April 4, 2013

ESTABLISHED ESTABLISHED 1921 1921 April27, 4, 2012 2013 September Volume Volume91, 91,Issue Issue37 7

www.laloyolan.com Your Home. Your Voice. Your News. loyola marymount university

Kevin Halladay-Glynn | Loyolan

Students volunteer at the annual noncompetitive Special Games LMU will host the 36th annual Special Games this Saturday, April 6. Special Games has been run by a student-led club in the past; however, this year it was institutionalized and falls under the direction of the assistant director of the Center for Service and Action (CSA), Maria Alderete. Alderete hopes this change will ensure that Special Games continues to be an LMU annual event. To read more about this year’s Special Games and how it came to be, turn to Page 2.

LMU reflects on Pope’s leadership and actions NEWS ANALYSIS A recent poll showed that about half of the U.S. Catholic population supports the pope.

By Ali Swenson Asst. News Editor

A recent Pew Research Center survey conducted prior to the new pope selection in March asked just over 2,500 adults, about 500 of whom were Catholic, a variety of questions about their assessment of Pope Benedict XVI and their vision for what the new pope will bring to modern Catholicism.

The survey found that Catholic opinion in the United States tend to be split almost evenly regarding the way the new pope should lead.

It reported that 51 percent of U.S. Catholics believe the pope should “maintain the traditional teachings of the Church,� while 46 percent would like to see the Church “move in new directions,� referring to changes like

becoming more modern, allowing the use of contraceptives and accepting homosexuality.

When organized by church attendance, participants were split differently, with about two-thirds of regular (at least once a week) churchgoers looking for maintenance of the Church as it is and just onethird hoping for change.

In contrast, when the data is segmented by education levels, six in 10 college graduates look for a move toward modern changes from Pope Francis, compared to just four in 10 who want the Church’s policies to stay the same.

LMU’s Fr. James Erps, S.J., reflected on these figures and what they suggest about American Catholics today. “People want a Church that is renewing itself – accessible, open to conversation, interested in the everyday lives and the real lives of individuals – a Church that really listens,� Erps said. “People want the Church to exude a spirit of optimism about life and a joy in living. People

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See Catholics | Page 4

Chris Delgado | Loyolan

Theatre arts majors act in adapted Greek comedy The LMU Theatre Arts program is staging â&#x20AC;&#x153;The Arbitration of Menander,â&#x20AC;? which will run April 4-13. A love comedy originally written by the Athenian playwright Menander, it has been adapted by Katherine Free, a professor of theatre arts at LMU. To read the review, pick up Mondayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s edition of the Loyolan.

Index Classifieds.............................4 Opinion.........................5 A&E................................9 Bluff...............................12 Sports.............................13 The next issue of the Loyolan will be printed on April 8, 2013.

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NEWS

April 4, 2013 Page 2

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Special Games builds friendships at LMU NEWS ANALYSIS Celebrating its 36th year, Special Games will host its Big Day this Saturday.

By Casey Kidwell Asst. News Editor

“Fostering love, creating new friendships and making lifelong memories” is the goal of the LMU student-run, non-profit organization Special Games. Celebrating its 36th year on campus, Special Games is a three-day event in which LMU welcomes people with special needs to campus for “three days of fun, friendship and personal growth,” according to the Student Affairs website.

This year, Special Games implemented a change that has been

years in the making. After a two-year discussion about institutionalizing Special Games so that it was given a department, Maria Alderete, the assistant director at the Center for Service and Action, said that it now falls under her department’s jurisdiction. She said that this change is great because it ensures that “[Special Games] has a home and continues” at LMU. Special Games has called LMU home for over three decades. In 1977, Special Olympics was hosted on campus by a group of students who were inspired by the event’s mission to honor people with special needs, according to co-director of this year’s games and senior entrepreneurship major Michelle Figueroa. As a result, Special Games was welcomed onto campus for the first time that year.

Figueroa said that the only difference between Special Olympics and Special Games is that Special

Kevin Halladay-Glynn | Loyolan

Special Games differs from Special Olympics because it is a noncompetitive environment. Each athlete receives a medal and T-shirt for participating.

Games is noncompetitive. “Every year, we have a medal ceremony where everyone gets a medal and everyone wins. It’s not really about having people compete, but mostly emphasizing that people with special needs are human beings,” she said.

Alderete agreed with Figueroa, saying that competition is the only difference, and an important one at that. She said that one of the sponsors for Special Games has a brother who has been participating for over 20 years. He said that his brother is incapable of participating in Special Olympics, so having something like Special Games is especially unique and important for his brother.

Joanna Fung, a senior history major, has volunteered with Special Games since her freshman year at LMU. After her personal experience of living with an aunt with Down syndrome for 10 years, Fung was inspired to “give the disabled community here in L.A. the same things [she] had given [her] aunt.”

After having friends on the committee for Special Games and learning about everything they were doing, Fung applied so that she could “not only help other students in having the same experience as [her], but to make a difference at LMU.” Currently holding the position of athletes and agencies coordinator, Fung is responsible for bringing the 300 athletes to campus for the three days of Special Games.

Having three days holds great significance to Special Games. Erik Nelsen, senior accounting major and the other co-director of this year’s Games, said that the first two days are considered practice days to help introduce the athletes to their coaches and to get to know them. While they have games and a DJ set up, Nelsen says that the main events happen on the final day,

Tsunami preparedness Tips FOr Tsunami Emergency Preparedness Month Before

Plan an evacuation route from your home, school, workplace or any other place you frequently visit that is in inundation zone.

Learn the natural warning signs of a tsunami:

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Kevin Halladay-Glynn | Loyolan

Special Games welcomes 300 athletes to campus for three separate days of ac tivities and building new friendships. called the Big Day. Big Day, which takes place in Sunken Garden on April 6, will feature things like “a photo booth and a gymnastics crew that works with people with special needs teaching gymnastics.” Not to mention, of course, the closing medal ceremony for the athletes.

While each of the three days feature different activities, Alderete discussed the importance of hosting the Special Games athletes for more than just that one day of fun and games at LMU. Special Games is all about building relationships and friendships, as mentioned by the Student Affairs website and Alderete.

With that in mind, Alderete said, “If it was one day it would be difficult for the athletes and coaches to connect in a way that’s deeper, so the three days really helps with that building relationships on the first day and then getting excited the second day and finally feeling like it’s someone they recognize and are familiar with on the third day.”

Taking part in Special Games on the staff side for the first year, Alderete said she has gained a lot of inspiration not only from the athletes, but from the volunteers

who put a lot of time and effort into making Special Games a success.

Bringing these athletes to campus to enjoy the beauty of LMU is something Alderete said she thinks is a way Special Games helps everyone’s “spirits be lifted during what can be a stressful time.”

This Saturday, students, volunteers, faculty, staff and visitors alike can see just that in Sunken Garden. For a community that Alderete says can often be forgotten or unseen, Special Games offers a unique experience for people with special needs. However, she also says that it is a place overflowing with joy both from the athletes and the students.

Nelsen and Figueroa have put in a lot of hard work and dedicated many hours to Special Games starting at the beginning of the year; however, both said that it is worthwhile.

Nelsen said that the best part for him is “seeing all the athletes’ faces.”

To experience this LMU tradition, students can attend Special Games’ Big Day on April 6 at 9 a.m. in Sunken Garden.

-Additional reporting by Asst. News Editor Ali Swenson

Librar y changes reservation system The new LibCal system makes changes to the way in which students book study rooms.

By Carly Barnhill News Intern

A new group study room reservation system will soon be implemented at William H. Hannon Library, if students approve of the test run that began on March 15, according to Library staff.

As stated in an article on the LMU Library News website, seven of the four-person study rooms are now part of a test run. They have been shifted over to LibCal, a new group study room reservation system. The remaining 26 group study rooms are not part of the pilot, and are still available to all students, faculty and staff to reserve through the current system, RoomWizard.

“If LibCal proves to be an acceptable system for our student population, we will be happy to implement [it] in all of the group study rooms over the summer,” said Jamie Hazlitt, the outreach librarian in charge of Library publicity, and member of the committee overseeing the possible change.

“It is a cost-effective solution that will free up hours of Library staff time every week, and will provide our users with a system that accurately reflects both our policies and Library hours through a simple interface,” Hazlitt added.

According to Hazlitt, although students might not notice the flaws of the current room reservation system, there are things that the

Library staff is not pleased with and would like to change. For example, RoomWizard allows students to book rooms when the Library is closed, and it does not give students the four-hour limit on the rooms that is listed in the study room policies. Because of this, the Library staff often has to take extra time to change reservations and notify students of the change.

