a university crew boat in Canisius lot, breaking a foot section of the end. The damage was totaled to be $36,000. Friday, 3/6 6:36 p.m. – The Claver Hall RA staff found a glass bong while conducting routine Health and Safeties. The students were notified and referred to student conduct. 6:46 p.m. – The Townhouse RA staff found a “green leafy substance” in 6 block while conducting routine Health and Safeties. The substance later tested positive for THC by DPS. The students involved were notified and referred to student conduct. Wednesday, 3/11 9:09 a.m. – A Prep student was charged with disorderly conduct when he spit in the face of a DPS officer over a parking violation. The student was referred to the prep dean of students. Friday, 3/13 8:26 p.m. – A fire extinguisher in School of Nursing was found by DPS officers to be deployed. Saturday, 3/14 2:20 p.m. – A stop sign was found vandalized at the intersection of Riel Way and Lynch Road. The matter is under investigation by DPS. Sunday, 3/15 2:27 p.m. – The odor of marijuana led DPS to find individuals in Campion Hall to be in possession of a small marijuana brownie. The individuals were referred to student conduct.
CAU TTIO N O I N U CA THE MIRROR Incorporated 1977
Patrick Kiernan, Editor-in-Chief Meaghan Conlon, Executive Editor Angela Sammarone, Managing Editor Editors Catherine Veschi, News Ariana Puzzo, Opinion Andrew DaRosa, Vine Juliana Sansonetti, Assistant Vine Allison White, Coffee Break Jesse Erickson, Sports Alfredo Torres, Assistant Sports Nicole Funaro, Chief Copy Editor Gabriela Piatek, Assistant Copy Editor Britta Gunneson, Photography Online Ryan Wessel, Web Master Business Department Email: advertising@fairfieldmirror.com Christopher Lapone, Director of Finance Albert Rosica, Director of Advertising Christopher Murphy, Delivery Person Adviser Dr. Tommy Xie Contact Information Fairfield University 1073 North Benson Road, BCC 104 Box AA, Fairfield, CT 06824 General email: info@fairfieldmirror.com
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1. Miami, Fla. - 52-year-old Penn State University professor Karen Halnon was arrested at Miami International Airport for being disorderly on a flight and not complying with the flight crew on an American Airlines flight headed from Managua, Nicaragua to Miami on Saturday.
6. Muncie, Ind. - A Walmart employee discovered a backpack with an active meth lab inside the store’s restroom. Both the men’s and women’s restrooms will remain closed until they are professionally decontaminated. An investigation into who left the backpack is ongoing.
2. Hartford, Conn.- Monsignor Kevin Wallin, a suspended Roman Catholic priest who authorities say dealt pounds of meth and bought a sex shop to possibly absolve his drug money, is asking a federal judge for leniency when he’s sentenced next week.
7. State College, Penn.,- The Kappa Delta Rho fraternity at Penn State University has been suspended for over a year for allegedly using a private, invitation-only Facebook page to post photos of nude and partly nude women, some asleep or passed out.
3. Dulles, Va. - A passenger on a United Airlines flight headed for Denver from Washington ran towards the cockpit of the plane screaming “jihad, jihad,” causing the pilot to turn the plane around, fearing that the passenger had a connection to terrorists. Nothing as of yet in the man’s background suggests such a connec-
8. Ferguson, Mo. - 20-year-old Jeffrey Williams has admitted that he fired the shots that struck two police officers during last week’s protests in Ferguson. Williams has been charged with two counts of first-degree assault, a count of firing a weapon from a vehicle and three counts of armed criminal activity three counts of armed criminal activity.
4. Pomona, Calif. - Los Angeles police officer Henry Solis was issued an arrest warrant on Monday for the shooting of 23-year-old Salome Rodriguez over the weekend. Authorities began searching for the cop to question him, but have yet to find him. 5. Slidell, La. - Two men in a pickup truck abandoned a dog at a gas station, leaving the dog chasing after them. An advocacy group is offering a reward for
9. Cincinnati, Ohio- A federal judge rejected prosecutors’ effort to cut back jail time for Christopher Lee Cornell, a man accused of plotting to attack the U.S. Capitol, who said that if he hadn’t been arrested on 10. Yountville, Calif.- Emad Tawfilis was shot in the head while running through Dahl Vineyard in Northern California by his business partner and winery owner Robert Dahl.
Research and Creative Accomplishments Symposium
Join us for the Celebration! THURSDAY, APRIL 23, 2015 Creative Accomplishments Poster Session 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. (BCC lower level) 15th Annual Sigma Xi Research Poster Session 3 - 5 p.m. (BCC Lower Level) Senior Nurses Capstone Presentations 4 - 6 p.m. (BCC Oak Room)
TUESDAY, APRIL 28, 2015 Service Learning Celebration 3 - 4:30 p.m. (Kelley Center)
Submit proposals online for the Symposium March 16 through April 8 Fairfield.edu/symposium
Opinion
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THE MIRROR | Week of March 18, 2015
Opinion
Editor
Leonard Nimoy shows us that acceptance is a universal value By Ariana Puzzo Opinion Editor Although the original “Star Trek” series aired during my parents’ youth, growing up around my uncles, proud “Trekkies” (to the extent that my one cousin is named Kirk, as in James T. Kirk, the captain of the fictitious Starship Enterprise), made me familiar with the name Mr. Spock. However, it was not until the recent passing of beloved actor Leonard Nimoy, who brought the iconic Mr. Spock to life, that I realized that we should all consider Nimoy, as well as his character, an important model for the acceptance of one’s self and others. After witnessing the overwhelming amount of tributes on mainstream and social media for Nimoy, I began to wonder what he had done during his life to garner the genuine love and respect of so many people from different walks of life. However, after learning more about his initial struggle with accepting the fame that the role of Mr. Spock thrust upon him, I realized that Nimoy’s eventual acceptance of himself and his role was not only a steppingstone that would help pave the way for young people learning to accept others, but was also one that would enable myself and many other people to accept our unique qualities. The most significant of Mr. Spock’s stand-out features were his angular eyebrows, his pointed ears, and his quick intelligence that allowed him to solve problems at a faster, more “logical” rate than most. Mr. Spock’s high abilities, coupled with his physical distinctions from humans, reveal how unjustified discrimination is, given that the appearance or ethnicity of a person is not representative of his or her actual value. The morals extended by the series and through the character of Mr. Spock should be seen as what enabled Nimoy’s portrayal of him to be one not solely remembered for his acting prowess, but more so for Nimoy’s assistance in revolutionizing the idea that despite the physical and ethnic differences people have, these differences do not diminish a person’s worth. Understanding the historical time period during the series’ inception is also important to comprehending the significance of Nimoy’s impact on the public. When he made his first appearance as the detached, albeit clever Vulcan in the rejected 1965 pilot of “Star Trek”, civil rights issues were highly prevalent in the United States.
Editorial Board In With the New Patrick Kiernan Editor-in-Chief Meaghan Conlon Executive Editor Angela Sammarone Managing Editor
Seeing a respected and intelligent nonhuman character that was also one of the series' protagonists on the big screen was not common for the time period in which it was shown. “Star Trek” touted a racially diverse cast, yet the racism that was displayed was directed towards Mr. Spock, the only halfHuman, half-Vulcan member of the Enterprise. The creation of this character allowed racism to be depicted and exposed in such a way that would not have been possible had the target been any other “real” minority. The constant remarks about ethnicity endured by the character of Mr. Spock, often by the character of Dr. McCoy, who belittled Spock for his pointed ears and green blood, as well as his logical mind, depicted the parallel struggles of racism often faced by minorities. Nimoy’s portrayal of his character’s ongoing struggle to cope with prejudice that was, for all intents and purposes, parallel to those faced by many people in our real life culture helped add another layer to the series that showed young people how much pain can be caused by not accepting others because of their differences. Additionally, by having a non-conforming character whose persona was considered, as stated by Matt Atchity, the Editor-in-Chief of the film review website Rotten Tomatoes, to have been “used as a device for the writers to examine humanity and examine what it meant to be human,” Nimoy’s impact on the acceptance of others became only that much more powerful and meaningful. “Star Trek,” and the character of Mr. Spock, remind us that the social issues we face today are timeless. Although Nimoy is now gone, it is crucial that we do not let his greatest lesson to us, so powerfully portrayed through his character Mr. Spock, go with him. Through his own personal journey of acceptance and the example that his iconic character has provided for people of all ages, Nimoy has helped those who may consider themselves outsiders based on their ethnicity, interests or physical differences embrace those differences and be proud of their individuality. Furthermore, if we are to truly “live long and prosper” and reach “the final frontier,” we must resolve our conflicts and accept the fact that differences between people are not inherently bad.
