Chicago-Maroon-10-10-12

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CHICAGO

MAROON The student newspaper of the University of Chicago since 1892

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2010 • VOLUME 122, ISSUE 5 • CHICAGOMAROON.COM

Sweating through the Chicago Marathon

SPORTS, p. 12

TRUSTEES

WOODLAWN

Trustee implicated in Ponzi scheme

Robust business brews south of 60th

By Asher Klein News Editor A civil lawsuit filed last week accused a University trustee of knowingly contributing $3.2 billion to a Minnesotabased Ponzi scheme. The trustee, Steve G. Stevanovich (AB ’85, M.B.A. ’90), was named as a defendant in the suit that claims he made $323 million in “false profits” from the scheme. The complaint was filed in Minnesota District Bankruptcy Court by the Petters Company, which was at the center of the scheme. Stevanovich donated $7 million to the University in December 2006, a gift that led to the expansion and renaming of the Stevanovich Center for Financial Mathematics. He was later elected to the Board of Trustees. In the suit, the company also names 22 other “feeder funds” Stevanovich is alleged to have run as part of the scheme. These investments were allegedly paid back, with interest, after others invested in the Petters Company, unaware that it was fraudulent. Thomas Petters, owner of the Petters Company, was convicted in the same

court in 2008 of orchestrating an estimated $40 billion Ponzi scheme over a 15-year period, involving a host of subsidiary companies including Petters, Ltd. Petters Company and Petters, Ltd., have been placed by the Minneapolis District Bankruptcy Court in trusteeship of Douglas A. Kelley, who is responsible for reclaiming the money Petters fraudulently gave away. “I’ve had to sue charities,” Kelley said in a Sunday article in the Minneapolis Star-Tribune referring to the Petters case. “I have investors who feel they’ve now been victimized twice. But the fundamental law in a Ponzi scheme is that the money was not Tom Petters’s to give away.” Kelley’s current suit against Stevanovich alleges that Stevanovich benefited substantially from illegal financial activity and that he was aware it was illegal. “Stevanovich received millions in false profits through his active and direct involvement in the Petters Ponzi scheme,” according to the October 8 complaint. A lawyer representing Stevanovich

TRUSTEE continued on page 3

By Asher Klein News Editor

Since opening in July at 63rd Street and Woodlawn Avenue, Robust Coffee Lounge has done brisk business. MATT BOGEN/MAROON

By Ella Christoph News Editor A sleek brick building with stainless-steel accents stands out on East 63rd Street at Woodlawn Avenue, surrounded by empty

STUDENT GOVERNMENT

lots and dilapidated apartment buildings. The street is empty, but inside the corner ground-floor unit, business is steady at Robust Coffee Lounge. A realtor by training, the owner Jake Sapstein first got the idea to

open a café and deli while showing condos at the building. Built in 1890, it had been gutted and redeveloped after 35 years of vacancy. Prospective buyers asked what was going into the first-floor retail units

ROBUST continued on page 2

CONSTRUCTION

Candidates chase votes in crowded CC race Midway construction paves the candidates have left a temporary mark support page “A. Wang is a Pillar of way for a more pleasant crossing By Jessica Sheft-Ason MAROON Staff A record 20 first-years are running to fill four open spots on Student Government’s College Council (CC), the second year in a row interest has increased for the positions. Almost a rite off fall quarter-—CC elections will be held this Thursday-—the 20

on the school, chalking and posting all over campus in order to gain the votes needed to win the crowded race. Candidates in the tightly contested election are resorting to both traditional and unconventional campaign tactics to gain an edge. First-year Angela Wang made a pun on her own name, titling her Facebook

Strength” in order to get some laughs and, hopefully, votes. Other jokes are printed on flyers around campus. First-year Tracy Xu said at a candidate meet-and-greet yesterday she simply decided to chalk outside the Regenstein, noting that, “the letters are bigger than you are.”

CANDIDATES continued on page 4

Banking on it

Riad Toufie Salame, governor of the Central Bank of Lebanon, speaks on Lebanon's financial success. DARREN LEOW/MAROON

By Crystal Tsoi News Staff A $6-million project to improve the safety and walkability of the Midway Plaisance is underway, as part of the University’s efforts to improve the continuity of campus south of the Midway. The Midway Crossings Project (MCP) consists of the reconstruction of two passageways, at South Ellis Avenue and South Woodlawn Avenue, as main thoroughfares for pedestrians. Originally slated to be fi nished this fall, the project is now scheduled for completion in spring 2011. Construction should be complete prior to the onset of winter, but landscaping will be completed in the spring. Main features of the project include the addition of emergency call stations and security cameras. Visibility will increase with waisthigh LED lighting poles as well as more overarching lighting. “The improved lighting acts as a deterrent,” project manager Desiree DiLucente said in an e-mail, adding that lighting is designed to keep energy expenditures to a minimum. An eight-foot sidewalk with a six-foot tree and grass buffer zone is designed to protect pedestrians from car traffic and make crossing the Midway a more pleasant

experience. “The project will allow more pedestrians to safely cross the Midway at the same time, improving flow and the pedestrian experience,” DiLucente said. According to DiLucente, the project will also include the planting of 19 trees and was designed to minimize the impact on bird migration patterns. “The shapes [will] visually evoke a floating bridge,” DiLucente said, making an allusion to the plans of Midway Plaisance architect Frederick Law Olmsted. In the original 1871 plans, Olmsted envisioned gondola-filled canals connecting Lake Michigan, Jackson Park, and Washington Park. Undertaken in partnership with the Chicago Park District and the Chicago District of Transportation, the project was originally conceived in 2 000 by community members as part of the Chicago Park District Midway Plaisance master plan. The University became interested in the proposal as the campus began to expand south. Over the course of 18 months, three community meetings were held by Alderman Leslie Hariston and one campus meeting was held by the University to solicit community and University feedback, DiLucente wrote. Local organizations like

MIDWAY continued on page 2

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CHICAGO MAROON | NEWS | October 12, 2010

Pathway designed with "Midway's potential as a destination" in mind MIDWAY continued from front page t h e Wo o d l a w n C o m m u n i t y Development Corporation and the Jackson Park Advisory Council worked with University of Chicago students and faculty to refine the originally proposed plan. The passageways, DiLucente said, were designed with “Midway’s potential as a destination.” While current construction obstructs access across the Midway, alternate routes equipped with e-phones have been posted in the residence halls and students are encouraged to use these routes for the duration of the construction. MC P aims to improve safety while emphasizing green technology and historic preservation of the area, which was home to the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition and is also on the National Register of Historic Places.

H

eavy construction currently litters the Midway, but the final product is designed to be pedestrian-friendly. The redesigns will create pathways through the Midway at South Woodlawn Avenue and South Ellis Avenue, furthering the University's efforts to improve continuity from the main quad to South Campus.