“These tasks can consume up to a couple of hours a day, especially during the final weeks of the semester,” said Tobeylynn Birch, associate dean of the Library. “We hope to find a room reservation system that doesn’t require daily monitoring, while still meeting student needs and expectations.”

LibCal is designed for libraries, whereas RoomWizard was originally designed for corporate conferences. The booking page on the Library website for the fourperson group study rooms lists a few changes and policies to look out for with the new system. For example, with LibCal, students and faculty must use their LMU email accounts to reserve the rooms online. They will have to confirm their reservation via email within one hour of the booking, or else the reservation will be lost.

There also will no longer be a checkin process at the door. Students can only book rooms for up to four-hour blocks in each 24-hour time period.

Students will not be able to delete password-unprotected reservations, and if rooms are available in the Library, students can book them through a smartphone scan and mobile website.

See Library | Page 3

NEWS

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April 4, 2013 Page 3

Survey will determine new Library reservation system Library from Page 2

However, although these future changes are public, the booking page stated that current Library study room policies are still in order and students are expected to follow them.

Students who participate in the LibCal test run will be asked to fill out a survey about the new system and, once completed, will have the chance to win a $50 Amazon gift card. According to Birch, the first

of these surveys will be emailed to students who have tested the rooms on Monday, April 8. â&#x20AC;&#x153;We have observed that the rooms are being reserved without any problems or complaints,â&#x20AC;? Birch said.

If the students that have used both systems respond to the survey and say that the old and new systems are the same, the transition to LibCal will be made. If, however, the students prefer the current RoomWizard, the committee and staff will look further for another

system that will work for users.

With finals just a few weeks away, students may run into trouble if they plan on booking these group study rooms for more than four hours at a time. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Those who are used to gaming the system with RoomWizard might actually be really disappointed in LibCal during finals week, but for the rest of the student body, it will make more room availability for all, at least in those seven pilot rooms,â&#x20AC;?

Hazlitt stated. via Erik Nelsen and Michelle Figueroa

Both Erik Nelsen and Michelle Figueroa have developed strong relationships with Special Games athletes from years past.

11 BURNING QUESTIONS with Special Games coordinators

This issue, Contributor Abegail Campbell sits down with Special Games student coordinators to discuss the upcoming event and how they became involved.

1. Why did you get involved in the Special Games?

Erik Nelsen (EN), senior accounting major: I got involved because it was one of the larger events on campus.

Michelle Figueroa (MF), entreprenuership major: I have a personal connection with the Special Games. My brother has autism.

2. What makes the Special Games at LMU unique?

MF: It is an amazing service opportunity for the students. It encourages all kinds of students to come together.

EN: Some athletes really create bonds with their coaches. Michelle has several athletes who come up to hug her every year.

LMU and University of Oregon Rotaract with Tony Seruto (Rotary Club Citizen of the Year, 2005) get together for a good time at Tower Pizza!

3. Did any particular person inspire you to get involved?

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EN: I have always wanted to live up to my parentsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; example. Also, in high school, I worked as a camp counselor.

4. Why do you think the special needs community is not mentioned or recognized a lot, and why do you think it should be?

0) 'XULQJ RXU Ă&#x20AC;UVW PHHWLQJ ZH ZHUH DVNHG LI ZH NQHZ VRPHRQH ZLWK special needs. It turns out that everyone knew someone who had special needs. Currently, one in 88 people are diagnosed with autism.

EN: People worry about the environment, and I believe the special needs community has become a back-­burner issue.

5. How do you reach out to athletes and coaches?

EN: Most of the big agencies and alumni are sources. Coaches we start [reaching out to] in the fall and then really ramp up in the spring.

MF: Our relationships with the agencies began in 1997. Most of the new agencies are referrals.

6. What is the most rewarding experience youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve had in connection to the Special Games?

MF: I do have a favorite athlete, who I met during my freshman year, who will always be very special to me.

EN: For me, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s the looks on the faces of the athletes as they arrive to the Special Games.

7. What do you think are your biggest challenges setting up this event?

MF: Procrastination. To be ready for the Special Games, it is really important to get started in the fall.

EN: I would say balancing my school responsibilities with my Special Games obligations.

8. Is there an athlete youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll always remember?

MF: I came to Special Games without knowing much about it, and I was QHUYRXV EHFDXVH RI P\ LQH[SHULHQFH 0\ Ă&#x20AC;UVW DWKOHWH DFWXDOO\ KHOSHG FDOP my nerves.

EN: One athlete that will always stand out in my mind is Jessica. The PRPHQW WKH PXVLF VWDUWV VKH LV RXW RQ WKH GDQFH Ă RRU 9. What is the most popular event at the Special Games?

0) 7KH GDQFH Ă RRU LV WKH PRVW SRSXODU HYHQW 6RPH DWKOHWHV GDQFH WKH entire time.

EN: I would say dancing and arts and crafts.

10. Do you feel that students are eager to get involved? How do you think student involvement could be improved?

MF: Word-­of-­mouth is the number one way people hear about this organization.

EN: There are a lot of misconceptions about this event. It can be a little intimidating, but once you meet the athletes, those feelings go away fast.

11. How do you promote this event?

MF: We have recently moved to the Center for Service and Action. Their guidance has been extremely helpful.

EN: We spend a lot of time contacting freshmen that are looking to get involved on campus.

To read the extended version of â&#x20AC;&#x153;11 Burning Questions,â&#x20AC;? visit the News section of laloyolan.com.

April 4, 2013 Page 4

NEWS

Erps stays positive about new pope Catholics from Page 1 don’t respond very well to a ‘finger-wagging’ Church.”

In discussion of the survey, Erps pointed out some ambiguities within the question itself. He pointed out that maintaining “the traditional teachings of the Church” does not distinguish essential and nonessential traditions, which are different things and should be treated as such. Nonessential traditions, he proposed, can be a barrier for today’s modern laity and therefore may be accordingly released from practice.

“What traditions are we talking about? Do we want to keep the Bible? Yes, that would be vital. Do we want to keep the sacraments? Yes, I think that is essential. But many of the Church’s traditions are constantly adapted to the cultural situation in which we find ourselves,” Erps said. “In my parents’ day, a man would not go to church without a hat on and a woman would not go to church unless she was in a dress. Those traditions have gone by the wayside. They were nonessential.”

Considering the poll showing that about half the population feels that Catholic tradition is in some way outdated and needs to be reformed, freshman civil engineering major Joshua Solberg suggested that “the Catholic Church wants to be considered a force for good in the world, but many people and many Catholics realize that their centuries-old stance against women’s rights, against gay rights and about the whole child abuse scandal make it very difficult for people to reconcile those things.”

The survey seems to show that education leads to some level of change. Erps explained this from his perspective.

“Never before in the history of the Church has there been such an educated laity. …

Educated Catholics want an educated Catholicism,” he said. “It is not an adequate answer to say, ‘Well, we’ve always done it that way.’”

A new pope, Pope Francis, has been chosen since the survey’s publication.

Not only is he the first Jesuit pope selected, but he is also the first Argentine and Latin American pope. Many believe that these unprecedented characteristics in a pope will lead to inevitable change in the way the papacy steers the Church.

Freshman biology major Megan Burke is excited to see this change play out.

“I think it’s important and revolutionary that we have a Jesuit pope, because I, as someone from a Jesuit university, think that the ideals upheld by the Jesuit community should be integrated into the Catholic mindset,” she said.

Erps, a Jesuit priest himself, also feels positively about the new pope’s unique traits.

“This man has been a priest and a bishop ‘in the trenches’ for many years.

And you see this in his simple and straightforward statements and the powerful images he has used,” he said. “I think having a pope from the New World will truly enliven the universal Church. … The gift of Ignatian spirituality that Francis brings to his leadership will be a great blessing.”

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LMU named number three Regional University West LMU jumped one step in U.S. News and World Report’s college ranking this year in the Regional University West category. Last year, LMU was ranked number four, but this year U.S. News and World Report ranked it number three behind Trinity University and Santa Clara University. This is an all-time high for LMU.

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TODAY!

OPINION Student Editorials and Perspectives

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BOARD EDITORIAL

lmu

Board Editorials represent the voice of the Loyolan. They are written in collaboration by the Executive Editorial Board.

Zaneta Pereira Managing Editor

Kevin O’Keeffe Editor in Chief

Jenna Abdou Asst. Managing Editor

Dan Raffety Managing Editor Michael Busse Copy Editor

New core a promising opportunity

F

or many LMU students, course registration is a convoluted process from the onset. From CAPP reports to consulting with advisers, this time of year never fails to challenge most students’ patience.

An additional wrinkle will affect students as they plan their potential fall schedules this year: the new core curriculum. As repeated in the March 25 Loyolan article “New core starts in fall,” the University will be altering its curriculum with the goal of better serving students. This new system will not only require fewer classes overall, but will hopefully give students an opportunity to take more of the classes they want, instead of just trying to fulfill requirements.

