Hawk 2/12/14

High school sweethearts turned Hawk Hill honeys

Hawks wreak havok in Hagan

The Norbergs recount their romance of 22 years

THE HAWK

Features, pg. 11

February 12, 2014

Sports, pg. 16 Saint Joseph’s University | Volumn XCII | Est. 1929 | www.hawkhillnews.com

Jesuit “magis” ≠ university “magis”

Better not be late to class CONNOR MCGUIRE ’16 Special to the Hawk

M

“

KATRYNA PERERA ’16 Assistant News Editor

That’s the Magis” is a phrase all too well known for students, faculty, and members of the Saint Joseph’s University community.

However, there is some reported discrepancy between the university’s definition of the Magis and the true Jesuit definition.

“So the thing about the Magis, the way I see it from the spiritual exercise, is it’s asking you to constantly decide and discern what’s the greater choice,” said Daniel Joyce, S.J., professor of theology.

He went on to explain that in its true context, “Magis” is an adverb, but the university uses it as a noun. “The minute you make it a noun, you’re limiting it,” he said.

Joseph Feeney, S.J., professor of English, explained that the word “Magis” comes from the Jesuit motto “Ad maiorem Dei gloriam,” which translated means “for the greater glory of God.” Therefore, all decisions made to “live greater” should be done with God in mind.

Feeney went on to express disappointment that there is no mention or reference of God throughout the campaign.

“It’s missing a significant piece at the heart of Jesuit education that there was some divine dimension…I find the campaign statements woefully lacking. Nothing major seems to have any sense of God,” he commented.

Adjunts discouraged from unionizing ERIN RAFTERY ’15 News Editor

When these disparities were brought up to Joseph Lunardi, associate vice president of marketing communications, he expressed that the Jesuits were the first ones consulted when the possibility of using the word “Magis” had arisen. He went on to explain that the university has reassured that the word would not be used in relation to materialism.

“We felt, and still feel, that whatever compromises were made in true meaning have not had a negative effect on how the university is perceived or on the results of the campaign,” said Lunardi.

When asked what she thinks about the university modifying the definition, Katie Pierce, ’16, replied, “I guess it kind of depends on interpretation; everyone will see the Magis as something different, I guess the university kind of did the same thing.”

Regardless of the inconsistency between definitions, Joyce stated that he is pleased with the university for using Magis in their advertising efforts.

“I think it’s the first time at the university we’ve really taken seriously the unique Jesuit style of our education… [and] if the end result is people know there’s something different and it gets people talking about it, then that’s what brands do…and that part is really good.”

Continued MAGIS, pg. 3

Union representatives are in conversation with the adjunct faculty of Saint Joseph’s University about signing authorization cards to hold union elections.

Members of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) and the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) have been interacting and educating adjunct faculty about unionizing.

In response to this, C. Kevin Gillespie, ’72, S.J., sent out an email on Feb. 4 to all employees discouraging the adjunct faculty from signing authorization cards.

“The primary purpose of this communication is to present a different view and to encourage our adjunct faculty members not to sign authorization cards for either the SEIU or the AFT,” Gillespie said in his email.

“As I said, I don’t have an official reaction from the AVFC, but there was concern that the attitude…there was some sense that we were being threatened in some way,” added Caroline Meline, adjunct of philosophy and member of the Executive Council of the Adjunct and Visiting Faculty Association.

Continued ADJUNCTS, pg. 3

any faculty members recognize class attendance as a vital stepping-stone on the pathway to success for students. Because Saint Joseph’s University is a smaller school, having as many students present as possible in each class is important in getting the most out of a St. Joe’s education. Naturally, many people on campus have distinct opinions regarding required attendance policies.

St. Joe’s allows its teaching faculty to implement their own attendance policies and does enforce any type of mandated attendance requirement.

“The course expectation form shall include a clear statement on attendance policy, specifying the maximum number of absences permitted in the course. If there is notice to the contrary, students may assume that a policy of unlimited cut prevail,” reads the official Attendance Policy located in the St. Joe’s Academic Catalog. Yet, professors are under no such obligation and can implement any sort of policy, strict or flexible.

It is valued by many on campus that professors do implement specific policies that require attendance for a variety of reasons.

“I believe an attendance policy is an appropriate part of a syllabus that students should have clear cut guidelines on expectations for success in their classes,” said Jeanne Brady, Ph.D., interim dean of college of arts and sciences. She continues, “There are class expectations that faculty have as well as students, and so it’s critical that students are part of it so that there is an engagement of knowledge.”

Robert Teti, visiting instructor of accounting, takes his attendance policy very seriously, keeping a detailed and coordinated record of the students that show up to classes.

“I believe the most important part of the process is showing up, that’s half the battle,” said Teti. Teti keeps an organized attendance sheet in which students sign themselves at the beginning of class.

“The system works. I don’t get that many cuts,” he continued. “I firmly believe in showing up. I think just being there promotes learning.”

Students on campus also agree with the idea of a strict attendance policy in order to promote good, studious behavior among those that attend St. Joe’s.

Continued ATTENDANCE, pg. 3

2 | News

February 12, 2014

The Hawk

Department of Public Safety Reports (Jan. 31 - Feb. 6) January 31 Public Safety confiscated alcohol from a St. Joe’s student inside the lobby of Rashford Hall.

bine Avenue. Public Safety Officers and Philadelphia Police responded. Incident under investigation.

Public Safety confiscated alcohol from a St. Joe’s student inside the lobby of McShain Residence Center.

Public Safety was notified by an area resident of a loud party in the 2000 block of N. 63rd Street. Public Safety Officers and Philadelphia Police responded and dispersed the crowd.

Public Safety confiscated alcohol from a St. Joe’s student inside the lobby of McShain Residence Center.

February 2

Public Safety was notified regarding a St. Joe’s student receiving unwanted text messages.

No incidents to report.

February 3 February 1 Public Safety was notified by Facilities Management of a damaged chair on the fifth floor of LaFarge Residence Center.

Public Safety was notified of an altercation inside LaFarge Residence Center. Public Safety Officers responded. Residence Life was notified.

Public Safety was notified by Residence Life of sexual graffiti on a bulletin board inside LaFarge Residence Center.

Public Safety was notified by an area resident of St. Joe’s students pushing over cement statues in the 5600 block of Wood-

Public Safety was notified regarding an assault of a St. Joe’s student in Manayunk on Sunday, Jan. 26. Philadelphia Police were notified. The student sustained a broken tooth and possible fracture orbital bone.

Incident under investigation.

Public Safety was notified by Facilities Management of a fallen tree, which struck a light pole outside of Windrim Hall.

February 4 Public Safety confiscated alcohol from a St. Joe’s student inside the lobby of Moore Hall.

Public Safety was notified regarding an assault of two St. Joe’s students at an off campus party in Manayunk. Philadelphia Police were notified. One student sustained a laceration to the head. The second student sustained a fractured ankle. Incident under investigation.

February 5 Public Safety was notified by Facilities Management of a fallen tree branch falling on a parked vehicle on Cardinal Avenue.

Public Safety was notified by the Student Health Center of a St. Joe’s student being struck by a vehicle at the intersection of 54th & City Avenue. The student refused medical attention.

11 | 2

ALCOHOL RELATED INCIDENTS

On Campus

Off Campus

0|0

DRUG RELATED INCIDENTS

On Campus

Off Campus

February 6

Public Safety was notified by a St. Joe’s student of a theft of $550.00 currency while at the Drexel Library. Incident under investigation.

Call Public Safety:

610-660-1111

February 12, 2014

Continued MAGIS, from pg. 1

W

hen asked how he feels about the various ways students use the word, Joyce replied, “I don’t have a problem with it,” for he feels that students have a basic understanding of the word, and through repeatedly using it, they may learn and gain more knowledge about its true meaning Feeney also stated that he understands the university’s want of a single word campaign, but said that in terms of putting emphasis on a core characteristic of Saint Joseph’s, a misstep was made.

“It’s understandable that the campaign, in order to be a successful campaign, wanted only one single focus…[but that was] their chance to put something [God] in and they goofed.”

When asked for his thoughts on the campaign, David Allan, Ph.D., chair of marketing, expressed that the only objection he has is that people are not able to explain what Magis actually means. “If I can’t explain it, I don’t think it can be explained in advertising,” he said.

According to market research conducted by Simpson: Scarborough on the Magis campaign in comparison to other Philadelphia institutions ad campaigns, the St. Joe’s tagline “That’s the Magis” was correctly identified and recalled more than any other.

Pierce substantiated this claim by saying, “It’s catchy, so people will remember it.”

However, the study went on to state that, “Among those aware of the Magis campaign, most of the SJU-affiliated business leaders did not know what it meant…[and] half of non-affiliated business leaders did not know what it meant.”

Allan went on to explain that he feels the Magis campaign fit the criteria the university was looking for, but personally, he feels it could have been done another way. “[Magis] fit perfectly into what they were proactively looking for,” he said. “[But] I think that it wasn’t necessary. I think we could have gone a different way…I think that based on budgets…we probably could have done something that accomplished the same goal, and didn’t need so much explaining.”

Allan also expressed that there has been some disappointment within the Marketing department that the faculty was not directly involved with the marketing and advertising of the university.

“We find it unfortunate,” said Allan. “You are somehow qualified to send out marketers into the world…yet you don’t have any input.”

When the matter was communicated to Lunardi, he replied, “Fundamentally, their [faculty] primary role is to teach students.”

The Magis campaign was launched in 2011 when members of the university felt that the progress and growth of the university was not being showcased well enough; it was decided that the name and message of St. Joe’s was not being presented successfully to the world.

The Magis campaign was launched to coincide with the start of the 2012 Summer Olympics, in which St. Joe’s purchased approximately 70-80 television commercial spots with an overall cost of approximately $400,000.

Lunardi went on to explain that after the launch of the campaign, there was a 6 percent increase in applications received, a rise in web hits for the word “Magis,” and an overall increase of awareness of the word as well as its relation to St. Joe’s. The university also won the Telly in 2012 for Education spot of the year. The Telly Awards honor film and video productions, web commercials, and local, regional, and cable TV commercials and programs.

“I don’t know that I’ve seen a better campaign at drawing in the uninitiated to what the values of Saint Joseph’s and Jesuit education really are,” said Lunardi.

This February, the university also purchased spots during the Super Bowl, which, according to postings on the Town Hall site, cost $21,396.

There has been some concern about the university’s decision to spend money on advertising spots during a time of evident financial troubles; when brought up to University Provost, Brice Wachterhauser, Ph.D., he explained that the ads are necessary to keep the reputation of St. Joe’s out there.

When asked if there is substantial proof that the Magis campaign has been successful, Wachterhauser replied, “There’s been a steady increase in applications, and it’s plausible to think that maybe the Magis campaign had something to do with that, but I don’t think we have hard evidence.”

As the Board of Trustees only approved the campaign for three years, its expected finish is 2014. When asked if he thinks the university will continue with the campaign, Lunardi expressed he is certain that Magis and its meaning will continue to be incorporated.

“I can’t imagine that we won’t do some version of Magis in year four… it’s too good.”

Despite debate over the true meaning of Magis and the spending on advertisements during troubling financial times, it looks like “That’s the Magis” is here to stay.

News | 3

The Hawk

Administration works to prevent union elections

S

Continued ADJUNCTS, from pg. 1

ome adjunct faculty felt as though Gillespie’s email was illegal, in the sense that it discouraged adjuncts from unionizing.

However, according to representatives of both SEIU and AFT, it is legal for the university to express their views on unionization, even if it is negative. According to a SEIU representative, it is only illegal if the administration were to specifically fight back, fire adjunct faculty members, or force adjuncts into not signing the cards.

“We can’t prevent, nor can we attempt to prevent, [the] organizing effort, but the university has every right to communicate its position,” added Joseph Lunardi, associate vice president of marketing communications.

In addition, Gillespie cited how the university offered adjuncts, who met the requirements, a medical insurance plan in 2012 and 2013.

He speaks about how University Provost Brice Wachterhauser, Ph.D., has been working with the AVFC to increase compensation for adjunct faculty at St. Joe’s.

However, an email from Gillespie was sent out on Feb. 6 to inform the university community that Wachterhauser would no longer be serving as provost after the end of this academic year.

Some adjuncts found this concerning since Wachterhauser was their liaison in pursuing improvements.

“I think it does matter,” said Meline. “I don’t know what the next provost will be like, if the next provost will have a concern and willingness to work with the non-tenured track faculty as Dr. Wachterhauser did,” said Meline.

Gillespie argued that if the adjunct faculty unionizes, they would no longer have the type of close interaction with the administration because only their union representative would be able to speak with the administration on the adjunct faculty’s behalf.

However, according to a representative of SEIU, a diverse group of adjuncts would make up a committee to meet with administrators in order to have a say in the negotiation process. Union representatives would provide advice.

Gillespie concluded his email with a request for

adjunct faculty to not sign authorization cards, which would allow union elections on campus.

“The university believes that more adjuncts will get a better set of working conditions and compensation without collective bargaining,” replied Lunardi.

According to representatives from both SEIU and AFT, in order for a union election to occur, 30 percent of the adjunct faculty at St. Joe’s would have to sign authorization cards in favor of holding an election. If 50 percent of the adjunct faculty votes to have a union during this election, then a union would be created.

The AVFC has made no official announcement to indicate interest in moving forward in the unionization process.

They will be holding a meeting on March 3 to discuss the pros and cons of joining a union, as well as the pros and cons of both union organizations that have been present at St. Joe’s – SEIU and AFT. If the adjunct faculty choose to unionize, Linehan says that there are consequences to consider. Linehan pointed out that unions can exploit members and that there are union fees.

However, there are also benefits to joining a union.

“You know right now they are talking about increasing class sizes and cutting adjuncts, so this would not, if I were an adjunct, this would not make me feel confident that the university had my back,” explained Linehan.

According to a representative of SEIU, adjunct faculty could possibly gain job security, health insurance, pay raises, and a voice in university decisions that impact them and their students.

“So those are the three major issues: equity and pay, benefits, job security, and then the fourth would be just a sense of recognition,” said Alan Iser, adjunct of theology, in regards to what adjuncts would want to gain if they were to unionize.