Well, that time has come. The time that the three of us have been so incredibly excited, anxious, and nervous about since we were given our new positions just before Spring Break. The new staff of The Mirror has arrived, and this is the first issue under our tenure. Much of the paper may seem the same to you, but there are new journalists at work doing their best to prosper in their respective roles. And though it may take a while to get accustomed to our weekly duties and responsibilities, we are excited at the opportunity to go above
and beyond, providing even better content to the Fairfield community on a weekly basis. Not only are we a new group, but we are possibly the youngest staff in the history of The Mirror. Four of our five section editors are currently freshmen, and we have seven staffers representing the class of 2018. They are all poised for greatness, we just know it. Like our new section editors, we will also do all that we can to rise both to, and above, the occasion. The new editorial board is made up of a bit of an unlikely
Photos Contributed under Creative Commons
group: a former sports editor as editor-in-chief, former opinion editor as executive editor, and former copy editor as managing editor. It is also with regret that we say goodbye to all five of our seniors, three of whom consisted of last staff ’s editorial board. They have imparted a great deal of knowledge and journalistic integrity onto every member of the new staff. We have faith in all that the former editorial board and seniors have taught us, and are sure that with time, we will only blossom. We would also like to say thank
you, not only to our former staffers and journalism professors, but to all of you who support The Mirror and take the time out of your Wednesday to read it. Without you, we would not have the motivation necessary to do our jobs, or even the desire to ultimately become journalists with our careers. To conclude, though we are new to these positions, we are salivating at the opportunity to take The Mirror and turn it into a piece of media recognizable by all of Fairfield. And believe us, we will eat.
THE MIRROR | Week of March 18, 2015
Opinion
Middle class students deserve equal college opportunities By Renee Nouri Contributing Writer
Rising college tuitions and unpaid student debts are rapidly becoming the new sources of fear for the middle class student enrolled in higher education. The middle class gives the illusion of being financially sound, but in recent years that has not always been the case. I strongly believe that it’s time for colleges to not only
focus on helping low-income households to receive an education, but also those in the middle class. Rising tuitions can deeply impact students’ education, future endeavors and financial situations. Colleges should revamp their distribution of financial aid by adjusting thresholds and offering aid that extends to the middle class. The last thing I would want on my shoulders after the stress and hours of
studying in the library for all four years of college is the weight of student loans. People are barely making it. If you take a quick look around, some members of the middle class are suffering and are overburdened with hopelessness. If you don’t believe me, I will give you the harsh facts of reality amongst our surroundings. According to recent United States Census Bureau reports, the United States is considered one of the wealthiest countries compared to others in the world, and yet 76% of our citizens live a paycheck-to-paycheck life, whilst 29% of workers have less than $1,000 tucked away. The United States Census Bureau also reported that the median income in America has shown a decrease from $56,000 to $51,000 in the last 15 years. Last year’s graduates reflected the most indebted class ever, so I can’t even imagine this year’s estimated amount of debt. I am personally terrified of my own financial future given that millions of graduates suffer from huge debts. Going to a college does not guarantee you a job by any means and I know multiple scholars who are unable to find a job in the area they studied and have no alternative but to move back in with their parents and spend their nights in their childhood beds. So the age-old question comes back into consideration, “Where exactly is our tuition money going and why is it necessary to continuously raise it? A major reason for tuition increases is because of college athletics. Reporter Cliff Peale of USA Today reported that the University of Cincinnati and Miami University in Oxford, Ohio recently dumped $6 million dollars into their
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sports program in order to preserve their competitive reputation. So what does this mean for the rest of the student body that does not get athletic scholarships? Naturally, a tuition increase. Most collegiate sports do not bring in revenue; take, for example, how many people on this campus would pay to watch the golf team. No offense golfers, but not me. I have had my fair share of time on the green, and I cannot say that it was notably pleasant. But that does not matter because the team is financially funded. The deficit in the lack of revenue is covered by the tuition of other students. So let’s face the facts - if you’re not a Division I athlete that has potential to earn scholarship money that covers tuition, you are in trouble. Meanwhile, a middle class student is racking up thousands of dollars in debt, because his or her family income does not qualify him or her for federal and state financial aid. Financial aid systems were created in order to increase enrollment and provide opportunity to those who suffer from financial barriers, but somewhere along the line the system has failed. A large increase in tuition has been responsible for middle class families no longer being able to afford for their child’s education. Without a doubt, colleges should change the way that they distribute their financial aid instead of just focusing on the low-income households. The debt produced by student loans already has staggered the future of many scholars, which is why all factors of a middle class family’s income should be taken into account.
Dr. Seuss' lessons transcend generations By Kelsey Sullivan Contributing Writer I can remember being three years old, sitting on my twin sized bed with my sister and learning to read my first book. A Dr. Seuss book of course: it was “One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish.” This book was easy for me to begin reading because of all of the rhyming and the simplicity in the words. As a result of their simplicity, you would think Dr. Seuss’ childhood stories would fade out when we all grow up, but it seems that they always come back. Dr. Seuss has been incorporated in my life in some of the most unlikely places and the beauty of his work seems to be the silly rhyming that reminds us not only of childhood innocence, but also of the real themes and lessons that are instilled in us since our first reading of “One Fish, Two Fish, Red Fish, Blue Fish.” As most of us know, Dr. Seuss died in 1991 and his last book was published in 1990, well before I learned to read. Given this, it is interesting to consider how Dr. Seuss remained so relevant even though he’s been gone for nearly 20 years. The answer is pretty simple. The lessons in his books stick with us, and due to this, they are passed down to children who love them because of silly characters, as well as the made up words and worlds. The characters are so loveable, and children want to cheer for them to be successful. I can remember when I was little and was reading “Horton Hears a Who” and be-
ing so nervous that Horton wouldn’t be able to save the Whos. My nervousness was the motivator that kept me so invested in the book. Additionally, the mass markets of movies and musicals that Dr. Seuss books have been made into continue to spark the curiosity in children to read the books. I know that I look forward every Christmas to watching the original version of “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” with my mom, a tradition for us since I had the book read to me as a child. I had learned to love all of these stories that I read when I was little, and even though I am no longer that little girl with those big colorful books on my bedside table, I still find these stories showing up in my life. The literary world has put so much into glorifying Dr. Seuss, and rightly so, by making so many of his books into movies and putting such a big emphasis on his birthday every year. This is an honor that not a lot of children’s authors or authors in general receive. Through our childhoods, we continued to encounter Dr. Seuss, and it seems that after we are considered adults, he becomes less important. But for me, and many others who developed a vivid imagination from the lessons of Dr. Seuss, I know that I will be passing his stories onto my children, and I’m sure many others of my generation will be doing the same. And all of this I believe, will keep Dr. Seuss relevant for a long time coming.
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.
The Vine
arts, entertainment, features Editor Andrew DaRosa vine@fairfieldmirror.com
THE MIRROR | Week of March 18, 2015
The Vine
Grateful Dead to be topic of third annual American Studies Conference By Andrew DaRosa Vine Editor
Oh “what a long, strange trip it's been.” For 50 years, the Grateful Dead have entertained audiences with their live splendor and inimitable virtuosity, despite the untimely death of their legendary frontman, Jerry Garcia, in 1995. In July, the band will reconvene at Soldier Field in Chicago, IL. for three final performances dubbed “Fare Thee Well.” Bob Weir, Phil Lesh, Bill Kreutzmann, and Mickey Hart have enlisted the help of Phish guitarist Trey Anastasio, pianist Bruce Hornsby, and keyboardist Jeff Chimenti to send off the band in proper fashion. On Saturday, March 28, Grateful Dead archivist, Nicholas Meriwether will be the keynote speaker at Fairfield University’s third annual American Studies Conference and will discuss the legacy of the Grateful Dead from the 1960's to today as well as the various
aspects that sur-
round the Grateful Dead archive. Meriwether founded the Grateful Dead archive at the University of California-Santa Cruz and has written many dissertations on the Grateful Dead including “Studying the Dead, An Informal History of the Grateful Dead Scholars Caucus” and “All Graceful Instruments: The Contexts of the Grateful Dead Phenomenon.” The return of the Grateful Dead to live music is significant in that the counterculture of the 1960s is merging with the present and allowing for a whole new generation of “Deadheads” to experience the live bliss of the Grateful Dead. While the band has existed in various incarnations that range from Furthur to the Rhythm Devils, this is the first time since 1995 that the band has played Contributed under Creative Commons
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together under the name of the Grateful Dead. The talk is part of a whole conference that revolves around the theme of “Race, Protest, and American Culture.” Dr. Philip Eliasoph, art professor at Fairfield University, helped chair a four-day conference this past November regarding the Grateful Dead and has helped to bring the influence of the Grateful Dead to the campus community through the passionate Nicholas Meriwether. To these gentlemen, the impact of the Grateful Dead in our present culture is profound. The conference will take place Saturday, March 28 from 12-6 p.m. at the Aloysius P. Kelley Center and will feature presentations from undergraduates, graduates, and alumni. Meriwether’s speech will take place at 4pm with a following reception at 5:15 p.m., featuring The Phantom Pluckers, a band organized by Fairfield University professor, Brian Torff. Registration is free.
