The Loyolan February 20th, 2014

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Writers weigh in on the true intentions of service organizations.

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Advocate Community stands by Torres for Iraqi youth speaks Jeremy Courtney co-founded a nonprofit to treat Iraqi children with heart defects.

Amanda Lopez Contributor

@LALoyolan

“He came into the café, and he had this little girl. She had big brown eyes, dark hair, and all I really see coming into the café is my little girl. I just remember thinking, is there anything I wouldn’t do for my little girl?” said Jeremy Courtney of the young Iraqi girl that inspired him to launch his nonprofit organization, Preemptive Love Coalition.

During Convo on Tuesday, Ignatians service organization hosted the event where Courtney spoke about PLC, how it was founded and what it strives to do.

Courtney is the co-founder of PLC, an organization that helps save the lives of thousands of Iraqi children in need of heart surgeries. PLC uses its resources to train Iraqi surgeons and nurses so that they can perform heart surgeries for children with heart defects.

Courtney told the story of how his wife and he originally moved to Iraq in the midst of the war and Suddam Hussein’s regime in hopes of aiding the lives of widows who had been affected. After becoming discouraged with the organization they arrived with, Courtney still felt the need to remain in Iraq, as he saw a tremendous sense of need around him.

In Iraq, Courtney befriended a café See Love | Page 4

Kevin Halladay-Glynn | Loyolan

A group of Sodexo workers, professors, students and Unite Here Local 11 union members came together in the conference room of the Jesuit Community Friday afternoon to reach out to Father John Mitchell for help and guidance regarding Torres’ removal.

Faculty, staff and students gathered to perform an action in support of Daniel Torres.

Zaneta Pereira

Incoming Editor in Chief @zanyzaneta

Daniel Torres has worked in the LMU’s Jesuit Community’s kitchen for 22 years.

When he returned to his job after winter break, the last thing he expected was to be called into a meeting and told that he would no longer be able to work there.

“I never had any knowledge of this; I never had any discipline before or any complaints

Generosity flows by the pint

before,” Torres said. “It was never brought to my attention that I was underperforming.”

According to the written request for Torres’ removal sent from John Mitchell, S.J., minister of the Jesuit Community, to Jason Adams, the Sodexo resident district manager, Torres was removed from his position because “members of the Community over the course of the year often have expressed dissatisfaction with the meals which Daniel has prepared for us.”

When contacted by the Loyolan, Adams stated that he was “not authorized to discuss personnel matters.” He added, “We are working to find a solution for Daniel as we speak.”

Mitchell’s letter also stated, “I had hoped that with time and experience, this situation would improve, but it has not. His rep-

Kevin O’Keeffe Editor in Chief

@kevinpokeeffe

The twice-annual UCLA blood drive kicked off in St. Rob’s auditorium Tuesday and continues through today. Both walk-ins and those with appointments can stop by and donate a pint of blood. Here, a student squeezes a beanbag to get the blood flowing.

See Torres | Page 2

Union vote paused The NLRB has suspended the adjunct faculty’s election after allegations of interference.

Talia Baugnon | Loyolan

ertoire seems limited and unimaginative.”

At 3 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 14, a group of campus Sodexo workers, Unite Here Local 11 union members and LMU professors and students gathered outside the Jesuit Community to take action about Torres’ situation. The group was invited inside to speak with Mitchell, to whom they presented Torres’ case and a broken-heart valentine as a symbol of his situation.

At the Jesuit residences, Torres had been a year-round employee with a 40hour work week. However, since his removal, he explained that the jobs Sodexo offered him were vastly different. According to Torres, Sodexo has offered various

Adjunct faculty eager to vote on whether to establish a union will have to wait a bit longer.

According to a press release from the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), the group assisting adjunct faculty on campus with attempts to unionize the vote has been halted by the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB).

The press release alleges that LMU caused “administrative interference” with the election, which led to the vote being suspended last Thursday. Executive Vice President and Provost Joseph Hellige confirmed the NLRB’s blocking of the vote in a letter to faculty sent last Friday.

“The election was postponed because of unresolved allegations of unfair labor practices filed by the Service Employees International Union,” Hellige said.

The allegations, according to political science adjunct professor Emily Hallock, included participating in “coercive or intimidating behavior” toward adjuncts and creating “a hostile work environment.”

“They sent misleading information and some information that was meant to scare us out of voting for a union,” Hallock added.

Hallock insisted that the election was just suspended and will resume when the NLRB’s election has concluded.

