TH E G ATEP O ST Framingham State’s award-winning independent student newspaper since 1932
Volume 89 • Issue 5
FSUgatepost.com
October 16, 2020
FSU Police Department shows support for Pink Patch Project
FSU Campus Police Sgt. Martin Laughlin holds a pink patch in support of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
News COVID-19 BY THE NUMBERS pg. 4-5 NATIONAL WRITING DAY pg. 6
Opinions
WHICH EXIT IS MINE? pg. 7 HAPPY AND HEALTHY DOGS pg. 8
Sports
VOLLEYBALL pg. 9
Arts & Features ALUMNI THROUGH THE DECADES pg. 10 ROBBIE’S COMIC CORNER pg. 11
By Ashley Wall Editor-in-Chief During the month of October, officers have been seen sporting pink patches on their uniforms. The department is also raising funds for the project through the sale of patches. According to the campaign’s website, the project’s goal is to increase
“awareness about the life-saving benefits of early detection and early intervention in the fight against breast cancer.” The campaign has a “goal of raising funds from the sale of Pink Patch Project patches and other items to go directly to fund the research, treatment, and education needed to help find a cure.”
Ashley Wall / THE GATEPOST
FSU Police Sgt. Martin through the following webLaughlin said, “There are site: https://framstatepink. so many people surviving eventbrite.com. the deadly disease and we All proceeds from the have lost a lot of people in Police Department’s camthe past from the disease paign will go to Susan G. itself. We just want to raise Komen New England. awareness to the cause itself.” Pink Patches can be purchased for $10 through the FSU Campus Bookstore. CONNECT WITH ASHLEY WALL They can also be purchased awall1@student.framingham.edu
FSU fall sports season canceled due to COVID-19 protocols By Caroline Lanni Staff Writer
The Varsity and Intramural sports competition seasons were canceled at FSU this fall due to COVID-19, but practices are still underway with safety restrictions. Games for every fall varsity sports team were suspended this year, according to an email all students received from President F. Javier Cevallos. The decision was made by Massachusetts State Collegiate Athletic Conference (MASCAC). Cevallos said student athletes are still participat-
ing in on-campus, in-person practices and conditioning sessions during this semester. The sports canceled this semester were men’s and women’s cross country, field hockey, football, men’s and women’s soccer, volleyball, and intramural sports. In his email, Cevallos stated, “This is not a decision that the conference took lightly. But after careful consideration, it was determined that there is no way to hold a fall sports season without risking the safety of our student-athletes, coaches, staff, and the community at large.”
According to Cevallos, no decision has been made on winter and spring sports. Assistant Athletic Director Kathy Lynch said the new policies are state guidelines to keep everyone safe while still holding practices. “Right now, the Fall and Spring teams have started undergoing strength and conditioning sessions though they have to listen to the limitations according to the state guidelines,” said Lynch. According to Lynch, each fall sport team practices three to four days a week with two- to threehour block times
each day. Each team is focusing on skill development. Lynch wants FSU athletes to remember to “Play for the Future.” FSU Intramural Sports Coordinator, James Rippey, said, “Unfortunately with the COVID-19 preventive restrictions implemented this fall, we are not able to provide our traditional slate of Intramural offerings.” Rippey said, “We are optimistic about being able to resume next semester with basketball, indoor soccer, volleyball, and floor
See FALL SPORTS page 6
INSIDE: OP/ED 7 • SPORTS 9 • ARTS & FEATURES 10