ISSUE 4
SEPTEMBER 13
ISSUE 4 SEPTEMBER 13
FALL 2016
New Traditions for a New Era Photo by Sveta Warren
T. Dwayne McCay addresses the crowd at his inaguration. Never before in the history of Florida Tech has there been an inauguration of a university president. T. Dwayne McCay was appointed the fifth Florida Tech President Friday afternoon in the Clemente Center, which was filled with around 400 students, faculty, staff, board members, officials, family and friends. Sophomore AlstonLauren Feggins attended was one of the numerous the student attendees who watched the event. “He is a businessman that sees the school as company in the sense that funding for specific programs aren't necessary,” Feggins said. “I think the school in his hands will run very differently.” Among other attendees were Charles Clemente, Nathan Bisk and William
Brown from the board of trustees. Chairman of the board of trustees, Phillip W. Farmer, recounted the process of finding the right candidate for position during his speech. As the committee deliberated their choice through the months, they asked McCay to come in. “Explain what the real needs of the university are, now and in the future,” Farmer asked McCay. “What would your vision be for what we should be?” With much deliberation from the committee, they came to a unanimous vote that McCay was not just a good candidate but the best candidate for the job. From working at the National Aeronautic and Space Administration as a senior aerospace engineer
to becoming the vice president of the University of Tennessee, McCay has worked in the learning community for most of his career. Yet, according to him, McCay has not worked a day in his life. NASA Deputy Administrator Dava Newman spoke at the inauguration. “There is powerful symbolism in the fact that the president of Florida Tech has a strong bond to NASA,” Newman said about McCay’s constant involvement with NASA. “Because NASA and Florida Tech have enjoyed a special relationship since the very beginning of their days.” Newman believes the scientific society needs Florida Tech because from the very beginning, the founding people of Florida Tech went on to work at NASA.
McCay came to Florida Tech in July 2003 as a provost and chief academic officer and hired as executive vice president and chief operating officer in January 2011. Until this fall, McCay has been under the instruction of former president Anthony Catanese. Under Catanese, the school has quadrupled its student enrollment and tripled its revenue. Yet, McCay is not focusing on growth for the upcoming years. "I don't really plan on growth, I plan on deepening,” he said. "We're a very good university about to emerge as a great university. We're ready to move to the next level." McCay is working with Student Government president, Warren Pittorie, on new ways to better the school. One of the things that
have been talked about between the two presidents is sustainability. Other initiatives are improvements to the academic departments and the installment of energy-efficient fountains. “By bringing this discussion up from time to time within SGA general or senate meetings, I think we can begin to get the students on a similar page,” Pittorie said, “by focusing in on the school's mission statement and helping to promote it through our club indicatives, the events we throw, and the development we see in our members.”
// SVETA WARREN SOCIAL MEDIA COORDINATOR
A Day Volunteering for The Children's Hunger Project The backbone of The Children’s Hunger Project is to restore hope and to nurture the minds and hearts of the hungry children of Brevard County by providing them with food assistance in a dignified and respectful manner. Twenty-seven Florida Tech students volunteered on Saturday morning to help the organization with their goal.
They traveled to Cocoa Beach where the youth social service organization had set up a warehouse donated by Cocoa Hyundai. The project team was glad to have so many volunteers and introduced them to the motivation and mission of their organization. Jessica Ha, the associate director of the transfer and transition program at Florida Tech was very
helpful in leading the Florida Tech students. The helpful Panthers were separated into groups and given different responsibilities. One group unpacked lunch ingredients like chocolate syrup, juice and cereals. Another team was seated next to the assembling unit and made sure every ingredient and item was
Photo by Nitish Sinha Students put together lunch boxes for the Children's Hunger Project. placed in each lunch box that was packed for the CONTINUED PG 5
// NITISH SINHA STAFF WRITER
IN THIS ISSUE 3-PARKING RULES
7-FOUR GIRAFFES ARE BETTER THAN ONE
8-FOOTBALL VITCORIES
ISSUE 4
SEPTEMBER 13
2
OPINIONS
LET'S TALK ABOUT SEX CAPS PSA College is the time when young people may enter relationships that can be both short term and long lasting. This is the time when many students explore and experiment with sexual activities. But nothing can ruin a college experience faster than an STD or a sexual experience gone wrong. Join your friends and the student counseling center at the wellness event, “Keep Calm and Let’s Talk about Sex” on Wednesday, September 21st from 7-8:30 pm in Evans Hall, Room 202! You will learn ways to identify and practice safer and consensual sex! Until the event, here are a few things to keep in mind to make your sexual experience safer and more satisfying: Consent is IMPORTANT Sex and sexual activities are consensual only when both parties willingly agree upon engaging in them. No means no. Always talk to your partner ahead of time to what you are consenting for and what you are not. It is imperative that consent occurs when you are sober, unimpaired and when your judgement is intact. A person who is drunk or high no longer possesses mental capacities necessary to consent. Use of force, threat, and violence is an infringement of a person’s rights and is considered sexual violence.