MATT BOGEN/MAROON

WOODLAWN

Jackson Park council head quits, citing Park District incompetency By Jingwen Hu News Contributor Citing what he described as the incompetence, disrespect, and unsafe working conditions of the Chicago Park District (CPD), Ross Petersen resigned from his position as president and steward of the Jackson Park Advisory Council (JPAC) in midSeptember. Petersen’s resignation compounds a leadership problem for J PAC, whose website shows that the positions of vice president, secretary, and nature committee chairman are unfilled as well. Vice President Fran Vandervoort resigned in July, according to the JPAC website. JPAC, a group of volunteers who advise the Chicago Park District on ways to improve the park, manages the day-to-day maintenance of the parks, makes improvements to the park, and organizes events. CPD did not return repeated calls from the Maroon. According to Petersen, CPD gave bad instructions to subcontractors, damaging the trees planted by volun-

teers and allowing invasive species to repopulate areas the volunteers had cleared. On the JPAC website, a letter dated October 13, 2010, states that both Petersen and Vandervoort left “responsibly and with good will,” but noted, “We are concerned when persons decide to leave, whether out of frustration over park matters or council weaknesses.” Petersen said he renounced his post for safety reasons. According to Petersen, last October, a mentally ill homeless man struck Petersen in the back of the head. When he brought the criminal case to court, Petersen said park district officials refused to testify in support of him. Petersen said park district officials failing to do their jobs is a city-wide problem because he has heard similar complaints from other stewards at different parks in Chicago. “One time we used to have steward meetings. We could commiserate. The Park District got tired of us, so they disbanded the stewardship meetings,” and stopped attending Advisory Council meetings, Petersen said.

Café's longer hours and large space designed to attract students and neighborhood residents alike ROBUST continued from front page and said they would love to have a coffee shop or a deli in the building. Realizing there was demand, Sapstein decided to meet the need with Robust. The café and deli, which first opened its doors at the end of July, seats 75 people in a mix of tables, comfortable chairs, and bar stools. “We’re not the kind of aficionado that some people would expect,” said Sapstein, whose coffee is “cheaper than Starbucks, a little bit more than Dunkin’ Donuts.” Sapstein said he looked at coffee shops in the area to see what niche he could fi ll. Noticing that Third World Café and Backstory Café closed early in the afternoon, he keeps Robust open until 7 p.m. on weekdays and 8 p.m. on the weekends. “We looked at the other coffee shops to see what they were doing wrong,” Sapstein said. He said the large space makes it an appealing option for students looking to get out of the dorms—especially South Campus Residence Hall—and study, using the café’s free wireless Internet.

Sapstein said he’s been getting traffic from University affiliates like business and law school students as well as local Woodlawn residents. He said most of his business comes from neighbors living within a four-block radius of the café who have changed their routines to incorporate Robust. “Even if there’s a coffee shop in your dorm, you’re not going to study there,” Sapstein said, adding that while students like the change of scenery, they can rest easy knowing that there’s an emergency blue light right outside Robust. The community was ready for a higher-end food option nearby, Sapstein said, citing the success of community gardens and urban farms in the area. “There are people that are more aware of better products in the neighborhood,” he said. Sapstein said his main priority is catering to people’s needs, whether that means offering vegan options or paring a turkey sandwich down to the basics for a picky eater. “If you’re going to buy it, then we’re going to carry it.” The café offers Milwaukee -

based Alterra coffee, baked goods, and deli options like a barbecue brisket sandwich with slowcooked pork, cheddar cheese, and a pretzel bun. Robust also stocks offerings from local bakeries, like Brown Sugar Bakery on East 75th Street and South Calumet Avenue. “We’re kind of like a curator of all the fine baked goods you can get,” he said. According to Sapstein, the University of Chicago Woodlawn Charter School came to him and asked if he would sell Gatorade. It wanted the kids to come to Robust for snacks and drinks after school instead of going to the gas station convenience store nearby. Business has been good enough that Sapstein is already looking to expand the store’s space as well as its offerings: He’d like to add a fullservice restaurant with breakfast options like eggs and hash browns. While most of East 63rd Street is currently home to plenty of empty lots, Sapstein said that between the southward expansion of the University and the needs of South Side residents, the area has the potential to become a retail hub.

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CHICAGO MAROON | NEWS | October 12, 2010

U of C alum and funder of the Stevanovich Center for Financial Mathematics faces Ponzi scheme charges TRUSTEE continued from front page denied that his client was aware any fraudulent activity was taking place. The court has not yet named a date to begin proceedings, according to the complaint. The complaint depicts an intricate web of companies, called “feeder funds,� affiliated with Epsilon Investment Management and Westford Investment Management. Stevanovich is described in the complaint as being “directly involved with the operations and management of the Epsilon and Westford Funds,� and as “founder, portfolio manager, president, and owner� of all firms detailed in the complaint. These feeder funds allegedly invested in the Petters Ponzi scheme through a “master fund,� and received up to 48-percent interest on allegedly fraudulent loans made to Petters's companies (see diagram). Stevanovich’s attorneys could not be reached for comment, but in a Minneapolis Star-Tribune article updated online Monday, attorney Jay Biagi said in a statement that his client was unaware of any Ponzi scheme and called the claim “overreaching.� “Like regulators, and so many other victims of Petters, we had absolutely no indication that Petters was engaged in fraud,� the statement said, according to the Star-Tribune. A November 2000 Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) document on secinfo.com indicated Stevanovich was then president of Epsilon Investment Management, LLC. Stevanovich was president of Epsilon in 2000, according to documents filed with the SEC. But no such documents could be found via an Internet search linking any company called Westford with Stevanovich. Kelley’s complaint alleges that the firms Stevanovich controlled began issuing suspicious loans to a firm acting as a front for Petters’s company in April 2001, if not sooner. Those investments were allegedly funnelled to Petters’s companies, which Stevanovich allegedly used in Petters’s Ponzi scheme. According to the complaint: “Petters, through

a multitude of entities and with the assistance of his associates, induced investors into financing the purchase of non-existent electronic equipment purportedly secured by fabricated purchase orders.� Those investments went to pay earlier investors, including Stevanovich’s funds, the October 8 document alleged. Petters and six others have pled or have been found guilty of an involvement in the scheme, including Greg Bell, who was indicted for participation through another entity but was also a managing director of Epsilon Management at the time the scheme was taking place, the complaint read. Kelley, the man entrusted with returning and repaying funds Petters obtained fraudulently, has engaged in many other “claw back� lawsuits, according to media reports. In this case, Kelley is seeking either the full $3.2 billion the companies were paid through 344 transactions with Petters, Ltd.., or at least the $323 million in profits that it alleges those companies made. Moreover, the complaint links those profits with Stevanovich’s personal enrichment, saying it went “to fund his extravagent lifestyle.� The complaint stated, “Stevanovich and his immediate and extended family became exceptionally wealthy as a result of the Epsilon and Westford Funds’s investments in the Petters Ponzi Scheme, including, on information and belief, millions of dollars received by Stevanovich in management fees, performance fees, and false profits.� Stevanovich’s 2006 donation to the University included funding for the renovation of the Statistics and Mathematics Building between East 57th and 58th Streets and South University Avenue to accommodate the Stevanovich Center for Financial Mathematics, according to a December 6 University of Chicago Chronicle article on his $7-million donation. A sign on a current construction project on that building indicates it is under renovation for the Stevanovich Center. Stevanovich was elected as a trustee by the Board of Trustees in June 2009, University spokesman Steve Kloehn said. He would not comment

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on matters involving the complaint or the donations Stevanovich made to the University, noting the University’s policy of not commenting on donations. “The Stevanovich Center advances the understanding of the increasingly complex world of financial markets by integrating mathematics, statistics, and economics,� according to its University website. It was founded in August 2006 and received its name in December, after Stevanovich’s donation was announced, according to the

