The Signal Vol. 87 No. 2

SHADY SHELL

GEORGIA DREAMERS

MIKE HOLMES

HOROSCOPE

PAGE 12

A look at the old campus landmark and what to expect from the new RaceTrac.

DACA recipients at GSU share what it takes for them to graduate.

Guest sits down for pizza and chats about Georgia State school history.

RECIPE

PAGE 12

PLANNER

PAGE 19

NEWS

PAGE 6

ARTS & LIVING

PAGE 10

SPORTS PAGE 16

VOL. 87 | NO. 2

SEPT. 3 - SEPT. 10, 2019

Behind an inspirational team performance, the Panthers claimed their program’s first win over a Power Five conference opponent in front of a stunned Neyland Stadium.

PHOTO BY MATT SICILIANO-SALAZAR

@gsusignal

georgiastatesignal.com

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 2019

www.georgiastatesignal.com/news

ATLANTA EVP HAMZA RAHMAN

ALPHARETTA EVP CHASE RITTERBUSCH

CLARKSTON EVP YASMIN HENRY

DECATUR EVP HADEJA MANAIS

DUNWOODY EVP MOHAMMED ALO

NEWTON EVP CASSIE TURNER

Health, politics and homlessness EVPs share their goals from Downtown to Perimeter DANIELLA JOHNSON Staff Reporter

A

ll Student Government Association campus senates have begun the 90th administration with their own social and academic initiatives, but with the shared goal of a healthier student body.

Despite the senators’ ambitions, the organization faced a rather disorganized start.

The Atlanta Senate meeting was pushed back three hours. Although their hopes were to start at 2:30 p.m., the meeting did not start until 5:37 p.m. and was adjourned at 6:18 p.m.

A few senators seemingly found it hard to pay attention as they continuously checked their phones or carried on casual conversations during the meeting.

On Aug. 10, each campus senate held their first official meeting of the 90th administration and convened for the second university-wide meeting, the first being immediately after inauguration, where they shared updates and voted on topics that applied across Georgia State.

ATLANTA

Executive Vice President Hamza Rahman has several initiatives for the Atlanta campus this fall. A legislative committee is currently in the works, which he said is a strategic effort to close the gap between Downtown and Perimeter campuses and finally become unified as a university.

The foundational idea behind this committee is that Georgia State, as a university, can work with local government to help alleviate the problems students face.

Though there is currently nothing to lobby, Rahman believes there should be a line of communication between senators and local government if necessary.

Rahman also wants to work on the food provided on campus. Many students have dietary restrictions that do not align with the meal plan they have to purchase. In addition, Rahman wants to coordinate efforts with athletics to further include Perimeter campuses in events such as Homecoming.

During the Atlanta campus meeting, Speaker of the Senate Kaelen Thomas began by presenting the bill to seat the new Student Services Committee chair. Sen. Danny Mai nominated Sen. Jonathan Tschizubu, who said he wants to focus on the well-being of

students. After 15 votes, Tschizubu was seated as the chair, with his role officially going into effect Sept. 8.

Nigel Walton, the Academic Affairs chair, said Latino Student Services and Outreach, Black Student Achievement and Academic Advisement will be doing some events in conjunction with SGA. In addition to this, Student Engagement Chair Audrey Abraham has already begun planning fall semester events, including Homecoming and the first football game.

ALPHARETTA

Executive Vice President Chase Ritterbusch is prioritizing an increase in the amount of clubs, starting with a new photography and video club since senators are about to finalize their establishment.

Ritterbusch also wants to expand the variety of classes on the Alpharetta campus as a way to attract and hopefully keep new students.

CLARKSTON

Clarkston EVP Yasmin Henry is working toward her “flower initiative,” a goal of getting feminine hygiene products onto all campuses, which was continued from the previous year.

Henry hopes this will eventually become university-wide.

Henry is also looking to promote positive mental health and well-being by creating a “relaxation station” for students which would be a safe space where students can go on campus to ease their mind from the stresses of school and life. Lastly, Henry wants to bring more vegan and halal options to Clarkston to give a better variety of food for students.

DECATUR

According to EVP Hadeja Manais, Decatur has a high population of homeless students as well as students with food insecurities. To help combat this, Manais wants to open a farmers market so students will have somewhere to shop for fresh groceries, she wants the Decatur campus market to be open to students from every campus. Manais also wants to work towards monthly community service as an effort to keep their campus community clean.

DUNWOODY

EVP Mohammad Alo of the Dunwoody campus wants to help students build a healthy lifestyle beginning with the cafeteria. Alo

said there will be a tabling event to present a variety of food options to students so they can decide what food they want on campus. There is going to be a destress event in the fall where students can relax in the library during finals.

ADA WOOD & CRAIG SCHULTZ II News Editor & Staff Reporter

NEWTON The main initiative on the Newton campus is disability services. According to EVP Cassie Turner, disability services currently is not on the first floor, making it difficult for it to service the students it was designed to help, which she hopes to change. Turner is also working toward getting the elevator in the disability services building in fixed, as she said it is constantly going out. Getting Pounce on Newton campus for more promotion is a secondary goal.

UNIVERSITY-WIDE UPDATES SGA President Jazmin Mejia presented the previous special order to seat members on the Perimeter college committees. Because of the confusion behind the bills specifics, Rahman moved to table the bill until the Perimeter campuses get in contact with the author of the bill.

Mejia also presented 90-USO-FC-04, the bill that would form the second ad hoc GILEE committee. Walton said he believes this committee is very important to not only Georgia State as a whole, but the community of Muslim and Jewish students in particular.

Walton wanted an amendment that seated and chaired people for it. Although Sen. David Ubiringia believed the bill’s greater purpose was to discuss GILEE and not to choose sides, Walton insisted the question of whether or not Georgia State should support the GILEE program was a pressing matter and requested an amendment to seat people for it. Sen. Spencer DeHart self-nominated to chair the ad hoc committee and after 17 votes, the bill was passed, establishing the committee and DeHart as its chair.

Bill 90-UWB-01, which would update the point system that is used to hold senators accountable, was tabled due to the legislation not being ready for a vote.

Committee Seats Filled The Bylaws Committee oversees bills proposed to change SGA’s constitution and bylaws. These bills have to be voted for by the student body.

Sen. Danny Mai was nominated to chair the committee and approved through a vote. Sen. Ameer Banks will serve as the faculty adviser for the committee.

Bylaws Committee • Danny Mai • Ashrakat Hassan • Audrey Abraham • Cassie Turner • Chris Garcia • Mohammed Alo The Safety Committee tackles issues of student safety on each campus. Some examples include the implementation of cameras on the Clarkston campus or the goal to ban the Atlanta campus “smircle,” a popular spot for students to smoke on campus.

The committee will be chaired

by Sen. Spencer DeHart and also advised by Banks.

Safety Committee • Spencer DeHart • Cedric Jackson • Michelle Martinez • Cassie Turner • Yasmin Henry

ILLUSTRATIONS BY DEMETRI BURKE

NEWS

4

GEORGIASTATESIGNAL.COM

Signal magazine removed from Orientation

Senior administrators displeased with content ADA WOOD News Editor

S

ince 2012, Georgia State has followed a tradition of sharing The Signal’s journalism with new students. This year, Signal staff spent months preparing and creating the annual edition of The Urbanite before it was printed in early May. And then that tradition was broken.

The magazine is typically placed in the bags given to every new freshman attending Orientation throughout the summer, and it’s the only piece of student-produced content included in Orientation.

This year, the sixth edition of The Urbanite was bigger than ever: 52 pages, 10,000 copies and a production cost of nearly $8,000. Last year’s edition was only 32 pages and 8,000 copies, with a cost of just over $3,000.

But The Urbanite wasn’t distributed at this year’s Orientation after a decision made by a newly appointed university administrator, and concerns about the magazine’s content may have played a role.

OPEN RECORDS REQUEST

Signal Editor-in-Chief Daniel Varitek and Director of Student Media Bryce McNeil were notified on June 3 of that decision. Heather Housley, director of international student and scholar services, sent an email disclosing that Orientation organizers had been reviewing their practices and processes this year.

“This review includes consideration of all the information we provide during orientation, including how to avoid using paper as much as possible,” Housley said. “We have thus decided to not include the Urbanite in the bags provided to new freshman [sic] this summer, but welcome you to retrieve them and distribute them publicly on campus instead.”

At the time Housley sent her email, the magazine’s 10,000 copies had already been printed three weeks prior and delivered to the Orientation office.

Through an open records request, The Signal discovered that the first communications begin in early March.

Housley commends The Signal for last year’s magazine as an “outstanding job” with “excellent content,” noting that she was “impressed with how useful it would be for incoming students.”

She also wrote to Varitek, requesting to receive the magazine as early as May 8, if possible.

“I have been in communication with the Signal about the publication to ensure that it will remain in the student bags this Summer,” Adriann Stinson, an Orientation coordinator, also wrote in the initial email chain.

A DECISION MADE

After receiving a copy of the magazine, Allison CalhounBrown, newly appointed vice president for student engagement and programs, shows a turn in her opinion of The Urbanite. In an email to Boyd Beckwith, the Student Center director, on May 23, Calhoun-Brown included a scanned image of the article on page 33, titled “Students with alternative jobs.”

The article, which served as a dichotomy to another, (“Oncampus jobs for everyone” on page 36) featured a stripper, a sugar baby and a marijuana dealer.

“I am reading the Signal’s Urbanite and have some questions about how this publication [sic]. Please see the attached page as an example of my concern,” Calhoun-Brown’s email stated.

“Black marketing selling is not an alternative job, it is a crime.”

That same day, Calhoun-Brown sent an email with her decision that they would “not use the Urbanite publication for new student orientation this year.”

When Varitek received the notice on June 3, the cause for removing the publication didn’t mention Calhoun-Brown’s concern about the article on page 33 at all.

In fact, it was described as a result of needing to decrease paper usage. In the emails obtained through the open records request, a discussion of paper usage as it pertains to The Urbanite was never mentioned prior to the decision.

The Signal’s staff ran a table on June 17, as permitted by Orientation organizers, to get the magazine in the hands of new students.