It is important to remember that consent can be revoked at any time and just because there was prior consent does not mean it is an automatic consent for future sexual experiences with that person. Stay Away from STDs “Better safe than sorry,” they say. Both parties should always use protection, not only to avoid getting pregnant but also to prevent any STDs. If you and your partner have both had multiple sex partners in the past, it is a good idea to get tested for any infections and/ or diseases to make your experience more pleasurable and safer. The student health center on campus offers free HIV screening, as well as other screenings and education on sexual health. For more information, contact them at: 321-6748078. Build Trust and Comfort Sometimes, we jump into things to keep the excitement going. However, don’t rush into things! Instead, take your time to get to know each other. Engage in activities that are lower in intensity in the beginning, such as kissing, fondling, and/or mutual masturbation. These will increase your comfort with your partner and you will learn a lot about each other’s preferences.
Talk about it While it is understandable and natural to feel ashamed about an embarrassing sexual experience, talking about it is very important. Talking openly will clarify assumptions and allow you to think of ways to prevent such an experience in the future. Also, if you have been a victim of sexual assault, speak out. Talk to your friends, family, or a health care Photo by www.keepcalm-o-matic.co.uk provider and seek support from them. If you or someone you know has been a victim of sexual It is important you assault and needs assistance, the following on-campus don’t stay silent or keep it support is available: to yourself. And remember, being a victim of sexual Campus Security assault is NEVER your fault. (321-674-8111) Title IX Coordinator (321-674-8700) Dean of Student (321-674-8080) The Student Counseling Center (321-674-8050) The Student Health Center (321-674-8078)
// SALONI TANEJA M.A., M.S., OUTREACH COORDINATOR, CAPS
You can also visit the student counseling center (CAPS) in times of distress or emotional need, where you can have an opportunity to meet with a counselor and work through your difficulties. More information can be found at http://www.fit. edu/caps/.
ISSUE 4
SEPTEMBER 13
CAMPUS LIFE
3
THE BLACK, WHITE AND GREY OF PARKING RULES Frustration, anger and annoyance are common student reactions when they see a yellow slip of paper under their windshield wiper. There is a learning curve each semester as new students figure out all the parking rules. Most of the rules are straightforward, but a handful of regulations routinely cause confusion each year. Parking decals are colorcoded based and students who live on campus can park in the lots near their dorms. Off-campus students and faculty get the run of the biggest lots in the middle of campus. The published rules say that ticketing for parking in the wrong lot is 24 hours a day, seven days a week. According to Kevin Graham, head of security, ticketing for simple parking
violations is not security’s priority. “We enforce traffic violations as we see them, but were more concerned about the hobo that comes flying up through campus going through the stop signs. That’s who were concerned about because they’re a danger to themselves and the students,” Graham said. There is an unofficial assumption that ticketing for decal parking is only allowed to be done between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. For example, it is ok to drive from the Harris Village dorms to Panther Dining and park right out front around 7 p.m. for dinner. Or, if you have a yellow decal but your friend is having a late night study session in Southgate you can park over there without a problem, even spend the