Tensions run high By Katherine Falzon Contributing Writer
of 'The
After countless long weeks of tough decisions and broken hearts, “The Bachelor” Chris Soules finally chose his soul mate Monday, March 9th on the season finale of the hit ABC series. Chris proposed to Whitney Bischoff, a 29-year-old fertility nurse from Chicago, IL, after turning down second runner up Becca Tilley, a 25-year-old chiropractic assistant from San Diego. Throughout the two-hour highly dramatic and emotional finale, it was clear that Whitney was much more committed to living a life with Chris in the small town of Arlington, IA. Whitney’s warm and charming personality made a great first impression on Chris’s family. She assured them that she was prepared to make the move to Arlington and become a mom. On the other hand, Becca felt overwhelmed by the situation and admitted to Chris’s parents that she was not ready to make the move to Arlington unless she knew for sure that their relationship would work. Not only was she unprepared to move, but she also admitted that she was not sure if she was ready to say yes to a proposal. While Whitney confessed to Chris that she loved him, Becca never truly said the words “I love you,” but rather “I think I am falling in love.” Stricken with confusion and apprehension, Becca felt unsure of their relationship as she felt she had “nothing else to compare it to,” mainly because she had never been in love. Becca’s uncertainty spilled over into their final date together as she warned Chris that she could not make any promises about their future together. The tone of Whitney and Chris’s fi-
nal date was much different, as Whitney declared that she was confident in her feelings towards him and did not question anything about their relationship. Although Chris appeared to be torn with having strong feelings for both women, Becca’s hesitation made it much easier for Chris to decide. While Whitney was all in, Becca wasn't completely in. The end result of the season is a proposal, and Becca simply was not ready to commit. Chris finally cut ties with Becca and stated, “I don’t think it’s fair for either of us to take that leap at this point.” After turning down Becca, Chris was able to
' chance to talk to Becca, who Chris Soules was able to see for the first time since the break-up. Surprisingly, they were both admirably civil and agreed that the decision was for the best. There seemed to be no regrets and both were confident that they are in a better place. As for the newly engaged couple, Whitney described herself as being “the happiest girl in the entire world.” It is interestingly revealed that she chose not to watch Chris’s dates with the other women in the competition because she feels very confident in their relationship. Chris calls Whitney the “perfect” woman for him and goes on to gush, “Not only is she gorgeous on the outside, she’s beyond beautiful on the inside.” The “After the Final Rose” special ends with a very big announcement on the next season of “The Bachelorette”: for the first time in “Bachelorette” history, there will be two “Bachelorettes!” Two contestants from the just-concluded “Bachelor” season, Britt Nilsson and Kaitlyn Bristowe, have both unexpectedly been cast in the role. Instead of how the show typically runs, this time the 25 male contestants will have, in the words of Chris Harrison, the “ultimate say about who they think would make the best wife.” Although it is unclear as to how this will work out, ABC promises that only one woman will be around in the finale to hand out a rose. So fans will just have to wait and see how Britt and Kaitlyn will coexist until Contributed under Creative Commons the new, twisted version of “The Bachelorette” begins its 11th season on May 18!
move forward with Whitney and presented her with the final rose of the season in his charmingly rustic Iowa barn. Chris dropped down to one knee to ask for her hand in marriage with a Neil Lane 4-carat engagement ring. He told Whitney that he loved her, and added, “everything about this moment feels right.” The season finale of “The Bachelor” concluded with a happy ending of the newly engaged couple kissing in a hayloft. In the one-hour “After the Final Rose” event with host Chris Harrison, viewers were able to see Chris and Whitney together for the first time since the televised proposal. But before interviewing the happy couple, Harrison had the
The Mirror | Week of March 18, 2015
The Vine
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Pat McGee hosts album release show at StageOne By Charles DeFilippo Music Columnist/ Vine Editor Emeritus
Pat McGee is a passionate singer/songwriter that is able to bring his music full circle with simple melodies and sentimental lyrics that tug on the heartstrings with wholesome rock energy. With nearly two decades of recording and touring large festivals and universities as a college band, McGee remains humble and dedicated to his craft. McGee will return to Fairfield Theatre Company’s StageOne for the official CD release party of his new album on Saturday, March 21 at 7:00 p.m. McGee’s tenth self-titled album arches over country, rock and bluegrass genres and incorporates “the sounds I grew up listening to,” said McGee. The 13-track record will be available at StageOne, although the record will not officially be released until the following week. Preorder vinyl will also be available at the performance, paying tribute to the excitement McGee had when he first discovered vinyl and ran off to the record store. “When I was in high school, classic rock was what you listened to. Everything really started with James Taylor, The Beatles, Eric Clapton, Eagles and late 70’s music,” said McGee. “I am the youngest in the family and my brother played guitar. I am thankful that they turned me onto this stuff,” added McGee. McGee album utilizes the folk instruments and sounds he adored as a child from acoustic guitar and mandolin to fiddle and bazouki. McGees’ self-produced album features Russ Kunkel, Leland Sklar, Waddy Wachtel, Danny Kortchmar, Jeff Pevar and guests: Little Feat’s Paul Barrere, Blues Traveler’s John Popper, Pat Monahan and Punchbrother’s Gabe Witcher, just to name a few. The opening track, “Bad Idea,” is the perfect fix for any country die-hard with driving blues electric guitar, solid drums and the right amount of twang on Pevar and Wachtel’s guitar solos. Lyrically, McGee sings about “a person who is their own worst enemy...or might be in a situation that they can’t seem to get out of,” wrote McGee. Goosebumps take form as “Overboard” swells into a gritty ballad featuring Pat Monahan, better know as the lead singer of Train. A gigantic shimmer resonates over the band ev-
ery time the drummer hits the sizzle-cymbal behind his ‘59 ludwig. The band soars while McGee and Monahan sing “Take my hand, take my hand,” a sentimental autobiography about going overboard for the ones you love. Latter songs such as “Kite String” stray away from the albums midsection ballads and lovebird sentiment of “Caroline” and “When Did Everything Go Wrong” and delve into Americana-funk fusion. The albums eleventh track, “Rhode Island” is beautiful with rock ‘n’ roll force. McGee sings of a fictional character, Quinn, who mirrors McGees’ longing of home, especially after decades on the road. The Virginia native released his debut self-produced album, “From the Wood,” in 1997 which remains a true testament to McGee’s down to earth vocals and relatable lyrics. Songs such as “Rebecca” and “Haven’t Seen For A While” remain crowd favorites. After McGee signed with Warner Brothers, “Shine” was born in 2000 featuring Rock and Roll Hall of Fame member Jerry Harrison of The Talking Heads and former guitarist of The Allman Brothers and Gov't Mule's front man Warren Haynes. In 2004 McGee released “Save Me,” which melds McGee’s catchy lyrics with an alternative edge. The record features memorable tracks such as the hit single, “Beautiful Ways.” “Don’t Give Up” was also featured as the Olympic theme song for NBC. McGee would continue to produce top-shelf live and studio albums including, “These Days” (2007), who pays tribute Chris, the bands drummer, who passed suddenly. “No Wrong Way To Make It Right” (2011) blends McGees ‘heaviest and most delicate moments’ with the music McGee grew up listening to. “Juliet” is a song on the 2011 album about McGees’ strong daughter. Although she was 5 at the time, the song was written from the future mindset of a lovestruck 15-year-old attempting to sweep McGees’ little girl off her feet.
