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THURSDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2016
The Features Edition
The Stater’s Thursday guide to arts, entertainment and student life.
Cleveland Indians advance to the World Series
Kent State student works on Hillary For America campaign
(SEE PAGE 2)
Leaving addiction behind
(SEE PAGE 4) Illustration by Ashley Griffith
Editor’s note
Karl Schneider Senior Editor
Today wraps up The Kent Stater ’s week-long package on the heroin epidemic. We’ve covered our local community’s efforts to fortify itself against the rising rate of overdoses and the skills and risks EMTs take each day on the front lines. The centerpiece today plunges into the life of a recovering addict and his journey back to normalcy. His story carries a sense of hope for those who have been touched by the growing problem. Opioid addiction has become such a prevalent issue that politicians across the state have begun to crank the engine of the legislative process. Bills are currently in the pipeline to curb the epidemic. We plan to continue our coverage well beyond this series of articles. The permeation of this problem into everyday life requires our daily attention. We will not shy away from the despair and grief that lays in the wake of the epidemic, but we hope to shine a light on the good and hopeful stories of recovering addicts. kschne31@kent.edu
How to get help Portage County offers resources for those struggling with addiction. The Mental Health and Recovery Board of Portage County suggests two residential treatment facilities specializing in heroin and opioid addiction. Horizon House, located in Ravenna, is a 90-day halfway house specializing in adult women seeking help for their addiction. To be eligible, women must have been proven to have a need for the program. Horizon House is funded through a Women’s Special Services Grant from the Ohio Department of Mental Health & Addiction Services and the Portage County Mental Health and Recovery Board. Call the organization at (330) 678-3006. Root House, also in Ravenna, takes in men with addictions including heroin and opioids. The Root House opened in summer 2013, and was started by the Citizens for Addiction Recovery and Education. Call the organization at (330) 677-4124 ex. 0. For a list of statewide heroin and opioid addiction services, visit heroin.net/help/ohio. If you suspect a user of overdosing, call your local paramedics immediately.
• Kent Fire Department: (330) 676-7393 • Ravenna Fire Department: (330) 297-5738 • Stow Fire Department: (330) 689-5800 Alex Delaney-Gesing Senior Reporter Jonny Szczesniak was nine when he tried heroin for the first time. He was at a friend’s house after wrestling practice when his friend began breaking down the drug on a table, then snorting it. “I was like, ‘that looks fun,’ so (he) gave me a line at first, and I remember I came back, maybe once a week, to get high again,” Szczesniak said. “I didn’t know what it was; just that it was a substance that made me feel good.” Two years passed before he was introduced to a more intense form of shooting the opioid: the needle. Szczesniak was sitting in his friend’s living room snorting lines, he said, when his friend’s mother walked past and offered an alternative form. She told him he was wasting the
drug, and pulled out a needle. When injecting heroin directly into the vein, its effects can be felt more quickly and intensely than other forms of use. While the dosage is stronger, the risk for infection is greater. “I don’t like needles whatsoever, but that’s a drug in and of itself. I think that’s more addicting than heroin,” Szczesniak said. He became addicted to the adrenaline rush. The feeling that hit him as the cool, stainless steel, hypodermic needle pierced his skin and exploded into his bloodstream, releasing a euphoria unlike any other he’d known. Szczesniak began smoking marijuana when he was six years old. His sister, eight years his senior, supplied the drugs. “I don’t know what her mindset was; I guess someone to get high with,” he said. “It turned into a once-a-month thing, and then a once-a-
week thing, and then an everyday thing. It escalates pretty quickly.” When he switched over to heroin three years later, he’d already become addicted to the lifestyle. The thrill of seeking out danger and running the risk of fatal consequences pushed him to do more, to want more. “It (kept) things interesting,” he said. As Szczesniak’s dependency grew into higher dosages in order to get the same high, he lost his will to choose. He’s overdosed more than once — and has died. Waking up, there’s no feeling, he said. The addiction takes control until all that’s there is loneliness. “You’re just looking for a way out, and when you come back, (you think) ‘why did I have to come back?’ “You feel cold and lonely and desperate. You
don’t know what you really want, but you want to get better, “ he said. “That scared me.” The lifestyle Szczesniak led was an addictive trap — a “paradox,” as he called it — where he continued to bury himself deeper and deeper into the idea of judgement and hopelessness. Through grade school and high school, he continued to use. A wrestler for 12 years, his coaches threatened to kick him off the school team when they saw the track marks from the tips of needles scaring his arms and hands. In response, he switched to his feet. And began to use cocaine. The time lapse in between dosages brought on withdrawal symptoms. His tolerance continued to build as the frequency in which he used went up.
SEE JONNY / PAGE 2
Local government works to prevent heroin-related deaths Samantha Ickes Features Correspondent Heroin takes hold of its victims and grips onto them, making recovery a long and difficult process. It continues to be largely unregulated, and — though it remains illegal — its number of victims climbs each year. In 2014, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported more than 10,500 people who died from heroin overdoses. Between 2002 and 2013, the amount of heroin-related deaths was reported as nearly quadrupling. State Representative Kathleen Clyde said legislators have passed two primary bills in the last few years in an effort to reduce the number of deaths: House Bill 110 and House Bill 4. House Bill 110, dubbed the “911 Good Samaritan” law, grants immunity to the 911 caller and victim from being arrested, charged, penalized or convicted for minor drug possession. Gov. John Kasich signed the bill in June,
and it took effect in September. Ohio was the 38th state, plus the District of Columbia, to adopt the bill. “If a person overdoses and somebody calls for help, it protects that person who calls for help,” Clyde said. “Usually people are not charged as aggressively for just using — it’s more trafficking we’re concerned with.” Ohio passed House Bill 4 last year, which allows police officers and residents to dispense naloxone, a drug that temporarily reverses the effects of a heroin overdose. Immediate medical attention must follow up the administration of the drug. Clyde said the bill made naloxone available statewide. Portage County residents can take classes on how to recognize signs of an opioid overdose and how to administer the naloxone through Project DAWN, which stands for “Deaths Avoided With Naloxone.” Portage County Mental Health and Recovery Board, located at 155 East Main St. in Kent, partnered with Project DAWN to make naloxone available in the county.
Kasich also supported the initiation, and today naloxone is available in 79 of Ohio’s 88 counties and at more than 1,000 pharmacies statewide. Kasich said the state has been working for six years to develop a comprehensive plan of action to prevent the spread of heroin use. His approach to this crisis involves four pillars: treatment, prevention, education and tougher law enforcement that targets drug traffickers and dealers. Local law enforcement officials within Portage County hope to begin targeting heroin dealers and holding them accountable for deaths of their buyers. Prosecutor Victor Vigluicci said in an interview with the Aurora Advocate that dealers bear responsibility because of the rising levels of fentanyl found in the heroin. Viglucci argued the addicts have no idea what they’re putting in their bodies because the buyer cannot detect the level of fentanyl mixed in with the heroin — a potent drug that Photo courtesy of Mike Kerrigan has led to a significant increase in deaths. Candidate for Portage County Com-
SEE GOVERNMENT / PAGE 2
missioner Mike Kerrigan.