night if it gets too late. These assumptions are wrong. You can legally get ticketed at any time for parking. The important distinction to be made is that you are less likely to be ticketed during times of the day that Check the parking signs to avoid a ticket! are less busy, officers are more focused on like late at night or early in looking out for suspicious the morning. activity like cohabitation “The purpose is not to in the dorms. That is, if a penalize the student,” said student is living on campus Graham. “We understand with a friend but isn’t the flow of traffic. We’re officially registered with looking for patterns.” housing for that dorm. Graham said that his Some students do get
Photo by Nathaniel Ashton random tickets overnight, even when they’re parked in the correct lot. These tickets are the ones that tend to CONTINUED PG 5 // AUDREY GANGLOFF MANAGING EDITOR
ISSUE 4
SEPTEMBER 13
CAMPUS LIFE
4
COHEN VISITS WITH SAGE ADVICE FOR STUDENTS
Photo by Allie Wood Harlan Cohen opens his talk in Gleason Auditorium with a self-produced song and guitar performance. “My roommate, the nudist” sang New York Times bestselling author Harlan Cohen as he played guitar while students were welcomed into Gleason Auditorium this past Tuesday. Cohen is known for visiting schools and giving comical talks about life in college to all class standings of students, which he delves deeper in his book, “The Naked Roommate: And 107
Other Issues You Might Run Into in College.” His contagious laughter and comical remarks keeps students engaged and interested as they anonymously text him questions regarding anything from relationships to classes, from finances to sex, from alcohol to dorm life, and more. After his mini musical performance, Cohen opened up on a more serious note
about his struggles freshman year of college. His first semester consisted of traveling far away from home, moving in with a roommate who was into drugs, not getting accepted into the fraternity of his choice, having a hard time making friends, and dealing with a break-up from a girlfriend back home. He decided to write his book and present these talks so he could prevent students
from going through the same hard times he went through. “I wrote this book because transitions suck and no one talks about it,” Cohen blatantly said. “Being uncomfortable is apart of life, but people don’t like to discuss the uncomfortableness”. He revealed surprising statistics that may revamp people’s minds about freshman year. Studies show that one in four college students transfer their first semester of college, one in three firstyear students experienced depression, and over 60 percent of students feel homesick their first year away from home. That being said, Cohen recommends students of any grade and people in general to become good at being awkward and lonely. He stresses that everyone experiences this at times in their lives, and yet, usually refrain from talking about it. When asked what single important piece of advice he would give to students, Cohen answered, “Everything in your life should be what you want,
not who wants you.” He wants to inspire students to go after what they want, focusing on their wants and needs as opposed to follow what they feel like can or should do. Students in the audience approved of his jocular approach with a serious message behind it. “I thought his talk was really cool,” says student Jasmine Nacrur. “It was not what I was expecting.” “I thought he was funny and had some good points,” says senior Alexander Light. “He talked about issues your average speaker doesn’t bring up.” The fun doesn’t stop there. Cohen encourages students to message him personally at harlan@ helpmeharlan.com to provide one-on-one advice. His website, www. harlanchohen.com, also has an advice column and more tips and tricks for dealing with college.