Chronicle article. “World financial markets are becoming more and more complex, and mathematics is increasingly becoming an invaluable and necessary tool in understanding these markets,� Stevanovich said in the December 6 article. “The financial mathematics program at Chicago is at the forefront of providing students with the necessary tools to filter and decode this complexity. It is an honor for me to be a part of this endeavor and to continue the legacy of excellence at the University.�

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Steve G. Stevanovich (A.B. ’85, M.B.A. ’90) allegedly controlled a host of entities involved in channelling funds into the Minnesota Petters Company and Petters, Ltd., the companies that orchestrated the Ponzi scheme. JACK DIMASSIMO/MAROON

CRIME ALERT Three men attack, rob student on quad At 7:50 p.m. last night, three men approached a University student walking in front of Cobb Hall on the main quadrangle. They grabbed the student by the neck, took his i-Pod and wallet, and ran away. The student declined medical attention. The University sent out an e-mail security alert a couple hours later which promised to increase the presence of University Police on the quads. (Ella Christoph)

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CHICAGO MAROON | NEWS | October 12, 2010

HYDE PARK

In heated election, campaign tactics go digital

Oktoberfest draws crowds to 53rd Street By Rebecca Guterman MAROON Staff An Oktoberfest celebration Saturday drew crowds to Hyde Park for crafts, performances, vendors, and a beer garden. According to event sponsor Wendy Williams, between 20,000 and 30,000 people attended the event. “I thought it was a tremendous success. The Hyde Park community was well-represented. We had children, seniors, families, and students. Everyone seemed really happy, which was the goal,� Williams said. Williams, executive director of the South East Chicago Commission (SECC), which helped organize and sponsor the event, said that although Oktoberfest is usually associated with beer, she was glad that the community bonded over other activities as well. The event, the second in a three-part “Celebrate Hyde Park� series, took place on East 53rd Street between South Kimbark and South Dorchester Avenue and at adjacent Nichols Park. Vendors sold jewelry, art, clothing, candles, perfume, food, and other goods. Local author Shelagh Jackson, a writer and publisher since 1998, set up a booth with her friend Julane Lea Clarke, who just started a personal business making accessories. They found out about Oktoberfest from Williams and decided to participate—Jackson was promoting a book signing while Clarke had her first show. “It’s a

beautiful day and it’s fun,� Jackson said. Another artist, Donovan McLean, sold his abstract art. “I was in another state, but I know Hyde Park is a great community. It’s been fantastic, like it always is,� he said. Susan Campbell, the University’s associate vice president for civic engagement, described Oktoberfest as an opportunity to expose people who don’t live in Hyde Park to the community. “The celebration is a way of showcasing the neighborhood for people who’ve never been here before, to help out the local businesses, highlight the neighborhood’s diversity, and to provide entertainment,� she said. Though the SECC and the University of Chicago Office of Civic Engagement primarily organized the event, many other sponsors—including Starbucks, Chase Bank, and the Nichols Park Advisory Committee—also contributed, in addition to the efforts of volunteers. The first event of the “Celebrate Hyde Park� series was a music festival featuring the band WAR on July 25, and the next will be a Season of Lights festival on December 4 to showcase Hyde Park’s interfaith community. “The University, as well as the city, partnered to renovate Harper Court on 53rd Street, so we’re hoping that people will get accustomed to going to 53rd Street,� Campbell said.

CANDIDATES continued from front page What’s also bigger is the class of 2014’s size of 1,414 students, which ORCSA director Sharlene Holly suggested accounts for the increase in candidates. “I think there are also more students interested in SG than in the past...because SG has been strong for several years, and I think that helps position SG as a great organization to be part of,� Holly said in an e-mail. The race would have been more crowded, according to Holly, who said 25 students originally turned in petitions to run. Five dropped out over the past few days. Last year, there were 19 firstyears on the ballot. But it may be less crowded than it seems, second-year Undergraduate Liaison to the Board of Trustees Frank Alarcon said: “20 people are on the ballot and maybe only two-thirds to one-half really campaign, so the field is a lot narrower than that 20 figure suggests.� Other candidates are using unconventional means to get votes. Candidate Forrest Scofield uploaded an entire album on Facebook with pictures of fellow students at parties holding up a flyer that reads, “Vote Forrest Scofield.� “The most important thing is getting your name out there, but chalking and posters are not enough,� Scofield said. Eric Wessan has attended every single home varsity sports game and led a cheering section in order to advertise his platform of increased school spirit. Wessan also leads the other candidates in the number of Facebook attendees on his election event, which at the time of publication was 202 attending, 89 maybe attending, and 640 awaiting reply. While Wessan dominates in attendees, firstyear candidate Ben Yu is no stranger to Facebook notoriety: He’s an admin of the “UChicago Class of 2014� group, which has 1,915 members. Yu became admin of the group as part of a rare but fortunate misunderstanding; another accepted student named Ben Yu was the creator

of the group but later accepted a full-ride spot at Harvard and then handed over the reins to the current, other Yu—while the account owner changed, the name on the group didn’t seem any different. “It became a matter of either I subsume power or people will give me credit anyways,� Yu said, explaining why he chose to run for CC. Yet some students are choosing not to partake in the campaigning festivities, leaving their fate on CC up to their peers. “I just don’t see the point in all of this,� candidate Andrew Hong said at the meet-and-greet, pointing to fellow candidates’ tables in the main quads, filled with free candy and cupcakes. Hong only had a piece of notebook paper on his table where he had scribbled down his name. “Statistically speaking, it's all about name recognition and it depends where you are on the ballot,� Hong said. With a list 20 students long, Hong is hoping for a good spot on the list. But Holly notes that candidates often help out with Student Government (SG) regardless of wether they win or lose. “[There] seem to be more and more examples of students who do not win an elected position who then stay engaged in SG,� she said. “Which means not only does SG gain four new, excited students, but actually more than that when they stay engaged in SG in other ways.� With only four spots available, SG is hoping to harness the enthusiasm from all the candidates and find opportunities for those who don’t win. “We’re organizing action groups that focus on certain interactions,� Alarcon said, noting the new SG initiatives will work on issues like student discounts and SG forums. Alarcon hopes it will be a way to keep students involved in SG “win or lose.� Voting for first-years opened today at 9 a.m at sg.uchicago.edu and closes at 5 p.m on Thursday. —Additional reporting by Asher Klein

LOVE THE

This face-painting booth was one of several kid-oriented attractions at the Hyde Park Oktoberfest on East 53rd Street Saturday. ANDREA RUMMEL/MAROON

Shape the World

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| VIEWPOINTS | October 12, 2010

VIEWPOINTS

EDITORIAL & OP-ED OCTOBER 12, 2010

EDITORIAL

CHICAGO MAROON

The student newspaper of the University of Chicago since 1892

JORDAN HOLLIDAY, Editor-in-Chief JAKE GRUBMAN, Managing Editor ASHER KLEIN, News Editor ELLA CHRISTOPH, News Editor PETER IANAKIEV, Viewpoints Editor ALISON HOWARD, Viewpoints Editor HAYLEY LAMBERSON, Voices Editor WILL FALLON, Sports Editor NICK FORETEK, Sports Editor VICTORIA KRAFT, Head Copy Editor MONIKA LAGAARD, Head Copy Editor HOLLY LAWSON, Head Copy Editor MATT BOGEN, Photo Editor JACK DiMASSIMO, Head Designer JOSH SUNG, Web Editor BURKE FRANK, Assoc. News Editor ADAM JANOFSKY, Assoc. News Editor ILIYA GUTIN, Assoc. Voices Editor JORDAN LARSON, Assoc. Voices Editor

JUDY MARCINIAK, Business Manager VINCENT McGILL, Delivery Coordinator

Living the D.R.E.A.M.