Photo courtesy of the Ohio House of Representatives Ohio State Representative Kathleen Clyde.
Page 2 | Thursday, October 20, 2016
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JONNY Leaving addiction behind... His attitude shifted, his group of friends changed; he became less like the boy his family knew and more like a stranger. He got tattoos because “it was more intimidating. I thought I was a hardass kid.” Covering his hands and arms, he later added ink to his chest and back. “I would miss practice every now and then because I was sick. But a lot of times I would go to practice when I was sick because I wanted to get my mind off (of the drugs),” he said. The drugs didn’t affect his performance at first, but once he hit high school, the continual usage began to show. He shot up before matches and would collapse by the end, exhausted and coughing up blood. Szczesniak’s mother thought he was going through the normal stages of teenage angst. That the mood swings and coldness were simply part of growing up. She didn’t think anything of his constant state of tiredness on and off the mat. “As a mother watching your child crash (on the mat), I was just thinking, ‘Oh he just need more sleep,’” said Larain Stumpf, Szczesniak’s mother. He stopped caring about everyday things. “I’d ground him and he’d be like ‘I don’t care, I’ll stay in here a week. I don’t care,’” Stumpf said. “I (got to be) a little bit afraid of Jonny. I don’t even know if he knew that. He (became) so serious and had anger issues. I just didn’t want that to escalate.” He stopped caring about school. Eight hours spent in a classroom was time that could be spent doing more important things: heroin. “I just stopped going. I started not caring as much,” Szczesniak said. “My principal told me at one point, ‘There’s no sense in punishing you because it doesn’t differ your behavior.’” Stumpf worked full-time throughout Szczesniak’s childhood — something she said she regrets. “I could blame myself all day: I should have done this, I should have done that,” she said. “You blame yourself for so much. And it really isn’t my fault; I didn’t tell him to (start using).” She first found traces of drugs in Szczesniak’s belongings when he came
The Kent Stater back from a camping trip with his father. Seeing charred foil and pieces of what looked to be a joint, Stumpf thought it was pot. She was wrong. Szczesniak didn’t have an issue supplying his addiction. He sold household items like furniture and personal possessions. If Stumpf gave him money for pizza on nights she worked late, he’d buy heroin instead. He invested more of his time and money as the years slipped by, spending time in jail, solitary confinement, halfway houses, on the streets, homeless. His mother sent him to addict groups and a dozen rehabilitation centers, both in and out-of-state. His family held interventions in an attempt to make him see the destructive path he was on. But getting clean was futile; he shot up as soon as he got out. The consequences at risk were evident, and he didn’t care. “I realized that I can’t save him; he’s got to save himself,” Stumpf said. “(He) has to decide when he’s ready to get clean, and when he’s serious about getting sober. He’s responsible for his addiction.”
I (got to be) a little bit afraid of Jonny. I don’t even know if he knew that.” LARAIN STUMPF MOTHER OF JONNY SZCZESNIAK
Coming out of rehab time and time again, nothing changed for Szczesniak. His mentality was one of indifference. “I had consequences … I knew what was in front of me, and I didn’t care. I just kept rolling through it,” he said. In February, Szczesniak chose to get clean for the final time. This is the longest stretch he’s gone since first trying heroin 12 years ago. The first few days going drug-free were some of the worst for Szczesniak. His head pounded, simultaneously feeling on the verge of exploding and being consumed by fire. Creakiness overtook his limbs as though they had been transformed into that of the Tin Man: rusty and in need of a good oiling. Szczesniak craved his own form of oil: heroin. The desire only worsened as he denied his body the drug. He began throwing up in excess, uncontrollable. Cold sweats and seizures overtook his
body. Isolation was all he wanted, all he could handle. “Your body’s in so much pain,” he said. “I (didn’t) want to talk to anybody, I (didn’t) want to be around anybody.” The whisper that poked and prodded at his mind told him to go back to the dope. Just one hit. All the aches would fade until nothing but pure bliss remained. It would be instant gratification. “That’s the worst part. If it was just a physical thing, I could (easily) lock myself in a room, sit there and be fine,” Szczesniak said. He’s been heroin-free for eight months, as of Oct. 9. He keeps track of his sobriety through the smartphone app “I Am Sober”. It tallies the amount of money saved since he stopped using. So far he’s saved nearly $30,000. Since completing a stint in an Arizona rehab facilitation center earlier this year, he’s turned his mentality around. He’s made goals, and acted on them; he’s looking to the future. “Everything is different now that he’s clean,” Stumpf said. “Everything is falling into place, and he see’s that because he’s focused.” To curb the cravings, Szczesniak receives vivitrol injections, a prescription medication used to block the dopamine, ‘feel-good’ effects of opioids. Naltrexone, its most active ingredient, is commonly used to treat alcohol and drug addiction. The medication makes its impossible for him to get high. The blockage effects of vivitrol begin to fade after approximately two weeks. Szczesniak gets reinjected with the medication every three to four weeks. With it in his system, he’s able to focus — something he’s grateful for. “I think it’s the best thing to happen for heroin users because it’s the closest thing to a cure we have,” he said. His mindset this time around is different, he said. He has experiences and plans in his life to look forward to now. “I just don’t want to go back to that life anymore. I have much more value in what I have today,” he said. Szczesniak has a four-year-old son he visits. Born during his sophomore year in high school, the child lives with his mother. He said he wants to be sure of himself and his recovery before he takes on a bigger role in his son’s life. “I don’t want to put myself in a position where I’ll screw up (again),” he said. “I’m not going to waste anyone’s time …
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Students knew Marcia Ann Drake as a constant friendly face at the Kent Market registers. Drake, 62, passed away from a stroke on Oct. 13. A brief observation of the registers at the Kent Market prove how well-loved Drake was with many students. Bonnie Moore worked with Drake for over five years. Moore took note of Drake’s warm personality. “Marcia was a very loving and caring person,” Moore said. “Marcia loved all the students. She got along with everyone, (and) was just a very joyful person.” According to her obituary, Drake worked with the mentally and physically challenged during her free time. Funeral services for Drake were held at St. Dominic’s Catholic Church on Oct. 18. Drake is survived by her son Kyle and her two sisters, Vilura and Carla. Friends and family can offer condolences or send arrangements to EF Boyd & Son Funeral Home. greyes1@kent.edu
In lieu of family photos, picturesque sceneries and quotes with “most of all I believe in love” and “family” hang from the walls around the dining room table, an encouragement for the path he’s started, and the long journey of recovery that still lies ahead. “It’s nice to have a pillow to lay my head in every night, and not have to think about whether I screwed anybody over today,” he said. “I can sleep … without having any nightmares.” He’s taking small steps toward turning his life around — not jumping in headfirst, he said. After dropping out of high school during the height of his addiction, he’s gone back and earned his General Education Diploma. Next up is college, he said. He’ll be starting a new job in the coming weeks, getting his license, a new car. “Just trying to get everything in line now,” Szczesniak said. Being able to ask for help when he’s needed it has been a blessing, he said. “If I didn’t have that, I don’t know if I’d still be here today,” he said. Stumpf said waiting for Szczesniak to reach out to her — and the rest of his family — has been difficult, but well worth the wait. “A lot of people want (help), but they won’t ask for it. They know there’s a problem, but they won’t admit it. They want to stop using, but they don’t know how,” she said. “(But with) Johnny — he has us. He felt all alone, but we were all just here waiting for him to say that. “We’re lucky to still have him … I didn’t think he’d live this long,” Stumpf said. “I didn’t think he’d live to be 16, actually. And now he’s 20. Thank God.” adelane3@kent.edu
Local government works to prevent heroin-related...