“We don’t want to delay our election to form a union at LMU, but this is an important decision that affects our students, our colleagues and the LMU community,” adjunct communication studies lecturer Darrin S. Murray was quoted as saying in SEIU’s press release.

Arik Greenberg, a faculty member in the Department of Theological Studies, accused LMU of prohibiting faculty “from making a free and fair decision about forming our union” by hiring outside consultants to work with them during the election.

Greenberg, who previously called the nationwide unionization battle a great civil rights issue in an interview with the Loyolan, lamented that LMU “did not follow the example set by Georgetown University,” the Jesuit university in Washington, D.C., that SEIU successfully unionized last May. According to Hellige, LMU administrators have “not been provided with any specific details or evidence relating to these allegations” of election interference. The provost declined to comment beyond his letter for this story.

Hallock said the investigation process would likely wrap up either this week or next.

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Sodexo employee removed from his position Torres from Page 1

schedules that are all less than 40-hour work weeks and not year-round positions.

Since being told he could no longer work at the Jesuit residences, 51-year-old Torres has remained out of Talia Baugnon | Loyolan work, using up his paid vacaDaniel Torres tion time while hoping for Sodexo to offer him a new work assignment comparable to his previous situation.

“They’ve been trying to give me schedules that I cannot work.

They’re trying to give me a lot less hours, and really I don’t see them as accommodating me,” he said.

A father of four, Torres choked up when he was asked about his family. “It affects me to talk about it because it’s a change that happened from one day to the next,” he explained. Now that he is at home, his children ask him questions about what is the matter and when he will be going back to work.

“What I want is for the company to solve this issue in a just way, to respect the 22 years that I have here as a worker. They say that I’m not creative with the food, but I’ve never had a complaint before,” Torres said. “I’ve never had any problems with the Jesuits.”

According to Christopher Novoa, a campus Sodexo worker, Friday’s action was organized

because negotiations between Sodexo, Torres and union representatives had failed to provide a comparable job offer for Torres, and they hope that the Jesuits will be able to help resolve the problem.

According to Mitchell’s letter, “community members were surprised that suddenly Daniel Torres became a chef” a year ago after the community reduced food services and there were changes in the kitchen personnel. However, according to Novoa, despite being previously classed as a “prep cook,” for years Torres “was doing the same work as the other highest level cooks.”

Novoa added that this discrepancy between classification and work duties was one of the things the union fought to address during contract negotiations with Sodexo.

“When we have met to talk about Danny’s situation, each time we’ve met, Sodexo has said we’re not allowed to come talk to the Jesuit priests, that we do not have a right to come talk to the Jesuit priests,” Novoa added.

During the action, junior communication studies major Sarah Scherk explained to Mitchell, “We’re coming to you because the Jesuit Community is the closest to this situation.” Scherk pointed to her identification with the Jesuit values of the service of faith and the promotion of justice as the root behind her support for Torres and the action.

“It’s not fair, the way the Jesuit Community and Sodexo fired him

without warning, and it’s not fair that Sodexo can’t make him whole with the work he needs and it’s not fair if no one will stand up with him,” she said. “As someone who lives here and loves it here, it matters to me that all the members of our community, from workers, students, professors, are treated with love and justice.”

In explaining her support for Torres, Anna Harrison, associate professor of theological studies at LMU, recited a quote by Archbishop Oscar Romero, a man she said she has “regarded as a model” for many years: “When the Church hears the cry of the oppressed, it cannot but denounce the social structures that give rise to and perpetuate the misery from which this cry arises.”

Campus Sodexo worker Emmanuel Rodriguez saw the action as necessary, as a sign of solidarity with his co-worker Torres, but also as a message to Sodexo. According to him, they were there “to let the company know that we’re not going to let these things go.

We’re tired of it, we’re frustrated of it, we’ve had enough of it and it’s about time we do something and it’s about time this stops.”

When asked during the action if he had anything to say, Mitchell said, “I don’t know if I can speak to it right at the moment.”

He did, however, go on to thank those present “for the very nice way you’ve presented yourselves” and said that he would get back to them on this issue early this week.

When contacted by the Loyolan, Mitchell declined to comment,

Talia Baugnon | Loyolan

The group that gathered at the Jesuit Community Friday afternoon compiled valentines describing neighborly traits and presented them to Father John Mitchell in defense of removed cook Daniel Torres. stating via email that “steps are already in process to address this situation.”

As of publication time, neither Torres nor the union has heard anything further from Sodexo or the Jesuit community.