At this time, there is no indication that the adjunct faculty of St. Joe’s is moving to formally unionize; however, the option remains on the table with administration discouragement.

Attendance policies compared

“

Continued ATTENDANCE, from pg. 1

I believe that attendance policies are necessary for today’s college students. As I have learned through my co-op experience, communication among peers is extremely important in the corporate world. Since many college courses are discussion-based, a student who skips class frequently will be unable to develop these communication skills,” says Nicholas Pleskunas, ’16, who is currently doing co-op at Pace Target Brokerage in Malvern, PA. The idea of an attendance policy, according to Professor Susan Liebell, assistant professor of political science, is that it serves the vital purpose of keeping the students who prefer a successful social life over a strong academic record in class. “I try to tell students that college is something for them, and they should take ownership rather than treat it as an extension of high school.”

On keeping attendance, Liebell said, “In a perfect world, I would not do it. But Saint Joseph’s culture of doing the reading, attending class, etc. is really of two cities: a wonderful group of engaged and hard working students and another group that does little and treats class as an interference with social life.”

Elise Moore, ’15, conveys a different student perspective on the aforementioned policies. “Attendance, while I understand it is important to go to class, should not be mandated and students should not be penalized for not going. We are adults, we pay for our education, we should be able to choose whether or not we attend class.”

In comparison to other Jesuit Universities, St. Joe’s imposes a rather lenient policy. Fordham University, located in Bronx, New York, requires its teaching faculty to impose different attendance policies unless otherwise approved by the department of that specific study.

Paul Cimbala, Ph.D., professor of history at Fordham University, understands the burden that a heavily restricted attendance policy calls for.

“In the end, my students learn that I am a soft touch because I understand the frailty of human nature, having once been a college student. I can bend the rules for good reasons if the student is sincere and completes all assignments.”

Pennsylvania State University applies a similar attendance policy to that of St. Joe’s, enabling the professors to make the call regarding whether or not a student’s attendance affects their final grade.

“A student whose irregular attendance causes him or her, in the judgment of the instructor, to become deficient scholastically, may run the risk of receiving a failing grade,” reads the school’s class attendance policy.

Alexandria DePasquale, ’15, a student at Pennsylvania State University, expressed her opinion of an attendance policy and its effect at a large school. “Overall, I think it is important for kids to go because they’re paying for it. Penn State is a big school, so I don’t really pay attention to attendance,” she stated.

Despite the variety of opinions on late and attendance policies, they appear to be common in higher education.

4 | Opinions

February 12, 2014

The Hawk

Editorial “What’s the magis?” University slogan brings both praise and questions to campus

Editor in Chief Garrett Miley ’15 MANAGING EDITOR Cat Coyle ’16 COPY CHIEF Molly Grab ’17 Business Director Teddy Ryan ’16 Faculty Adviser Dan Reimold

While the magis has clearly overtaken Hawk Hill, bringing inspiration to many students, questions remain about how it represents our Jesuit identity

News editor Erin Raftery ’15 ASSISTANT NEWS EDITOR Katryna Perera ’16 OPINIONS EDITOR Joseph Cerrone ’14 FEATURES EDITOR Karen Funaro ’16 Connie Lunanova ’16 A&E EDITOR Caoimhe Nagle ’15 FASHION EDITOR Gillian Murphy ’14 FOOD EDITOR Katie Smith ’15 HEALTH EDITOR Gianna Melendez ’16 SPORTS EDITOR C.J. DeMille ’16 ASSISTANT SPORTS EDITOR Nate Vancil ’16 LAYOUT EDITOR Andrew Nguyen ’17 PHOTO EDITOR Shannon Adams ’16

“What’s magis?” As students of Saint Joseph’s University, we have heard this question asked numerous times. From commercials and billboards to street signs and bumper stickers, this word has permeated our lives and dominated our identity on Hawk Hill. But despite the widespread use of this moniker, the advertising campaign remains a touchy issue for some on campus. While there are numerous clear benefits that have emerged from this endeavor, questions also remain about the cost of the program and its connection to our Jesuit roots. With many dramatic developments unfolding every day at St. Joe’s, it is important to take a look at what the magis actually means to us and what its role is in our community.

There are undeniably many positive results that have come forth from this campaign; the magis slogan provides St. Joe’s with a unique and intriguing brand that has captivated people both on and off campus.

The television ads, billboards, and other magis-based advertising mechanisms are well designed, attractive, and often captivating. Furthermore, the central message of the campaign—that a St. Joe’s education motivates students to do more and be greater—is inspiring and exactly the type of encouragement that students need. For many on Hawk Hill, the magis

Hot/Not

has become a part of our daily lives—a call to action that makes us want to truly live greater.

However, despite the popularity of the Magis campaign, there are several central problems that call into question its legitimacy. A primary area of concern is the fact that the campaign misconstrues the true meaning of magis. While the description of the word in St. Joe’s commercials convey it as a self-motivational device intent on maximizing our personal success, its origins lie in the need to make choices that will promote the greater good. This discrepancy was revealed when the campaign began, yet it is troubling that this erroneous definition has not been corrected in some way. While the popular usage of magis has surged among students, particularly on social media, it is clear that confusion persists about the exact significance of this central value.

An even greater issue lies in the fact that the advertising campaign divorces the magis from its religious origins. Although we understand that the university must be careful to ensure that it does not polarize or turn people off by overplaying religious identity, our nature as a Catholic, Jesuit university is central to who we are and should be acknowledged.

As it stands, the magis campaign seems based more on secular values such as getting higher grades and increasing our marketability, instead of the Jesuit ideal of doing more for the greater glory of God. Moving forward, we should ensure that the campaign flows from the mission of the university, instead of dictating it. Most importantly, it must reflect our Catholic, Jesuit identity and confirm our strong heritage and tradition.

Overall, it is a good thing that the magis has taken over Hawk Hill.

As with any attempt to clearly define the complex and multifaceted community that is St. Joe’s, there are bound to be weaknesses, problems, and concerns. However, in many ways the positive aspects of this campaign outshine the negatives. Love it or hate it, magis has become a defining feature of the education offered at St. Joe’s and has inspired many of us to do more and live greater.

—The Hawk Staff

Letter to the Editor

on Hawk Hill

To the Editor,

HOT

Hawks wreak havoc on VCU The Saint Joseph’s University men’s basketball team scored an upset victory against the Virginia Commonwealth University Rams on Feb. 8 at the Michael J. Hagan ’85 Arena. Although the Rams were favored going into the game, the Hawks prevailed, winning 69-62. The Hawks have won two of the last three games, all of which have been challenging matchups. The team’s recent sucess has raised hopes on Hawk Hill that the team may make a trip to the NCAA tournament in March.

Facilities staff keeps up with winter weather on Hawk Hill

While many students have reveled in the recent spat of winter storms, which have offered us numerous snow days, the facilities staff has worked tirelessly to keep everything on Hawk Hill clean and safe. From salting our pathways before the first flurries to shoveling our roads and walkways after the inches have piled up, the work of our facilities staff is invaluable and allows us to continue to take advantage of the resources offered on our campus.

NOT

Despite ice storm, university holds classes Most students rightly expected that the forecast of snow and ice for last Wed., February 5 would warrant a snow day. Therefore, many were surprised when the university decided not to cancel classes, despite the dangerous weather. Once students trekked to Hawk Hill, they were met with a labyrinthine series of barracades, yellow tape, and patrolling Public Safety officers meant to divert them from fallen trees and other dangerous areas. With the entire South Walk, Lapsley Lane, and many other areas of campus inaccesible, students were forced to wander aimlessly in their attempts to make it to their classes, being pelted by falling ice all the while. While the university’s desire to conserve snow days is understandable, looking back, it is clear that this day was a complete mess and should never have happened. As the saying goes, “Better safe than sorry.”

We write to thank The Hawk for its coverage of recent events including the budget shortfall, the decision to raise an incoming class of 1,500, and the elimination of the employee email alias. Many faculty and staff disagree with recent decisions made by the administration, but while tenure track faculty can voice our concerns through shared governance, like the faculty senate, students do not have this forum.

The Hawk has been instrumental in keeping students informed about changes to the university, and we applaud your coverage.

A university is different from a corporation for a number of reasons. Unlike a corporation, faculty, staff, students, alums, and parents are all stakeholders and should have a voice in the decisions that are made. To exclude any group of stakeholders or to make decisions made exclusively on “best business practices” is to imperil an institution that many of us love. It is also unfaithful to the deeper Jesuit principles that underlie our mission. By writing thoughtfully about recent complex events, The Hawk has provided students, faculty, and staff with information that helps us all move toward informed decision making. Without your reporting, many in our community would be unaware of the decisions being made at the top levels that will affect faculty’s ability to teach and students’ ability to learn.

These are complex issues and students’ voices matter.

Jesuit education calls on us to question the status quo vigorously and thoughtfully, and to act independently and with freedom. While we, as faculty members, might not always agree with aspects of The Hawk’s coverage, we are extremely proud of your willingness to question and to engage with the challenging and complex issues the university faces. Without The Hawk’s coverage, many students would be unaware of the dangers posed by recent administrative decisions.

Thank you for all that you do, Robert Moore, Ph.D. Professor of Sociology President, Faculty Senate

Ann E. Green, Ph.D. Professor of English Vice President, Faculty Senate

Kristopher Tapp, Ph.D. Professor of Mathematics Secretary, Faculty Senate

Elizabeth Linehan, R.S.M, Ph.D. Professor of Philosophy Elections Liaison, Faculty Senate

Tim Swift, Ph.D. Professor of Management APP/FPP Liaison, Faculty Senate

Phyllis Anastasio, Ph.D. Professor and Chair of Psychology College of Arts and Sciences College Council

February 12, 2014

Opinions | 5

The Hawk

Dealing with relatives on social media KATHERINE GRYGO ’16 Hawk Staff

I object!

Mass media and self-objectification

“

Self-objectification is the act of looking at our bodies as objects of another’s pleasure. It involves dismembering and critiquing our bodies along standards someone else has set.”

CARINA ENSMINGER ’14 Hawk Staff

I could write nail-biting epics about the battles I have with my mirror. You’re too fat for this dress versus if you want to wear it, wear it. You don’t deserve that cookie ’cause you didn’t exercise versus stop policing your eating habits and do what you want to do. Some days, the ongoing conflict can get a bit overwhelming.

I’m not alone in this cycle of self-consciousness and body negativity. Every day, I watch my friends stress about the way their bodies, or specific parts of their bodies, look. Thigh gaps, breasts, arms, biceps, abs, ass, everything. I listen to my friends bemoan skipping the gym or berate themselves for eating a slice of cake. What I’ve begun to realize is that some of this has got a lot to do with how we’ve learned to view our bodies.

We live in a country in which women’s bodies, and increasingly men’s as well, are treated as objects. They’re sliced up, pulled apart, reassembled, retouched, sexualized, and criticized every day by magazines, television advertisements, and other forms of media. For example, one advertisement for women’s pear-scented leg shaving cream depicts the disembodied legs of a woman.

This advertisement represents an example of how our media dismembers female bodies. The copy reads “Quite a pear,” an obvious pun of “pair,” referring specifically to the figure’s legs. Both the visual language and the copy of this advertisement implicitly encourage us to look at women’s bodies as an assemblage of parts rather than a collective whole, a bunch of things rather than a person.

Cringe.

Another ad for your viewing displeasure comes from BMW, depicting a man and woman in bed to-

gether in a suggestive position. The only problem is, her face is covered by a magazine depicting a car.

This ad always disgusts me. By placing the picture of the car over the woman’s face, the advertisers have stripped the woman of her humanity and has made her quite literally a sexual object. I mean who needs to see her face? It’s not like she’s a person or anything…

Need another example? Look no further than the latest Oikos commercial which aired during the Super Bowl. John Stamos drops yogurt onto his jeans in the attempt to get the younger woman to lick it off, another prime example of how women are presented as objects of sexual gratification.

Recently, there’s been an increase in media that sexually objectifies men. Take the Kraft Zesty commercials for example. In a nutshell, it features a ripped guy licking spoons, cooking without a shirt, and lying on picnic blankets with only his naughty bits covered. They’re commercials for salad dressing. Salad dressing! Not a fan. Why? Because the solution to treating women as sexual objects is not to do the same to men—you’re not going to save your burning house by lighting your neighbor’s on fire.

Though we like to think that we’re immune to the influence of these messages, the truth is we aren’t. Of course we can look at these advertisements and say that’s awful, that’s ridiculous, how could they do that, RAWR! But the reality is that we do not always analyze what we are ingesting.

And let’s be real, we are bombarded with these messages everywhere we go. Unfortunately, some of it gets through. This process of internalization is where the real problem lies: once it’s internalized, we sometimes begin to objectify ourselves.

Self-objectification is the act of looking at our bodies as objects of another’s pleasure. It involves dismembering and critiquing our bodies in relation to standards someone else has set. I’m not skinny enough. My biceps aren’t toned enough. I have negative abs.

I think that in order to stop the cycle of selfobjectification and body negativity we need to step back and analyze from where these thoughts stem. Skinny or toned enough according to whom?

Yourself? Or some unnamed other, some ideal?

Are you on the treadmill because working out empowers you, or are you there because you’re, quite literally, chasing an ideal that’s not your own? I know this can be difficult to tease out, but for me, trying to discover the reasons why I do things has been an important part of my ongoing process of self-acceptance. To me, it’s been the difference between empowerment and self-consciousness. The difference between body positivity and negativity.

It’s by no means the only answer out there, but I definitely think it is worth it to ask yourself these questions and to continue to analyze the media you consume.

You are on your phone in class and notice that your Facebook App has a red dot on it, signaling that you have a notification. You’re filled with anticipation; you wonder if another person has liked your new profile picture, or if your friend has posted the latest BuzzFeed quiz that tells you which Gossip Girl character you’re most like (even though you already took it and you’re Serena…duh).

You open the app and see that you have a friend request.

Adrenaline pulses through your veins. What if it’s the cute boy from your Poli-Sci class? You two totally had a connection when he passed you the syllabus. You click on it and read that the friend request is from Marge Coffey…your 76-year-old grandmother.