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JONNY SZCZESNIAK RECOVERING HEROIN ADDICT
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Photo courtesy of Brittany Anderson via Facebook Marcia Drake passed away on Friday, Oct. 13 2016. Drake was a dining services employee at Kent State.
I just don’t want to go back to that life anymore. I have much more value in what I have today.”
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(so) I’m waiting until I’m a year clean.” Szczesniak moved into his own apartment this past summer. His roommate is a 1-year-old dog named Hank, who’s become an anchor in his everyday life. The place is a reflection of who he is, Stumpf said.
Photo courtesy of Phil Masturzo for Tribune News Service Cleveland Indians reliever Andrew Miller delivers a pitch in the seventh inning against the Toronto Blue Jays during Game 2 of the American League Championship Series on Saturday Oct. 15, 2016, at Progressive Field in Cleveland. The Indians won, 2-1, for a 2-0 series lead.
Indians clinch first World Series berth since 1997
Henry Palattella Sports Reporter
When 2016 began, Cleveland had been without a championship for 52 straight years. Fast forward to October, and the Cleveland Indians are four wins away from giving the city a second championship in four months. The Indians punched their ticket to the 112 Fall Classic Wednesday night, when Carlos Santana caught Troy Tulowitzki’s pop-fly to end the game, giving the Indians a 3-0 win and a 4-1 series victory. Santana fell to the ground with his arms above his head while a dogpile formed behind him on the mound, an image that will stick in every Cleveland fan’s mind for the rest of their life. The win washed away 19 years of frustration for Indians fans. The team last played in the World Series in 1997 when they lost to the Florida Marlins in seven games. The Indians were last in the American League Championship Series in 2007, a series in which they Indians also lost in seven games. The Indians almost beat the Red Sox in that ALCS, but then-third base coach Joel Skinner decided to hold Indians outfielder Kenny Lofton at third in the seventh inning. Lofton – who was the winning run – never scored, and the Boston Red Sox eventually came back to win. All that is a distant memory now, replaced by happier images of Indians players dancing around in the Blue Jays clubhouse, clad in postseason shirts that are soaked with celebratory champagne. The Indians relied on key hits and a strong bullpen to gather their postseason victories, a template that was made famous by the Kansas City Royals
on their path to the world series last season. This template worked for the Tribe, as they swept the Red Sox in the American League Division Series, and needed only five games to take out the Blue Jays in the ACLS. The Indians came into the postseason with a depleted pitching staff, as rotational mainstays Carlos Carrasco and Danny Salazar both suffered injuries in the regular season that have kept them out of the postseason thus far. These injuries forced the Indians to use Ryan Merritt as their starter in game five against the Blue Jays. Merritt – who came into that matchup with 11 career innings under his belt – responded by throwing four 2/3 shutout innings. These injuries could have spelled death for some teams, but they proved to be mere inconveniences for the Indians, as they used an unconventional three-man rotation for most of the postseason. The Indians starting pitching threw 38 2/3 innings through those games, while the Indians bullpen almost equaled them, as they tallied 33 1/3 innings. 11 2/3 of those innings were thrown by Indians stud reliever Andrew Miller. Miller – who won the ALCS MVP – struck out 20 batters in those innings, while allowing only four hits. The Indians will face the winner of NLCS featuring the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Chicago Cubs in the world series and no matter who they face, they’ll be in for a challenge. The Dodgers currently hold a 2-1 series lead. The Cubs compiled a 103-58 record, which was the best record in baseball. First pitch of the world series will be in Cleveland on Tuesday, Oct. 25 at 7 p.m. hpalatte@kent.edu
According to the CDC, fentanyl is a synthetic opioid pain reliever approved for treating severe pain. Fentanyl is 50 to 100 times more potent than morphine and is sold in the illegal drug market to increase the euphoric effects of heroin. “It’s an epidemic people are dealing with nationwide, and nobody has a good answer yet,” Portage County Sheriff David Doak said. “Everyone is trying to figure out what to do about it, and it’s going to be years before we’re able to overcome it.” In the future, Clyde said state officials are considering legislation to increase the penalties for trafficking heroin. The current drug trafficking penalty results in a prison sentence that varies in length depending on the felony degree and amount of heroin in possession. First-degree trafficking felony results in three to 11 years in prison, according to Columbus Criminal Defense Attorney Adam G. Burke’s website. “We need to continue passing common sense laws and work with our counterparts on the local level to deal with the crisis,” Clyde said. “I’m going to continue to monitor the situation on the state level and talking with local officials.” One of Clyde’s main initiatives continues to be focusing on educating citizens about the dangers of heroin use. She emphasized the importance of smaller local government including counties and cities to support education and prevention organizations. “Education is important,” Clyde said. “I know that the local level has taken some funding cuts from the state and federal levels, and it is hard to do more with less. Clyde said finding new ways to make sure citizens are educated and talking to school-aged kids about the dangers of heroin and other drug use. “We need to be providing support to families that are being affected by this crisis,” she said. Mike Kerrigan, a candidate running for Portage County commissioner, said local government officials, unfortunately, can do very little about this issue. Legislation cannot be passed at the county level because of the limits placed on county governments. However, Portage County commissioners support the efforts of organizations such as the Mental Health and Recovery Board, which provides assistance to drug-related treatment facilities including Townhall II and Coleman Professional Services.