Nutrition 101: By Stephanie Piccolo Nutrition Columnist
V
itamins are essential nutrients your body needs to support your metabolism and bodily functions. Many vitamins are found in the nutritional food you eat in your daily diet. Ideally, vitamins should be taken in by your body through consumption of foods, but if an individual is lacking vitamins supplements should be taken. For a college-aged individual, it is recommended to take a daily multivitamin every day. This multivitamin contains essential vita-
Contributed under Creative Commons
Contributed Photos
Man o man, was this song fun to track. We happen to have just listened to some classic Led Zep with some crushing drums from Bonham. Everyone went, for lack of a better term, balls out rock - Pat McGee On "Rhode Island"
Pat McGee Band w/ Matt Duke
on StageOne
Saturday, March 21
Rock/Folk
Doors @ 7:00 p.m.
Tickets price: $28
Show @ 7:45 p.m.
The truth about vitamins
mins and minerals your body needs. Vitamins are broken down into fat solubles and water solubles. The fat soluble vitamins, A, D, E, and K, are stored in your body’s liver and fat for long periods of time. While water soluble vitamins, B and C, are eliminated rapidly through the body and need to be replaced regularly. For fat soluble vitamins, Vitamin A can be found in foods like milk and eggs, Vitamin D is absorbed by your skin through sunlight, Vitamin E is found in vegetable oils and nuts, and Vitamin K is found in green leafy vegetables. For water soluble vitamins, Vitamin C is found in citrus fruits and Vitamin B is found in meats, fish and dairy products. Another important supplement your body needs is calcium. As a child, you were told to drink your milk for this particular reason, to get
your recommended amount of calcium. Calcium is not only important for your growth as a child, but also to ensure strong bones. As a young adult, most people do not obtain calcium from drinking milk, therefore a supplement of calcium is recommended along with your daily multivitamin. It is important to not take the calcium supplement at the same time as the multivitamin because it can interfere with absorption. It is recommended to take between 600 and 1000 milligrams of calcium a day. Vitamin D is different than any other type of vitamin because it is comes from sunlight and is absorbed by your skin. On average a person should spend some time of the day in the sun to obtain Vitamin D, but this is difficult for individuals during the winter. Therefore, supplemental Vitamin D can be taken up to 600 international units a day. Vitamin D is essential for your bones, calcium absorption, proper muscle
movement, and for your immune system to fight off harmful viruses and bacteria. Omega-3 fatty acids are also important for your health. These fatty acids protect your heart, help with brain function, and help with movements of the joints. Omega-3 fatty acids are found in a variety of fish oils and some plant and nut oils. If you are not a frequent fish eater, it is likely you are not getting enough of these fatty acids. A supplement of 600 milligrams of DHA omega-3 fatty acids can be taken daily to ensure proper nutrition. Proper knowledge about vitamins and supplements is important because you may not be receiving your nutritional needs. Be mindful of what you are consuming through your diet and take necessary supplements and vitamins if needed. A simple talk with your doctor or a nutritionist can also be helpful in understanding what your body needs!
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THE MIRROR | Week of March 18, 2015
The Vine
Let Dre Dress You By Andrea Butler Fashion Columnist
Hey Stags! It’s the second half of the Spring Semester, so you know what that means—Saturdays at the Point are upon us. This is a fresh opportunity to show people your style in the daytime sans jacket, so you gotta dress to impress. Here are some suggestions on what to wear while you’re trying to find the keg. Maxi dresses are the obvious choice and practically a Fairfield Girl uniform. You can keep your legs warm but you still don’t have to wear pants, which is always a good thing. If you do want to wear pants, high-waist jeans and crop top is a perfect look. Pair it with an oversized sweater to help keep you warm in the shade! Any Point Day look calls for some statement jewelry. A huge, colorful necklace will jazz up even the last outfit you try on when you feel like nothing looks good. Stay safe and stylish, lovelies! Love,
Dre Contributed under Creative Commons
'Theory of Everything' Frank Underwood is back is an emotional tale for another riveting season of 'House of Cards' of life and love By Juliana Sansonetti Assistant Vine Editor Last November a new film called “The Theory of Everything” came to theaters among many glowing reviews. The film was later nominated for five Oscars, and Eddie Redmayne went on to win for best actor in a leading role for his part in the film. The film deserves every accolade it has received and more. The heartfelt story of Stephen Hawking and his first wife, Jane Wilde Hawking, is a poignant statement of hope and love. The picture begins by introducing Stephen, a young Cambridge University genius who has embarked upon a Ph.D. in physics. He then meets Jane Wilde at a party and they fall slowly in love. Stephen has many theories when it comes to science and the origins of the universe that bestow him many honors and accolades, until his debilitating disease, Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, or ALS, became known to him and is given two years to live. Despite this horrifying prognosis, Stephen and Jane get married and live their lives to the fullest in the time they have. Stephen, who is still alive today, overcame the seemingly impossible. His many contributions to science will go down in history, despite the many difficulties he faced in his life. The film portrays this tale of achievement and overcoming difficulties in a beautiful and surprisingly relatable way. The way Jane and Stephen fall in love, for example, feels very genuine to the audi-
ence. It is a slow process at first, until they realize how much they mean to each other. It is truly a noble testament to the way love heals and assists in the difficulties life. “The Theory of Everything” is beautiful to look at. Additionally, it has the perfect cast. Eddie Redmayne portrays the struggles and achievements of Stephen Hawking in a very realistic way. He portrays Hawking’s awkward and quirky mannerisms perfectly as well. Felicity Jones, who portrays Hawking’s wife Jane, highlights her quiet determination to be with, and help Stephen, in the good times and the bad. Jane Hawking said of the film, “When I saw Felicity on the screen I thought ‘Oh my goodness, that’s me!’ because she had captured my mannerisms.” The movie is also accompanied with a beautiful score. It has too many heartfelt moments to count and will certainly bring tears to the eyes of viewers many times over. It was a movie that you experience on a personal level rather than simply watching. It was magnificently beautiful and brutally honest. Stephen Hawking himself said, “The film was surprisingly honest about our marriage. It reflects our struggle to bring up three children despite my disability.” I would recommend “The Theory of Everything” to everyone. Not only is it a beautiful film, but it is a testament to the power of love and the importance of friendship.
By Matthew Lazicky Contributing Writer Frank Underwood is back! After a year-long hiatus, the popular Netflix show, “House of Cards,” is back for its third season. Last season ended with some cliffhangers and hopefully, they will be played out in the third season. Now that Netflix has decided to release entire seasons at a time, I will be discussing the show; specifically what to possibly expect and a bit of a recap of the second season, so no worries about accidentally reading spoilers about the third season. The second season ended with Frank Underwood taking over as president of the United States after pulling off an insane plan to impeach the current president. It started with Underwood becoming the vice president under President Walker. From there, Underwood influences, manipulates, or murders all that help him achieve his goal of becoming president. This includes covering up the murder of Democratic Representative Peter Russo
and pushing reporter, Zoe Barnes, in front of a train. Underwood is pursued by Zoe’s lover, Lucas Goodwin, but halfway through the season, Goodwin is arrested and the storyline of the murder is put aside. Hopefully, season 3 will finalize the plotline of the murders and maybe, Underwood will see some kind of punishment. To also better assist himself into the Oval Office, Underwood severed ties between Walker and his billionaire friend Raymond Tusk. Xander Feng, a Chinese billionaire, was working with Tusk to build a bridge but Underwood interfered and caused Feng to drop out and Tusk to launder money through a Native American Casino. This leads to Underwood and Tusk fighting with one another but by the end of the season Underwood convinces Tusk to turn away from the Walker. After being pressed by the media, Tusk lies about the laundering and states that the president knew what was going on, which began Walker’s impeachment.
Underwood had already manipulated the House Majority Whip, Jackie Sharp, and Secretary of State Catherine Durant, into backing up the impeachment, which forces the president’s impeachment even further. Aside Underwood’s jump to presidency, the season also led to the possible death of Doug Stamper, Underwood’s Chief of Staff. When we last see Stamper, he is left in the woods after being beaten by Rachel Posner with a stone. Stamper had fallen in love with Posner in season two after he made her go into hiding after she essentially helped Underwood murder Russo. When Stamper received information regarding Posner’s hideaway being found and his attempt to relocate her, she gets scared and beats him down. This new season has a lot to live up to since the second season was packed with drama and some interesting plots, and hopefully, it will live up to the hype. Now that Frank Underwood is president, what mayhem will he cause with his new power?