The adoption of this curriculum was not an overnight decision. Committees have met for years to determine what areas could be improved and how to best implement these changes. In light of all the careful planning that has gone into crafting this program, it is imperative that students do not dismiss the new core curriculum right away. Rather, the Loyolan encourages all students to strongly consider the new core curriculum and investigate whether switching to the new system will be beneficial to them.

Members of the incoming class of 2017

will automatically be switched to the new system, but members of the current freshman, sophomore and junior classes will have the option to choose which system works best for them. For many students, the new core will make their course planning easier and their overall course load lighter. For others, it may further confuse the process.

As we reflect on the changes this new curriculum will bring, we are both thankful for our administration’s work and cautiously optimistic about the transition. The Loyolan knows that change is often frightening, but the best way to brace for the transition is to simply learn more about the new core.

An advertisement on Page 8 of this issue explains the change in graphic form and directs students to a website with more information.

Students can also meet with their advisers, who have been extensively trained to handle the change, to create a personalized plan before registration begins.

We at the Loyolan understand that this is a transition period, and we encourage students to be proactive in every way possible. Students would do well to take advantage of the resources available to decide whether or not the new core is the right choice for them.

April 4, 2013 Page 5

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Dear Editor, I commend the Loyolan for including a variety of engaging news articles in every issue. I must say, though, that I am very disappointed in the lack of coverage for Immigration Awareness Week.

The several events were hosted by Underwings Praxis, M.E.Ch.A, Spanish Club, Resilience, Alternative Break Tucson/East L.A. and Alternative Break San Diego/Central Valley. We had support from the Center for Service & Action, Ethnic & Intercultural Services, William H. Hannon Library, Ignatians Service Organization and Magis Service Organization as well. The list is lengthy, but this in and of itself is a great accomplishment as the University was able to witness a series of successful events, put on by groups who do not usually work together, but did find the means to do so through common passion.

Immigration Awareness Week aimed to increase awareness about immigration as an issue that affects our surrounding communities. A powerful featured event was “Voices of the Undocumented,” a reading of testimonials written by the undocumented student population on our very own campus. This was a great opportunity for the University to see that immigration directly affects us, even if it may not immediately appear to be the case. I realize the the Loyolan did not release a publication on Monday so the event could not have been publicized beforehand, but I would liked to have seen post-event coverage as means of increasing awareness of the relevancy of this issue to our University.

The underlying beauty of Immigration Awareness Week is that it fell in line with the Jesuit tradition of social justice and remained consistent with all three pillars of the University mission statement.

I hope that the Loyolan will seize future opportunities similar to this one so that the University community may continue to admire student We’daccomplishments.

Li Thank you, Alejandra Alarcon, junior Spanish major The Lo

We’d Like To Hear From You: Loyolan Letters Policy letters @theloyolan.com The Loyolan welcomes letters to the editor. All submissions must include the author’s first and last name, phone number, email address and year in school or relation to the University (i.e. alumnus, professor, etc.). Submissions should be typed and no more than 300 words.

Equality for some, a nuisance for others

T

he bandwagon effect, an interesting symptom of trendiness and successful marketing, has often had a negative connotation. The bandwagon most often describes followers and fans of the Miami Heat, Apple products and more recently, marriage equality. However, depending on Don’t Push who you ask, Feldman kids and adults

By Devin Feldman who decided to share the HuOpinion Intern man Rights Campaign’s (HRC) bacon-esque (and, in

some instances, literally bacon) red and pink equal sign are either bandwagoners, supporters or a downright nuisance.

The HRC asked the nation to “paint the town red” via a Facebook post, requesting that people change their profile picture to the red equal sign in support of marriage equality. This announcement came just in time, as the Supreme Court is deciding on a California case that determines the validity of Proposition 8, a law passed in 2008 that banned same-sex marriage in California, as well as a case that debates the constitutionality of the 1996 Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA).

While there is a great message behind the picture, it might be a bit overzealous to claim that the

logo itself has had any real effect on marriage equality legislation in the United States. A logo can’t do that; only we can. However, it isn’t overzealous to believe the HRC’s campaign created awareness and inspired change in groups of people. Based off my own Facebook and Twitter feeds, I was surprised by who shared this photo. It wasn’t just my openly gay friends, but rather people from all walks of life.

This bandwagon effect does, of course, have a downside. Misinformation and ignorance often plague bandwagoners. How many bandwagon Heat fans do you know who can name a player other than LeBron James, Dwyane Wade or Chris Bosh?

Probably not many. When was the last time you saw a hipster who really did see Mumford & Sons when they played a dive bar in Hoboken, N.J.? Most likely never. I’m assuming that a good number of people who shared this image didn’t exactly read the description beyond “share for marriage equality.”

My main point of contention lies in the reach of this campaign; I can’t help but wonder if these harmless little equal signs really reached the right people.

Did it grace the News Feed of those opposed to same-sex marriage, or did it simply just clog the News Feeds belonging to those of us already in support?

It’s tough to say; however, statistics from Facebook’s data scientist show much of the shared HRC equality symbols occurred in prominently gay-friendly regions, such as New York City, San Francisco and Portland, Ore., not in conservative areas like, well, the entirety of the Bible Belt and the South. It is these areas that are hindering

Tyler Barnett | Loyolan

the forward movement of marriage equality, and it’s also these areas that are not participating in the bandwagoning. Furthermore, it is difficult to say whether any difference would be made in a conservative area because of a simple red and pink equal sign on that crazy liberal’s Facebook profile. I’m not changing my pro-marriage equality stance because of an Internet campaign; I don’t see why anyone else would change their opposing view.

Yet, HRC did spread awareness. Without this campaign, I wouldn’t have known this much about the Supreme Court’s review of these two very important marriage equality cases, United States v. Windsor and Hollingsworth v. Perry. It’s fair to say that many people, especially those who don’t necessarily keep up with the news, are more informed on the issues and controversy going on in Washington right now.

Of course, there will be downers, doubters and haters, but the HRC’s minimalist red and pink

equal sign helped many voice their opinion without needing to say a single word. The HRC’s equality symbol will not change the minds of many Americans regardless of whether or not its message reaches them, but that doesn’t mean it can’t try. Did people use this to bring more attention to themselves than marriage equality? Who knows. Is it effective? Maybe. Are you tired of seeing this image all over your feed? I’m assuming so.

The Facebook Wall has replaced the dorm room wall as the most popular place to share trending political images, and we just need to get used to seeing our News Feed clogged with such things. It is only a matter of time before marriage inequality is a thing of the past, and if campaigns like the HRC’s are what’s necessary to abolish DOMA then I am willing to sacrifice my already terrible Facebook News Feed.

This is the opinion of Devin Feldman, a sophomore communication studies major from Aurora, Ore. Please send comments to aheck@theloyolan.com.

O PINION To be open, to be closed

April 4, 2013 Page 6

U

niversity holidays such as the recent Easter break entail a trip home or abroad for many students here at LMU. Even though campus remained technically “open,” most students seemed to prefer a change of scenery, vacating campus and leaving me almost entirely alone.

As one of the few who chose to stay behind, I got to experian eerily In Media Res ence empty LMU.

By Nick LePore While I was Staff Writer looking forward to some relaxation, I didn’t get what I was expecting.

Contrary to popular belief, spending vacation time on campus didn’t prove to be a condemnation to boredom and loneliness. I was free from my classroom obligations and able to explore some parts of L.A. that I hadn’t had the opportunity to experience yet. In particular, I spent quite a bit of time checking out Third Street Promenade in Santa Monica, a strip of stores, restaurants and entertainment venues that kept me busy.

With a car and a friend or two who also stuck around, my vacation time on campus was my chance to do, well, pretty much anything. And for that reason, I enjoyed my break far more than people might expect when I tell them that I stayed at LMU. However, I certainly won’t argue that my experience was the same as everyone’s who stayed on campus – and it definitely had its flaws.

Chief among these, I mentioned two things which allowed me to have the experience I did: a friend,

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Loyolan Staff

and perhaps even more importantly, a car. I wouldn’t be surprised if the experience was bleaker for anyone who stayed on campus and lacked either or both of these commodities. Truth be told, campus didn’t seem very “open” at all. Aside from the ruckus caused by the introduction of our new palm trees, it was incredibly quiet. A car proved vital, because dining options on campus were practically nonexistent. After Tuesday, the Lair was open for less than six hours per day. I avoided that scene entirely, but if last year’s break is anything to go by, then I’d imagine that the selection at the Lair was not too stellar, either.

Aside from that, there were no other options for dining, or for anything really.

