Grand Valley Lanthorn vol. 55 no. 9

A Local Outlook

G R A N D VA L L E Y L A N T H O R N

As November nears, local political races fire up

West Michigan flocks to apple orchards FALL | A9

Dozens of GV athletes march in solidarity with students during 2020 Equality March ACTIVISM | A10

M O N D A Y, O C TO B E R 1 9, 2 02 0 // VO L . 5 5 N O. 9

@ GV L A N T H O R N

LANTHORN.COM

A2 | NEWS NEWS BRIEFS GV COVID-19 CAMPUS DATA UPDATE

Since GVSU began conducting random testing on campus Aug. 27, the cumulative total COVID-19 cases since August 1st is 1,004. The university’s update of data used for this brief was from Friday, Oct. 16.

Through testing results this past week, GVSU’s Virus Action team have so far reported 42 current active cases including 2 faculty member cases, 7 staff members, 2 on-campus students, 18 “off-campus Ottawa” students, and 10 “off-campus Kent” students, 3 “off-campus other” students with active COVID-19 cases.

“Current active cases” is the count of positive cases reported to the Virus Action Team over the past ten days. This is an estimate of those currently in isolation, assuming a ten-day symptomatic period following the reporting of a positive test result. Actual periods of isolation are specific to the individual and determined by the county health department.

Testing and Incidence: GVSU’s own testing program has performed 16,577 tests overall since August 21, for a positivity rate of 0.15% from the latest update as of the last week.

“GV Surveillance” includes the GV/ Spectrum administered programs of: randomized testing, regular testing of high-risk groups, and invited testing of individuals connected to potential clusters. A calendar is available. “GV Total” includes surveillance testing plus all symptomatic/exposure tests administered

by Spectrum..

GV PROFESSOR HONORED WITH PROFESSOR OF THE YEAR AWARD

Stephen Mattox, professor of geology, received the Michigan Association of State Universities’ Michigan Distinguished Professor of the Year Award, which recognizes the dedication of faculty members to undergraduate students. The other two recipients of this year’s award are Saginaw Valley State University Professor Joseph Ofori-Dankwa and University of Michigan Professor H. Scott Fogler.

Each university was invited to nominate a faculty member who has had a significant impact on undergraduate student learning through various activities, particularly classroom instruction, applied research, experiential learning, innovation and mentoring.

Mattox has taken students around the globe to advance experiential learning.

His accomplishments include becoming director of a newly founded study abroad course in collaboration with Grand Rapids Community College and the University of Iceland.

He has obtained four National Science Foundation grants and developed a statewide program for high school students to earn college credit in geology. He has earned statewide and national teaching awards and was also awarded Grand Valley’s highest faculty honor, the Glenn A. Niemeyer Award.

OCTOBER 19, 2020 GRAND VALLEY LANTHORN @GVLNEWS

PUBLIC HEALTH

“Staying Safe” order lifted, Ottawa County issues “Staying Strong” statement

BY OLIVIA FELLOWS NEWS@LANTHORN.COM

Effective Oct. 2-16, the Ottawa County Department of Public Health (OCDPH) “Staying Safe” order issued to the Grand Valley State University student community in the Allendale area has been lifted. The order was the second installment following the “Staying in Place” order for GVSU students living in on-campus and off-campus housing in Allendale Township to slow the spread of COVID-19 that was effective from Sept. 17 to Oct. 1. In response to the order’s lifting, the OCDHP has issued a “Staying Strong” approach to continuing to keep the GVSU and surrounding community safe.

Epidemiological data monitored by public health officials and GVSU’s Virus Action Team indicate a continual improvement to slowing the spread of COVID-19 in the GVSU community. The OCDPH is working further with GVSU and the surrounding communities to continue to follow regulations and help slow the spread of COVID-19.

According to Lisa Stefanovsky, an OCDPH Health Officer, GVSU went from accounting for 77% of all Ottawa County COVID‐19 cases down to just 4% for the week ending Oct. 10. She said this decrease in cases has been attributed to more students and residents following regulations.

“We fully understand that the required actions were challenging for all involved and I want to share my sincere appreciation for

MASK UP: Following a two-week Staying Safe order, Ottawa County has further eased restrictions on GVSU students. GVSU went from 77% of total county COVID-19 cases down to 4%. COURTESY | GVSU

everyone doing their part,” Stefanovsky said in a statement to the community. “GVSU students have experienced a public health emergency and have responded to it with intelligence, integrity and adaptability. By embracing this challenge and adhering to the provisions in the orders and the protocols of GVSU’s administration, they have proved their civic responsibility and you and your team have demonstrated great leadership.”

On both campuses, state regulations regarding COVID, as well as campus policies and practices will remain in effect. The

OCDPH encourages community members to continue with prevention measures like maintaining physical distance from others, wearing a face covering and practicing exceptional hygiene, as well as for people who test positive to do their part through paying attention to public health regulations on slowing the spread of the disease and notifying others when they test positive.

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DOWNTOWN

Grand Rapids Comic-Con cancels for 2020, announces additional event for 2021

BY KELLEN VOSS NEWS@LANTHORN.COM

DELAYED: COVID-19 was kryptonite for many large events, like Grand Rapids Comic-Con, forcing them to cancel. COURTESY | MARK HODGES

Much like many other large events and festivals in 2020, the organizers at Grand Rapids Comic-Con were holding out hope that there would be some sort of vaccine for COVID-19 by the time their convention started in mid-November.

Unfortunately for comic book and movie fans all across West Michigan, Grand Rapids Comic-Con announced this week that they have canceled their 2020 event, originally scheduled to be at the DeVos Place from Nov. 13-15.

“The first I thought this might get the plug pulled on it was Labor Day,” said GR Comic Con co-owner and event director Mark Hodges. “We were holding out hope with all the vaccine studies going around, but we got the notice from the city (of Grand Rapids) that the event would have to be canceled.”

Hodges cited the Force Majeure clause as to why their event was canceled by the city of Grand Rapids.

Previously called the “Act of God” clause, this common clause in event contracts essentially frees both parties from liability or obligation when an extraordinary event happens that beyond the control of both parties. Wars, large natural disasters caused by weather, and pandemics fall under this category.

Despite the sad news of this year’s Comic-Con being canceled, in an effort to make up for that loss of revenue and provide comic book fans with the entertainment they’ve been craving, Grand Rapids Comic-Con announced this week that would hold a “Spring Fling” event, an addition to next year’s traditional Comic-Con set for November 2021.

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OCTOBER 19, 2020 GRAND VALLEY LANTHORN @GVLNEWS

CONTENTS

A3 | NEWS POLICE

PUBLIC HEALTH

| A2

EDITORIAL

| A4

GVPD completes multi-milliondollar security camera installation

LGBTQ+

| A5

BY ADAM TROMBLEY NEWS@LANTHORN.COM

ELECTION 2020

| A6&7

PROFILE

| A8

FALL

| A9

ACTIVISM

| A10

W. GOLF

| A11

M. BASKETBALL

| A12

VOL. 5 5

NO. 9

Lan thorn Layout Editor VIVIANA RUBIO

EDITORIAL STAFF Editor-in-Chief NICK MORAN Associate Editor KELLEN VOSS

Layout Designer KHOI TRAN PROMOTIONS

Associate Editor XAVIER GOLDEN News Editor OLIVIA FELLOWS

Promotions Manager ALEX DAGOSTINO ADVERTISING STAFF Advertising Manager SHANE MCATAMNEY

Sports Editor ZACK GOODROW Laker Life Editor YSABELA GOLDEN

The Grand Valley State University Police Department (GVPD) has all but wrapped up their multi-million-dollar security camera project after two years of working on the installation. The number of security cameras installed has nearly tripled since the start of the project in 2018. These cameras are met to help GVPD with investigations and incidents on GVSU’s campuses, but it is also meant to help keep the GVSU community safe and at ease.