The University should endorse the DREAM Act, even if it it means taking a stand on a political issue Last week, the University announced its official position regarding undocumented students. As Vice President for Campus Life Kimberly GoffCrews explained in a meeting with the University of Chicago Coalition for Immigration Reform, the current University policy, which had previously not b een publicized, was that the University both accepts undocumented students and provides them with need-based financial aid. This policy is proper and pursuant to the University’s b est interests, as it helps to attract and support the brightest minds: It is always the right decision to educate the best possible students, regardless of their legal status. Although the Administration was willing to announce this

policy, it nevertheless declined to endorse the DREAM Act, a proposed law that would provide financial assistance and permanent residency to undocumented students who meet certain criteria. The act has been publicly lauded by such peer institutions as Harvard and Yale, but has found no official support from the U of C. The Administration’s decision not to comment on the bill stems from the Kalven Report, which holds that universities should always attempt to remain politically neutral. However, if the University does not consider a student’s undocumented status when making admission decisions and awarding financial aid, then the University has already made a public, political statement —specifically, that a

student’s academic potential outweighs his or her legal status. And yet the University remained silent on the DREAM Act, precisely because the Administration wants to avoid public, political statements. Yes, the Kalven Report dictates a certain level of political neutrality, but it also recommends that institutions take stances on issues relevant to their core academic goals. The administration frequently articulates political positions on Hyde Park development and academic freedom, and doing so is deemed appropriate because both issues are central to the mission of the University. Is it not equally important for the University to endorse legislation that legally and monetarily supports students it has already accepted and committed to edu-

cating? The long and short of it is that the University should openly endorse the DREAM Act. The logic behind the decision to accept and support undocumented students still holds when deciding whether to endorse the DREAM Act; the bill’s eventual passage would further the University’s mission to find, attract, and educate the best possible students. It would be both logically consistent and beneficial for the U of C to endorse the D R EAM Act and allow talented students from all backgrounds a chance at a worldclass education. The M AROON Editorial Board consits of the Editor-inChief, Viewpoints Editors, and an Editorial Board member.

STATE & MADISON

OP-ED

Moving on from “business as usual”

Untold tragedy in Pakistan

DOUGLAS EVERSON, Designer ANDREW GREEN, Designer IVY PEREZ, Designer CHRISTINA SCHWARTZ, Designer JESSICA SHEFT-ASON, Designer SHARAN SHETTY, Ed. Board Member ANNA AKERS-PECHT, Copy Editor ALICE BLACKWOOD, Copy Editor HUNTER BUCKWORTH, Copy Editor MARCELLO DELGADO, Copy Editor

Overcoming the realities of Chicago politics requires a concerted effort from voters

JORDAN FRANKLIN, Copy Editor DANIELLE GLAZER, Copy Editor LAUREN LARSON, Copy Editor SAALIKA ABBAS MELA, Copy Editor ROBERT TINKLE, Copy Editor GABE VALLEY, Copy Editor ALEX WARBURTON, Copy Editor LILY YE, Copy Editor WENJIA DOREEN ZHAO, Copy Editor

The CHICAGO MAROON is published twice weekly during autumn, winter, and spring quarters. Circulation: 6,500 The opinions expressed in the Viewpoints section are not necessarily those of the MAROON.

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By Jake Grubman MAROON Staff In February of next year, “business as usual” will come to an end in the city of Chicago. Right? That’s what I’ve heard, anyway. That’s what likely mayoral candidate Rahm Emanuel told me in the video statement that kicked off his campaign. And, at a time when Chicago has a legitimate chance to make changes to its political landscape, that’s what I’m hearing from all of the top candidates. Whether it’s State Senator James Meeks, Alderman Bob Fioretti, Cook County Sheriff Tom Dart, or City Clerk Miguel Del Valle, every candidate in this race has spent the early part of the campaign posturing for the all-important title of “progressive candidate.” But, even with all of the candidates talking about the end of “business as usual” when Daley exits City Hall, does anyone legitimately believe that? That term reached new heights of popularity during Barack Obama’s presidential election in 2008, but usual business was born right here in the Windy City. We’re talking about a city that has run on regular doses of Democratic machine politics since at least the ’30s. Business is so “usual” in Chicago that the city had to take a second to catch its collective breath when Daley officially announced that he would be hanging up his gavel (or whatever a

mayor hangs up when he’s finished). Business is so “usual” in Chicago that there just isn’t a Republican candidate in the field. Business is so “usual” in Chicago that, following Daley’s announcement, the city’s ethnic communities retreated to their corners of town to discuss who their candidates would be. And, beyond the rhetoric coming from Emanuel or Fioretti or Meeks, business very well might stay “usual” after the February election—if we as voters don’t expect more from

Stop electing politicians whose motto has become “Where’s mine?” our candidates than in the past. Effective change always starts with bringing people together, and just as Harold Washington used a strong coalition of various groups around the city to challenge the status quo in the ’80s, the only candidate worth electing this time around will be the one who can actually bring multiple groups together around a platform of legitimate and feasible change. In an article for the Chicago News Cooperative in mid-September, U.S. Representative Bobby Rush is quoted as calling for coalition-building in the race for mayor. The coalition he’s referring to, however, is one joining the

ELECTION continued on page 6

Devastating floods fail to receive the global attention they warrant By Gulrana Syed, Maha Ahmad, Aliya Bagewadi, Shiraz Gallab, Ayesha Siddiqi & Madiha Shaukat Viewpoints Contributors What is a disaster? We have been grappling with— and trying to come to terms with—this word over the last few weeks as we perused countless articles and replayed footage of the destruction incurred by massive floods in Pakistan. The floods have affected 21 million people, making them the worst natural disasters in recent history. We have seen an old man clinging to broken infrastructure for dear life as monstrous waters threaten to sweep him away; small girls crumpling at the mention of a school they can no longer afford to attend; women crying into their shawls as they watch their almost lifeless children lie on a medical table, weak with waterborne diarrhea. We have seen images of young men carrying their children as they wade through waist-high water, a newborn girl lying beside her spent mother on a dirt road with only a saucer to cushion her head, teenage boys sobbing into one another’s shoulders as they complain to their country’s president that they have received absolutely nothing in aid. These are only the people who have been reached by media and relief agencies. There are still thousands, if not millions, who, for over two months, have just been waiting. About the floods, United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon has said, “The world

has never seen such a disaster. It’s much beyond anybody’s imagination.” The floods are the result of heavy monsoon rains that began in July and have taken the lives of over 2,000 people while affecting over 21 million individuals. This makes the Pakistan floods worse than the Haiti earthquake, the 2005 Kashmir earthquake, and the 2004 Asian tsunami—combined. Currently, an area the size of Italy is still underwater. Floodwater continues to rush downstream, affecting more and more people as time passes. Entire villages and buildings, including 7,000 schools, 400 health facilities, and 5,000 miles of roads have been simply washed away by the unyielding waters. The livelihood of the millions affected, which includes livestock and 1.7 million acres of farmland, has largely been obliterated. And there is no end in sight. There is a tremendous fear of an outbreak of water-borne diseases, including malaria, cholera, respiratory infections, and especially diarrhea, which can be fatal. The young and the old are the most vulnerable to this second wave of death. Even those who are treated for their illness become sick again almost immediately after returning to their makeshift homes. 11 million children are at risk for such deadly diseases. Does the meaning of the word “disaster” even begin to cover these possibilities? Unfortunately, there has been both a global and an American apathy about what has been called