During the event, newspaper staff walked through Student Center East before they were stopped by Orientation leader and student Sadia Mohamed, who said The Urbanite was not allowed

PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY UNIQUE RODRIGUEZ | THE SIGNAL

to be passed out because of its content. This was not prohibited during following orientation dates.

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF AND UNIVERSITY COMMENT

“It’s very clear to me that Georgia State has chosen to protect their image over respecting truthful, independent journalism,” Varitek told The Signal in an interview. “That is deeply concerning to me.”

He believes Georgia State’s leadership was being dishonest in their reasoning for removing The Urbanite from Orientation.

“Yes, some of our students strip to pay their tuition. Yes, some of them sell drugs, too. As our school’s independent newspaper, it’s not our place to say if we agree with that or not,” Varitek said.

“Unfortunately, the truth of our student body has been caught in the crosshairs of Georgia State’s desired brand image.”

Varitek sees The Signal’s responsibility as voicing the student experience at Georgia State.

“Silencing — or purposely hiding — that voice in any fashion should be a warning to our student body,” Varitek said.

Andrea Jones, associate vice president for public relations and marketing communications, denied claims of censorship.

“There was never an attempt to censor students or the publication. The Urbanite is still widely available to students,” Jones said.

ORIENTATION LEADERS SPEAK UP ON CENSORSHIP

Three students, who all work as Orientation leaders, shared their views from the inside of the situation. The first leader requested their name be withheld for fear of retribution by administrators.

This student said they were told to stay far away from The

Signal and The Urbanite, specifically not to talk to newspaper staff, reference The Urbanite or mention it on their tours.

“In general, they want us to stay away from you guys,” the student said.

They weren’t told an official reason behind the removal, but there was a general consensus among Orientation staff that it had to do with the magazine’s content, this student said. Several hundred issues had already been placed in bags before they received the notice to remove them.

They said that some student leaders understand the university’s decision and think the article was inappropriate, while others see it as truthful and unproblematic.

“They are really strict on what we are allowed to say,” the leader said. “They censor a lot of information.”

This student said the censorship went beyond The Urbanite, including not telling new students about the realities of being on campus at Georgia State. For example, Orientation leaders are allegedly prohibited from advising students to avoid walking alone at night or discussing the city’s homeless population.

Terry Fye, another Orientation leader and a Student Government Association representative, said he agreed with the university’s decision to pull The Urbanite because he said it was controversial to expose the contents of page 33 to new students.

Fye said he doesn’t believe Orientation mandates leaders to censor information on their tours but rather to put a “positive spin” on the details they share.

A third Orientation leader, who also requested their name be withheld, weighed in that they thought the university’s actions weren’t the best, because the information in the magazine is useful and truthful, even the more “explicit content,” they said.

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 2019

NEWS

5

The carnage of Kell Hall

Students return to a bustling campus for the first week of fall

LOCAL

ROSS MCWATERS

Georgia Senator Johnny Isakson resigning

Staff Reporter

T

he campus is doomed, or at least it appears that way as of Aug. 26, the first day of the fall semester. Nothing like Kell Hall’s heaping mass of twisted rebar and concrete covering the Library Plaza to abate the overwhelming terror of starting week. We’ve lost the smoking circle, dear friends, and the incoming freshmen will never know the wonders of indie music and chain smoking angst once located where the wreckage now lay.

The sounds of destruction echoes from the most central location on campus. Students are herded through the campus by metal fencing, avoiding the physical debris but still inhaling the wafting dust of the once asbestos-ridden Kell Hall.

Georgia State has made an ironic swap by destroying the confusing, complex hallways and ramps within Kell Hall. Students are now forced to navigate through the fencing, and consequently, the rest of the student body subjected to the tight boundaries. It might not seem bad on paper, but shove a student body of 34,000 in there and things get tight.

A slight silver-lining exists, though. Students have begun to treat what remains of the plaza as an unlikely theater to watch the carnage of Kell Hall.

Student Tabitha Gynes spectated the destruction Thursday morning.

“I knew this was happening; I didn’t expect them to just block everything off, though. Cause it’s kind of in the way, and they let in a lot of new people, so it’s overcrowded,” Gynes said.

For now and the foreseeable future, foot travel around campus will emulate the infamous Atlanta highway traffic. Once the demolition is complete and greenspace construction begins, pedestrian space may only get tighter due to construction on Library North.

“I live off campus, so when I drive, because of the traffic, I have to get here a little earlier. I was late for class a couple times … the campus is packed,” said Joseph Virgo, a student at Georgia State.

However, the plaza may only become more constricted. “[Pedestrian space] may be even less than what we have now,” said Ramesh Vakamudi, vice president for facilities management services. “For the safety of

On Wednesday, U.S. Sen. Johnny Isakson announced he would be resigning from his position at the end of 2019. Isakson has served as a senator from Georgia since 2005 and made his decision to resign because of his 2015 diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease. Now, Gov. Brian Kemp will appoint someone to serve in the position until the 2020 election. Since Isakson’s seat wasn’t up for election until 2022, the victor of the 2020 election will hold it until the remainder of his term. As Democrats compete across the state for influence, this new position has expanded their opportunities.

NATIONAL

Tracking Hurricane Dorian PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY UNIQUE RODRIGUEZ | THE SIGNAL

the students, we may have to shut down some of the walking areas there.”

Kimberly Bauer, senior director of design and construction at Georgia State, projects that March will mark the completion of the demolition. By then, portions of the promised greenspace will hopefully be completed, but it probably will not be open due to another round of construction slated to begin.

Once the demolition and greenspace are complete, the university will set out to create a new facade for Library North. Walking spaces will not be relinquished while Library North construction ensues.

Until the new contractor arrives and the work begins, the extent of the obstruction will remain unsure.

“Until we have that contractor on board, which is not the same contractor working on the current

project, we will not know the extent of the limits by the construction for that project,” said Vakamudi.

“I thought they would have the building out of the way by now,” Gynes said.

Some collective skepticism is due here as Georgia State’s construction efforts and plans for Kell Hall have seen numerous delays. The issue only now is, Georgia State’s already committed. The rubble has fallen and students are left with less square footage to be the second largest student body in the state of Georgia.

In the coming years, future classes may extol Georgia State’s architectural efforts. However, the current incoming freshmen are met with demolition chaos and returning students are sans the plaza they left in the spring.

Meet the new Spotlight executive board

The students behind some of the semester’s biggest events JAQUILLIA JONES Staff Reporter

T

he Spotlight Programs Board’s 2018-19 year has come to an end, and the torches have been passed on to new leadership following their elections.

William Holley, the former Spotlight executive director, was involved in Spotlight for two years before passing the torch to Joliyana Riddick as the new executive director. Holley has also transitioned over to a leadership position at The Signal as the digital editor. Cyndi Adams, the former associate director, was succeeded by Cedricka Davis.

“The plans are to stay connected to the Georgia State student body and to put a new spin on old programs,” Riddick said.

For the upcoming year, Spotlight plans to collaborate with Atlanta United and increase the number of Plaza events. Riddick said there will be a bigger push on social media under the new leadership.

A major emphasis over the previous year for

NEWS BRIEFS

Holley was to bring inclusiveness to Perimeter campuses.

“Our Perimeter campuses each have activities boards that together are known as PAC (Panthers Activity Council),” Holley said. “We work in conjunction with them on some of our large university-wide events like Homecoming and Spring Fling Week.”

The Atlanta campus hosts some of the larger events, but students from all campuses are welcome to attend any activities regardless of location, as they are funded by student fees.

Students on the Atlanta campus pay $53.50 and students on Perimeter campuses pay $45 a semester, each toward the student activity fee. Holley said a portion of this fee is what funds Spotlight’s budget.

“Given the number of students and the quantity of events, both small and large, that Spotlight organizes each year, it is safe to say Spotlight’s budget will remain within the six figure range at least,” Holley said.

Riddick joined Spotlight on the membership committee as the retention engagement lead, which focused on keeping volunteers and incentivizing them for their volunteer work. She also came up with

and implemented their hours of participation.

Riddick has already been involved in Spotlight for two years and is thinking of changing her major to hospitality and event planning from actuarial science because of it.

She is also prioritizing the internal growth of Spotlight, hoping to provide a better experience to Spotlight members and student leaders.

As far as the last year, the most successful events in terms of participation from students were the Panther Prowls, according to Adams.

She said that Panther Prowls are Spotlight’s themed festival events, which include the yearly Pantherpalooza concert, what she calls arguably their largest event, which hosted artists such as Future, Lil Wayne and 6lack.

“Students typically want any artist that is hot at the time. There’s really too many to name but we can’t please everyone so we try our best,” Adams said.

“Pantherpalooza, homecoming events, GSU Night at Six Flags and Campus Movie Fest are annual events that tend to be very popular,” Adams said.

As much as things stay the same much to come will change, with new ideas in the works that are currently being planned and finalized.

The news cycle this past week has been heavily populated with coverage of incoming Hurricane Dorian.

The National Hurricane Center has given warning about this “extremely dangerous” hurricane, with winds of 145 mph. Earlier this week, Florida was expected to see a direct hit by the storm but now the storm’s path is directed toward upper coastal Georgia and the Carolinas.

The storm is currently a Category 4.

GLOBAL

Hong Kong protests enter 13th week

Hong Kong is a special administrative region of China that has its own currency, political system and cultural identity. The protest began as a direct response to a proposed extradition bill that would make it easier for the Chinese government to have Hong Kongers extradited to the mainland for crimes they commit overseas.

However, Hong Kong provides rights to its residents that Chinese mainlanders don’t have, including free speech, free press and the right to protest, and many Hong Kongers believe the Chinese government has been encroaching on these rights, extending the protest into this broader debate. The protests have gradually intensified over the past few weeks, police employing tear gas and protesters shutting down the city’s international airport for two days.

NEWS

6

GEORGIASTATESIGNAL.COM

The legacy of Georgia State’s ‘Shady Shell’ RaceTrac to open soon as the only gas station on campus BEN COLETTA

Associate News Editor

As the campus’ beloved “Shady Shell” met its demise during the 2017-18 school year, a successor as the only gas station on campus has risen above its grave: RaceTrac.