“Before we instituted this program, we had what we guessed was 5% of the property covered, and now it’s closer to 85%,” said GVPD Capt. Jeffrey Stoll.

The department originally had 300 cameras located throughout GVSU’s campuses.

Now, that number is around 1,500 cameras that are spread out throughout the Allendale and Pew campuses, as well as the satellite campuses located in Holland and Detroit. Most of the cameras span across the outside of the campuses, with fewer installed inside of buildings.

“If you wanted to cover all the interiors of all the building that 1,500 could easily turn into 3, 4 or 5,000,” Stoll said. “Part of it is being financially effective and focusing on getting as much as we can. The goal is to capture as much valuable information as possible. What places should and should not be covered? Outside there are much

EYES ON IT: With a substantial update to its security camera system, the Grand Valley Police Department is able to monitor close to 85% of its campus properties. COURTESY | KENDRA STANLEY-MILLS

less privacy-related issues.”

Installation of the cameras inside can be very costly and can cause privacy issues, which led to the department using the cameras on the outsides of buildings and in areas where the most traffic occurs.

Having cameras has spurred concern from other schools that facial recognition would be used to single out students, but Stoll said that is not the case at GVSU. “There’s a difference between facial rec-

ognition and facial identification,” Stoll said. “Facial recognition would indicate you already have a database in place comparing someone’s biometric traits to a preexisting list. We don’t do that. We’re only looking at camera feeds that are related to an investigatory issue.”

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BUSINESS STAFF

A&E Editor MARY RACETTE

Business Manager RACHEM MCDOWELL

Image Editor MEGHAN ANDGREN

Asst. Business Manager DAYTON HAMMON

JOBS

Career Center hosts virtual “Work Like a Laker” conference

BY TREVOR HUBERT NEWS@LANTHORN.COM

At the Lanthorn, we strive to bring you the most accurate news possible. If we make a mistake, we want to make it right. If you find any errors in fact in the Lanthorn, let us know by calling 616-331-2464 or by emailing editorial@lanthorn.com.

The Grand Valley Lanthorn is published weekly by Grand Valley State University students 31 times a year. One copy of this newspaper is available free of charge to any member of the Grand Valley Community. For additional copies, at $1 each, please contact our business offices.

The Lanthorn is published on recycled paper and is printed with soy bean ink. This means that our newspaper is entirely compostable. Help us do our part to be kind to the environment by recycling or composting this newspaper after you enjoy reading it.

POSTMASTER: Please send form 3579 to: Grand Valley Lanthorn 0051 Kirkhof Center Grand Valley State University Allendale, MI 49401

GETTING TO WORK: Lakers took to digital workshops and fairs to prepare themselves to land their future dream job. COURTESY | GV NEXT

During the summer leading up to the fall 2020 semester, universities knew that they would be facing a brand new set of challenges as they moved into the school year. Among those challenges would be helping students and alumni find the jobs they came to college initially seeking out.

On the other end, employer demand is needed to tap into the supply of fresh candidates that GVSU sends into the workforce each year. The economic downturn has cut travel and recruiting budgets, and the pandemic has caused in-person career fairs to be put on hold. Considering all of this, the Work Like a Laker conference was born.

The series of virtual events began on Oct. 1 and ended with the virtual career fair Oct. 15. The GVSU Career Center estimates that 1,400 unique students and alumni made it to one of the 32 scheduled events.

The workshops covered a plethora of

different topics to consider while on the job hunt. There were conversations about race, veterans entering the workforce, shifting to a virtual environment and applying for graduate school. Other sessions focused on specific industries, such as healthcare, hospitality, marketing and psychology.

The goal of the conference was to provide a space that could benefit students and employers alike, and the virtual setting provided new opportunities for both.

“The question we asked ourselves was ‘how can we help our employer partners?’” said Lisa Knapp, a GVSU Career Advisor who helped plan the event. “How can we replace what we’re losing and what they’re losing?”

One benefit of being virtual was being able to bring in speakers from all over the country.

Special guests connected from places such as California and Texas.

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A4 | OPINION GVL EDITORIAL CARTOON

OCTOBER 19, 2020 GRAND VALLEY LANTHORN @GVLNEWS

By Lauryn Syrba

EDITORIAL

As election season ramps up, here’s our plan

T

10/19/20

editorial@lanthorn.com

For Kanye, America’s sanity, don’t vote for Yeezy in 2020

BY KELLEN VOSS SENIOR MULTIMEDIA JOURNALISM EDITORIAL@LANTHORN.COM

Earlier this summer, in the midst of Black Lives Matter Protests and civil unrest all across the country, one bit of news got swept under the rug that has the potential to alter the 2020 presidential election.

On July 4, Kanye West announced via Twitter that he would yet again be throwing his hat into the presidential ring and campaigning to be the leader of the free world.

When I first saw that tweet on my timeline, it felt like a joke. It felt like a publicity stunt to promote a new album that he has been teasing, which still has yet to be released despite promises that this will be some of the greatest music he has ever released.

It’s hard to believe anything Kanye West says at this point. His mental illness and recent outbursts have been well-documented on his pseudo-campaign trail.

Diagnosed with bipolar disorder in 2016, recent statements from his wife, Kim Kardashian West, expressed concern over the rapper going through a manic period. These periods, which can last from hours to days to weeks, feature wide shifts in behavior. In an interview with Vogue,

Kardashian West said West doesn’t treat his diagnosis with medication, and focuses her efforts on being supportive and understanding during outburst, including those on his “political trail.”

Yeezy has made more than a few wild claims, ranging from a little odd in the rapper saying that a presidential win for him would be “God’s appointment” to doubling down on his utterly absurd “Slavery was a choice” take by claiming that Harriet Tubman “never actually freed the slaves” at a campain event in South Carolina.

While these claims have started to feel like the boy who cried wolf over the past few months, the scariest part about all of it isn’t that West is still pushing to be in the Oval Office, but that it’s mid-October and some Americans still seem to think that he has a chance.

Earlier this week, claims of Kanye leading the incumbent and Democratic Presidential candidate in a Kentucky precinct voting poll went viral before ultimately being debunked. Instead, West flaunted an Associated Press test poll that had been leaked and unconfirmed.

Even with the poll not being accurate, the fact that many in the general public believed that news shows us two things: not only that Kanye’s campaign is very much still in the public consciousness, but also that many people see the current two presidential candidates much like how South Park saw the 2004 election as being between a rock and a hard place.

If the 2016 presidential campaign taught us anything, it’s that celebrities with no political experience appeals to the general public, who at the time seemed worn out by voting for traditional, car-salesmen-esque politicians that refused to “tell it like it is.” We

still see that with widespread support for President Trump and early interest in businessman Andrew Yang, who aimed to challenge him from he Democratic side.

The latest presidential reign, led by a man who seems as confused as a horse in a hospital, should stand as a reminder that celebrities should not run for president.

The 2020 presidential election will arguably be the most complex one in our country’s history, with a worldwide pandemic affecting voting in so many ways. There are a slew of pressing issues from police reform to climate change that demand leadership and consideration from those who have been hands-on in trying to solve these predicaments.