The board helps fund a variety of drug rehabilitation services including detox. “The number one goal here is keeping people alive,” Joel Mowery, executive director of the Mental Health and Recovery Board, said. “The number of people that have died from overdoses has continued to rise every year.” The county is also in the midst of establishing a drug court, which would serve as an alternative to jail or prison time for people charged with lowlevel felonies. “They’re really looking at the entire spectrum,” Kerrigan said in support of the initiative. “You have to start with the problem ... and how do we get them in the right place that they need to go.” Portage County Court of Common Pleas Judge Becky Doherty submitted the proposal to add a drug court docket to the system in March. She has been working on implementing a drug court since taking the bench a year and a half ago. Though the resources the drug court will offer has already been put into place, Doherty said becoming a certified drug court will allow the county to apply for a grant and other additional funding, which will allow the court to hire more probation officers. Currently, Doherty said the probation officers are “stretched thin” trying to monitor all the defendants. “We’re already doing it,” Doherty said. “We just don’t have the certification yet. My probation department is very diligent in trying to combat this problem. The heroin addicts and the ones that are at risk are certainly on our radar all the time.” Doherty said the drug court, titled Portage County Hope Program, uses a variety of resources to help defendants overcome their addiction including access to Vivitrol, a shot designed to block the cravings for heroin, but the most important aspect to a successful recovery is the willingness of the defendant to want to overcome their addiction and participate in the program. “Families who have drug addicts in their lives think that drug courts are the answer,” Doherty said. “It can only be the answer for folks that want to participate. The success or lack of it depends primarily on the defendant. I can offer all of the resources. I can put all of it out there, but they have to want to do it.” sickes5@kent.edu
Front page photos by Zachary Popik / The Kent Stater 1. Jonathon Szczesniak, 20, sits in his Parma apartment complex on Thursday, Oct. 13, 2016. 2. Szczesniak displays his “Who’s Next” tattoo, inked in honor of the friends he’s lost to addiction. 3. Szczesniak plays with his dog, Hank.
Thursday, October 20, 2016 | Page 3
The Kent Stater
The Features Edition
The Weekend
The Stater’s Thursday guide to arts, entertainment and student life.
Student works on Hillary Oct. 21 For America campaign
‘Art of Contrast’ Fashion Show “Art of Contrast: Works of Art” Fashion Show, presented by the Fashion Student Organization, this fashion show will showcase designs inspired by artwork, and features a student art gallery before the show. Doors open at 7 p.m. for the 8 p.m. show, held in the Cartwright Hall Auditorium.
Sextoberfest
Close out Kent Interhall Council’s Sex Week with a night of “sex-themed games,” prizes and free condoms, from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. in Tri-Towers.
French Wine and Cheese Class Have a taste of France without leaving town. Acorn Alley’s Cheesemonger brings an expert in wine to teach wannabe-winos how to pair five different French wines with artisan cheeses. The $25 class begins at 8:30 p.m. but requires registration beforehand.
Oct. 22 Make a Difference Day Give back to the community with a day of service activity. Students and faculty will meet in the KIVA at 8:30 a.m. to travel to volunteer at Cuyahoga Valley National Park, Knitting for Those in Need, or in the Downtown Kent Clean-Up. Photo courtesy of Beatrice Cahill-Camden Beatrice Cahill-Camden, a junior international relations major, shakes Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton’s hand. Cahill-Camden works on Clinton’s campaign as a Correspondence Intern, where her main duties involve connecting with voters.
Erin Zaranec Entertainment Editor ost students move to New York to experience the glitz and glam of The Big Apple, to search for celebrities in the Upper East Side or to window shop in stores most can’t afford. For Beatrice Cahill-Camden, a junior international relations major, it meant gaining experience working on the nation’s most controversial election to date. Not only is it the first election Cahill-Camden can vote in, but she took her civic duties a step further by interning with Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton’s Hillary for America campaign as a correspondence intern. Stationed in Brooklyn, New York, she has been working at Clinton’s national campaign headquarters since summer 2016. “When Hillary Clinton announced that she was running for president, I was ecstatic and immediately joined the Grassroots efforts in downtown Cleveland,” Cahill-Camden said. “That was over a year ago, which seems so crazy looking back at everything that has happened since.” After learning about internships with the Clinton campaign, Cahill-Camden began applying for student internship positions across the country. She never thought she would end up working in the heart of it all, with teams of other college students from various concentrations
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who all have the same goal in mind: getting the first female president in the White House. “I love working at the headquarters because I get to see all of the other departments at work,” CahillCamden said. “(There are) teams who provide the amazing commercials (seen on television), and fashion designers who work on the merchandise.” In her third year at Kent State, Cahill-Camden has opted out of academic courses for the fall 2016 semester. Instead, she’s earning her required internship credits during the time with the campaign — a trend that is common among the other students she works with. “I’m learning a massive amount during this internship at such a rapid pace, just as much as I would be learning if I was taking regular classes at school,” Cahill-Camden said. “Also, because this campaign always keeps everyone on their toes, I really need to stay caught up with all the current events, which requires constant reading and watching of the news – I’ve never felt so informed with today’s world.” During her first two years at Kent State, Cahill-Camden served as the senator of the Honors College on Undergraduate Student Government, and was a founding member of the Student Diversity Action Council. While taking courses in the Honors College, Cahill-Camden met Valentino Zullo, an English graduate student who was working as a teaching assistant in one of her courses. When it came time to apply to work on the
Clinton campaign, Zullo was not only a source of support for Cahill-Camden, but wrote her recommendation to join the Hillary For America team. “She already understands that knowledge of political science is elevated by the deep critical thought cultivated in the humanities,” Zullo said. “Her understanding of the skills granted by the navigation between the two fields is evident in her work in the classroom, which I believe helped her stand out when she applied as an intern ... perhaps what is most striking, though, is not just her knowledge, but that Beatrice has demonstrated a deep empathy and conviction for social justice in her work in art and politics.” As a correspondence intern, Cahill-Camden has the unique opportunity to connect with voters from all parties. While the majority of her work is confidential, general tasks include reaching out to voters who are undecided and registered with parties and hearing the stories of constituents. Each letter sent into the campaign is vetted by the correspondence team — giving CahillCamden an inside look into the lives of immigrant families, children and college students who write to Clinton. She is also responsible for reading and processing letters from Clinton’s youngest fans. “I think that this campaign experience has taught me a lot about (the) American experience; I get the opportunity to connect with a lot of different types of voters and their families. I