With social media sites such as Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, our generation is able to find out what party Sally Jones went to on Saturday night and see the video exhibiting the crazy dance moves Chris Smith did to land himself in the hospital moments afterwards.

We have an obsession with keeping our peers well informed about all of our happenings; in the beginning, it was great. We had a world of our own to in which to communicate and learn new information about people. But now, Aunt Marie and Uncle John have infiltrated social media.

No longer are you able to lie through your teeth at family reunions and say you like to play Scrabble on Friday nights or watch rom-coms with your roommates. Not only can all of your friends see that picture of you doing a keg stand, but your catloving great-aunt can as well. Grandma Louise now has the power to comment on your pictures and say endearing things such as, “Aw, I knew you’d blossom soon enough!”

But fear not! There are solutions to the leaky flow of information. The first and most obvious: Don’t accept the friend request.

Yes, they are family, but as the saying goes – you can pick your friends, but you can’t pick your family. This applies in the world of who you friend on Facebook or let follow you on Instagram and Twitter. It may be harsh, but it will save you from awkward conversations about something your uncle saw on your profile, or humiliating comments from mom about “leaving room for the Holy Spirit” when you post a picture of you and the guy you took to your sorority’s formal.

If that’s too coldhearted for you, then simply limit the things your family can view on your Facebook profile. We may bemoan how Facebook constantly changes its layout and adds new features, but some of the great new innovations are the privacy settings you can put on your account that limit the content certain people are allowed to see.

You can block friends from viewing certain albums, like the one where you posted all of those lovely selfies in which you are very clearly intoxicated. You can also limit what your family comments on, so you no longer have to contemplate changing your identity after your aunt posts how she, “can’t believe you’re all grown up and not running around in diapers anymore.”

But maybe it’s a good thing to be Facebook friends with your family. Maybe it will give us a reason to think twice before we post that picture of us in our short skirts, or the one around the keg with the bros.

Maybe we can use the fact that Auntie Em and Uncle Henry will be seeing our profiles as an excuse to not post the pictures from last Friday night. Realistically, some of the things we post should only be viewed the morning after, then promptly deleted.

Maybe being friends with our family can be the reason we think before we post. If it’s not a picture you would want your grandmother to have on her mantelpiece, then it has no business being on her newsfeed either.

6 | Opinions

February 12, 2014

The Hawk

Valentine’s Day survival guide In a new relationship

KAREN FUNARO ’16 Features Editor It’s that time of year again: love is in the air, stores are filled with cheesy cards with witty pick up lines, life-sized teddy bears are being purchased all over the world, countless boxes of chocolates shaped as hearts are being consumed, and hopeless romantics find themselves making reservations for a romantic night that could possibly change their relationship status. It’s Valentine’s Day. For some, it’s one of the happiest days of the year, filled with love and excitement; but for some singles, it’s a day filled with anger, binge eating, and hatred. Regardless of whether or not you are in a relationship, newly single, or have a special someone in mind, Valentine’s Day is what you make of it.

There are plenty of ways to make it both memorable and fun.

In a long relationship

If you have been with a person for a very long time, try to spice things up this Valentine’s Day. Instead of going to the same restaurant you always go to, try something new!

Get tickets to see that show you both always wanted to see, or do something really unique like taking a day trip to another city. Nothing screams cute and romantic like a weekend getaway with the one you love! If you are looking for a unique gift idea instead of the usual box of chocolates or bouquet of flowers, make a video filled with pictures of you and your special someone. This is a fun, creative way to look back on all of the great memories you have made over the years, and is sure to be a thoughtful gift they will never forget.

If this is your first Valentine’s Day together, try to make it really special. Instead of going out to dinner, cook a meal together. Don’t buy the person you love a present, make one instead. There are tons of interesting crafts to show your affection that beat a box of candy any day. One unique idea is to fill a glass jar with reasons why you love being with your spec i a l s o m e - one. Since it’s your first Valentine’s Day together, you don’t want to be too over the top. Remember that less is more – one single rose is better than a dozen, and a home cooked meal with candles can go a long way to show someone how you feel.

Single with someone in mind If you are single, but have been eyeing a special someone for quite some time, Valentine’s Day is the perfect opportunity to make a move and let him or her know you are interested.

Be bold and text them, inviting them to hang out. Whether it is just a trip to the movies or going bowling, if you two happen to end up calling it a date—then so be it. Like the saying goes, “You miss 100 percent of the shots that you don’t take.” So stop making excuses, pick up the phone, and send your crush a text. You’ll never know what he or she might say until you build up the courage to ask.

Recently broken up If this is your first Valentine’s Day alone in a while, fear not! Instead of making a beeline to the freezer and spending the day curled up with Ben & Jerry’s watching Netflix, do something positive. Treat yourself to a spa-day and get a massage, or head over to King of Prussia Mall and buy yourself that pair of shoes you’ve been eyeing. Nothing helps heal a broken heart better than a little retail therapy.

Besides, if you have no one to spend money on this Valentine’s Day, who better to treat than yourself! Remember that it’s just another day and that you are beautiful; the most important relationship any person can have is with themself, so don’t be afraid to treat yourself – you deserve it! If you are afraid of spending the day alone, call up your best friend and have a movie night. Sometimes quality time with a good friend is all it takes to keep your spirits up.

Single and happy If you are happily single this Valentine’s Day and content with not having a romantic partner, spend the day and night with your single friends! Hit the bars (if you are of age) or go to dinner with them. Remember to laugh much and smile often. It’s okay to be happy and on your own.

Buy your mom or dad a Valentine’s Day present if you still want to celebrate in some sort of way.

Just because it’s usually couples that shower each other with gifts doesn’t mean you can’t do the same for your family. After all, they love you unconditionally every single day, and it’s nice to do something to make someone else as happy as you are.

Making the most of Valentine’s Day What to do when you’re How to enjoy the holiday of love

single on Valentine’s Day MADISON DONCHEZ ’17

PAUL KAROLY ’17 Special to The Hawk

Valentine’s Day: a day in which couples, families, friends, and crushes come together to express their love for one another.

This tradition has been around since A.D. 270, when Saint Valentine sent a “Valentine” greeting to the daughter of the Roman prison owner in whose jail he was being contained. It has been said that this greeting was signed, “From your Valentine,” an expression still commonly used today.

Since then, this holiday has transformed tremendously. It is no longer as simple as sending someone a Valentine, but instead requires planning for weeks on end to have the perfect day with that perfect someone. Some people may despise the holiday itself, but in reality, it can be a great day if you make it one.

Too often in today’s society we are caught up in the rush of the world around us, sometimes forgetting what really matters. Valentine’s Day gives us the chance to slow down, take a break from the everyday stress, and focus on the bright side of life. It gives couples, families, and friends the opportunity to come together and enjoy each other’s company.

Whether it is going out to eat or going on an extravagant date, people are spending time with their loved ones; that’s all that should matter.

This time together can bring joy and pure happiness into people’s lives, something they may not have experienced since Christmas. And even if for whatever reason a couple, a family, or friends can’t get together, Valentine’s Day is the second-most popular card-sending holiday – 150 million Valentine’s Day cards are exchanged annually, so sending a card to show your love is perfectly acceptable.

If sending cards is not necessarily your forte,

Valentine’s Day is a perfect holiday for exchanging material gifts as well, with the most popular being dozens upon dozens of roses, and everyone’s favorite treat: chocolate. This day also gives you the excuse to indulge in your favorite candy without feeling bad that you may have eaten chocolate for breakfast, lunch, and/or dinner.

Unfortunately, most of the time chocolate is not seen as a sufficient gift. Yet there is a simple solution to the anxiety that some say this holiday often causes— make it fun and be creative. I’ll never forget last Valentine’s Day, when my current roommate Ryan, my friend Josh, and I proudly walked into Build-A-Bear workshop to make stuffed bears for our girlfriends. Although it was a bit embarrassing, we made the most of it and made preparing for the holiday fun. The giving is always better than the receiving.

Although this is probably still a few years down the line for the most of us, Valentine’s Day is also the perfect day on which to get married. It’s the most romantic day of the year, so it would also be a great day to celebrate your anniversary for the rest of your life. And, even better, you’ll never forget another anniversary again!

Whether you love it or hate it, Valentine’s Day will soon be upon us and it will be what you make of it. If you have a significant other, make sure to spend the day with them and let them know how much you really do care about them. If you’re single, there’s no need to worry. Get together with your friends and family if you can and enjoy each other’s company.

And if you’re really feeling generous, make some Valentines and give them to people – you never know whose day you will make.

Embrace the day and make it enjoyable, because the pros of Valentine’s Day greatly outweigh the cons.

Special to The Hawk

We all know that one holiday in particular that makes people either very happy or very bitter—it’s Valentine’s Day. For all of you that are in love, this day may be one of the most romantic occasions to spend with your special someone. But for all those who are single-andnot-quite-ready-to-mingle, there’s still plenty to do to celebrate this holiday. So, instead of sulking the entire day in your room, watching rom-coms, and eating chocolate—let’s have some fun.

Being single can be a great time to enjoy yourself and not worry about things that friends who are in relationships have to. I know you’ve heard this all before, but that’s because it’s true. So, here are a few ideas to keep the party going this Valentine’s Day. 1. Gather all your single friends and simply hang out. You won’t have to flinch at the sound of cute couples-talk. You could all go bowling, to the movies, or to dinner. By spending time with other single friends, you won’t dwell on your lack of a significant other.

2. Instead of spending money on your other half, blow it on yourself! Splurge on something you’ve been eyeing for a while. Treating yourself will feel good, because, let’s face it – you’re awesome. Better yet, call it “Me Day,” when you treat you. It won’t make you selfish; it will show you that you deserve some T.L.C. 3. Go somewhere. We are in the beautiful City of Brotherly Love, which is packed with fun things to do. Just make sure you have a single buddy with you to be safe. The day in the city will turn all your attention to your surroundings. You can visit the Philadelphia Museum of Art, the aquarium, or hit up Reading Terminal Market for a late lunch.

Trust me, you can never be bored in Philadelphia.

4. Have a movie marathon—but not with sappy, romantic movies. Instead try scary movies or a Harry Potter marathon. This also requires food, and a lot of it. So tell each of your friends to bring snacks and voilà! You have a feast of junk food to scarf down all night.

5. For all of you that are still bitter about being single, you could just pretend it’s a normal day. Spend it doing whatever you would normally do on a Friday night, which might include watching rom-coms and eating chocolate; don’t worry, we don’t judge.

Whatever you end up doing on Valentine’s Day, make sure that you enjoy it. Spend this time fulfilling the pleasures of singleness. This won’t last forever and eventually (sigh) you will find “the one.” So go off and make plans for the very special night of being single.

Puppy love February 12, 2014

Features | 7

The Hawk

Dogs: a Hawk’s best friend

cat jones ’15 Special to the Hawk Rosemary Martin’s morning routine is a simple, three-step process. In her words: “Grab backpack. Grab purse. Grab dog.”

By comparison, for Martin, ’14, the process of developing a unique bond with her seeing-eye dog, Jordan, has been much more complex.

“I was never a dog person,” she said. But now, almost two years after becoming acquainted with her black lab, Jordan is “the only guy in my life.”

Martin said that ultimately, only people with working dogs can fully comprehend the relationship between owner and guide dog.

Martin received her first seeing-eye dog, Star, in January 2011. But due to an overwhelming and stressful environment, Martin had to retire Star. The dog now lives with Martin’s family.

“Retiring Star was the hardest thing to do, and going from having her in my left hand to using a cane was difficult,” she said. “Things with Star were meant to happen, and it is great to come home to her.”

In May of 2012, Martin was matched with a new seeing-eye dog. Martin recalled the third day of training, “Dog Day,” when owner and dog are matched together. She called out Jordan’s name and the lab catapulted into her lap. “I laughed hysterically,” she said, “and he couldn’t handle himself.”

By comparison, Martin remains grateful for how The Seeing Eye Inc., a Morristown, N.J. non-profit organization, has handled her guide-dog needs.

The Seeing Eye Inc. has matched more than 16,000 people with guide dogs. The organization worked with Jordan through special training in New York City, and also by having him sit in on a class at Rutgers University— this was to prepare him for Martin’s life at St. Joe’s.

The preparations have paid off. “So many times he’s pushed me out of the way from bikers and people,” Martin said. “He’s literally saved me. ... Jordan is the best eyes I could ask for.”

Photo courtesy Rosemary Martin, ’14

“He’s literally saved me...

Jordan is the best pair of eyes I could ask for.” Rosemary Martin ’14

Rose & Jordan

Photo courtesy Amanda Carson, ’16

kelly patterson ’15 Special to The Hawk

Amanda & allison

During a winter service immersion trip in Bayou La Batre, Ala., Amanda Carson, ’16, fell in love – with a fluffy, multi-colored, five-pound puppy named Allison.

Carson came across Allison accidentally near the start of the trip, spotting the “cutest puppy” snuggled up to the building in which her group of 14 St. Joe’s students and two faculty advisers would be staying.

“She was a mystery to all of us,” said Carson, a history major from West Chester, Pa. While Allison’s breed was unidentified, Carson said she resembled a mini-Australian Shepherd. For Carson though, the attraction was not to Allison’s background, but the timid look and innocence in the dog’s eyes.

While instantly establishing a home in Carson’s heart, Allison also had a true home— with the owner of the food pantry where the students performed daily service. Throughout Carson’s workday, she would regularly see Allison; she recalled, “I would take puppy breaks to play with Allison and get rejuvenated.”

Carson soon learned Allison was one of 10 puppies who had recently been born, but was the last of the litter left to sell. Even though Carson could not take her home, she appreciated the “dates” they shared, which included playing with local children and feeding her Kibbles ‘n Bits while the puppy lay peacefully on her lap.

Carson also attempted to get Allison to wear sunglasses and pose for photos at times. She recalled Allison as “such a diva!”

Although confusion occasionally struck when Allison, the trip’s service leader, thought she was being addressed instead of the dog, Carson knew there was only one Allison on her mind.

As Carson recalled, “Allison allowed us to just slow down every so often and enjoy where we were.”

In such a short time, the “puppy without an owner” became a symbol of community among the student volunteers. Carson said, ultimately, while she went on the service trip to help make a difference in the life of someone else, Allison’s love made a lasting difference in hers.