From mail-in voting being more prevalent than ever before to Americans waiting hours on end to vote in person, this election already has the potential to be a colossal shitstorm.

For the sake of our country, we don’t need people writing in West as a candidate thrown on top of that.

Voting for West takes away from the serious discourse surrounding this election. It’s easy to vote for West, but it’s irresponsible and certainly not productive.

College students should stay informed for this election by researching candidates in local candidates, voting early and encouraging friends to take this election seriously by not voting for ridiculous write-in candidates like Yeezy.

While you may be hard-pressed to find a student on GVSU’s campus who actually believes Kanye West should lead our country, let this column be the opposite of an endorsement for the rapper who claims to have “2020 vision”.

he political season is already among us, which means a whirlwind of information and civic duties are pressing into the minds of campus community members, especially as mail-in and absentee voting are increasingly prevalent.

That buzz will be reflected in the Lanthorn this issue and next, as we push to inspire community members to head to the polls and confidently cast their votes in local and national elections alike.

This time of year, local and student news publications can do what national publications can’t. While national outlets can focus on key races and the presidential pool, local journalists put state races into perspective among more focused audiences.

Especially at the university level, the vast majority of readers have a number of traits in common, including level of education, age and community investments.

Those perspectives mean a few things for how the Lanthorn will cover election season this year.

A million different races are vying for audience attention this season, so while there are a range of issues and platforms to consider for each race and candidate, the Lanthorn Editorial Board is using an approach driven by collegiate, age-driven polling data to determine what issues matter most to our college community.

Our coverage will focus on the environment, public health, education and the economy as key issues, but will not be limited to those topics. Using polls from sources like Harvard and College Source, we’ve determined that these issues are especially important to our audience. There are a plethora of other topics of importance, but to treat each race with consistency, those topics will be the standard, with expansion whenever possible.

With all races we feature, we’ll encourage our readers to explore more resources on each candidate. Links on our website will give readers the opportunity to learn more whenever possible.

We are providing these links because the Lanthorn strongly believes that voters, especially college students, should stay informed regarding the issues and candidates they are backing.

Part of that is consuming news and part of that is seeking out more information if you don’t feel prepared.

As Winston Churchill famously said, “The best argument against democracy is a five-minute conversation with the average voter.” We are trying to give voters in our community the information they need for those difficult conversations before the polls.

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GVL OPINION POLICY The goal of the Grand Valley Lanthorn’s opinion page is to act as a forum for public discussion, comment and criticism in the Grand Valley State University community. Student and columnist opinions published here do not necessarily reflect those of the paper as an entity.

The Lanthorn strives to be a safe vehicle for community discussion. With this in mind, the Lanthorn will not publish or entertain any forms of hate speech, but neither will it discriminate against any other views, opinions or beliefs. The content, information and views expressed are not approved by— nor do they necessarily represent those of—the university or its Board of Trustees, officers, faculty

or staff.

Letters to the editor should include the author’s full name, relevant title and a headshot, along with a valid email address and phone number for confirming the identity of the author. Letters should be approximately 500650 words in length, and they are not edited by the Lanthorn staff except to fix technical errors or to clarify. Reader submissions on the opinion page appear as space permits.

To make a submission, email editorial@lanthorn.com or drop your submission off in person at:

0051 KIRKHOF CENTER GRAND VALLEY STATE UNIVERSITY

OCTOBER 19, 2020 GRAND VALLEY LANTHORN @GVLNEWS

A5 | NEWS

LGBTQ+

‘Coming Out Day’ is every day, not just once a year

BY OLIVIA FELLOWS NEWS@LANTHORN.COM

This past Sunday, Oct. 11, the world celebrated National Coming Out Day (NCOD), a day that celebrates the ‘coming out’ of a member of the LGBTQ+ community, which usually entails telling one’s close friends or family your sexual orientation, although it can look very different for people depending on their situation.

Inaugurated in 1988 by Robert Eichberg and Jean O’Leary, NCOD Initially administered from the West Hollywood offices of the National Gay Rights Advocates, the first NCOD received participation from eighteen states, garnering national media coverage. Eichberg, who died in 1995 of complications from AIDS, was a psychologist from New Mexico and founder of the personal growth workshop, The Experience.O’Leary was an openly lesbian political leader and long-time activist from New York, and was at the time the head of the National Gay Rights Advocates in Los Angeles.

While it’s been celebrated in the United States by openly LGBTQ+ communities for a little over three decades, the struggle that that many groups face regarding rights still rages to this day. Just recently, in June 2020, the Supreme Court ruled that a landmark civil rights law protects gay and transgender workers from workplace discrimination in a decision that was both unprecedented and unexpected.

WITH PRIDE: National Coming Out Day represents years of growth for the LGBTQ+ community. At GVSU, that sense of support allows LGBTQ+ students to be themselves. GVL | BRITANY WATKINS

For many LGBTQ+ individuals, coming out can be one of the most profound life moments.

Although it’s important to remember that for some, their coming out story may be a personal and painful one. It’s important to remember to respect a person’s wishes if they express that they don’t want to share it. LGBTQ+ rights activists fight for individuals who are still unsure,

have come out and are scorned by family and friends, and those who haven’t come out to make change that helps them to feel supported by the wider community, each other, and the government. Equal rights and representation, and those fighting for them, are an incredibly important part of feeling safe enough to come out for many individuals, and many face vio-

lence and hate that forces them to keep their orientation hidden.

“Thirty-two years ago, on the anniversary of the National March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights, we first observed today as a reminder that one of our most basic tools is the power of coming out,” said the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) in a statement on NCOD. “Coming out, whether it is as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or queer, still matters. When people know someone who is LGBTQ, they are far more likely to support equality under the law. Beyond that, our stories can be powerful to each other.

In the U.S., the HRC sponsors NCOD events under the auspices of their National Coming Out Project, offering resources to LGBT individuals, couples, parents and children, as well as straight friends and relatives, to promote awareness of LGBT families living honest and open lives.

According to a 2019 Gallup poll, 4.5% of adult Americans identify as LGBT, with 5.1% of women identifying as LGBT, compared with 3.9% of men. A different survey in 2016, from the Williams Institute, estimated that 0.6% of U.S. adults identify as transgender.

A large number of individuals that identify as LGBTQ+ are under the age of 29.

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GUIDE

Where to pick your perfect pumpkin this fall

BY AUDREY WHITAKER AWHITAKER@LANTHORN.COM

It’s officially fall, with cider, donuts and pumpkin spice everything rampant. All that’s missing is a pumpkin to carve or decorate with roommates.

In 2017, Michigan was number five on the list of U.S. states that grew the most pumpkins, according to Zippia. The state

has over 900 pumpkin farms, adding up to 5,123 acres in total.

Despite the changes brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, outdoor market and pumpkin patch fun is still a Laker favorite.

Some carve pumpkins, while others paint. If you’re planning on using your pumpkins as outdoor decor, you can deter squirrels and other animals from turning them into a snack by spraying them with

GETTING FESTIVE THIS FALL: For students looking to partake in some fall pumpkin pastimes, West Michigan is home to a variety of farms, fields and orchards to get your fix. GVL | SHEILA BABBITT

one part vinegar to ten parts water.

If you’ll be scooping the pulp out of the jack o lantern this Halloween, save all that gooey goodness and seeds. Season pumpkin seed with oil, salt and paprika or your other favorite spices and bake for 20-30 minutes at 350 degrees for a crispy, healthy, seasonal snack.

