The Signal Vol. 85 No. 24

MARCH 20 - MARCH 27, 2018

VOL. 85 | NO. 24

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@gsusignal

TAKE ON THE WORLD ARTS & LIVING 8-9 Put traveling on the top of your list and mingle with the world's different cultures.

PHOTO BY UNIQUE RODRIGUEZ | THE SIGNAL

A NEW PANTRY

GOING SCENIC

SEE THE WORLD!

MORE DANCES COMING

Perimeter's Dunwoody campus is opening its own source for Georgia State food-insecure students.

These trails around Atlanta are way better than the gym's boring treadmill.

Seeing the rest of the world can make you a more well-rounded and open-minded person.

The NCAA Tournament loss stings, but next season will be better without a doubt.

NEWS | PAGE 6 WWW.GEORGIASTATESIGNAL.COM

ARTS & LIVING | PAGE 10

News 3

OPINION PAGE 12

Arts & Living 7

SPORTS | PAGE 15

OPINION 11

Sports 13

TUESDAY, MARCH 20, 2018

In the past, community members have petitioned for the Bell Building to be restored as Georgia State has planned to destroy the building completely.

PHOTO BY VANESSA JOHNSON | THE SIGNAL

The fate of the Bell Building A look into the heavily debated preservation or demolition question WILLIAM SOLOMONS Staff Reporter

T

aking a walk through Atlanta reveals the sight of new businesses, apartments and historical sites. Among those buildings are ones that are neglected and abandoned, some of which are owned by Georgia State. One of those buildings is the historic Bell Building on 25 Auburn Ave. The building was originally part of a series of building projects that took place in 2015 that were funded by the Woodruff Foundation, a private foundation that often financially supports projects and parties around Atlanta.

In 2014, Georgia State drafted plans to request money for the funding of the Cube Initiative, a creative media project that constructed various film-oriented facilities, as well as the Bell Building. The Woodruff Foundation alloted $22.7 million.

The Woodruff Foundation agreed to give Georgia State $3.5 million on top of that for the Cube, but held back the money after the university decided against the demolition of the Bell Building following a public backlash in the form of a petition. The funds would cover the complete cost of the demolition and also would allow the university to implement a parking lot that would aid in reducing the risk of overcrowding at Georgia State’s many parking decks. But the petition, which has now garnered over 2,500 signatures, called for the university to preserve the building.

Georgia State has left it the way it is, and Andrea Jones, associate vice president for Public Relations and Marketing

Communications at Georgia State, told The Signal the university has “no plans for the building at the time.”

So the Bell Building continues to sit idly as it has since 2006.

to either figure out a way to utilize these buildings appropriately or dispose of them to someone who can use the buildings appropriately?” he asked. “They should use it or lose it.”

OPTIONS FOR PRESERVATION

HEART BOMBING

A representative of Historic Atlanta, who wished to remain anonymous, said that the building is definitely able to be restored. He said that, as time goes on, the building’s roof is deteriorating, allowing more water inside resulting in more damage to the structure of the building. He said that, eventually, Georgia State would have no option but to demolish the building.

“We would really be happy if [Georgia State] chose to appropriately stabilize the buildings, which would [include putting] on a roof and [ensuring] that other stabilization measures like boarding up windows and other things are done more appropriately. Obviously, right now there is clearly visible broken glass and garbage, and it just looks like a mess. So that’s a temporary solution,” the anonymous source said.

Vice President of Facilities at Georgia State Ramesh Vakamudi said that the estimate for restoring the building would be close to $30 million. This number was acquired after Georgia State teamed up with the Lord Aeck Sargent design firm.

The representative from Historic Atlanta said that, though the cost is justified, he still wishes that Georgia State will allocate funding to preserve the buildings. He said that it appears that Georgia State is intentionally allowing the buildings to deteriorate until they are unsalvageable.

“Do they have a moral responsibility

Activists took action on Valentine’s Day 2018 to voice their concerns about the building and others like it. The National Trust for Historic Preservation placed hearts on several of the historical buildings near the Downtown campus that urged officials to re-use the buildings instead of letting them sit idly or be demolished. “Heart bombing,” as the practice is known, has been around since the 1990s.

“I’ve only seen preservation as a tool for social justice and activism, and it doesn’t take much to get involved. I think it’s a matter of talking to people on campus and around campus about the places that matter to you. I think heartbombing is a good tool because it’s kinda this visual and positive proclamation,” said a marketing department representative for the National Trust for Historic Preservation.

According to the representative, the heart bombs have been successful in the past in causing members of city councils and other governing bodies to make changes in the preservation of these historical buildings.

One of the several buildings that was heart bombed, besides the Bell Building, was the Atlanta Life Insurance Co. next to Georgia State’s Centennial Hall. The building has been abandoned for several years and is adjacent to a gravel parking lot.

Carson Prince, a senior at Georgia State, said he wanted to see the building turn into a facility focusing on art and creativity.

SOUTHERN BELL TELEPHONE COMPANY HISTORY Open from 1879 to 1983 Former headquarters converted into AT&T building downtown Kimball House Hotel housed the Atlantic Telephonic Exchange starting in 1879 Bell Building on Auburn Avenue that Georgia State owns was opened in 1907 and extended in 1922

“I firmly believe it's unethical and unjust for the university to demolish the historic building. This should be looked at as a creative challenge to turn it into something to enhance downtown,” Prince said. “It could be used as studio and gallery space for the [Georgia State] art school or serve as some sort of community gathering place, homeless shelter, or affordable housing.”

Another student expressed that she would rather have the building be demolished and a park installed in its place exclusive to Georgia State students. Ebonee Douté said that currently students do not have a place to go to. According to Curbed, Georgia State has announced that Kell Hall will be demolished to create a green space within Library Plaza, but that plan is still a few years away from completion.

NEWS

4

GEORGIASTATESIGNAL.COM

The financial hurdles of college life

Pricey university housing has in the past been a factor of concern BRENNA HILBY Staff Reporter

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ith a 12 fold (almost 1,120 percent) increase in U.S. college tuition over the past three decades, many higher-education establishments are assuming more commercial undertakings. Georgia State has seen substantial development expansions in the past decade, from the 2011 installment of the Honors College program to the 2016 construction of Piedmont Central to the recent 2017 acquisition of Turner Field.

Some of this development has concerned Georgia State administrators in the past.

After the $168 million project University Commons was constructed in 2007, Georgia State officials said they were “worried about the impact of pricier housing on the ability of students to earn a degree,” according to a 2017 Atlantic article.

Their solution was the installment of Patton Hall in 2009, which provided a cheaper and more accessible housing alternative to students.

Georgia State Associate Vice President for Public Relations and Marketing Communications Andrea Jones said, “The university adds new housing only when there is a demonstrated demand,” and that the establishment of Patton Hall “specifically aimed to save students money as they worked towards earning their degrees.”

Colleges are “spending less on high-end amenities,” and Patton Hall was Georgia State’s attempt to adapt, according to a 2017 Signal article. But only a couple of years after the $10 million Patton Hall was built, Piedmont Central was constructed in 2016 for approximately $32 million.

In a housing and meal rates report for the 2018-2019 academic year, the total cost per semester for Piedmont Central is $4,759 to $5,858, roughly the same as the total cost for University Commons, which is between $3,228 and $5,462. When split between roommates, a room at Piedmont Central ranges from $2,775 to $3,874.

For some students, these housing costs are not nearly as modest as they would prefer.

Georgia State psychology student Fiona Niedorf lives at Piedmont Central, and said that she believes the price for her room is not worth it. She said it costs $4,722 a semester to dorm at Piedmont Central, and explained she thinks she would have more “options and versatility” if she were to move somewhere else nearby.

“If I were in a position where I had been dorming or something and I was paying that money, that would have been really bad for me. I just got kind of lucky.”

— SYDNEY LORD, Georgia State student “I am so inconvenienced living here.