At the corner of Piedmont Avenue and John Wesley Dobbs Avenue, the new gas station can be found attached to The Mix, the newest student apartments on campus.

The Mix purchased and demolished both properties — the gas station and a dialysis clinic. Construction began on the new housing facility in early 2018 and finished up this summer allowing students to move in for the fall semester.

In place of the “Shady Shell,” the RaceTrac stands bright and shiny, being so recently constructed, but it isn’t open yet.

The new location is the first of its kind for RaceTrac. It’s the first gas station with pumps attached to a housing complex like The Mix — making it RaceTrac’s first non-traditional brick and mortar store, according to Tomorrow’s News Today Atlanta.

But for those who don’t remember the Shady Shell’s legacy, many students have fond memories of crazy nights at the old Georgia State landmark: nights filled with homeless encounters, low-riders and wild parking lot parties and experiences. On any given day or night, anything could happen in the parking lot shared by the station and adjacent clinic.

On the Georgia State subreddit, students shared their fondest stories of the late Shady Shell.

Crush1010 told the story of “almost getting jumped there.”

“Some guy gave me a dollar, and apparently it was bait because his friend comes up to us and starts talking s--- like he wants to fight,” the user said. “I left but they followed us for a minute.”

Other students also shared stories about the danger of the old gas station.

“Someone almost tried to fight me because the cashier was taking too long to ring me up,” Kayvevo said. “I still miss that place.”

The Georgia State University Police Department confirmed that there were frequent incidents at the Shell.

Chief of Police Joseph Spillane said that issues included crowds, loitering, shoplifting and altercations in the parking lot.

“We used to have a patrol car there pretty much all the time just to make sure we kept an eye on it,” Spillane said.

In The Signal’s Reddit and Twitter posts about the station, most comments were positive, reminiscing about the days of the old Shady Shell.

While many Georgia State students may become acclimated to the presence of homeless people on campus, the Shell had a reputation among students for being one of the hottest panhandling spots on campus.

“There was always some homeless dude asking me for money there talking about how he’s ‘been shot eight or nine times in his life,’” user SansSancity said on the university subreddit.

When it comes to the new RaceTrac, GSUPD is expecting an increase in foot traffic but isn’t concerned about an increase in panhandling in the area.

“The station is within the area where it is against the law to aggressively panhandle and we’ll handle that if we have an issue with it,” Spillane said. “We have not seen [aggressive panhandling] and we’ve been watching that corridor ... I don’t anticipate it’s going to be a huge problem it’s just going to be busy.”

Spillane said this hasn’t been an issue because the station isn’t open yet, but when it does, they’ll be monitoring it.

According to Megan Shannon, a representative for RaceTrac, the 120 Piedmont Ave. location is scheduled to open in the fourth quarter of 2019, between October and December this year. Shannon also noted that the store will feature a “clean, well-lit parking lot and competitively priced fuel,” with eight pumps and a “Swirl World frozen desserts station.”

But will the new RaceTrac take on the Shady Shell’s legacy?

Or will it forge a new path of its own?

Fusepatters on Reddit speculates that if they hire students, “it’ll be close to the same.”

Shannon made it clear that safety was of the utmost importance to RaceTrac especially at the new location.

“The safety of our RaceTrac guests, team members and local community is of the utmost concern,” Shannon said. “We will have a variety of security protocols in place to protect our team members and guests as this location.”

GSUPD mirrored that sentiment. Spillane said he doesn’t

The Shell, once an infamous landmark on Georgia State’s campus, has now been replaced by a RaceTrac.

expect a rise in crime, but he does expect an increase in activity between The Mix, The Commons and Piedmont Central housing which will require additional GSUPD patrols in the area.

“There was a store there before that had incidents. So, this place will have similar incidents that the Shell gas station had,” Spillane said. “We do anticipate an increase in activity because The Mix that just opened has over 600 beds.”

Additionally, the Georgia State purple route now picks up directly outside of the new RaceTrac, which is likely to increase the number of students frequenting the location and the need for security. Spillane said GSUPD’s pedestrian safety unit, the traffic unit, will be at work in the area as well.

“Anytime we move stops or increase stops, it does change our perception of how many cops we have to have in the area,” Spillane said.

PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY MATT SICILIANO-SALAZAR | THE SIGNAL

STUDENTS TWEET TO @GSUSIGNAL ABOUT SHADY SHELL: rip shady shell, gone but not forgotten this look like gta san andreas Da Shell was a GSU landmark and taking it away was one of the first actions of the “cultural shift” that’s happened I’ve died and come back to life more times than I want to admit at this establishment.

The chicken out this b--- was better than popeyes

TUESDAY, 2019 TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER JANUARY 15,3,2019

www.georgiastatesignal.com/opinions

ILLUSTRATION BY SHANCHEZE JOHNSON | THE SIGNAL

Why you should start your own business now Social security is dwindling. Secure the bag!

ITUNU TALABI Staff Columnist

A

s a society, we have come a long way with the aid of technology. Developments over time have given us opportunities that past generations have scoffed at.

Today, we are in a unique position to be entrepreneurs and those who are observant have not only taken note but taken advantage.

Starting your own business used to be looked at as almost unimaginable, a slight possibility at best. The main objective was to land a dependable 9-5 job that paid the bills and that was that. However, this normality is no longer enough in this point in time. Much like a bachelor’s degree is becoming obsolete, more than one stream of income is needed in this economy.

Many people will argue that social media is problematic, and while this objection may be valid, there are also tremendous upsides. Social and mass media concurrently have become a driving force of culture, allowing virtually anyone to form their own platform and be their own marketing team. Many everyday people have created a luxurious lifestyle strictly by social media alone.

Eric Okolo, a biology student at Georgia State, jumpstarted his clothing brand Rose from Africa on Instagram.

A testament to the fruitfulness of young entrepreneurship, a hobby of graphic design turned into something symbolic.

Wanting to create something more meaningful, Okolo settled on a design that represented himself.

Reflecting on his own identity, Rose from Africa became a message: rising from adversity, being unapologetically African and spreading positivity. With persistence, Okolo’s brand grew quickly around campus and metro Atlanta.

Although not the conventional route, there are many

benefits to starting entrepreneurship endeavours early, throughout your college years. The biggest advantage would be time. Time is a construct that not even the wealthiest and most powerful people on this planet can control or get back.

Youth gives you room to start, develop ideas and fail without any serious implications on your life. A young person who has little to no real obligations is in a much better position to fail than someone older who may have to provide for others in addition to themselves. Okolo testifies to this because this as one of the main factors that pushed him to take the leap.

“Being young is an advantage because you have time to fail and learn from your mistakes,” he said. It’s better to fail when you’re 20 than when you’re 35.”

Okolo reflects on the lessons he’s learned from not only his business, but life itself, “Many people’s opinions will try to deter you from your goals, but you have to push through.”

If the perk of time is not reason enough, the idea that Social Security is slowly fading into a dark abyss should be. Multiple streams of income is no longer just a “smart” choice, but becoming a necessity for survival.

According to Investopedia, by 2035, it is estimated that funds in Social Security will be maxed out because there will be more people taking out social security than putting in, which means that “without any changes to the system, if you’re in your forties or fifties today, you could conceivably not receive Social Security benefits during retirement, even though you’re paying into the system now.”

You can imagine what this means for today’s young adults if middle-aged people are already being affected.

Georgia State students have even more of an upper hand for a few reasons, the first being the location of our campus.

Nestled in the heart of Atlanta is the main campus, essentially a hub filled with a myriad of opportunities. The large number of students provide quick and easy access for peer feedback and potential collaborations. Professors and other experts or professionals with varying backgrounds can give uniquely

valuable insight all within arms reach as well.

Students may be apprehensive about the difficulties of being a young entrepreneur financially in conjunction with school work. Okolo initially did not fund his business out of his own pocket. With the twenty scholarships he applied to, he received two and used the remains to fund his samples.

“Don’t take loans, instead play the system and have them pay you to go to school,” he said. “Don’t worry about your GPA, just do it. Scholarships are what gave me this opportunity.”

Your college years are one of the very few opportunities you will get in life where money can be handed out to you for free, so why not do all you can to turn this in your favor?

When it comes to balancing all other facets of ones’ life — relationships, family, academics and social life — the best thing you can do is stay organized. Although Okolo testified that managing it all was a huge struggle, with time management as a lifestyle he was able to make it work. Before each semester, Okolo made it a point to always compare and contrast what is important versus what is urgent as well as planning well in advance.

Along with being a young entrepreneur comes a society where you will hear more “no” than “yes”. However, it only takes one “yes” to start on your path to doing something extraordinary. At the end of the day, people will make time for the things that they deem to be important. Persisting right now while you are young could mean you don’t need a formal job for the rest of your life. This will allow you to have more time for the things you love.

Your youth should be a time to experiment, learn, grow and fail so that you can set yourself up to be successful and enjoy life while you are still young. Entrepreneurship does not have to be an impossible goal as it is attainable for all people, especially college students.

Okolo put it best: “You should be more concerned with how, not if.”

OPINIONS

8

GEORGIASTATESIGNAL.COM

Traffic on campus sucks, and it’s your fault Gridlock on campus contributes to Atlanta congestion KENNETH LOCKETT III Staff Columnist

W

elcome back, Georgia State students.

Prepare for clogged roads and clogged sidewalks. Atlanta ranks 71st in the most congested cities in the world and 11th in the U.S., according to the traffic data analysis company INRIX. Even though Atlanta as a whole is notorious for traffic congestion, downtown Atlanta takes the cake.

Between the hour-plus long delays on Interstate 75/85, known locally as the Downtown Connector, or the traffic-prone Piedmont Avenue that runs alongside it, downtown Atlanta is almost always completely full of not only cars but people as well. And Georgia State is not helping the situation at all.

Take Piedmont Avenue as an example: Whether it’s people continually taking up a lane of travel in order to park or yet another crash, the roadway is almost always clogged during the week. And if you look closely, you’d notice the clear source of the problem: the single-occupant vehicular pandemic, which is partially due to Atlanta’s terrible public transit system and partially due to America’s obsession with cars.

But also along Piedmont Avenue is a large number of pedestrians, most, if not all, of whom are students.