The Mirror | Week of March 18, 2015
The Vine
Zach Deputy: better than your grandma’s cooking
Inkwell Spotlight 'Celestial Love Metaphors'
By Charles DeFilippo Music Columnist/ Vine Editor Emeritus
By Christopher Buza Editor-in-Chief of The Inkwell
South Carolina Singer/Songwriter Zach Deputy embodies a wide array of musical ability. Calypso, R&B, soul, reggae and Latin influence are all sprinkled throughout Deputy’s catalog. With so many flavors in the mix, Deputy draws from rhythm and blues legends like Taj Mahal, Al Green, Stevie Wonder, Ray Charles and James Brown; yet Deputy appeals to modern fans of artists like Jack Johnson. “I would describe my music as a huge beef stew of Latin influence,” said Deputy. “My mother is from the Virgin Islands, my grandmother is from Puerto Rico and I grew up in the south;
Luminous Red Novae The explosions of two stars colliding Our light echo bounces Off heavenly vapors Our life events arriving In measured sequence Experts et al. cry foul Too close to call for Lack of data Our light echo bounces The universe quakes The pillars of heaven shake The variables of three simple words Each one ever-changing
instead of throwing different foods [into the stew] I throw in different life experiences.” Deputy recalls the calypso mixtapes that his grandmother used to prepare for each visit on cassette. There is something about them, like your grandmas’ cooking, that cannot be duplicated anywhere else. “I would listen to the mix-tapes until they broke [literally]. Most of the time I didn’t even know who these artists were, but it is not something you can go out and buy at a record store,” said Deputy. “The same thing goes for my grandma’s cooking. I can’t even eat an empanada.” On stage Deputy is energetic and captivating. His musical spectrum fuses with an infectious groove, upbeat gui-
Luminous Red Nova The explosion of two suns colliding A lack of data is not the sole Cause for doubt From Big Bang to Big Crunch And in light of heat death Make light of heat death Because our light echo bounces And our collision still burns
Contributed under Creative Commons
tar, electronic looping technology and beatboxing. Deputy can do it all while you’re getting down and dirty on the dance floor to what Deputy refers to as “Island-infused Drum ‘n’ Bass Gospel Ninja Soul.” Deputy’s 2010 single, “Into The Morning,” encompases his iconic and multi-textural sound. The track was written in honor of Deputy’s grandma and roots itself in spanish classical guitar. “Into The Morning” is such a telling track because Deputy uses a lot of improvisation and performs it based on “what I am feeling at that particular time,” said Deputy. “I reinterpreted the song out of my own imagination and I’ve never written it down. I listen to versions from five, four or three years ago and it is crazy how much it changes. It’s growing and will continue to grow over time because my mood and meditation pours out [through this song] in kind of an afterthought,” said Deputy. Deputy’s last effort, “Another Day” (2011), draws a counterpoint to his iconic approach. Recorded at Mission Sound Recording in Brooklyn, N.Y., the album features traditional lyric driven romantic folk songs while maintaining rich soul and feeling. The record was produced by Grammy winning Scott Jacoby and features drummer Graham Hawthorne (Aretha Franklin, Paul Simon, David Byrne), bassist Al Carty (Lou Reed, Alicia Keys, Gavin DeGraw) and pianist/organist Will Buthod (Jay-Z, Swizz Beatz).
Contributed Photo
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Coffee Break
THE MIRROR | Week of March 18, 2015
Page 12
COFFEE BREAK Editor: Allison White
Goodbye Class of 2015
Jennifer Calhoun, Executive Editor Emeritus
Shauna Mitchell, Editor-in-Chief Emeritus My life in college didn’t really begin until I started working for The Mirror. Sure, before I joined, I was your average Fairfield student. I went to class, ate at Barone, enjoyed Townhouse party culture, the usual. But as soon as I became a Mirrorite (as I like to call us), all of that changed. I befriended strange creatures who could function on minimal sleep, consume only coffee and Cheetos for days at a time, and somehow still produce, from scratch, an award-winning 16-page newspaper. I’m proud to have become one of those weirdos, blasting the Tangled soundtrack at 3 a.m. while trying to figure out how we can fit six stories in the news section. It hasn’t been easy. Jen, Enxhi and I have seen far too many Wednesday sunrises, been driven to near madness by malfunctioning fire alarms in the BCC and even one time (okay, several times) tried to run away from deadline. But the truth is that I love The Mirror and every ridiculous thing I have had to do to keep it going strong. I hope everyone gets the chance to care about something as much as I care about The Mirror. It has truly defined my experience at Fairfield. It’s strange to finally be saying goodbye to the paper, but I’m confident that Pat, Angela and Meaghan are going to rock this next year. Remember: Just keep breathing.
It’s kind of weird finally being the one who has to write this. I’ve seen three groups of seniors have to do this and though “lol this will never be me.” Well sh*t. It is. Almost every Tuesday of my college experience has been spent in the Mirror Office. It’s crazy to look back and think about what my life would be like if I hadn’t walked into the Mirror Office for the first meeting my freshman year. What would my life be like if Eric Bernsen ‘12, the sports editor at the time, hadn’t taken me under his wing. For as many times that I complained to the editorial board that “I hate this place,” it really wasn’t true. Some of my favorite moments were spent in this office. 3x5 with Tom Shea ‘14 and Michael O’Keeffe ‘13 was probably my favorite section I’ve ever worked on. I went back and watch the 3x5 video we made back then, I highly recommend everyone else does too. All of the nights freaking out over the B-Section with Tom seemed, at the time, horrible, but they led to the work I’m the proudest of at Fairfield. I would be no where without all the help I got from Tom over the years, so this is a super belated thank you that you’ll probably never read. Seeing Pat go through the ranks of my sports writer, to my successor as sports editor, and now to editor in chief make me so proud and so incredibly excited for the future of this paper. And of course, my editorial board. Shauna and Enxhi, there is no way I would have survived this year without you guys. You’re my partners in crime, my confidants, my scrambling to write the editorial buddies, and two of my best friends here. I’m so glad we went through this journey together. For the last time, your esteemed Executive Editor is saying peace out. But keep checking me out in 4x5 … I’m hilarious.
Enxhi Myslymi, Managing Editor Emeritus Thinking back to orientation freshman year, all I remember hearing was “Get involved!” and being so confused about how I’d be able to do that. Clearly, baby Enxhi didn’t have her head on straight because, c’mon, who wouldn’t want to be a part of this wonderful group of people? Fast forward a year when I finally made the trek to the lower level Barone Campus Center (it took me a while, OK?). What I didn’t know at the time was that I had just walked into an office where I would be spending most of the next two years. I remember immediately thinking that I had found my home and my Fairfield family when I looked at the people in The Mirror. This place is a conglomeration of the most fascinating, strangest and hilarious people you will ever meet, which makes for quite exciting deadlines when it reaches 3 in the morning … or maybe closer to 5 in the morning … sometimes 7 a.m. It’s more than just a place to hone writing and editing skills; it’s a family, and one I could not imagine being without. In closing, I would like to say that it’s been an honor being your Managing Editor this past year. To last year’s staff, thank you for all of your guidance. To the new staff, there’s no doubt in my mind that you’ll do amazing this next year. But most importantly, to the seniors on this staff: Chuck, your creativity has astounded all of us. Matt, there would be no Mirror chat without your stickers. To Shauna and Jenniger, my pals, my loves and the best people I have ever met, Tuesdays will never be the same without you.
Matthew Schneider, Assistant Sports Editor Emeritus
Charles DeFilippo, Vine Editor Emeritus
As May quickly approaches it is hard for me to sum ‘The Fairfield Experience’ and even harder to explain how The Mirror has shaped me in the last year alone. I’ve learned and been inspired by everyone I have crossed paths with the paper. Week after week I fight to make The Vine the best it can be because I know that each staff member is working twice as hard to do the same for their sections. I have been fortunate to combine my passion and double major in music and journalism. The Mirror has allowed me to make real contacts that have built a foundation for a future career. Last week I was sitting in the lobby of 1290 6th Avenue in New York with
butterflies swarming my stomach and my mind racing, ‘I’m about to graduate, what will I do after Fairfield?, and I’m sitting in the lobby of Rolling Stone,’ a surreal experience that reminded me of the long hours in the office editing, writing, designing, rewriting and rewriting. Out of all the musicians I have interviewed, many of them agree their craft is difficult, but it courses through their veins. They have chosen music and music has chosen them; likewise The Mirror has become infectious. I am sad to leave, but inspired to see where the new (and young) staff will take it. Find what you love, hone that craft, and never look back.