Honestly, it’s just a rip off, and it’s just a lot of money for a very terrible living situation,” Niedorf said.

She added that she thinks Piedmont

Many students are finding university housing to be too expensive and not a convenient living situation.

Central is “slightly expensive” which “makes it inaccessible to a lot of students.”

Sydney Lord, a Georgia State public policy major, agreed with Niedorf ’s sentiments about the cost of housing. Lord said that in the 2017 spring semester, she experienced administrative issues with her financial aid, and that it was the first time she ever had to take out student loans for school.

She explained that if she had to pay for university housing of any kind at that time, she would have had even more financial trouble because of the prices.

“If I were in a position where I had been dorming or something and I was paying that money, that would have been really bad for me. I just got kind of lucky,” Lord said.

So is Georgia State’s initial worry of the impact of pricier housing on students still a concern for officials?

CUTTING COSTS

Jones said that “affordability is always a concern” and that “Georgia State is always looking for ways to decrease costs for students.”

“Financial issues are the number one reason our students drop out. Our mission remains the same – keep housing, tuition and fees affordable so students can earn their degrees,” she said.

She also noted that Georgia State is active in advising students on financial matters, and that Georgia State opened the SunTrust Student Financial Management Center in 2016 “to help students stay on track financially.” She said the center had approximately 72,000 visits over the last year.

A 2011 Georgia State initiative was also set to “increase the level of scholarship support for undergraduate students,” due in part to the

fact that “nearly 90 percent of students qualify for financial aid.”

Along with this, Jones said that “Georgia State educates more Pell eligible students than all of the Ivy League universities combined.”

Since so many students do qualify for some sort of need for financial aid, Jones said Georgia State has worked “to keep student fees the same for the last six years,” and “the university also takes cost into account in decisions around housing.”

Considering this, she described the financial processes in constructing University Commons and Piedmont Central, and said that “both of those properties are publicprivate partnerships with Corvias.”

“The University is paid for services that it provides to Corvias. We are paid for security and student life and programming such as resident assistants. The remainder of the rents stay with Corvias for maintenance, custodial services, debt service and their corporate costs,” she said.

Partnerships like ones with Corvias are highlighted in Georgia State’s Strategic Plan, and more recent Georgia State initiatives emphasize officials’ goals of further advancing university research and infrastructure.

Other partnerships featured in the plan include the International Strategic Initiatives Grant Program, which “leverages external funding in support of internationalizing the university.”

These initiatives also focus on broadening international recognition and “magnifying the reputation” of the university.

Jones added that, from a construction standpoint, the university has goals of expanding research facilities, building a greenway through campus and establishing a multi-use convocation center.

PHOTO BY HANNAH GRECO | THE SIGNAL

It is currently uncertain how future Georgia State development will affect costs for students, or if the focus on broadening the university’s reputation will benefit future affordability.

MONEY TALKS

Over the past three decades, U.S. college tuition has increased by over 1000%, according to a 2012 Bloomberg LP report.

Only a matter of years after Patton Hall was built for $10 million, Piedmont Central was constructed in 2016 for approximately $32 million.

The total cost per semester for Piedmont Central is $4,759 to $5,858, roughly the same as the total cost for University Commons, which is between $3,228 and $5,462.

The Student Financial Management Center in 227 Sparks Hall was established by Georgia State to help students stay on track financially and help with issues like tuition, scholarships, loans and payment plans.

According to: Bloomberg LP, 2018-2019 housing and meal rates report, Associate VP Andrea Jones

NEWS

TUESDAY, MARCH 20, 2018

5

The next president

NEWS BRIEFS

Three candidates take the stand for a shot to lead SGA CHRISTINA MAXOURIS

A call to address flight attendant harassment

Editor-in-Chief

President of the international Flight Attendants union Sara Nelson testified on Monday, March 20 in front of a U.S. House of Representatives caucus regarding the sexual harassment that flight attendants experience. Nelson said that flight attendants have to put up with passengers that call them by “pet names,” pat them on their rear and corner them in the back of plane, asking uncomfortable questions. Nelson called from the House to set up guidelines on addressing harassment on commercial airlines and according to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, “develop standards for employee training and incident reporting.”

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unwoody campus representative Terry Fye and Atlanta students Franklin Patterson and Sai Maddali are all vouching that they’re the best student voice and leader of the Student Government Association and will attempt to convince the student body in The Signal-led SGA debates on March 20.

Fye will be receiving his associate degree in May and will be continuing on to his bachelor’s degree in the fall. A theater major, Fye also won the title of Mr. Perimeter in the fall of 2016.

Wanting to become an active representative in the Georgia State community, he joined SGA as senator of Governmental Relations and moved on to become Speaker of the Senate.

Fye told The Signal there are two issues he’s planning to tackle as SGA president. Campus safety and support are highlighted as Fye’s priorities for his hopeful term.

“Safety is always a massive concern for many of the students currently attending the Atlanta campus,” Fye said. “ I applaud what SGA has done so far with its handling of this issue on all campuses, from our safety forums, to Campus Carry Education Sessions, to events like the Community Day tournament.”

But Fye said it’s also about tackling the aftermath and following up and providing support to students that may have experienced a crime.

Patterson, the second presidential hopeful, is a marketing major on his way to senior year.

Patterson comes with a Perimeter College background, as he spent his first two years of college at the Clarkston campus as an active SGA member. He has served as the head of the Student Activity Fee Committee and continues to hold an executive position on the YDGSU & Phi Alpha Delta.

Patterson said he’ll be focusing on advisement,

SGA senators from Georgia State’s Downtown and Perimeter campuses meet to discuss university wide policies.

transportation and public safety as SGA president as well as many other issues. He said the financial aid and advising officers are two of his primary concerns, especially for outof-state and commuter students. He also said with the upcoming Courtland Bridge project, transportation is an issue he wants to advocate for.

“Not to mention a lack of a strong tradition on campus, the need for a program to help students easily transition into the job field upon graduation, and a strong awareness of the fact that Georgia State is in the middle of one of the biggest cities for human trafficking,” Patterson said.

As for computer science major Maddali, he’s currently serving as president of the Collegiate

PHOTO BY UNIQUE RODRIGUEZ | THE SIGNAL

Entrepreneurs Organization and is a member of the Student Environmental Team and Panther Hackers. Maddali has been SGA’s UniversityWide Communications Director.

Maddali has laid his focus on resource access to low-income students.

“I am working on Panther Career Closet, which would allow students to obtain professional clothing for free for interviews and career fairs,” he said.

Maddali said he also wants to improve environmental sustainability on campus, adding options for vegans, creating technology-oriented solutions for transportation and shaking up SGA’s culture.

Georgia State tackles the study of violence Bringing together departments for a better solution MADI BROOKS Staff Reporter

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eorgia State debuted its new Center for Research on Interpersonal Violence this past July. The purpose? To bring together professors and researchers from the departments of psychology, public health and policy studies to connect and tackle issues of violent behaviour across the country.

While there is no physical location for the new center, it is able to function virtually, with the exception of meetings and seminars, and is the only opportunity for professors from these departments to collaborate.

Director, Dr. Dominic Parrot, wanted to make sure the center’s online presence was strong enough to make up for their lack of a physical one.

“One thing I did was very early on was made sure we had a website because that’s kind of like we have a physical space on the web that keeps us organized in terms of what we’re doing,” Parrott said. “The goal is to get professors talking, thinking and coming up with new ideas, so it’s a way to stimulate collaboration.”

Georgia State graduate student Milklos Halmos,

LOCAL

who built and maintains the center’s website, thinks that by bringing experts and researchers together, the center is playing a very important role in tackling the current major public health concern regarding violence.

“This center at Georgia State is just one of a small group of similar centers around the country tackling this problem,” Halmos said. “As such, it brings much needed attention and resources aimed at learning more and fixing this problem.”