Torres remains in a state of uncertainty about his future and is struggling with the internal ef-

fects of his removal.

“The way that the company has portrayed me is as if I don’t know how to do my job – that I don’t know how to cook,” Torres said.

“I think that’s why there has been such a problem for the company to accommodate me, because if they thought otherwise, they would have already accommodated me.”

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Students accepted into service orgs New members picked up invitations to join service organizations.

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Julia Sacco

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The highly competitive service organization application process came to a close on Tuesday, when the 386 applicants received emails revealing their acceptance status.

Because there are nine organizations, not everyone can be accepted.

“A woman can get into seven and a man can get into five,” said Assistant Director of Campus Service Tom King.

The students that applied to any of the nine service organizations on campus followed a strict application process that was unique to each group.

“Every organization has their own application process, but they all consist of an application and an interview, in addition to a common application,” said outgoing president of Ignatians and senior English major Mimi Jacobie.

The emails sent to applicants contained one of four possible options: accepted, not accepted, waitlisted and both accepted and waitlisted.

The Center for Service and Action (CSA) and the service organizations made the decision to send out emails prior to students

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Josh Kuroda | Loyolan

Students picked up their invitations to join service organizations from the Center for Service and Action (CSA) office Wednesday afternoon, where they either accepted their invitations, declined them or were placed on a wait list. Active members of service organizations handed out the results in the afternoon. picking up their results in person in order to make the process less discouraging or embarrassing for those who did not get the organization for which they had hoped.

“We felt that doing it by email was a little more sensitive,” King said.

The people who were either accepted into at least one organization or waitlisted were instructed in the email to go to the CSA office on Wednesday, where they could accept, deny or rank the invitations they received.

“It depends how many get in because someone who got onto

the waitlist can potentially end up getting accepted, so the number of initial acceptances now go up,” King explained.

King emphasized that being waitlisted is not something to be ashamed of, and it will not do harm to a person once in the organization.

He added, “Actually, two of the service organization presidents this year were waitlisted.”

There is no set time when those on the waitlist find out if they got in. “Five p.m. the day after they get their bids is the deadline to let the organization know, and after that, the organization will know how many people didn’t accept

or accepted, and will start making calls,” Jacobie said.

However, people will continue to remain on the waitlist until Nov. 1.

The day was filled with emotions for many going to the CSA office to pick up their invitations. Two members of Ignatians, junior political science major Spencer Sharpe and sophomore sociology major Anna Engstrom, were among those passing out the envelopes to eager applicants.

“It is a sensitive day, but everyone who comes into the office has something, whether they are waitlisted or have been accepted,” said Engstrom.

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Preemptive Love Coalition mends children’s hearts

Love from Page 1

worker, who mentioned that his cousin’s daughter was born with a hole in her heart. Knowing that Courtney was American, he wondered if there was anything he could do to help.

After hearing the young Iraqi girl’s story, Courtney made it his mission to find the appropriate assistance. He met with a woman who knew all about similar cases and quickly learned that tens of thousands of Iraqi children suffered similar circumstances.

From this point on, Courtney and the woman collaborated; he helped to raise money, and she searched for available heart surgeons. While some surgeons were hesitant to come to Iraq, others agreed, and their training consisted of nonstop, hands-on heart surgeries for days. Currently, PLC calls these Remedy Missions, which

train surgeons and thus provide between 15 and 25 heart surgeries for children in need.

PLC feels that such Remedy Missions are important.

According to Courtney, they serve as an effort to “eradicate the backlog of children waiting in line for heart surgeries.”

Most of this backlog comes from the fact that heart defects are genetic, and that one in 100 kids are likely to be born with one. In Iraq in particular, the rate is even higher due to intermarriage – 60 percent of marriages are to cousins.

Beth McGowan, sophomore dance and psychology major and a member of Ignatians who helped organize this event, found out about PLC from her high school youth pastor, who was one of the co-founders.

“Every spring, Ignatians does a special project, and this semester they chose PLC

because of their heart for social justice and mission to ‘love first, ask questions later,’” said McGowan.

Ignatians plans to hold fundraisers throughout the semester and collaborate with the Esperer service organization to contribute to PLC. Mackenzie Butler, a sophomore English major who attended the event, appreciated hearing Courtney’s story as well as the words of wisdom he had to offer.

“He was a very dedicated individual and had a unique perspective on how to handle and become involved in social justice issues. I also really appreciated him talking about why we shouldn’t ‘wear our badges’ of social justice issues because it can cause us to stray from the real reason we are helping, which is for the people,” said Butler.

