The Hofstra Chronicle, September 10, 2024

HEMPSTEAD,

THE HOFSTRA CHRONICLE

Halal Shack opens up new location at Hofstra

By Giovanni Salsa and Lily Spinda

NEWS EDITORS

In Arabic, the word halal means “permissible.” It is commonly used in the religion of Islam to describe a multitude of things that follow the guidelines of the faith. Halal food refers to

how certain foods are made to remain lawful to the religion.

The halal cuisine primarily consists of Middle Eastern and Mediterranean dishes. Hofstra University kicked off the fall semester by launching the new Halal Shack station in the Sondra and David S. Mack Student Center.

A larger halal station in the Student Center has been requested by students and staff for years. The new station provides a wider variety of food options on campus and invites further inclusivity to students who feel underrepresented.

“The Halal Shack was introduced to the Student Center to provide a diverse and inclusive dining experience that accommodates various dietary preferences and cultural backgrounds,” said Lexis Meehan, the marketing manager for Campus Dining.

According to Meehan, the decision was guided by data from Campus Dining surveys that displayed a strong desire for more halal food options on campus. “Campus Dining has been working closely with the Muslim Student Association and other student groups to ensure

By Lee Cusack STAFF WRITER

If you were on social media around the time of the Olympics this year, you probably saw the name Imane Khelif in your feed. Khelif is an Algerian boxer who was heavily scrutinized under the pretense of being a transgender woman. This assumption, however, was false. Khelif is a cisgender woman who was

assigned female at birth and continues to identify as such. Why is Khelif, the victim of this controversy, still the subject of public ire? Simple, because she’s not “woman enough” to meet the demands of some people.

Being perceived as “woman enough” often depends on presenting a certain way or having enough of a connection to womanhood to be considered a woman. Womanhood, however, is an intangible idea and a moveable goalpost that has been used to attack anyone and everyone who people don’t like for any one reason. Khelif’s birth certificate confirms she was born a woman, yet she was denied her womanhood when transgender suspicions were cast on her for dominating a boxing match against another woman.

The Pride is welcomed back to campus with new summer renovations

By Lily Spinda NEWS EDITOR

On Tuesday, Sept. 3, Welcome Week leaders and faculty welcomed the Pride back to campus for another school year. Welcome Week reminded returning students of the familiar faces and the wide range of activities that Hofstra University

offers. From the delicious ramen noodle station bar at Bits & Bytes to the friendly campus squirrels (and cats), returning students are eager to start the new year while freshmen are soaking in the excitement of what their next four years will look like.

While many of Hofstra’s landmarks and

campus staples returned, there were several new additions to the campus over the summer including the newly renovated 10th floor in the Joan and Donald E. Axinn Library, a new halal based eatery and interior improvements to HofUSA. The highest floor of the library has been completely

renovated with a panoramic view of Hofstra’s campus featuring a silhouette of New York City’s skyline during sunset. The open floor plan consists of brand-new chairs and tables for both groups and individual students to study. Scott Serafin, a music

education and music performance major, is excited to study on the new floor of the library as he just moved onto campus this week. “It’s going to be really good for people to actually study with a group. Plus, you get a great view.”

Imane Khalif endured scrutiny over her gender during the 2024 Olympic games in Paris.

Students in line at Halal Shack waiting to try the new addition to campus.

Photo courtesy of Giovanni Salsa

Photo courtesy of AP

Photo Courtesy of Lily Spinda

Pride network rebrands to Lavender Grove and mixes with QTPOCC

By Camryn Bowden ASSISTANT NEWS EDITOR

Every summer ushers in new changes for the Hofstra community. This summer, new changes to the on-campus LGBTQ+ community came in the form of a Pride Network rebrand, now called the Lavender Grove.

The Lavender Grove is one of three organizations on campus dedicated to fostering inclusion and diversity among queer and transgender students on campus.

The organization changed its name this summer after 15 years of using the name “the Pride Network,” citing confusion

many queer-identifying students at the university go to find respite and safety within the LGBTQ+ community. We decided to couple that with lavender, the code-word color used for queer weddings and marriages and a color that has made itself the signature hue of the LGBTQ+ community.”

Minta Sloan, a sophomore filmmaking major and the secretary of the Lavender Grove, said that the rebrand was meant to promote safety and security for LGBTQ+ individuals.

“We’re starting a rebrand which is mainly focused on just

have that type of safe space. So, we’re trying to act as that.”

Sloan also expressed that the Lavender Grove hopes to create even more involvement with other identity-based groups at Hofstra.

“We’re trying to have a lot more collaborations with QTPOCC (the Queer and Trans People of Color Coalition) and then we have the Black Students Association, the Latino Students Association [and] the Muslim Students Association,” Sloan said. “We’re all trying to get together [to] have, like, big potlucks, stuff like that. Really

The Lavender Grove is one of three organizations on campus dedicated to fostering inclusion and

among queer and transgender students on campus. The organization changed its name this summer after 15 years of using the name “the Pride Network”

between the Hofstra Pride and the former name of the organization.

In a post on the Lavender Grove’s Instagram, the organization wrote:

“The Lavender Grove stems from the namesake of Cherry Grove, a local queer safe space that the Hofstra community is familiar with and a place where

community, which is the point of the Pride Network, to have that community, to have that space,” Sloan said. “Because, you know, yes, it is 2024, but we’re still in a part of Long Island where sometimes people aren’t that comfortable being out, and sometimes people grew up in families that just didn’t

LGBTQ+ Unity Mixer held on Sunday, Sept. 1, at the Sondra and David S. Mack Student Center. The Lavender Grove and QTPOCC partnered to welcome people of all sexualities and genders to learn more about the inclusion and diversity efforts made by both organizations and some icebreakers and games.

Victoria Griffin, a sophomore marketing major and the vice president of QTPOCC, said one goal of the mixer was to attract more LGBTQ+ People of Color.

“I’m hoping that we can invite more of the POC community to feel more comfortable on campus, definitely, because QTPOCC has been such a big part of my experience, at least feeling comfortable being a queer person and also a person of color, it’s so important, especially here at a PWI (Predominantly White Institution),” Sloan said. “So I’m just hoping that we can invite more people in, especially underclassmen, to feel more comfortable in the community.”

Ayaan Johnson, junior political science and public policy major and the events manager of QTPOCC, shared a similar sentiment.

“I’m just hoping that we can get our club out there more,” Johnson said, “because I feel like the LGBTQ+ People of Color on campus...know we exist, but they don’t really know what happens and what we do. And I hope that this can educate them more and show them that they have a safe space with us.”

Juanita Collins, a sophomore linguistics major and the secretary of QTPOCC, shared that partnering with Lavender Grove is meant to show everyone that there are safe spaces on campus.

“I feel like it just gives that kind of aspect of diversity that you look for in any other group,” Collins said.

just kind of make a space where people can have friends and have connections of people from all different backgrounds, and then feel comfortable saying, ‘Yeah, I’m different, and that’s not a bad thing.’”

One of those first examples of that goal of fostering community came in the form of the

Johnson said that organizations working together shows further diversity on campus to some students who might not be aware. “It shows that we’re more diverse. We have a more diverse voice on campus. And if anybody has any friends that they know, they can show them that there’s a specific club for them.”

Photo courtesy of Camryn Bowden

The Lavender Grove E-board members and QTPOCC E-board members share upcoming events hosted by their organizations

Students rave over new Middle Eastern and Mediterrian cuisine

CONTINUED FROM A1

that the dining options reflect the needs and preferences of the student body. This collaboration helps create a welcoming environment for all students,” Meehan said.

Many students shared their thoughts on the new station and how it will affect the Hofstra community.

“I feel very included and happy that halal food is on campus,” said Zainab Mozawalla, a senior majoring in political

clubs, a diverse environment and food. Efforts to provide students with meaningful representation can open up a community to opportunities for learning and engagement.

“A lot of my non-Muslim friends are learning about Islam and what counts as halal and haram food and asking questions about it,” said Alisha Paracha, a sophomore political science major. “It’s exciting that a lot of new people are learning about religion and it’s kind of creat-

ably the next four years, so just being able to adapt to our needs is very thoughtful of them.”

Salim T.P. Daniels, chair of the Anthropology Department, shared his thoughts on the relationship between food and community and how the new restaurant would benefit the broader Hofstra community.

“I was excited actually to see it because, over the last couple semesters, I’ve been requesting that they expand the halal food station in the cafeteria,” Daniels

“Representation can take shape in many ways, such as through clubs, a diverse enivronment and food. Efforts to provide students with meaningful representation can open up a community to opportunities for learning and engagement.”

science, global studies and economics. “I have been waiting for there to be halal food on campus and anytime I go to the dining hall, I always felt like there was nothing for me to get and oftentimes I wouldn’t even eat on campus because I just knew that there was nothing that would include me. But I’m grateful that Hofstra did this because now I feel included and represented.”

Representation can take shape in many ways, such as through

ing this inclusive environment at Hofstra for Muslims, which I never really felt in my first year.”

Janelle Laroche, a freshman biology major, shared a similar sentiment on inclusivity and its importance in the Hofstra community.

“I think it’s very thoughtful of them to the fact that they got to think about other people and their needs,” Laroche said. “Especially since most of us are going to be living here for prob-

said. “And it does seem like it was bringing a lot of people together because the food was very fresh, very healthy; it had spinach, a lot of healthy dietary choices that vegans can eat, or people that are concerned about eating good, clean food.”

Students had previously felt that the food choices on campus lacked healthy options and the selections were limited. Halal Shack offers more range as to what they can choose,

Photo Courtesy of Giovanni Salsa

Hofstra University added a new eatery on campus in collaboration with Halal Shack in the Student Center.

The Lavender Grove rebrands and discusses future events at Hofstra

CONTINUED ON A4

In addition to the mixer, Denivia Rivera, sophomore dance and journalism major and QTPOCC president, said the organization is doing other things, like tabling in the student center atrium, to attract more involvement.

“The involvement fair was a success for QTPOCC and was a great opportunity to get

more recognition for our club,” Rivera said. “It was great to see so many new students so eager and interested in attending our events and showing support for our community. We had a lot of sign-ups and QTPOCC is excited to welcome all of our new members this semester.”

Hugo Morales, the associate director for Intercultural Engagement and Inclusion at Hofstra, said that the Unity

Mixer was a perfect time for new and returning students to come together in celebration of their identities across race, gender, sexuality and more.

“The LGBTQ+ Unity Mixer, hosted by The Lavender Grove, QTPOCC and OUTLaw, was more than just a welcoming event – it was a vital opportunity for our Queer students to find community and create a sense of belonging from the start of their

college journey,” Morales said. “It is my hope that the collaborative effort among the queer student [organizations] to bring this mixer to life and the Lavender Grove rebranding enhances visibility of the LGBTQ+ community, promotes acceptance and increases membership among these [organizations].”