With almost all Georgia State-related housing being located along or near Piedmont Avenue, the sidewalks are almost always filled with students, especially during the mid-morning and afternoon rush times.

Crosswalks filled with students visiting friends’ dorms, going for a quick post-class nap, or heading for the nearest dining location means Piedmont is constantly bustling with traffic.

As Kell Hall comes down, Peachtree Center Avenue is completely or mostly closed all semester and so is

Library Plaza. With that comes a new flow of student traffic. The already packed Decatur Street Southeast is now even more packed if you can imagine. In order to enter Langdale, you either have to walk up Decatur Street and enter from Peachtree Center Avenue along that sidewalk or through Langdale Plaza through the stairway on Decatur Street.

Library North is an even more difficult story.

The easiest way is through the Library South Entrance along Decatur Street and crossing the Link. The fastest way to these areas is through Unity Plaza and under Courtland which, mind you, is on the other side of the bridge from where you want to be.

Luckily, Georgia State has placed giant red signs to direct student traffic.

While it seems that Georgia State can’t help with the transportation issue, maybe the Georgia Department of Transportation can. As the Georgia Regional Transportation Authority becomes more involved with the transportation needs of Metro Atlanta, it’s possible that the culture could change. For example, Cobb Linc, Gwinnett Bus System, Xpress (Southside) and MARTA all joined forces under the Transportation Improvement Program.

According to the program’s website, plans include a bus system from Panther Stadium to the Art Center MARTA station in midtown Atlanta, as well as a streetcar line from the Peachtree Center MARTA station to the North Avenue MARTA station near Georgia Tech. While it’s clear that GRTA has plans in motion,

how these plans will affect Georgia State has yet to be seen. While Atlanta has a long way to go in solving its traffic problems, Georgia State definitely is not leading that charge.

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ILLUSTRATION BY AMBER KIRLEW | THE SIGNAL

THE SIGNAL BUREAUS BUREAU CHIEF (CLARKSTON) Vacant BUREAU CHIEF (ALPHARETTA) Vacant BUREAU CHIEF (NEWTON) Vacant BUREAU CHIEF (DUNWOODY) Vacant BUREAU CHIEF (DECATUR) Vacant ADVERTISING STUDENT MEDIA ADVISeR Bryce McNeil bmcneil1@gsu.edu

letter to the editor Is this what innovation looks like?

An open letter about my experience at Georgia State Dear editor, Since I’ve arrived at Georgia State, one consistent thing has echoed through its halls: “Georgia State is ranked No. 2 for innovation amongst colleges and universities.”

As someone who attends this university, I am confused. Is this university really what innovation looks like?

It is hard to believe from my experience.

There are definitely some departments that have innovative aspects. From a glance, it appears that the Creative Media Industries Institute is pretty innovative. Their big, holograph-like screen, robots and studios seem like the essence of innovation.

I even heard that the J. Mack Robinson College of Business has a think tank for its students, which seems like an amazing opportunity.

Having a Chick-fil-A, Panda Express and Steak ‘n Shake all located on our campus may not be considered innovative, but I’m willing to assert that they are moving the university in a positive direction.

But just as there are many positive and innovative things which embody our campus, there are just as many things that are regressive and that negatively impact the student experience.

There are three things that truly make me question the innovation of this university.

Firstly, we still use bluebooks. How is this

meeting our standards of innovation and our environmental goals? According ThoughtCo, the history of the Blue Book may date back to the mid-1800s. Are you telling me no one has figured out a better way to administer exams since then?

I am curious.

Secondly, the safety escort service is shaky at best. At 10:45 p.m., my request to use the program was denied and I was advised to take the shuttle to the Green Lot. Additionally, none of the police call boxes work. As often as we get emails about safety on campus, this seems irresponsible and far from innovative.

Lastly, as a graduate student who has an assistantship, the pay is less than ideal, and I sincerely question if our pay is comparable to our peer institutions. What does this pay discrepancy mean? Do I perform less quality work? Given President Mark Becker is one of the highest paid university presidents in the state, I am wondering how his salary compares to his peers at other institutions. Is this really what a groundbreaking institution looks like?

When I reflect on my time here at Georgia State, I’ve had amazing opportunities. I’m surrounded by staff and faculty that truly support me in reaching my goals. I’m growing and learning, and I honestly cannot speak enough about how outstanding the library system has been to me.

But all my favorite and most meaningful parts about Georgia State aren’t innovative.

They’re valuable, but they aren’t making U.S. News and World report second most innovative lists, are they? Most things that I experience outside of the people here are Georgia State make me question the effectiveness of the university.

Why is it so difficult to make an appointment with Counseling and Testing Services? Why can’t my health insurance be taken out of my monthly stipend and must be paid in full at the beginning of the semester? Why is there not a central place to search for graduate assistantships? (Handshake is only available after you start classes for fall, and the on-campus job fair that advertises for assistantships is in September, after semester fees are due.)

These concerns may seem small in nature, but they impact my student experience significantly.

I’m sure many students can add to this list as well, which leads me to this letter. Is Georgia State really innovative? If so, what are the metrics, scoring or scale used to determine such? Is the university as a whole truly leading the nation, or are certain departments innovative and the rest of us suffer under their shadow? I’d like to know.

Charity J. Jackson Graduate Student Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies

BUSINESS COORDINATOR Wakesha Henley whenley@gsu.edu

STUDENT MEDIA ADVISeR (PERIMETER) Zoana Price zprice@gsu.edu

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ARTS & LIVING TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 2019

www.georgiastatesignal.com/artsandliving

When Genres Collide: The Future of Heavy Metal BABYMETAL and their influence on punk culture PHOTO COURTESY OF BABYMETAL

GUILLERMO RIVERA Staff Reporter

F

ew bands have the ability to combine both ear- piercing metal and bubbly Japanese pop. However, with two full-length albums and fans all over the world, the Japanese heavy-metal and pop hybrid band BABYMETAL is able to combine these musical genres with ease. The trend-setting band will be coming to Atlanta soon, and it won’t be something to miss.

Formed in 2010, BABYMETAL has taken the Western world by storm. The band consists of the duo Su-metal and Moametal, who rock ponytails and outfits resembling Kiss-era rock ’n’ roll.

When BABYMETAL started becoming popular, many people were drawn by their unique style that set them apart from other rock bands, especially people who had a fascination with Japanese pop culture.

“I found them at some point in high school during my minor ‘weeb’ phase freshman year,” Divine Ikpe said, using a term used to describe Westerners who love Japanese culture. “I had a thing in high school which I still have now where I listened to music from all parts of the world. So I was into Japanese rock, and they were basically representing that. I thought they were cool.”

Others found out about the band through other forms of media.

One of them was a popular YouTube video published in 2014 which consisted of YouTubers reacting to BABYMETAL’s music. The video gathered over 19 million views and introduced the band’s unique style into the American spotlight.

“I found out about them when I watched a YouTuber’s react video

about them, like, two years ago. They are very cute and badass,” Gia Mehdiof said.

BABYMETAL’s unique style has a tendency of sticking out, especially to younger people looking to expand their music taste.

They have the ability to fluidly combine two completely different genres of music and make it one.

“It’s interesting that they’re a kawaii-metal band, essentially. The instrumentation is cool and the vocals sound really good. They combine both styles perfectly,” Ikpe said.

The clothes they wear and their overall style are also indicative of this mix of musical genres.

“I really like their style. The clothes they wear are really cool because they are these cute little Japanese girls in ponytails wearing leather jackets and spikes. It doesn’t make sense at all, but it does at the same time. It works really well,” Javier Muñoz-Perez said.

Not only does this make the band unique from all other heavymetal groups, but it makes them genuine. The band very much seems to be passionate about what they do, and intend to set themselves apart from other metal bands.

“I don’t know much about the artists themselves, but they seem to be very authentic. I think they really own the style they created for themselves,” Ikpe said.

By introducing something fresh to the world of heavy metal and music overall, BABYMETAL’s style has changed the game. They opened heavy metal music up to more people and showed it to be a versatile genre.

“I was already being exposed to heavy metal bands, such as Five Finger Death Punch, but never really appreciated it at the time.

BABYMETAL was a nice combination of both Japanese culture and heavy metal. It was a fusion of one thing I already appreciated and another of something I wasn’t that familiar with. In a sense, they

eased me into the heavy metal genre,” Muñoz-Perez said.

After setting themselves up as one of the most unique metal bands in the world, the band itself has slowly broken the mold of metal music entirely.

“It kind of shows a different demographic. In America, most metal here is kind of the same, so it’s a nice contrast to that,” Ikpe said.

Most American metal is dominated by bands composed of male members, so two Japanese girls are definitely not who you’d expect to see screaming into a microphone and headbanging on stage. However, this serves as a breath of fresh air for female fans of metal music.

“Their music makes me feel empowered, and I appreciate them as a group of cute, stylish, femme women who are also badass and are changing the male-dominated narrative of metal as a genre,” Mehdiof said. “I really like traditional metal and punk, and I like their interruption of it. They are changing the game.”

Fans at Georgia State are ecstatic about BABYMETAL’s show in September.

“That’s a concert I’d love to go to. I heard their live performances are really fun to be at because of how crazy the music is. It’d be really cool to see the girls start mosh pits,” Muñoz-Perez said.

Atlanta itself has a vibrant scene full of many different types of art and music styles, so the BABYMETAL show fits right in to the culture.

“I would definitely see them live. I think they would especially have a great show. I think their music should be respected. We’re a pretty diverse campus, so I think it could appeal to a lot of people,” Ikpe said.

Catch BABYMETAL at the Coca-Cola Roxy Theatre on September 6th at 9 p.m. with all of their kawaii-metal energy.

Brick by brick:

‘Build the Wall’ policies clash at public universities Dreamers in Georgia face pressure from state and federal governments Morgan D’Amico | Staff Reporter

G

ary “Steve” De La O Flores was 7 years old when he moved to Lawrenceville, Georgia, from El Salvador. New to the U.S., he began public school knowing little to no English. Flores is now a 21-year-old beneficiary of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, or DACA, and a student at Georgia State’s Dunwoody campus.

Flores currently faces several challenges as a DACA recipient, or Dreamer as they are more commonly referred to, at a public university.