All of the dorms’ front desks were shut down, and even the front gate was closed for some reason. Not to mention campus gave off a ghostly vibe with so few souls. Of course, the absence of people had plenty of perks: parking everywhere, no near-

Jackson Turcotte | Loyolan

death experiences in Drollinger parking lot and no drunken screaming at 4 a.m.

But calling campus open when everything was clearly shut down just seemed dissident, like the administration couldn’t decide whether it truly wanted to remain open or not. It was almost as if they wanted to fully shut down campus, but couldn’t justify it because of the short length of the break, or because the previous holiday was so recent.

My time spent on campus for Easter break was far from the prison sentence most might imagine it to be. I liked being able to relax without having to catch a flight back or hitch a ride on Easter Sunday. At the same time, though, the oddly closed status of an otherwise open campus left me wondering whether the school would have preferred to simply shut down.

This is the opinion of Nick Lepore, a sophomore English major from San Jose, Calif. Please send comments to aheck@theloyolan.com.

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OPINION

The real America

A

s an international student, I grew up being surrounded by two cultures: Indonesian and American. I was born in Indonesia, but I spent the majority of my life in Singapore, a cosmopolitan island where I attended an American school.

The first time I went to school, it was a completely different universe: I was taught to celebrate my individuality, value free speech and be outBy Michelle going and direct Varinata with people. I Contributor spoke English as my first language and learned about American culture through films, music and books. As I grew up, I became so accustomed to American culture that my own Indonesian culture felt alien.

When I moved into my dorm at LMU, I saw American girls huddling in groups, smiling and laughing. We introduced ourselves and had the usual, introductory conversations. I expected them to relate to me, but most of them couldn’t because of my international background. I also couldn’t relate to them; the American culture in Singapore is a far cry from the true American ideology of the mainland, and the differences were palpable. The girls were more independent and free-spirited than me – something that I never experienced in the more conservative American culture in Singapore. I soon realized that culture shock takes on many identities, and it’s not something to be trivialized.

Many other international students can understand American culture and learn English as their first language because of globalization. This early introduction to different cultures can ease the pain of culture shock and help put all students, domestic or international, on the same playing field.

H o w e v e r, l e a r n i n g E n g l i s h wasn’t the golden ticket to learning about American culture. For

me, learning about America’s social norms and customs was important since it defined American cultural values.

Even silly things that most people never consider really shocked me. I thought that American students would be extremely openminded, but my expectations fell short when they were huddled at a table in the Lair, marking the territory of their clique. I felt like Cady Heron from the movie “Mean Girls” carrying her lunch on a tray, trying to find a seat. I asked my American friend about it, and she explained to me that the only time an American student would invite me to sit with their group is if she (and/or the other group members) knew me.

Another thing that continues to shock me is the public displays of affection between boys and girls.

In Singapore, intimate contact between boys and girls would be kept to a minimum: a subtle peck on the cheek. This code of intimate conduct in Singapore also applied to the American students in my school, and I soon came to realize that my early immersion into American culture couldn’t prepare me for the huge changes that came with moving to LMU. Regardless of my multicultural upbringing, I still felt culture shock, and I think that there needs to be a proper support system put in place. I suggest that the Office for International Students and Scholars (OISS) and Undergraduate Admissions do a better job of educating incoming international students about culture shock, American culture and how they can assimilate into this foreign culture before the new semester starts.

I was lucky enough to be somewhat familiar with American culture, but I can’t even imagine how others felt that came to LMU without any prior experience. There are definitely things that can help with this already difficult transition.

This is the opinion of Michelle Varinata, a freshman art history major from Jakarta, Indonesia. Please send comments to aheck@theloyolan.com.

April 4, 2013 Page 7

Back at the bluff

I

t ’s h a r d r e t u r n i n g t o t h e LMU bluff from home. After a strange 2 ½ weeks of school was interrupted by Easter break, I felt that familiar feeling yet again earlier this week: reverse culture shock, or ‘back-on-the-bluff shock,’ as I like to call it.

What might be even harder is returning to LMU from a new home.

I am referring to those coming back Yuseful from immersion Information t r i p s , i n c l u d i n g

By JenniferYu studying abroad, Alternative Asst. Opinion Editor Breaks (AB) through the Center of Service and Action (CSA) or Ignacio Companion trips through Campus Ministry.

Whether it be for a year, a semester or even just a week, once you call a place “home,” a piece of you will always stay there. LMU can shift from being “home” to “that place” to which you have to drudgingly return.

For me, coming back from an AB trip in Guatemala was not a fun ride.

Being present at school was a lot harder than I thought it was going to be. My heart and mind were still in Guatemala, at the school where I worked, with the most loving students and people I had ever encountered in my life.

The people in L.A., in comparison, seemed exponentially apathetic and overly concerned with their own agenda. Why are people so stressed out here? They have everything they need. It was like I had come home to a completely foreign place, a place that was somehow different than how I’d left it. The people that inhabited this place were different, and I was different, too.

Along with this disdain for the culture, I had come home to, I could not summon an ounce of motivation. My classes did not seem to have any significance, and neither did the pettiness of

typical college students’ privileged lives.

Still, as I am easing back into the busy life of a Lion, I am struggling with how to fully move on.

Are we supposed to leave our good memories and lessons learned behind and try to assimilate back into the crazy Los Angeles culture? I’d rather not. And it would be too easy to sit and pout all day in my fourth floor room in McKay Hall. I guess the best we can try to do is this: Don’t forget, but don’t dwell. Cherish the memories and implement what you learned into your own life. Try to be more intentional, even when it comes to the seemingly small details in life.

One of the most significant lessons I learned while abroad was something the Nobel Peace Prize winner Rigoberta Menchu told our group: to focus on “la luz,” or the light, rather than “el dolor,” or the pain, in our lives. Though it may take a while to readjust to the brisk, frothy and individualized way of life that Los Angeles encapsulates, we are fortunate to come back to our close community.

We are so blessed to receive an education with people who genuinely care about us. We’re blessed just to be breathing and enjoying life in our current circumstances.

So, if you ever feel this sense of withdrawal in coming back to LMU, my suggestion is that you take a walk on the bluff. What can’t a good bluff walk cure, right?

When gazing out onto the city, even in its smog-filled glory, it’s hard not to feel a sense of awe and perspective. For me, looking out into the city – no matter what time of day – always reminds me that there is a purpose to what we are doing here, that the outside world isn’t that far away. While a piece of me will always be in Guatemala, I like to think that I took a little piece of that experience all the way back to my home on the bluff.

Th i s i s t h e o p i n i o n o f J e n n i fe r Yu, a sophomore marketing and English double major from Reseda, Calif. Please send comments to jyu@theloyolan.com.

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ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT Film, Literature, Music, Restaurants and Theatre

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April 4, 2013 Page 9

Slim down on celebrity weight criticism I

f there is one thing I cannot stand more than Kim Kardashian, it’s body shaming.

We live in a constant fear of fat.

The multibillion-dollar diet industry, the veneration of thin bodies and the words “non-fat” brazened across every grocery item all reflect the undeserved value we have decided to place on weight.

As a result of fear, we UnPOPular this expect people Opinion in positions

By Chelsea of cultural power to look Chenelle a certain way, Asst. A&E Editor to advocate an “ideal.”

When Hollywood stars fail to meet our weighty expectations, we discredit their lives and ask the age-old question: “Hot or Not?” Be it Kim Kardashian’s baby weight or Adele’s constant tabloid battle, celebrities who defy conventions of normative “beauty” – even if their changes are temporary – are always painted as scandalous for not giving the public what it has determined to be bodily perfection.

Pregnant celebrities are watched more closely than anyone else on the planet. Tabloids such as Star and In Touch Weekly consistently dissect snapshots of these women: “Are they eating right?” “Is it a healthy pregnancy?” and, most recently, “Are they too fat?” These are all questions that fill the pages with gossip.

Photo: Associated Press Images and Flickr Creative Commons; Graphic: Tyler Barnett | Loyolan

When Kim Kardashian announced she was having Kanye West’s baby, I was a little mortified. I distanced myself from the shallow news story because, frankly, I could care less. However, after seeing a March cover of Star where they estimated Kardashian had put on 65 pounds and magically knew all of her binge-eating habits, I had no choice but to stand up for her. We are living in a world where a pregnant woman cannot put on weight without her butt being referred

to as “a sagging, dimply blob.”

Do they not understand that Kim has a child growing inside of her? As in any typical pregnancy, Kim’s slim waist is disappearing, filling out the curves of her famous hourglass figure. In Touch Weekly did a comparison between Kate Middleton and Kim Kardashian, whose babies are both due in July. While praising Middleton for keeping her model figure and chastising Kardashian’s weight gain, they seem to forget that the way a body handles preg-

nancy is dependent on more than how much Pinkberry you eat.