FLOOD continued on page 6

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CHICAGO MAROON

| VIEWPOINTS | October 12, 2010

Voter tolerance of corruption perpetuates the problem

Campus efforts can help relieve vast suffering in Pakistan

ELECTION continued from page 5

FLOOD continued from page 5

city’s African-American neighborhoods with each other—not with Chicago’s other communities. And although Rush didn’t rule out the possibility that such a coalition could support a non-black candidate, he called that a “far-fetched position.” That is business as usual: Everyone wants to get his or her share of the pot without consideration for how a cohesive government should actually work. “Government” becomes “business as usual” when our leaders focus only on what benefits themselves. For those who think the Chicago area is already moving in the right direction, consider this: Todd Stroger was elected Cook County board president less than four years ago. It was just a U of C generation ago that Chicago’s county weighed its options and somehow decided that Stroger was the right guy to control the county’s $3 billion budget. Since then, he has paraded supporter after supporter into cushy jobs and rich contracts, all at the expense of the Chicago taxpayer. That’s what “business as usual” looks like here. Consider this: The head of the Cook County Democratic Party, Joseph Berrios, has received his salary working as a living conflict of interest in his current role as Commissioner of the Cook County Board of Review. As revealed by Chicago Magazine last month, the Dems’ head takes contributions from property tax attorneys and swings tax reductions right back in exchange. And consider that Alderman Toni Preckwinkle, the profoundly intelligent Hyde Park leader who has rightly commanded the respect of voters across the city, has

endorsed Berrios for County Assessor, an even more powerful role. That’s what “business as usual” looks like in Chicago. These questions have been buried beneath the mass of coverage that Emanuel has received since Daley announced his retirement from the top post. Everyone seems to want to focus on his legitimacy as a Chicagoan: Some say he was born on Lake Michigan and raised on Chicago-style hot dogs; others say, no, he was raised in ritzy Wilmette and, as a Washington politician, can’t possibly know what Chicago is all about. But those are the wrong questions. Emanuel’s life in Chicago has nothing to do with culture change. If voters are truly looking for the end of “business as usual” in Chicago, we need to stop expecting “business as usual” in Chicago and stop electing politicians whose motto has become “Where’s mine?” The reason we have such rampant corruption is that voters accept such rampant corruption. These aren’t bad people—not all of them, anyway. But corruption is what happens when people smirk, smile, and shrug when they hear about millions of dollars wasted on the city’s corruption tax. So let’s take a far-fetched position and actually believe that there are candidates who are good, honest, and fair. “Business as usual” will continue well beyond next February if the voters don’t make a concerted effort to change it. Jake Grubman is a fourth-year in the College majoring in Law, Letters, and Society.

by Ban Ki-Moon “one of the greatest tests of global solidarity in our times.” The tremendous lack of international support for flood victims has been described as “quite extraordinary” by Louis-George Arsenault, the director of emergency operations for UNICEF in New York. Yet, the world has responded adequately to disasters before. What has rendered this disaster less worthy

In these times of increased instability, let us find our security in activism and hope. than others? The question returns again: What is a disaster? A disaster is tragic, but maybe it also has to do with heartbreak, the kind of heartbreak that has to do with the incongruity of everything utterly changing in just a few moments. The heartbreak of having spent a year tending to the crops that would generate income and, just when they were ready for harvest, watching them splinter away into the inescapable torrent of monsoon rain. Or the heartbreak of going to bed

safely at night and waking to find a rapidly flooding home and a drowning village. Maybe it also has to do with unfairness. Like the planet being full of food, medicine, and technology, and yet millions risking death from the lack of that. Like living to see the worst humanitarian disaster in recent history, and seeing that the global response is hardly even half as adequate as it needs to be. Perhaps it is called a disaster when 21 million look around and find only water, but none to drink. In these first few weeks of school, we hope that our campus community can join hands and work to repair the tragedy, heartbreak, and unfairness of this disaster of epic proportions. Every dollar goes a long way in this country in which more than 73 percent of the population lives on less than $2 a day. One dollar is capable of feeding four people; $10 clothes them. In these times of increased instability, let us find our security in activism and hope. A fifth of Pakistan may be underwater, but hope is unsinkable. Gulrana Syed, Maha Ahmad, Aliya B agewadi, Shiraz G allab, Ayesha Siddiqi, and Madiha Shaukat are members of UChicago for Pakistan, a coalition of RSOs, undergraduates, and graduate students for flood relief in Pakistan.

Want to see your columns on this page? Apply to be a columnist! Go to Chicagomaroon.com/ViewpointsApp

VOICES

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT OCTOBER 12, 2010

ART

HPAC gets warm and fuzzy with nostalgic Ground Floor By Morgan McCarty Voices Forever Young Many artists take creative cues from childhood. There’s something foreign— yet universally accessible—about it, especially when confronted with moments of transition into adulthood. Graduates of various Master of Fine Arts programs were selected to show their work at the Hyde Park Art Center in an exhibition entitled Ground Floor, and these emerging artists take time to reflect on where they’ve been

GROUND FLOOR Hyde Park Art Center Through October 31

and what they’ve experienced in order to take this large step in their lives. Ground Floor’s pieces respond to and cooperate with one another in a fun and lively manner, and viewers can see trends emerge in this interaction between innovative talent coming out of Chicago’s graduate -level art programs. The three galleries on the first floor of the H PAC display work from Northwestern University, the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Columbia College of Chicago, the University of Illinois (both Chicago and Urbana- Champaign), and our own University of Chicago. Visitors first entering the exhibit are greeted by a mish-mash of mixed media

and color: a rather large wood sculpture, paintings, photos, painted synthetic balls crawling up the wall, cloth newspapers fluttering down, and large flakes of brightgreen grass on the floor. The space has an air of innocence and childlike spontaneity. Each piece represents a moment, feeling, or trend that is identifiable with childhood and its nostalgia. Warped wood stretches off a worktable in “What’s Your Favorite Posish” by Emily Hermant. With a curly, wild shape that speaks of unlimited imaginative possibility, it is a wonderful piece to put at the beginning of the exhibition because of its exuberance. It brings to mind the exciting possibilities of the artists’ futures. In the middle gallery of Ground Floor sits a projector beaming light on a ceiling fan mounted on the wall in front of it. The effect created by the artist, Joe Grimm, is mesmerizing: It takes you back to hours upon hours spent lying on your bed staring up at the ceiling fan. Front pages of newspapers printed on fabric in Eliza Myrie’s “Rag” seem to flutter down from the ceiling as if someone threw a whole paper up in the air simply for the fun of watching it all fall down. Jessie Mett’s painted figures—whimsical, imaginative combinations of animals and humans—gaze out of their frames with personality and emotion. The figures are playful, sublime subjects and display a beautiful use of color. Later in the exhibit, Mett aminates these characters in a cartoon: an undeniably childlike medium, albeit with dialogue

Don't be misled by the name: Adam Grossi's "Play Thing" is actually a black pit of despair. COURTESY OF HYDE PARK ART CENTER

from an adult novel. Here, in lieu of pure innocence, Mett acknowledges adult themes.