The pumpkin pulp can be used for many easy recipes, including DIY pumpkin spice lattes and soup. It can even be used to make face masks when combined with other at-home ingredients like sugar, honey and even eggs.

Whether you’re looking to pick up a pumpkin on your next trip to the supermarket or make a day of it, there are a number of options for Lakers looking for fall fun near GVSU’s Allendale campus.

Mellema Farm 16496 124th Avenue, Nunica Mellema Farm Market Farm offers local-

ly grown fruits and vegetables in season, according to their website. During the month of October, the pick-your-own pumpkin patch is up and running.

Dahlia Acres Farms 4763 Baldwin St., Hudsonville, MI Dahlia Acres Farms sells cut flowers and pumpkins from their wagonstand in Hudsonville throughout the fall season, according to their website. They have many different varieties in a $1-$3 range.

Wells Orchards 9009 Kenowa Ave. SW, Grand Rapids, MI Wells Orchards pumpkin patch (which also includes acorn maze, market and apple orchard) opened the first weekend of October, according to their website.

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A6&7 | ELECTION 2020

OCTOBER 19, 2020 GRAND VALLEY LANTHORN @GVLNEWS

A Look at Local Races: What’s on the ballot?

XAVIER GOLDEN WEB@LANTHORN.COM

There is a full ballot for voters in Allendale this election cycle, and with Election

Day approaching and mail-in ballots already in hand, the political season is in full swing. On the local end of the ballot are a smattering of national Congressional, state and regional races, alongside with a pair

MI 14th Congressional District, US Senate

of state proposals. Each race summary includes a brief overview of both the incumbent and the challenger, with an emphasis on portions of their platforms most relevant to the collegiate campus community.

Visit www.lanthorn.com for links to each candidate’s website for more information.

See our editorial on page 4 for a full walkthrough of how the Lanthorn will be approaching covering the election this year.

MI 2nd Congressional District, US House

Michigan Supreme Court Justice

Michigan House District 88

Who’s running?

Mary Kelly Elizabeth Welch Bridget Mary McCormack

John James

Gary Peters

Bill Huizenga

Brian Berghoef

Luke Meerman

John James is the Republican challenger in the race for the 14th Congressional District seat in the U.S. Senate. He plans on protecting the Great Lakes by working with the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative, joining the Senate Climate Solutions Caucus and reforming the Affordable Care Act. He supports holding polluters accountable and President Trump’s tax cuts for the 1%.

He is adamantly against environmental regulations on small businesses, as well as single-payer healthcare.

Gary Peters is the incumbent Democratic candidate in the race for the 14th Congressional District seat in the U.S. Senate.

He’s working to protect the Great Lakes, secure funding for communities affected by water pollution and expand healthcare coverage with a Medicare public option. He supports Planned Parenthood, government subsidies for renewable energy and requiring health plans to cover birth control. He is adamantly against President Trump’s tax cuts for the 1%.

Bill Huizenga is the incumbent Republican candidate in the race for the 2nd Congressional District seat in the U.S. House of Representatives.

He’s working to encourage the development of renewable energy sources with a comprehensive energy package, protect patients with pre-existing conditions and protect the Great Lakes by working with the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative.

He supports President Trump’s tax cuts for the 1% and federal energy subsidies. He is adamantly against abortion, universal healthcare and opposed the House’s COVID-19 stimulus package.

Brian Berghoef is the Democratic challenger in the race for the 2nd Congressional District seat in the U.S. House of Representatives. He plans on holding corporations accountable for their contribution to climate change, protecting families from predatory price increases and allowing the federal government to negotiate with drug companies to lower prices on medications. He supports clean energy — both for the environment and the economy — and moving toward universal healthcare coverage. He is adamantly opposed to energy subsidies that prop up the fossil fuel industry and President Trump’s tax cuts for the 1%.

Luke Meerman is the incumbent Republican candidate in the race for the 88th District seat.

Meerman is adamantly opposed to abortion and Governor Whitmer’s emergency orders surrounding COVID-19.

MICHIGAN BOARD OF EDUCATION Ellen Lipton (D) Driving resources towards vulnerable students and students with disabilities.

Not allowing the school-aid fund to fund community colleges or public universities.

Jason Strayhorn (D) Supports equitable funding.

Advocating for students who need additional services.

Tami Carlone (R) No longer teaching to tests.

Leaving Common Core.

Michelle Frederick (R) Focusing on examining teacher training, standardized tests and professional development at all grade levels.

Bill Hall (L) Supports school of choice, competition between schools.

Letting poorly performing schools fail.

Richard A. Hewer (L) Supports school of choice.

Supports letting students specialize.

Mary Anne Hering (WCP) Ending tax cuts and subsidies given to major corporations and real estate speculators.

Supports organizing school labor.

Hali McEachern (WCP) Supports smaller classroom sizes.

Supports student welfare.

Supports the inclusion of the arts in curriculum.

Tom Mair (G) Believes in remote learning for public schools during the pandemic.

Karen Adams (TPM) Supports parents making more decisions about their child’s education Supports scaling back the state’s educational budget and spending Douglas Levesque (TPM) Supports parent-involved education.

Supports increased choice in public education.

Supports performance-based learning and funding

Franklin Cornielle Franklin Cornielle is the Democratic challenger in the race for the 88th District seat in the Michigan House of Representatives. He believes in protecting the Great Lakes and is against defunding public schools. Cornielle also supports Governor Whitmer’s COVID-19 policies.

Brock Swartzle Katherine Mary Nepton Kerry Lee Morgan Susan L. Hubbard

What’s noteworthy?

Welch and McCormack both believe in modernizing technology in the courts and increasing access to legal counsel. Hubbard also believes in modernizing technology in the courts, as well as providing adequate compensation for court-appointed attorneys. Swartzle believes in making pretrial matters cheaper and providing juvenile offenders with early and effective intervention. Morgan wants to eliminate compulsory membership in the State Bar of Michigan and Nepton believes in eliminating “debtors’ prison” laws.

MICHIGAN STATE PROPOSALS USE OF STATE AND LOCAL PARK FUNDS

SEARCH WARRANTS FOR ELECTRONIC DATA

The first state proposal on the ballot is regarding the use of state and local park funds. Voting “yes” on the proposal would support changes to spending, like the ability to spend revenue on park/recreational facility maintenance or renovation.

Voting “no” on the proposal would oppose changes to spending.

The second state proposal on the ballot is regarding the privacy of electronic data.

Voting “yes” would support a constitutional amendment requiring search warrants to access digital personal data, and voting “no” would oppose it.

Allendale Supervisor

Allendale Clerk

Adam Elenbaas

Jody Hansen

running unopposed

running unopposed

A8 | ARTS &ENTERTAINMENT ARTS AT A GLANCE ONLINE PLAY READINGS HELP STUDENTS DEVELOP NEW WORK

It was 6:30 p.m. on a Thursday night as Grand Valley State University students ranging from freshman to alumni gathered on a livestreamed Zoom call with associate professor of theatre Jim Bell. The fourth and final night of the Student Play Reading Series was about to commence. While theatre struggles to find its place in the new online world, the GVSU Department of Music, Theatre, and Dance is creating a space for student writers to share new work.