It’s not just Kim, either. Ever since Adele began “Chasing Pavements” in the limelight, a discussion of her weight has come before a discussion of her art.

Unlike other pop stars that sell millions of records, Adele is fat.

While she lost weight leading up to the debut of her album “21,” much of it was put back on after throat surgery and pregnancy.

As usual, the public refused to let her weight go unacknowl-

edged. Following Adele’s showstopping performance of “Skyfall” and Oscar win, human tabloid and notorious loudmouth Joan Rivers thought that mentioning her weight was more important than praising her genius. While on David Letterman, Rivers puffed out her cheeks and said, “What’s her song? ‘Rolling in the Deep?’ She should add fried chicken.” While the brash statement took people aback, many found themselves silently agreeing with the sentiment that Adele should lose weight.

What does it mean to be a woman in a society where your body determines how you are perceived? It means bullying on a national level. It means your genetics determining your worth. It means feeling guilty after you fulfill your instinct to eat until you are full. It means Jonah Hill’s weight gain is no big deal, but yours is career-killing.

The pressure to stay thin is not exclusive to Hollywood, though.

As magazines and tabloids continue to brand fatness as “bad” and thinness as “good,” millions of young girls all over the world will buy into the diet industry that tells them they are not good enough.

When we call out celebrities for not living up to our physical expectations, we remind young women and men that they too are subject to ruthless public scrutiny and that their bodies are yet another thing for our culture to make a commodity.

This is the opinion of Chelsea Chenelle, a sophomore art history major from San Diego, Calif. Please send comments to cchenelle@theloyolan.com.

Mathias kicks off Poetry Month Event Preview

By Hayley Lobel Staff Writer

E

Graphic: Tyler Barnett | Loyolan

Graphic: Sydney Franz | Loyolan

ach year, as the month of April rolls around, poetry is nationally celebrated and commemorated as a part of National Poetry Month.

This year, professors from LMU’s English Department have collaborated with the William H. Hannon Library staff to bring students an evening of poetry with Louise Mathias.

Tonight at 5:30 p.m. in the Von der Ahe Family Suite in the Library, students are invited to attend “Poetry as Dazzle & Absence: Louise Mathias Reads New Work.”

This event is free and open to all students and the public.

Professor Sarah Maclay of the English department, who said she has been “dazzled” by Mathias’ work since reading her 2004 work “Lark Apprentice,” will be introducing Mathias at Thursday night’s event.

Maclay describes her infatuation with Mathias’ work as a “love at first read situation.”

Mathias is “well aware of the intense power of subtraction and selection,” Maclay said. “Living in the desert has also made her even more likely to write about the environment – everything from birds to snakes to the Salton Sea might show up alongside poems that are charged with the electricity and even strangeness of desire. This palpable charge is the ‘dazzle’ in the canvas of ‘absence’ that the desert, aesthetically and geographically, creates.”

Outreach Librarian Jamie Hazlitt, said she believes this is an opportunity for students to “hear world-class poets perform their work live.

Sarah Maclay

Poet Louise Mathias draws upon her home at Joshua Tree for inspiration in her work.

Mathias’ talk and reading on Thursday is sure to be “surprising, moving and thoughtprovoking,” Hazlitt added.

Now the author of two full-length poetry collections, Mathias was born in Bedford, England, and grew up in Suffolk, England, and later moved to Los Angeles.

Educated at USC, Mathias’ first book, “Lark Apprentice,” won the 2003 New Issues Poetry Prize and was later published by New Issues Press.

Her chapbook, “Above All Else, the Trembling Resembles a Forest,” won the Burnside Review Chapbook Competition and was published

by Burnside Review in 2010.

Mathias’ second full-length collection, “The Traps,” is expected soon from Four Way Books. In this collection, readers can pick up on Mathias’ distinct style and landscapes that stem from the time she now spends in Joshua Tree National Park, according to the Library’s web page promoting the event.

April 4, 2013 Page 10

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

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Spring Fling attracts Sperry as sponsor Event Preview

By Christopher James A&E Editor

S

pringFest may have already come and gone, but LMU isn’t done playing host to free concerts.

Mane Entertainment (ME) will roll out Spring Fling, featuring performances from Capital Cities, Gold Fields and Vacationer, as well as tons of games and activities ranging from croquet to a photo booth to a prize wheel.

The event, which will begin at 2 p.m. with live performances starting at 6 p.m., will feature local vendors such as Greasy Wiener Truck and Rockin’ Ice Truck will give out free food from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

While it is ME’s third year putting on a Spring Fling event, this year is the first one sponsored by Sperry TopSider. According to Dave Mesicek, a representative from

Sperry Top-Sider, this event marks the second stop of its Vacationland tour, after UC San Diego on Tuesday.

“Sperry Top-Sider reached out to fans on the West Coast, asking them where we should bring our Vacationland tour,” said Mesicek.

“Fans responded and we chose the top six colleges, based on their responses.”

LMU reaped the benefit of the company’s goal of greater visibility at West Coast schools. “Sperry has a very recognized name on the East Coast, and they wanted to become more recognized on college campuses on the West Coast,” said LMU’s Campus Recreation Specialist and alumna Hilary Khoury (’12).

Rather than selling merchandise, Sperry Top-Sider is using this as an opportunity to reach out to its customer base and give back to its supporters. “We are not selling anything and have

Photos: Capitol Records, Downtown Records and AstralWerks

Three bands will be performing at this year’s Spring Fling – (from left to right) Capital Cities, Vacationer and Gold Fields. On top of performances, there will be games, photo booths and free prizes. designed this tour to be more of a ‘thank you’ to our fans than anything else,” said Mesicek. “Even if you aren’t a fan of the brand yet, we welcome you to come out, have some fun with us and listen to some great live music.”

Sperry Top-Sider

Mane Entertainment’s third annual Spring Fling is growing into a this year, attracting Sperry TopSider as a sponsor for the event. Sperry added LMU as the second stop on its “Vacationland” tour.

The idea of creating this event on a larger scale was inspired by larger music festivals in hopes of shaping the future focus of Mane Entertainment’s events.

“I went to Outside Lands Music & Food Festival in San Francisco last year, and I wanted to bring something similar, albeit on a much smaller scale, to LMU – food trucks, a few bands, fun activities,” said Mane Entertainment special events manager and senior marketing major Angelica Cadiente. “Starting next semester, ME as a whole is also shifting its approach to fewer, but larger-scale events and performers as well.”

Social media is being utilized to entice people to promote the event as the acts play on. Not only is there going to be a special hashtag – #sperryu – but the event’s mascot, Sticky, will be wandering around the grounds.

Those who get a photo with

the mascot and Instagram or Tweet that photo with the hashtag #ifoundsticky will be entered to win a meet and greet with the bands following the event, according to the event’s Facebook page.

ME isn’t the only on-campus group responsible for the event. First Year Experience (FYE), the Housing Programming Associates (PAs), Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Student Services (LGBTSS) and ASLMU are collaborating with ME for the event.

Regardless of the turnout, organizers are not looking at raw numbers to determine the success of the event. “Of course we want a great turnout and a lot of people to come out, play games, eat and enjoy the music,” said Khoury. “But most importantly, we want everyone that makes it out to the Whelan Quad [and] Founder’s Pavilion to have a great time, and that everyone walks away with great memories.”

The Bluff

April 4, 2013 Page 12

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LMU announces Convo name change Convo will now be known as Conbro due to trademark infringement.

By Koko Effe and Diamond Ruff Destiny’s Illegitimate Children

Kevin O’Keeffe’s homemade shrine

Destiny’s Child members Kelly Rowland (fierce lady on the left), Beyoncé Knowles (center, duh) and Michelle Williams (irrelevant on the right) reunited for the Super Bowl XLVII halftime show on Feb. 3, 2013.

A third of Destiny’s Child to speak at Commencement Irrelevant member Michelle Williams will address the class of 2013.

By Prince James

Ruler of the LOY Kingdom

This year’s Commencement drama has certainly been ripe with “Emotions.” While three members of the popular R&B girl group D e s t i n y ’s Child – Beyoncé Knowles, Kelly Rowland and Michelle Wi l l i a m s Anita Williams – were all Michelle Williams expected to speak at the 2013 Commencement address, it turns out, due to fine print in the contract, that only one of the three members is scheduled to speak.

Of the three possible candidates, it turns out that Williams will be the sole speaker to usher the class of 2013 into a new world of exciting opportunities. According to Anita Williams, Williams’ mother and speechwriter, the singer has prepared a lengthy metaphor comparing graduating college to finding a

solo career after Destiny’s Child.