Graduate student Jessica Lynn Grom assists with the center’s research projects by collecting data, writing articles and presenting the findings of certain projects as well as coming up with ideas for future projects. Grom thinks that attention the center brings to this issue is important in helping the prevention of violence.

“The creation of the Center for Research on Interpersonal Violence is one indicator that the university is supporting efforts and investing in solutions to the problem of violence in our society,” Grom said.

She hopes that the Center will help shed light on the important questions that are being posed in our society today and hopefully help in making necessary changes. “Recently, the media has been saturated with stories involving violence and my hope is that our research can identify the risk factors for the perpetration of violent behaviors as

well as identify ways to reduce or prevent violence we have been seeing so often in our society,” Grom said.

Students like Nara Landress say they’re glad Georgia State is turning its attention to the problem of violence, especially due to the university’s location.

“As any high volume campus is, it often feels like just another target for another instance of violence as has been the case nationwide,” Landress said. “Georgia State’s character is one of curiosity, cooperation, acceptance, and innovation. If anyone can and should be doing something like this, it’s us.”

“I think it’s something any school should be investing in with the recent problems that society is facing, especially since violence takes place predominantly in cities,” Georgia State student, Wendmarie Figueroa said.

Parrott said he believes this new center is a big step forward for Georgia State in recognizing and preventing various types of violent behavior in the future and that it has the potential to make a huge difference.

“Georgia State is putting skin in the game saying we want to be at the forefront of tackling this problem,” Parrott said. “If I was a student here I would feel good that my university is not on the sidelines.”

NATIONAL Trump proposes death penalty for drug dealers

President Donald Trump has proposed enforcing the death penalty for some drug dealers, a statement that many treatment advocates, civil liberty organizations and law enforcement officials condemned. Trump said that the country needs to get tougher on drug dealers, and that includes the death penalty, as they are individuals who he said will “kill thousands of people during their lifetime,” but don’t get punished for the damager. The statement came after Trump has talked about addressing the opioid epidemic, but some treatment advocates say, this isn’t a step in the right direction, according to CNN.

GLOBAL Putin wins Russia elections

After another victory in Russia’s election, President Vladimir Putin said he’s open to having “constructive” dialogue with other countries, and promised to cut defense spending, adding he’s not intending on having any sort of arms race. As president of Russia, Putin said his sustaining priority is the country’s economic growth.

According to BBC, Putin won by over 76 percent of the votes, lengthening his term even more since 1999.

NEWS

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PHOTO SUBMITTED BY MARKETING COMMUNICATIONS FOR PERIMETER COLLEGE

Perimeter College opens its own Panther’s Pantry

Dunwoody Professor wants to help food-insecure students MADI BROOKS Staff Reporter

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tudents at Georgia State’s Perimeter College will soon have access to a new food pantry, thanks to Dunwoody campus professor, Dr. Crystal Garrett. Garrett said she was conducting research last summer when she came across an article about the growing number of homeless and food insecure students on college campuses. She was heartbroken after reading the article and decided to kickstart the process of opening up a food pantry on the Dunwoody campus.

“What struck me the most is that every semester I have my students complete community service projects like a collection drive for troops on active duty or homeless veterans or homeless military families,” Garrett said. “They donate food and toiletry items, even though they don’t have enough food to last until the end of the month.”

Garrett first had to gain approval from Georgia Perimeter's Dean, Peter Lyons, and Associate Dean, Susan Cody, before starting up the pantry. She then found a location, set up shelves and began collecting food items during the fall 2017 semester.

The food pantry will be open April 11 and will be located in an old janitorial storeroom near the rear parking lot. All students need

to be able to benefit from the pantry is a valid Georgia State student ID. Students are going to be in charge of keeping the food pantry up and running, while Garrett is in charge of overseeing the pantry.

Garrett said volunteering for the pantry is a great opportunity for students to gain work experience and learn how to run a nonprofit organization. Any student, regardless of major, is welcome to volunteer with the food pantry.

Georgia State student Antwoin Monach said he decided to volunteer after he previously participated in one of Dr. Garrett’s community service projects that she assigns her students each semester. “I realized that we had students on campus that were food insecure or in some cases hungry; however, they still contributed to the projects,” Monach said. “I felt that it’s only right that we take care of those who are closest to us as well.”

Monach meets with Garrett in his spare time and brainstorms ways to improve the pantry, as well as ways to help spread the word to the students and organizations on campus who are willing to help out. Monach believes the new food pantry will be a great resource for Georgia Perimeter students to turn to in their time of need. “Some students spend a large amount of money on their education, thus surrendering some of their nutritional needs in hopes of a better education.

Hopefully this pantry will lighten the load on them a little,” he said.

Georgia Perimeter student Samuel Kiawu

said he decided to volunteer because he thinks food insecurity is a very serious issue that often gets overlooked. “This pantry is going to be a tremendous help to students who do not receive adequate nutrition throughout the day,” Kiawu said. “This pantry will afford those who are fighting to stay afloat juggling work, class and other day-to-day activities worry about one less thing.”

Kiawu wants other students to know this is an important issue and that they need to be aware that their classmates are in need. “This food pantry should be a call to action for those who are willing to serve and assist their fellow students,” Kiawu said.

Monach said that, even though a student might not be affected by homelessness or food insecurity, they might know a fellow student who is, which is why it is important to spread the word. “It needs to reach the ears of those who can benefit from this,” Monach said.

In addition to spreading the word about the food pantry, there are bins placed around the Dunwoody campus until the end of the semester collecting non-perishable food items and toiletries to help stock the pantry.

The pantry currently has three shelves full of items, but is always looking for more in order to replace what is being given out. So far, the food pantry has only received donations from students, but the pantry is also looking for school organizations to help donate, as well as more student volunteers to help keep it operating, according to Garrett.

QUICK FACTS

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48 percent of college students report being food insecure

15

15 percent of food insecure students experience some kind of homelessness

55

55 percent of students said food insecurity caused them to not buy required textbooks

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25 percent of students drop a class because of food insecurities

TUESDAY, MARCH 20, 2018

Thrifting for that “IT” wardrobe on a budget

PHOTO BY JULIAN PINEDA & ILLUSTRATION BY DAO NGUYEN | THE SIGNAL

SYDNEY BLOEME Staff Reporter

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eorgia State is a runway for the latest trends. Sitting across from Walter’s, and not far from Atlantic Station, Georgia State is the place to make your own fashion STATEment. Many thrift stores such as RagO-Ramo and Buffalo Exchange are closer to consignment stores that are overpriced and underwhelming. With tuition steadily on the rise, how can college students afford their dream look? It’s the time of your life to take chances and rock outfits your mom complains about.

Here are some beginner steps to master the art of thrifting and to get the wardrobe of your dreams while still on a college budget.

1. Do a cleanse!

You can’t build a wardrobe if your closet is full.

Go through and pull out old clothes you never wear. If they are nice, try to sell them at second hand shops like Plato’s Closet, Rag-O-Rama and Buffalo Exchange. If you’re able to sell some, great! But if not, don’t fret! Drop them off at your local Goodwill. Hold onto the receipt they give you. You can always write it off on your taxes.

2. Plan and prepare!

Take a day and look up all the best thrift stores near you. Think outside of the box. Check local thrift stores and don’t forget to check out religious organizations. They get tons of donations and are doing it for charity. These are the places that you can buy a T-shirt for $1.

Second-hand clothing is already recycled and there’s tons of it going to waste so there’s no reason it should be expensive. Clothing is one of the biggest pollutants and waste of resources.

Check out The Signal’s latest story about ecological clothing, “Thrifting: Hip for your Closet, Hip for the Environment” to learn more about the issue.

3. Today’s the day!

Plan out a day to devote to thrifting. Some of

the best thrift stores don’t have dressing rooms so come dressed in tight leggings and a tank top so you can be the person trying on clothes in the middle of the aisle next to a mirror. You may get dirty looks, but who cares! It’s not like you can return them if they don’t fit and your wardrobe will thank you very much.