According to students at the event, the mixer was a success. It garnered more involvement for both groups and allowed newer students to make connections across identities. Makis Prescod, a freshman computer science major, said the event was a great start to the semester.

“Coming in here, I was kind of excited,” Prescod said. “It met my expectations, [and] it was super fun. I met some new people, and they were pretty cool. This event made me feel really welcomed.”

Prescod also shared that he is not very familiar with the organization’s events but looks forward to seeing what’s in store for the upcoming year.

“I’m not exactly familiar with what these types of clubs do in

terms of events, so I kind of just want to find out,” Prescod said. “I heard something about a drag show, which sounds fun, and they also said something about painting a mural, so I’ll also look into that.”

Halal Shack offers new options in response to student demand

CONTINUED FROM A3 including more vegetables in their diets, which was included in previous concerns.

Food can also be used as a way to bring different people and cultures together and bridge gaps within the community.

“And so, I was excited because definitely food can bring people together and it can create a sense of belonging,” Daniels said. “And I think at Hofstra; there were some Muslim students and faculty since they hadn’t worked out the halal issue to have a food station that had consistently halal food

options, there was a feeling that we weren’t fully included or fully belonging to a community because food is very important. It can be inclusive, or it can [create] a sense of people being isolated or left out.”

Daniels also shared that food not only provides Muslims with an inclusive community but also brings Muslims and non-Muslims together.

Since the inclusion of Halal Shack, the Student Center has been busier, with long lines of students eager to try different options from the halal menu.

Photo courtesy of Camryn Bowden

The Office of Student Leadership and Engagement is supervising Lavender Grove and QTPOCC.

The student center welcomes a wide array of diverse food choices for students.

Photo courtesy of Giovanni Salsa

On April 8, at 4 a.m., the RSR working in Bill of Rights Hall reported

Public Safety Briefs

was evacuated. PS, the plant department and the Uniondale Fire Department responded to the location. The situation was corrected, and the fire alarm was reset.

Compiled by Moriah Sukhlal

to PS that two HU students and a non-student failed to comply with Hofstra guest policy and verbally harassed the RSR. The non-student was banned from campus, and the two students were issued referrals to CS for their actions.

On Sunday, Aug. 18, at 8:34 a.m., the fire alarm in the swim center activated due to a water leak from the ceiling. The building was unoccupied at the time. PS, Plant and UFD responded to the location. The situation was corrected, and the fire alarm was reset.

On April 8, at 11:14 p.m., the RA in Utrecht House reported to PS that, while conducting rounds, there were loud noises coming from a room. PS responded and discovered open bottles of alc

On Wednesday, Aug. 21, at 4:17 a.m., the fire alarm in Weller Hall activated due to an unknown cause. The building was evacuated within one minute without incident. PS, Plant and HFD responded to the location. The situation was corrected, and the fire alarm was reset.

On April 8, at 4 a.m., the RSR working in Bill of Rights Hall reported to PS that two HU students and a non-student failed to comply with Hofstra guest policy and verbally harassed the RSR. The non-student was banned from campus, and the two students were issued referrals to CS for their actions.

On Wednesday, Aug. 21, at 5:48 a.m., the fire alarm in the Hofstra University stadium building activated due to a water flow issue. The building was unoccupied at the time. PS and Plant responded to the location. The situation was corrected, and the fire alarm was reset

On April 8, at 11:14 p.m., the RA in Utrecht House reported to PS that, while conducting rounds, there were loud noises coming from a room. PS responded and discovered open bottles of alcohol. Six students were issued referrals to CS.

On Monday, Aug. 26, at 8:26 p.m., a Hofstra student was observed driving at an unsafe speed on Colonial Drive, the student was stopped and referred to CS.

On Wednesday, Aug. 28, at 6:30 p.m., a Hofstra student reported that they parked their vehicle in the Maurice A. Deane School of Law parking lot that day, and when they returned, there was damage to the passenger front quarter panel. Police assistance was declined at the time.

On April 11, at 10:20 a.m., an HU plant employee reported to PS that he accidentally damaged a vehicle owned by another Hofstra employee on Holland Road while working on the main campus. The owner of the vehicle was notified about the damage and responded to PS.

On Wednesday, Aug. 28, at 6:55 p.m., a Hofstra student stated that when they returned to their residence hall, Williamsburg House, they discovered property missing. A video canvas of the hallway in Williamsburg House was conducted that yielded negative results. The director on duty was notified.

On April 11, at 2:18 p.m., it was reported to PS that an unknown person wrote messages in chalk on the sidewalk on the south side of Hofstra Hall. Photos were taken of the graffiti, and an investigation is being conducted into this matter. The plant department was notified for cleanup.

On April 12, at 9:50 p.m., the fire alarm in Estabrook Hall was activated due to hair care products. The alarm sounded, and the building

“Unlike other study spaces on campus, the 10th floor of the Axinn Library has a completely open format, with seating for various study preferences,” said Paul Romano, who serves as the vice president for facilities and operations. “There are single egg chairs, study carrels, individual and group tables and sofa-style seating. There is seating with a view to the outside, and also areas that face to the interior.”

Robbie Beanland, a junior Italian major, felt frustrated with the lack of study spaces on campus. “Whenever I tried finding space in the new Science and Innovation Center, there is always other students studying in that space. Since I’m a commuter student now, I definitely plan on using the new floor of the library and I hope other students do as well.”

“The new floor of the library now houses people in bigger groups. It’s very open and fresh,” said Jessica Burgos, the senior supervisor of the Axinn Library. Burgos stated that the 10th floor can bring in opportunities for more events and people to the library.

Additionally, HofUSA received new flooring, paint and touch ups to their stage, which is used by many organizations over the year but especially during Greek Week. A “Touch Tunes Jukebox” was also a summer addition to the late-night eatery.

“I think from what little I’ve seen, the renovations are hard to notice on a large scale, but I really like the jukebox,” said senior publishing studies major and art history minor Marissa Feiler. “It’s definitely going to get a lot of use, and I think it

On April 14, at 5:25 p.m., the fire alarm in Hampton House was activated due to burnt food in the kitchen. The alarm sounded, and the building was evacuated. PS, the plant department and the Uniondale Fire Department responded to the location. The situation was corrected, and the fire alarm was reset.

On Friday, Aug. 30, at 5:55 a.m., a non-Hofstra student visitor reported that their vehicle was struck from behind by another vehicle, which then pulled into the North Campus. The driver was not identified. Nassau Community Police Department responded and took a report.

On Friday, Aug. 30, at 11:05 a.m., PS received a call from an HU employee after they observed a tan Mercedes parked in parking lot C2 with a broken rear window. The vehicle is not registered, and the owner could not be located.

On April 15, at 10:19 a.m., the fire alarm in New York House was activated due to burnt food in the kitchen. The alarm sounded, and the building was evacuated. PS, the plant department and the Uniondale Fire Department responded to the location. The situation was corrected, and the fire alarm was reset.

On Saturday, Aug. 31, at 2:59 p.m., the fire alarm in Bill of Rights Hall sounded due to an aerosol spray. Eighty-two people were evacuated within five minutes without incident. PS, Plant and UFD responded. The situation was corrected, and the fire alarm was reset.

On April 15, at 6:53 p.m., an HU student reported to PS that they lost their wallet containing their driver’s license, Hofstra ID, debit card and cash. The wallet was lost in a location off campus. The NCPD responded and took a report.

On Monday, Sep. 2, at 10:42 p.m., the fire alarm in Bill of Rights Hall sounded due to hair care products and a curling iron. One hundred and forty-one people were evacuated within five minutes without incident. PS, Plant and UFD responded. The situation was corrected, and the fire alarm was reset.

On April 16, at 9:44 a.m., an HU student reported to PS that some of their laundry was missing from the laundry room in Alliance Hall. The student requested a police response.

On Tuesday, Sep. 3, at 11:31 p.m., the fire alarm in Calkins Hall sounded due to dust from a custodial vacuum. The building was unoccupied at the time. PS and Plant responded. The situation was corrected, and the fire alarm was reset.

On April 16, at 10:26 p.m., an HU student was issued a referral to CS for swiping an unknown person into Netherlands South.

On April 17, at 9 a.m., an HU student reported to PS that an unknown vehicle struck their vehicle in the law school parking lot. The student had a dashcam video, and the Hempstead police responded and took a report.

Students are optimistic to use the new tenth floor

will make for a really fun addition.”

An upcoming renovation for students to look forward to is a new recreation court near the Wellness and Campus Living Center on North Campus offering games, social events and wellness events.

As a commuter, senior civil engineering major Aurisha Rahman believes her strict schedule would prevent her from using the court on the residential side of campus; however, she hopes that other students will get involved with on-campus events at the new court. “I think the freshmen and sophomores will definitely use it because their schedules are hopefully lighter.”

The new recreation court will be completed before the end of the fall semester.

Hofstra University’s Axinn Library at night.

Photo Courtesy of Camryn Bowden

FEATURES

Personal Essay: There’s a shortage of color in my closet

By Lily Anzalone ASSISTANT FEATURES EDITOR

My closet consists mostly of the color black. There’s a bit of red and some super dark green, but it is mostly black: black T-shirts, black sneakers, dark wash jeans and black sweatshirts. Bright colors are an oddity in my eyes, and you will never find me in anything white.

From as early as I can remember, alternative fashion has been something I find interesting. My Pinterest feed is riddled with fashion and makeup inspiration, all centered around unique styles. People online often use “emo” or “goth” as an insult, but I find it to be a compliment.

I haven’t had my natural hair color (which is dark brown) in almost seven years, and at this point I’ve tried every color except yellow and orange.

My middle school “emo phase” consisted of basic band T-shirts, Hot Topic chokers and messy, uneven eyeliner every day. Over time, my closet has grown to incorporate more unique pieces and more black. To put it lightly, the emo phase wasn’t so much a phase but a permanent decision.

Jewelry and accessories are an important part of my personal style, as my collection is a lot larger than many others. I own about 90 rings, and a ridiculous amount of necklaces and earrings. I make a lot of my own jewelry, using random trinkets and charms to curate original and eye-catching pieces.

and instead of throwing it away, I tore it up and reused it as a shawl of sorts underneath a short-

much about alternative fashion? Why do I put so much effort into different hair colors and flashy

owning clothes in brighter colors, because it is not true to my personality.

brought DIY to the front of the alternative movements and popularized thrifting.

The 2000’s brought the creation of emo and scene cultures, styles based on emotional lyrics layered on top of harsh instrumentals.

Fashion choices associated with these subcultures include skintight jeans, knee high converse sneakers, checkered belts and neon fishnets.

So much of alternative fashion is directly tied to their respective subcultures and political ideologies. It is considered a statement, a way to broadcast a message through their clothing and how they present themselves to others. That is what my fashion choices represent – the music tied with alternative subcultures each have their own distinct styles, like goth or metalheads, but there I find it easier to incorporate elements from all styles into my own. I don’t have a subculture I entirely align with, so I’d rather take inspiration from all kinds of alternative styles and create something new.