The four playwrights – Meredith Fletcher, A. Shull, Chavala Ymker, and Hamlet Arnott – were all a part of an independent study Playwriting II class in Winter 2020. By the end of the semester, each student had a rough draft of a one act or full length play. When the planned public reading didn’t happen in April, Bell and the students knew that somehow they would make sure their scripts had the chance to come alive.

Read the full story on www.lanthorn.com

PROFILE

The songs that shaped Sean Miller

BY MARY RACETTE ARTS@LANTHORN.COM

Alto saxophonist Sean Miller took the role of a Laker Marching Band drum major last year as a sophomore and continues to lead the band throughout this school year. But this is not where his musical journey started.

Miller’s passion for music shined throughout his childhood, continuing to develop as he grew up. At 20 years old, Miller has been able to reflect on his life and the musical influences that brought him to where he is today. Since Miller’s life has always been so intertwined with music, he ties valuable memories and re-

STUDENTS BRIGHTEN WALLS WITH CUSTOM SOCIAL JUSTICE POSTER CREATION EVENT

Drop in to the Haas Center for Performing Arts (PAC) and make your own poster. On Oct. 22, the free event will offer participants sanitized materials to customize their wall decor. The event will take place in the Art Gallery and will run from 3-6 p.m. Anyone is welcome to participate and they are encouraged to choose a social justice cause and use the provided template to guide their way through their creative process. This opportunity will also be available Oct. 29 from 2-5 p.m.

The event is inspired by The Celebrate People’s History poster series in the Art Gallery. The series consists of a diverse collection of posters which highlights important people and events in various social justice movements. In the last 20 years of the series, nearly half a million posters of over 125 designs have been showed and distributed.

ARTISTS URGES PEOPLE TO VOTE THROUGH HER WORK

Local Grand Rapids artist Carol A. Johnson intends for her series “Attack on Democracy in America” to encourage people to use their right to vote. Her artwork was displayed in an open-house event at Emerging Voices Center For Healing at Coopers Landing in Grand Rapids. The event brought local artists together to spread their message.

Systematic racism and police brutality are themes represented in Johnson’s work. She hopes that her series will call attention to these issues as well as inspire people to vote.

OCTOBER 19, 2020 GRAND VALLEY LANTHORN @GVLARTS

LEADER: Drum major Sean Miller reflects on meaningful songs. GVL | ANNABELLE ROBINSON

lationships to a handful of songs.

Inspired by Pitchfork’s 5-10-15-20 series, Miller shares some of the most important musical influences throughout his life.

5- “Life is a Highway” by Rascal Flatts The main reason I love this song is because around this age I was big into “Cars.”

I really loved the Cars movie and I had so much of an obsession that I bought the CD (yes the CD) and I would play “Life is a Highway” over and over again.

Every time I was in the car, I would ask my mom to put the CD in and play “Life is a Highway” and she kept doing it even though she has heard it enough times. I was telling her about this article and she said, “Oh ‘Life is a Highway’ for sure. You would not stop singing that until you found another song.” Music has definitely had a big impact on my life ever since I was very young.

10- “Für Elise” by Beethoven When I was in fifth grade, I started playing the saxophone. My first band director’s name was Terry Braciszewski and he has been my first big influence growing up. I went to a private school until eighth grade and he was my band director from fifth to eighth grade.

Every time I think of “Für Elise,” I think back to my first band director.

One big thing that private schools did was all-school masses on Fridays where the band

would play the songs throughout the mass.

At one point, he chose me and he said, “Hey, you should solo on this piece. You’ve known the song for a while, and I think you’d be really good at it.” At that time, I didn’t have that much confidence in myself but he pushed me to be the better version of myself and gave me the confidence that I didn’t know I needed.

When eighth grade happened, all the eighth graders had a solo piece, and mine happened to be “Für Elise.” When I played that, I finished and I walked up to my director and he just gave me the biggest smile and hug and said, “I’m gonna miss you, Sean.”

That really hit me because it really means a lot just thinking about that song, and about that time of my life and how he was able to build me up because he knew that I had it in me. I really appreciate that man.

15- “My Songs Know What You Did In The Dark (Light Em Up)” by Fall Out Boy After eighth grade, I transitioned to a public school, which was Pinckney High School. I didn’t know anyone at the public school, maybe one or two people tops, but I wanted to get out there because I am a very active person.

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EVENTS

Opera Grand Rapids decides the show must (safely) go on

BY MARY DUPUIS ARTS@LANTHORN.COM

Opera Grand Rapids will be holding their second annual Opera Week from Oct. 19-25, and the staff has a full schedule of events lined up for the city to enjoy some safe, family fun.

The plans for this week began while the staff was still in quarantine due to COVID-19. Executive Director Emilee Syrewicze said they knew for a long time that the week would be taking place. However, they weren’t able to create any real plans for it until very recently.

“We realized we can still do it if we follow social distancing guidelines and adhere to safety regulations,” Syrewicze said. “I know that as long as we’re creative and safe about it we can still bring people together with opera.”

In order to hold the events throughout this week in the safest manner possible, Opera Grand Rapids has put heavy protocol for their performers, as well as their guests, into place.

Syrewicze said the group partnered with University of Michigan Metro Health and tested every single artist and musician before they began preparing for the week. In order to show up to production, the performer needed to provide a negative test. Everyone

in the building was also asked to wear a mask at all times.

On top of this, there was a bipolar ionization unit installed in the Betty Van Andel Arena, which is the only HVAC system known to kill COVID-19. Upon entering the building the performer needed to have a mask, a verification screening and a temperature check.

As for guests, when they arrive for events this week at the East Grand Rapids Performance Center, the Betty Van Andel Arena, or the Fifth Third Baseball Park, they must go through standard COVID-19 screening processes and a temperature check. They must also wear a mask and practice proper social distancing.

The week will begin on Oct. 19 with Education Day. From 12-1 p.m., the Director

of Music Education and Assistant Conductor of Opera Grand Rapids, Austin McWilliams, will be giving a presentation at East Grand Rapids High School.

Then, from 3:15-4:45 p.m., actor and musician Steven Condy is holding a collegiate masterclass that GVSU students are able to attend.

The pop-up concert taking place on Oct. 20 at the Grand Rapids Art Museum had to be canceled due to the museum’s social distancing protocol. However, there will still be a live-streamed pop-up performance.

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WEEK-LONG CELEBRATION: Opera Week is in full swing with some public health changes. Ballads & Brews is one of a handful of events spanning from Oct. 19-25. COURTESY | OPERA GRAND RAPIDS

A9 | LAKER LIFE

OCTOBER 19, 2020 GRAND VALLEY LANTHORN @GVLLAKERLIFE

LAKER LIFE LGBT RESOURCE CENTER CELEBRATES ASEXUAL AWARENESS WEEK

This year, Grand Valley’s Milton E. Ford LGBT Resource Center is once again joining in an international campaign dedicated to raising awareness and education on the topic of asexuality, an orientation defined by a lack of sexual attraction or desire.

The Center will be having their Asexual Awareness Week celebration at 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 20. The event will be held virtually over Zoom, and a link to the meeting can be found on their website at www.gvsu.edu/lgbtrc. Those with questions can contact Associate Director Marla Wick at wickm@gvsu.edu.

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE 2020 ELECTION

With this year’s national election coming right around the corner on Nov. 3 (and even sooner for those doing absentee voting), everyone’s mind is on the upcoming presidential vote. In order to facilitate productive discussion on this landmark event in American history, Grand Valley State University’s Hauenstein Center for Presidential Studies is teaming up with the Department of Political Science to host a 2020 Election Panel.