4. Stay Calm!

Make a plan to tackle the store in sections. Don’t get overwhelmed looking at the racks and racks of clothing. Make a game plan. Think: shoes, shirts, pants, jackets, jewelry and accessories 5. Like your Starbucks frappe, think BASIC! Building any wardrobe starts at the base think basic T’s and tanks for layering. Look for pieces that will last! Make sure to grab basic allcolored pieces for layering. Remember, an outfit is built by different pieces. Think of a beautiful mosaic of textures and patterns; you need the basic white grout to make the tile pieces POP.

practice, but one day you’ll be able to look at a pair of jeans and know they’ll fit.

Hold jeans up and make sure you know how the waist and inseam falls. There’s nothing worse than finding a great pair of jeans and realizing they are 2000’s Britney Spears’ low rise.

Check the arm and neck holes. Sometimes clothing is too tight in the upper arms and neck.

There’s nothing worse than buying a new blouse and not being able to raise your arms.

8. Think Color!

While you need basics, you also need some pieces that will POP. Check out jackets and sweaters. Some clothes are split up by color so check through all your best colors.

9. Think Texture!

Look for sequence, patterns and fur (faux of course)! There isn’t anything a nice fur vest can’t accentuate. Look for sparkles and anything fun.

Style can be exciting! Don’t be afraid to take risks. You can be lucky and find some funky 6. Check the Quality! stuff at thrift stores with patience, but you can This means check the brands, seams, and always go to Raga-Rama or Buffalo Exchange if fabric quality. you don’t want to wait and don’t mind spending Check zippers and buttons. If you’re a pro, you the extra money. can fix and alter these yourself but if you’re just starting out, don’t worry.

10. Shoes!

Check the texture. If it feels scratchy on the Some people feel weird about buying second rack, it’ll feel scratchier on your body. Find good hand shoes. Most rock climbing places spray a feeling threads. basic Lysol spray to disinfect their shoes so pick Be weary of stretchy fabrics. Spandex doesn’t up a bottle of that and you’ll be fine. Shoes at keep for long so be prepared to get clothes that the thrift store are great because they are already last through the washer. broken in! Look at the soles, seams, laces, Look at the brands. If you’re familiar with it, eyelets, etc. Look for quality. Shoes don’t always like GAP or Levi’s, it’s usually a good find. go bad and many of them will be leather and good quality. Be careful though; sometimes they 7. Forget about sizes! are donated because they are uncomfortable so Thrift stores hold clothes from tons of make sure you try them on and walk around. different brands. Women’s clothing doesn’t have to follow size guidelines so stores will make you 11. Time to accessorize! feel like you wear a size six jeans in their brand Thrift stores have the best belts and jewelry. but in another you wear an eight. Forget about Make sure to try the belts on to make sure they sizing, it’s not the size of you, it’s hardly the fit. Check out the jewelry counter for some fun size of the clothes. Keep your sizes in mind but watches, earrings, necklaces and bracelets. If don’t rely too heavily on the numbers. It takes you’re a pro, you can even recycle the old jewelry

into something new.

12. Take a breathe and move on!

You won't find everything you want in one store.

Be prepared to make a day of it and go to several.

13. Time to clean!

Now that you have all of your new pieces, find ways to wash them. These items are new to you, not new to the world, so wash your clothes to get the “thrift store smell” out of them and disinfect your shoes and jewelry. You never want to put in some new earrings without washing them first.

Now that you’ve completed your first thrift journey, take inventory of your new closet and get ready to get back out there! Thrifting is an ongoing lifestyle. It’s addicting and once you start, you’ll never be able to stop. Be safe, be you, and happy thrifting!

BEST SPOTS IN TOWN Value Village: 1899 Metropolitan Pkwy SW, Atlanta, GA 30315 St. Vincent de Paul Lakewood Thrift Store: 1700 Lakewood Ave SE, Atlanta, GA 30315 Lost-N-Found Youth- Thrift Store: 2585 Chantilly Dr NE, Atlanta, GA 30324 Out of the Closet - Atlanta: 1858 Cheshire Bridge Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30324 Intown Thrift: 2869 Lakewood Ave SW, Atlanta, GA 30315 Raga-Rama: 1111 Euclid Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30307 Buffalo Exchange: 1057 Ponce De Leon Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30306

STRESS-FREE T R AV E L I N G

Three ways to take on the world on a college budget CHRISTINA MAXOURIS, SAMUEL PUCKETT & VICTOR SLEDGE

Editor-in-Chief, Associate Arts & Living Editor & Staff Reporter

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e’ve already hit the ground running after a week-long vacation from books and responsibilities. Some of you may have chosen to spend those glorious seven days stuffed between the sheets of your bed or hanging out with friends. Next time we’re off from class, we vouch you take on some good ole traveling and learn to know the world around you. It doesn’t have to be stressful, costly or nerve-wrecking. We’ve got three ways you can explore the globe without breaking a sweat!

ROAD-TRIP YOUR WAY AROUND

LOW-BUDGETIN’

We’re busy. Our friends are busy. If making plans for the weekend can be difficult, imagine a week-long overseas vacation. Spring break was supposed to be a time to relax, but now you’re panting through Hartsfield Jackson to make it to terminal D 12 after security “randomly selected” you for an extra screening.

Maybe scale back your travel ambitions, pare down your packing and road trip to somewhere domestic but dope. There’s a lot of fun to be had without stepping on a plane or posing for a passport.

With a road trip, you are on your own time.

You have the option to stop for all the small stuff, the weird stuff, you wouldn't otherwise have gotten the chance to see. Better yet, you can pause and talk to locals in ways a plane or Greyhound just doesn't allow.

Road tripping can be astronomically less expensive as money can be pooled among friends. Where roundtrip plane or train fare might reach $400 just inside the U.S., the same trip might just be $40 for gas from each member of your group.

There are some downsides, however. Long hours in the car can test even the tightest friendships. It is always best to be very open about this strain and consciously give each other space.

And if you decide to road trip to somewhere densely metropolitan, good luck with parking.

New York might sound like a good idea, but watch out for when the streets are swept as you'll need to move it or be towed.

Often times the U.S. may seem too small for some of us. For those of us eager to explore the rest of the world, understand global cultures and get outta here for a while, other continents sound like the way to go. But the scare is always about the financials. Traveling to Europe can average around $1,000 just for a round-trip flight ticket. A price tag that many students-especially at Georgia State--can’t afford. Our university is comprised of first-generation college students, students thriving on their own, or individuals juggling classes between two or more jobs. A trip to Europe, Asia or Australia perhaps sounds like a luxury. But if you’re smart, it absolutely can make its way onto your calendar!

The key to enjoying a low-budget adventure into countries rich with culture and history is planning and spending time comparing prices.

Firstly, don’t take time off when everyone else will. A trip to any European city in the spring will be substantially less money than the summer, because that’s the known “high season” when everyone packs their vacation bags and waves their jobs goodbye. Instead, give yourself some time off during the fall, or right as the weather starts warming up between March and April.

Don’t click on the first good-priced ticket you buy. There’s dozens of websites like Skyscanner and Cheap-O-Air that will compare prices between different airlines and give you your cheapest options. You can even select to track a certain flight, and these websites will notify you when the price has changed. And once you

have found a good price, wait a couple of days.

Chances are, you won’t lose it, and if the flight remains open for too long, ticket prices may go down. And once you’ve got the traveling part down, start budgeting for your stay.

Hostels are your friend! Especially if you’re travelling alone, hostels make for a friendly environment with more than a handful of people who are also taking on the world and have their own funky stories to share. Search the internet for those reviews, and check out other travelers’ comments about their experience at the hostel.

Ladies, if you’re traveling alone, you want to do special digging about things like the surrounding area and whether your hostel offers femaleonly selections. Many hostels also provide other services as well like meals and tours (usually inexpensive or even free!), and staff are always a helpful resource when it comes to finding your way around town.