“People think that DACA makes it so easy for us to attend school but it doesn’t.

We jump through so many extra hoops than other students [that] it’s honestly a lot harder,” Flores said. “I try not to view it like that because it depresses me. I don’t like to talk about how difficult it is.”

A series of obstacles prevent immigrants from achieving their academic and professional goals, despite temporary protection from the federal government.

Some of these challenges include statemandated policies designed to exclude immigrants from higher education, social stigmas and the upcoming Supreme Court decision to either protect or cut the DACA program.

In 2010, the University System of Georgia’s Board of Regents adopted Policy 4.1.6, which prohibited any person without permanent

citizenship in the U.S. from being qualified for acceptance to public universities in Georgia that had not accepted all academically eligible students in the past two years.

In addition, the Board of Regents Policy 4.3.4 states that if a student is not lawfully present, any public university that will accept undocumented persons must charge the student out-of-state tuition rates.

The meaning of “lawful presence” is hotly debated in courts and legislatures across the country. Project Director and University Innovation Alliance Fellow Ryan Z. Maltese received his doctorate from Georgia State, where he wrote his dissertation exploring the effect these policies have on DACA and undocumented students.

“The interpretation that I found was that because DACA, the program itself, is renewable, every two years hints [that it’s] temporary unless renewed,” Maltese said.

“That was interpreted as to not be sufficient to establish lawful presence for purposes of verification.”

In other words, the policy attempted to make it impossible for Dreamers to get into the top Georgia colleges because they are temporarily protected from deportation but do not meet the requirements for legal status in the U.S. Despite owning all the documentation that would provide residency

verification for any other American, such as a Social Security card, driver’s license and work permit, DACA recipients are considered temporary rather than lawfully present.

However, in 2016, Georgia State stopped enforcing Policy 4.1.6 when it determined that the university accepted all academically eligible students in the past two years. This allows undocumented students to apply to Georgia State and study at any of its campuses.

Despite this win for Georgia State and DACA students, Dreamers are still required to pay out-of-state tuition and are eligible for very few scholarships.

“I can apply for scholarships, but once they find out you’re not a citizen or a resident of full legal status, they revoke it,” Flores said.

“They won’t let you have it, because they’re funded by tax-payer dollars. But we pay taxes, too. I pay taxes, too.”

Flores works an average of 45 hours a week to pay for schooling, setting money aside each week to help fund his transition from the Dunwoody campus to the Downtown campus. According to the Institution on Taxation and Economic Policy, DACA recipients like Flores pay about the same tax rates as the rest of middle-class America, averaging at around 8% of their income in state and local taxes, including taxes that fund

state scholarships.

Some scholarships are available for Hispanic and Latino students, including immigrants, such as those provided by the Goizueta Foundation.

Flores is a Goizueta scholarship recipient at Dunwoody. The scholarship makes it possible for him to pay for school, despite working overtime. The foundation also provides Hispanic and Latino students with a cultural and academic community that accepts, educates and supports young adults with similar backgrounds.

“At first, I felt inferior. I felt like I wasn’t good enough for society because no one at my high school knew I had DACA. I was the only person I knew at my high school who had DACA,” Flores said. “Goizueta helped me because I met other people in my situation.

There were other people in this with me.”

For Flores and other Goizueta scholars at the Dunwoody campus, the program only lasts two years. In order for students to receive their bachelor’s degrees, they must transfer to the Downtown Campus and pay thousands more in tuition.

Flores recently decided to take this semester off in order to help prepare for costs of his transfer. Without the Goizueta scholarship or eligibility for in-state tuition, the possibility for DACA students like Flores

to attend the Downtown campus is slim.

Students at universities across the state are fighting for DACA recipients to receive in-state tuition. Kiara Williams, a Goizueta scholar at the Downtown campus, advocates for the rights of Dreamers in Georgia by sending letters to Congress and supporting other Goizueta college cohorts around the state.

“If you have two students equally as smart, but one is undocumented, it’s completely unfair for one to get scholarships and one can’t just based on that one thing,” Williams said. “It’s unfair that they can’t do just as much as the next kid because of legal status. Students think they have to settle for less because they feel they can’t climb that ladder. They want to go to schools, become doctors, engineers, they have the same dreams as everyone else.”

Part of the Goizueta Foundation’s mission to give back to the Hispanic and Latino community is encouraging scholars to volunteer with the Latino Leadership Initiative.

Williams mentors DACA and undocumented high school students, helping young adults create a pathway from high school to college.

The close relationships between Williams and her students reveals rare insight into the life of an undocumented teenager.

“A lot of students felt comfortable opening up about their situations,” Williams said. “They can apply to certain schools, but the schools

they really want to go to are impossible because of their circumstances. They work everyday but can’t pay for out-of-state tuition. It’s a cycle that they are trapped in.”

Paying full tuition is not the only roadblock for DACA and undocumented persons. A majority of undocumented students work tirelessly to give back to their families as well.

“There’s so much more than just financial situations that they have to take into consideration before they get a college education,” Williams said. “A lot of schools that do offer scholarships open to students no matter documentation status, but most of them are out of state. Those scholarships can cover full tuition, but they are nowhere near Georgia. So a lot of these students can’t leave because they work to support their families as teenagers.”

The state of Georgia has few institutional aids for undocumented persons. In comparison to other states, Georgia has some of the lowest rates for asylum grants in the country. Asylum seekers also report higher rates of isolation from legal representation and low access to counseling. The need for intervention in the treatment of immigrants throughout Georgia is widely acknowledged by individuals studying immigration law policy.

“Immigration lawyers are probably needed more now than anytime before in my recent

memory,” Ryan Maltese said. “This is a seminal moment in history for your generation to fully realize the impact of what it says about this country and what kind of country you choose to live in.”

Recently, another DACA-friendly community was created at Georgia State’s law school. In early August, the Georgia State University College of Law started the GSU Law Clinic. The new addition is the first immigration law clinic in the state, which allows Georgia State law students to provide legal counsel to individuals whose DACA requests have been revoked or canceled.

Assistant clinical professor Emily Torstveit Ngara was appointed as Director of the Immigration Clinic and will be working closely with law students and clients.

Students and faculty across Georgia are continually fighting for in-state tuition and university eligibility of undocumented persons.

As pressure mounts for Dreamer students awaiting the upcoming Supreme Court decision to either keep or replace DACA, supporters of the program are firmly siding with them.

The U.S. Supreme Court agreed to hear the DACA case as a part of the upcoming term, which begins in October. The ultimate decision regarding the fate of the program is expected to be announced by June 2020.

ILLUSTRATIONS AND PAGE DESIGN BY DEVIN PHILLIPS | THE SIGNAL

ARTS & LIVING

12

GEORGIASTATESIGNAL.COM

Simply Signal Recipe

Baked & Spicy Box Mac and Cheese SKYLAR LITTLE Recipe Columnist

Want to impress your friends with Gordon Ramsey approved flavors on a college-student budget? This easy macaroni and cheese recipe comes with a twist that everyone will love.

COOK TIME 30-45 minutes

TOTAL TIME 1 hour

INGREDIENTS

2 tablespoons of butter ⅛ cup of onions, finely diced 2 tablespoons of flour 2 cups of milk ¼ teaspoon of cayenne pepper 2 teaspoons of hot sauce 1 bag of cheese powder from box 1 ½ cups of shredded cheese ¼ cup of salsa 2 cups of pasta from box 8 cups of water pinch of salt 4 tablespoons of bread crumbs 6 tablespoons of shredded cheese

SERVES 5

OPTIONAL SAUCE ADD-INS

½ cup of red and green bell peppers, diced 1 cup of cooked ground beef

STEPS 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

10.

11.

12.

13.

14.

Preheat oven to 350°F Boil water with a pinch of salt Add pasta and cook until al dente; then strain While pasta is boiling, melt butter in a large saucepan over medium-low heat Add onions and let simmer until fragrant Add flour and mix well Slowly stir in milk Stir in cayenne pepper, hot sauce, salsa, and cheese powder Stir in shredded cheese and let melt If combining add-ins, stir peppers and beef into sauce Combine cooked pasta and sauce into greased, oven-safe dish Sprinkle topping ingredients evenly over dish Bake in the oven for 20 minutes or until edges are bubbling and slightly brown Remove from oven and enjoy!

PHOTO ILLUSTRATION BY UNIQUE RODRIGUEZ | THE SIGNAL

Serendipity in the Stars

How the start of Virgo Season will affect you JAS THOMAS

Horoscope Columnist

VIRGO

Set aside time to cleanse your new space and set intentions for the coming semester. Venus and Mars will soon meld into a rare, once-every-other-year conjunction, placing — putting Virgos in the romantic driver’s seat. Have a destination in mind before you hit the gas or in most cases, before you swipe right on Tinder.

Think bigger than big because a fresh start awaits!

LIBRA

Don’t allow difficult decisions to take the backburner this week. Think outside the box and visualize how you want this semester to pan out.

SCORPIO

Keep your commitments open until you feel sure what’s right for you. Invest in yourself and your future and not just financialmonetarily. Divide your time between your courses equally.

SAGITTARIUS

There is a yearning brewing within you to completely change course and head out for uncharted territory. Consider all options and, most importantly, remember that “Add/Drop” is already over.

CAPRICORN

This could be a life-changing month for you! Seize the opportunities you know that you deserve. Maybe you don’t have all the resources you need to make everything happen.

AQUARIUS

It’s nearly impossible to see where your focus should be directed with all the distractions and excess noise in your life.

Your undivided attention is required to bring a dream come true to life.

PISCES

Let your intuition nudge you onto a new path. Focus on your own ventures and bring your latest project to fruition.

ARIES

You’ll have the option to reignite a relationship that has

recently fallen apart. Consider this a golden ticket to rekindle and lead the way into a healthier connection.

TAURUS

This month marks the start of something new. Know when it’s time to let go of old habits or friendships that have hit a dead end.

GEMINI

Though your flexibility is one of your best attributes, sometimes it’s best to make a firm choice and stick with it. Be warey of sacrificing the things you know for a new experience.

Be a little cautious and play it safe.

CANCER

Don’t expect things to just fall in your lap. Use your own determination to attract better people, opportunities, and support into your life. It’s already out there in the universe. You just have to take it!