// MARY KOZAITIS STAFF WRITER
ISSUE 4
SEPTEMBER 13
PARKING RULES (CONT.) frustrate students because they didn’t know they were in violation. And tickets can be expensive! Kaitlin Buchholz, a senior from Iowa said that she got a ticket because her registration tag was out of date. That’s the little yellow sticker you have to buy each year to display on your license plate. Buchholz said she knows you can’t legally drive without a current tag but she didn’t know you could get ticketed for it when parked on campus. She was waiting for her family to mail her the tag from back home. These are the kinds of first-time offenses that are appealable. “Our job is not to take your money,” said Graham. “Anybody who gets a ticket can appeal it. For the most part if someone says, ‘Hey I made a mistake,’ we try to give everybody a courtesy.” If you are ticketed for an infraction for the first time, especially if you didn’t know you were breaking a rule, it is more likely that Security will waive your fee. To appeal a ticket you need to take it to Security within three days of getting it. You will be given an appeal to fill out and a council reviews all
the appeals. You will get an email to alert you whether your ticket was appealed or if you still have to pay it. Most parking basics are common knowledge. An almost comprehensive list of the rules can be found at www.fit.edu/security/parking_ regulations.php. There are some rules that don’t appear online. Graham gave the final word on these obscurities. Parking at the Babcock Oaks business building is always a hassle for students and Graham said about 5 cars were towed last week for parking in the wrong place. Graham said the parking spots immediately in front of the Accounting office and the ones behind the Suntrust Bank are off limits. Students can only park in the spots immediately surrounding the business building. There is a strip of grass on Hyde Parkway behind the parking lot wall that is available for overflow parking. The parking garage also has a special exception. The garage is reserved for black and blue decals, but any student can park on the uppermost floor as long as they are out from under the roof. Athletes have extra rules to
keep in mind, too. The crimson triangle decals athletes can get from their coaches only allows them to park in the grass lot between Varsity Training Center and the student design center. The strip of spots on the pavement directly in front of VTC is reserved for black and blue decals. If you have the triangle decal but your parking color is magenta, yellow or orange you can be ticketed for parking on the pavement. When athletes have to take a bus for away games, it is easiest to leave their cars right in front of Clemente. That’s ticketable. Graham said in order to make sure there is enough parking for weekend events in Clemente, athletes need to park in the parking garage. From a student’s perspective, parking outside your decal’s lot is a calculated risk. If you need to walk somewhere on campus late at night or other times when you don’t necessarily feel safe, Graham said students should never hesitate to call Security. They are always available during those times as escorts. // AUDREY GANGLOFF MANAGING EDITOR
The Children's Hunger Project (Cont.)
Photo by Nitish Sidha When people come together, they can make a difference. children. Then the wrapping team sealed the lunch boxes to make sure that no items leaked before the child opens the lunch kit. The lunch boxes had to be transported to various locations before it reached the Brevard County schools. The wrapping and assembly teams had to make certain that the items wouldn’t shake too much while getting delivered. "It was a good experience,”
said Florida Tech student Gurjot Kaur Bandesha. “It's my first time to volunteer for such noble cause. And I am very glad I am here." The Children’s Hunger Project feeds kids throughout the area and has expanded to North Brevard. Children at four schools in Mims and Titusville will now be receiving weekend food packages and other schools are expected to join the program soon.
More than 50% of Brevard County public school students participate in the free and reduced price lunch program. According to The Children's Hunger Project, 11% of families in Brevard County live below the poverty level. As a result, poor nutrition leads to a weaker immune system and difficulty in learning and paying attention in class. It costs The Children's Hunger Project $150 to supply a package of food for one child each weekend for the entire 38-week school year.
// NITISH SINHA STAFF WRITER