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BURNING QUESTIONS

This issue, copy editor Carly Barnhill sits down with Erik Anderson to talk about his experiences playing trombone with the LMU pep band.

What exactly does the Pep Band do?

1

The Pep Band plays music to support the LMU basketball teams, or whenever else we’re requested to play. We also cheer on our basketball teams and heckle the visiting teams.

2

How many members are in the band?

There are 16 student members and 10 faculty members, but we’re always looking for more interested and talented musicians.

3

What is your role and title in the Pep Band?

I’m the trombone section leader and, additionally, the student section leader.

4

What do you like most about being a member of Pep Band?

I really enjoy playing the music; I think that’s really why everyone is there. Front row seats to every home basketball game is definitely a plus, too.

5

What are your responsibilities as student section leader of the Pep Band?

As the student section leader, my job is making sure everyone in the horn section knows their parts correctly and behaves professionally, and to communicate between the students and the faculty leader. This is pretty easy, though, considering the talent and professionalism of everyone in the pep band.

6

Tell us about the old Pep Band before changing to the new format.

The old pep band was more of a traditional pep band – without guitars and violins and singers. We had the same level of skill and professionalism, but the instrumentation was very different. And overall we had a rowdier feel.

7

What is the new format of the Pep Band?

The new format of the pep band is similar to a normal band. We have vocalists that are backed by guitarists and bassists and, of course, our horn section. At first it was very different than the old pep band, but eventually we got used to it. And it is just as fun and musically challenging.

8

Who proposed the idea of performing with President David W. Burcham?

We performed at the Alumni Barbecue, and after our performance, President Burcham came over to congratulate us. After talking with him for a little bit we found out he used to play trumpet. One thing led to another, and now he’s officially in the band.

MORE QUESTIONS

Read the rest of Erik Anderson‘s interview at laloyolan.com.

SPORTS

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Readers lose when prominent sources offer no comment LION

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hen is no comment the best comment?

Take one of this issue’s stories as an example: Is Here at the Loyolan, we often urge the Jesuit Community not commenting because campus figures and groups to be the truth behind cook Daniel Torres’ removal as transparent as possible. Rarely do we hear is as unfavorable as Torres and his supporters “no comment,” and even the most prominent claim it to be? Right now, all readers have are the administrators are usually quite willing to give statements from Torres’ camp. There may be quotes or an interview. two sides to every story, but considering them That makes it all the stranger, then, that we requires both sides being willing to speak. received three major refusals to comment in a A lack of transparency is unfair to readers, single issue of the Loyolan. The first two came too. They must come to conclusions based on from the Jesuit Community and Sodexo in only one version of events. Should contradictory our front page article “Community stands by information come to light later, the LMU Torres.” While Sodexo is declining community cannot be blamed for comment because it’s a personnel being wrong; they simply don’t issue, the Jesuit Community’s know. So readers are left in the There may be two dark, while the sources involved are reasoning has not been made clear. The third refusal, in another sides to every story, subject to rumors and speculation. front page article “Union vote but considering them On the whole, saying something, paused,” came from Executive requires both sides even if it’s just admitting that Vice President and Provost Joseph one needs more time to collect Hellige, who declined to speak being willing to speak. information before going further, to the Loyolan beyond a written is almost always the best course of statement to adjunct faculty. action. The community appreciates There are several reasons why a source would honesty and will be less quick to judge if they decline to speak on record. They could have no don’t believe a source is covering something up. information beyond a single statement. They The only time such transparency isn’t the best could not be authorized to speak on the subject. plan is when the truth is far worse than the There could be no benefit to speaking – in other fiction. words, any further comment would do more We at the Loyolan believe that the pause in damage to a source’s case than it would help. All the unionization vote and the removal of Torres of these are fine reasons to offer no comment. are issues that matter to the LMU community.

But perhaps the greatest argument in favor Because of that, it would be more than appropriate of commenting is much simpler: Given no to use this editorial space for calling for action on information, readers often use their imagination either of these subjects. However, we cannot to fill in the gaps. And that can be much worse responsibly offer our two cents when we only than reality. have one side of the story.

Letters to the EDITOR

Re: “SEIU files for election,” Thursday, Jan 16, 2014.