LEO

Regret has set in on something you missed out on this year. Don’t make the same mistake twice. The next time the opportunity presents itself, indulge in all that life has to offer.

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 2019

ARTS & LIVING

13

Atlanta artists you need to add to your playlist Two rappers discuss success and the city’s influence on their sound DANIELLA BOIK

Associate Arts & Living Editor

T

o be a success in the creative industry, hustling is required. For Darel Bailey and Kenneth Blu, hustling is scooping ice cream at Jenis. They may serve ice cream by day, but by night, they are hard-working recording artists.

The two hip-hop artists, who have lived and worked in Atlanta for about four years, have already accomplished forming a hip-hop group (PDSY) with YouTube views ranging from 1,000 to 5,000, thousands of followers on social media and have both released their own full-length solo albums.

Twenty-three year old Bailey, whose rapper name is Relly Wonka, came out to Atlanta in July 2015 from New York to make a name for himself.

“Everybody in New York can rap and does, but it was so hard to network with people there and get a manager,” he said.

“Coming out here, it’s been so much easier to get involved and meet people. People here see more potential in me and are much more outgoing than New Yorkers.”

Thanks to the Southern hospitality, Bailey has been able to get with a label that has helped him distribute his own solo work, as well as getting gigs with PDSY to perform with some of Atlanta’s biggest stars.

“I’ve performed for five sold-out crowds in the last two years,” he said. “My first show I ever did with the group was with some of the members of Odd Future. I also performed at LudaDay Weekend, opened up for Lil Uzi and 21 Savage at Clark Atlanta University and our group did a sold out show on Edgewood.”

With 91 rappers and hip-hop groups coming out of Atlanta, Bailey moved down south, not only to make connections but to further explore his sound that he describes as a vibrant Pharrell or Andre 3000 vibe.

“My sound got different. I got adapted to how unorthodox the Atlanta style is,” he said. “New York rap has always been more aggressive, like in your face, but [the] ATL sound is more of a fun bounce.”

As for Blu, his sound also metamorphosed when he moved from a small town in Tennessee to the big city. Blu’s sound has also been influenced by the fun Atlanta “bounce,” which can be heard on his song “Move On” off his first full-length album “Re-Construction.”

“It has been a pretty impactful influence on my artistry,” he said. ““Atlanta just holds the lifestyle and energy for an artist to flourish. Not just saying this only takes place in Atlanta, but it’s greatly impactful. Along with the pace of events and the love for entertainment here, the pathway to music is taken very seriously, which also allows growth for myself and my sound.”

As far as Bailey leveling up and exploring with his original sound, he’s gained an Instagram following that’s boosted his popularity and has shifted his energy to focus on his solo career.

“Since coming to Atlanta, I just dropped a project called ‘Harlem Boy,’ and I’m about to partner up with a label, which will help me in distributing my music,” he said. “For my first ever solo project, I was making songs in my closet, because I didn’t have enough money to go to a studio. It’s so amazing, though, for people to tell me they love the songs I’ve made because I was at my lowest point making them.”

Based on Bailey’s real support from engagements on social media, he’s noticed that marketing yourself on social media to promote your music is the way to get noticed.

“Because of the Instagram following I’ve been gaining, these managers want to be putting money on me. These labels and managers want to see your numbers doing good on Insta, [which] makes it easier to invest money on them,” he said.

“Anyone could be a superstar if they got that.”

A heavy social media following, talent and connections are crucial to make it, but the most important point is still authenticity.

“For artists starting out and for artists always, just be yourself,” he said. “Don’t try to be like another artist. If you’re the fake Playboy Carti, you’ll get called out. Surround yourself with a great team to keep you grounded and true to yourself and sound. What makes my Instagram unique is I’m 100% tryna be myself and create my own wave. I’m funny, I’m sad, I’m real, I’m relatable.”

Blu also knows focusing on who he is and being authentic to

Sit down comfortably and learn more about Atlanta music artists you should add to your playlist.

that is the most important part.

“My music, to me, means energy,” he said. “What you’re around is what will come out, so I like to stay to myself and record at times but will feature with other creatives that fit my energy type and produce a different lifestyle of energy. I’ve received a lot of feedback on the originality of my sound and that’s what you need to create in order to get in your own lane.”

A catchy beat and fun lyrics are both reasons why people love music, but when someone truly connects with a song and the lyrics, that’s when the artist feels their music and impact has really made it.

“My biggest accomplishment right now is learning, learning how to operate and grow my operation so that it connects and

PHOTO BY MATT SICILIANO-SALAZAR | THE SIGNAL

touches more people, in order to enhance my fan base,” Blu said.

Making it in the creative world, whether it be starting a music career, getting into the art scene, or becoming a wellknown photographer isn’t the easiest thing in the world, but having the support of people and working hard on yourself is what counts.

“As a young artist, it is important to apply yourself daily and hold yourself accountable for all actions taken upon in your career,” Blu said. “Continue to be patient even though it may seem forever while you’re grinding and working out knots with your career as you figure it out, but stay true to your daily operations on what works for you and stay consistent.”

SPORTS TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 2019

www.georgiastatesignal.com/sports

Georgia State v. Tennessee Recap Fumble | 15:00 - 1st

Touchdown | 12:00 -1st

Panthers stun Volunteers at Neyland Stadium, win 38-30

Touchdown | 4:13 - 1st Punt | 4:13 -1st

Q1 Score

7-14

Touchdown | 0:09 -1st Punt | 13:59 - 2nd Punt | 13:51 - 2nd

Shawn Elliott’s men pull off the impossible Georgia State Football teams up against Tennessee University at Neyland Stadium for their first game of the season.

ESPEN INDRISANO Sports Editor

T

he travelling fans in blue and white celebrated like they had just won the Super Bowl. The players, in a state of euphoria, could barely contain their joy. Just last season, the team had only won two games and looked lost. On perhaps the program’s most historic Saturday afternoon, they had just pulled off the impossible and defeated the Tennessee Volunteers on their own turf.

“I don’t think anybody else in the country believed that a program of a mere ten years old could come in here to Neyland Stadium and beat [the Tennessee Volunteers],” Head Coach Shawn Elliott said.

The victory was Georgia State’s first over a Power Five conference in school history.

The underdogs could not have asked for a better start. After Ed Curney and the defense recovered a quick fumble, Dan Ellington and the Panthers offense took full advantage and found themselves ahead within the first couple of minutes. Seth Paige capped off the 23-yard drive with a four-yard touchdown rush, stunning Neyland Stadium into silence and sending the visiting Panther fans into a jubilant celebration.

Looking to respond right away, the Volunteers offense marched down the field and leveled things at seven a piece. Quarterback Jarrett Guarantano was the star of the drive, eventually finding Marquez Callaway with an inch-perfect back shoulder throw for the six-yard score.

Neyland Stadium regained its voice.

The Volunteers soon capitalized on their newfound momentum and took a 14-7 lead with nine seconds left in the first quarter. Junior running back Ty Chandler broke loose for a 31-yard scamper, as Neyland Stadium exploded into life.

The Panthers began the second quarter with possession, looking to re-establish a foothold on the game. Dan Ellington found Roger Carter with an impressive 28-yard pass to place the offense inside the Volunteers’ half. Three straight incompletions halted the drive, though.

The Volunteers took over, but were stopped.

The Panthers defense got a much needed

PHOTO BY MATT SICILIANO-SALAZAR | THE SIGNAL

confidence booster and gave the offense a chance to turn the screws.

Ellington wasted no time and marched his men down the field, the offense eventually finding themselves on Tennessee’s 19-yard line with 3:31 left in the half. Ellington would eventually find Cornelius McCoy with a 17-yard pass to cap an 81-yard drive and level the score at 14 with 3:11 left in the first half. Shawn Elliott’s men were not backing down.

The Volunteers grabbed a 19-yard field goal to take a 17-14 lead into halftime, but it was the Panthers who held their heads highest as the teams headed back to the locker rooms.

Having deferred in the first half, the Panthers began the second half with possession. Seth Paige broke open a 15-yard run, breaking multiple tackles in the process, to spot the ball at midfield.

Ellington later found Tra Barnett with a 12-yard completion and followed up with an 11-yard completion to tight end Aubry Payne to advance the offense to the Tennessee 25-yard line.

A couple plays later and the Panthers found the endzone. Ellington found Payne for a sixyard score to give the Panthers a 21-17 lead with 10:30 on the third quarter clock. The 75-yard drive gave the team a dream second half start.

The Volunteers needed to respond. With whispers echoing around Neyland Stadium of a potential upset, Guarantano and his offense had to extinguish any and all doubts. The Panthers defense made sure that did not come true.

Jeremy Pruitt kept his offense on the field for a fourth-and-one, but Tyler Gore broke up Guarantano’s pass and sent the Georgia State sideline into pandemonium. Elliott’s men were beginning to dream.

“It was a joy to sit back and see the confidence in our guy’s eyes,” Elliott said. “It just continued to pump throughout the second half.”

The Volunteers got a much-needed score with 3:32 left in the third quarter. Cimaglia’s 48-yarder was the definition of picture perfect. The junior’s kick went clean through the uprights, much to the relief of those in orange and white.

Looking to respond, the Panthers utilized their no-huddle offense to perfection, quickly finding themselves in Tennessee territory as the third quarter came to an end. The Panthers were driving and only one quarter away from one of the upsets of the season.

The Volunteers defense was having none of it, though. After heavy pressure, Ellington fumbled the football and handed possession back to Tennessee. A few plays later, the Volunteers were knocking on the Panthers’ doorstep, but could only muster a field goal. Tennessee claimed a 2321 lead, but the Panthers were still in the contest.

Ellington looked to brush off his costly fumble on the following drive. The Panthers again found themselves in Tennessee territory after Ellington found McCoy across the middle to spot the ball at the 44 yard line.

Two plays later, Ellington found Terrance Dixon for a 14-yard gain to put the Panthers in field goal range. Soon after, Tra Barnett found the endzone after a 19-yard run. The Panthers offensive line, a standout on the day, opened up a huge hole, and the team re-established a 28-23 lead with 8:56 left in the contest.