Erin Bellomy ’16 Special to The Hawk Deacon Jr. came into Brianna Andersen’s life on her sister’s eighth birthday. He arrived in a lidded box covered in wrapping paper.

Deacon Jr. (DJ), a Wheaten Terrier, was the runt of his litter. Shortly after DJ became acquainted with the family, Andersen, her sister, and her cousins took him for a walk. Andersen said he was having the time of his life – until he leaned too far into a storm drain lining the curb and fell in.

Andersen’s cousin dropped the leash out of fear, but DJ held on to the edge of the curb with all the might in his tiny puppy paws. Anderson immediately swiped up the leash and pulled DJ back up to the road, saving him – at least temporarily.

“Dogs are such a special species of animal,” Andersen said. “They have the ability to make any bad day better and ease the pain of the saddest of situations. They emanate love all hours of the day, and if you lose your temper with them, they forgive and forget almost instantaneously. DJ has done all of these things for my family. To me, there is no better feeling than to look into the eyes of your pet and know that their love for you reaches past the heavens.”

A while back, DJ developed a tumor on his neck. The vet informed the Andersen family that he would have to be put down. There was a surgery that could be performed, but it was expensive, and not a sure fix.

The family decided DJ would be put to sleep. Andersen said she spent her days cuddled up on the living room couch while the family tried desperately to keep their spirits up. “But that couldn’t prevent the tears from silently falling down each of our faces when we thought no one was looking,” she said.

Too afraid to ask when his last day would be, Andersen instead lived in constant fear of never seeing him again. One night, when she could not sleep, she sat up and prayed for DJ to be granted one more chance. She recalled that she must have said “please” about 1,000 times.

Two days later, while walking to class, Andersen’s father called to say they had decided to try the surgery. And it worked; DJ had been saved once more.

“He recovered like the little soldier that he is,” said Andersen. “Today, I live every day knowing that I am so lucky to have something that makes me as happy as he does. And I strive every day to return the favor.”

Brianna & dj

Photo courtesy Brianna Andersen

“Dogs are such a special species of animal. They have the ability to make any bad day better and ease the pain of the saddest situations.” - Brianna Anderson

Puppy love

8 | Features

The Hawk

February 12, 2014

(continued)

Photo courtesy Katie Messer, ’15

emily heitzman ’15 Special to the Hawk Katie Messer, ’15, and her three-year-old Spanish Water dog Moo are nearly inseparable.

Every morning, Moo wakes Messer up by jumping into her bed with licks and kisses. Messer said she then often makes Moo’s breakfast favorite - scrambled eggs.

Moo also loves tennis balls. So for her second birthday, Messer presented her with a bin of more than 200 balls. The pair like to play in the park, Katie tossing and both of them chasing after the balls— Messer said Moo always beats her in a sprint race.

Messer said Moo also always seems to know when she is sad, and tries to comfort Messer by hugging her. (Messer taught Moo how to hug.)

Last fall, while Messer studied in Rome, Moo popped up on Skype along with her mother to say hi.

Messer’s family later visited her in Europe, but unfortunately, Moo was unable to make the trip.

After five months apart, Messer said she cried when the pair first reunited. She is excited to once again be by her side— or trailing close behind when racing to scoop up a tennis ball.

katie & moo

Photo courtesy Matt Schlegel, ’16

stephen sollami ’15 Special to The Hawk Matt Schlegel, ’16, and his family dog Schnooky have a love-hate relationship.

Schlegel is a food marketing major from Nazareth, Pa., where he and his family reside with their dog Schnooky, a 10-year-old female Maltese. Schlegel described her somewhat lovingly as a “small, fat, and lazy lapdog.”

According to Schlegel, Schnooky never leaves his mother’s side and is “her little child.” Schnooky is also very territorial. Whenever someone greets Schlegel’s mother with a hug, Schnooky barks angrily until the unwanted guest steps away. As a result, Schlegel admitted, “my dog hates my guts.”

Schnooky makes it well known that she is not thrilled by Schlegel’s presence at home. Schlegel said whenever he returns home from school, she will run to the door wagging her tail— until she sees it is him. Then she runs away.

Schlegel said the worst part of their relationship occurs in the morning. When Schlegel is home catching up on lost sleep, Schnooky will routinely saunter over to his bed at 7 a.m. and bark in his face until he wakes up. After Schlegel opens his eyes, she runs away, wagging her tail seemingly with pride.

In addition to rude wake-up calls, Schnooky seems to celebrate Schlegel’s departures; each time he packs for his return to St. Joe’s, Schnooky wags her tail— this time with apparent delight. Schlegel genuinely tries to show Schnooky his affection, but whenever he does, she either runs away or growls.

Upon graduation, Schlegel said he is determined to get a dog of his own. He plans on naming him Griffey, after his favorite baseball star Ken Griffey Jr. Schlegel cannot wait for Griffey to love him unconditionally. In his words, “Griffey will be everything Schnooky isn’t.”

Matt & Schnooky

Photo courtesy Lilly Stellitano, ’14

brian radermacher ’16 Special to The Hawk

Lilly & lexi

Lilly Stellitano, ’14, and her family adopted a chocolate lab named Lexi six years ago from a couple who finds homes for abandoned animals. Lexi, two years old at the time, was originally supposed to be a replacement for a deceased family dog, Cassie.

Though the family was at first disappointed with Lexi’s eccentricities – including her fear of random things and trouble with noise association – over time, Stellitano grew to love them.

Stellitano’s favorite memory of Lexie is known by her family as “the butterfly incident.” Stellitano’s younger brother, Michael, had been working on a middle school project that involved raising caterpillars through metamorphosis. As the family was about to eat breakfast one morning, they noticed a giant spider web outside had snagged one of Michael’s butterflies.

Michael freed the bug, and began to dance with joy after saving it. Lexi, however, had different plans. She leaped through the air, clamping the butterfly in her jaw.

“Michael screamed in horror,” Stellitano said, “and swiftly smacked Lex on the butt, after which she reluctantly spit out her prize and, miraculously, it had somehow survived this traumatic experience and flapped away in a daze.”

Lexi’s own dazed days began last October, when she suddenly fell critically ill. Soon after, before Stellitano could return home, Lexi passed away.

One major lesson that Stellitano learned from the time they spent together: even a replacement dog can be irreplaceable.

“What she became to me ... was a lesson in both love and acceptance,” said Stellitano. “I’m a very idealistic person by nature, with plans, rubrics, expectations, and very high standards. Lexi was not the same as Cassie, not even on the same field. Cassie was the ideal for a dog, and as far as I was concerned, Lexi was barely even the same species. Over time, however, I grew to love her, not in spite of her bizarre tendencies and weird shows of affection, but because of them. She taught me that just because something or someone isn’t perfect, or what you expected, or what you hoped it would be, it can still be yours. It can still be special. And it can still be worthy of your love.”

February 12, 2014

Features | 9

The Hawk

OVER WITH

UNDER

TETI

PROFESSOR

Robert

This week, The Hawk was fortunate enough to learn the opinions of Robert Teti, CPA, visiting instructor of accounting, on water beds, Velcro, and the mathematic department’s dreaded accounting final. Teti also left us with a new perspective on why the Haub School of Business is the place to be over the College of Arts and Sciences, or as Teti called it, the college of ‘Arts and Crafts’.

CONNIE LUNANUOVA ’16 AND ANTHONY PANVINI ’16 Features Editor and Hawk Staff Accounting Final- “Difficulty-wise, it’s underrated. It’s very hard. I think most of the instructors tend to indicate to their students that it’s going to be really hard. It’s 50 multiple choice questions and the average grade is about 60.

Not my students, though. My students get 80s. I’m usually above the average. Always above the average. Always, guaranteed.”

Big 5 Basketball- “Underrated. You know, I think it’s a lot of fun, and the whole concept of the Big 5, Philadelphia should probably promote it more than they do, but it’s pretty big among people in the area who are interested in basketball. I think it’s a great thing and unfortunately, they don’t play all of the games in the Palestra, which they should.

A lot of people are tired of the Palestra, but I enjoyed that ’09 season when all the games were at the Palestra. It’s a great area, a lot of history, and I think it’s a lot of fun down there.”

Cuckoo Clocks- “Underrated, I love ‘em! I don’t really have a cuckoo clock, I never did. I always had a digital clock, but when I was a kid, they were mechanical. I love digital clocks. I liked the ones that were mechanical, where the numbers flipped around. Cuckoo clocks I think are you know, terrific.”

Friends- “I never watched it, I’m familiar with it. Jennifer Aniston, right? I don’t particularly like the show, so overrated.”

Hacky Sack- “I could never do that. Playing hacky sack I think is overrated. I think it’s a waste of time. [Are there better things to be doing with your time?] Absolutely.”

Wolf of Wall Street- “I mean, I haven’t been to the movies since the movie of all time, the movie of the millennium came out, Apocalypse Now, and that was in 1979. That was the last time I went to the movies. After you see that movie, you don’t need to see any others. I think since probably the 1980s, the movies are horrible compared to the way that they used to be. There are some exceptions, but Wolf of Wall Street, would I pay to watch it? No. Leonardo DiCaprio?

Overrated.”

Corn on the cob- “Underrated, love it. It gets stuck in your teeth, though. I never had braces, but I’ve got gaps, you know?”

Swiffers- “What’s a Swiffer? I have a lady at my house that takes care of all that stuff. It’s called ‘my wife.’”

Yo-Yos- “I can do the cat’s cradle, I can walk the dog, I can do around the world. The last time I had a Yo-Yo was many years ago, but I loved Yo-Yos. Everybody had a Yo-Yo.” Ice Cream trucks- “I used to be addicted to ice cream, but I don’t need it that much anymore. When I was a kid, I liked it, but I don’t need stuff from trucks. I don’t partake in ice cream trucks.”

Water Beds- “Overrated, it makes you sea sick. I tried laying on one once and I couldn’t do it.”

Velcro- “Velcro is great. It’s underrated, I mean I love Velcro. I have it on everything. I mean I have pants with Velcro snaps in the back for the back pocket. I have jackets that have Velcro…I think this one might have it, too [gestures to a jacket]. I love Velcro.”

Allen Iverson- “Underrated, I think. He was a pretty good player, an interesting character. A lot of flaws.”

THIS/THAT: Eagles/Giants- “Are you kidding? It would be the Eagles. You know, if you’re a Giants fan, you should probably seek counseling.”

Pancakes/Waffles- “Neither. Every morning I have a bagel with peanut butter. It’s great, you don’t want cream cheese.

Peanut butter’s good for you. But it’s got to be real peanut butter, not Skippy or Jif. Its peanuts ground up; see, the Skippy and Jif they add things to it, and this is just peanuts, it’s natural.”

Frisbees/Boomerangs- “I was always intrigued by boomerangs. Frisbee is in the same category as hacky sack. Lame.

Very.”

The Godfather/Goodfellas- “The Godfather is classic, so I would go with The Godfather. And I’m talking about the original one. Goodfellas is another rendition of that same thing, that’s overdone.”

Lays/Doritos- “I like potato chips, but they’re probably the worst thing you could eat. I had a bag of them about two hours ago. I’m going to chastise myself later this evening with alcohol.”

Alcohol/Beer- “Alright, so you’re asking about whiskey or beer, or both? All of the above.”

The Haub School of Business/College of Arts and Sciences- “Arts and crafts, did you say?”

Apples/Oranges- “Both. And you know what? Fruits and vegetables. I try to eat every day one orange and a banana.

My retirement plan depends upon me living to 100, so I have to eat those kinds of things: spinach, corn, pasta, beets.”

Chocolate/Vanilla- “Chocolate, I like chocolate. I like butter almond, I like peach, and I like strawberry. I don’t like those fancy brands, like what’s it called, ‘Chunky Monkey’? The Ben n’ Jerry’s stuff –that goes over my head.”

10 | Features

The Hawk

February 12, 2014

TRUE LIFE

Trisha Gregory’s life with an autistic brother inspires all

KAREN FUNARO ’16 Features Editor

T

risha Gregory, ’16, is the younger sister of a 22-year-old boy named David.

Trisha did not experience what most would call a “normal” childhood. While other kids were at the playground or going on play dates, Trisha was traveling to other schools to act as a “peer model,” where she would follow directions of a teacher who would tell her to play with blocks and have the children mimic her. Trisha did this from the ages of five to nine during her childhood, but never knew why. It wasn’t till Trisha was older that she would realize that she was teaching various skills to children with special needs – her own brother, David, included.

Gregory didn’t realize that her brother was autistic when she was a child, or even that she was a “peer model”; she always thought she lived a life just like everyone else.

“I had no idea what I was doing,” said Gregory. “I thought, ‘Hey, this is just something cool’ I was doing as a child. We did a lot of traveling, we went out to California for a twoweek period and my brother got brain scans done, and I still had no idea what was going on; I just thought this was everyone’s normal childhood, I thought everyone went to doctors and spent their weekends teaching their brothers simple things.”

But Gregory’s life isn’t like everyone else’s. Her brother, David, has a diagnosis of severe autism. He is non-verbal and has depended on Gregory and her parents to do everything for him, from showering and getting dressed to brushing his teeth and communicating. This has not been easy for Gregory and her family, and as a kid, she initially did not understand what was wrong with him or what was going on.

“Growing up, my mom always tried to shield me from his disorder,” remembers Gregory. “So I would always say, ‘Mom, why won’t David talk to me?,’ and she would be like, ‘Oh honey, he talks to me, I don’t know what you’re talking about.’ She tried to shield me from it because she didn’t want people to know he was any different from anybody else, and she didn’t want it to ruin my childhood or anything.”

Although Gregory’s brother suffers from a severe handicap that requires constant care, her parents never made her feel like she was neglected. They constantly made sure they were there for Gregory and let her live as normal a life as possible.

“My parents actually did a really, really great job evening the attention out,” said Gregory. “They would take me to games even when they had to take him to the doctor. They would take me on vacation, and he would always come with us too, but like when we went out to California to get his brain scans done, they took me to SeaWorld while we were there, so it’s like they always tried to maintain a really great balance of giving us both attention.”