Fashion is a choice. Not everyone needs to dress the same, or different, to make a statement about who they are as a person. It is reflective of personality, and of the person you want to be known as.

“...For me, dressing alternatively and following grunge and gothic styles is a physical representation of who I am, who I want to be.”

Part of alternative fashion is the DIY aspect and repurposing what you already have. When my clothes don’t fit anymore, or something rips, I reuse it to create something new and exciting. Many of my shirts that shrank in the dryer have fallen victim to a pair of scissors and a measuring tape. One pair of my fishnets ripped,

ripped jeans, a cropped tee I made myself and my busted, 4-yearold Doc Martens. Add a chunky silver necklace, approximately eight rings and earrings from the clearance rack of Hot Topic, and there’s what I would call the perfect outfit.

But why? Why do I care so

ternatively and following grunge and gothic styles, is a physical representation of who I am, who I want to be. You could say it’s because of my music taste or my political views, but I am the most confident and feel the best about myself in all black. I can’t imagine wearing other styles or

as Nirvana and Soundgarden. Much of current grunge fashion can be attributed to Kurt Cobain, bringing to the mainstream striped sweaters, patched up jeans and the idea of men wearing women’s clothes.

Punks, known for their loud music and political opinions,

For me, dressing more grunge, or punk or however you want to call it, shows everyone who I am. Maybe people can figure out what music I listen to on a daily basis, or what beliefs I have about the current state of the world just from the clothes I put on.

Some may look at me and assume bad things about who I am; emo, depressed, a loser, but I don’t see it that way. It is important to me to look original and to find new ways to say something about myself with the way I choose to dress.

Lily Anzalone / The Hofstra Chronicle

FEATURES

Icebreakers: I’m Makenzie and I’m a senior

By Makenzie Hurt EDITOR-IN-CHEIF

“You will all develop your own unique voices,” my professor said while cooly sitting on the desk. One can’t help but wonder how many times she’s used this speech.

If I’m developing my voice from my professor’s class, aren’t I developing their voice rather than my own? As an English major, with every writing class I take, I think I’ve been developing more and more of my professors’ voices and I’ve eventually started hearing them in my head.

Of course, I know what she meant, but the pressure to find “your voice” while writing is the college equivalent to telling a 17-year-old to choose their future career. At 17 I was sure I wanted to teach AP U.S. History until I took a really depressing class on fascism. But I did read some really good books.

So, I’ve settled on an English major and journalism minor and I’m now planning on getting certified to teach yoga, so I don’t think my voice when I was 17, or 19, is the same one that it is now.

I guess I’m finding the voice of a 21-year-old Makenzie.

Now I have this frontal lobe

By Lily Anzalone ASSISTANT FEATURES EDITOR

A blurry grave I can see, beyond my tears, and peacefully rests by a tree, bringing my tears.

Surrounded by roses, lilies, angels and love,

The wind blowing free, drying my tears.

A voice echoing between the woods, calling

To me such a plea, pushing past my tears.

A woman, brave and strong, gone too soon, Faintly whispering to me, wiping away my tears.

business to worry about. I’m pretty concerned that when I turn 25, my frontal lobe will suddenly develop, everything will seem like an awful choice and I will impulsively dye my hair a different color.

Maybe I should rethink my scheduled nose piercing. I’m required to keep a mini journal with me for my poetry

just starting her 20s and worried about graduating. And here I am now; filthy rich, beautiful and successful!” Hopefully.

I thought I was an amazing writer at 12. I would literally fill notebooks, cardboard cover to cardboard cover, with stories and character charts. When I got my first laptop I started typing these stories. I recently needed a

the universe, or whatever it may be – come and help you develop a new one.

I don’t think you ever stop doing that, though. And that’s what’s scary about life, but it’s also pretty invigorating. They say the hard times make the good times so much better, but I think some days it would be nice to have been born with a life

“...I think that’s what your 20s are supposed to be like. Thinking you have it all figured out and that you have found your voice, only to have a new professor – or in this case God, the universe, or whatever it may be – come and help you develop a new one.”

wants me to do something. And that’s understandable but also the hardest part. I just want to frolic. Doesn’t everyone?

I mean, they give us three unexcused absences for a reason.

Law is also supposed to be the job with one of the highest depression rates, and that may interfere with the frolicking plans. But in all seriousness, it is awful that work can cause such a serious toll on one’s mental health.

Then you meet some people who say: “I love my job!” and you wonder, “Should I have gone into real estate?” As cliche as it sounds, I do think that the grass is always greener on the other side. And if that really is true, maybe other people just water theirs more.

writing class and write down little poems or random thoughts throughout the day. I think it’s good to have a reason to finally hold myself accountable for something I’ve enjoyed for the better half of my pre-frontal-lobe-developing life.

Once my frontal lobe is developed, I can look back at the notebook and think “Wow, I was such a sappy college girl

new laptop and in the process of transferring over my documents, I stumbled on these so called excellent, sprawling novels. Turns out they weren’t excellent, but maybe sprawling.

As of right now, I think that’s what your 20s are supposed to be like. Thinking you have it all figured out and that you found your voice, only to have a new professor – or in this case God,

Poem: Tears

The world is cruel, unfair, hard and tiring, Please, have mercy, and out come my tears.

schedule.

I know some people would say that’s very Orwellian, but it sounds nice to me. Then there wouldn’t be so much back and forth or a job market issue.

This is a joke, not a manifesto. Honest.

My mom wanted me to be a lawyer, or at least I think she did, but I think she’d be happy no matter what I do. She just

I’ve made it a personal goal to soak up my senior year, but mainly my classes, because there will never be another time in my life (unless I pursue higher education) that I will be able to talk about art, books, why people are the way they are and tectonic plates all day long to then go home and see my friends.

Aren’t we lucky?

Photo Courtesy of Gary Bendig/ Unsplash

M AN ON THE U NISPAN

What is the best sandwich at Hofstra?

By Zoe Casselman and Timothy Daly FEATURES EDITOR AND OPINION EDITOR

“The chicken caprese from ABP.”

- Lawson Kidd, senior

O verheard @ h O fstra

“I’m so hungry I need an egg!”

“This cannot be good for the next ‘Trolls’ movie.”

“She’s from Vermont so she’s probably a lesbian.”

“ABP’s the good egg. It has a lemon aoili, hard boiled egg, cheese, avocado and greens – it’s amazing. I would eat it every day.”

- Maya Pierce, senior

“Definitely the chipotle turkey avocado from ABP.”

- Riley Early, senior

“Maybe the mosquitoes have a foot fetish.”

“Before you have sex, do a 23andMe.”

“Can we talk about how I was involved in multiple orgies over the summer?”

“I got banned from Roblox for calling someone a fatty.”

“I thought being gay was illegal in Japan.”

“Last night brought out the evil version of me who likes to flash people.”

“I think Katy Perry wrote ‘Woman’s World’ about women’s sufferage.”

Spread by Audra Nemirow

Zoe Casselman / The Hofstra Chronicle

By Paige Sanacora

SPECIAL TO THE CHRONICLE

Chron Cooks ft. Paige Sanacora: S’mores Brownies

Why bring plain old brownies to an event when you can make something so much better with only a little added effort?

These s’mores-themed brownies create a symphony of flavors with a salty graham cracker base, rich chocolatey center and, of course, a sweet marshmallow topping. Whether you make this dessert from scratch or opt for a simpler box mix, you are sure to leave your guests (and your stomach) wanting more.

Ingredients:

Graham Cracker Crust:

1 ¼ cups graham cracker crumb

¼ cup granulated sugar

Pinch of salt

½ cup (1 stick) of melted unsalted butter

Brownie Batter (if not using box mix):

1 cup flour

½ cup cocoa powder

1 tsp baking soda

2 tsp sea salt (optional)

1 cup granulated sugar

¼ cup light brown sugar

¼ cup milk

½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted

1 tsp vanilla extract

2 eggs

Instructions:

Graham Cracker Crust:

1. Preheat oven to 350ºF and lightly grease pan.

2. Combine crumbs, sugar and salt in a medium bowl.

3. Stir in melted butter until incorporated.

4. Press the crumb mixture evenly along the bottom of the pan.

Brownie Batter:

5. Combine flour, cocoa powder, baking soda and sea salt in a large bowl and set aside.

6. In a small bowl, stir together sugars, milk, butter and vanilla until well combined.

7. Add both eggs to the dry mixture and stir.

8. Incorporate the contents of the small bowl into the large bowl until evenly combined.

9. Add chocolate chips if desired. (I do not add chocolate chips to my brownies).

10. Pour brownie batter into the pan on top of the graham cracker base. Cook for approximately 25 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.

11. Top your brownies with enough marshmallows so that you cannot see any brown from the top, and place in the oven for about 5 minutes under the air fryer setting.

12. Use a blow torch to get a nice, toasted texture, then serve and enjoy.

Photo Courtesy of Paige Sanacora

Welcome Back, Hofstra!

As Hofstra University, students have begun to settle back into routine. Events such as men’s soccer vs. Binghamton University, the Resident Hall Association’s (RHA) Back to School Pool Party, and Office of Student Leadership and Engagement’s Movie Nights in Pride Park, “Bad Boys: Ride or Die,” have kickstarted September Welcome. Students have reconnected with friends and peers at the new and improved dining options offered on campus, such as the Halal Shack. More events will continue to be held throughout September Welcome culminating in Fall Fest on Saturday, Sept. 28.

Spread by Annie MacKeigan, Alex Ferreira and Charlotte Mysliwiec

Annie MacKeigan / The Hofstra Chronicle

Annie MacKeigan / The Hofstra Chronicle

Annie MacKeigan / The Hofstra Chronicle

Alex Ferreira / The Hofstra Chronicle

Alex Ferreira / The Hofstra Chronicle Alex Ferreira / The Hofstra Chronicle

Photo courtesy of Lindsey Lolkema

Alex Ferreira / The Hofstra Chronicle

Arts And EntErtAinmEnt

Photo

Billie Eilish outdoes herself on ‘HIT ME HARD AND SOFT’

By Frankie DiCalogero MANAGING EDITOR

The summer of 2024 has been a significant period for music in the 2020s. Many of the world’s top pop stars released their highly anticipated albums, with “brat summer” taking over following the release of Charli xcx’s album “BRAT,” and Sabrina Carpenter rising in popularity with a career breakthrough for the ages. Billie Eilish’s third studio album, “HIT ME HARD AND SOFT,” stood out for its songwriting, impeccable vocal performances and uniqueness within the musical production.

“HIT ME HARD AND SOFT” consists of 10 tracks that span just over 40 minutes in total. Unlike her other projects, Billie Eilish decided not to release any singles in the lead-up to the album release. The lead single, “LUNCH,” along with the music video, were released on May 17 (the same day as the album release) where the track detailed her exploration of same-gender attraction. “LUNCH” became Billie Eilish’s first song publicly confirming her queerness after years of speculation.

the No. 1 spot on the Billboard Global 200, marking it as Billie Eilish’s first global No. 1 hit.