5 FRESHMAN COLUMN CORNER Have you ever had anything written specifically for you, freshman? No, birthday cards and love notes from your third grade crush do not count. I talking about something consistent that address your problems and needs. Someplace where your questions are answered with no judgement and you will not feel like an idiot asking them, as opposed to asking your roommate who will probably tell you that your problem is stupid. This is the place where I will talk about things concerning you, the little freshies on campus, the bottom of the collegiate food chain. Here is something just for you. First, congrats on surviving your first month of college. It was not as hard as it seemed right? Let’s discuss some things you probably learned these past weeks: You probably have figured out your roommates’ bad habits, which professors takes attendance and which classes you actually have to do work in. Hopefully, you have also figured out not to play beer pong until 3 a.m. right before a giant test or to spend all three hundred of your flex on milkshakes and drinks from the CV vending machines (yes, I know what you do with those drinks). You think these past four weeks have been an accomplishment? Wait until you have to send a package or figure out how to get to the airport by yourself (and take the flight alone)! Or you have to go to the health center and figure out how to read your insurance card. Man, you will be wishing you still lived at home. But, chin up! You have made it so far! Just take it one day at a time and you will be a sophomore before you realize it. Here is your homework assignment for this week: come up with a better name than Freshman Corner Column. What do you want? Pride and your name in the paper! Who would not want that? If you have something you would like for me to talk about, email me at crimson@fit.edu with your questions, comments, or concerns and I will tackle it next week here in Freshman Corner Column. // ALLIE WOOD DESIGN EDITOR
ISSUE 4
SEPTEMBER 13
NEWS
6
Artist Wyclef Jean to Perform at FIT Homecoming Fest As part of Florida Institute of Technology's Homecoming Fest, the Space Coast will have the opportunity to see Haitian native and iconic artist Wyclef Jean headline a free outdoor concert on Oct. 14 in downtown Melbourne Jean will perform at the free outdoor concert event on New Haven Avenue, presented by the Florida Tech Alumni Association and Mainstreet Partner. “We are very, very excited,” said Bino Campanini, Florida Tech’s vice president of alumni affairs. A three-time Grammy Award winner, Jean’s style is best described as “reggae fusion.” His collaborations include “Hips Don’t Lie”
with Shakira and “Sweetest Girl” with Akon, Lil’ Wayne and Nia. During his time with The Fugees, “Killing Me Softly” and “Ready or Not.” While Jean’s six solo albums have sold more than 9 million copies worldwide, Jean’s last album, “Carnival II: Memoirs of an Immigrant,” was released in 2007. Jean’s seventh album, “Carnival III: Road to Clefication”, will release this fall featuring popular artists Avicci, Afrojack and Emeli Sandé. His five-song EP, “J’ouvert,” will be available on Sept. 30. Jean described the album as authentic and “all about the vocality, making people feel and reminisce off of that sound they love but combining it with new
sonics,” according to his website, wyclef.com Jean’s connection to Florida Tech is more than a performance. Jean was
last seen in Melbourne in 2015 when he appeared at the funeral of Women’s Soccer Head Coach Fidgi Haig, a fellow Haiti native. Jean worked with Haig on initiatives to improve Haiti. Jean’s concert at Homecoming Fest will serve as a tribute to Haig.
Homecoming Week brings alumni, faculty, staff, students and community members from across the Space Coast together to celebrate Florida Tech through a variety of events. Homecoming Fest will run from 6 p.m. to midnight. In addition to music from Jean and opening acts The
Shadowboxers and Boxelder, the event will feature street vendors and food and drink for sale. For more on Homecoming Fest and all of the exciting events of Homecoming Week at Florida Tech, visit http:// homecoming.fit.edu/.
// PRESS RELEASE COURTESY OF ALUMNI ASSOCIATION
Musician Spotlight: Coleman Olson “It’s funny when people ask what got me into music, the short answer is peer pressure,” Coleman Olson said. Olson explains that when he was in fifth grade, his music teacher asked his class who would like to join strings, and he simply followed the crowd who joined. From then on, music was a large part of his life. To Olson, music is an experience that should be shared with friends; he has met so many of his friends through his music career. Olson always enjoyed learning and practicing to get better at his part. When he had memorized his piece, he had time to enjoy camaraderie with his friends while others finished up. “The band room always felt like a home away from home in high school,” said Olson. Olson admitted he does not have a single idol or inspiration. Instead, Olson believes that he always played to be better for his band, his instructors, and especially the audience. Olson started with viola and began using his voice
Photo by Nathaniel Ashton
Coleman Olson performs in "Catch Me If You Can."
during tenth grade when he joined music theater on a whim. He also joined marching band in high school, learned to play percussion and several other instruments he enjoys playing, but does not play well. “I’ve always been willing to try things because it’s never not fun,” Olson said. “I think that’s the best part of music.”