“Untitled” by Samantha Jaffe is a swath of neon green grass that occupies part of

GROUND FLOOR continued on page 8

SHORTCUTS Once Around, once again: The Autumn Defense keeps its alternative-country calm

COURTESY OF YEP ROC RECORDS

By Lyndsey McKenna Voices and You in Your Autumn Sweater The side project has long been a staple of the music industry. It is often a venue for an artist who feels underutilized to showcase his or her own talents or to explore a vastly different sound than his or her main project. But the side project is a double-edged sword. It is seemingly impossible for one to escape the expectations of critics and fans of the main project. Yet, this also helps ensure

the album’s commercial success. With that said, it’s worth noting that The Autumn Defense is a side project of the Chicago band Wilco. Nevertheless, the band, which consists of John Stirrat and Pat Sansone, has been creating albums for quite some time. The Autumn Defense’s origins date back to its 2001 debut The Green Hour. Since then, it has released two additional albums, 2003’s Circles and 2007’s self-titled release. The connection to Wilco will inevitably spark some media and consumer interest, as the band has increasingly shifted from the alternative country sound to a more accessible, easy-listening type of rock that suburban parents probably play while driving kids to school. Add to this the fact that Wilco itself was formed by the remaining members of the alternative-country band Uncle Tupelo, and the scope of potential listeners only widens. Once Around, The Autumn Defense’s newest release, certainly has moments that channel Wilco, namely the opening track, “Back of My Mind.” It is similar to Wilco’s album A Ghost is Born, or easily could have fit into the group’s latest album, Wilco, (the Album). Regardless, the connection is quite

apparent. The instrumentation is just one aspect that Wilco listeners may recognize in this album. The same sorts of overtones work

ONCE AROUND November 2

their way onto Once Around. The structure of the songs is similar to that of Wilco, and even the vocal stylings are eerily familiar to Jeff Tweedy’s. From there on, the album finds its stride as a nostalgic nod to the country-pop sounds of recent times, rather than the altcountry that Uncle Tupelo first concocted and Wilco continued in its early years. The title track begins with somber strumming and plucking before the dramatic beat shifts to a more active, engaging pace. The melody eerily fades back to the slow tempo reminiscent of a march, and back again to bursting vocals. The songs include hints of string instrumentation that add an aura of eras past, especially that of older country music. “The Swallows of London Town” has an

up-tempo, bluesy sound that seems to have more Americana elements than what the title would imply. Other songs are soft and somber. The lyrics of “Step Easy” assert “you and I were part of the fallin’ ember,” and this sentiment is reflected in its rich tones and steady rhythms. The songs drift into one another, and the album as a whole ebbs and flows along with no overtly grandiose moments. This can make for a reflective mood, but there are no songs that are extremely different from what follow or precede them. This means that there are no real, tangible highlights. There is nothing that has the power to be an immediate standout, and the lack of sonic variety can be a bit repetitive. The only real difficulty upon listening is that nothing really and truly innovative occurs within the album’s confines of about 44 minutes. Perhaps this isn’t the type of album that is supposed to leave the listener absolutely blown away. That isn’t to say that Once Around isn’t a good album. It’s a nice, quaint collection of soft tunes. However, while the rich sonic atmosphere mirrors the understated yet ever-changing conditions of autumn itself, the album leaves more to be desired.

8

CHICAGO MAROON | VOICES | October 12, 2010

Saturday cartoons, long afternoons inspire Chicago M.F.A. students GROUND FLOOR continued from page 7 the floor between Mett’s paintings and Hermant’s sculptures. Its placement almost seems to invite viewers to remember what it’s like to lie on the grass on warm summer days, removed from time. It extends upward with enlarged, malleable leaves of grass, winding and twisting toward the

sky. In the next room over, there are more sculptures and installations than paintings. Daniel Lavitt’s “Sorry I Missed You� is a kitchen counter on wheels. The interior of the cupboards resembles a dollhouse, as there are rooms upon rooms filled with miniatures. Out of the whole exhibit, this

one most explicitly deals with childhood. It takes individual memories as its subject: lunch fixings left out on the kitchen counter, the television left on in the family room, or the family pet, who seemed more tiger to you than cat. Ground Floor is a wonderful exhibition of artists from various Master of Fine Arts

programs around Chicago. Not only are all of the pieces formally finished and indicative of rigorous training, but they also have personality and presence. Take a walk through the galleries and you will take a walk through your own memories of kickball, diary pages, television programs, lazy days, and endless imagination.

The Fun Corner. B63

:T

Tips and hints from your fellow students. Submit yours to grind@ChicagoMaroon.com

W S

I still don't get why being like a G6 is a good thing. Dear President Zimmer: I've never seen you in person. Are you real?

5`\2 ]T bVS

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To the Mac Lab employee who used to have a mustache: You looked better when you were mustachioed.

To Chicago weather: Make up your mind already! I just put my madras away!

Dear thief: You stole a keg tap while the keg was half-full? Really? Really?

To "Jack": There is no need for the hate-orade.

Dear Harold's Chicken Fish and Pizza Shack: I thoroughly enjoy your half dark. Do you actually have pizza though?

Dear Green Sweatshirt Girl: It's true what my friends say, your face does look like you're sucking on the world's sourest black-cherry Warhead, but you'll always be my Sweet Tart.

To the kid sitting at the next table: Stop typing so loudly, or else one of us is going to break your keyboard.

Solutions for 10/8 puzzle

Sudoku is provided by Laura Taalman (A.B. '94) and Philip Riley (A.B. '94). Solutions for 10/8 puzzle

M

ove over, other internet outlets for arts and entertainment news, reviews, and discussion. The Voices blog is looking for writers! E-mail Voices@ChicagoMaroon.com if you're interested in contributing to our all-inclusive arts and entertainment blog.

9

CHICAGO MAROON | VOICES | October 12, 2010

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At Russian Tea Time, food eats you! O p e n y o u r e y e s . Yo u ’ r e i n a r o o m . Overweight women and their companions surround you, eating tea cakes from surprisingly tall platters. The atmosphere is one part moth-eaten overcoat, one part grandma’s condo, and one part really good vodka. The bathrooms are filled with obscure Soviet propaganda and disreputable plumbing. Nobody is smoking, but it feels like everybody is. There’s a man in the back wearing a red, skintight (simply due to his aggressive fatness) Run-D.M.C.–esque tracksuit. He’s clearly a regular. Your food is late, but you don’t really seem to notice. Time is slowing down. You look at the bar and the bartender tries to say hello to you in Russian, then in English, then in louder Russian, and then in really loud Russian. Suddenly everybody is having tea except for you. The platters have boxed you in. You are sitting in a prison lined with inaccessible treats. You envy Tantalus. This is roughly what you can expect at Russian Tea Time. Russian Tea Time is a restaurant that you’ve probably passed but have never considered going into because of the high velvet-to-space ratio. Like many “good� restaurants, the majority of available surfaces are covered in velvet. Red velvet, to be exact. The relationship between the amount of velvet and the cost of stroganoff