“BIRDS OF A FEATHER” is everything you could ever ask for in a song: a simply perfect blend of impactful songwriting and a vocal performance that will undoubtedly follow the rest of Billie Eilish’s career. The song dives hard into the desire

The order of the album enhances the overall listening experience of the record. The transition from “WILDFLOWER” to “THE GREATEST” to “L’AMOUR DE MA VIE” is arguably the best three-track run across all Billie Eilish’s albums. All three are slower songs that gain momentum with hard vocals and instrumentals that make it stand alone.

to Billie Eilish’s previous hit single, “Happier Than Ever.”

Meanwhile, “L’AMOUR DE MA VIE” is an underrated and fascinating song that consists of two parts that transition to a softer touch with her vocals. It would be neglectful to not mention the opening track of the album, “SKINNY.” The song is more of a palate cleanser from her previous albums, preparing the listener for the themes and styles that are going to be explored throughout the rest of the album. Billie Eilish’s most unique song as far as production and instrumentation goes is “THE DINER,” a creepy masterpiece that is most reminiscent of her debut album due to its dark and eerie approach. This is fitting, as “THE DINER” focuses on obsession and the struggles of being in the limelight.

Quick Hits

“LUNCH” instantly became a hit, debuting and peaking at No. 5 on the Billboard Hot 100, largely because of its catchiness and descriptive lyricism. Another track quickly rose to prominence after the album release.

“BIRDS OF A FEATHER,” the fourth track on the album, became a consistent presence in the mainstream, ultimately becoming Billie Eilish’s biggest hit of her career thus far. Ever since the album was released, “BIRDS OF A FEATHER” has steadily climbed every chart imaginable. Its biggest week came after she performed the song for the 2024 Summer Olympics closing ceremony, in which it not only reached the top five on the Hot 100, but also took

for deep love and an everlasting connection. It is an emotional track that has seemingly had a chokehold over any and all music enjoyers throughout the summer. The praise for the song is justified, and it has cemented itself as a frontrunner to win Song of the Year at next year’s Grammy Awards.

Outside of the successful singles, the rest of the album is nothing to scoff at. “CHIHIRO” peaked just outside the top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 and can be summarized as a riveting song with stellar production and storytelling. The song is loosely based on the animated film “Spirited Away,” with its music video being heavily influenced by the movie as well. “CHIHIRO” is the first of three songs on the album that last five minutes.

If Billie Eilish had another song to choose from the record to be a single, “WILDFLOWER” would be the top choice. Not only has she constantly promoted the song as if it was a lead single, but she even included “WILDFLOWER” in an acoustic special hyping up the album after its release. Billie Eilish clearly adores this track and deservingly so. It is a beautiful piece that details the ups and downs of relationships, with Billie Eilish even blaming herself for the downs. This track should be treated with even more love and attraction than it already has received.

“THE GREATEST” is a personal favorite that pulls the audience in more ways than one. It’s sentimental and passionate and is the closest call-back

The final two numbers on the album go hand in hand. “BITTERSUITE” and “BLUE” smoothly transition from one to the other in what was the most ideal way to end the album.

“BITTERSUITE” is not as standout as the others because a good chunk of the song focuses on its melodies, but, being another successful track, “BLUE” helps to support “BITTERSUITE.”

“BLUE” has long been a song that fans have been waiting for Billie Eilish to release. It is a stereotypical but great way to close out what is her, overall, best album to date.

“HIT ME HARD AND SOFT” was written by Billie Eilish and her brother FINNEAS. This record showed once again why this duo cannot be ignored in how consistently they deliver their impeccable talent when it comes to songwriting and production. While the album may have been just shy of hitting No. 1, there is no question that “HIT ME HARD AND SOFT” is in contention for Album of the Year in 2025.

A trailer for the “Minecraft” movie was released this past week.

Jenn Tran will compete on “Dancing With the Stars” following “The Bachelorette” heartbreak.

Kendrick Lamar will headline the Super Bowl LIX halftime show.

Malia Obama made a rare red carpet appearance in France.

Ashley Tisdale gave birth to her second child, Emerson Rose.

Courtesy of Warner Bros. Picture

Courtesy of @AshleyTisdale

Courtesy of Rolling Stone

Courtesy of Vogue

Billie Eilish achieved her biggest opening week in her career with “HIT ME HARD AND SOFT.”

Photo courtesy of Vogue

Courtesy of Disney

By Aidan Judge

‘Short n’ Sweet’- an album that’s exactly that

ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT EDITOR

It has been quite the year for former Disney Channel star Sabrina Carpenter. In late 2023 and early 2024, Carpenter opened for sections of Taylor Swift’s “The Eras Tour” in Latin America and Asia. This earned her a career boost that would push her popularity to heights beyond the expectations of the music executives representing her. Since Carpenter’s rapid popularity growth, three of her singles have reached the top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100, with “Please Please Please” snatching the No. 1 spot back in June. Most impressively, “Short n’ Sweet” earned over 350,000 sales units in its first week of release, nearly 20 times the individual sales of her 2022 album “emails i can’t send.” “Short n’ Sweet” is an all-around victory for Carpenter – and the compressed and consistent quality of the album makes it deserving of every unit sold.

Carpenter’s aptly titled sixth studio album is a celebration of all the characteristics of the

bubblegum pop anthems that the singer has released in the past. Clocking in at just 36 minutes, “Short n’ Sweet” is exactly as the title sounds – a fast-paced, personalityinfused record that is a perfect entryway into the sassy, lascivious and overdramatic world of Sabrina Carpenter.

For those who are seeking to travel along the route of socalled “pop perfection” songs like her hit single “Espresso,” look no further than tracks like “Good Graces,” “Taste” and “Juno.” For those who want short, catchy and blissful contemporary pop, all three tracks will scratch the itch equally well.

the 2007 film of the same name where Carpenter remarks on her sexual urges by saying she might let her partner make her “Juno,” referring to the pregnancy of the

for tears welling up in their eyes while they listen to Carpenter’s soft-spoken vocals, there are plenty of “sad girl anthems” to go around in this project. Carpenter is not afraid to pull her heart out of her chest and show it to the world on songs like “Slim Pickins,” “Dumb & Poetic” and “Coincidence,” discussing themes of passionate longing for past partners (and sometimes outright hatred, too).

“Juno” is a standout from the three, a track cleverly titled after

title’s reference character. “Taste” and “Please Please Please” also usher in a spirited one-two punch to begin the album, highlighting the series of tumultuous emotions and moods Carpenter will showcase throughout the rest of the record.

For lovers of sad songs who long

Surprisingly, the album is also full of mournful, ballad-adjacent anthems about the emotions of short romances, something that was not reflected in the album’s pre-release singles.

By Paige Sanacora

SPECIAL TO THE CHRONICLE

After 36 years, the sequel to Tim Burton’s iconic 1988 classic, “Beetlejuice,” finally hit the screen on Friday, Sept. 6. Did “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice” live up to the hype?

The sequel finds both Lydia and Delia Deetz (played by Winona Ryder and Catherine O’Hara respectfully) returning to their home in Winter River, Connecticut following a sudden death in the family. Although she has found much success in her professional life as a psychic, Lydia has a very strained relationship with her daughter Astrid (Jenna Ortega), who is all too similar to the doom-and-gloom teenage Lydia from the first film. Believing her mother to be a fraud, Astrid’s relationship with Lydia is put to the test when she is forced to accompany the Deetz family and Lydia’s new

boyfriend, Rory (Justin Theroux), to a family funeral. Trying to avoid her mother as much as possible, Astrid meets a mysterious boy named Jeremy (Arthur Conti) and discovers an entrance to the underworld. Meanwhile, Beetlejuice himself (Michael Keaton) is having his own afterlife problems, as his ex-wife Dolores (Monica Bellucci) has returned.

If not made clear by that summary, the primary issue with this film is the sheer amount of plot lines that they attempted to cram into a 104-minute film. While all of the stories that were presented in the film were intriguing, there was simply not enough time to do them justice.

Carpenter ties the work’s different themes together with songs like “Sharpest Tool” and “Lie to Girls,” while also experimenting with new sounds and vocal styles in songs like “Bed Chem,” which taps into Carpenter’s experimentation with R&B sounds and lyricism. The biggest problem with the record comes from a rather ironic reason; its length. Despite its ability to make an impression in its 36-minute runtime, listeners are left musically hungry after finishing the 12 tracks. Just as the album is getting started and finding its groove, less than ten minutes of listening time remain, and the desire for more is never fully satisfied.

Despite its criminally short runtime, Carpenter’s sixth album is a lovely addition to her catalogue that’s been nearly a decade in the making. Song diversity, thematic creativity and challenging topics, along with that irresistible Sabrina Carpenter musical touch, makes for a latesummer album that will cement itself as a pop classic for years to come.

Was ‘Beetlejuice Beetlejuice’ actually good?

This made the pacing of the film feel rushed, with too many characters to keep track of.

“Beetlejuice Beetlejuice” garnered $110 million its opening weekend.

“Beetlejuice Beetlejuice,” however, did a lot of great things to please long-time fans of the original. The trademark Tim Burton eeriness was written in every

scene, from the lighting and sets to the costumes and makeup. With Danny Elfman returning for the score, it was evident that you were viewing a “Beetlejuice” sequel, whether the grotesque titular character was on screen or not. The film even brought in a couple of great hits to parallel the original’s well-known “Day-O” dinner party, with some new flavor. The film was absolutely laugh-out-loud throughout, with O’Hara in particular delivering hysterical lines. Of course, Keaton recreated his iconic role to a T, including some notable

callbacks for devoted fans. Even Willem Defoe’s new character, Wolf Jackson (a deceased actor known for his role in a famous detective franchise), added many great comedic moments, despite his limited screen time.

The sequel also adds a layer of emotional depth that went relatively untouched in the original movie. The topic of grief is explored throughout the film with Delia’s comedic coping mechanisms, as well as with Astrid’s much more serious grief surrounding her deceased father.

Whether you are a new or old fan of “Beetlejuice,” this sequel is definitely worth the watch. While it may not exactly live up to the original, “Beetlejuice Beetlejuice” masterfully blends the old with the new, creating something both reminiscent and refreshing at the same time.

Photo courtesy of The Hollywood Reporter

Photo Courtesy of Billboard

Carpenter is set to tour ‘Short n’ Sweet’ starting Sept. 19 and ending March 26, 2025.

By Alyssa Inserra STAFF WRITER

When my 9-year-old self saw Emmett (Chris Pratt) become “The Special” and join the ranks of the greatest master builders to defeat Lord Business’s (Will Ferrell) regime, I thought it was one of the greatest movies of all time. Ten years later, I hold a similar opinion. Having recently rewatched “The Lego Movie” for old time’s sake, I realized that the film should not be taken at face value.