Discussing topics like political polarization and how the election cycle has been subverted by the pandemic, the panel will be held live over Zoom from 7-9 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 22. Those interested can RSVP for the event on their website at www.gvsu.edu/hc.

FALL

West Michigan flocks to apple orchards

BY AUTUMN PITCHURE LAKERLIFE@LANTHORN.COM

During this fall season, people are starting to regain some freedom with businesses like movie theaters opening back up, as well as the election on the horizon giving people the chance to vote.

But it is the lack of activities and bonding in the past with family members and friends that has driven people to a fall classic: apple orchards.

Most orchards in Michigan are open, allowing customers to join in on the fall festivities with warm apple cider, donuts and apple picking. One such place is Wells Orchards, a family-owned orchard that has been in business for 100 years.

Their sales have skyrocketed due to the increase of people getting out of their homes during the fall, especially given that the outdoor nature of apple picking makes it safer than activities taking place inside.

“We have been much busier this year than previous years,” said owner Michelle Wells. “We are probably seeing two-thirds more customers than we did last year.”

In order to stay open, orchards have put in place some guidelines for their customers regarding COVID-19. These rules are what Wells said keeps customers safe and everything flowing smoothly.

“All of our employees are wearing masks,” Wells said. “We have signs posted asking our customers to wear masks when they are in the

PRIME FOR PICKING: With fall in full swing, apple orchards around West Michigan are seeing customers take kindly to the social-distance-friendly outdoor activity. COURTESY | MICHELLE WELLS

building and we have all kinds of hand sanitizer stations throughout the store.”

Wells Orchards is not requiring people to wear masks when they are outdoors, but they do ask that people are respectful of others and keep their six feet apart.

Some customers do not feel safe picking their own apples, due to possible spreading of the virus from others picking in the fields. Moelker Orchard, along with others, are providing the option of getting your apple bundles all

packaged up and ready to go, whether by coming inside or through curbside service.

“They provided bags of apples inside for those who didn’t feel comfortable picking,” said Grand Valley State University senior Emily Clevenger, who has visited a handful of local orchards.

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ACTIVITIES

Spirit Week celebrates Laker pride

EXPERIENCE DESIGN THINKING

On Friday, Oct. 23, the Design Thinking Academy of Brooks College of Interdisciplinary Studies is hosting a free virtual event to introduce interested members of the Grand Valley State University community to “design thinking,” a creative, collaborative problem solving approach that has been rapidly adopted by global companies like Google and Apple.

The starter kit session will take place from 2-3 p.m. and will be facilitated by Stanford University Innovation Fellow Amanda Moy. Those interested in the event, which is both INT 101 and 201 approved, can RSVP on the Design Thinking Academy’s website at www. gvsu.edu/designthinking.

BY KATHERINE ARNOLD NEWS@LANTHORN.COM

LIVE AT LUBBERS: Lubbers Stadium felt familiar to end Spirit Week. COURTESY | GVSU CHEER

This fall, Grand Valley State University saw a series of Spirit Week activities replace its more traditional Homecoming celebration. Because of COVID-19 and the regulations placed on indoor social gatherings, Campus Activities Board (CAB) put together a week-long celebration of what it means to be a part of the GVSU community. And most importantly, they worked to create an environment that was safe while still allowing students to experience community and togetherness.

CAB Director of Homecoming Brynn Barckholtz stressed the importance of campus events, especially when students have such limited options available to release their stress and need a much-anticipated moment of community entertainment.

“Now, more than ever, our students are living in a time of uncertainty,” Barckholtz said.

“CAB’s hope is that spending a couple hours at one of our events will get them away from their academic and life stress and have some fun.”

The week started off with a night of GVSU trivia on Monday. Student Senate

worked to bring a virtual trivia experience to the community, and provided a way for every student across both campuses to access a fun and fact-filled Kahoot experience, with the chance to win prizes for the top three contestants.

Tie-Dye Tuesday followed as an outdoor experience, with students being able to have fun creating their own tie-dye masterpieces with socks and t-shirts. The open space outside allowed students to stay safe while getting creative with their fellow Lakers.

Next up was a Spirit Search on Wednesday, a new activity pioneered from the thorough planning from Barckholtz and CAB graduate assistant Caroline Murray.

Student organizations had the opportunity to contribute boxes, which were then hidden across the Allendale campus for participants to find.

This event idea was certainly unique, and acted as another outdoor experience that allowed students to explore the campus at their own pace.

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A10 | SPORTS QUICK HITS

OCTOBER 19, 2020 GRAND VALLEY LANTHORN @GVLSPORTS

ACTIVISM

GV UNVEILS NEW CHAMPIONSHIPS BOARD

Grand Valley State University Athletics unveiled the Joan Boand Wall of NCAA Championships in the Fieldhouse last week on what would have been the school’s homecoming date. The ceremony was small and socially distanced. GVSU Athletic Director Keri Becker and GVSU President Philomena Mantella spoke at the event.

While the event did celebrate Boand’s achievements at GVSU, her legacy has never been in question. She began her career as a Laker in 1966 when she was an assistant professor in physical education and she soon became the main advocate for women’s athletics at the school.

Boand has her fingerprints over virtually every women’s athletic program at GVSU including volleyball, basketball, softball, and track and field. Her career marks include 745 total wins and 10 GLIAC championships.

Boand coached the volleyball team for 26 years, winning six championships and winning two coach of the year awards consecutively. She also coached the women’s basketball team for five years, winning 132 games and four consecutive GLIAC championships. Boand also served as the softball coach for eight seasons.

After her coaching career, Boand moved on to become the Associate Athletics Director at GVSU and became the Senior Women’s Administrator where she served the school and several NCAA committees. She retired in 1999 and created the Joan Boand Athletics Scholarship. Her distinguished career still impacts athletes, coaches and administrators at GVSU today.

HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL SCORES

Jenison 16, Grand Haven 0 Grandville 42, Caledonia 7 Hudsonville 43, Holland West Ottawa 35 Byron Center 64, Greenville 22 Grand Rapids West Catholic 34, Allendale 12 Grand Rapids Christian 22, East Grand Rapids 15 Grand Rapids Forest Hills Central 37, Grand Rapids Northview 10 Muskegon 15, Zeeland West 14 Zeeland East 75, Holland 17

FANTASY FOOTBALL RANKINGS QB: Russell Wilson 147.38, Patrick

Mahomes 137.86, Josh Allen 135.66, Dak Prescott 135.64, Kyler Murray 129.56

RB: Alvin Kamara 147.6, Dalvin Cook 113.3, Ezekiel Elliott 111.7, Aaron Jones 101.9, Chris Carson 99.9

WR: DeAndre Hopkins 109.8, Adam

Thielen 104.9, Calvin Ridley 102.1, D.K. Metcalf 99.6, Stefon Diggs 98.9

TE: Travis Kelce 90.5, Darren Waller 73.5, Mark Andrews 70.2, Jonnu Smith 70.1, Robert Tonyan 60.3

STANDING TOGETHER: Members of the GVSU football team alongside a wave of peers spanning across several sports gathered to show their support for students of color during the university’s last protest. Football head coach Matt Mitchell said he made sure his players could attend. GVL | NICK MORAN

Dozens of GV athletes march in solidarity with students during 2020 Equality March

BY JOSH CARLSON AND KELLEN VOSS ASSOCIATE@LANTHORN.COM

Among the hundreds of Grand Valley State University students who marched on Allendale’s campus last Friday for the Equality March were dozens of GVSU student athletes walking in solidarity with their teammates.