“What Michelle wants to let students know is that you can be successful on your own without the support system of a structured college curriculum or the talent of Beyoncé helping you along,” said Williams. “I mean, doesn’t everyone still listen to ‘Heart to Yours’ [Michelle Williams’ first solo album] on their way to work?”

The reaction from students as to this latest contract flub has been mixed. “I don’t know what Kelly and Beyoncé are so busy with that they can’t speak on my special day,” said senior dance major Sasha Fierce. “What’s worse is the contract only allowed for Michelle to take center stage. Is anyone going to know who she is?”

Despite paying the same price for Williams that the school would have paid for the whole trio, there are some students who are championing the “Independent Woman” speaker.

“I appreciate how Williams stands out in the crowd and represents the underdog in all of us,” said senior communication studies major JC Chasez. “Not everyone can get out of someone else’s shadow, but Michelle is a beacon to the rest of us.”

In the past, the Commencement speakers have been of a high-brow variety, ranging from Ken Burns to Fr. Gregory Boyle, S.J. How-

ever, President David Burcham was confident in his choice for this year’s speaker.

“We wanted to draw in a younger and more hip speaker this year that was tied into the entertainment industry,” said Burcham. “I personally love Destiny’s Child. I listen to ‘Bootylicious’ all the time.”

Other students were apathetic about the ordeal, struggling to recall who Williams even was. “I never knew she was in Destiny’s Child,” said senior music major Dean Gosling. “I always remembered her from ‘Blue Valentine.’”

Confusion between the singer Michelle Williams and the three-time Oscar nominated actress of the same name is common, as the first page of a Google search pulls up results of the pixie-coiffed actress.

With Michelle Williams as the sole “Survivor” of this Commencement speech gig, students prepare to embrace the upcoming commencement with a cautious optimism. “Look on the bright side. At least she won’t almost fall down being rocketed up to the stage like in the Super Bowl halftime show,” said senior accounting major Joe Flacco.

Indeed, it has been confirmed

by Williams’ manager, Matthew Knowles, that she will enter the stage by being rocketed up through a trap door much like in the Super Bowl. “I have to get it right some-

A cease-and-desist letter was sent to LMU’s Office of the President from Convo Productions, LLC on Wednesday demanding the University stop using the name “Convo” immediately.

In the letter, Convo Productions’ legal counsel Trey D’Marque alleged that “Convo” has been a registered trademark since 1985. Considering the University’s use of the name Convo to describe the twice-weekly mandatory break from classes on Tuesdays and Thursdays, the news of the trademark came as a shock to University officials.

“We never imagined Convo would be trademarked,” said University President David Burcham.

According to Convo Productions’ website, the company is a web series production group focused on conversation-based programming.

“Our brand has become synonymous with six-minute videos of people talking about mundane subjects,” D’Marque said in his letter. “The use of the Convo brand for a totally unrelated event would clearly damage this brand beyond repair.”

In a letter addressed to the student body, senior sociology

major and ASLMU President Vinnie Caserio announced, the change of the name to ‘Conbro.’

When explaining the reason for the name change, Caserio said the name was chosen “in the spirit of the proud Greek tradition on this campus.” After all, he continued, “One-eighth of this campus is Greek. GO LIONS!” Conbro will debut next Tuesday at 12:15 p.m. To promote First Conbro, ASLMU announced that they will be sponsoring a “Bro-Out” in collaboration with Mane Entertainment.

“We think the ‘Bro-Out,’ featuring a dunk tank, a farmers market and Diddy Riese cookies, will be totally different from any previous Convo hour and specifically honor the bro culture,” ASLMU Adviser and Assistant Director of Student Leadership and Development (SLD) Alexandra Froehlich said. “After all, onesixth of this campus is Greek. GO LIONS!” At press time, however, rumors surfaced that the name Conbro may also be trademarked by another organization. However, Burcham indicated that he was not concerned.

“In past months, LMU has become accustomed to last-minute name changes. We hope the students will be able to accept this erratic name change, and come to love it as much as they love the new name for our spring concert, SpringFest,” Burcham said. “Especially considering one-fourth of this campus is Greek. GO LIONS!”

Felix the Lion’s vacation album

Conbro will feature activities that go above and beyond the typical Convo activities, like the dunk tanks and bounce houses pictured above.

Lesser-Known LMU Faceb!k Pages LMU Fight Club

LMU Civil War Re-­‐Enactments

Description: “You do not talk about LMU Fight Club.”

Description: For everyone at LMU who would be interested in starting up a weekly Civil War re-­‐enactment on campus! Loads and loads and loads of fun! Who wants to be a part of history?! #CivilWar

Sample Post:

Thomas McGibbons Dude, that was sick when Gary round-­‐ house kicked Tyler in the ear!

Like -­‐ Comment -­‐ Follow Post -­‐ 1/20/13 4:12 p.m.

LMU F ight C lub: DUDE SHUT UP 1/20/13 4:13 p.m. -­‐ Like -­‐

D urden: N ewb Tyler l awlz DUDE STF

1/20/13 4:14 p.m.

-­‐ 4:13 p.m. -­‐ Like -­‐ -­‐ L 1ike /20/13

Sample Posts:

LMU Civil War Re-­‐Enactments ǡ ǯ Ƥ Ǧ -­‐ ment for next Saturday!!! #CivilSwag Like -­‐ Comment -­‐ Follow Post -­‐ 12/1/12 1:01 p.m.

LMU Civil War Re-­‐Enactments Since we haven’t heard back from anyone yet, I guess we’ll have to push the date back again. But that’s OK! #CivilServed Like -­‐ Comment -­‐ Follow Post -­‐ 2/5/13 6:00 p.m.

Number of Likes: 127

Number of Likes: 1

LMU Squirrel Hunting Society Description: Ǥ Ƥ against the squirrels, the light that brings squirrel death, the horn that wakes the sleeping squirrels and the shield that guards the realms of men. I pledge my life and honor to the LMU Squirrel Hunting Society.

Sample Post:

Jonas Salk I trapped a squirrel and strangled it with ƪ Ǥ

I’ve ever experienced. Squirrels suck.

Am I right or am I right?

Like -­‐ Comment -­‐ Follow Post -­‐ 3/3/13 2:00 a.m.

S quirrel H unting S ociety: SPS is LMU open Mon-­‐Fri. 3/3/13 10:43 a.m. -­‐ Like -­‐

Number of Likes: 32

Information compiled by Phil, Kanye’s taxidermist; Graphic: Mercedes-Benz | LOY *The Bluff is a humorous/satirical section published in the Loyolan. All quotes attributed to real campus figures are completely fabricated; persons otherwise mentioned are completely fictional. The content on this page is the work of A&E Editor Christopher James, Editor in Chief Kevin O’Keeffe, Opinion Intern Devin Feldman, Staff Writer Cruz Quinonez and Graphic Designer Mercedes Pericas. Photos are from Loyolan Archives and the Associated Press.

www.laloyolan.com

SPORTS

April 4, 2013 Page 13

Money can’t buy World Series rings Despite an off-season spending spree, the Dodgers need to prove it.

M

oney can’t buy happiness, but the 2013 Los Angeles Dodgers are wondering if money can buy them wins and, possibly, a National League West Championship.

The Los Angeles Dodgers enter into the 2013 MLB season with the highestpaid roster, boasting a $230 million payroll.

Raff ’s Rap They spent over $100

By Dan Raffety million on Managing Editor renovations to Dodger Stadium and the new ownership group, not to mention the $2 billion Guggenheim Partners spent to get the club in first place. That’s billion, with a B. Who said anything about a recession?

After years of cautious spending under the previous ownership of Frank McCourt, the Dodgers find themselves in a seemingly limitless spending spree, with an ownership group that is committed to bringing winning baseball back to Los Angeles.

The group started last July by bringing infield superstar Hanley Ramirez from the struggling Miami Marlins to pair with sluggers Matt Kemp and Andre Ethier. But this trade was not a solo act.

A month later, they made a blockbuster trade with the Boston

Red Sox to bring in first baseman Adrian Gonzalez, speedster Carl Crawford and starting pitcher Josh Beckett.

After six weeks of an all-star lineup, the team didn’t gel right away and missed the playoffs by two games. So, instead of staying put in the offseason, the Dodgers were complete buyers when they pursued the best starting pitchers available, right-hander Zack Greinke and Korean superstar Hyun-Jin Ryu for $147 million and $36 million, respectively.

The Dodgers went from a joke, bankrupt organization to a legitimate playoff contender all because of a checkbook. But again, it begs the question: Will these contracts lead to the World Series?

The Dodgers look stacked on paper. The club’s starting pitching is led by former Cy Young Award winner Clayton Kershaw, Greinke, Ryu and Beckett, not to mention Chad Billingsley, Ted Lilly, Chris Capuano and Aaron Harang. That’s eight starting pitchers in a league where a five-man rotation is most common. So what gives?