STUDY ABROAD One great way to travel in college is by studying abroad. It’s the best of both worlds: exploring the world while still gaining college credit, and you don’t have to worry about the little details as your university will take care of all of that for you!

Georgia State offers study abroad programs in countries like England, Ecuador, and Japan, lasting for as short as spring break to as long as a whole academic year. It’s an enriching experience, but it does take some planning.

Firstly, think long and hard about where you’d like to go. If you’re a business major, look for

Pictures taken during our staff's Spring Break adventures.

countries with major corporations. If you’re an environmental science major, look for countries rich in nature. It’s a given that you’ll get to be engulfed in the culture, but make sure the experience is professionally valuable as well.

After you’ve found where you want to go, start looking for the right program. Start with deciding how long you want to stay. Then figure out if you’d like to stay on your university’s campus, an apartment, or even be housed with a family. It’s also good to think about if you want to venture into this experience alone or go with a group of other Georgia State students.

Look through the options that Georgia State offers and find the one closest to--or that matches--your dream goal. And once you find it, get moving!

Get in contact with the person in charge of the program as soon as possible. The faculty that facilitate the program will be a major resource for you during the whole experience. Let them know your questions and concerns. Ask for their advice on what you can do to avoid a culture shock once you arrive. The program facilitators are passionate about the program and the countries, so they’re happy to help you prepare.

Make sure you give yourself enough time to turn in all the required documents, and then sit by the mailbox waiting for the application letter. Most students at Georgia State are likely to get accepted, and after that, it’s smooth sailing for you! Scholarships are plentiful so don’t rid yourself of the opportunity to travel entirely expense-free!

Spend the year abroad learning, building credits for your major, and also collecting some incredible experiences!

PHOTOS BY CHRISTINA MAXOURIS AND UNIQUE RODRIGUEZ | THE SIGNAL

DESIGN BY KHOA TRAN AND DEVIN PHILLIPS & PHOTO ILLUSTRATIONS BY VANESSA JOHNSON | THE SIGNAL

ARTS & LIVING

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GEORGIASTATESIGNAL.COM

Five scenic trails near Atlanta Time to ditch your boring gym

Callaway Fitness Series

Staff Reporter

A series of races and fitness classes begins at Callaway gardens. All ability and fitness levels are included with events running all day, starting at 7 A.M.

I

t’s that time of year again! You know — when the new year’s gym resolutions are beginning to dwindle, your workout is becoming tedious and those trendy cycling classes still do not pay for themselves. Let’s be honest; sometimes, all it takes is a change in scenery to rekindle your steady relationship with exercise. So before breaking up with your health for good, consider taking a breath of fresh air at one (or all) of these scenic trails near the city.

thursday, march 22 March Madness Enjoy the regional kick off of March Madness at Philips Arena at 10 A.M. With a show like that, you’ll be sitting back and living lavish like you’re playing for the Mavericks.

1. PALISADES WEST TRAIL

932 Akers Ridge Dr SE, Atlanta, GA 30339 The Palisades West Trail takes the cake in terms of scenic beauty. Located right along the Chattahoochee River, the trail offers views of the rushing water, a look-over bridge, and gorgeous rocky terrain. The trail even opens to a small beach where hikers can take a swim and observe the native cranes. Additionally, in this opening, visitors can bring a tube or kayak to enter onto the Chattahoochee River, and exit at the Paces Mill unit (about one to two hours away by tube depending on the flow of the river.)

FRIDAY, march 23 That’s a Ferst!

At the Ferst Center for the Arts, watch the world premiere of several visionary choreographers combining the power of technology and dance to create intriguing visual performances you won’t want to miss.

2. SWEETWATER CREEK STATE PARK TRAIL

3. OLDCASTLE NATURE TRAIL (A.K.A. MARCUS CENTER TRAIL)

Briar Vista Terrace NE, Atlanta, GA 30324 Home to several crawling creatures, the Oldcastle Nature Trail is beautiful not only for its nature, but its spirit. The trail was developed by the Marcus Autism Center located just down the

Pedestrians take advantage of Atlanta weather by strolling through the Northside Beltline Trail.

road. During your scenic workout at this trail, you can expect to see butterflies (both real and ceramic) lounging around, as well as cardinals chirping in the trees. If you are looking for a trail that will showcase the beauty of Georgia’s nature with minimal strenuous parts, I would highly suggest Oldcastle.

4. MORNINGSIDE NATURE TRAIL

2020 Lenox Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30324 Within the hustle and bustle of Buckhead, it is hard to believe there is a nature trail only 10 minutes away from the luxury shopping center of Lenox Mall. This nature preserve is a step away from the glitz and glamour of Lenox Square and

PHOTO BY JORDAN BRACE | THE SIGNAL

offers a standard path with a wooden bridge standing high over the below stream of water.

5. THE NORTHSIDE BELTLINE TRAIL

Northside BeltLine Trail, Atlanta, GA 30309 The Atlanta Beltline is known for being a crucial part of Old Fourth Ward, and a place for artists to express themselves. But have you been to the location where all the BeltLine trails began?

The Northside trail is a woodsy area perfect for taking your dog on a short walk or watching as trains pass on the railroad above the carefully constructed walking bridge.

The Bakery reheating the scene Venue providing a place for Atlanta art to thrive JALEN JENKINS Staff Reporter

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o keep up with Atlanta’s bustling and ever-changing DIY music scenes, spaces to water the flower of creativity are essential.

It’s important that the venues properly nurture the youthful outlets that locals have so other scenes outside the state can look at Atlanta and continue to be in awe of its ability to be on a wave all their own.

If there ever was a candidate to mother this creativity, The Bakery would be a top pick.

Located right outside of the city, hanging off of Exit 244, The Bakery sits among the likes of scrap yards and car tow lots. But unlike the tow lots, The Bakery is a place of happiness.

More in the category of a warehouse, The Bakery is covered in brightly painted furniture, murals on the side of its metal walls, held inside

march 21 - march 27 Wednesday, march 21

AUTUMN BOEKELOO

1750 Mt Vernon Rd, Lithia Springs, GA 30122 The name of this trail speaks for itself. The Sweetwater Creek is home to several different trails for beginner to expert hikers with a stunning scenery. The trails each have unique terrain, but all showcase the beauty of Sweetwater Creek. I would recommend this trail for practicing yoga, as there are many spots to lay a mat down and calm anxiety with a brief breathing or meditation session.

events not to miss

by gates calling in any artistic types looking for creative refuge. It holds multiple rooms to accommodate many different mediums. They have differently equipped rooms to book bands to play, from a small local show to the room with a big stage, The Bakery is more than capable of holding a larger act.

In addition to holding music shows there, The Bakery has rooms that can be used as studios, a gallery room, meeting rooms and many other accommodations for small businesses and independent artists.

The appearance and popularity of The Bakery could not have come at a better time for the Atlanta scene, due to the fire Downtown that resulted in the temporarily closing of the Mammal Gallery, Eyedrum, and Murmur until they are deemed up to code.

The thing the former Downtown venues and The Bakery have in common is their high standard of inclusion, offering a space free of prejudice of any kind. Through efforts like a

zero tolerance for any sort of discrimination and having genderless bathrooms, The Bakery believes art can be evenly and fairly seen and shown with no bigoted restraints and continues the legacy of inclusion perpetuated by previous venues.

The Bakery has held events almost every weekend since it has opened, and has its schedule filled up for weeks to come (which you can find on their website). It provides an experience that allows its patrons to only worry about the art they are experiencing because that’s what a venue should do. It is a perfect placeholder for the absence of Atlanta’s Downtown venues and continues to push their ethical standards.

This loss of venues has temporarily crippled the Atlanta art scene, but The Bakery comes with bandage and splint.