For Gregory, the hardest part about having a brother with autism is the fact that she doesn’t have the brother-sister relationship that other siblings do. Because David is non-verbal, it’s very difficult at times to even communicate with him, let alone spend

quality time in the way Gregory would like to.

“I think for me, personally, [the biggest struggle] would be seeing other people interact with their siblings; like when I go over friends’ houses, or even here on campus when someone tells me they are going out to dinner with their sister,” said Gregory. “I think it’s just seeing other people and having that bond as siblings, and not like growing up the way I did.”

Although Trisha’s life has not been easy, having a brother with autism has been one of the greatest things to ever happen to her; it has opened her eyes to the world and given her opportunities to help others in ways she never could have imagined.

“I think it has been a really great thing for my family because we have gotten so involved with the special needs community and giving back. My dad has been working with Special Olympics New Jersey for probably 10 or 12 years now… they play other special needs kids in tennis, in basketball, all these different things. Getting a basket is the biggest thing in the world to them, and they feel so great after that,” said Gregory.

David’s autism has also helped Gregory learn about herself, teaching her what it means to truly be a leader, and how important it is to be kind and helpful to those around you.

“I think it’s gotten me a lot of leadership skills, and realizing that you have to help other people, and that there are people out there who need that little extra push,” Gregory remarked. “For example, if someone’s in a class and looks like they are struggling, I will always try to help them. I’ve learned that you have to be kind to everyone, because you never know what’s going on with someone else.”

Gregory is very proud of David and the progress he has made over the years. When she was in high school, David was unable to use words at all; now he is beginning to sound words out and improve his communication skills. She has high hopes for him to become more independent in the future.

“He has made so much progress,” said Gregory, “and I really hope that he will become as independent as he possibly can, and maybe when he’s older, move into a facility where there are other special needs people…I think kind of just becoming very independent, or just more independent than right now would be great.”

What Gregory would like people to take away from her life story is to be thankful for what they have and realize how truly lucky those of us without special needs are.

“I want people to learn to not take everything for granted and realize how lucky they really are, because the smallest things to us are the biggest things to them,” Gregory explained. “Like riding the shuttle – he would be having the time of his life with the music going, and all of the people, just us being able to go to college and seeing a basketball game, just us doing anything…so I think just not taking everything granted is what I want people to get from my story.”

February 12, 2014

The Hawk

Features | 11

An old-fashioned romance

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CONNIE LUNANUOVA ’16 Features Editor

What she loves is to go to tea,” said Peter Norberg, Ph.D., chair of the English department at Saint Joseph’s University, of his wife Elizabeth’s preferences for a date. Not one to over-complicate things, Norberg seems to have simplified courtship. “So, I’ve taken her to tea at the Four Seasons.” This was in response to the question of proper dating etiquette and how the Norbergs’ relationship and marriage have thrived on old-fashioned dating techniques despite the emphasis placed on the physicality and technological aspects of relationships in today’s society.

This formula has seemed to work well for the couple; in a society where the divorce rate is at 50 percent, they boast a marriage of 22 years. When speaking of their courtship, old-fashioned mannerisms have added to the couple’s romance and the success of their relationship, though they first became involved with one another on the shores of Cape Cod when Norberg was fifteen and Elizabeth was one year his junior.

“When we first started dating, I would open the car door for her and she would reach over to the driver’s side and open the door for me,” said Norberg, amid laughter. “I would be like, ‘You don’t have to do that!’ but she always did.” Reciprocity in caring for one another is an integral part of having a healthy relationship, according to the Norbergs.

“We were friends, very good friends. We’re very opposite people, but we have the same values and we’re both very old-fashioned. We’re very good partners in that we both want what is best for the other person,” said Mrs. Norberg of how both she and her husband knew that their friendship had the potential to develop into something more.

“I was working as a cook when I saw her for the first time. I went to my friend and said, ‘You’ve got to see this girl,’” said Norberg. Their attraction to one another was instantaneous, and romance naturally followed. Though young, the Norbergs possessed a level of maturity that was apparent when describing the dates that they first had.

“At least every other week, we went to a fancy restaurant for dinner. We must have gone to about twelve restaurants around Cape Cod,” said Norberg. The couple even had a hand in providing the newly installed chain of Bertucci’s Italian restaurants. “It had just come out. We put Bertucci’s on the map!” said Mrs. Norberg.

When asked to describe one of their most memorable dates, the description given is almost foreign to the dating scene of today’s society, as it shares the likeness of a storybook romance.

“We used to go to Bank Street beach in Cape Cod and sit in the dunes and read until the sun went down,” said Norberg. The simplicity of those actions is quite different from what is expected of a typical date today.

When “Hey want 2 go out tn?” has become the normal way to ask a person out on a date, it is rare to find a couple whose relationship began with the old-fashioned method of asking someone out face-to-face. However, the Norbergs are such a couple, and have withstood the millennial transformation that the dating scene has undergone.

Mr. and Mrs. Norberg are both employees of St. Joe’s; Mrs. Norberg is involved with special projects in the service-learning program, and both are proud husband and wife to each other. Perhaps because they belong to a generation different than ours, their relationship has prospered from what have become outdated methods of dating. “It has to be face-to-face,” said Norberg on the proper way to ask a person out.

“You need to see a person’s expression,” agreed Mrs. Norberg. “We communicate more in the way that we look at each other.”

In our “hook-up” culture, this version of asking someone out has become less prevalent. It is abnormal in today’s society to be asked in person if you would like to join that person for dinner. Rather, we as a culture have grown accustomed to date proposals via text message. Viewing a person’s profile on Facebook or Instagram has become an “acceptable” method of “getting to know someone.” The status of relationships and their verity have been reduced to clicking a button and establishing a linked connection through a

Photo courtesy of the Norbergs

social networking site. Simply put, the traditional courtship that our generation has been groomed to recognize has been lost. The fact that dinner plans can be made within seconds through a mobile device has mirrored the fast-paced manner in which young people begin relationships. The physical aspect of relationships is often the way in which people meet each other in this society. A drunken “hook-up” has become the new, “Hi, my name is…” and this limits the opportunity for a true first impression to be formed, due to the influence of alcohol and dim frat party lighting.

“They [teenagers] don’t get to know each other before they are in a physical relationship,” said Norberg.

Mrs. Norberg added, “Let’s just say that things go faster now. It’s sad to me that people don’t talk or get to know each other [in that way]. A relationship is a progression. They don’t have that the friendship part or the communication needed because they skip that part.”

The Norbergs are proof that a friendship acts as the foundation necessary for building a solid relationship in which both partners are on mutual footing. Married at the young ages of 22 and 21, both of the Norbergs have supported one another in their endeavors and feelings even when they had experienced reactions of doubt and shock from their friends at the announcement of their engagement.

“We had been together for six years,” said Mrs. Norberg, “We had a little discernment.”

“After six years, what else is there left to do?” asked Norberg, “We knew each other through and through.” This kind of connection surpasses the idea of “getting to know each other” solely through Facebook, which appears phony in comparison. The attraction that the Norbergs shared for one another after their first date is more powerful than any drunken hook-up witnessed at a party; this is apparent even in Norberg’s recollection: “When I first drove her home, I thought to myself, ‘You better be careful; you’re gonna go in deep with her.’”

That a teenage boy could say this with confidence has seemed to be a rarity in this modern society. If we want to one day have the same light in our eyes as the Norbergs’ do at the mention of each other’s names, we should take a page from the Norbergs’ book and reconsider the power found in an old-fashioned courtship.

AMDG at SJU St. Joe’s celebrates second annual Jesuit Appreciation Day LINDSAY HUESTON ’16 Hawk Staff Jesuit (n, adj.): a word often used to describe the identity of our beloved Saint Joseph’s University; pertaining to a Roman Catholic religious order, the Society of Jesus; an adjective used to encapsulate the spirit of the St. Joe’s community. As only one of twenty-eight Jesuit universities in the United States, Saint Joseph’s University considers this word to be critical in proudly describing who we are as an institution—however, what does it really mean to be Jesuit?

This question was answered in many ways on the 2nd Annual Jesuit Appreciation Day, held on Feb. 9 in Mandeville Hall. At a time when St. Joe’s students are surrounded by the ubiquitous concept of “Magis,” the in-school leadership conference was designed to allow students to more fully connect to the Saint Joseph’s tradition, which is firmly rooted in Jesuit history, and in the process discover exactly what the Magis is.

“I feel like oftentimes we overlook our Jesuit identity, and there are a lot of great values and traditions that are embedded in the Society of Jesus,” said Nick Chingas, ’16, member of the University Student Senate and Co-Chair of the event. “It’s always nice when we can bring them out in an event that brings the whole school together.”

Jesuit Appreciation Day is “not necessarily a day to find and hug your favorite Jesuit,” said Brian Emerson, ’14, in the event’s welcoming remarks. “It’s a conference to learn and continue to be molded by the values and principles and people of the Society of Jesus.”

The day featured breakout sessions of St. Joe’s own Jesuits and faculty, covering topics such as finding God at Saint Joseph’s, Pope Francis, memories of a Jesuit education, post-graduate service opportunities, and more. In these sessions, students were invited to both listen and participate, delving into different aspects of the Jesuit ideals that so deeply characterize our school. While it can be difficult to spend a Sunday afternoon away from the library in the chaos of college life, students agree that Jesuit Appreciation Day is beneficial to enhancing students’ understanding of what it means to attend a

Jesuit university. “It’s an opportunity to stop and reflect about what’s supposed to be a very multidimensional education,” said Anna Ryan, ’14. “I think sometimes in the grind of going to class and doing all of these activities, we can forget that a Jesuit education is distinct from other educations, given our opportunities to learn inside and outside the classroom and to reflect on what that means and how we can translate that into becoming a more whole person.”

This gratitude for a Jesuit education is not lost on members of the Jesuit community, particularly Joseph J. Feeney, S.J., who said he is “…Delighted by the appreciation of the student body, and honored by it.” Feeney spoke on the dichotomy between the sacred and the secular at St. Joe’s, and how to embrace both aspects of one’s education simultaneously. It is this integration that is essential to a Jesuit education; students learn material of the more secular variety, but can still use instilled Jesuit values to make their knowledge and experience more impactful when applied to coursework. “People learn things here that, probably, many of them have not learned in any other way,” Feeney added.

Keynote speaker Dan Gallagher, ’94, ’99, also touched upon this idea of Jesuit learning taking place in multiple settings. “Most of your learning doesn’t come necessarily from what’s written on the chalkboard. This is not an education about memorization.

It’s an education around reflection and application… That’s the joy of working with the Jesuits…they’re never done, they’re never satisfied with the status quo. They’re always pushing to do the Magis.”

It is this idea of Magis that has driven students to succeed, but as Feeney questioned in his session, “We are to live greater, but for what? For whom?” Ultimately, the goals of Jesuit Appreciation Day—themed this year “Working Toward the Greater Good”—are reflective of a Jesuit ideal itself: “Ad majorem Dei gloriam,” or “For the greater glory of God.” The “greater glory” may mean something different to each person in the St. Joe’s community, and Jesuit Appreciation Day is only one small part of realizing what it means to be Jesuit-educated. Being Jesuit-educated, among other things, means to discover your individual purpose – all for the greater glory of God.

12 | Features

February 12, 2014

The Hawk

Make it memorable

“Love don’t cost a thing”: The cheap way to do Valentine’s Day

Best Valentine’s Day dates for you and your loved one

AMANDA LEITHEAD ’17 Hawk Staff

L

ove is in the air on Hawk Hill.

Hearts, diamonds, flowers, chocolates and the like can be found everywhere, from the P.O.D. in Campion to the aisles of the local CVS. It’s clear that Valentine’s Day is upon us, and has brought with it the usual influx of love-themed goodies.

Like many other holidays, Valentine’s Day receives a lot of commercial attention. The minute your Christmas decor is packed up and stowed away, Valentine’s Day decorations take over the shelves of convenience stores.

V-Day commercials range from the lilting of “Every Kiss Begins with Kay” to the slow-motion consumption of Dove Chocolates. Any given room has more visible hearts in it than a cardiac operating table. Most of your food has taken the form of hearts, from candy to doughnuts to pizza. By the middle of February, you’ve probably seen more red in a month than Al Capone did in his lifetime.

Stores ensure that buyers are well aware of what they have to offer and market their merchandise through the persuasiveness of love. It’s as easy to fall for their products as it is to fall for the cutie in your math class. They know exactly how to reel you in, and will tug on your heartstrings until you pay up.

With so many products available to show your love, it can be difficult to decide which one to purchase. Additionally, it’s easy to get overwhelmed by your feelings and end up with a mountain of stuffed animals, roses, and debt.

The best way to make it through Valentine’s Day with an unbroken, beating heart is to ignore the media.

This is extremely difficult considering the media’s omnipresent nature, but it can be done. Instead of focusing on what others are telling you to do for your sweetie, listen to your heart.

As The Beatles say, “Money can’t buy me love.” The best kinds of gifts come from the heart. Truly meaningful gifts show a person that you know them, care about them, and thought of them when selecting the present.

The size or monetary value of the gift doesn’t matter – it’s the thought behind it that does.

Think about what your valentine would really enjoy. If they’re an avid reader, buy them that book they’ve been waiting for. Are you artistic?

Paint a picture that you know your special someone would enjoy. If creative presents are not your strong suit, have no fear. Few people in this world will refuse chocolate, the fan favorite Valentine’s Day gift. As long as you give it with love, it’ll be readily received.

Sometimes actions are worth more than money can buy. This concept is especially important to the broke college student. If your valentine is a Hawk too, watch a movie together on Hawkvision. Sacrifice a guest swipe to treat your special someone to a delicious Campion lunch in a cozy back corner. Stare into each other’s eyes beneath the Barbelin bell tower. The ways of showing your love on Hawk Hill are endless.

Whether your valentine this year is a significant other, best friend, family member, or yourself, there are plenty of ways to show your love without falling into commercial traps.

Whatever you do, if it is done with love, it will be the perfect celebration of the holiday.

App of the week: Plenty of Fish

A

DENISE SCIASCI ’15 Hawk Staff

s Valentine’s Day quickly approaches, many couples may find themselves struggling to come up with the perfect Valentine’s Day plan.