Yes, being able to create a spaceship out of spare Lego parts is a superpower I wish I had, but the creativity to develop these spectacular, yet somewhat outlandish designs is a quality we all possess – from the simple construction worker to the allpowerful “man upstairs.”

From its opening week, the film was a success. According to IMDb, “The Lego Movie” garnered almost $70 million at the box office as audiences could not get enough of Emmett’s relentless optimism, Batman’s (Will Arnett) love of black – and occasion-

Ten years of ‘The Lego Movie’

ally “very very dark grey” – or Vitruvius’s (Morgan Freeman) cat poster motivation. Belief, the subject of said cat poster, is the metaphorical piéce de resistance that protagonist Emmett carries with him through the film. However, he does not know how to use its power to his advantage. His doubts about his masterbuilding abilities seem reasonable: how could a law-abiding, instructionfollowing construction worker drop everything and go against the constructs of his society and morals? “Bricksburg” and the entire Lego universe is eventually restored, but was its preservation due to Emmett sacrificing himself off the infinitieth floor of

Arts

By Shae Styles

SPECIAL TO THE CHRONICLE

As many students enter their first year at Hofstra University, they have seen information from GetInvolvedHU posted around the school campus, encouraging students to put themselves out there and join on-campus organizations and clubs. New Student Orientation and Welcome Week encouraged students to try new things, attend school-sanctioned events, such as the club fair, and get out of their comfort zones. Hofstra is attempting to get students to focus on more than just class by giving a helpful nudge in other aspects of their lives. Engaging in these publicized activities has pushed many students into hobbies they may not have considered before.

Friendships are forming all around campus, showing incoming students they can connect to others in new and exciting ways.

The performing arts clubs are

the Octan building, or were there other forces at play? I believe there were.

After coming face to face with The Man Upstairs (Will Ferrell) and the all-inspiring cat poster, Emmett gains a completely different perspective about his world under siege: it is not Bricksburg that is in danger of being locked in a transparent chrysalis of Kragle but creativity. More

specifically, Finn’s (Jadon Sand) creativity. Since he is the true master builder behind the plot line of the film, the inability for Finn’s creativity to flourish means destruction to Emmett’s entire universe. Lord Business is not to be feared by Emmett; what must be feared is Emmett not tapping into his true potential

as a master builder to stop Lord Business. Thus, Emmett must not fight fire with fire, but Kragle with creativity.

Both Finn and Emmett defeat their biggest foes through the knowledge, nay, the belief, that life is not always about following instructions. Rather, what makes

all of us so special is our ability to think outside the box and be creative. Any attempts to hamper this superpower we all have will be hurtful to society, not beneficial. Emmett’s confrontation with Lord Business tugs on his inflexible heartstrings, which is enough for him to see past the mirage of micromanaging power and call off Taco Tuesday. Likewise, Finn’s conversation with his dad makes his father realize that a set of Legos is better off in creative, and not corporate hands.

The battle of Bricksburg ends in a victory for the master builders, the resurgence of creativity and a father-son bond now restored. It seems like all the pieces have fallen into place, until Lego Duplo crashes the celebration.

Nevertheless, 9-year-old me had no doubt that Emmett could handle any challenge thrown his way with belief and creativity in his tool belt. And once the credits rolled, present-day me smiled, sat back in my chair and thought, “With a little bit of creativity, everything is awesome.”

get involved

a great way to get involved at Hofstra. All around campus there are opportunities to participate in student performances while also giving something back to the community. Being a part of performing arts forces people out of their comfort zone by making them experience new things with new people. Freshmen and incoming transfer students are encouraged to take advantage of the multiple opportunities offered to them as soon as they step on campus. Also, by joining the performing arts organizations, students find

themselves creating unbreakable friendships that will most likely carry on throughout their entire lives.

One week into the school year, many new students have joined clubs where they are able to share their interests and hobbies, but performing arts can be a very

intimidating area to be in. This may turns people away from getting involved in such performances, but still, the friendships and the memories that are attached to joining a performing arts club will forever be cherished.

Not only are ever-lasting friendships a benefit of joining these clubs, but the experience and personal new abilities allow for people to grow in more ways than one. Without trying new things, you may never find your true passions or full

potential. Performing on a stage helps people to overcome their fears and worries and may help someone to realize a new passion which could turn professional. Over the next few weeks or even months, these new students will continue to find their way around campus and where they feel they belong. Many clubs and opportunities are ready to welcome all new and returning students with open arms. GetInvolvedHU may feel overwhelming, but it is one of the best ways to make the most of the entire college experience. By getting involved, students are able to feel less alone in their journey throughout an extremely intimidating new chapter.

Hofstra University has over 200 clubs and organizations for students to join.

Photo courtesy of Forbes

around Hofstra: How to

3,863,484 LEGO pieces were used in the creation of “The Lego Movie.”

Photo courtesy of @Danceworkshu

The views and opinions expressed in the Opinion section are those of the authors. They are not an endorsement of the views of the Chronicle or its staff. The Chronicle does not discriminate based on the opinions of the authors.

CONTINUED ON A1

Gender is not limited to one expression. A woman who wears dresses, heels and heavy makeup is just as much of a woman as one who wears suits and flats, just as a man who wears flannel is as much of a man as one who wears Vnecks. The concept that people, women especially, must look and behave a certain way is one that feminists have been fighting for a long time. Time and time again, people have used this idea to ridicule people who don’t conform to their preconceived notion.

While done with the claimed intent of “protecting women,” this “transvestigation,” as it has been dubbed on X, results in a slap in the face to women

Transphobic hysteria affects us all

worldwide. When a woman is accused of being a man because she is too strong, too smart or too fast, all it does is hammer in the sexist idea that women cannot be as strong as men and that women are biologically inferior to men. These sexist expectations affect the daily lives of countless women.

In Texas in 2016, a man followed a woman into a bathroom because she didn’t “look like a woman.” She was wearing a baseball cap and had short hair. In 2023, Michelle Peacock was murdered outside her apartment building because her neighbor suspected she was “a male acting like a woman.” Similarly to Khelif, these women were villainized and harassed for not fitting the stereotype of what a “woman”

should be.

The main reason many women in the athletic field are accused of being transgender is due to having higher levels of testosterone than the average woman. However, this claim has no weight, as testosterone levels naturally vary in women. Additionally, many women have higher testosterone levels due to a condition called polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).

This condition affects approximately 8-13% of women, according to the World Health Organization, with 70% of cases being undiagnosed. For those with PCOS, the ovary glands produce too many androgens (sex hormones), including testosterone. Some women take medicine to help regulate it, but as most cases

are undiagnosed, many women don’t know they have it. Having PCOS doesn’t make anyone less of a woman, it simply makes them a woman with a medical condition.

The truth is, it wouldn’t really matter whether these women were transgender. Transgender people don’t transition to gain an athletic advantage, they do it to fulfill their gender identity.

They deserve to play the same sport that they played prior to their transition. Plenty of transgender athletes who start out as mediocre in their old league remain mediocre in their new one.

If you truly believe that men and women are of equal ability and equal opportunity, there should be no issue with a

transgender athlete playing in a league with cisgender athletes. No single experience can define womanhood, just as no single experience can define manhood. Gender and personhood are concepts that vary between individuals. The misogynistic and transphobic notion that people must appear and behave in a way that fits the popular perception of their assigned gender is harmful to us all.

It’s best for everyone to let people do what fulfills them rather than wasting time and energy policing them on their own experiences.

Lee Cusack is a sophmore audio/ radio production major.

Sports leagues should not be taking care of Americans

By Ethan Albin

Nowadays, it is inevitable to hear breaking news and discourse regarding sports. With constant updates on scores and buzz around professional leagues, there’s always something to talk about. However, one thing that never seems to garner much attention is all the work these teams do off the court.

Charity events, food donations and involvement in their respective communities take a back seat to the game itself. Even something as small as a single play in a game can lead to free food and charity towards city residents and fans.

The New York Jets partner with McDonald’s for their “Sacks for Big Macs,” which, according to their website, rewards fans with a “free Big Mac if they make a two-dollar purchase after the Jets sack an opponent.” Many teams across all major leagues have partnerships with corporations that reward fans with free food or discounts if a player records a certain amount of one stat

or misses a certain amount of another. This can be huge for underprivileged families who rely on these rewards to feed their families.

Philip Lindsay, a former running back for the Denver Broncos, grew up in Denver and recalled how former star

quarterback Tim Tebow’s reign won free McDonald’s for Denver residents in an NFL Films episode.

“He helped a lotta kids because, back in that time, McDonald’s had a thing where every time the Broncos win, you get a free Big Mac. Well, you know kids, growing up when you don’t have the money like that, you’re banking on that. And they were winning, they were winning consecutively too, so we were getting free Big Macs every week!”

While a free burger here and there may not seem like a lot, food insecurity is still a huge issue in America. According to a 2022 study by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), food insecurity affects over 44 million Americans. A free meal supplied by the accomplishments of a local

team can be a huge deal to those affected by food insecurity. Better yet, most teams run a promotion like this with a partnering fast-food chain, making the benefits of their deals widely accessible to fans. For example, The New York Yankees hold the Chick-fil-A Double Play, and the New York Mets partner with McDonald’s to give away free beverages if they score more than five runs.

Do an internet search for “Sports Teams Giving Out Turkeys,” and not only will you find results of major league organizations giving back, but also players individually giving back to their local communities. Collegiate, professional and retired athletes across all levels often come together to ensure their communities are cared for. They ask for nothing monetary in return; it’s simply to take care of the fans and communities that support them each time they take the field. Moreover, most teams and leagues raise money and supplies to give back to their communities year-round. Each season, the NFL Foundation donates over 500 million dol-

lars to support community impact foundations and organizations. The MLB has its own list of supported charities and auctions of game-used equipment and merchandise to donate. The NBA Foundation aims to give back through community programs and grants. This year, they plan to award over 119 million dollars in grants across all the league’s markets.

While all the charity work and donations to their fans are great, it’s not solely the teams’ responsibility to provide for their community. They do these acts out of the goodness of their hearts when it should be the government assisting with raising funds for community outreach and food insecurity.

According to a 2023 study from the USDA, 13.5% of U.S. households struggled to provide food at all times for all household members. The federal government does have programs such as SNAP (formerly food stamps) and many other programs that provide short term benefits. Yet, even with all the government’s resources, sports leagues still manage to do more than their part for ev-

eryday people by investing in community outreach programs.

Major league foundations assure that their supporters will have the resources they need to live their lives. The NBA Foundation’s mission statement aims to “drive economic opportunity in the Black community through employment and career development by funding programs that generate successful transitions from school to meaningful employment for Black youth.” While it’s an amazing thing that the NBA invests in its market’s communities, it’s something that should be done by the governing bodies of those communities.

Governing bodies need to step in and take care of issues that they are far more suited to solve than athletic leagues. While charity work is amazing, sports teams and leagues shouldn’t be the first line of defense against economic and societal struggles.