Dear Executive Editorial Board:

We, the undersigned tenured faculty members of the Department of Communication Studies, want to go on record in support of LMU’s adjunct faculty in their efforts to organize and achieve social justice in terms of fair and equitable hiring policies and working conditions. We endorse the sentiments of the Faculty Senate Resolution on the Right to Organize (Jan. 16, 2014) in declaring unambiguous support for the adjunct faculty “to deliberate and organize as they see fit, including

the possibility of unionization, without overt or implied intimidation or threat of reprisal in any form on the part of the university’s administration or tenure-track faculty.”

The LMU faculty consists of 51 percent adjunct professors. These part-time professors receive no medical benefits, are not permitted to serve on University committees, cannot vote on University policies or serve as academic advisors. Additionally, part-time professors have no assurance that they will be asked to return the following semester. The adjunct professor often must cobble together multiple classes at multiple campuses to earn a living, creating complicated and difficult life and working conditions.

The necessity to teach classes at different colleges and universities, and often in inequitable, inconsistent working conditions, goes against LMU’s commitment to the promotion of justice.

Social change should begin at home – where we “respect the integrity of the individual while at the same time pursuing the common good” (LMU.edu). We wholeheartedly support the efforts of the adjunct faculty to organize and deliberate as they see fit to ensure their improved quality of work life.

Paige P. Edley

Nina Lozano Reich

Kyra Pearson

Patricia Oliver

Abhik Roy

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opinion

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What are the

intentions

of

SERVICE

Both of these editorials were previously published on laloyolan.com. Following vast community response to this issue, we decided to

Audrey Liviakis Contributor

@LoyolanOpinion

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ervice organization recruitment is wrapping up. Students are joining hands and extending them to the marginalized beyond LMU’s secluding gates. Young people are engaged in positive activism and reform in a world wrought by disease, violence and destruction. Or so we think.

At a University committed to “the service of faith and the promotion of justice,” service organization members hold a celebrity status.

Not the train-wreck Britney Spears or Kim Kardashian kind of celebrity status, but rather that of Jon Stewart. They’re praised for their moral and intellectual capacity and trusted to bring about truth and justice as young warriors for the people. As a university without a football team, they are our campus’ claim to fame. Recruitment is filled with eager, unsuspecting and ignorant freshmen, looking to each E-board member as one of Jesus’ 12 disciples; hundreds of them flocking to Burns Back Court to applaud and scream on All Service Org Night in support of each organization. Each hopes to be accepted into the fold – seen as a social niche or, for a select

few, a place to instigate change in this world.

The bottom line is that LMU offers plenty As an third-party observer, I think that of service opportunities that don’t require service org members – these harbingers of service org membership. Therefore, service Jesuit values, these living, breathing beacons organizations seem to be an elaborate guise for of compassion and servitude – should have to socialization and drinking, not much different work a little harder to earn their prestige. They from fraternities and sororities. I think it’s a remain veiled by a glorified facade that benefits pretty logical assumption to make that a sertheir on-campus status, post-graduation vice organization should be centered around, resumes and provides an ego massage, without well, a dedication to service. Gaining a social truly engaging in “the promotion of justice.” life seems to be the real driving force for memThis part of the mission bership. statement means grappling with The profound irony of the [Service an issue from a three-pronged service organization is that approach of education, action organizations are] this behavior awards executive and advocacy. It means getting board members the power and trusted to bring prestige to sit atop their thrones your hands dirty and attacking the root cause of an injustice – about truth and of moral superiority and deterripping into its heart, tooth and who is cool enough and justice as young mine claw. who isn’t to do service with warriors for the them. In a diseased, impoverFor LMU students, it should mean stepping out from behind ished, eroding, exploding world people. the protective shroud of our with a laundry list of injustices small, affluent community and and grievances begging for acengaging in something that is, dare I say, a bit knowledgement, students are denied from doless safe and superficial. Service org mem- ing service. A beautiful hypocrisy occurs when bers live the hard-knocked life of playing with Gryphon Circle becomes a circle of exclusivity children, chatting with the elderly and alleg- and Sursum Corda – or “Lift up your hearts” – edly picking up trash on the beach (which I’ve crushes the hearts of so many hopefuls yearnheard is usually just an excuse for some fun in ing for acceptance. Groups held in the highthe sun). I’m not quite sure that this classifies est esteem by LMU students and faculty for as “the promotion of justice.” I’ve heard that extending a hand to society’s marginalized, in some members even have difficulty in committing to this type of service.

turn, inflict their own form of marginalization on their immediate community.

To those who have applied to service organizations this time around: Choose to do service, in the spirit of the humility service its supposed to entail, without service organization membership.

To service organization members: Do us all a service and start earning your self-endowed right to exclude others from doing service with you.