People going to shows and performances at the Bakery can always count on their individuality to be welcomed and accounted for and for their local music to be represented.

saturday, march 24 Easter at the Governor's Mansion Join crowds of families at the Governor's mansion painting their faces and hunting eggs, and maybe meet the man himself - the Easter Bunny!

sunday, march 25 Cherry Blossom Come out for the final day of the Brookhaven Cherry Festival and celebrate the changing seasons with a crowd of thousands. With events ranging from a classic car show to a pet costume contest, this will be hard to ignore.

monday, march 26 A Fire No Water Could Put Out Taking its name from the last speech of Martin Luther King Jr., this photography exhibition combines works of that period, as well as illuminated works by contemporary photographers.

tuesday, march 27 Miguel Fresh off an oscar win for Coco, singer, actor and producer Miguel will perform at the Coca - Cola Roxy theater. This prolific and sensual artists is sure to thrill and amaze.

More events and info at georgiastatesignal.com.

TUESDAY, MARCH 20, 2018

ILLUSTRATION BY PHILIP DURAL | THE SIGNAL

Socialism not the solution Marxism has become popular again—let me tell you why it’ll never work

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JAMES FOX Staff Reporter

James is a journalism major on the Downtown campus. He likes MMA and being outdoors.

When he can’t get outside he spends his free time reading and writing. He grew up in East Atlanta and loves his city.

Tweet JAMES!

@KingJames21usa

arxism is an ideology that is dangerous and oppressive, and its popularity within our generation is chilling.

Whether it goes by the name Communism, Democratic-Socialism or more recently, Progressivism, it’s a system that is kept alive by teachers and students hoping to usher in the next utopia by LARPing as revolutionaries. We all want to make the world a better place, but the solutions so often sold by Marxists are destined to drag America into a pit of a never-ending economic depression.

Marxism has become very popular with our generation. According to a poll from the Pew Research Center, 49 percent of people aged 18 to 29 had a positive view of socialism. One need only see the results of the 2016 Democratic primaries when nearly 12 million Americans voted for Bernie Sanders. Sanders is an unalloyed Socialist who suckered in 70 percent of the 18-29 year old crowd by promising free college and other giveme-thats. An overwhelming majority of these voters were white males who were fresh out of high school or college and stuck with a complete lack of opportunity in the decaying economy of the Bush-Clinton era. They wanted something in return for all the time and money they poured down the drain following the American dream.

Sanders even stabbed these voters in the back when he proudly proclaimed, “White people do not know what it’s like to be poor.” Try telling this to my German grandparents who moved to the U.S. during the war or my working class family in Texas who’ve lost their jobs or faced declining wages because of illegal immigration. Bernie Sanders is just another opportunist who uses the term “Socialist” to peddle a utopian vision to the young and impressionable in order to forward his political career.

We need to recognize the fact that not everybody is equal. People do make bad decisions that put them into poverty, such as drinking and drug use. Also, if you are able-bodied and have free time, there is no reason you shouldn’t be working right now. When I started working, I was paid $7.50 an hour. This is because I started when I was 16—as you should. I was dumb, unskilled, and lived with my parents. While I don’t represent everybody who makes minimum wage, I am who the minimum wage was designed for. The minimum wage is supposed to be a baseline, not a living wage. If we arbitrarily raised it to $15 an hour, millions of people would be pushed out of work. I wouldn’t have been able to get a job in the first place! Nobody is going to hire some pimplefaced kid like me who has no idea what he’s doing for $15 an hour.

Socialist policies like free college aren’t going to fix that. And while that may sound great to the average college student, in reality, this program hurts the very people Socialists claim to champion. We shouldn’t put the burden of paying for our college education on the backs of working-class Americans, which is what Sanders is proposing. Despite what Sanders says, “free” college would tax working- and middle-class Americans substantially more than millionaires and billionaires, because many people in the top 1% income bracket keep their money in offshore tax havens. Universal healthcare also sounds awesome, especially to somebody like me who just recently buried a close relative because we couldn’t afford her cancer treatment. But in an interview in 1987, Bernie Sanders said, “If we expanded Medicaid, [gave] everybody a Medicaid card, we would be spending such an astronomical amount of money that we would bankrupt the nation.”

Georgia State senior Tomas Rodriguez is an American whose parents fled Venezuela after it became too dangerous to live in under the Socialist regime of Hugo Chavez. He visited his relatives there often, and he described the deterioration of the state over time.

“There was an increase of fear in people's lives as the years went on,” he said. “I remember more and more stories of common crimes like carjacking. The amount of people, you know, here [in America] who have broken their arms are the amount of people there who’d had their car stolen or had been mugged or something like that.” His family told him stories of the rise of Hugo Chavez, the Socialist president of Venezuela. “My uncle said from here, we’re going straight to Cuba,” Rodriguez said.

There are a few parallels between the Chavez campaign and the Sanders campaign. “A lot of hatred for the wealthy,” Rodriguez said. “So a lot of complaining about the gap between the rich and the poor.” The popularity of socialism in our generation is worrisome for him. “It does concern me. I don’t believe having a lot of money makes you an evil person. And I feel like that’s the kind of rhetoric I hear from Bernie Sanders, and that’s the kind of rhetoric I’d see from YouTube videos of Hugo Chavez.”

What sounds really good on paper plays out quite differently in the real world. Trying to restructure society to serve everybody’s needs is a noble cause. Nobody who lives in the wealthiest country on earth should go to bed hungry. But we need to find a better solution to create an economic environment that rewards people who are trying to work and allows wages to rise naturally.

EDITORIAL

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EDITORIAL

Go, see, grow, repeat Traveling betters the soul, and opens your mind!

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ans Christian Andersen wrote, “To travel is to live,” and how right was he! Truly underestimated, the powers of traveling are immensely invaluable and can cure absolutely anything-most notably, ignorance.

Spending time in other parts of the world not only allows us to dive deep into the history of other lands first-hand, but it also allows us to experience other cultures and mannerisms of people across the world.

Admittedly, many of us can get lost in the size of the U.S. and fool ourselves into thinking this is all there is, or perhaps, this is the best there is. But is that fair? And is that healthy?

Thousands of years older than this continent, Europe holds century-old treasures, religious monuments and ruins reminiscent of battles in the B.C. Across countries in Africa and Asia, tribes and secret legends reveal spiritual mysteries, riches of the earth but also powerfully developed countries and peoples. Australia, New Zealand, the North Pole, dot-sized islands-- the list of destinations is endless, and so the challenge isn’t posed by finding a spot to explore, but understanding why exploring it is important.

Our experiences--prepare for the cliché but truth-are the greatest riches we carry with us. Perfumes and shoes and houses and clothes all fade or get lost and don’t matter when it comes to bettering you as a person. But having talked with people you don’t speak the same language with, touching things you’ve only seen in postcards, and walking on trails from the past allow you to unlock more parts of your mind and be perceptive about what this world holds and how other people think.

And why is that important? Because understanding how people think can make you a more thoughtful, well-rounded person who’s not eager to judge and can understand that one’s opinion is a drop in the ocean (something somewhat forgotten in today’s social and political atmospheres).

We can promise that a good get-away trip can up your psychology, improve your outlook on life, and often leave you with great friendships (especially if you travel alone)! Sure, having savings is important, and sure, paying off your car payments and being on time with your rent are just as crucial, but start putting that jar of money aside to start planning for a trip. The experiences you garner, the stories you’ll hear and the things you’ll see may likely be something you don’t want to be missing out on.

Get out of your comfort zone and pack a bag. And if you can’t find a buddy, go by yourself! Spending some you-time is nothing to be ashamed of, and you’ll find yourself digging up courage you never thought you had!

And if the cash is what’s stressing you out, check out our centerspread on tips about how you can travel on a low budget!