Ethan Albin is a senior journalism major with a minor in creative writing.

OPINION

The views and opinions expressed in the Opinion section are those of the authors. They are not an endorsement of the views of the Chronicle or its staff. The Chronicle does not discriminate based on the opinions of the authors.

9/9/24, 9:30 PM

Chron Crossword

Across

2. The Philadelphia Phillies’ mascot

4. Popular doll company and a hit single by Tom Petty

7. Newest dining option in the Sondra and David S. Mack Student Center

8. Extra large drink size at Starbucks

9. Nickname of Hofstra men’s basketball head coach

11. Synonym for tennis shoe

13. Group of islands that form a Spanish archipelago of the coast of Africa

Down

1. Surname of “The Sopranos” deuteragonist, meaning many saints

3. Part of book anatomy; also the last name of a Led Zeppelin member

5. The Jewish New Year

6. Beatles album and type of pistol

7. Tending to repel or fail to mix with water

10. An alcoholic drink infused with juniper berries

12. Dance performed in triple time

by Ethan Albin and Tim Daly / The Hofstra Chronicle

Graphic

Chron Crossword 9/10 - Crossword Labs

The views and opinions expressed in the Opinion section are those of the authors. They are not an endorsement of the views of the Chronicle or its staff. The Chronicle does not discriminate based on the opinions of the authors.

Keep your expectations low for Kamala Harris

By Lincoln Anniballi

In the weeks following the selection of Vice President Kamala Harris as the Democratic presidential nominee, the vice president has risen to become one of the most energizing presidential candidates in a decade.

An unpopular vice president and lackluster Democratic candidate in 2019 (having dropped out of the race before 2020 even started), Harris has energized the party at levels not seen since 2008. Many have compared Harris to former President Barack Obama, painting the two as the most popular and moving Democrats in decades, believing his political skill is somehow embodied in her.

Built on hope and change, Harris and Obama have similar campaign vibes; however, Harris, who has faced virtually no challenge to her candidacy, is still relatively unknown by the public and lacks the charisma or

By Craig Mannino

When was the last time you went to a fast-food chain and actually received your food fast?

Seriously, think about it. A quarter-pounder with cheese, fries and a shake used to come out before you had the chance to sit down, yet now it feels like that order takes forever. But what changed?

Food chains being open 24/7 may mean little-to-no time to reset the kitchen which could lead to inefficiencies. Or maybe it’s because menu items have gotten more complicated.

Some may even claim that this generation of young fastfood employees are lazier than the last – though I would disagree with that. No, the real culprit of fast-food chains losing the “fast” part of its namesake is customization.

political talent of Obama. When even a moving candidate like Obama led to underwhelming presidential years, an untested candidate like Harris could result in something even worse.

The Democratic National Convention was quite a show. Even non-political viewers were wowed by moving speeches and exciting performances by politicians and celebrities alike. Enthusiasm for Harris within the Democratic camp is high.

After three years of being led by a borderline senile man, any change is refreshing. As such, the momentum of the race has shifted spectacularly. From midsummer, when a second term from former President Donald Trump seemed inevitable, to now, when Harris is leading almost every poll, Democrats should be excited.

Although Harris has a far better shot at winning the White House than current President Joe Biden, we can’t lose sight of the pitfalls a Harris presidency

could have – and the pitfalls caused by such high expectations. The positive energy, complimentary comparisons and excitement around an otherwise lackluster candidate set Harris up for an underwhelming presidency.

Before her deification by the Democratic establishment and media, Harris faced criticism for high internal turnover, unclear and often-changing policy positions, and notable lack of campaign charisma, all notable features of an ineffective leader. But when Biden dropped out of the presidential race, Harris was handed a fully built campaign team and a war chest of hundreds of millions of dollars. She faced no competition in securing the nomination and has faced very few difficult questions from the press, participating in just one interview since becoming the nominee. At this point in a campaign, the nominee is usually fully tested through competitive primaries,

tense press conferences and questions from uncertain voters.

To earn their party’s nomination, candidates often face fundraising challenges, internal scandals and a drawn-out political process, each obstacle testing their capabilities. Harris has dealt with none of this. When she did in 2019, she failed. This isn’t bad for Harris in 2024, but it will be for Harris in 2025.

If Harris is sworn in on Inauguration Day, much of the hardening, lessons and testing normally provided to the incoming president won’t have happened. The new president will be all on her own.

The expectations of the Obama presidency were larger than life. The “hope,” “change” and notion of a “post-racial era,” given by Obama led to a rise in populist nihilism, an entrenched status quo and a neo-racist awakening. As Harris gives us “joy,” “brat” and “not going back,” we can’t lose sight of the patterns of the past. The

Customization killed fast food

It seems like every fast-food restaurant gives its customers the option to customize just about everything.

A cheeseburger at any restaurant can be made with no cheese, extra cheese, no pickles, extra pickles, no onions or even extra onions; you get the point. But the customization issue does not stop there: literally every single item on these menus can be customized to some degree, and when a menu such as the one at McDonald’s has over 100 items, customization can become a serious issue.

But why is the combination of customization and a massive menu an issue? It all boils down to what fast food fundamentally is – or was.

When McDonald’s opened in 1940, its menu contained only nine items: a hamburger, cheeseburger, shakes, fries

and five different drinks. This system paired with McDonald’s “Speedee Service System,” which was implemented in 1943, meant their food could be prepared quickly and in massive quantities. Things moved so fast that the food you ordered could be ready to eat before you had even paid for it.

The system used by McDonald’s in the ‘40s is virtually extinct in all major fast food brands, but why? Of course, the answer is money.

On a nine-item menu, it is economically viable to pre-cook most items because chances are someone will order each item, but on a 100-item menu, that makes much less sense. You cannot even pre-cook the most popular items.

Although what two people order could appear as the same item on the menu, what they get could be vastly different

eight years of Obama ended with Trump. We can’t allow the end of the Harris era to end with something worse. Grand expectations lead to grand disappointments.

Maybe Harris will defy the patterns of the past and be a great president. Maybe she won’t. Harris, on her worst day, may be better than Trump on his best. But either way, we must be realistic and match our expectations to the confines of reality. We can’t lose sight of the lessons the Obama presidency taught us. When we build our politicians up too high, they tend to knock us down.

depending on preference. A pre-cooked chicken sandwich could be satisfying for one person and abhorrent to another.

Customization causes the number of unique items to skyrocket; thus, eliminating the viability of pre-cooked food, and significantly increasing the time it takes a line cook to complete the order.

Even Dick McDonald, co-founder of McDonald’s, knew customization on this scale could not work way back in a 1985 interview with the Chicago Tribune. McDonald said, “[If] you make a point of offering a choice, [then] you’re dead – the speed’s gone.” Take it from one of the fathers of fast food: your ability to choose what goes on your food ruins any shot that you’ll get it quickly.

It is important to note that exceptions should be made

Lincoln Anniballi is a senior political science and history major. Other work can be found on lincolna.substack.com.

for those with dietary restrictions. Those with allergies or religious exemptions should neither be forced to risk their health or morals for efficiency nor feel bad about asking for alterations.

However, if you do not want pickles on a burger that comes with pickles, please just take them off yourself.

Or get the alteration; I can’t stop you.

Craig Mannino is a junior English and writing studies double major. You can also find him @craigarg on Instagram.

No. 24 Hofstra opens conference play with shutout win

By Arcangelo Iurato STAFF WRITER

The No. 24 Hofstra University men’s soccer team defeated the College of William & Mary 1-0, kicking off conference play with a victory on Saturday, Sept. 7. The reigning Coastal Athletic Association (CAA) champions improved to 1-0 in the conference and 4-0-1 overall.

Junior midfielder Laurie Goddard netted the winner for the Pride 38 minutes in, with an assist provided by graduate defender Pierce Infuso. It was Goddard’s first winner of the

season and his second straight game with a goal. As for Infuso, the CAA Preseason Player of the Year, it was his first goal contribution of the season.

Though outranked 18-10 in total shots overall and 9-3 in the second half, the Pride held off William & Mary.

The Tribe, who fell to 0-1 in conference play and 2-2 overall with the loss, only mustered one shot-on-goal in the second half.

Hofstra goalkeeper Filippo Dadone made three saves in the match to snatch his third shutout in five appearances. Two of those saves kept out William & Mary midfielder Aidan Morrison, who led his side with five shots.

The road victory capped off an uplifting week for the Pride, who returned to the top 25 of the United Soccer Coaches rankings on Tuesday, Sept. 3. To begin the season, Hofstra remained undefeated through their first five games and extended their winning streak to four in a row.

Striker Teddy Baker made his first appearance of 2024 when he was subbed in by Hofstra head coach Richard Nuttall to replace Owen Barnett in the second half with 65 minutes played. Baker scored four goals and provided three assists for Hofstra in 2023, totaling 11 points. He was the only returning forward this season, but missed the first four games due to injury. Baker played for 35 minutes and took one shot.

Defender Jon Jelercic was another Hofstra player who made his 2024 debut in the match. The Slovenian-born junior was also subbed on by Nuttall in the final 10 minutes. Jelercic, originally from Maribor, played two seasons with Stony Brook University where he made 26 total appearances before transferring to their Long Island rival. Hofstra escaped Williamsburg with a victory to get their conference campaign off to a positive start. Their conference

record could have massive implications later this season, as they seek a fourth consecutive championship ring. Home-field advantage will be a priority as the season progresses.

Nuttall’s side will have the next few days to prepare for their next CAA clash against UNC-Wilmington. Hofstra will return home for that match, which is scheduled for 1 p.m., on Saturday, Sept. 14.

Late goal secures Pride’s fourth draw of the season

By George Hatzadony STAFF WRITER

The Hofstra University women’s soccer team tied their fourth game of the season 1-1 against Loyola University Maryland. The draw is the Pride’s fourth of the season, the most in program history. The result moves Hofstra to 1-0-4, while Loyola Maryland sits at 3-2-1.

Hofstra found an equalizer through Thorhildur Thorhallsdottir in the game’s final minute. The goal was scored from an Aimee Hodgson free kick which Thorhallsdottir

redirected into the net.

Thorhallsdottir’s goal was her final of three total shots in the match. Junior Millie Davies filled up the stat sheet too, notching a team-high four shots.

In the first half, the match got off to a quick start. The Pride and the Greyhounds recorded two shots within the first 10 minutes to test the goalies. Loyola Maryland kept on the pressure as they had the final four shots of the half.

Despite the tension, Hofstra keeper Mackenzie Sullivan kept things level until the final minute of the half. Greyhounds’ midfielder Baylee DeSmit scored with an astounding freekick from 38 yards out that was too strong for Sullivan. DeSmit registered a game-high six shots.

The second half, however, was a different story, as the Pride dominated the stat sheet: Hofstra led Loyola Maryland in both shots and corner kicks. Additionally, three of the Pride’s seven shots were on target. During a 10-minute spell,

Hofstra had three shots and a corner kick to try to tie the game. The pressure created in the second half helped Hofstra find the leveler with 30 seconds left.