Several student athletes from multiple varsity sports at GVSU dressed in all black and joined the march in support of the Black Lives Matter movement.

To see his teammates not only showing support but also engaging in chants and raising their fists for Black Lives Matter was encouraging for Black senior basketball player Christian Negron.

“Everybody understands that it’s a weird time in our country right now, and I don’t think anyone on our team has shied away from having those conversations,” Negron said. “This wasn’t mandatory for anyone to come. I have a lot of white teammates and to see a lot of them come, it was good to know they have my back, Steve (Lloyd’s) back, and the backs of other black teammates as well.”

Negron said that about three-fourths of his teammates from the basketball team were available to come to the march. The senior felt a sense of pride in the march, knowing that the student athletes on this campus were setting a good example for fellow students while supporting a cause he is passionate about.

“We had talked about this beforehand, about how athletes are looked at as leaders on campus,” Negron said. “A lot of times, students will look to us to be examples, so I was happy to see a lot of other student athletes out there demonstrating that they support a good cause.”

Along with the student-athletes, coaches were also there to support the Equality March. After receiving text messages from some of his players and being made aware of

the march, football head coach Matt Mitchell believed it was something that needed to be made a priority for his team.

“We changed our schedule and moved things around to make sure everybody had the opportunity to participate,” Mitchell said. “Back in March when there was a series of events that brought a spotlight on social injustice, and some things regarding the Black Lives Matter movement, we formed a Grand Valley Equality Action Team, a group of players and coaches who are trying to have some action-based things to improve our situation. It’s really important to our team that was involved.”

Defensive back J.T. Webb, who was one of the players that texted Mitchell, was happy to know that his coaches had his back.

“It’s very important, I’m glad that coach Mitchell took time out, and made it a very important thing for our team to participate in,” Webb said. “With everything going on in America, it feels great to have somebody in that position of power behind you, and just as a coach I’m grateful to have him. Being able to switch things around for us to make a difference in our community.”

Webb was happy to see how many people from different backgrounds came together and were there to support one single cause because it’s something that he believes can help towards real change in today’s current climate.

Antonio Strong was also one of the football players to attend the event and expressed the feeling was much different than the protest he attended in downtown Grand Rapids.

“Because it was the Grand Valley community, it felt great to see a lot of people out there supporting the cause,” Strong said. “When you get to actually see the people, you’re around every day, the people you’re taking classes with and they are out there, instead of just ten random people in the city, it’s great.”

Senior soccer forward Ava Cook knew that as soon as her coaches informed the team of the event, that the Laker women’s soccer team was going to attend. There was no hesitation to show support for her fellow teammates and other Laker athletes that come from a different background than her own.

“In that moment, there was nothing more important than us being there and us showing that we support them no matter what,” Cook said. “No matter what our skin color is, we are always there for them. That was definitely a top priority of the day, of the week, of the month, of the year.”

The Equality March brought together coaches and athletes of many Laker teams as well. While usually seeing them separated at different athletic venues, seeing everyone unified and together all for one cause was something Cook saw as very meaningful.

“I think any chance that we get as athletes to come together do something, especially something so important like that, it gives us a great opportunity to connect and share some common ground,” Cook said. “It was awesome to see all of our friends, and people that we might not know that well on other sports teams, to get out there and support the same cause.”

Cook also said that she thought it was another growing moment for her entire team as well as the Laker athletic community as a whole, especially seeing the coaches standing behind their players.

“A lot of people look up to them,” Cook said. “They lead a lot of people on our campus, and I think that it is important that they are all present and show their support. At the end of the day, they’re going to be the ones that stand out, especially in the media.

Not even just coaches, anyone who is in a higher seat at the university whether that be professors or an athletic department, it’s fantastic that they are out there supporting, because a lot of people look up to them.”

OCTOBER 19, 2020 GRAND VALLEY LANTHORN @GVLSPORTS

A11 | SPORTS

WOMEN’S GOLF

Chipman, Miron finish top five in second golf tournament of fall season

BY HOLLY BIHLMAN HBIHLMAN@LANTHORN.COM

With GLIAC athletics taking a hiatus this 2020 fall semester, most fall sports have not seen very much action, if any at all yet. However, a few golfers on the Grand Valley State University women’s team have found outdoor tournaments to compete in outside of GVSU. Senior Katie Chipman participated in the PohlCat 36-hole tournament in Mount Pleasant last Sunday, Oct. 11, alongside freshman golfer Megan Miron. Chipman placed third overall with a score of 76-74 and Miron shot an 80-73 to claim fifth.

With competitions few and far between circulating the sports world, the women were excited to be able to compete in these tournaments, as well as for the opportunity to practice for a potential spring season.

“It was a very unique golf course to play,” Chipman said. “The weather wasn’t too bad, so that was nice. Overall it was just fun to compete and to kind of get back out and play again because our last tournament was back in August.”

Chipman and Miron also paired up a week earlier, on Oct. 6, at the Eagle Eye GCAA Tournament in Bath, Michigan.

The duo finished tied for twenty third

at the event with an overall score of 273 and 15 shots over par. While Chipman has been busy the past few weeks, the opportunities to play have been thin.

So far, the golf team has been practicing regularly during weekdays in small groups at the Meadows Golf course on campus, as well as wearing masks and limiting contact with each other. Chipman said they’ve had a pretty good fall, considering the circumstances.

Despite GLIAC fall sports being on a break, the women have been playing for qualifiers and keeping it competitive within the team.

Looking back on last year’s debacle with spring sports being canceled at the turn of a dime, Chipman is actually using her extra year of eligibility right now, along with a few other girls on the team. With no sports happening this semester either, the uncertainty of what might happen after this year is a little reminiscent of season.

“I honestly haven’t thought about if we have a season that much,” Chipman said. “I’m just trying to work on the game right now and make more memories with the teammates as much as we can. It’s just so uncertain right now and we’ve been playing the guessing game for months. So what if we didn’t play all fall or didn’t play all spring, then what now?”

As hard as it is on athletes like Chipman to be left wondering what will happen next sea-

DEPENDABLE WITH A DRIVER: Golfer Katie Chipman launches a ball off the tee in an NCAA event from 2019. Chipman and Megan Miron had top five finishes last week. COURTESY | GVSU ATHLETICS

son and even next year, Chipman said she’s just grateful for the opportunity to continue playing with her teammates at a competitive level. As a second-year senior, this is probably not what she had envisioned for her final year at GVSU. She is however making the most of what

she has been able to participate in. Her last wish as a Laker looking toward graduation is similar to what most GVSU athletes want now more than ever: to go and compete with her team one last time. But for the time being, she can only hope this comes true for athletes in all sports before the end of the year.

FOOTBALL

GV Football reacts to first COVID-19 death in college football

BY HOLLY BIHLMAN HBIHLMAN@LANTHORN.COM

As the Grand Valley State University football team remains off the playing field, universities in other states have not been as stringent in their COVID-19 battleplan. Schools like the University of Notre Dame and California University in Pennsylvania (Cal. U), have experienced some consequential outcomes in this season’s realm of possibilities with the COVID pandemic. Cal. U suffered a tragedy greater

COMPLICATIONS: Jamain Stephens died at 20 years old. COURTESY | JHUNEWSLETTER.COM

than any other.