Writing for The Mirror has been one of my favorite parts of going to Fairfield. It has been a constant of the last two years, and will be something that I will miss greatly. Before deciding to write for The Mirror, I was unsure of what I wanted to do after graduation or what I wanted to major in. Now, I cannot imagine my life without journalism, thanks in large part to the amazing time that I had writing for the newspaper. Working for the Mirror has introduced me to a great group of people who share the same interests as I do, and made doing what would otherwise be a tedious and repetitive job a lot of fun. I am very thankful that I got to meet every single person that I have worked with over the past two years, as
you have each shaped me in a very important way, whether you know it or not. My only regret about my time with The Mirror is that I did not start writing for it sooner. I feel like I missed out on a tremendous opportunity, and wish that I could have the lost time back. To all of the perspective journalists out there, take this melancholy senior’s advice: try writing for The Mirror early on in your Fairfield career, you definitely won’t regret it. I can proudly say that I have never had a bad experience writing for The Mirror, and can’t imagine life without it. To my fellow departing seniors: Shauna, Jen, Chuck, and Enxhi, I know that we are sad to move on, but The Mirror is being left in great hands.
Sports
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THE MIRROR | Week of March 18, 2015
SPORTS
Sports Editor: Jesse Erickson » sports@fairfieldmirror.com
#ICYMI in Sports: After returning from their tournament in sunny Florida, Fairfield’s baseball team will be forced back onto the road for play due to the conditions of Alumni Diamond. The field, which is still covered in snow, has caused a schedule change. The baseball team will now be heading to Fordham University to use their field for a three-day game series against Manhattan from Saturday, March 21 through Sunday, March 22. After returning from the tournament having played some of the most competitive teams in the nation, the Stags are now 0-9, but will look to better this record in upcoming Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference play.
Marching into Madness By Matthew Schneider Assistant Sports Editor Emuritus
Fairfield’s men and women’s tennis has been very powerful so far this season. After the men’s tennis team went on to top University of Connecticut 4-1, both teams took on Rider on Monday, March 16. The Stags blanked Rider, posting a 7-0 sweep on both sides. The men’s and women’s teams both walked away with victories from every singles match and then a doubles match to get the win. The women’s team, now 3-1 in the MAAC, will host Providence College on Friday, March 20 at 3 p.m. at home. The men’s team, 4-3 in the MAAC, will host Bryant on Saturday, March 18 at 3 p.m. Fairfield’s men and women’s tennis has been very powerful so far this season. After the men’s tennis team went on to top University of Connecticut 4-1, both teams took on Rider on Monday, March 16. The Stags blanked Rider, posting a 7-0 sweep on both sides. The men’s and women’s teams both walked away with victories from every singles match and then a doubles match to get the win. The women’s team, now 3-1 in the MAAC, will host Providence College on Friday, March 20 at 3 p.m. at home. The men’s team, 4-3 in the MAAC, will host Bryant on Saturday, March 18 at 3 p.m. for their first home match. Fairfield’s men’s and women’s golf teams have just returned from the Lonnie Barton Invitational in Daytona Beach, Florida. The women’s team, who has been voted to finish 4th in the MAAC, finished 12th at the tournament. Junior Olivia Brooks led the team shooting an 80 for the day, a 165 for the week. The men’s team finished fifth out of 10 teams, being led by Steve Burak’15 who shot a 75, and Eric Austin ‘18 who shot a 77. Overall, Burak finished 3rd in the tournament with Austin following close behind, coming in fourth overall. Photos contributed by Sports Information Desk
It is finally that time of year again. March Madness is nearly upon us, with teams preparing to fight for the right to be crowned National Champion. Will a Cinderella story team win it all like No. 7 UConn did last year or, will a heavily favored team win, such as the undefeated University of Kentucky? Only time will tell. Many people are of the opinion that upsets are ripe to occur, as some teams are ranked rather lowly, considering how well they have done this year. One such team is No. 3 University of Notre Dame, which went 29-5 this season. Despite not having the star-power of other top teams, the Fighting Irish showed their mettle on a national stage just the other day, dispatching then No. 2 Duke University, 74-64. I think that they have the ability to play above their rank, and make their way to the Final Four, though I am unsure how they will fare against such powerhouses as University of Kentucky and Villanova University. Another team that I will be watching is No. 7 Wichita State
University. They’re another team that lacks much star power, but have proved themselves to be a resilient force. Though they did have a rather weak schedule, the Shockers did defeat No. 10 Northern Iowa toward the end of the season, showing that they have what it takes to compete with some of the top teams. I think that Wichita State has the ability to make it deep into the tournament, but how they fare against more talented teams will dictate how far they can go. Personally, I think that the National Championship will boil down to a matchup of No. 1 seeds. I feel that it will come down to Kentucky and Villanova, with the Villanova Wildcats coming away as the winners. Though Kentucky is a talented team, with leading scorer Aaron Harrison dominating the way, I think that they will be unable to stand up to Villanova’s two current best players, guards Ryan Arcidiacono and Josh Hart. March Madness begins this Thursday, so if you haven’t done so already, fill out your brackets and make your picks. Keep an eye out for upsets this year, as I think that many can and will occur.
Free agents shake up NFL scene By Patrick Kiernan Editor-in-Chief NFL free agency is always a frenzy to watch, but this year the action came well before it was supposed to happen. Though the free agency signing period was set to begin on Tuesday, March 10, many players were already in principle agreements with teams days prior to this date. All in all, the moves made around the NFL free agency period this year proved to be some of the most exciting the league has ever seen. The icebreaker to all of this action was not even a signing, it was a big trade between the Buffalo Bills and the Philadelphia Eagles. On Tuesday, March 3, the Eagles decided to send yearly all-pro running back LeSean McCoy to the Bills in exchange for linebacker Kiko Alonso, a former player for Eagles head coach Chip Kelly at the University of Oregon. Kelly is known for wanting former college players of his back on his NFL team, and this is a big trade to prove that sentiment. In Buffalo, McCoy has already agreed to an extension that will keep him with the Bills for five years. Though this is the only former Oregon player reacquired thus far, the Eagles made a splash in free agency as well, and a couple of days before the free agency period even began. On Sunday, March 8, the team agreed to sign cornerback Byron Maxwell, and quarterback Mark Sanchez will return with a two-year deal in place. The team traded their other quarterback, Nick Foles, to the St. Louis Rams in exchange for quarterback Sam Bradford. The team also signed veteran running back Frank Gore, or so they thought. After announcing his intention to sign with the team on March 8, Gore got cold feet, and shied away from the team. He will be signing with the Colts instead. Even better for the Eagles, they were able to ink the best running back in all of football last
year, DeMarco Murray. After being ignored by the Dallas Cowboys, the Eagles made a push for the bruising back and agreed to a hefty deal. One former Philadelphia Eagle that will be playing elsewhere next season is wide receiver Jeremy Maclin. On the same day, Maclin agreed to sign with the Kansas City Chiefs, returning to former Eagles head coach Andy Reid. A few other notable signings include tight end Julius Thomas with the Jacksonville Jaguars, running back Shane Vereen with the New York Giants, and linebacker Pernell McPhee with the Chicago Bears. Additionally, the San Francisco 49ers will sign wide receiver Torrey Smith, the Colts will sign wide receiver Andre Johnson, and the Seattle Seahawks will sign cornerback Cary Williams. Perhaps the biggest controversy surrounding this year’s free agency was where former Detroit Lions defensive lineman Ndamukong Suh would land. After declaring his intention to leave the team and avoiding a franchise tag, Suh became a highly touted suitor for a big contract offer. That’s just what he got from the Miami Dolphins, where he will make $114 million, with $60 million guaranteed. Another team that got involved in both the signing and trade market was the local New York Jets. The team was able to sign back cornerback Darrelle Revis, after many fans were furious with him for signing with divisional foe New England Patriots just a season ago. Though the Jets constantly struggle at the wide receiver position, the team was able to receive star receiver, Brandon Marshall from the Chicago Bears for just a mid-round draft pick on Friday, March 6. However, it will be tough for Marshall to succeed with New York, a team where receivers have gone to die in the past, and the quarterback situation is uncertain. Accordingly, the team cut receiver/special teams player Percy Harvin.
Contributed under Creative Commons The Eagles decided to trade running back LeSean McCoy (above) to the Bills for Kiko Alonso.