With this game, Hofstra has only allowed three goals from open play in their first five games. Their solid defense has propelled the Pride to an undefeated start to the season.

Gabriella Marte and Sasha McTiffin played the full 90 minutes on defense for the Pride. Sullivan matched her season high in saves with three.

Hofstra’s Louise Hayden played only 44 minutes of the game, while sophomore Kendyl Peterson played a career-high 61 minutes in replacement. Additionally, Alexia Bromfield made her collegiate debut, playing a single minute on the afternoon.

Loyola Maryland edged out the Pride in shots 11-10 and saves 5-3.

For the Greyhounds, Goalkeeper Brigid Mulholland made four saves. In addition,

six Loyola Maryland players combined for the Greyhounds’ 11 total shots, four of which were on target.

For the Pride, Davies led the team in shots. Thorhallsdottir, McTiffin, Ellie Gough and Dagny Run Petursdottir also had shots.

The Pride will be back at home on Thursday, Sept. 12, when they host Farleigh Dickinson University at Hofstra Soccer Stadium.

Photo courtesy of Alexis Friedman / Hofstra Athletics Hofstra has had a winning record in conference play every season since 2017.

Photo courtesy of Rafael Suanes / Hofstra Athletics Hofstra’s four draws ties a 2022 program record.

Hofstra field hockey seeks revival under new leadership

By Conner Keough STAFF WRITER

Following their ninth straight losing season, the Hofstra University field hockey team is looking to change the narrative in 2024. The Pride went 6-12 overall and only won a single conference game in 2023. Now, with a more veteran lineup and Hillary Fitts as the new head coach, the Pride hopes to make strides to improve.

In Fitts’ four seasons as associate head coach at the College of William & Mary, the Tribe was ranked in the NCAA’s top 20 in 2019 and won the Coastal Athletic Association (CAA) Championship in 2023. Hofstra University Vice President and Director of Athletics, Rick Cole Jr., spoke highly of Fitts when she was hired.

“[Fitts] has been successful at every level of her career, both academically and athletically and we are confident that she will be an incredible mentor for the Pride field hockey team in the years to come,” Cole said. Fitts has spent the last six months changing the identity of the team to match the new and exciting style of play that will be featured this season.

“There is versatility to a lot of the players on the team,” Fitts said. “I do believe they can all play more than one position. I’m hoping that with the talented personnel we have, we can play a style that caters to them on the field. That should bring a nice and refreshing side to how we play.”

Last season, the Pride ranked last in the CAA in goals per game at 1.58 and Samantha Spera, Hofstra’s lead scorer, graduated, leaving a hole in the Pride’s front line.

“I’m hoping to have a combo offense this year depending on where we gain possession of the ball,” Fitts said. “If we gain possession near the attacking half of the field I want to play a controlled, possession-based attack that tries to gain lots of corners. If we get possession on our defensive half of the field, I still want to be deadly in transition like we were last year.”

For the team to improve on the field, Fitts admitted she was

might return to her roots on the back line after playing midfield a year ago.

“[McNally] brings leadership and experience having played both positions,” Fitts said. “She’s so versatile. She’s really stepped into a role to do right by her teammates, but also challenges them to get better.”

In her playing career at Fairfield University, Fitts played attack, midfield and defense, which led to her proficient understanding of playing every position.

McNally was not alone in earning All-CAA Preseason honors, as junior goaltender Pieke Roos also earned the honor for the second time in her

lot of things,” Fitts said. “With the experience we have they should be able to help move the team forward fluidly through

“The goal of this program is to dedicate youself to the game and learn how to play with your friends at the highest level. If we get to do that while growing as people, it’ll be a successful season.”

not shy about changing players’ positions to get the right results. Defender Teresa Karoff has been getting extended practice time at forward. And preseason AllCAA selection Tara McNally

career.

Roos looks to build off an impressive sophomore campaign where she ranked No. 7 nationally in save percentage at .784.

“She’s not so in your face or too nonchalant in the net,” Fitts said. “Her field hockey IQ is very high and she’s able to vocalize what she needs the defense in front of her to do.

I’m excited to see how the unit plays with another year under their belts together.”

Kesia Richardson, Jamie McMillan, Karissa Hough and Karoff return to Hofstra as the team’s starting defenders. The four defenders in conjunction with Roos allowed just 2.06 goals per game last season, good for third-best in the CAA.

“I think the defense can do a

breakouts and step up to make stops. They have a very high baseline but their ceiling is higher. It’s a matter of getting better and better throughout the season.”

The Pride returned even more players on the front line who saw significant field time a year ago.

“Every season has felt like a rollercoaster,” said senior forward Simryn Desai. “Now our team is finally an older team; we’ve been a younger team for so long. Now, we finally have that experience to have one season that keeps getting better. That would be incredible for us.”

Desai’s offensive production was a microcosm of the team last season. The New Jersey native did not record a single

point despite having numerous golden opportunities. Regardless of rough patches through the years, players feel committed to the Pride now more than ever.

“A big thing on our team is being contagious,” Desai said. “If you’re contagious [and] in a good mood, it’ll spread around the team. We’re challenging each other to keep this mindset. It’s been our mentality this preseason.”

Hoftra was picked to finish sixth out of seven teams in the preseason CAA poll with 10 points, only finishing in front of Towson University. With all the major shakeups, Hofstra could find themselves competing against the top teams in the conference.

“The unspoken end goal is to win a conference championship,” Fitts said. “We know only one team wins it every year. We’ve been talking about how to make each other better. The goal of this program is to dedicate yourself to the game and learn how to play with your friends at the highest level. If we get to do that while growing as people, it’ll be a successful season.”

The field hockey team opened the 2024 season on Sunday, Sept. 1, against Old Dominion University at the newly renamed Cindy Lewis Stadium.

Alexis Friedman / The Hofstra Chronicle

Goalkeeper Pieke Roos was named to the All-CAA First Team last season.

Hofstra has not had a winning season since 2015 when they finished 14-6.

Alexis Friedman / The Hofstra Chronicle

SPORTS

Volleyball seeks a bounceback season in 2024

By Peter Nicolino STAFF WRITER

After a 2023 season that saw Hofstra University’s volleyball team miss their expectations, Hofstra head coach Emily Mansur and team captain Beatriz Alves have their eyes firmly set on redemption. Both are optimistic that this fall will be a different story.

Reflecting on last season’s struggles, Mansur saw the 2023 season as one of the most disappointing of her coaching career.

“Absolutely not,” Mansur said when asked if last year met expectations. “Never in my life did I think I would coach a team that didn’t make it to the [Coastal Athletic Association (CAA) Championships].”

“I don’t think I coached well,” Mansur said. “I think I had a bad year as a coach, and I have to do a better job, so they’re able to accomplish what we need to.”

“I think the team had a lot more to give,” Alves said. “We worked hard during the season, but I don’t think we ever met the expectations we had for ourselves.”

To avoid repeating last year’s shortcomings, Mansur and her coaching staff have taken a different approach heading into 2024. One major change is a more difficult non-conference schedule to better prepare the team for the high-pressure moments of the CAA.

“Last year we went easier,

whereas this year we chose to go harder to see how that’s going to help us when we get into the CAA,” Mansur said.

On the court, Alves says she is focusing on team unity to lead for success.

“The main goal for us is to get in synchrony as a team,” Alves said. “If we get there, we become unstoppable.”

Both Mansur and Alves stated synchronization as a key to bringing out the team’s full potential.

Since her freshman year, Alves has been a cornerstone of excellence for the Hofstra volleyball team and has been a leader for the program on and off the court. After last year’s campaign, Alves earned All-

marked her third All-CAA honor as she was a first-team selection in 2022 and a second-team honoree in 2021. Additionally, she has been a two-time CAA Setter of the Year in 2021 and 2022.

that she just hopes to be remembered as, “a good leader and a good representation of the culture of this program.”

With Alves entering her senior season and final year at Hofstra, the mantle of leadership looks

“The main goal for us is to get in synchrony as a team. If we get there, we become unstoppable.”

CAA First Team honors after posting 1,147 assists, 250 digs, 87 kills, 43 service aces and 42 total blocks. This recognition

Alves has become one of the all-time greatest setters and currently ranks sixth all-time in program history with 3,270 career assists.

When speaking on Alves’ legacy, Mansur focused on championships over statistics.

“She’s already broken records,” Mansur said.

“She’s one of the greatest we’ve ever had, but most of the greatest had a chance to lead their team [to a championship].

That’s where we need to get.”

When asked about her legacy, Alves answered

to have already found its new home when she leaves: sophomore Beatriz Braga was named team captain alongside Alves and grad student Yagmur Cinel. Braga had a dominant freshman year that saw her earn CAA All-Rookie Team accolades. The outside hitter tallied 14 assists, 160 kills, 195 digs, 29 service aces and 14 blocks in her rookie year and laid a foundation that Mansur says everyone recognizes.

“Her work ethic was really brought up by her peers, and when we ask ‘hey who do you see as someone that shows what volleyball is,’ her name comes up a lot,” Mansur said.

With synchronicity as a focal point, Alves also spoke on how team chemistry is at an all-time high heading into the fall.

“We don’t have to force

being together,” Alves said. “Everyone wants to be around each other.”

Hofstra volleyball faces their first CAA opponent on Friday, Sept. 20, when they face off against Stony Brook University. This matchup is the perfect start to conference play for the Pride as they were swept by the Seawolves 3-0 in their last game of the 2023 season.

With a focus on leadership, unity and challenging themselves, Hofstra volleyball is poised for a strong campaign. For Mansur, the goal is simple: return to the CAA Championships and contend for the title. For Alves, her goal is to secure her place not just as one of the greatest players in program history, but as a champion.

Jaylynn Nash LLC

Jaylynn Nash LLC

Beatriz Alves was named to the Preseason All-CAA Team, while Chiara Cucco earned an honorable mention.

Hofstra men’s soccer prepares for 2024 with new faces

By Arcangelo Iurato STAFF WRITER

The Hofstra University men’s soccer team will begin their 2024 campaign on the back of three consecutive Coastal Athletic Association (CAA) titles. They finished 14-35 last season and made it to the third round of the NCAA Championship Tournament. They are also coming from one of the busiest off-seasons in recent memory, one that saw the program try to replace over a dozen departures.

“I’m proud of the recruitment battles we won,” said Hofstra head coach Richard Nuttall. “We lost many as well. We’ve got good players coming back into an incredible team.”

A total of 17 new players signed for the Pride this offseason including seven with previous collegiate experience.

“Every player we bring in is important to us,” Nuttall said. “To say one is more important than the other is difficult; we know some are more talented than the others, but you never know who’s going to shine. I think it’s important we brought some experience in.”

One of the more experienced recruits is Aleksei Armas, a midfielder who previously played over two seasons for Adelphi University. He is the son of Christopher Armas, the current head coach of the Colorado Rapids in Major League Soccer (MLS).