Both Billingsley and Lilly start the season on the disabled list, and Capuano and Harang are coming out of the pen. The Dodgers have more assets than spots and can, and probably will, dangle Capuano and Harang to other teams needing pitching assistance as the season wears on.

But the Dodgers’ pitching goes beyond the starters. The club resigned closer Brandon League to a three-year deal and also brought back hurlers Kenley Jansen and Ronald Belisario to lead a reliable and veteran bullpen.

The Dodger offense is no joke either. The lineup features five former All-Stars led by Crawford, Kemp, Gonzalez, Ethier and

Associated Press

Pitcher Hyun-Jin Ryu, who was among the Dodgers’ multiple offseason moves, was signed to a $36 million deal in December. Ryu gave up 10 hits and three earned runs in 6.1 innings in his major league debut.

Ramirez, when he returns from injury; a solid second baseman in Mark Ellis; a surprise bat in third baseman Luis Cruz and a catcher in A.J. Ellis, who had one of the best on-base percentages in the league last season.

Simply put, the Dodgers are really good.

Despite the firepower, the Dodgers are not immediate World Series favorites in a division with the defending World Series champion San Francisco Giants.

The Northern California club won it with excellent pitching, timely hitting and chemistry that was apparent in every moment.

Money can’t buy the clutch hit; it can’t buy the friendships that are made over a marathon of a season; it can’t buy the confidence that the San Francisco Giants now have.

Kershaw needs to pitch like he did two years ago and finish with over 20 wins. Greinke needs to be a complement with an additional 15; Ryu needs to be a contributing force with double digits as well.

Crawford needs to rehab well and not only hit for power, but set the table for the rest of the lineup.

Kemp, Gonzalez, Ethier and Ramierz (upon his return) need to be the power source for the club and finish with a

combined 120 home runs and 400 RBIs. If all of this happens, then the Dodgers will be in contention at the end of the season.

This season will not be a walk in the park for the 2013 Dodgers, but the fans are excited, the players can’t wait and it should be one hell of a ride.

I’ll put my money on it.

This is the opinion of Dan Raffety, a junior communication studies major from Eagle Rock, Calif. Please send comments to draffety@theloyolan.com.

SPORTS

April 4, 2013 Page 14

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Track shatters records Lions set personal and school records at Stanford Invitational.

By Kevin Cacabelos Sports Editor

LMU track and field broke two school records at the Stanford Invitational last weekend. JuniorWeston Strum ran a 13:57.42 in the 5,000-meter at the Stanford Invitational. Strum set a personal and school record, while also giving himself the 14th best time in the entire NCAA. He is the first male in LMU history to run a time below 14 minutes in the 5,000-meter event.

“It went really well, a lot better than I expected,” said Strum. “I didn’t know what to expect coming off an injury.”

This was Strum’s first race since recovering from a monthlong Achilles tendonitis injury.

“He’s done something no other male has ever done at LMU,” said LMU track Head Coach Scott Guerrero. “Our goal is always to improve. I’m not surprised he finally [broke the 14-minute barrier].”

Teammate senior Sheree Shea ran a time of 16:13.27 in the 5,000-meter, also earning herself a personal record. Shea’s time is currently the No. 22 best time in the NCAA and No. 10 best time in the West Region.

“During the race, it went perfect. Nothing could’ve gone better,” said Shea. “I definitely surprised myself.”

Both times place the pair in qualifying positions for the NCAA West Regional Championships in late May.

“I was nervous, seeing she hasn’t run on a track in over a year, but [Shea] is a tough competitor,” Guerrero said.

Shea will now shift her focus towards running a qualifying time for the 10,000-meter, while Strum hopes to try his luck in the 1,500-meter.

Senior Caroline Draper also participated in the Stanford Invitational, running the 10,000-meter. Her time of 35:18.87 broke her personal record and placed her at No. 23 in the race in the West Region. Her time could qualify her for a spot at the NCAA West Regional Championships.

“We’re in the hardest part of our training. These next two weeks will be in preparation for the Mt. SAC [Invitational],” Shea said.

The Lions’ next competition will be next Saturday, April 13, at the Pomona-Pitzer Invitational.

Lions hitting their stride Baseball from Page 16 on the wrong end of four walkoff losses, but has rebounded as of late. However, junior relief pitcher Bret Dahlson hasn’t given up an earned run in his last six innings of work.

The team looks forward to a USD club that features a true home run slugger in junior third baseman Kris Bryant, who has shelled 14 home runs.

In comparison, not a single LMU hitter has gone yard this season.

“He’s definitely going to stand out,” said senior starting pitcher Aaron Griffin.

“In a situation where you have a base open, you won’t give him anything good to hit, but

our strength is our pitching staff and their strength is their hitting, so they will be bashing all weekend.”

The Toreros are coming off a series win over then-No. 2 Oregon State University, topping the series off with 13 runs in the final game.

“It’s pretty exciting,” said Megill. “We get to play USD this weekend at home and it’s just one week at a time.”

The Lions are 5-3 at Page Stadium this season, while the Toreros are only 2-3 on the road.

LMU faced the conference’s elite teams to begin the 2013 conference season. Having already faced Pepperdine University, Gonzaga University

and now USD, the back end of the schedule could be more favorable to a club that was selected in some polls to finish second and make the NCAA postseason.

“I think it’s important to note that once we get through the front end of the schedule, we cannot take teams lightly,” said senior relief pitcher Matt Florer. “We have to approach every game with the same intensity, and it starts this weekend.”

The Lions will begin a threegame homestand against USD tomorrow at 3 p.m. at Page Stadium. The Toreros are 1810 overall and 4-2 in WCC, tied for second in conference with Portland.

Matthew Balentine | Loyolan

Senior catcher Colton Plaia bunts a ball on offense in a game earlier this season at Page Stadium.

Plaia has been hitting .364 so far this season. The Lions are 14-14 overall this year, and 5-4 in WCC.

FOLLOW @Loyolansports

on Twitter

Rachel Wight | The Tower Yearbook

Junior Weston Strum (pictured above) is projected to qualify for the NCAA West Regional Championships in May in the 5,000-meter.

Strum set personal and school records in the event last weekend.

SPORTS

www.laloyolan.com

April 4, 2013 Page 15

From fan to fame: The Jumbotron culture An enthusiastic sports fan shares how to become a part of the Jumbotron club.

O

ver Easter break, while many of you were probably catching up on sleep or watching some March Madness, I was busy getting famous.

Even though I’ve already started making a name for myself by writing for the Loyolan, my next ticket to fame came last Saturday when I made it onto the Jumbotron at an NBA Golden State Warriors game.

Sam’s Slam During a

By Sam Borsos timeout, the dance cam Asst. Sports Editor segment came on and cameras around Oracle Arena began showing fans around the stadium getting their grooves on. My heart started pounding when I realized there was a cameraman right next to me, so I naturally tried to play it cool.

Suddenly, I was dancing in front of thousands of people, including famous actor Matthew Perry, who happened to be sitting in the front row at the game. I’m still waiting for him to call me up and ask me to be on a reunion season of “Friends” after watching my big screen performance.

For those of you who are unfamiliar, the Jumbotron is the glorious big screen at sports arenas that not only shows statistics and scores, but also gives fans an opportunity to get involved. It shows fans up close and personal, in front

ATHLETE

Georgia Henderson | Loyolan

of thousands of other spectators during halftime or timeouts, giving anyone a chance at 15 seconds, five seconds or sometimes one second of fame. NBA arenas and MLB stadiums often have fun oncamera social games, such as the kiss cam, in which the camera pans to random couples in the stands, hoping for them to show some PDA for the crowd. Many bold marriage proposals have appeared on the big screen, and if you Google “kid dancing on Jumbotron” you will get over 100,000 results. It’s a big part of sports culture, both literally and

Sterling Shuster

(Sophomore/softball)

Nick Northcott (Senior/tennis)

Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter?

The last song you downloaded or listened to?

Kobe or MJ?

“Facebook.”

“‘Kyoto’ “Jordan.” by Skrillex.”

“Facebook.”

“Country Girl (Shake It For Me) [by Luke Bryan].”

“I’m a Facebook man.”

April Bisharat (Senior/tennis)

screen, I feel confident in sharing my secrets on how to make it into the Jumbotron club. The two pieces of advice I can give you are to be aggressive and make sure you stand out. During my moment of fame, I was dancing right next to a nice-looking couple who was in most of the frame during our short time on camera. My sister, who was on the other side of me, pushed me in front of them to make sure I got in the shot. It was an aggressive, spur-of-the-moment move, but a necessary one if you want to make it to the top in the Jumbotron

ASK AN ATHLETE

Trevor Megill

(Sophomore/baseball)

figuratively.