Service dogs provide 'paws'abilities Samantha Ickes Features Correspondent Anna Dempsey felt nervous as she walked into Texas Roadhouse with a black flat-coated retriever and labrador mix beside her. She had been told that people would stare when she went into public and that she would become the center of attention. But she didn’t fully understand what that meant until she experienced it herself. Sully, the four-month-old puppy, quietly sat beneath the booth until Dempsey noticed he was chewing on peanut shells previous guests had thrown underneath the table. From that moment on, Dempsey knew that raising and training a puppy for 4 Paws for Ability would be more work than simply having her own dog. Dempsey, a senior criminology and justice studies major, applied to be a puppy raiser over the summer. To apply to be a puppy raiser for 4 Paws for Ability, students must complete the online application, confirm the landlord approved and send pictures of the house or apartment to be sure the living environment is suitable for the puppy. Jessa Kenworthy, senior head trainer and university program coordinator for 4 Paws, said the organization trains a little more than 100 service dogs for children with disabilities and veterans each year. Karen Shirk founded the organization in 1998 after she was denied a service dog from traditional service dog agencies. Shirk got her own dog and found agencies to train it herself. She dreamed of a place where applicants for service dogs were not judged based on the severity of their disability. With that vision, she
developed 4 Paws for Ability. “When (Shirk) recovered enough, she started wondering how many other people who are being denied service dogs,” Kenworthy said. The college program began around 2008 at Wittenberg University in Springfield, Ohio. Today, there are 130 dogs on campus at 13 or 14 colleges and universities. Students are in charge of socializing the dogs to get them used to being around all types Aaron Self / The Kent Stater of people. Anna Dempsey, a senior criminology and justice studies Dempsey took Sully to a major, trains Sully to be a service dog on Wednesday, Oct. pumpkin patch as part of his 19, 2016, through 4 Paws for Ability. Dempsey is the first socialization process. There, volunteer to be a part of 4 Paws for Ability on Kent State’s Sully interacted with people campus. from babies to grandparents. Sully also interacted with a group of dis- stay with students for a semester, or abled children who came to the patch, into the break. After the puppy raiswhich Dempsey said was a great experi- ing period ends and the dogs pass their training, they continue to professional ence for him. “He does really good with everyone,” training where they learn specialized Dempsey said. “My main goal is to social- training on how to act with individuize him with everyone I can. I take him als with disabilities including medical conditions, seizure disorder and post everywhere with me.” Dempsey has had Sully as her constant traumatic stress disorder. companion for almost a month, and she “I was attached to him the first day I said she will have him with her for the got him — completely in love with him,” rest of the semester. Dempsey said. “I feel like just knowing Part of being a puppy raiser, Kenwor- that he’s going to do something to help thy said, is understanding that it is a huge potentially save a little kid’s life ... that’s time commitment. amazing to me. Just thinking about him “It’s a lot of work,” Dempsey said. “It being with like a little child who has is hard to take him everywhere with me problems or a veteran who has problems, because you can’t just get in your car in that’s one of the reasons I signed up to go. You have to suit him up in all of his do it.” gear, but it’s definitely worth it.” sickes5@kent.edu Kenworthy said the dogs typically
‘Pokemon Go’ Lure Party “Pokemon Go” is still a thing, right? Sixteen “lures” will be placed throughout downtown Kent to attract fans of the app between noon and 4 p.m. Participating businesses will offer Pokemon-themed items and deals, including Pokeball pizzas at Belleria, Pokeball cookies at Tree City Coffee and Pastry and Pokemon donuts at Peace, Love and Little Donuts.
Oct. 23 ‘Irena’s Vow’ Final Performance Catch the play — based on the life of Holocaust hero Irena Gut Opdyke — before the end of its run. Put on by the School of Theatre and Dance, the final show begins at 2 p.m. in the Wright-Curtis Theatre, free with a valid FlashCard.
can’t think of another time that I will have this opportunity,” Cahill-Camden said. A priority of Clinton’s is to travel to as many cities as possible, according to Cahill-Camden. See the extended article on KentWired.com
Make a Difference Day comes to campus Keely Kennedy Student Life Reporter Make a Difference Day is a nation-wide community service event held annually on the fourth Saturday of October. It is one of the largest annual singledays of service, encouraging participation from community members, college students and citizens across the country. Companies and organizations often host specific volunteer opportunities in honor of this day, encouraging citizens to get out in their communities and volunteer. Kent State will be participating on Oct. 22. This year's volunteer locations include a downtown Kent clean-up, the Cuyahoga Valley National Park and assisting with Knitting for Those In Need. The annual event is coordinated through Kent State's Office of Experiential Education and Civic Engagement, which also coordinates the Campus Kitchen and Super Service Saturdays. “This is a good opportunity to dip your foot into volunteering,” Outreaach Program Officer Alexandra Ulbricht said. Super Service Saturdays are held every Saturday morning and welcomes any student interested in volunteering. On average, Kent State has around 1,000 active volunteers each semester. There are a variety of volunteering options for students. “There is general volun-
teerism for any student who wishes to go volunteer for the day and there is a group volunteer form, which is a match program for student organizations to be matched with another organization based on interests and availability,” Ulbricht said. There are multiple community partners and transportation is provided for the three-six sites students’ will work at throughout the day. For students that are interested in taking a leadership role, there is the option of becoming a Student Service Leader (SSL). An SSL is in charge of a specific group and participates in extended weekend excursions and alternative spring break trips. They also conduct icebreakers within their group and hold a brief reflection afterward about what they have done. “Being an SSL is such a great experience because you get to connect with students and faculty, while helping the students learn and come accustomed to college life,” said Cara Ungar, a sophomore SSL. Make a Difference Day will differ from the typical Super Service Saturday because this is a national movement with a more unified effort. It will offer larger capacity work sites, such as volunteering at Cuyahoga Valley National Park, to accommodate larger groups of participants. Make a Difference Day is expected to have a large turn out of students participating. kkenne25@kent.edu
Page 4 | Thursday, October 20, 2016
The Kent Stater
Opinion
SUBMISSIONS
EDITORIAL BOARD
Editor: Jimmy Miller Print Managing Editor: Skye McEowen Opinion Editor: Lucas Misera Assigning Editor: McKenzie Jean-Philippe Assigning Editor: Olivia Minnier
The Stater hopes to encourage lively debate about the issues of the day on the Opinion Page. Opinions on this page are the authors’ and not necessarily endorsed by the Stater or its editors. Readers are encouraged to participate through letters to the editor (email them to emills11@kent.edu) and guest columns. Submissions become property of the Stater and are subject to editing without notice.
THE OPINION PAGE IS AN OUTLET FOR OUR COMMUNITY’S VARIED OPINIONS.
DREW SHENEMAN’S VIEW
On PARTA discusses cutting routes, bus stops at public hearing Mitchell Felan Safety and Transportation Reporter Community bus riders discussed their concerns about proposed changes to PARTA routes during a public meeting on Wednesday morning. The meeting, which took place at the Kent State Student Center, was the second of four hearings. PARTA Planning Director Katherine Manning and route planner Clayton Popik hosted the meeting. mfelan3@kent.edu
Cheers&Jeers Cheers to ... the Cleveland Indians advancing to the World Series for the first time since 1997.
Jeers to ... a Wisconsin woman who was arrested after smearing peanut butter on 30 cars because she believed the owners supported Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump.