Other trades that were made on March 10 included tight end Jimmy Graham to the Seahawks from the New Orleans Saints, and defensive lineman Haloti Ngata to the Detroit Lions from the Baltimore Ravens. Aside from all the trades and moves made, there were also a good amount of talented athletes who decided to stick with what they know rather than chase lucrative offers. Slot receiver Randall Cobb agreed with the Green Bay Packers on a four-year, $40 million offer, and the New Orleans Saints held onto running back Mark Ingram with a four-year deal of his own. The Houston Texans also kept their best cornerback, Kareem Jackson, with
yet another four-year deal, taking one of the best defensive backs off the market. For one of this year’s Super Bowl participants, the Seattle Seahawks, the team was relieved to find out that Marshawn Lynch would not retire and return to the NFL after clearing his mind on a trip to Turkey. The battling running back will return to the team on a two-year deal. With all of these moves, the NFL will certainly seem different this upcoming one, as many players’ careers will flounder or flourish. Yet, there are still many players who have yet to decide on a team, and will shake this snowglobe of a league up even more.
Sports
Page 14
THE MIRROR | Week of March 18, 2015
Men's lacrosse defeats Colgate 13-9 By: Travis Day Contributing Writer Fairfield hosted the Colgate Raiders on a cold, rainy afternoon at Rafferty Stadium on Saturday, March 14. The Stags snapped a three-game losing skid with a 13-9 victory, holding off a furious late onslaught from the Raiders. Head coach Andy Copelan's side had dropped three straight one-goal decisions prior to this matchup. Paced by an impressive offensive outing from Alex Corboy ‘17, the Stags dominated the opening half. Senior Tristan Sperry struck first at the 12:07 mark before Anthony Abbedessa ‘18 answered back to tie the game at 8:44. Fairfield woke up, scoring five unanswered goals before Colgate would find the back of the net again with 1:31 left in the first period. At the end of the first period, Corboy had a pair of goals – his first of the season – while Sperry also tallied two assists. Colgate showed some life at the start of the second period, scoring less than a minute in to halve the Stags' lead to 6-3. Fairfield sparked a run again, scoring four unanswered goals, including two more from Corboy, before the end of the first half. The Stags would take a comfortable 10-3 lead into the locker room. Corboy netted four first-half goals, while Colin McLinden ‘15 and Sperry each had two assists and a goal to their names. Fairfield held a 16-11 advantage in shots in the first half, while forcing seven Colgate turnovers. Keeping the Raiders out of their zone was vital, as the Stags defense cleared the ball eight of nine opportunities. “Alex (Corboy) is an obvious talent,” said Copelan. “Today was just his day,
and if we can share the ball and spread that offense around, we can put up some pretty good numbers.” The second half saw play slow down, and Colgate spend more time in the Fairfield half. Sophomore Jake Knostman broke the silence with a goal at the 5:03 mark in the third period. The Raiders would answer back two minutes later to make the score line 11-4, which Fairfield would take into the fourth quarter. McLinden would net another at the top of the fourth period before Colgate would begin to turn the tables. The Raiders began desperately pressing their offense, allowing nearly zero possession for the Stags in the last ten minutes of the game. It would pay off, as the lead was chipped away with five unanswered goals. The fifth at the 1:32 mark would make it a 12-9 game, but it was too little too late for Colgate. Junior Charlie Schnider would score an empty netter for the Stags with a minute to play, cementing the 13-9 victory for Fairfield. “I think we had 13 turnovers in the second half, so that obviously contributed to Colgate's run,” Copelan said. “Coming off of a tough stretch here with these one-goal losses, we had to get back to just winning, and once we get t h i s
team clicking on all cylinders, we can be pretty good.” Corboy netted four goals for Fairfield, his first four of the season, while McLinden and Schnider tallied two each. Sperry led the way with three assists and a goal of his own, and now totals 25 points (12 goals, 13 assists) on the season. Colgate outshot the Stags 36-27, and also held the advantage in ground balls (31-27), face-offs (13-12), and turnovers (14-19), which Fairfield was able to overcome through their play in the first half. “I give our seniors, our captains, and everyone in that locker room a ton of credit,” said Copelan. “There have been opportunities for them to fold like a chair, and never once have we felt like that feeling has crept in at all.” Fairfield improves to 3-4 while Colgate now stands at 4-2. The Stags return to Rafferty Stadium on Saturday, March 21, playing host to Villanova at 5:30 p.m. The official dedication ceremony of Rafferty Stadium will be held at 4 p.m., before faceoff of this game.
This week in sports: Wednesday, March 18 Baseball at NYIT, 3 p.m. Women's Lacrosse vs. Connecticut, 3 p.m. Men's Tennis vs. Bryant, 3 p.m. Softball at Wagner, 4 p.m.
Friday, March 20 Baseball at Manhattan, 12 p.m. & 3:30 p.m. Women's Tennis vs. Providence, 3 p.m.
Saturday, March 21 Men's Tennis vs. Hofstra, 11 a.m. Women's Tennis vs. Hofstra, 11 a.m. Women's Lacrosse vs. Manhattan, 2 p.m. Baseball at Manhattan, 3 p.m. Men's Lacrosse vs. Villanova, 5:30 p.m.
Tuesday, March 24 Women's Lacrosse vs. Holy Cross, 7 p.m.
Contributed by Sports Information Desk Senior Tristan Sperry (above) posted four points in the matchup against Colgate.
x
Your 2014-2015 4x5 Columnists:
Patrick Kiernan, Jennifer Calhoun, Matthew Schneider and Jesse Erickson
How was your spring break?
How was your St. Patrick's day?
Favorite part about the 4x5?
MLB predictions based on Spring Training?
MAAC play has ended for men's and women's basketball. Thoughts on the final games?
I went down to New York City for a conference for four days and realized that city living is incredibly expensive and tiring. Don't do it.
Not spent doing what the rest of Fairfield was presumably doing. I put together the 16 pages of greatness that are in your hands right now. Jealous much?
The part that Jesse makes the questions now and has put together a subpar first round. She always told me that mine could be better, but she is not bringing much to the table thus far.
A-Rod's going to hit .300 and belt out 40 dingers. Kidding, but Rob Refsnyder is a name to watch for my Yankees.
I was hoping the men would put up more than seven points in the first half of their game, but hey, you can't have it all. I was really hoping the ladies would bring us to March Madness, but as you can tell, I'm not a lucky person.
The best part of my year so far. I sat on my couch and watched Jennifer Calhoun a 65-hour walk through of Final Executive Editor Fantasy VIII. For those counting, that's my second reference now to Emeritus that game.
For having a clover tattooed on my ankle, I really undercelebrate this holiday.
The fact that I started it! Was that a douchey thing to say? Yeah, I'm a douche.
Ummmmm the season is going to happen.
Tough end for both teams, but I mean they have a building point now for next season.
I don't remember a lot of it.
I love expressing the crazy, random thoughts that go through my head.
The Mets will win everything en route to a World Series.
Great seasons to both, good luck next year!
My original question was "Spring Training Predictions? which I guess is not a thing but I'll answer anyway. The Red Sox will win spring training 2015. GO SOX! YEAH
Now they can sleep more, why be sad!!!
Because we have witty things to say ...
Patrick Kiernan Editor-in-Chief
It was great, I finally went to Florida for spring break instead of Matthew Schneider Canada.
Assistant Sports Editor Emeritus
Jesse Erickson Sports Editor
It was my birthday and then my birthday ended and then I had to work and then work caught on fire ... Literally on fire and none of my customers cared.
I spent my St. Patrick's Day crying, I don't know about my favorite, but my least favorite is that I am screaming, yelling, and hoping now responsible for creating questhat layout will get easier. tions about national sports.