One of the greatest moments in his career was his first time at an All County Orchestra show during ninth grade. They played “Pines of Rome,” and when the orchestra finished, there was a standing ovation for multiple minutes after the performers bows. “That was so different than anything I've ever had before, or had since,” Olson
said. “It’s such an amazing experience to have.” Olson is an applied mathematics major here at Florida Tech with a music minor. Olson still finds time to devote to being the President of College Players, as well as act in the College Players shows. Olson played the part of Detective Carl Hanratty in the College Players’ fall 2015 performance of “Catch Me
If You Can.” “One of my friends from high school came down to see me perform, and he had played the role before,” said Olson. “After the show he told me it was amazing, and he was singing along in the audience the whole play.” // NATHANIEL ASHTON EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
ISSUE 4
SEPTEMBER 13
FOUR
TECH TALK
7
GIRAFFES ARE BETTER THAN
In a recent experiment, it is shown that there is not one, but four species of giraffes. The paper, titled “Multilocus Analyses Reveal Four Giraffe Species Instead of One” was published on Sept. 8 in the journal “Current Biology.” The experiment, conducted by Julian Fennessy et al., revealed evidence that shows that the giraffes contains enough genetic variation to be considered four different species. Axel Janke is a geneticist at the Senckenberg Biodiversity and Climate Research Center, as well as one of the authors of the paper. “We were extremely surprised because the morphological and coat pattern differences between giraffes are limited,” said
Janke to the Science X Network. Before the revelation, there was only one known species of giraffe, Giraffa camelopardalis, which in turn was categorized into eleven subspecies. Only nine of these subspecies were accepted, with the other two in dispute. Amongst the nine subspecies, seven of them have shown monophyletic variation, meaning the seven species diverged from a common ancestor. Fennessy et al. utilized coalescence-based multilocus population genetic analysis on 190 individual giraffes scattered across Africa. Both nuclear DNA and mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) were analyzed. The genetic analysis solidified the existence of four clusters of giraffe
species. The first cluster is made up of the Southern giraffe and the Angolan giraffe. The second consists of the Masai giraffe and Thornicroft’s giraffe. Thornicroft’s giraffe was established as a subspecies of the Masai giraffe. The third cluster contains only the Reticulated giraffe, and the fourth cluster is made up of the Northern, West African, Kordofan, Nubian, and Rothschild giraffes. The analysis also suggested that the Nubian giraffe is an ecotype of the Rothschild giraffe. An ecotype is a species that differs from related species by geographical variation and phenotypic difference but are still capable of interbreeding successfully.
The four clusters were further supported through use of Bayesian multi-locus clustering analysis. The single species of giraffe was suggested to be split into the following four species: Giraffa giraffa (Southern giraffe), Giraffa tippelskirchi (Masai giraffe), Giraffa reticulata (Reticulated giraffe), and Giraffa camelopardalis (Northern giraffe). Previous microsatellite analyses showed the possibility of 6 different species, but the statistical analysis was not reliable. Fennessy et al. used multilocus coalescent-based analyses on sequence data to allow for rigorous statistical testing and allow for more accurate results. This research was significant in that it was the most comprehensive genetic
ONE
analysis done of giraffes to date. Simultaneously, it was also the first study to analyze the nuclear sequence of the Nubian giraffe. The study raised questions on what defines a species as well as raised concerns on conservation of the new giraffe species. “With now four distinct species, the conservation status of each of the these can be better defined and in turn added to the IUCN Red List,” said Fennessy in an article by the Washington Post.
// BEN GOESS STAFF WRITER Photos by logodesign.co.uk
ISSUE 4
SEPTEMBER 13
SPORTS
8
PANTHERS START THE SEASON WITH VICTORIES The Panther’s strength and resilience on both sides of the field shined brightly during the first two games of the season. The Panther’s opening game against Newberry College Sept. 3 was the first Panther win against the Wolves in program history. The two teams traded equal blows throughout the first half, leaving for halftime with a tied score of 21. The Panther’s defensive strength reared in the second half, allowing just one Wolf touchdown and extra point, leading to a 42-28 victory. This opening win helped the Panthers earn a 22nd ranking in the American Football Association Coaches’ Top 25 poll, another first for the program. The Panther’s confidence going into their first home game against Mississippi College this past weekend with a win and another week of practice under their belts was matched only by the victorious celebration of men on a mission after displaying another dominating performance. “It felt awesome, especially getting a goose egg,” said a grinning Andrew Adair, redshirt senior linebacker. It was the second shut out in school history. “Whenever you can pitch a shutout from the
defensive side it makes things alot easier,” head coach Steve Englehart said . “Offense took us a quarter to kind of get rolling, but when you can hold people to zero, obviously you’re going to win the game.” With some key receivers out for the week, the Panther’s running backs came out grinding for yards. Sophomore Antwuan Haynes lit a fire for the Panthers on their first drive. “Since I was little, my coaches always told me to ‘set the tone.’ I’m always the energizer bunny, always the spark plug,” said Haynes. “It brings me joy that I gave us energy, and that’s how you win games.”