Cleveland-Chicago World Series would be a match made in heaven Israel Galarza III Columnist The Chicago Cubs haven’t won the World Series in 107 seasons, and the Cleveland Indians haven’t won the World Series since 1948 (to give that some context, that was the same year that President Harry Truman was elected into office). It’s a safe assumption to say that these loyal fan bases are dying for their respective championship droughts to come to a fulfilling end. A ClevelandChicago series is a matchup made in baseball heaven, and we may be less than two weeks away from seeing one of those historic streaks broken. However, the Los Angeles Dodgers might have something to say about that. Back-to-back dominating performances by starting pitchers Clayton Kershaw and Rich Hill have put the Dodgers in the driver’s seat of the National League Championship Series. Heading into Game 4, the Cubs find themselves reeling on their heels. With the exception of the 8-4 onslaught in Game 1, the Dodgers have been able to silence the powerful Cubs lineup that helped yield 103 wins during the regular season. Big names like Anthony Rizzo, Kris Bryant and Jason Heyward have been shut down by the top of the Dodgers pitching rotation. In order for the fans to witness the historic Chicago-Cleveland matchup, the Cubs need to tighten their boot straps and play like the team that lead the major leagues in wins during 2016. On the other hand, the Indians had little trouble in the ALCS against the Toronto Blue Jays. Game 4 was the only time in the series that the potent Jays lineup showed the same zest that brought them this far in the AL pennant. Excluding Game 4, 2015 AL MVP Josh Donaldson and important Jays players like Edwin Encarnacion and Jose Bautista were silenced by the stifling Indians pitching. For the first three games of the series, Cleveland successfully relied on the best bullpen in the majors, lead by closer Andrew Miller, to lock down the potent Jays lineup. Mariano Rivera-esque pitching, strong outings from starters and clutch hitting from the bats of Francisco Lindor, Mike Napoli and Jason Kipnis helped the Indians make quick work of Toronto. No matter who you’re rooting for this postseason, it’s difficult to ignore the looming possibility of an exciting Cubs-Indians World Series. The heartbreak for both franchises throughout their histories will make that series — if it happens — a must-see. The closest the Indians have come to winning the World Series was in 1997 when they lost to the expansion Florida Marlins team in Game 7 of the World Series. The closest the Cubs have come to winning the World Series was in 2003 when they lost to the Florida Marlins in the NLCS. Now, each team may have the opportunity to play spoiler in baseball’s biggest stage. igalarza@kent.edu
Addiction doesn’t exclude Skye McEowen Print Managing Editor Sitting in my room, I hear a door downstairs shut. For some reason, I feel my heartbeat quicken and a faint dropping sensation in my stomach. Dread sets in, just over a roommate leaving for class. It’s always one of the first things I bring up about my anxiety. Something about the sound of doors shutting, and especially if they slam. Hearing voices in the distance or watching an argument also did the trick. Growing up, I heard the front door slam more than once whenever my brother picked a fight with my parents. To cope, I sat uncomfortably in my room, watching cartoons on high volume. It started with the arguments, seeing my brother show up at home unannounced after maybe a day or two. He started hanging out with the “bad crowd” in school, and drugs followed. His addiction took a few years for me to notice something was wrong. For a while, it was hard to believe my brother had started doing drugs. There was no way, I thought. We all had great childhoods: loving parents, a good home — drug addiction didn’t make sense to me at the time. By late middle school, my brother was going in and out of rehabs, but to no avail— give or take a couple months of sobriety. Though he was mostly out of the house, whether he left on his own or was kicked out, his addiction found its height in heroin. By my later high school years, my brother was out in California — homeless and still battling his addiction. My parents were left with no choice but to kick him out, which I still know has to be a heartbreaking decision to make about one’s child.
One night, I woke up in a panic and rushed to my computer to look up the Los Angeles Times obituaries in case I saw my brother’s name. Eventually, he was arrested for robbery and went to prison. After getting out the first time, he was arrested again for breaking parole. Back to prison. The more we grew up and understood heroin addiction, the more my other brother and I grew closer as siblings, realizing the oldest of the three of us was in trouble. When I was a freshman in college, my brother’s addiction had existed for about eight years. I received a call from my mom one night, preceding a text saying my brother was out of prison. Shortly after, I found myself on a plane to LAX as a ball of nerves. I hadn’t seen him in maybe four years at that point, and I hadn’t spoken to him for at most a couple years at a time. The person I saw with my mom at baggage claim was far different from the person I’d seen in Ohio in high school. He had color to his skin, was no longer skinny and gaunt, and actually looked happy. I wish I could say the column ends there, but addictions aren’t as fair as we want them to be. After nearly a year of sobriety, he relapsed. On a steady downward spiral from there, he was out of the house again. It’s nearly 10 years now since my brother’s addiction started. I’ve come to peace with the fact that, unfortunately, heroin can touch any life. I learned that no matter how well you’re raised —or how careful you are — no one is exempt from addiction. smceowen@kent.edu
A Mag’s Do’s and Don’ts of thrifting A Magazine Guest Columnist Secondhand shopping is a world of its own that many of us have embraced with tight wallets and open minds. Thrifting offers an (often overwhelming) world of possibilities to the frugal shopper (ahem, us). Are you a “thriftaholic,” or does the idea of wearing used clothing make you cringe? Fret not, A Magazine offers our biggest tips and tricks to scoring the perfect ‘fit.
Do’s
Know the discounts. Oftentimes, thrift stores have deals by color tags or even student discounts. Call in advance, or check with the clerk manager to see what offers are available. We’ll never say no to saving a dollar — even when it’s already a dollar. Double, triple and quadruple check. There is nothing worse than finding a vintage designer item, taking it home to show off and realizing it’s damaged. Sizing on these items may stray from what you’re used to. Returns are pretty much a no-go at all thrift and consignment stores. Try-ons are a must – make sure the item you’re purchasing is in good condition, unless of course you plan on upcycling! Accessorize. Leather belts at department stores are worth the cash — but we can totally see you rocking a vintage leather belt that’s
just as nice, and a whole lot more affordable. Accessories at thrift stores shouldn’t be overlooked. Right now, we’re scouring every rack possible for vintage neck scarves and beaded hand purses. Shopping discounts means you can try out trends at a lower cost.
Don’ts
Settle. It’s cheap, yes, but it’ll also take up sacred space in your closet. Just because it sort of fits, it doesn’t mean you’ll never find something better. Thrifting should be done often and with an open mind – don’t buy it just because it’s close enough, or at a ridiculously affordable price. Your treasure awaits! Maybe just not today. Skim. Give yourself at least an hour to look through everything. Or if an hour of shopping makes you scoff, make a day trip with a group of friends to analyze through multiple sets of eyes. It’s a process, but worth it. Thrift stores coordinate by color, size and style. Looking through the colors you wear most often will cut down on time perusing. Standout fabrics and textures are easy to spot – we encourage experimenting with something new since thrifting is inexpensive, and this takes time.