Since Valentine’s Day falls on a Friday this year, the start of the weekend holiday allows for many enchanting and ideal date options.

Many couples will find themselves taking the “traditional” route: dinner followed by a romantic movie. However, some couples may prefer more unconventional and unique options. No matter the budget or preference, there are many opportunities for couples to enjoy.

Here are a few date ideas from expert romantics here on Saint Joseph’s University’s campus.

Stephen Betz, ’15, described his ideal Valentine’s date night as “dinner and sightseeing in the city.” If you also like to eat and explore, there are many things to do and see in the great city of Philadelphia, which is just a short train ride from St. Joe’s. Rittenhouse Square and Old City in particular have a wide variety of restaurant choices, and many of them offer great deals and specials for the Valentine’s Day holiday.

Jessica Sweeney, ’15, is spending her night at the Moshulu in Penn’s Landing.

This restaurant serves dinner on a boat overlooking the Delaware River. It also offers a fixed menu and price for Valentine’s Day. Sweeney remarked, “For Valentine’s Day, we [my boyfriend and I] decided to buy each other outfits to wear to dinner. Then, we are going to bake a dessert together to share after dinner.

That is my ideal night, because it’s not

too extravagant, but [is] still special and meaningful in its own personal way.”

If you’re looking to stay in the city after your dinner, there are many things to do to keep the special night going. The Blue Cross River Rink, located in Penn’s Landing, offers ice-skating for a reasonable and affordable price. The river rink is open until 12:30 a.m., so couples can make a late dinner reservation and still have time to ice-skate after.

If you’re looking to see a movie along with dinner this Valentine’s day, the Movie Tavern in Collegeville, PA may be the perfect spot for you. Just a 25-minute drive from St. Joe’s, the Movie Tavern puts a spin on the traditional dinner and a movie date night by offering both of these options at the same location. The Movie Tavern plays movies that are currently in theatres, so you can catch that popular romantic comedy you have been waiting to see as you eat a delicious dinner. Menu items include burgers, sandwiches, salads, and wraps.

For all the single ladies (and men) out there, put your hands up, because there are many enjoyable Valentine’s Day options for you, as well. This Friday from 5 to 7 p.m. in the Perch, The Latino Student Association is offering free Salsa Dance lessons taught by renowned Salsa dancer, Flacco. These lessons are open to everyone, and you do not need a partner to participate.

These are just some of the many creative Valentine’s Day date night possibilities. Whether you spend the night with your significant other, or go salsa dancing with your friends, this Valentine’s Day is sure to be a special occasion worth remembering.

ANTHONY PANVINI ’16 Hawk Staff

This week’s featured app is appropriate for the approaching holiday of Valentine’s Day, as it allows users to look for a last minute date. Whether you are looking for that wild Valentine’s Day one-night stand or to find the love of your life, the Plenty Of Fish (POF) app for the iPhone and Android will deliver. With thousands of users online, it is almost impossible not to find someone who has similar interests as you. You have the option to both browse the servers and manually look for that special someone, or let POF match you with that special someone based on the information entered in your profile. Once you find your Romeo or Juliet, you can click on their profile and type your go-to pick-up line that you’ve been saving for the last 20 years. This app has gained popularity because of its “Meet Me” feature. When tapped on, the “Meet Me” feature brings up a picture of a person that might be a potential match. At the bottom of the screen, you are presented with three options: “No,” “Maybe,” and “Yes.” If you choose the “Maybe” option, POF will randomly determine whether or not you want to meet that user. If you scroll over towards the right, you are presented with a screen that shows all of the users who want to meet you. Scroll again, and it lists the users that you have decided to meet. Scroll once more, and it lists your mutual meets. The app also provides the opportunity to upgrade your profile for $7.50 a month, which allows you to view a completed profile with more information, upload more pictures, and see if the person you are perusing read your message yet. The POF app might maximize your chance of getting a date for Valentine ’s Day.

February 12, 2014

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it

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GILLIAN MURPHY ’14 Fashion Editor There’s nothing like freshly manicured nails in festive colors to set the mood for any holiday season. If you want to avoid boring nails this Valentine’s Day, opt instead for these ever-stylish pink and red hues to dress them up. Here are some of my favorite shades of lacquer, which can be found at most drug stores.

1. Enamor by Revlon – Revlon’s “Brilliant Strength” line packs a powerful punch of color, and this shade of pink is particularly sweet. Choose this hue to enamor your date this Valentine’s Day.

4. Bachelorette Bash by Essie – This Barbie-pink shade is the perfect pop of color to complement any outfit. Any color by Essie is phenomenal, so this is a safe bet for a strong, lasting manicure.

2. Nuance by Salma Hayek – The lovely Salma Hayek has developed a line of polishes that are bold and spunky, just like their namesake. This bold red color is a statement polish and is sure to turn heads.

5. Bordeaux by Revlon – This makeup mogul owns a line of polishes called “Revlon Parfumerie,” which produces beautiful polishes with a clever twist: they’re scented! Apply a coat of Bordeaux, let it dry, and enjoy the oriental, fruity fragrance that ensues.

3. Flame On by Sally Hansen – This trusty brand has developed a line called “Triple Shine,” which include impossibly luminous polishes. This deep fuchsia color has a shine to be envied.

3.

Valentine’s Day style guide MARY-MARGARET EWENS ’17 Special to The Hawk

Ah yes, the time of year when the sales in chocolate, roses, and cheesy teddy bears are at an all-time high, when men scramble to find a reservation at their girlfriend’s favorite restaurant, and when we single gals celebrate our solo status by hitting the town and celebrating with our equally single girlfriends. However, no matter what your plans are for Valentine’s Day, you’re going to have to find something to wear that will totally blow the socks off your beau or any potential suitors.

Now I know what you’re thinking: “This is just another date for my boyfriend and I, why should I have to go the extra mile to look especially good?” Or, if you’re the single gal: “It’s just another night out on the town, why make a big fuss?” Well, do you want to know why you should wear that red lipstick that you’ve been saving for a special occasion? Because YOU want to look good for yourself. Go ahead, tell yourself that you’re good looking, that you’re desired by someone else, and that you are capable of totally pulling an Angelina Jolie-worthy outfit out of your teeny-tiny college-sized closet. So take some advice from the gurus – specifically Mr. Laurent, Ms. Hepburn, and Mr. Lagerfeld – and look amazing this Valentine’s Day. 1.) “Elegance is the only beauty that never fades.” - Audrey Hepburn. It may seem cliché, but it’s an important rule to keep in mind, especially when crafting a classy look. If your style is “leopard-obsessed,” try not to go all out and end up looking like you’ve just escaped from the zoo. Instead, pair a leopard top with an A-line black skirt, a pair of black heels and va-va-voom! You’re still able to turn heads in your signature print, while still remaining that classy, yet sassy lady. If you’re the girl who can’t help but want to go all out with the pink and red Valentine’s Day color scheme, try to pick one color to focus on, and the other as an accent color. For example, pair a cute red flare-skirt dress with tights and nude heels, and add a subtle, yet totally eye-catching light pink lip to pull it all together. If you want to make more of a statement, try a pair of red trousers and a

Fashion| 13

The Hawk

flowy pink top. It seems a little less dressy, but if done right, it can be the very definition of Valentine’s Day chic.

2.) “One is never overdressed or underdressed with a Little Black Dress.” - Karl Lagerfeld. If it seems that you’ve exhausted all of your options, you’re on a budget, and it’s the day before the big date, there is one outfit that can single handedly save you – the Little Black Dress, or more affectionately referred to in the fashion world as the LBD. The LBD is, naturally, a girl’s best friend. Though it may seem simple, the LBD can make a powerful statement, and if worn correctly, can look very expensive.

Pair your LBD with a simple, yet classy pearl necklace, a pair of pearl studs, and nude pumps. The key to making this dress stand out is the accents. Try a pair of patterned, lace tights. Wear a pair of red heels!

Or if you’re feeling like channeling your inner Blair Waldorf, slip on a red headband.

While the LBD is so simple, dressing it up with your signature accessories makes it look like a totally new outfit in your closet, therefore solving that anguish of not having anything to wear.

3.) “Fashion fades, style is eternal.”

- Yves Saint Laurent. If you feel like all of your clothes are overworked, or you can’t re-wear an outfit because your friends or your boyfriend have already seen it, you’re wrong. It’s all about your style, not about your clothes. It doesn’t matter if your boyfriend has already seen you wear that classic red dress to dinner twice; if you really like it, wear it! If it makes you feel like a million bucks, then no one can tell you otherwise. Mix it up with your shoes or throw a small jacket on, so that you still get to wear your favorite dress – your boyfriend will never even recognize it.

The key to dressing for Valentine’s Day is all in the details. From taking a dress from simple to fab with the use of a few key accessories to adding a pop of your favorite shade of pink to your lips, your special V-day outfit will set you apart. At the end of the day, we all want an outfit that enhances our style.

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Gifts from the heart GILLIAN MURPHY ’14 Fashion Editor There’s no sweeter feeling than being reminded that you are loved. This Valentine’s Day, surprise your significant other, best friend, or mom with a sweet treat to do just that; the thoughtfulness of the gesture will surely make them smile.

For Her: Etsy (www.etsy.com) is a site that’s full of handcrafted items that are heartfelt and unique. Support local vendors and purchase your girlfriend a one-ofa-kind gold, hand-stamped bar necklace that reads, “love,” so she can literally wear her heart on her… neck. Find it in NicWhims Jewelry shop on etsy.com For Him: Since most guys aren’t crazy about this over-hyped, debatably cliché holiday, avoid gushy bears and heart-shaped items. Instead, opt for a humorous phone case or pint glass; these gifts will lighten the mood and are perfectly practical.

Check out Urban Outfitter’s camouflage phone cases and Breaking Bad-inspired pint glasses.

For the BFF: A homemade card is the perfect way to remind your bestie that you could never live without him or her. You could also get crafty, pull out your old string box, and make some matching friendship bracelets – this is one endearing fad that will never go out of style.

For Mom: The woman who birthed you, changed your diapers, and taught you to use your manners should be the first to feel the reciprocated love this Valentine’s Day. Send her a homemade card in the mail to share your love. If you won’t see her this Valentine’s Day, send her a e-gift card to Starbucks so that she can enjoy a latte happily, knowing that you’re thinking of her.

If you’re not into the idea of spending money for this particular holiday, get creative! Homemade cards and cupcakes make for the most heartfelt, thrifty gifts that will still inspire awe and gratitude on this special day. Spread the love!

Health | 14

February 12, 2014

The Hawk

GIANNA MELENDEZ ’16 Health Editor

I

Let’s

talkabout

t’s that time of year again: relationships are at an all-time high, love is all around – it’s Valentine’s Day. With the overwhelming feeling of love, or lust, your Valentine’s Day may last longer than that romantic dinner date. If your night continues behind closed doors, be sure to remain aware of the health risks that come with having sex. Though forgetting the emotional and physical repercussions while in the heat of the moment is understandable, remaining aware of the aspects of having safe sex is vital to your physical and emotional well-being.

If it is your first time having sex with your partner, you both should talk before you do anything. Discuss your history as well as your partner’s so that you are both aware of any past health concerns. Everyone has a different past; do not judge your partner for being more or less experienced than you. Instead, be open and respectful to their pasts; communication and understanding are key.

Be sure to discuss your and your partner’s boundaries before you begin as well.

Many people engage in a sexual act because they feel pressured to do so, not because they want to. This can have negative emotional repercussions. To avoid these feelings of regret or guilt, remember to stay in touch with what you want and with what your partner wants.

In addition to emotional damage, sex brings with it very real physical concerns. Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs/STIs) can be transferred through any type of sexual activity. Always use protection. Ask your doctor to test you for STDs at your next appointment or every three months if you are actively having sex. The most common STD/STI in America is human papillomavirus (HPV); up to 80 percent of people will be infected within their lifetime, according to the Gardasil website. HPV can lead to several health complications, but the most life threatening of is cervical cancer. To protect yourself against HPV, you can be vaccinated. Gardasil is the most popular vaccination, injected via three doses over six months.

Another more obvious health complication is unexpected pregnancy. While the classic Mean Girls quote about pregnancy – “if you have sex, you will get pregnant, and you will die” – is a bit dramatic, the sentiment holds some truth. Every time you have sex, you risk pregnancy. Therefore, preventative contraception methods such as birth control and condoms are extremely important. There is also the Plan B OneStep, or “Morning After,” pill, which women can take after a birth control failure or unprotected sex; however, it should only be taken in emergencies.

We are always informed about the risks of sex, and although they are important to address, these risks can make us forget that sex is actually beneficial! Not only is sex pleasurable, it has long lasting health benefits. Sex boosts the immune system, which means fewer colds and better overall health. It also lessens pains such as body aches, migraines, and even cramps. Stress is inevitable as a college student, but having sex lowers stress levels by making you feel relaxed and easing your nervous system. Other benefits include an increase in self-esteem and happiness. Arguably the best benefit of sex is that it counts as exercise; you burn an average of five calories per minute!

Sex is a great and healthy part of human behavior, but being smart about it makes the act even better. Enjoy your Valentine’s Day in a safe and healthy way!

SEX Me, myself, and I Enjoy yourself this Valentine’s Day

I

MARIA SANTASIERI ’16 Special to the Hawk

t’s Valentine’s Day, and most of us suddenly have the urge to stuff our faces with chocolate. Whether we’re single or not, this holiday guarantees the consumption of junk food. According to stvalentine.com, 36 million heart-shaped boxes of chocolate will be sold this Valentine’s Day, and eight billion candy hearts will be produced this year.

Do you not yet have any plans for Valentine’s Day? Instead of staying in and eating chocolate by yourself, make Valentine’s Day fun this year. You can channel all of your feelings into planning a fun night for you and your friends.

Break out a bottle of red wine and have yourself a fabulous dinner party. In moderation, red wine can promote a healthy heart; so, instead of eating useless calories, you can have fun and be healthy while doing it. You and your friends can cook a healthy dinner and dessert while staying in together. You’ll be so busy cooking and enjoying the company of your friends that you’ll completely forget that you ever had any negative feelings towards this holiday.