is definitely directly proportional. But don’t let the velvet scare you away, because in the upper echelons of American gastronomy, velvet means quality, and quality is exactly what you get at Russian Tea Time. When you finally, with pale and shaking hands, pass the check back to your engagingly professional waiter, you are so full and so disoriented that you are not entirely sure whether you have paid for a meal or for a conversion. It is Thursday. You’ve been shopping for cheap furniture, exotic spices, and fish for hours. As you enter the restaurant, conversation dies. The revolving door has thrust you through the Iron Curtain, and it isn’t until you’ve been seated and served thick, dark, delicious bread that you realize how entirely the day’s humor has vanished. Conversation turns to death, dads, and shattered dreams. Childhood and childhood’s end. Lonely towns with empty storefronts. You’re filled with holes. You’re all filled with holes. There’s one clear remedy. Very rich, very large, and very dense Slavic food. In this light, you can barely tell what you are eating. And in this mood, you hardly care. You turn away for an instant and your goldrimmed mug is mysteriously refilled with black currant tea the color of blood. The food is sort of presented the way ice

cream is: fashioned in half-spherical scoops of varying colors and consistencies. There are meat dumplings, stuffed mushrooms, carrot salad, beet caviar, hummus, tabouleh, and vinaigrette salad. And everything’s delicious. But why is it so delicious? It’s unfathomable because everything about the food says it shouldn’t be delicious. It’s mushy, but it’s mushy in a way that lets your tongue absorb every possible flavor, every spice, and every heretofore unfathomed texture. And why do carrots, with fennel and cloves, all shredded into a sort of nacho-cheese -like topping, work so bloody well together? In fact, why does everything (seriously, everything) taste so good together? It doesn’t matter what potentially ill-advised combinations you thrust down your gullet and in what proportions—this food is the gastronomical equivalent of assembling IKEA furniture, making it frighteningly difficult for even the most inexperienced eater to go astray. It is all extremely good and extremely tasteful, in a dark, secretive, and significant way. It's like finding a box of letters from a dead loved one in an attic, the uncharted deeps, or about the first two-thirds of the plot of Jumanji. Soon, your man in the three-piece (your

waiter, in other words) asks if you want the first course taken away. Of course you say no. And then, almost by some Faustian bargain without a downside, the next course materializes. A ring of stuffed cabbage, Moldovan meatballs, chicken pozharski, rice pilaf, and kasha hillocks surrounds a fat, imposing mountain of stroganoff. The dish seems to flash you a coy glance and whisper, “Dare you climb me?� You walk out stunned and promptly forget it even happened. An inexplicable mood of fulfillment hangs around for about a week.

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Highly recommended. Appetizers: meat dumplings, stuffed mushrooms, beet caviar. EntrÊes: Moldovan meatballs, beef stroganoff, chicken pozharski. And of course, the tea. Go for the black currant. In addition, the Russian Tea Time Platter for Two is about the best decision you can make when wanting to sample food east of the Curzon Line. It’s $52. Bring a date. Just a thought. Farewell, stay well, eat well.

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CHICAGO MAROON | SPORTS | October 12, 2010

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Despite extensive training, runners still struggle with race-day heat

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Spectators cheer runners along Columbus Drive during Sunday’s Chicago Marathon. LLOYD LEE/MAROON

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MARATHON continued from back page So I knew that I had to do it this year, my last at U of C.” Adhering to a rigorous training schedule all summer, Kind averaged about 30 miles a week during the summer before curtailing his running to 20 miles during school. His set his total for the year at about 630 miles. The extensive training was vital on Sunday, as temperatures rose above 80 degrees. But even with hundreds of miles behind them on the way to this weekend’s race, Vithayil, Sisto, and Kind all hit the dreaded wall at some point along the course. “When you get to mile 13, you are still feeling pretty good,” Sisto said. “But then it hits you, ‘I have to do this all over again.’” For many runners and spectators, Sunday’s climate brought flashbacks to three years ago,

when the extreme heat caused hundreds to be hospitalized and even a fatality. Since 2007, the marathon coordinators have been proactive by creating the color-coded event alert system about race conditions. By 11 a.m., race officials issued a red-flag warning——the second-highest warning— —for “potentially dangerous conditions.” “It was really hot. It’s something you really can’t control or even prepare for,” Kind said of the conditions. Even limping and aching after the event, the runners couldn’t wait for another crack at the marathon. “There are so many things you expect to happen when preparing for the marathon,” Kind said. “But when you are actually doing it, it’s the things you don’t anticipate that truly make this a great accomplishment.”

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11

CHICAGO MAROON | SPORTS | October 12, 2010

MEN’S SOCCER

Chicago hopes to recover from nagging injuries during bye week

Maroons hooded by Eagles in shutout

FOOTBALL continued from back page

Third-year Ryan Tunstall keeps possession against a defender during the game against Carnegie last Saturday at Stagg Field. DARREN LEOW/MAROON

By Matt Luchins Sports Contributor A missed penalty and a late goal prevented a repeat Maroon miracle as men’s soccer fell 1–0 in UAA action to ninth-ranked Emory (10–0–1, 1–0–1) last Saturday in Atlanta. One week after opening conference play with a surprise victory over Carnegie, who had entered the match undefeated and ranked second in the UAA, the Maroons gave a performance that coach Scott Wiercinski dubbed “schizophrenic.” The Maroons (7–4–0, 1–1–0) struggled in a scoreless first half but conceded the game‘s only goal after a much stronger second-half showing. Unable to find a rhythm on offense, the Maroons were outshot 11–3 in the game’s opening 45 minutes but the game remained scoreless at halftime thanks to a quartet of saves by thirdyear goalie Chris Giusto. “We didn’t change much tactically at half-

time, but the guys looked much better after the break,” said Wiercinski. “We moved the ball better, were more aggressive, and I thought our subs added some good energy. Overall, I think we played well but were punished for two mistakes.” The first mistake came 11 minutes into the second half, when Emory’s Nathan McKeever committed a foul inside the box. Third-year Stan Coville stepped up to take the penalty kick, but the Maroons’ top scorer couldn‘t bring his season total to six goals, sending his shot wide of the post. Then, with just under 10 minutes remaining, the Eagles’ Zach Samuels scored the winning goal from the edge of the box. “The goal was disappointing because we had controlled the game well in the second half,” Wiercinski said. “We didn’t get any pressure from our men up front, so they were able to play a long ball into the box. Then we didn’t provide enough cover for our central defenders, and they were able to capitalize. It was a group

MAROON Sports Fantasy Pick of the Week

Kendra Higgins & Chrissy Hu After winning their second consecutive regional ITA doubles title, third-year Kendra Higgins and fourth-year Chrissy Hu are looking to win the ITA national title this weekend. Fantasy owners beware.

Women’s tennis ITA Small College Championships October 14–17 Mobile, Alabama

53–12

Higgins and Hu have gone 53–12 overall, including winning the NCAA Doubles Championship each of the past two seasons.

mistake among five or six players, rather than an individual error.” Despite Saturday’s loss, the Maroons could mark themselves as UAA title contenders should they rebound at Rochester this Friday. The Yellowjackets came in ranked 14th, but remain without a win in UAA play this season, having registered a draw and a loss. Looking forward to next week‘s match, Wiercinski said, “Their crowds are always pretty good and they‘ll be desperate for a win, so it should be a tough match.” “With a bit of luck, we could have come out with a victory over Emory,” Wiercinski said, alluding to the team‘s high expectations for its forthcoming match against a team ranked significantly lower than Emory. A Maroon victory would crush the title aspirations of a top competitor and provide some momentum before their fourth game against a ranked opponent in as many weeks, an away match at eighth-ranked Wisconsin-Whitewater.