Flashes should consider a Hazell return Ty Sugick Columnist Purdue University football decided to let former Kent State head coach Darrell Hazell go over the weekend after their loss to the University of Iowa. Hazell posted a 9-33 record with the Boilermakers in a little over three seasons of work. Although Hazell’s time in Purdue was nothing short of a disappointment, his two seasons at Kent State were much different; Hazell went 16-10 as the Flashes’ head coach. In Hazell’s second season with the Flashes, he managed to take the team to the MAC Championships and land the team in the Top 25. Behind Hazell’s coaching and the legs of Dri Archer, the Flashes success nearly landed them a Bowl Championship Series game appearance in 2012. After heading that 11-3 season, Hazell quickly jumped at the opportunity to take on a bigger program. Coaching a Big 10 team — and the payday associated with the job — made leaving a fairly reasonable choice. Since Hazell left, neither he nor Kent State have found success. The idea of Hazell returning to the university fascinating; current coach Paul Haynes is a defensive mastermind with a knack for recruiting, so adding Hazell to the staff would be a bonus. The Flashes have lacked that flare on offense since Hazell took his talents to the Big 10, but the offensive threats the Flashes currently have resemble the characteristics of the high-powered offense Hazell took to the MAC Championship a few years back. Fifth-year senior wide receiver Ernest Calhoun has every bit of flash that Archer once carried for the blue and gold. Freshman tailback Justin Rankin looks to be a budding star. Add in impressive redshirt freshmen quarterback Mylik Mitchell (once he is healthy and able to play), and the Flashes could provide a dynamic offense again with the right signal caller. Hazell could be that guy — he has ties to Kent State and comes from a solid coaching pedigree, having spent time under The Ohio State University’s Jim Tressel. After tanking as a head coach, Kent State has the opportunity to sell Hazell on being a coordinator. Combing the stingy defensive approach that Haynes preaches with the uptempo potent offense Hazell pushes could make quite the duo at Kent State. Recruiting Hazell back might be a challenge, but a Hazell-Haynes pairing could bring Kent State a winning football program. tsugick@kent.edu
Thursday, October 20, 2016 | Page 5
The Kent Stater
Classifieds
To place advertising, call (330) 672-2586, email ads@ksustudentmedia.com, or visit us in 205 Franklin Hall, Kent State University. Business hours are 8 a.m.–5 p.m., Monday–Friday.
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Build your resume. Young Explorers Montessori is seeking full and part time teachers in Aurora, Streetsburo and Twinsburg. Send resume to lissette@youngexplorersmontessori.com.
By Nancy Black Today’s Birthday (10/20/16). You’re a rising star this year. Revamp your branding and style. Nurture communication networks diligently. Springtime changes with a group endeavor lead to flourishing health and energized work. Autumn brings a romantic turning point, before your team scores a valuable win. Pull together and flower. To get the advantage, check the day’s rating: 10 is the easiest day, 0 the most challenging.
Hiring Customer Reps to sell Dish at a fun inbound call center. Hourly plus commission. No experience needed, hiring afternoon and evening hours, full or part time we will work with your schedule. Email your resume or tell us about why we should hire you at tina@ weknowdish.com.
All real estate advertised herein is subject to the Federal Fair Housing Act, which makes it illegal to advertise “any preference, limitation or discrimination because of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, or national origin, or intention to make any such preference, limitation or discrimination.” State and local laws forbid discrimination based on factors in addition to those protected under federal law. We will not knowingly accept any advertising for real estate that is in violation of the law. All persons are hereby informed that all dwellings advertised are available on an equal opportunity basis. If you feel you have been wrongfully denied housing or discriminated against, call the FHAA at 330-253-2450 for more information.
Aries (March 21-April 19) Today is a 5. Household issues require attention today and tomorrow. Unexpected developments reveal realities previously hidden. Make modifications to support new circumstances. Travel could interfere with things. Change plans. Taurus (April 20-May 20) Today is a 7. You can learn what’s necessary if you keep an open mind. Study and practice. Go to the source, for deepest understanding. Extend your reach. Slow for turns. Gemini (May 21-June 20) Today is a 7. Theories require revision when put into practice. Learn from an enthusiastic friend, and tweak for current realities. Generate more income over the next two days. Relax. Cancer (June 21-July 22) Today is a 5. Your tranquility gets disturbed. Disagreements and errors can throw a monkey wrench in the works. Slow down and review details. Take care of yourself before helping others.
BLISS
Leo (July 23-Aug. 22) Today is a 6. Relax and consider. A profitable idea could really work. Costs may be high. Make plans and budgets. Take a creative tack. A roadblock requires careful navigation.
Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) Today is a 7. Work out a financial compromise with your partner today and tomorrow. Negotiate for terms you can live with. Cut entertainment expense. Make repairs before adding frills.
Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) Today is a 6. Tough questions confront a group endeavor. Keep your attitude positive. Address them, one by one. You don’t have to do everything. Listen to other views. Consider unusual suggestions.
Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) Today is a 7. Come to an agreement with your partner over the next two days. You’re smart and effective now. Enlist team support. Collaborative efforts magnify what’s possible.
Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) Today is an 8. A challenge tests your mettle. You can solve a puzzle. Review basic facts. Check your notes. Someone you respect is paying attention. Do your best work. Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) Today is a 7. Get into a two-day adventure. Inject love into the equation. Unexpected deviations and delays could arise; expand your territory without risking expense or hassle. Study options online.
Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) Today is a 7. If you push too hard, expect breakage. Take especially good care of your body today and tomorrow. Rest when it says to. Feed it nurturing goodness. Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) Today is a 7. Sports, games and fun with family and friends entice over the next two days. Avoid risky business. Work could interfere with playtime. Listen to experts and critics.