COVER PHOTO TEASE CREDITS

NEWS PHOTO BY JULIAN PINEDA | THE SIGNAL

GEORGIASTATESIGNAL.COM

TUESDAY, MARCH 20, 2018

the Panther: Nick Gatewood

All-around superstar Nick Gatewood builds on his success in 2018 BLAKE CORRIGAN

C

Staff Reporter

atcher Nick Gatewood means everything to the Georgia State University baseball team, according to Head Coach Greg Frady that is. Gatewood emerged as a premiere ball player with the Panthers during his sophomore year with the team and has continued to soar and build momentum well into his junior year, here in 2018. This sudden emergence and sustained success does not seem to be a fluke - a young love for the game, high school ball, and the opportunity to develop behind another stand out catcher all have played a role in shaping Gatewood’s game into what it has become today.

THE EARLY DAYS

Gatewood like many other young kids in Ga. played any sport he could growing up, then around the age of ten baseball became his passion. This love for the game would stick with Gatewood through middle school and carry into highschool and even travel ball. Peachtree Ridge High is where Gatewood would call home while playing travel ball with the Upstate Mavericks.

“Peachtree Ridge was an awesome program… I mean I was always playing against really high competition.” Said Gatewood.

While at Peachtree Ridge Gatewood was already turning heads, he was named the no. 9 ranked catcher in Ga and the no. 71 overall prospect in the state by Perfect Game. It was at Peachtree Ridge where Georgia State would develop and interest for Gatewood and begin pursuing his as their newest recruit.

“They always showed me a lot of love, they were really good to me and coming on visits were always really good - I just felt it was a really good fit.” Said Gatewood reflecting on his recruitment

by Georgia State

THE BUILD UP

Once Gatewood became a Georgia State Panther he didn’t immediately make

a significant impact. In fact, Gatewood’s freshman year was relatively quiet - from the outside looking in that is. Behind the scenes, Gatewood who says he likes to get to the field early because he’s never satisfied with his game was working every day to improve and be ready when his number was called. He wouldn’t have to go through this process alone, however, because Gatewood had a Georgia State all-time great catching ahead of him in Joey Roach. Roach, who is currently in the Tampa Bay Rays farm system lit it up at Georgia State, garnering numerous awards and honors including first team academic All-American. Roach was the perfect mold for Gatewood to shape his game into and says he learned a lot from him and tried to do everything as Roach did.

“Nick had a really good catcher ahead of him in Joey Roach..

He helped him a lot.” said Head Coach Frady speaking on Gatewood’s rise to prominence.

TAKE OFF

In Gatewood’s sophomore year, with Roach no longer on the team, he would get his chance to show everything he had been working for. The left-handed hitter instantly began to make an impact on the team, both on defense and on offense. Gatewood led the 2017 team with an impressive batting average of .319 on the season. Also he recorded five home runs with 22 RBI’s on the year. Defensively he recorded only three errors and had a FLD% of .978, two impressive feats for a sophomore.

Gatewood threw out This sudden emergence impressed Coach Frady especially; he noted, “its harder to play division 1 ball, it’s a lot more polished of a game.”. Gatewood also developed a sense for clutch moments with more than one game-tying hits.

While what Gatewood was doing on the field was impressive so was what he was doing off the field - becoming a leader in the eyes of his fellow teammates and coaches.

He understands this phenomenon admitting “I think guys now kinda want me to point them in the right direction till they can find their place.” much like Roach did with him.

Head Coach Frady has much to say about Gatewood’s leadership qualities including the fact that he’s a great listener and that Gatewood really leads by example. This is

especially important considering the position Gatewood occupies which is catcher. It’s common knowledge the catcher needs to be a leader as well as a teacher, two things Gatewood absolutely is.

SUSTAINING THE MOMENTUM

Gatewood entered the 2018 season a proven battle-tested leader and player, the only thing he had to do now was continue to ride the wave of success, and so far he’s done just that. Through twelve games he leads the team in almost every category of production. He has a batting average of .366 on 41 at-bats and leads the team with 2 home runs and 8 RBI’s. His defensive game has also been remarkable this year, only committing one error and maintaining a FLD% of .987. Gatewood attributes the continued success to “getting on the field and working hard every day and just preparation for everything.” At this pace the 6’2 catcher from Duluth, Ga. will by far outperform his 2017 self and he’s still only a junior.

Baseball is, however, a team game and he can't do everything himself, something he recognizes but in an optimistic way.

“We got a good team.. We’re gonna win a lot of games, and we’re gonna be special,” said Gatewood looking ahead to the rest of the 2018 season. One thing Gatewood failed to mention was himself, it’s always about the team with him, as it should be from any leader on a baseball team.

QUICK STATS Current batting average of .366 Thrown out 70% of runners attempting to steal FLD% of .987 “Nick Gatewood means everything to the team - he’s our catcher” - Head Coach Greg Frady

PHOTO BY JULIAN PINEDA | THE SIGNAL Catcher, Nick Gatewood proves that he is a great asset to the team.

SPORTS

14

Hunter Gaddis pitches against Samford University on Friday, March 9.

GEORGIASTATESIGNAL.COM

PHOTO SUBMITTED BY GEORGIA STATE ATHLETICS

Hunter Gaddis cherishes Team USA moment Gaddis’s confidence is soaring after stellar first year D’MITRI CHIN

Associate Sports Editor

G

eorgia State's sophomore pitcher Hunter Gaddis earned the grand opportunity to play for the Team USA Collegiate National Team last year due to his impressive freshman campaign. The chance to play at that level was considered to be an honor for Gaddis. He is the first Georgia State Panther to play for Team USA. "It was a once in a lifetime experience," Gaddis said. “It's incredible to play with those people all around our country and to play for the country."

The numbers speak for Gaddis if one is pondering on the thought of how he received an invite to play for the national team.

As a freshman, Gaddis finished the season with a 4-4 record and a 3.72 ERA. He also led the team with 67 strikeouts, against 19 walks and 75 innings pitched.

Although he had a striking first year on the mound, Gaddis says that he is even more confident this year being that he had the experience of playing for Team USA. "It's really given me confidence, but more or less it's given my teammates confidence in me," Gaddis said. "They know that when I get out there I'm gonna compete for them and everybody out there. It's really just helped me a lot this year."

Gaddis also said that being a part of last year's Collegiate National Team provided a chance for him to further learn about the game of baseball and how to pitch at a high level. The Sun Belt Conference is competitive, but being able to compete with collegiate baseball players from institutes that are more advanced and skilled allows a player such as Gaddis to take advantage of studying the game and apply it to the way he approaches the sport.

"I really learned that there's multiple people that are really good at this sport, and I strive every day to be the best one and the best player that I can be," Gaddis said. "Work ethic is a big thing they preach out there, so I mean it's just keeping yourself honest and humble and going out there and doing what you can."

"I really learned that there's multiple people that are really good at this sport, and I strive every day to be the best one and the best player that I can be.”

— HUNTER GADDIS, Pitcher Everyone is aware of the "sophomore slump", a sports myth that freshmen athletes encounter after having a stellar first year. Well, Gaddis is off to a promising start to his sophomore season. He is in a three-way tie for first place in the Sun Belt win three wins.

When asked if he feels any pressure to continue to dominate as he did last season, Gaddis shook his head.

"There's no added pressure," he said. "I go out there every time like the other team is trying to make me look bad. So, I take that personal and I try my best to make it so that I don't look bad.

There's no added pressure at all. I just like to play the best I can for my team and my family and myself, too."

There is no one pitcher in the Sun Belt Conference that is overpowering hitters and

solidifying themselves as the best pitcher in the league thus far. Nonetheless, Gaddis knows what it will take to separate himself the pack. He prides himself on being discipline while on the mound, but being a consistent threat is often a challenge.

"Being able to repeat. I mean you struggle with pitches here and there, but just having the ability to repeat day in and day out is a key part of life. So, definitely being able to repeat my motion and delivery and everything."

Gaddis frequently spoke about playing for his teammates. Moreover, his personal goals are team-oriented. He says that he wants the Panthers to reach the championship round in the Sun Belt Conference tournament and ultimately win a championship. He went on to say that he's working diligently to earn Sun Belt Pitcher of the Year perhaps.