led a dominant defensive line with two interceptions. Manhandling the Big Red blockers on its way to nine sacks, the defense held Denison to 148 yards of total offense on the day. Denison had a total of -19 rushing yards on the day. “When the front seven of our defense is stopping the run and getting pressure on the quarterback like it did this past game,” Tsilimos said. “It really makes my job a whole lot easier and helps me be able to make big plays.” “[Third-year] corner Emmett Carrier and I have actually joked that we wish our D-line would get fewer sacks so we can get more chances at interceptions,” he added. In the second quarter, Chicago’s ground game scored twice. Third-year running back Francis Adarkwa scampered into the end zone from five yards out to cap a 78-yard Chicago drive, improving the score to 20–7. The Maroons scored once again on their following possession. On a second-and-ten from the Denison’s 27-yard-line, Oium decided to keep the ball himself, outpacing the Big Red linebackers and defensive backs along the sideline on the way to another score. Oium, who finished the day as the team’s leading passer and rusher, explained his run: “I saw the defensive end crash down to tackle the running back; I decided to keep the ball and run around the edge. Once I got out there I got great blocking from my receivers and saw some room to the outside and got into the end zone untouched. Our receivers pride themselves in being the best blocking wide-receiver core in the nation, and my run was the result of the them taking blocking seriously.” The Maroons headed into halftime up by a score of 27–7. In the third quarter, a safety and a touchdown from Oium to fourth-year wide receiver Clay Wolff brought the game to its final score. Denison, who fell to 3–3 on the season, ironically—and perhaps necessarily—broke ground on a new $38.5-million athletic facility this past week. The Maroons, who have won their last two games in dominant fashion, will have an extra week off to prepare for a trip to Gambier, OH to play Kenyon on October 23. With UAA competition following the upcoming break, Oium stressed the importance of the time off. “The upcoming bye week will give us a chance to get everyone healthy and concentrate on things that we need to get better at, without having to worry about getting ready for another opponent.”

Gormley’s shutout at Emory garners UAA honors W. SOCCER continued from back page win, and the Maroons did just that. The Maroons’ crisp and aggressive play was too much for Emory. “We played well at each position and connected well as a team to get several good chances,” Gormley said about the team’s play. “Breaking their undefeated streak made the win all the sweeter.” Gormley’s standout performance garnered

her an UAA Defender of the Week award and marked her fifth save of the season. With this win, the Maroons are first place in the UAA. They return to action next Friday the 15th at the University of Rochester and on Sunday the 17th at Case Western Reserve University. Another weekend of wins will solidify the Maroons as a powerhouse in the UAA and on the national scene.

MIRACLES HAPPEN. WE COVER THEM. IF THEY’RE SPORTS-RELATED. JOIN US. E-MAIL SPORTS@CHICAGOMAROON.COM TO JOIN THE SPORTS STAFF.

IN QUOTES

SPORTS

“Can you give a pigeon oatmeal? She is looking at the hot water boiling as if she is getting ready to eat” —Chad Ochocinco, questioning the digestive capacities of pigeons during a recent twitter post

FOOTBALL

Maroons grill Denison at Homecoming By Nick Foretek Sports Editor Amidst the burgers, beer, and buzzing crowd at this year’s homecoming, the Maroons seemed determined to ensure that football was not forgotten. In front of a multitude of tailgaters and a packed crowd inside Stagg Field, the Maroons crushed Denison 36–7 at the University’s annual homecoming game, winning their second straight game and improving to 4–2 on the season. The game featured the triumphant return from injury of fourth-year quarterback Marshal Oium, who had been sidelined with a broken bone in his hand. Having been sidelined since the team’s loss to Elmhurst during its third game, Oium completed 11 of 19 passes on the day, throwing for two touchdowns and rushing for one. “I have had to adjust my game a lot,” Oium said. “This week, I couldn’t just rely on my strong arm to get the job done because I couldn’t throw the ball very well. I had to run the ball more and focus more on making accurate throws than I ever have in the past.” After an early first-quarter score from Denison, putting them up 7–0, the Maroons capitalized on strong initial field position, driving 32 yards and culminating in a six-yard strike from Oium to second-year receiver Dee Brizzolara, tying the game.

Relishing the big stage

107–21

Cumulative score of the last three Homecoming games, all wins.

2008: Chicago d. Oberlin

33–7

Chicago dominated the visiting Yeomen, holding a 528–167 edge in total offense.

2009: Chicago d. Denison

38–7 Second-year Dee Brizzolara runs between three Denison defenders during Saturday’s 36–7 victory.

Then-third-year Marshall Oium throws for 472 yards and five touchdowns—both school records—as the Maroons celebrate the 40th anniversary of modernera football at Chicago.

DARREN LEOW/MAROON

2010: Chicago d. Denison Far from finished, the Maroons’ special teams continued to impress as third-year linebacker Danny Polaneczky blocked a punt on Denison’s ensuing possession. Polaneczky proceeded to recover the ball in the end zone for the Maroons’ second score in less than two minutes.

Polaneczky, who has recovered a blocked punt in each of the past two games, attributed the unit’s success to strong coaching, stating, “Our special teams play especially on punt block, has been very effective due to our special teams coach Dan Gritti designing great schemes for us to attack the punt.”

The Maroons, who have made a sport of beating up Denison for homecoming, winning last year’s game 38–7, would not relinquish the lead again. Chicago’s stingy defense kept Denison from recovering the deficit. Fourth-year cornerback Steve Tsilimos

36–7 The Maroons hold Denison to -19 rushing yards for the day, paving the way to Chicago’s thirdstraight Homecoming win.

FOOTBALL continued on page 11

MARATHON

WOMEN’S SOCCER

Students sweat out the miles in marathon

In Atlanta, Chicago delivers Emory’s first loss

Fourth-year midfielder Emily Benoit challenges a pass during last year’s home game against Wheaton. EMILY LO/MAROON

By Liane Rousseau Sports Contributor Marathon volunteers lined State Street to provide water to marathon runners participating in the 2010 Bank of America Chicago Marathon. LLOYD LEE/MAROON

By Mitch Bruno Sports Contributor It was like stepping onto the football field with Peyton Manning or throwing on a Miami Heat jersey to play with LeBron James. Taking his place alongside the world’s elite long-distance runners, third-year Paul Vithayathil had to col-

lect himself at the start of the Chicago Marathon early Sunday morning as he prepared to embark on the 26.2-mile trek. With a record 38,131 participants running in this year’s marathon, the runners needed over 30 minutes to arrive at the starting line in order to begin the race. For fourth-years Jonah Kind and

Alex Sisto, who had run cross-country in high school, the marathon had gone from a quixotic aspiration to grueling reality. “First year, it obviously wasn’t quite on my radar,” Kind said. “Second year, I watched it on TV and I guess it just motivated me even more, third year I signed up for it, but was abroad in Paris.

MARATHON continued on page 10

On Saturday the Maroons won their second UAA game, taking down previously undefeated and tenth-ranked Emory 1–0. In the 73rd minute, first-year N a t a l i a Jo v a n o v i c s c o r e d t h e game’s only goal. After several shots on goal from other Maroons, Jovanovic put the ball in the back of the net off of the Emory goalie’s original save. The Maroons had to defend their lead until the very last seconds of the game. With seconds

left, third-year goalie Emma Gormley made an amazing game-winning save. The shutout was her fifth of the year. “The chance that they had at the end was one of their best all game, but with less than ten seconds left there was no way I was going to let them score,” Gormley explained. Coming into the game, the Maroons were prepared to beat Emory in the air. Head coach Amy Reifert told the team that whoever won the most first touches in the game would

W. SOCCER continued on page 11

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