DOT GAME
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Page 6 | Thursday, October 20, 2016
The Kent Stater
Sports
SPORTS EDITOR: STEPHEN MEANS // SMEANS2@KENT.EDU
Remembering a Kent State legend
Editor’s note: This is the second of a two-part story, which can all be found on KentWired.com Nick Buzzelli Sports Reporter
Don James was a football mastermind, the man who had every second of a practice accounted for, from the length of water breaks to the precise duration of the weekly intrasquad scrimmages. His coaching philosophy was simple, though — one that emphasized the importance of diligence and continually stressed the need for organization within the program. It was a mix of good, old-fashioned hard work and sound, fundamental instruction. “What I remember, specifically, is how different the two coaches were. Coach James was very disciplined, very organized,” said Ted Bowersox, a quarterback who played for both Puddington and James after being recruited out of Canton McKinley High School in 1968. “He had a very methodical way about coaching.” Entering James’ first year at Kent State, the National Collegiate Athletic Association permitted programs to play an extra contest, extending the regular season to 11 games. With an additional week on the schedule, Mike Lude – Kent State’s athletic director – contacted Earle Edwards, North Carolina State University’s head coach, with a simple proposal. North Carolina State, an Atlantic Coast Conference program, needed an easy, guaranteed win to pad its schedule for the rankings. Kent State, on the other hand, simply needed a large payout from an established program to fund its athletic department. So, naturally, getting Edwards and North Carolina State’s athletic director to agree to schedule a MAC team that hadn’t posted a winning record in six years wasn’t too much of a challenge. The real test, however, was how James was going to transform a program coming off a 3-7 season into a conference contender. His head coaching debut against the Wolfpack ended with a 23-21 win, which prompted Edwards to tell Lude, “Friendship is fine, but don’t ever call me again for a favor.” But Kent State lost its next five games by an average of 17 points. James’ first season at Kent State wasn’t ideal, but the flashes of resiliency – the NC State upset, an 11-point victory over Xavier University and shutting out Marshall University – were indicators of what could potentially happen with his nucleus of talent. And the following season, when the NCAA ruled that freshmen were now eligible to play for the varsity team, everything seemed to come together. Now, James and his young staff of coaches – many of whom were only years removed from being graduate assistants – were able to play their freshmen immediately without a waiting period, which meant that the team he fielded was a mix of both his players and those who were recruited by Puddington. Though the 1972 season began with a tie against The University of Akron and a 34-point loss to the University of Louisville, Kent State managed to win four of its five league contests to clinch the conference title, the first and only in school history, which led to a berth in the Tangerine Bowl. “Coach James coached from a tower and it was like he was watching all the time. You didn’t want to let him down, therefore you put forth whatever effort it was,” said Handy Lampley, a Kent State running back from 1968-71. “But at the same time, he was a down-to-earth guy” The longer James was at Kent State, the more wins the program accumulated. In 1973, the Golden Flashes went 9-2 and narrowly missed out on another league title after a late season loss to Miami (Ohio). And the following year saw an upset win at Syracuse University and a 7-4 finish. Lude realized he wouldn’t be able to keep James much longer. Mid-major schools were
Graphic by Nick Buzzelli via Piktochart
constantly being used as stepping stones to get coaches into power conference programs and Kent State wasn’t any different. What he didn’t know, however, was when he would be receiving that phone call.
Settling in Seattle
Joe Kearney needed a new football coach, and he knew exactly who he wanted. Having seen the success that James put together at Kent State, Kearney – the University of Washington’s athletic director from 1969-1976 – recognized that he would be a perfect replacement to fill the void that was left after Jim Owens resigned in 1974. Every time Kearney saw Lude, he would constantly joke that James would be the ideal candidate to replace Owens. But every time he asked Lude if he could interview James for the vacancy, he always responded with a simple “absolutely not.” Setting the working relationship aside, however, Lude saw this as a major advancement in James’ coaching career. He could always hire another coach, but James wouldn’t always have the opportunity to guide a power program. Kent State had served its purpose for James. It gave him his first opportunity as a head coach and enabled him to cultivate his system at a midmajor level. As a result, when Kearney approached James with a base salary of $50,000 per year with an additional radio-television pact valued at $12,500, Lude realized he couldn’t compete with those numbers since it was more than double the
$25,000 James was earning at Kent State. “I have never campaigned for other jobs since I have been at Kent. But I felt if anybody offered more money and security for my family, I would think about it,” James told The Daily Kent Stater shortly after being hired by the University of Washington in January 1975. “I’m very impressed with the people and opportunities in Seattle. The job is one of the top ones in the country and in one of the top major conferences.” Searching for his second head coach in four years, Lude promoted defensive coordinator Denny Fitzgerald, who strung together a 4-7 season in 1975. But James hadn’t forgotten his old boss back at Kent State and the initial opportunity he gave him as a 36-year-old first-time head coach. Two years later, when Kearney left to take over the athletic department at Michigan State University, Washington President John R. Hogness and Dave Cohn – head of UW’s Tyee Board of athletic boosters – asked James if he could endorse anyone for the job. “I want to recommend my old boss back at Kent State,” he told them.
Bowing down to ‘The Dawgfather’
Three years ago, on a cloudy morning in late October, a purple flag adorned with the initials “DJ” in gold lettering was hoisted atop Seattle’s iconic Space Needle, freely flapping 605 feet above the city. Later that evening, after the first 30 minutes of play in Washington’s Pac-12 contest against
California, members of the Husky Marching Band – positioned at opposite sidelines – began its halftime show by converging upon a pair of temporary “DJ” logos embedded at each 25 yard line and playing Earth Wind & Fire’s 1975 hit “Shining Star.” Ordinarily, halftime performances are used as a time when fans visit the concession stand, restroom or team store. But even before public address announcer Eric Radovich informed the crowd of 66,328 of this performance’s significance, most remained fixed in their seats since it was their last opportunity to bow down to “The Dawgfather.” Two days after attending the season opener, James once again woke up feeling sick, but advised Carol not to call paramedics. However, despite his objection, she swiftly dialed 911 so she could find out exactly what was wrong with her husband of 61 years. After a full day of testing, doctors noticed that James had a malignant tumor on his pancreas and he began receiving chemotherapy to combat the issue shortly thereafter. But the treatment wasn’t effective, and his condition progressively worsened with each passing week. Realizing that remaining time was limited, James began planning his own funeral the same way he approached his weekly game plan as a coach, methodically calculating exactly what needed to be done. Four days before his death from pancreatic cancer at the age of 80 on Oct. 20, 2013, James auditioned musicians inside his Kirkland, Washington home to play at his memorial service, one which he didn’t anticipate would run longer than an hour if each speaker was limited to three minutes But a three-minute eulogy wasn’t nearly enough for Lude. How could he touch upon 43 years of friendship in only three minutes, he thought? So he went over his designated timeframe, just like nearly everyone else who took the stage inside Washington’s Alaska Airlines Arena on that gloomy Sunday afternoon. Though he wasn’t in attendance, University of Alabama’s Nick Saban recorded a video tribute to the man who gave him his first coaching experience as a student assistant in 1972. Former Missouri head coach Gary Pinkel, who was a tight end for James at Kent State and later served on his staff at UW, gave a speech remembering the impact he had on his career. “He was the most organized and disciplined and attention to detail coach that I’ve ever been around,” said Skip Hall, who worked under James for 18 years at three different schools. “He was my mentor without question for all those years.” Following the 1991 season, Lude left UW to become the athletic director at Auburn University, a position he held for two years before ultimately retiring. James then coached two more years before stepping down prior to the 1993 season in protest of a scholarship reduction and two-year bowl ban that the Pac-10 was enforcing since former players were found to have received payments from boosters. But despite going their separate ways, Lude and James always remained close, both personally and professionally. What started with a simple phone call inquiring about Kent State’s head coaching position ended with a Rose Bowl victory over Michigan that gave UW a share of the 1991 national championship. They had helped Kent State rebrand itself in the wake of tragedy. And they were responsible for the most successful run in the history of Washington athletics. But most importantly, they had seen their working relationship blossom into a lifelong bond. “Don James and I worked together almost 20 years and never had a fight,” Lude, now 94, fondly recalled. “We had the best relationship.” nbuzzel1@kent.edu