One person that would be delighted to hear Gaddis speak such words of optimism is legendary head coach Greg Frady.

Frady acknowledged Gaddis' ability to lead the team when he is on the mound and credited the young pitcher for an astounding freshman year.

"I think he's continuing to make progress," Frady said. He continued by saying as the season progressed, so did Gaddis' pitching abilities-- so much so that the team began to feel a sense of security when he was on the mound.

"As every day went by he settled a little bit more, his confidence grew and then he got to the point where we felt like he was our best pitcher."

Gaddis understands that he is the ace pitcher for this Panthers' ballclub, and he has to continue pitch at a high level to allow the Panthers to make significant strides from a disappointing 2017 season.

If all indications are well-defined, Gaddis is equipped to pitch the Panthers to a successful season.

HUNTER GADDIS AT A GLANCE

First Georgia State baseball player to play for Team USA Collegiate National Team Pitched for Team USA Collegiate National Team in series vs. the Coastal Plains League and Chinese Tapei First-team All-Region 7-AAAAA at Sequoyah High School 2016 Southeast Region honorable mention selection and 2015 Underclass All-American (honorable mention) by Perfect Game

SPORTS

TUESDAY, MARCH 20, 2018

15

The ace of the staff

panther of the week

Jennings is a big key to the team's success this season CHRISTIAN CRITTENDEN Staff Reporter

K

insley Jennings is the ace of the Georgia State softball team. The transfer from USC Upstate has been at Georgia State for two years now, and in her senior season, she is primed to breakout and help the Panthers reach new heights.

Jennings is a native of Sugar Hill, Georgia, where she played high school softball at North Gwinnett High School. During her time there, Jennings was named two-time all-state, all-region and all-county.

From there she went on to play at USC Upstate, where she saw action at a few games, but decided after the season that she needed a change.

“When I left Upstate I really had no idea where I was going to transfer. I took a leap of faith, but I knew that God had a plan for it all and that I was going to end up where I was supposed to,” Jennings said. “I had previous relations with (Roger) Kincaid and (Todd) Downes from being recruited years ago, and one of my former travel ball teammates (Reagan Morgan) played here, and the way they treated me through that process made it feel like the right decision. I’m so thankful I made the decision to come here and took a leap of faith to leave Upstate.”

Her decision to transfer has been a good one.

In her first season with the Panthers, Jennings recorded 18 wins, with a 3.34 ERA. Her advanced stats were even more impressive, only allowing right handed batters to hit .259 and with runners on base, she limited hitters to .276. Jennings was named the 2017 Sun Belt Newcomer of the Year and the Second Team All-Sun Belt.

Jennings admitted that she was unsure of what to expect when she transferred.

“The transition went better than I could have ever hoped or imagined,” Jennings said. “The summer before coming in I was worried and anxious about the culture of the team I was about to enter and how I was going to fit in, but it was the perfect fit. I couldn’t have asked for a smoother transition.”

Jennings threw three complete games, one shutout and added 91 strikeouts, which was good for 10th in the Sun Belt.

PHOTO BY GEORGIA STATE ATHLETICS

MEN’S BASKETBALL D’MARCUS SIMONDS

PHOTO SUBMITTED BY GEORGIA STATE ATHLETICS

As the team's top returning pitcher, Jennings doesn't feel any added pressure, but she knows that she has an important job to do.

“Not so much added pressure, but I feel like a job that I have this year more than last is to be a leader on the field and an example off the field,” Jennings said. “I feel like it’s my job to make everyone around me feel encouraged and know that I have their back.”

Jennings is definitely a leader on the field for

her teammates. So far this season, the senior has posted a 3.74 ERA, to go along with six wins and a complete game shutout.

She knows the team’s goals for this season is to win a Sun Belt Conference championship, and if this team is to do so, she will have a big part in it.

“I just want my team to win every game possible this year,” Jennings said. “Our goal is to win conference and however I can contribute to that, I will give it 110 percent.”

Enjoy NCAA bids while they’re here

Basketball success will be common, but appreciate it

W

e’re in a golden time Panther Nation.

But, unfortunately our guys couldn’t take home the cake. In the first round of the NCAA Tournament, we lost 68-53 to a Cincinnati team who was ranked in the top-25 the entire season. That score doesn’t show how close this matchup was.

Our more than capable Panthers led for over 15 minutes in the first half and twice in the second.

We simply ran out of gas. Head coach Ron Hunter and D’Marcus Simonds admitted it did as well.

But, why? Cincy has “specimens” in the words of Simonds.

When you look at that score, pause for a second. You were able to watch Georgia State on national television.

How many times a year do you get to do that?

I’m not saying shut up don’t care that we lost– I wish we would’ve won just like the 14 guys on that roster. But I am telling you not to take moments

like this for granted.

Including last Friday, we’ve made the NCAA Tournament just four time in our school’s history.

And the second appearance one was in 2015. If this were any of the other 100 years of Georgia State’s existence, you couldn’t say that.

Please appreciate this– it isn’t normal. We’ve become a top flight mid-major program under head coach Ron Hunter. Since he came to Atlanta in 2011, Hunter has coached five 20-win seasons.

This is high-level performance matched with consistency-- in other words, greatness.

In Atlanta, we tend to be oblivious to what a great run looks like. People said the Atlanta Hawks sucked when they made 10 straight playoffs appearances, which ends in 2018. They’re saying the exact same thing today, but while they’re in contention for the NBA’s worst record.

“Fans” call the Falcons trash behind quarterback Matt Ryan while he did nothing but lead the franchise to back-to-back winning seasons for the first time ever. In the ten years he’s been here, the Falcons have seven winning-seasons, two No. 1 seeds in the NFC playoffs and one Super Bowl

appearance. Shame on the Falcons!

Do us a favor, and don’t make the same mistake here. Show up to the games next winter. Four starters return, and if Jordan Tyson replaces Jordan Session, all five starters will be upperclassmen.

Experience is something that can’t be taught.

Another special season is in the works.

There’s also a much better chance that the Panthers get the Sun Belt’s automatic bid into the 2019 NCAA Tournament. Texas-Arlington losses two NBA Draft prospects in Kevin Hervey and Erick Neal. Regular season champion Louisiana loses three of their top four scorers. And our rival in south Georgia just isn’t better than us in any sport.

More importantly, Simonds improves. He clearly isn’t the best version of himself yet and that’s enough to make me want to fast forward past football season (but go to those games too).

It’s harder than ever for mid-major programs to have success and we’re excelling. We will be back in the tournament next year– with a higher seed. Simonds isn’t lying when he says it. Trust the process Panther Nation, and enjoy it even more.

2018 Sun Belt Player of the Year, D’Marcus Simonds made himself more popular man in the NCAA Tournament. The sophomore phenome scored No. 15 seed Georgia State’s first 16 points against 2-seeded Cincinnati. He was singlehandedly outscoring the Bearcats, 16-9 on national television. Simonds couldn’t be contained on his drives and even drilled three threepointers in the first seven minutes. The final statline for Simonds was 24 points on 10-20 shooting, 3-8 on threepointers, four rebounds, one steal and one viscous block.

SPORTS BRIEFS Men’s Basketball — 15-seeded Georgia State led for more than 15 minutes in the first round of the NCAA Tournament against No. 2 Cincinnati. D’Marcus Simonds scored the first 16 points for the Panthers, but they fell 6853.

Women’s Basketball — After winning the first quarter 15-14, they went on to lose 74-55 to coastal Carolina in the Sun Belt tournament.

Kierra Henry scored 18 points. All players return as their were no seniors on the 2017-2018 team.

Baseball — Went 4-6 since March 7.

Swept Samford 3-0 on the road and swept 2-0 by Ole Miss later in the week. In three games against TexasArlington, Justin Jones amassed seven hits, six runs, four RBIs and one home run.