One of the greatest parts about watching a sporting competition in person versus on your TV is the chance to be more than just a spectator. When you’re at a game, there’s a magical possibility that you could catch a fly ball and come home with a special souvenir, or be there in person when an NBA player performs a nasty dunk that everyone searches for on YouTube after the game. Or, you could even participate in Jumbotron culture.

As a newly initiated Warriors celebrity after my debut on the big

“Instagram.”

“‘Indigo Meadow’

by the Black Angels.”

“Michael Jordan.”

“Kobe Bryant.”

“‘It’s Time’ by “Michael [Imagine Jordan.”

Dragons].”

My coach hates it when I ____ .

“Am late to practice and don’t tell him.”

“Don’t tell him about my health.”

“Hit balls into the net.”

celebrity club. You have to make sacrifices – like having to spend the second half of a basketball game awkwardly sitting next to the people whose fame you just stole.

Second, make sure you stand out in the crowd. Chances are the camera won’t find you if you’re not decked out in sports gear. Most people who get on the screen go to the extreme, sporting face paint or hats, or holding up funny signs to get attention. However, wearing team colors can be replaced by utter confidence. This couldn’t be more evident than in the example of the kid dancing to “Livin’ on a Prayer”

by Bon Jovi at a Celtics game. Even though he’s wearing a plain brown shirt, he completely steals the show by serenading the crowd with his dance moves and energy. If you search for it on YouTube, you won’t be disappointed. The kid looks like he was born ready for the moment.

Appearing on the Jumbotron made my night. I watch the Warriors as often as I can, but being part of the game made me feel like I was part of the team, even if it was for a few seconds. It’s one thing to see my favorite players on my TV at home, and another to be able to be a part of the show. I fully intend to continue my Jumbotron career at the next professional sporting event I attend, even if I have to do something crazy to get on the big screen. As a fan, there’s no greater feeling than being chosen from a sea of thousands to show off your dance moves, having a story to tell at the next party you go to and repping your support for your team right there in the action of the game.

This is the opinion of Sam Borsos, a freshman communication studies major from Palo Alto, Calif. Please send comments to sborsos@theloyolan.com.

I could eat _________ everyday.

What is the most inspiring sports moment

you’ve ever witnessed or been a part of?

“Sushi.”

“I’ve played with some guys who have played through the Å \ SPRL [Michael] Jordan.”

“Mexican food.”

“Winning [California Interscholastic Federation] in high school as the underdog team.”

“Chinese.”

“I think the Nadal/ Federer >PTISLKVU Ä UHS PU 2008 when Nadal beat -LKLYLY MVY [OL Ä YZ[ time on grass.”

“He hates it “I love ‘Think Thin Bars.’ when I do I do eat a lot of things, but them complaining.” every day.”

“Winning conference at the school I transferred from [UC Irvine].”

Information compiled by David Palomares, Sports intern; Photos: LMU Athletics; Graphic: Stephanie Schiller | Loyolan

www.laloyolan.com

LION SPORTS

April 4, 2013 Page 16

Steven Douglas | Loyolan

No. 11 women’s water polo hosts No. 1 USC Trojans on Thursday afternoon at Burns Aquatic Center Sophomore driver Laura Lopez (pictured above in a game earlier this season) and the Lions enter Thursday’s match with a six-game winning streak and a 7-1 home record, while the Trojans will try to continue their perfect season. The University of Southern California is 18-0 and has won its past two matches by 10 or more goals. LMU is 6-5 against ranked opponents this season and has already faced previously No. 1 Stanford in January, losing 14-8. The match begins at 4 p.m.

Sand volleyball falls Baseball wins six of in midweek matches eight, will face USD

As the sand volleyball (4-8) season comes to an end, the Lions drop two straight matches this week.

By Carlton Lew Asst. Sports Editor

The LMU women’s sand volleyball team (4-7) entered the last stretch of its schedule on Tuesday with two matches against CSU Bakersfield and CSU Long Beach.

The Lions played another game on Wednesday against UCLA to wrap up a quick turnaround that included three games in two days. Over the stretch of the three matches, LMU played to a 1-2 record.

In the first match against CSU Bakersfield, the Lions were able to pull out a narrow 3-2 victory over the Roadrunners. Among the victors on the Lions’ squad was the duo of redshirt junior Felicia Arriola and sophomore Litara Keil, defeating Debora Araujo and Yuan Fu (21-15 and 2119).

LMU dropped its second and third games, but freshmen Avery Bush and Rachelle Suaava pulled out a threeset victory to even the score at 2-2.

The freshman pair dropped their first set, but won their last two sets to secure the win (18-21, 21-16, 15-7).

In the final match, sophomore Ashley Maxfeldt and junior Anne Marie Taylor sealed the Lion’s victory over Bakersfield pair Tamov Fowler and Fernanda Gonsalves (22-20, 21-14).

The win extended LMU’s streak to three.

“We didn’t know what to expect from them because we’ve never played them before, but we came into the game with the mindset of just playing our game,” sophomore Litara Keil said. “We stuck to our game plan to go hard after every point and it worked out.”

The Lions put their win streak to the test against No. 2 CSU Long Beach in the second match of the day.

Head Coach Tom Black used the same

lineup, but the 49ers proved to be too much for the Lions.

Despite their 5-0 shutout, several Lions teams were still able to put up double-digit points.

The team of freshman Hannah Tedrow and sophomore Amber Mirabello achieved double-digit points in both of its sets against the more experienced Long Beach duo of Delainey Aigner-Swesey and Libby Fontanilla.

But the Lions couldn’t pull off a win and Tedrow and Mirabello ultimately lost (21-11, 21-14).

Maxfeldt and Taylor were also able to put together double-digit points in both of their sets, but it wasn’t enough. Ultimately, the 49er duo of sophomore Tyler Jackson and senior Janisa Johnson proved to be too much.

“Some of the teams started at a really high level,” Black said. “The teams that are way ahead of us are going to level out as we have more time to prepare. It’s just a process of recruiting and getting better every year.”

The Lions played their final match of the midweek stretch against UCLA on Wednesday. LMU suffered its second loss of the week as the Bruins handed the Lions a 4-1 loss.

This is only LMU’s second season on the sand, but Black already sees improvement in his squad.

“I think we’ve done really well [this season] because we have had a little more time to prepare. It’s been a much improved season for sure,” Black said. “The biggest thing for us is to win every point. If we do that, the results will be good.”

The Lions have already posted more wins this season than last, but many of the players feel that there is still more to be accomplished.

“We are going to play a lot on the sand this summer so it should help when we get back in the gym,” Keil said. “We’re a lot more comfortable now on the beach.”

Next up, the Lions will head to Hermosa Beach, Calif. to compete in the USAV Invitational on April 20 and 21. This tournament will conclude the 2013 season.

Matthew Balentine | Loyolan

Redshirt junior infielder Tommy Cheek celebrates with redshirt senior outfielder Zac Fujimoto in a game from earlier this season. The Lions are 5-4 against conference opponents this season.

LMU hosts conference rival No. 23 USD this weekend at Page Stadium for three games.

By Dan Raffety Managing Editor

What goes down must come back up.

The LMU baseball team (14-14, 5-4) climbed back to .500 after a 9-7 extra-inning victory at CSU Northridge Tuesday night in a non-conference matchup, leaving the Lions to face No. 23 University of San Diego (USD) in a pivotal West Coast Conference (WCC) contest.

The Toreros come to Page Stadium tied for second place in the conference, while LMU, who recently won two of three games against Gonzaga University, is tied for fourth place with a 5-4 conference record.

The Lions have been on fire recently, winning six of eight games after losing 12 of their first 20 games.

Senior catcher Colton Plaia leads the Lions with a .364 batting average, driving in 16 runs, both of which are team highs. But Plaia isn’t the only player who has stepped up for the team recently.

Redshirt junior infielder Tommy Cheek was honored as WCC Player of the Week on Monday as he went seven for 14 in four games, including a 3-2 victory over No. 5 CSU Fullerton on Tuesday, March 26.

The Lions’ starters have continued their success over the season, posting a combined 2.17 earned run average this season. Sophomore starting pitcher Colin Welmon, leads the club earned run average with 1.29. He has also thrown one complete game and leads the team with 38 strikeouts in seven starts.

“Our bats are finally coming alive. We scored five runs against one of the best pitchers in the county,” said sophomore starting pitcher Trevor Megill. “Everything is starting to go well. Our bullpen is also performing well so I think that’s the basis of the turnaround.”

LMU’s bullpen was of a recent concern

See Baseball | Page 14