Left to right: Students cheer on Panthers. Panthers prepare to play defense against Mississippi Photo By: Nitish Sinha Photo By: Nitish Sinha College
Haynes and redshirt junior Gary Holmes both rushed for over 100 yards, averaging an impressive 9.2 yards per rush along with sure and steady redshirt senior, Trevor Sand. Holmes even set a new school record for longest rush when he ran 85 yards for a touchdown. “When you can get all three of those guys clicking at the same time, you know you can be pretty dynamic,” said Englehart. “It takes the pressure off of Cato, it takes the pressure off our passing game. All three of those guys contributed and obviously a big part of that was our offensive line.” Englehart said that
they have been specifically working with the O-line on mental preparation, only practicing with pads on Thursdays to help them focus and make Saturdays easier. Even with the Panther’s run game looking so good, the receivers who did play did not have the night off. “We had to have a few receivers step up,” said Haynes. “Even though they didn't have a lot of receiving yards, they blocked a lot on the edge.” With the game closing towards a shutout, Englehart had the opportunity to get a lot of his second and third string players in the game. “Those guys work just
as hard as our starters,” said Englehart. “Football’s such a tough game because you practice so much more than you ever play in games. My heart goes out to them and to reward them and be able to let them play I think is great.” The Panther’s are coming up on three weeks of away games but Englehart is confident that it will not phase his squad at all. “We just take it one game at a time, and hopefully, at the end of it we’ll be 11-0 going to the playoffs,” said Haynes. // AUDREY GANGLOFF MANAGING EDITOR
Federica Pala Secures a Spot in the World's Top 10 Rowers Florida Tech women’s rower Federica Pala made Italy proud with a time of 7:55:24 when she secured the 9th position as one of the top 10 lightweight single scullers in the world. Pala said the weather was really bad on the first day of the Rowing World Championship. Regardless, she still pulled off with a time of 8 minutes and 19 seconds during the heats, qualifying for Group A moving forward in competition. In the final race, she reached the first 500 meter mark in 1:56:34 minutes. Pala said she focused on calm and steady strokes in the second third of the race
and by the 1000th meter, she was in first place with Luisa Werner from Germany three seconds behind. Pala said that reaching the finish line with a time of 7:55:24 minutes was a proud moment for her. She said she is looking forward to her upcoming races and securing the title of World's Best Rower, which is presently held by Amalia Tsiavou from Greece. "She is not only participating at the world level but is also putting up a strong fight,” said Florida Tech teammate Emily Hall. “She is doing amazingly well. I am really proud to be her friend and roommate."
This is Federica's third time rowing at the World Championships. In 2013, she rowed in an Under 19 race at the World Junior Championships and in 2014, she rowed in the Under 23 Lightweight Single race in the World Championships. In 2015, she did not qualify for the Italian National team and missed the chance to compete in the World Championships that year. “She is one of our hardest workers on a daily basis,” said Florida Tech women’s rowing coach Tim Desrosiers. “It was very satisfying to hear that she had earned her spot on the Italian National team after a
Federica Pala Racing in a Single Scull
year off.” This year, Pala significantly improved on her 2014 showing. In 2014, Pala failed to qualify for the A/B Group semifinals. Instead, she rowed in the C-finals, taking 5th in that final and 17th overall. This year, Pala rowed her way into the A/B Semi-final and qualified for a spot in the B-finals. She took 3rd in the B-final, earning the top
Photo By: Nitish Sinha
10 spot of 9th overall in her category. “We are very proud of her performance, and even more proud of her perseverance and hard work after her disappointing summer of 2015," said Desrosiers.
// NITISH SINHA CONTRIBUTING WRITER