“I received a lot of questions about my offensive line,” Ellington said. “I told everybody that they were going to be a really good line and they proved it today.”

After the defense forced another fumble, Ellington and the offense all but settled things. The senior quarterback solidified his inspirational performance with a 22-yard run and score and the Panthers took a 35-23 lead with 4:45 to go. Ellington’s stat line said it all. The senior finished with 200 all purpose yards and three touchdowns.

“I am so proud to be [Ellington’s] football coach,” Elliott said.

Tennessee looked deflated and boos began to rain down from the stands. The Panthers were closing in on history and the Volunteers were inching ever so close to opening day embarrassment.

A Guarantano interception sealed the Volunteers’ fate. The Panthers defense sprinted to their travelling fans to celebrate. A few plays later, Brandon Wright drilled a 48-yarder to give the Panthers a 38-23 lead. The team had shocked the world.

Tennessee managed to secure a consolation score, but as the clock struck zero, the Panthers’ wildest dreams had come true. The 38-30 victory will surely go down as one of, if not the, most historic victories in program history.

“This was one of the greatest days of my life,” Curney said.

PAGE DESIGN BY DEVIN PHILLIPS | THE SIGNAL

Touchdown | 3:11 - 2nd

Q2 Score

7-3

Field Goal | 0:00 - 2nd

Touchdown | 10:30 - 3rd Downs | 10:22 -3rd

Punt | 7:35 - 3rd

Field Goal | 3:32 - 3rd

Q3 Score

7-3

Fumble | 15:00 Field Goal | 12:05 - 4th

Touchdown | 8:56 - 4th Fumble | 8:56 - 4th

Touchdown | 4:45 - 4th Interception | 4:39 - 4th Field Goal | 2:37 - 4th Downs | 2:37 - 4th Q4 Score

17-10

Final Score

Downs | 0:55 - 4th Touchdown | 0:02 - 4th

Georgia State

38

Tennessee

30

SPORTS

16

The associate athletic director sits down with The Signal to speak about his life as a former Georgia State student and his career in sports communications.

GEORGIASTATESIGNAL.COM

PHOTO BY MATT SICILIANO-SALAZAR | THE SIGNAL

Lunch with Mike Holmes

The associate A.D. for sports communications sits down for pizza ESPEN INDRISANO Sports Editor

O

n this week’s Lunch With, I sat down with Mike Holmes, the associate athletic director of sports communications at Georgia State.

We met up at Junior’s Pizza, a new pizza joint in Summerhill, just a couple of blocks away from Georgia State Stadium. As a proud New Yorker, restaurants like Junior’s are a not-so-guilty pleasure of mine. Give me a couple of slices of pepperoni pizza, and I am always happy.

Over the course of the discussion, Mike and I tackled life as a communications specialist and how he came to get the position. As a former student, Holmes has seen the university and its sports programs grow up before his eyes.

What follows are highlights from our talk.

Espen: So talk a little bit about what goes into the work you do here in the communications office.

Mike: We oversee everything external for the department from the websites to press releases and social media. We basically serve as a liaison between our student athletes, coaches, administration and the media. Obviously that’s changed a lot over the years. Now, the biggest way we reach our students is through their social media. So, we continue to look for ways to expand on how we can get the program’s messages out.

Espen: So, tell me about where we are sitting down to eat today. To my understanding, there is a vision to improve the neighborhood?

Mike: Mike: Yeah, so the athletic department moved into the stadium about two years ago, but we felt like we were kind of on an island. There was nothing around here. Now, as you and I sit here at Junior’s Pizza, things are changing.

Over the last few months, we’ve seen all these restaurants start to open up as well as the new dorms. We like to think the athletic department is in a transformational stage. Well, so is this whole Summerhill area. It’s exciting to be a part of.

Espen: I want to ask you about what the university was like back when you were studying here. You have a unique perspective, in that you’ve not only seen the athletic teams grow, but the school itself. What was Georgia State like back then?

Mike: So I was a freshman in 1998, two years after the Olympics. At that time there was not a single dorm room bed on campus. We lived in the old Olympic Village, which was great. I loved all four years living there. But if you had a 9:30 class, you are on a MARTA bus by 9:00 to get down to campus. You couldn’t walk down Piedmont Avenue and

feel safe. Now, if you walk down Piedmont, all you see is students among students from five thirty in the morning until well after midnight. Ever since we launched football in 2010, we’ve seen a big change. There’s much more school pride. There’s many more students who are coming to Georgia State because they want to be at Georgia State. So that’s very exciting for the school.

Espen: And how about when you first began in the communications department?

Mike: When I first got here, we had a very small budget.

So, if we had a staff meeting or coach’s meeting, we could fit everybody into a small room. The baseball coach, for instance, had to mow the field himself out in Panthersville.

If you fast forward 20 years to what we’ve become now, however, we not only have some great facilities, we have even more great facilities coming in the near future.

Espen: Now what brought you to Atlanta? You are from the Northeast, correct?

Mike: So, I’m originally from New Jersey. I moved to Georgia my freshman year of high school. But I was a big city guy. I grew up outside of Newark, New Jersey and was only 25 minutes from Manhattan. When I moved down here, we settled in Suwanee, but I knew when I started looking at schools that there were only three I wanted to go to: Georgia, Georgia Tech and Georgia State. I wasn’t into the whole scene in Athens. It is a great town, but perhaps a bit more country than what I was used to. I quickly realized that if I went to Georgia Tech, would have to study more than I ever wanted to in my life in the first semester alone.

But I knew I wanted to be downtown and Georgia State had and still has a great business school. And so it just seemed like the right fit for me. When I was in high school I worked with the basketball team doing stats and video. So once I got to college, I was an 18-year-old looking for beer money.

I knew I loved sports and had played a bunch growing up.

And Georgia State put me to work. My first game ended being Georgia State versus Georgetown in the Georgia Dome. At that time, I did not know whether or not I wanted to do that kind of work long term, but it was fun.

Mike: Eventually, I was offered a full-time position during my senior year. I turned it down because I still wanted to be a college student. After that, I stayed around for grad school and was the assistant men’s golf coach, which I had a blast with. But I ended up leaving for about five years to start a company in Jacksonville with a buddy of mine. I like to think I lived out my midlife crisis in my twenties, so hopefully I’m good the rest of the way.

Mike: Later in April of 2008, Georgia State relaunched football. I got a call that July from my old boss asking if I wanted to come back. And I had thought about coming

back, but the funny thing is, I never wanted Georgia State to add football. People look at me like I am crazy when I say that, but I was scared to death we wouldn’t do it right.

But when I heard Bill Curry was behind it, I knew there was no way he would attach his name to something that wasn’t going to be successful. So I came back. At first, I was kind of the low man on the totem pole, but anybody you ask knows I love this place.

Espen: So, being a struggling New York sports fan myself, I assume you’re a New York sports guy as well?

Mike: Oh yeah, I was and still am a die-hard New York sports fan and it drives some people nuts here. I love the New York Mets. I went to my first game in 1984 when I was four. I blame my father and grandfather for it because I probably could have been a Yankees fan now and had a lot more championships under my belt. But every time they’re here in Atlanta, I catch at least a game. I actually flew up to New York City for less than a day just to catch a World Series game in 2015. I’m also a big Nets fan. A funny story about my Nets fandom: I went to my first game in 1989. Me and a ton of my buddies saw them play the Chicago Bulls.

Everybody left that stadium a Bulls fan because of Michael Jordan. For whatever reason, I left a Nets fan. Why did I do that? I could have enjoyed six championships in eight years.

Espen: As a depressed Knicks fan, I can sympathize with you there.

Mike: So I guess that’s why I love Georgia State a little more. Pretty much every team I have supported, apart from the 1986 Mets, is an underdog.

Espen: Over the years, what have been some of your best memories around Georgia State sports? I said the same thing to my last guests, I remember R.J. Hunter’s threepointer being the defining moment in my decision to apply to Georgia State.

Mike: Everything that played into that shot changed my career and I feel like that was what led me to this position.

We got back from New Orleans at one in the morning and I did not leave my office until 10:30 that following night.

We had 5000 stories written about us that week and I had to process over 250 media requests. I joke with R.J. every time I see him that his shot not only propelled his career, it propelled mine. And with all that, I don’t remember the shot. I remember putting my hands underneath myself so I wouldn’t have any reaction. I wanted to keep it 100 percent professional. From there, the next thing I remember is getting R.J. and Ron across midcourt to the TV. So there is a 45-60 second span of my life that I can’t get back because I just don’t remember it. And I’ve watched the shot a million times. You can see me sitting there. But I literally don’t remember any of it.

SPORTS

17

Brooke Shank has high hopes for 2019 Senior midfielder finds success on the field and in the classroom

1. Who is Georgia State’s mascot?

ESPEN INDRISANO Sports Editor

a. b. c. d.

F

or midfielder Brooke Shank, 2019 has plenty of potential. The senior has been a standout on the women’s soccer team ever since her arrival in 2016 and hopes to cement her legacy within the program, while also performing at a high level in the classroom.

The Cedar Park, Texas native has experienced a lot in her first few years in Atlanta. The chance to study and compete in the downtown area has been an enjoyable one.

“Georgia State has a different environment than most other universities,” Shank said. “Being in downtown Atlanta has been really cool. It is an amazing city with so much to do.”

Soccer has always played a big role in Shank’s life. As a high school senior, she helped lead her Vista Ridge High School team to the 2016 Region 4-AAAAA championship andmade the lifechanging decision to attend Georgia State soon after.

During her 2016 and 2017 seasons at Georgia State, Shank laid the foundations for a successful career as a Panther, including a team-high 4 goals as a true freshman in 2016. In 2017, she scored the game-winning goal against Chattanooga.

Last season, however, Shank took things to a new level. She led the Panthers in goals (6), gamewinning goals (2), total shots (48) and shots on goal (23). These accolades helped her in being named to the 2019 Preseason Sun Belt All-Conference Team.

“As a senior, it meant a lot to me and my role on this team,” Shank said. “We have a good team this year, and I am very excited to see who else gets the recognition we’ve all deserved.”

The team, unsurprisingly, has high hopes for 2019. For the seniors, this season also represents their final chance to leave a lasting legacy.