Try swapping the usual Pigs in a Blanket appetizer for a more healthy option: Veggie Pigs in a Blanket. This great substitute consists of veggie sausage, rather than the mystery meats that hot dogs consist of. These are filled with soy-protein, so you shouldn’t feel guilty about popping these into your mouth.

Rather than binging on fast food this Valentine’s Day, try Commeal-Crusted Chicken nuggets. This easy recipe is the

healthier version of chicken nuggets; it isn’t deep fried, but the crust will give it that same fried feeling, minus the extra grease and fat.

A Valentine’s Day meal would not be complete without dessert. Surprisingly, there are an endless amount of desserts out there that will leave you full and satisfied, without all of the regret and self-loathing. A low-fat ricotta sweetened with honey is a decadent choice.

Sprinkling a little ground espresso onto the ricotta will add even more flavor to this already delicious dessert, without all of the unnecessary calories.

Peanut butter is also a “super” food.

Moderation is key when it comes to making a dessert with peanut butter. Dark chocolate, as it has come to be known, is great for the heart. Combining peanut butter, dark chocolate, and granola is a crunchy dessert that contains protein, healthy fats, and antioxidants.

If you’re single this Valentine’s Day, make it a goal to enjoy yourself. Don’t wallow in sadness and search for comfort in unhealthy food. Instead, seek comfort in your friends, and enjoy the great company that they provide. Valentine’s Day is the day of love, and there is no shame in spending it with the friends that you love. Love also extends to the practice of loving your own body; be sure to make smart, healthy choices this Valentine’s Day – and step away from the heartshaped chocolate.

Fall in love with heart health HALEY FISCHER ’17 Special to the Hawk

Roses are red, violets are blue, I have no intention of getting heart disease this February – how about you? America’s No. 1 killer, heart disease, can be classified as a number of conditions that inhibit the proper function of the heart.

People of all ages are at risk for heart disease; therefore, it is important to always be conscious of your heart’s health. What better time to start thinking about your heart than the month of love and awareness!

The first step to a strong heart is a healthy and balanced diet. As young adults, we should be consuming 1,6002,000 calories daily. It is easy to consume the amount of calories suggested, but it can be quite difficult to eat “good” calories, as in the calories we need the most.

These “good” calories can be found in vegetables, fruits, whole-grain products, and low-fat dairy products. These foods tend to be high in fiber and contain vitamins and minerals that can lower your blood pressure and cholesterol. Also, eating fish twice a week and choosing lean meats without skin can lower your risk of coronary heart disease.

The next step to protecting your heart is to participate in physical activity.

Engaging in physical activity for as little as 30 minutes every day can reduce your risk of heart disease and increase your life expectancy. The American Heart Association provides a tool on their website which helps people find a walking path within their neighborhood.

We have all heard the term “obesity,” which is typically associated with people who have a poor diet and lack motivation to perform physical activity. 13 million children are labeled as obese, and almost 78 million adults are obese, which increases their chance of contracting heart disease because of tendencies to have high cholesterol and a high blood pressure. Being at your healthiest possible weight promotes a more effective blood circulation; fluid levels become more manageable, and your chance of getting cancer or sleep apnea decreases as well as your risk of getting heart disease.

Eating well and exercising can be easily accomplished if you gradually incorporate them into your daily routine.

One factor that is difficult to manage and is a very large contributor to heart disease is stress. The stress of work, school, finances, and managing relationships can trigger unhealthy coping strategies like unhealthy eating, drinking alcohol, sleeping too much or too little, and not having enough energy. Over the years, stress has increased in adolescents, and can be managed by activities such as yoga, keeping a journal, and exercising.

With Valentine’s Day quickly approaching, you and your special someone may be intending to go out to eat or to relax and watch a movie. Instead, try to get motivated this Valentines Day; you and your significant other can still enjoy yourselves by being active together! Go for a walk in your local park, eat at an organic restaurant, or take a yoga class.

Most importantly, may your heart be as strong as your love this month.

February 12, 2014

The Hawk

Olympics 2014 Word Search

Julia Mancuso: One of America’s first medalists, coming in with a bronze in the women’s alpine skiing on Jan. 10.

Sochi: The resort town in the far southwestern corner of Russia where the Winter Games are being held.

Norway: As of Jan. 10, Norway, the Netherlands, and Canada were tied for the most medals with seven.

Empty seats: The scandal at the start of the Winter Olympics in Sochi has been an apparent lack of Russian spectators.

Putin: Vladimir Putin, the controversial president of Russia, has been present at many Olympic ceremonies.

Biathlon: The only sport in which an American athlete has never medaled.

New York: The state that leads the U.S. medal count.

Patchwork: a mosaic of national designs from the various cultures and ethnicities of the Russian Federation.

Sven Kramer: This speed skater from the Netherlands set an Olympic record in the 5,000 meter event on Jan. 8.

Ski slopestyle: An official event for the first time in the 2014 Winter Games.

Luge: A popular winter sport where the athlete sleds face up and feet-first.

Curling: An Olympic sport where players slide stones across a sheet of ice towards a target.

Four: The amount of years between each Winter Games.

Puzzles | 15

16 | Sports

Predicting the landing spots for the top remaining MLB free agents

February 12, 2014

The Hawk

Taking the game by the horns Hawks beat VCU

TIM STOECKLE ’14 Hawk Staff A few weeks ago, I predicted where the top MLB free agents would sign – I got four correct. Maybe that’s not very impressive on paper, but I wasn’t too disappointed in my performance. As pitchers and catchers begin to report to Florida and Arizona for Spring Training, there are still some big names that remain unsigned. Here are predictions for where the top remaining free agents will sign.

Ubaldo Jimenez signs with Toronto Blue Jays The Jays have been quiet this free agency period, but could soon pull the trigger on signing a starting pitcher to join their rotation, which was one of the worst in the big leagues last year. Ubaldo Jimenez would be a solid addition to Toronto if he could duplicate last year’s numbers (13-9, 3.30 ERA, 194 strikeouts).

Nelson Cruz signs with Seattle Mariners Nelson Cruz is coming off of a PED suspension, which explains why he is currently unsigned. However, Cruz is an extremely valuable right-handed power bat. Cruz would spice up the Mariners lineup, along with newly-acquired Robinson Cano. Seattle has money to spend and wants to be competitive this year, so signing a player like Cruz would be a smart move.

Ervin Santana signs with New York Yankees The New York Yankees have been big spenders so far this offseason, signing Brian McCann, Jacoby Ellsbury, Carlos Beltran, and Masahiro Tanaka to expensive contracts. Because the Bronx Bombers have already exceeded the luxury tax, they may be inclined to keep spending more money in an attempt to solidify their rotation. Though Ervin Santana has not had an extremely consistent career, he posted a career-best 3.24 ERA in 2013. Signing Santana would likely make the Yankees the favorite in the American League East (if they aren’t already).

Stephen Drew signs with New York Mets If the Red Sox don’t re-sign Stephen Drew, the Mets need to pick him up. New York is currently planning on using Ruben Tejada as their shortstop in 2014, but Drew would be an immediate upgrade. Drew hit .253 last season in Boston and posted a .333 on-base percentage. Any team that signs Drew will be hoping to get the player who showed signs of being a top shortstop in Arizona.

Kendrys Morales and AJ Burnett sign with Baltimore Orioles Much like the Blue Jays, the Orioles have been quiet this offseason; they may need to make a move or two to remain competitive in the American League East. Baltimore could use the powerful, right-handed designated hitter Kendrys Morales in the middle of their lineup. However, Baltimore also needs pitching power. 37-year-old AJ Burnett lives in Maryland, so this signing would make perfect sense for both parties.

Burnett posted a 3.30 ERA in 2013, and a similar 2014 season could do wonders for the Orioles.

Photo by C.J. DeMille ’16

T

BRENDAN JACKSON ’16 Special to the Hawk

he Virginia Commonwealth University Rams entered Hagan Arena on Saturday night looking to extend their winning streak to seven straight victories. The Saint Joseph’s Hawks, although at home, were the clear underdogs up against the 19-4 Rams. In an important conference matchup, the Rams, who sat second in the Atlantic 10 standings, came in with plenty of confidence. However, a 69-62 upset victory for the Hawks left the Rams leaving with much less assurance.

After squandering a 13 point lead and clinging to a three point advantage with under two minutes remaining, freshman forward DeAndre Bembry’s smooth layup off of a beautiful feed from senior forward Halil Kanacevic put the Hawks back up by five with 1:28 remaining.

“Once we had the ball and we were moving it, we wanted to go to the rim,” Hawks head coach Phil Martelli said. “For us, we have to play a balanced game. We’re not just going to lean on jumpers and layups are a big deal. I had a full head of hair when DeAndre Bembry went up for that layup that put us up by five.”

Over the last few seasons, the Rams have relied on a style of play known as “Havoc.” The goal of Havoc is to fluster the opponents, forcing turnovers and creating easy offensive scoring chances. For the most part, this tactic has brought them nothing but success. The Rams have led the country in forced turnovers and steals for the past two years, and this season is no different. VCU’s 19.3 turnovers forced per game and 11.8 steals per game rank No. 1 in the nation. Junior guard Briante Weber leads the country with 3.7 steals per game. For Saint Joseph’s, the goal of this matchup was to limit the number of turnovers – the Rams ranked first in the NCAA in turnover margin at +7.4, while the Hawks sit last in the A-10 with a -2.3 margin. St. Joe’s was able to limit themselves to just 12 turnovers in the game, which is significantly less than the 19 that VCU usually causes.

Meanwhile, the Hawks managed to wreak a little havoc of their own. The team relied on its hustle and energy to force 10 turnovers and record 13 offensive rebounds. The Hawks also managed to outscore VCU 15-2 in second chance points in the first half. These numbers propelled the Hawks to a 34-26 lead at the half and an eventual seven point margin of victory.

While the win was certainly a team effort, a few individual performances stand out among the rest. Senior forward Halil Kanacevic had a game high with 10 boards and seven assists. He also recorded seven points, two blocks, and two steals in his 40 minutes of play for the Hawks. Senior guard Langston Galloway led the way with 24 points, while freshman forward DeAndre Bembry added 18 of his own on an eight for thirteen shooting night.

Galloway commented on his 24-point performance, saying, “I just tried to help my team anyway possible. I’ve been trying to do that every game and this game I got it going.”

Senior forward Ronald Roberts provided a lot of energy for St. Joe’s; he tallied nine rebounds – four coming on the offensive end – and nine points, to go along with his two blocks and the two alley-oops he threw down in the second half that sent Michael J. Hagan ’85 arena into a frenzy.

“The crowd gets into it, and we feed off that. It helped tremendously. It builds you up to make the next great play,” remarked Kanacevic.

For the Rams, senior forward Juvonte Reddic led the team in almost every aspect of the game. After a somewhat lackluster first half, Reddic finished the game with a team high of 17 points, eight boards, three steals, and two blocks. Junior guard Treveon Graham, VCU’s leading scorer for the season, was held in check most of the game; he recorded just 13 points on a poor 5-16 shooting night, credited mostly to the stiff team defense played by the Hawks.

Saint Joseph’s reached their largest lead of the game, 63-50, with just under six minutes left off of Roberts’ second alley-oop finish of the half. However, in the next three minutes, the Rams went on a 10-0 run to cut the lead to three, where it stayed until Bembry made a layup with 1:25 left on the clock to put the Hawks up by five.

However, Juvonte Reddic quickly answered with a basket of his own to cut the lead back down to three. With 32 seconds left to play and the Hawks up 65-62, Kanacevic drew a charge on Graham, giving possession back to St. Joe’s. In the final 25 seconds, Galloway and junior guard Chris Wilson each knocked down two free throws to seal the victory for the Hawks.

This win improves the Hawks’ record to 16-7 for the season and their conference record to 6-3, which is good enough to place them in a tie for fourth in the A-10 standings with the University of Massachusetts. St. Joe’s will now play on the road against La Salle University on Feb. 15 in what could prove to be an important conference matchup.

February 12, 2014

Sports | 17

The Hawk A-10 Men’s Basketball Standings

Week in review

A-10 Overall Saint Louis 9 - 0 22 - 2 George Washington 7 - 2 19 - 4 VCU 7 - 2 19 - 5 Massachusetts 6 - 3 19 - 4 Saint Joseph’s 6 - 3 16 - 7 Richmond 5 - 3 15 - 8 Dayton

4 - 5 16 - 8 La Salle 4 - 5 12 - 11 St. Bonaventure 3 - 6 13 - 10 Rhode Island 2 - 7 11 - 13 Duquesne 2 - 7 10 - 12 Fordham 2 - 7 9 – 13 George Mason 1 - 8 8 - 15

A-10 Women’s Basketball Standings

A-10 Overall Dayton

St. Bonaventure Fordham Duquesne George Washington La Salle Saint Joseph’s VCU

Richmond Saint Louis Rhode Island Massachusetts George Mason

8 - 1 8 - 2 8 - 3 8 - 3 7 - 4 7 - 4 6 - 4 6 - 5 4 - 6 4 - 6 2 - 9 0 - 10 0 - 11

15 - 5 19 - 6 19 - 5 16 - 8 16 - 8 12 - 11 17 - 6 18 - 6 10 - 13 9 - 14 7 - 17 3 - 21 6 - 18

Standings as of time of press on Feb. 10

Men’s tennis beat Quinnipiac with a score of 6-1 at the Springton Indoor Tennis Club. The Hawks took two of three doubles matches with the teams of Dan Barrus and Jose Sierra, as well as Pierre Brondeau and Andres Urrea. In singles play, Sierrra, Brondeau, Urrea, Kyle Chalmers, and Tristan Boustany all picked up wins.

Hawk of the week

Women’s tennis fell to Akron 6-1, with Devi Jadeja and Kelly Mulquin picking up a win in doubles and Arianne Polatnick winning the lone point for the Hawks at sixth singles.

Women’s track & field won 4x400 relay and all three Jump events at the unscored Giegengack Invitational at Yale. The team of Courtney Foster, Katie Pratt, Mercedes Yanora, and Jaclyn Kogut finished with a time of 3:55.30, almost three seconds faster than the second place Yale team. Gabriella Becanttini, Kati Polaski, and Rachel Kline won the Triple Jump, Long Jump, and High Jump, respectively.