On Sept. 9, Jamain Stephens, a lineman for the Cal. U Vulcans died of a blood clot in his heart. Since then, his family has retracted initial claims that the cause of death was COVID-19 and has instead decided to keep this information within the family. Regardless of whether or not COVID-19 was the official cause of death, COVID-19 outbreaks are now a reality for teams as cases still surge all over the country.

Stephens, son of the 1996 first-round draft pick for the Pittsburgh Steelers, held the nickname “Juice” among his friends and teammates.

He wore a size 19 shoe and broke the Central Catholic High School record with a 635-pound deadlift at the age of 14. He was one of a kind.

Off the field, he was described as someone with a lot of spirit and personality, always smiling and making sure everyone else around him was doing well. On the field, he was an ideal linebacker that occasionally enjoyed showing off his one-handed catching skills.

As a 20-year-old college student, Stephens was surrounded by friends, teammates, professors and family, but his exposure was traced back to his roommate. With nothing triggering any alarm bells, Stephens

was tested for COVID-19 after catching a small cold that his roommate had. A chest x-ray proved it was something much more severe: pneumonia. The heartbreak Cal. U is reeling from is a shock to everyone around the country, because a young athlete like Stephens should have had a better chance.

In Michigan, the GVSU football team has been keeping their players in the safest possible environment that they can be successful in. The GVSU coaching staff is doing everything they can from holding workouts outside, ensuring everyone has a mask on, filling up water bottles for individual athletes and maintaining a six-foot distance between each workout station.

Stephens’ passing is a grim reminder of the potential risks of doing anything less.

Even with the safe atmosphere the Lakers have built during the pandemic, there are obviously downsides. So much of football’s tradition and energy is lost to COVID precautions.

Keeping that motivation and devotion for the sport can be harder when there’s no contact allowed. There are big differences between this season and the seasons that came before it.

“You have to just think of the bigger picture,” said junior linebacker Brendann Brown. “You

show your friends some love by dapping him up, shaking his hand, but you put each other more at risk for COVID-19. We can’t touch each other. We can’t show emotion. We just have to do our work, get in and get out. It kind of decreased the energy, but it’s just something we have to abide by.”

Notre Dame has also struggled with a COVID-19 outbreak themselves. So far, 39 players were either in isolation or quarantine at the beginning of October, according to reporting from the New York Post. This has set their season back quite a bit and risks the lives of a football staff as well as young athletes.

These cautionary tales from other college teams might have sparked team meetings across the board at GVSU, but football players like Brown haven’t heard anything about them.

“I feel like the bigger schools should have a team meeting about it,” Brown said. “I feel like we should even have a team meeting about it because it would open a lot of other eyes, not just the ones that are already aware.

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OCTOBER 19, 2020 GRAND VALLEY LANTHORN @GVLSPORTS

A12 | SPORTS MEN’S BASKETBALL

LOCAL LAKER: Playing his home games in high school about a half hour away from Allendale’s campus, Alderink opted to stay local and will don the blue and white for the Lakers this winter. In his senior season and third year on varsity, the 6’6” guard led the Holland Christian Maroons, averaging 14.2 points per game, seven rebounds per game and three assists per game. COURTESY | GVSULAKERS.COM

Holland Christian’s Ethan Alderink stays local, prepares for freshman season with GVSU basketball

BY JOSHUA CARLSON SPORTS@LANTHORN.COM

Grand Valley State University men’s basketball recruit Ethan Alderink has set sail on becoming a Laker.

Alderink will be joining the Lakers and Head Coach Ric Wesley, who is going into his 17th season at the helm for the Lakers.

GVSU is coming off their best season (237, 15-5 in conference) for the Lakers since 2007-2008, when he was named GLIAC Coach of the Year.

Standing at an intimidating 6’6”, Alderink was a multi-purpose force in the OK Green conference with the ability to play every position on the floor.

He led the Holland Christian Maroons with 14.2 points, 7 rebounds, and 3 assists per game in his senior season. The three-yearstarter on varsity earned All-Conference honors for the second year in a row, along with being named Associated Press All-State for Division II, and Basketball Coaches Association of Michigan All-State honors as well.

Being a versatile player is something that Alderink thinks gives him an advantage when he steps on the hardwood and will be a help to the Lakers, “I think I’m skilled for my size,” Alderink said “I’m 6’6” and getting bigger, I can shoot the three-ball, can handle the ball, and when I need (for certain matchups) move positions.”

When asked why he pursued basketball in high school, Alderink’s answer involved something vital to him: family.

“My dad played it; a lot of my family members played when I was little,” Alderink said. “I remember watching a Lakers game and just asking around about it, and

it just always been there my whole life.”

While many grow up playing sports, not all athletes know that they want to play at the next level, let alone know they want to do it at a young age. Alderink was different.

“It was probably 6th grade and early middle school,” Alderink said of his introduction to basketball. “That’s when I started to enjoy it and to get into it a lot.”

If you’re wondering what kind of kid Alderink is, no one will refute that he is hardworking. GVSU assistant Coach Taylor Johnson praised him for putting in work whenever he can, even during the times of the COVID-19 quarantine.

“He sent me a video of him shooting outside in the snow, he had gloves on, and he was out there (his driveway at home) doing ball handling drills.” Johnson said. “That’s just the kind of kid he is. Loves working, and he loves basketball. He’s super fired up for this opportunity, and we are too.”

It takes a special mindset to shoot baskets in unforgiving Michigan snow, but Alderink persisted.

“I want to be great,” Alderink said. “It just takes hard work every single day. I try not to find excuses and just try to find a way to get better every day.”

Johnson said Alderink initially caught the eyes of the Lakers when he was just a sophomore at a team camp.

“He had great size at 6’6”, he made plays at both ends of the floor and hit some clutch shots.” Johnson said. “We thought he was going to keep getting better, and we offered him after his sophomore year, going into his junior year. We were able to get him to commit halfway through his senior year, and we are just super excited about him.”

Grand Valley State stood out to Alderink

HOLD THE FOLLOW-THROUGH: Playing for Michigan Storm Elite, Alderink holds his follow-through on a jump shot. Alderink hopes to make his mark as a new Laker. COURTESY | HOLLAND SENTINEL

because they were one of the first schools to reach out to him and show interest.

“Every time I’ve been on campus, and every time I’ve talked to them, it’s just always kind of felt like family, and family is really big for me,” Alderink said. “I’m looking to jump in right away and just help in any way that I can. However much I get to play, just helping the team win is what I’m looking to do.”

Alderink has already had the chance to learn from the likes of recently honored Division II All-American Jake Van Tubbergen.

Alderink said he’s excited to play alongside with the honoree.

“The past two summers he’s worked out with my high school coach and I’d always jump in on the workouts with him.” Alderink said, “I’ve played in quite a few open gyms with him, and it’s always been a good time.

He’s just got a great work ethic; he just wants

to win as much as anybody. (GVSU) have an awesome thing going on, and I’m just happy to be a part of it.”

Off the court, Alderink was described by Johnson as someone who wants to be everyone’s friend, a people person, who’s super likable with great energy and intelligence.

“We can see him being a leader down the road,” Jonson said.

The awards don’t show the athleticism and motor that is apparent when watching Alderink play.

Whether it was a high-flying dunk, blocking a shot on the defensive end, or hitting a big three, fans will learn to appreciate the little things that every coach loves to have in a player like Alderink.

Grand Valley State will be getting exactly that: a West Michigan kid who loves the game and is ready to get to work.