Sports
THE MIRROR | Week of March 18, 2015
Page 15
Patrick Kiernan/The Mirror
By Alfredo Torres Assistant Sports Editor The Stags faced off against Niagara for their first matchup in the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Tournament and took the win 65-57 to advance to the MAAC semifinals for the first time since 2012. Both teams started the game hot as they were matching each other point for point. It was a one-point game through the first six minutes. The Stags were then able to knock down shots and grab rebounds on both the offensive and defensive end. The team contested all shots by Niagara. Fairfield went on a 10-0 run, where they held a 12-point lead. However, Niagara battled their way back into the game as they finished the half tied with Fairfield at 28. Through the first ten minutes of the second half, the game continued to be close
By Alfredo Torres Assistant Sports Editor The Fairfield Stags finished off their year in disappointing fashion, as they lost in the first round of Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference Tournament to St. Peter’s. The Stags struggled to score as they finished with only 33 points in the game as the Peacocks took the win 6333. As the game began, freshman guard Tyler Nelson came out hot as he scored the first five points for the Stags. Shortly after Nelson’s first five, St. Peter’s offense erupted, as they went on 22-2 run to close the half. St. Peter’s senior forward Tyler Gaskin started the run for the Peacocks with a layup followed by Desi Washington's four consecutive points. To finish it off, St. Peter’s Quadir Welton scored the next six consecutive points. The Peacocks did a great job of playing defense and forcing turnovers as the Stags finished the half shooting just under 10% and committing seven turnovers. The Stags finished the half with just 7 points, all points coming off the hands of Nelson. In the second half, the defensive woes continued for the Stags as St.Peter’s
with the lead being less than ten points. With less than 12 minutes remaining in the game, the game was once again tied for the sixth time in the contest. Freshman Samantha Cooper broke the tie with a lay-up and started a decisive 17-5 run that ended with a jumper by Felicia DaCruz ‘15. Shortly after Niagara lost their leading scorer Meghan McGuinness, as she was fouled out. Despite losing their leader, Niagara continued to fight as they cut the game down to a two point lead with 48 seconds remaining. With time winding down, DaCruz made a quick inside pass to Kristine Miller ‘17 for the layup and foul, where she would convert and push the lead to a two-possession game with 20 seconds left in the game. The Stags played well defensively in the final minutes of the half to close out the game and advance to the next round. The team was led by Casey Smith ‘17 who finished with 14 points and 8 rebounds and DaCruz also added 10 points with 9
started the half on another run. The Peacocks started a 12-0 run lead by both Gaskin and senior forward Kris Rolle. The score stood at 39-11 with less than 12 minutes remaining in the game. The Stags offense improved, as they were able to knock down more shots. Six Stags posted points for the team in the second half as they continued to match the Peacocks point for point for the remainder of the half. Marcus Gilbert who failed to score in the first half, finished with a game high 12 points on 2-9 shooting from the field. Despite the change in Fairfield’s offensive play, the margin was too big of a mountain to climb for the Stags. For the second consecutive year, St. Peter’s finished out the game on top as the season came to an end for the Stags in the opening round of the MAAC tournament. With the victory against the Stags, St .Peter’s advanced to face Rider in the quarterfinals, whom they defeated 68-59. During the semifinals, the Peacocks took on the defending MAAC Champions, Manhattan College. St. Peter’s fell short as they lost to the Manhattan 65-48 who eventually defeated Iona to become the 2015 MAAC Men’s Basketball Champions.
assists, one shy of a double-double. Defeating the sixth-seed Niagara 65-57, the team would take on Marist next. Offense was the central theme in the first half as the Stags hit 8-12 of their first shots, including four from behind the arc to score 20 points in the first eight minutes. Junior Kristin Schatzlein lead the Stags with 9 points, where she was a perfect 3-3 from three-point range. Marist was just as hot, as they came out shooting 8-11 as both teams were exchanging points in each possession. The Stags held the lead 22-19, with less than 13 minutes remaining in the half. After the powerful play to start the game, the Stags struggled to knock down shots as they finished the half, making one of their next 22 attempts. While Fairfield struggled, Marist continued to play well as they ended the half on a 10-0 run to lead 3726 at the half. Fairfield entered the second half without their leading scorer, Smith, as she exited the
game with concussion like symptoms after an inadvertent elbow to the head. The Stags continued to struggle in the second half, while Marist continued to push forward. With less than eight minutes left in the game and the lead up to 17, the Stags made a final run where they cut the lead to 11, but Marist did not let up and finished the game off with the win, 67-50. Marist was led by both Madeline Blais and Sydney Coffey who added a combined 41 points, with five three-pointers. Marist went on to face #1 seeded Quinnipiac in the championship game, where Quinnipiac came out on top 72-61 to become the 2015 MAAC Champions. Next season, the Stags will look to better their record, but will have to do it without one of the best that the program has seen, DaCruz. The loss will be detrimental to the team, but the Stags will be returning 93 percent of their scoring, making them one of the upcoming teams in the MAAC.
Patrick Kiernan/The Mirror points in the second half.
SPORTS 16
@MirrorSports Fairfield Mirror Sports
Sports Editor: Jesse Erickson » sports@fairfieldmirror.com
Week of March 18, 2015
Julia Hagman/Dance Team
Jason Arnold/Pep Band
Chelsea Merse/Cheer Team
Chelsea Merse/Cheer Team
By Jesse Erickson Sports Editor Responsible for pumping up and entertaining crowds, Fairfield’s Dance Team, Cheerleading Team and Pep Band, play a vital role in creating a fun and competitive atmosphere during Fairfield’s home basketball games. The Spirit Squad and Pep Band attend every home game and they do this without any incentive. They promote their team at pep rallies, stag days, and even hold clinicals for “little stags” without any physical award. Their passion to entertain and perform is what keeps them going for the season that can last from around December until the first couple of weeks of March. During the first couple of weeks of the semester, students are invited to try out for the group of their choice and once given the opportunity to be on the team, practices begin. Practicing about two to three times a week for two hours, the groups have about two months to prepare for the basketball season that starts in November. At any of the home games, including men’s and women’s games, played at both Alumni Hall and Webster Arena, Fairfield’s sideline performers work in sync to keep the crowds and athletes energized. “Dance and cheer both work to do sideline and timeout dances
and cheers. We will even occasionally work on a piece that incorporates both dance and cheer in it for pep rallies and halftimes,” said captain of the dance team, Deanna Martinelli ‘17. “The pep band works hard on the music that we use to dance and cheer.” When the full swing of basketball season really takes off, the dance team, cheer team and pep band can expect to spend a good majority of their weekend on their feet, cheering for the Stags. Oftentimes, there were doubleheader games where the groups would spend about six hours at Webster Arena. However, these long hours help turn the groups into families. “It was tough when we had weeks with games on Thursday, Friday, Saturday, then practice Sunday and another game Monday,” stated senior captain Alice Paterson, “but being with my teammates and doing what we love, made it fun.” The pep band, consisting of about around 30 members, is no different from the dance and cheer teams when it comes to encouraging the basketball team. Performing songs like “The Fight Song” and “Because I’m Happy,” the band situates themselves in the stands playing loud for the entire arena to hear. In the past, they’ve even made individual posters and signs for
the athletes on the court. “We play as much as we can to help provide entertainment. We cheer and chant with different motives,” stated director of the band, Jason Arnold. “The band is ultimately very positive and about supporting our team above all else.” With about 25 home games, the commitment to the groups is extreme and at times, can be enduring. Because cheer, dance and the pep band are not Division I sports, the members need to be willing to work around their own personal time to be a part of the programs. “Unfortunately, we’ve lost people because of the time commitment part,” said spirit coordinator Marie Chaisson. “The ones who are most successful find that the busier they are, the better they are.” Arnold also talked about the commitment to the program and the way it affects the members of the band. “In many cases, the games are a welcome distraction, a distraction from studying, tests, books, turbos, clinicals,” said Arnold. “The students enjoy the opportunity to play an instrument.” Whether they’re cheering from the sidelines, dancing during halftime, or chanting from the stands, the groups are some of Fairfield basketball’s biggest supporters.
It was tough when we had weeks with games on Thursday, Friday, Saturday, then practice Sunday and another game Monday, but being with my teammates and doing what we love made it fun.
-Alice Paterson Senior Cheer Captain
“I can’t imagine the games without them,” said Chaisson. “If you’re into college athletics, there’s nothing better than going to a game and watching a spirit group and hearing that pep band in the back, I just love the energy it brings.” The cheer team and pep band went as far as Albany, New York to bring the energy to the MAAC tournament this past month. During their spring break, these students traveled about three hours to support their team. “I remember walking in on Friday night with my girls and seeing the women’s basketball coaches
waving at me frantically because they were so excited that we made it to the game,” said Chaisson. “They were really hoping we’d be there and I was like ‘Of course we are, it’s what we do best.’” Spending their Friday nights at games is a decision that these students are forced to make, but for them, it’s an easy decision. “Being a part of the program along with the dance team girls and the pep band has been an amazing experience,” said Paterson. “I enjoyed working together as a Spirit Group to make the atmosphere at the games fun, lively and spirited.”