“We have big dreams this year. More than anything, I would like to see us win it all,” Shank said. “But this is also my last year, so leaving a legacy for the younger kids to continue winning is

a. b. c. d.

T

he NBA’s developmental league has gone through a significant facelift in recent years. After changing its name from the Development League (D-League) to the G League, due to a new sponsorship deal with Gatorade, the league has seen revolutionary changes.

One of these was made by the College Park Skyhawks, an affiliate of the Atlanta Hawks. The 2019 season will be its first on the courts. Not only is the team building a state-of-the-art 3,500seat stadium, but the ownership makes the team unique.

On May 11, the Atlanta Hawks announced that rapper 2 Chainz would be part-owner of the Skyhawks. 2 Chainz is the first major celebrity to have ownership in a developmental team, something which has brought the organization plenty of attention.

2 Chainz is a native of the area. While owning

1998 2010 2017 1975

3. Which team did R.J. Hunter hit his famous threepointer against in the 2015 NCAA Tournament?

a. b. c. d.

PHOTO COURTESY OF JOSH ELLIS

the team’s main goal.”

For student athletes, there is so much more to college life than just sports. Shank is also succeeding at a high level off the field, specifically in the classroom. The senior has consistently been on both the dean’s list and the president’s list, something she is very proud of.

“Outside of soccer, my school experiences have been great,” Shank said. “My classes and our team

training have been challenging, yet I’ve learned a lot.”

Shank credits her academic success to her busy schedule, something which keeps her on her toes.

The journey has had its ups and downs.

“Balancing school, soccer and a personal life has been tough,” Shank said. “I refuse to give up my sleep schedule, so I am always busy doing something. My professors and academic advisor, Bree Hicken, have been very helpful.”

The College Park Skyhawks are looking to improve community Staff Reporter

Smokey uGa POUNCE Buzz

2. In what year did our football program begin?

How College Park is changing the G League JULIAN HARDEN

SPORTS TRIVIA

part of a development team is a far cry from owning an NBA franchise, he is helping to raise awareness of the league.

The G League has gradually shed its stereotype of being cheap, with teams frequently competing in small markets. Now, the league offers a quality experience in more diverse marketplaces. In the 2019-20 season, the league will have 28 teams competing against each other, compared to only eight in its 2001 inaugural season.

The Skyhawks are also shedding light on the importance of community investment. The team will look to get the community involved as much as possible. NBA G League President Shareef AbdurRahim agreed that investing in the community is a key to a successful franchise.

“Having grown up playing in College Park, I couldn’t be more excited to welcome the Skyhawks to my hometown,” Rahim said.

The Skyhawks’ new stadium, uncommon to G League arenas, will be a multi-purpose one. The stadium will also be used for concerts to further its application to the community.

“We could not find a better home for the Skyhawks than the city of College Park,” Abdur-

Rahim said.

Mayor Jack Longino of College Park is encouraged by the rapid development of the area, where the stadium will begin hosting games in November. Longino is also excited at the partnerships made to get the project off the ground for the upcoming season.

“With steady progress underway involving development and construction, the city of College Park is excited to unveil the College Park Skyhawks,” Longino said.

Longtime Hawks announcer Bob Rathbun also sees the team as a positive addition to the community.

“I’m excited about them, great for College Park,” Rathbun said.

The Skyhawks hope to be a model franchise for the league and its future organizations. Through their ownership and community investment, the team has set a high standard. And through their vision to improve the community by providing outlets for local youth and player development for the Atlanta Hawks, the team will underscore the power of giving back.

MEMPHIS HOUSTON CINCINNATI BAYLOR

4. Which NFL team does former wide receiver Penny Hart currently play for?

a. The Indianapolis Colts b. The Atlanta Falcons c. The Tennessee Titans d. The San Francisco 49ers 5. What is the nickname for our beach volleyball team?

a. The Beachy Panthers b. The Beach Ladies c. The Sandy Panthers d. The Sandy Spikers

6.Which country does junior volleyball player Džemila Hadžić call home?

a. Bosnia and Herzegovina b. Slovenia c. Slovakia d. Germany

1-C 2-B 3-D 4-A 5-C 6-A

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 2019

SPORTS

18

GEORGIASTATESIGNAL.COM

What we learned from GSU’s historic victory Result gave Panthers newfound riches and plenty of joy ESPEN INDRISANO & ANFERNEE PATTERSON Sports Editor & Staff Reporter

I

n case you’ve read this far and still don’t know, the Georgia State Panthers defeated the Tennessee Volunteers 38-30 at Neyland Stadium Saturday. The upset shocked the nation, stunned those in orange and white and brought the Georgia State Football program a thick stack of cash.

Here are some important things we learned from the Panthers’ week one performance.

MONEY TALKS

Ask around and you are likely to find a wide range of opinions on “pay-to-play” games. For those who are unfamiliar, we’ll keep it simple: Power Five conference teams, like Tennessee, will give Group of Five conference or lower-level teams, such as Georgia State, the chance to compete on the grandest stages in college football.

The lower-level sides are compensated for their time and given the chance to bring much-needed exposure to their programs. In return, the Power Five sides tend to tear their opponents to shreds (for example, Penn State’s 79-7 victory over the Idaho Vandals Saturday).

But the Georgia State Panthers were not going to negotiate on these terms. In addition to their fairytale triumph, a source close to The Signal confirmed that Shawn Elliott’s men walked away with a $950,000 payment from the Tennessee Volunteers. Not too shabby for a team that just one season ago had found their rock bottom.

THIS YEAR’S TEAM IS FOCUSED ON GETTING BACK TO ITS WINNING WAYS

Coming off of last year’s dismal 2-10 finish, head coach Shawn Elliott placed an emphasis on accountability and growth. Along with that, he assigned team captains to make sure the team stays on the same accord. For senior quarterback Dan Ellington, winning is the main focus for him as he finishes his last year.

“I just want to get Georgia State back to its winning ways,” Ellington said.

This victory should maximize the team’s confidence and ability to play at a high level. With this mindset going forward, it is up to the Panthers to decide their final fate come December.

THE OFFENSE IS THE STRENGTH AND IS HERE TO STAY

One of the Panthers’ consistent strengths since Elliott’s arrival is their up-tempo, no-huddle offense. Even last season, in which the team finished 2-10, the offense was always able to score. Against the Volunteers, it was much of the same.

The Panthers backfield combined to rush for 213 yards and Ellington finished 11-of-24 with 139 yards and two touchdowns through the air. The offense stayed balanced throughout, finishing with 352 total yards. The Volunteers defense often seemed a step behind, something new offensive coordinator Brad Glenn will surely take great pride in.

With the Panthers always being able to put up points, they give themselves a great chance of being consistent winners in the future.

ELLIOTT TRUSTS ELLINGTON

This is not too much of a surprise, but Ellington is the leader of the team and Elliott trusts him to get the job done.

Speaking after the game, Elliott Although the Panthers finished the game 1-2 on fourth down conversions, when the Panthers needed a first down, Ellington delivered. Another example of this is when Ellington fumbled in Volunteers territory which led to the Volunteers taking a 23-21 lead. On the next offensive possession, Elliott was aggressive in his play-calling, allowing Ellington the freedom to throw more. Decisions like these matter in big time games and it pays dividends (or wins) for the team.

THE OFFENSIVE LINE IS YOUNG AND CAN PLAY

The Panthers rushed the football 53 times for 213 yards and were a consistent threat on the ground from the first

Tra Barnett walks off the field with Malik Sumter after scoring a touchdown, putting Georgia State up 28-20 against University of Tennessee.

quarter until the last. Although running backs Tra Barnett and Seth Paige were able to use their feet and get loose for touchdowns, the credit must go to the offensive line.

They are led by senior Hunter Atkinson. If Saturday’s performance has anything to say about this season, the offensive line is going to be legit and perhaps one of the Sun Belt Conference’s best.

THE DEFENSE HAS IMPROVED BUT STILL HAS NOT PEAKED

The main question coming into this season was the defense. Last season, the Panthers were among the Sun Belt’s worst in total defense and yards allowed. We did not know if the Panthers would improve enough or in time to play the Volunteers.

The defense held the Volunteers to 93 yards rushing but gave up 311 yards through the air. If not for a bust in coverage early in the fourth quarter and other defensive mistakes, that number could have been lower.

As a unit, the defense combined for four sacks and six tackles for loss. Getting to the quarterback and disrupting

PHOTO BY MATT SICILIANO-SALAZAR | THE SIGNAL

the offense is one of the goals the Panthers want to achieve at a high level this season.

Senior linebacker Ed Curney, the captain of the defense, was inspirational. As the defense gets more snaps, you can expect the Panthers to have a top defense within the Sun Belt.

“We had all summer to prepare for this game,” Curney said. “I think we did a great job.”

ARE THE PANTHERS SUN BELT CONTENDERS?

Look, it has to be said that this was simply one game.

But this win shows that the Panthers are capable of playing for a Sun Belt title. If this group of guys can ride their momentum, there is no reason why they cannot be a competitive team.

Appalachian State, Arkansas State and Georgia Southern will be key games that they need to win in order to achieve this goal. It may be a high expectation but after their performance Saturday, it is certainly possible. There is a brand new vibe around the team, one that could warrant some silverware.

to-do

my notes

tuesday

wednesday

thursday

friday

saturday

sunday

monday TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 2019

THE SIGNAL 19

2019_SM_AnnualMeeting_SEPT_11x17.pdf

1

8/15/19

3:42 PM

C O M M I T T E E O N S T U D E N T C O M M U N I C AT I O N ( C S C )

ANNUAL MEETING 2019 The meeting provides general information and takes questions from the student body.

The CSC is responsible for overseeing the leadership of five student media organizations: Album 88, Neo Network, New South, The Signal and Underground.

C

M

Y

CM

MY

CY

CMY

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FRIDAY September 20 10:30 a.m.

Cinefest Theatre

For more information on the CSC and its bylaws, email bmcneil1@gsu.edu or visit: studentmedia.gsu.edu

STUDENT MEDIA

Student Center West, Suite 456 404-413-1592

studentmedia.gsu.edu

To request disability accommodations at this event, please contact Disability Services, 404-413-1560 or via email: dismail@gsu.edu.