Men’s track & field sophomore sprinter Alec Peabody took second place in the 200m and Long Jump at the Giegengack Invitational. Junior Steve Butenewicz took second in the 800m.

The 4x 400 relay team of Peter Larmann, Robert Banks, Tyler Dougherty, and Griff Roberts also took second with a time of 3:18.63.

Sam[e] love

Photo by Shannon Adams ’16

HALIL KANACEVIC Men’s Basketball Senior forward Halil Kanacevic averaged 8.0 points and 9.5 rebounds in two games this week as the Hawks went 1-1 with a win against Virginia Commonwealth University. Kanacevic went 3-7 from the floor for nine points to go along with nine rebounds in the Hawks loss to No. 13 Saint Louis. In the win against VCU, Kanacevic had game highs in rebounding and assists, with 10 and seven, respectively. Most impressively, the 6’8” senior played 79 minutes in two games to lead the Hawks in minutes played.

Michael Sam prepares to be become the NFL’s first openly gay player NATE VANCIL ’16 Assistant Sports Editor Defensive end and NFL Draft prospect Michael Sam announced that he was gay on Sunday after four years of playing college football at the University of Missouri. After being named the 2013 SEC Defensive Player of the Year and leading the conference with 11.5 sacks, Sam had been considered a mid-second round pick entering the 2014 NFL Draft. But after his announcement on Sunday, his draft stock may take a hit, according to draft experts. Sam is an outstanding football player whose talent Photo Courtesy of Creative Commons may be lost in this media explosion if his sexuality overshadows his outstanding football abilities.

Sam is an outstanding physical specimen; at 6’2” and 255 pounds, he runs a 4.7 second 40 yard dash with exceptional pass-rushing abilities. In addition to leading the SEC in sacks with 11.5, Sam also led the conference in tackles for loss with 19. He had three sacks on three different occasions in his senior season.

Sam led Mizzou to a 12-2 record, including a 7-1 record in the SEC. After finishing the regular season strong, Sam recorded the game-clinching sack in a 41-31 Cotton Bowl win over Oklahoma State. Missouri ended the season as No. 5 in the NCAA postseason rankings.

While Sam is an impressive talent, he still has some deficiencies as a pass-rusher that were exposed at the Senior Bowl in January. Sam was reported to be undersized and

underpowered as a defensive end, and was considered for a variety of different positions when he attended the Senior Bowl. The NFL was excited to see Sam as an outside linebacker, but was underwhelmed by the results. Regardless of his performance at the Senior Bowl, many scouting sites, including ESPN and Bleacher Report, have Sam ranked as a top-15 prospect at both the defensive end and linebacker positions.

Michael Sam’s football abilities are undeniable; though undersized, he still has the potential to be a solid NFL defensive end or outside linebacker. While NFL scouts still see Sam’s positive attributes, the fact that he openly announced he was gay could cause a major distraction not only in terms of media coverage, but also in the locker room.

If drafted in the NFL Draft, Sam would be the first openly gay professional football player in history. By breaking this boundary, Sam would receive unprecedented media coverage throughout the draft process, training camp, and especially early in the NFL regular season. Additionally, teams with newer head coaches and young locker rooms may not have the maturity to handle an openly gay player on the team. These distractions will result in an unfortunate drop in Sam’s stock value, regardless of his potential as an NFL prospect.

While it may seem like an inopportune time for Michael Sam to publicly reveal that he is gay, it is not certain that he will plummet on every team’s draft boards. Sam is still an impressive talent and has room to grow. A team with an older core group of players that could help Sam through the hardships he may face in his rookie year could be a great landing spot for him. By revealing to the public that he is gay, Michael Sam’s goal is to impress scouts, be selected in the NFL Draft, and ultimately become the first openly gay professional football player the NFL has ever seen.

18| Sports

The Hawk

February 12, 2014

2014 Winter Olympics: Sochi, Russia The 2014 Winter Olympic Games being held in Sochi, Russia have captured the attention of people around the world. This year’s games include 98 events in 15 disciplines including seven different sports.

The 12 new events that athletes will take part in this year will make this the largest Winter Games in history. Here is a rundown of the events at this year’s Winter Olympic Games.

Skeleton is a fast winter sliding sport in which an individual person rides a small sled down a frozen track while lying face down. During the race, athletes reach incredible speeds and withstand forces against them. There is a men’s and women’s competition in Sochi.

Ski cross (also known as Skiercross or SkierX) is a type of skiing competition; skiers race down the mountain, vying for a top three finish. Half-pipe skiing is when athletes ski down a half-pipe, performing tricks while trying to achieve the highest judged score.

Alpine skiing involves sliding down snow-covered hills on skis with fixed-heel bindings. It is also commonly known as downhill skiing. Events in Alpine skiing include Men’s and Women’s Downhill, Men’s and Women’s Super Combined, Men’s and Women’s Super G, Men’s and Women’s Slalom, and Men’s and Women’s Giant Slalom.

Ski jumping is a sport in which skiers go down a take-off ramp, jump, and attempt to land as far as possible down the hill. In addition to the length of the jump, judges give points for style. There are individual and team events at the Olympics for both men and women on either large or normal hill disciplines.

Biathlon is any sporting event made up of two disciplines. However, biathlon usually

Slopestyle is a winter sporting event where the goal is to perform the most difficult

Bobsleigh is a winter sport in which teams of two or four make timed runs down

Speed skating is a competitive form of ice-skating in which the competitors race each

refers specifically to the winter sport that combines cross-country skiing and rifle shooting. There are 11 varieties of biathlon in these games that deal with different distances and relays.

narrow, twisting, banked, and iced tracks in a gravity-powered sled. The timed runs are combined to calculate the final score. There are three Bobsleigh events being held in Sochi: Men’s and Women’s Two-Man, and Men’s Four-Man.

tricks while reaching the highest altitude, with an emphasis on performing many different types of tricks instead of executing one great trick repeatedly.

other on skates. Types of speed skating are long-track speed skating, short-track speed skating, and marathon speed skating. In the Olympic Games, long-track speed skating is usually referred to simply as “speed skating”, while short-track speed skating is known as “short track.”

Cross-country skiing is a form of ski touring in which participants propel themselves across snow-covered plains and hills using skis and poles. This activity is popular in many places with large, open areas of snow. There are 12 events in this discipline, and like Biathlon, they are varied distances and relays.

Curling is a sport in which players slide stones across a sheet of ice towards a target area which is segmented into four rings. Two teams, each consisting of four players, take turns sliding heavy, polished, granite stones across the ice sheet towards a circular target marked on the ice. A game may consist of eight or ten “ends” or slides of the stones.

Curling has two disciplines, men’s and women’s.

Figure skating is a sport in which individuals, duos, or groups perform skating routines on ice. The four Olympic disciplines are men’s singles, lady’s singles, pair skating, and ice dancing. Team Figure Skating has also been added to this year’s games.

Freestyle skiing consists of both men’s and women’s aerials, moguls, ski cross, ski half-pipe and slopestyle events.

Aerial skiing is a judged sport, and competitors receive a score based on jump takeoff (20 percent), jump form (50 percent) and landing (30 percent). A degree of difficulty (DD) is then factored in for the total score. Moguls are a series of bumps on a trail formed when skiers push the snow into mounds or piles as they execute short-radius turns.

Ice hockey is a team sport played on ice in which skaters use sticks to shoot a hard rubber hockey puck into their opponent’s net to score points. In Sochi, both men’s and women’s teams will compete.

Luge, utilizing a small one- or two-person sled, is an event in which one

sleds down a narrow, icy track face up and feet-first. Olympic events include both men’s and women’s singles and doubles as well as a team relay.

The Nordic combined is a winter

sport in which athletes compete in both cross-country skiing and ski jumping.

All the events in Nordic Combined are for male athletes only.

Illustration from wikimedia.org

Short track speed skating is a form of competitive ice speed skating.

In competitions, multiple skaters (typically between four and six) skate on an oval ice track with a circumference of just over 110 meters. The rink itself is 60 meters by 30 meters, which is the same size as an international-sized ice hockey rink. Both men and women will compete in various distances. There are also relays of different distances.

February 12, 2014

The Hawk

Sports | 19

20 | Sports

February 12, 2014

The Hawk

High hopes on Hawk Hill

Men’s and women’s lacrosse teams prep for the 2014 season Men’s lacrosse NATE VANCIL ‘16 Assistant Sports Editor

Photo courtesy of Sideline Photes, LLC.

With a fresh start in a new conference, the Saint Joseph’s University men’s lacrosse team is ready to begin the season strong and impress the Northeast Conference. After a disappointing 5-11 record last year, going winless on the road and 1-5 in conference play, the Hawks believe they are ready to break out of their slump and make a real impact – and hopefully a playoff push. Senior midfielder Will Abbott believes that this St. Joe’s lacrosse team has the potential to be a dangerous squad this upcoming season compared to the last few years.

“Last year was an up-and-down year for us,” said Abbott. “This year is looking a lot better so far, and we are looking forward to the season.

We’ve worked very hard on the smaller things and to bring them all together. This is our first year in the Northeast Conference and our goal is to win it.”

The Hawks lost a lot of seniors from last year’s squad, and have brought in a lot of freshmen to compensate for that loss. This may seem like a predicament for St. Joe’s lacrosse; coming off a 5-11 season and losing many of the seniors from that squad does not seem promising. Abbott believes that having a younger team may actually be an advantage for the Hawks.

“As a team we are really young; we have 20 freshmen,” said Abbott. “Because of that, leadership is going to be very important this year. The team chemistry has been very good so far this year, and all the freshmen have worked very hard and looked up to the older guys. We just try to set a good example for the younger guys.”

One deficiency for the Hawks last year was their inconsistency in goal scoring. With only four players in double-digit goals and five players in double-digit points for the season, St. Joe’s was forced to rely heavily on just a few players for the majority of their offense. The Hawks averaged a mere 6.44 goals per game while allowing 9.94, and only broke double-digit goals in a game three times last season.

Although the past few years have been disappointing for the Hawks, there is a bright future for this team, and they have a chance to make a big impact in the near future with a variety of talented underclassmen. But for the seniors on the team, it is their last chance to have a successful season playing college lacrosse. Abbott has strong feelings about how this team has improved and the team’s goals for the season.

“In my career here, we’ve never been over .500, so definitely having a winning season and making the NEC tournament is a goal for us,” said Abbott. “Our goal as a team is to win the NEC tournament; that would be amazing.”

The Hawks are deep into their preseason, and have been preparing and training hard for this upcoming year. After completing the traditional Crimson and Gray Scrimmage game on Jan. 25 and exhibitions against other schools, St. Joe’s lacrosse is looking forward to their regular season opener at High Point University on Feb. 15. After that game, the squad returns to Hawk Hill for their home opener against VMI on Feb. 22 at 12:00 p.m.

The Hawks have a positive attitude about the upcoming season, and are a youthful and energetic squad with so many underclassmen on the roster. In a new conference and with many new faces on the squad, this season will be an exciting one for St. Joe’s men’s lacrosse.

Women’s lacrosse ROSEMARY MARTIN ‘16 Hawk Staff Despite the biting cold and swirling snow that has pelted our region over the past month, The Saint Joseph’s University women’s lacrosse team has been a constant on Sweeney Field. The Hawks, who finished at .500 last year, are determined to pick up right where they left off, with or without snow.

“It has definitely been a challenge with the winter weather this year, one of the most challenging I can remember,” said Denise Roessler, head coach.

“But we have to practice in the cold weather elements in order to be physically and tactically prepared for our games.”

Four Hawks graduated last season, most notably Meghan McDevitt; Roessler has the utmost confidence that sophomore Emily Bowers will step up in Meghan’s absence. Overall, 22 Hawks return from last year’s squad, including senior captains Brittany Hanrahan, Kaitlyn McSwiggan , and Nora McGeever . There are also twelve new freshmen vying to contribute to the team’s success however they can. The team will be anchored by goalkeeper sophomore Genevieve Giblin and senior defensive trio of Hanrahan, McSwiggan, and Allison Heath.

The three are always aware of one another, and were able to stay amidst the nation’s top 10 in scoring defense for most of last season. Hanrahan led the team with 17 caused turnovers and 26 ground balls; she was chosen for the A10 All-Conference second team. Giblin was an A10 All-Conference Rookie choice after her stellar 2013 season where she posted an 8.28 goals against average and .399 saves percentage in her 13 starts. The attack will be spawned by last season’s stars seniors Abby Ananian and Val Paolucci, and junior Julia Falcone.

These three combined to produce 52 percent of the team’s total goals, and each notched 20 goals and at least 25 points, respectively. Many underclassmen will contribute across the field as well.

St. Joe’s has a strong team dynamic which can only help them going forward.

“We have a very strong team culture,” said Rossler. “I credit this culture change to our upperclassman. They have done an outstanding job of getting everyone to be [all in]. They all practice what they preach and that goes a long way with a team.”

“We’re obsessed with each other,” senior defensewoman and captain Brittany Hanrahan added.

Lacrosse is definitely a team sport, but as Hanrahan explains, everyone plays a role.

“I think whether you’re on the sideline or you’re in the game, everybody is just as important,” she said. “We know what we have to do individually, and if we put in that work it’s just going to carry into our play. If we do everything right, we’re going to be successful and it will show.”

As Roessler explained, the Atlantic 10 Championship, which will be hosted by Richmond this year, is an ultimate goal for the Crimson and Gray.

But they’re not getting ahead of themselves; they’re taking it one game at a time.

“Our goals and expectation are to be one of the four teams who compete for an A10 championship come May,” she said. “In order to successfully get to the A10s, our objective is to take advantage of our opportunity to analyze our non conference games and make adjustments to our systems.”

The Hawk’s first game will be against Temple.

They play a number of non-conference games in the early season, where they’ll iron out the kinks and pick up some valuable game experiences. They’ll continue preparing for A10 play by strengthening their fitness and stick work, watching film after film, and ultimately working as a team to be the best they can be. And if they make it to the A10 Championships?

“Obviously, we’ll do everything to win it.” Hanrahan said.

Photo courtesy of Sideline Photes, LLC.