Another transfer is Laurie Goddard, a London native who played two seasons for Merrimack College. Goddard led the team with 10 goals last

season and was named to the All-Northeast Conference First Team.

“I’ve done this job for so long,” Nuttall said, entering his 36th season as head coach. “Some years your team sees more players graduate than others. Last year, in particular, many players graduated. It’s a different group in certain ways, but the way we play won’t change much.”

The Pride won the conference title last year largely due to players who have since departed such as Wessel Speel, the all-time leading goalkeeper in shutouts in Hofstra men’s soccer history, who transferred to Duke University for his graduate season. Scoring duo Ryan Carmichael and Elliot Goldthorp began their professional careers via the 2023 MLS SuperDraft. Carmichael was selected by Inter Miami CF, and Goldthorp was picked up by Vancouver Whitecaps FC.

Carmichael and Goldthorp have each been promoted to the senior squads of their respective clubs. Their quick ascent into the top level of American soccer made it a historic moment for the program and the university.

“I think it tells everybody that we’re a stepping-stone to the pros,” Nuttall said.

“You can come here, get a magnificent, world-class degree, and possibly, with the guts, determination and great desire, you can possibly prepare yourself for the professional world as well.”

The Pride also has strong returning members on the roster: out of five graduate students,

three of them are returning, including midfielder Roc Carles, who enters his third season as a team captain.

“For me, it was really easy to come back,” Carles said. “I’ve always been really happy here; I’ve enjoyed my time a lot. I value my coaches and friends, and I didn’t see any point in trying to go anywhere. I want to get a fifth year here and win a fourth [CAA] ring, which is something that has never been done before.”

Carles previously played alongside senior captains Joe Wright and Stefan Mason. While both players departed last season, they left a profound impact that is still felt by the Catalonian native.

“[Wright and Mason] were always very helpful,” Carles said. “When I came, they were some of the older guys on the team, so they were two people to look up to: two people who are really well-behaved and perform to a really high level. They helped me to adapt to the country, learn the [English] language and learn about different play styles that are pretty normal to them because of our English coaching staff.”

Carles learned from the leaders who came before him and will now get the chance to become the centerpiece of the team. For Carles, it’s not a daunting task.

“It hasn’t felt like a big transition for me,” Carles said. “It’s true, I have to take more responsibility when it comes to organizing on and off the field, but I’m not going to change a lot to how I’ve been in past years because of how it works and it’s how I feel comfortable.”

Another returning player is Teddy Baker, a senior who transferred to Hofstra from Lake Erie College in 2023. Baker scored four goals and provided three assists for the Pride last season, one of his goals coming in the CAA Championship game against Monmouth University.

“That [CAA Championship goal] definitely helped my confidence level,” Baker said. “Towards the end of last year, I started to develop a lot better. Obviously, goals help with your

confidence and make you feel better about your performances; You also feel you have more freedom on the ball and everything starts clicking.”

Baker made 22 appearances last season but only started 10 times, mostly sitting behind Carmichael. Baker is the only returning forward this season and will get the chance to lead the attack.

“This year comes with some sort of pressure to try to deliver what [Carmichael and Goldthorp] delivered,” Baker said. “I take pride in that pressure; the fact that I can show the incoming forwards the way we like to play; it’s definitely something I enjoy.”

With all the roster moves both in and out, there was plenty of new blood brought in while some players saw a bump up in their roles. Although it was the program’s busiest off-season in recent years, the objectives and approach remain the same.

“Business as usual,” Nuttall said. “It’s where we’re at; we want to win. We recruited to win, and we got players returning who can win. That’s our mindset.”

It’s a change that is felt among both the coaching staff and players, but it isn’t foreign to this program. As is the case on the collegiate and professional levels, the cycle is constantly changing.

After the Pride won its first of three consecutive conference titles in 2021, team captain George O’Malley and high-scoring striker Matthew Vowinkel left the squad. The Pride persevered through this transition and won the conference the next two seasons,

something Carles witnessed first-hand.

“It just changes the way we start the season and how we attack problems,” Carles said. “We’re going to need to adapt to more things at the start but the mentalities and the goals don’t change at all. They’re higher because we’ve won more times in a row.”

Given their busy transfer window and recent success, there are high expectations mixed in with the new look. However, it doesn’t shatter the confidence of a team that has continued to climb the ranks nationally. The Pride recently ranked No. 17 in the United Soccer Coaches Preseason Poll for the second time in program history, matching their personal best in 2022.

“We all know what we have to do,” Baker said. “The high expectations are there and the coaches have set them for us, but we all know deep down that we’re winners. We’re not going to settle for drawing games, we know we can beat everyone that we have on our schedule. We know it’s a hard schedule, but we’re going to go into every game willing to win. We’re not celebrating anything less than that.”

The Pride, who look to achieve a seventh CAA title under Nuttall’s leadership, began their campaign at home against Fordham University on Aug. 22.

Photo courtesy of Matteo Bracco / Hofstra Athletics Hofstra’s third round apperance in the 2023 NCAA tournament was their second in three years.

Photo courtesy of Matteo Bracco / Hofstra Athletics Hofstra’s seven CAA tournament wins are tied for second overall.

Hofstra women’s soccer aims for redemption

By George Hatzadony STAFF WRITER

Following a solid 2023 regular season, the Hofstra University women’s soccer team had a disappointing run in the Coastal Athletic Association (CAA) tournament, but they plan to bounce back in the 2024 season.

“As with anything, there’s always lessons to learn, and I think with the success we’ve had over the last 10 years, a lot of times you can become complacent,” said head coach Simon Riddiough. “You can think you are going to win no matter what, and I thought we got a bit caught up with that last season.”

The Pride won the CAA tournament in 2022, making their 10th NCAA Championship tournament appearance. The team followed this with a 12-5-1 regular season record in 2023, before falling to the Monmouth University Hawks 2-1 in the conference semifinals.

In the 2024 preseason awards, the Pride received their flowers both as a team and individually: returning players Dagny Run Petursdottir, Millie Davies and Louise Hayden all earned AllCAA honors.

“Hayden is going to be a grad student…We’re expecting big things from her in a leadership role,” Riddiough said when speaking about the three. “[Petursdottir] is a workhorse; she’s a machine and does a lot of covering for a lot of

people…and it will be her time to shine. We’re just seeing what [Davies]’s skill set is truly about. She is a special player, and if she can start contributing more goals in the games, I think she is going to have an outstanding season.”

In this offseason, Hofstra reloaded their roster by adding eight new players to the team.

Five of them are freshmen that Riddiough believes will make a big impact.

“It’s a good class,” Riddiough said. “I think there’s a lot of talent in there. There’s a couple of players who will be knocking on that door to start, a couple that will play major roles. There’s two or three players who will make an immediate impact and others who will make an impact down the road.”

Riddiough and his staff also added two graduate transfers to the team: Carly Travers, a goalkeeper from the University of Rhode Island and Ellie Gough, who played last season with Middle Tennessee State University and will be heavily featured for the Pride this season.

“[Gough] was [someone] we felt, from a skill set and a leadership perspective, [that will] be a very good addition to the team,” Riddiough said.

“She adds a bit of experience and a level of maturity. We’re expecting [Gough] to make an impact, if not immediately then pretty quickly. She’s got a very good caliber from her previous school and we would expect that

to translate to Hofstra.”

With the loss of several impactful former players, the team will look for new leadership to make their mark by shaping the 2024 season. Hofstra transitioned into this season without point leader Wiktoria Fronc, who began her professional career in England. Riddiough acknowledged the importance of replacing Fronc’s output but believes his team will play differently this year.

“You always regret losing players, and there’s a multitude of reasons for that happening,” Riddiough said. “[Fronc] was a great player in the two years she played for us, but we are going to be a different team now. We are going to have a different focus on certain things, we’re going to press better than we’ve ever done in the last couple of years. We are going to have to find goals from different areas of the field. Even last year, we were getting goals from everywhere. I don’t foresee anyone getting 14-15 goals this year, but maybe someone will surprise me and do it.”

Riddiough was also adamant about the impact of his class of nine juniors.

“They’re paramount of importance,” Riddiough said. “We’ve got some really good players in that class. They’re basically the backbone of the team. We’re gonna have to rely on probably two or three of them to make more goal contributions and an impact on the field. They’ve matured. They’ve had a good spring and summer, so I’m pretty excited about that class.”

In the lead-up to Hofstra’s season opener against Quinnipiac University on Aug. 15, the team had three scrimmages. In the three matches, the Pride went 1-1-1, including a win against Rider University and a loss against Brooklyn Football Club on the professional side.

“I think it gives us a good idea of who can take that next step,” Riddiough said. “It gives us a good idea of where we are as a team, our strengths and our weaknesses. I think we probably are better

prepared this year because we played three scrimmages.”

Riddiough also explained how tactically his team is coming together while acknowledging that they will not be in full form ahead of the season opener.

“I think our defensive pressure is going to be very good,” Riddiough said. “I think the girls are finally clicking and understanding it. We still have some fine tunings on the offensive side of things. We know that we are going to rely on set pieces to score goals this year, but we need to find a way to create clear-cut chances from those services. So, we’ve got our work to do for the next two or three days. We won’t be the finished product on Thursday by a long stretch, but we’ll improve each day, each game gives us another platform to get better.

With this group in particular, I anticipate them developing week in and week out.”

With the matchup against Quinnipiac lurking, Riddiough recognized the difficulty of his team’s schedule.

“I think pretty much everybody on our schedule has been top three in their league,” Riddiough said. “If we can get some positive results against two or three of those teams, it really puts us in a good spot for an at-large bid. So, I think it’s a great schedule from a rankings perspective and if we come out of it on the positive side, it’ll bode well for us when we start conference play.”

As a team, Hofstra was picked second in the CAA coaches poll, behind Monmouth.

“I think getting voted

second is a sign of the respect the coaches have for Hofstra,” Riddiough said. “Whether it’s a true depiction of where we should be or where we’re going to be, I don’t know, but it’s always good to get some respect from your fellow coaches.”

Riddiough also mentioned his expectations for his team entering the season.

“[A national tournament bid is] always an expectation,” Riddiough said. “We recruit players who we think will help us get there, who want to get there, who are willing to work hard to get there. It’s always an expectation to win the conference and to get to the NCAA. As we know from last year, you can’t always guarantee that you’re going to do it. But with this group and our coaching staff. I think we’ve got everything in our role to get there.”

Photo courtesy of Lee S. Weissman / Hofstra Athletics Hofstra has won five of the last seven CAA championship tournaments.

Photo courtesy of Lee S. Weissman / Hofstra Athletics

Ellie Gough was a Third Team All-Conference USA selection last season with Middle Tennessee State University.

R acing up the R ankings

No. 24 Hofstra extends winning streak to four with 1-0 victory over the William & Mary

Photo courtesy of Matteo Bracco / Hofstra Athletics