ADDENDUM: In her response, Allison Croley says, “It’s not about embodying Jesuit values. I’d argue it’s not even about servitude.” Blatant confessions such as these need no explanation; neither do her acknowledgements of the sorority-like sisterhood she’s found in Gryphon Circle.

Service, in any capacity and magnitude, is undoubtedly positive. Regardless, turning a dubious eye to even the best of practices is important to maintaining their integrity and efficacy. Such is the goal of a social justice perspective: to look upon social institutions and economic policies of the dominant culture with skepticism, inspire reform and ensure they are functioning in the most productive way.

This is the opinion of Audrey Liviakis, a junior communication studies major from Kentfield, Calif. Tweet comments to @LoyolanOpinion or email cchenelle@theloyolan.com.

READER RE

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Dear Executive Editorial Board: My interview for a particular service organization was easily the most intimidating and stressful interview I have had in my life. I walked out of the interview feeling like I was an outcast in a John Hughes movie, sans 1980’s synthesizer-filled ending. If I recall correctly, the interview was videotaped, preserving my inadequacy for posterity.

Since fraternities were not my thing and I was not involved in athletics, I had hoped just to be part of a community and do some public good. I found the entire process to be extremely walled off and exclusive. It felt like the service organizations were merely charitable fraternities or sororities with funny uniforms, keeping out those who did not fit the mold. My grandfather, Class of 1950, has seemed to indicate this was an issue during his time at Loyola University as well.

Wholly aside from agreeing with its viewpoint, [Audrey] Liviakis’ article was quite refreshing and she should be commended for expressing her opinion. I am also pleased to see [Kevin] O’Keeffe backing up his staffer’s work product. During my time at LMU, the Loyolan was merely a mouthpiece for the administration and never ran articles that disturbed campus harmony or even threatened to ask a serious question. Articles like Ms. Liviakis’ force us to examine complaints about the LMU community, rather than allow the campus to live in a false sense of well-being.

For a school that touts diversity, it is a bit ironic that community service groups on campus are still very much an insulated world. I find it telling that the commentary on the website from service organization members expresses outrage and disgust, with very little willingness to look inward. At the end of the day, the focus should probably be more about the service and less about the organization.

Michael Joy ‘08

Dear Executive Editorial Board: As an LMU alum, Audrey Liviakis' op-ed "Service organizations: Serving students, not the needy" has been a sentiment since my time as a student. Often the op-ed pages and news coverage scrutinize Greek Life and ASLMU, but I think it is fair that service organizations have their share of scrutiny too. Ms. Liviakis’ criticism of service organizations is valid when it comes to recruitment. I admire her for writing this because there are major flaws to the recruitment process that have to be addressed.

Personally, I went through the process years ago and it was reminiscent to applying to a college rather than applying to a campus organization. The recruitment tends to be unnecessarily overdramatic where everything is a major event from all-service info night to when you pick up your decision letters.

Maybe the process should be a no-frills process or mimic the process of the Junior League of Los Angeles where potential new members go through a probationary period and meet certain requirements to the organization. In the end, as long as new members meet all conditions they are invited to be full members. The Junior League has been around for almost 90 years and is doing just fine. I think all service organizations should look to this model. It can make recruitment a mutually satisfying process rather than a stressful and disappointing one.

Faiza Mokhtar '07, MA '09

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E ORGANIZATIONS? LION

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o publish them alongside reader responses to promote conversation further. They have been slightly revised since online publication.

Croley Moley Allison Croley

Asst. News Editor @allisoncroley

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t’s not about resumes. It’s not about embodying Jesuit values. I’d argue it’s not even about servitude. It’s about solidarity and opportunity. It’s about finding God. It’s about leadership. It’s about asking hard questions and reflecting on experiences. It’s about belonging.

Service organizations are not the only way to get involved in doing service here at LMU, though during the hype of recruitment, it may seem as if they are. As the new president of Gryphon Circle, recruitment has forced me to think about why my org is important to me and what exactly gives it value. And to be honest, it’s not the service. I could serve at my placement if I weren’t in Gryphon Circle. It’s about the people; the people I serve, yes, but more the people I serve with – my fellow Gryphons.

In an article published online by the Loyolan on Feb. 11 titled “Service organiza-

tions: Serving students, not the needy,” the we’ve made at our service sites and the writer, Audrey Liviakis, claims that there is bonds we’ve created with the people in our an elitist and exclusive subculture within groups, because that’s what excites us and the service org community and that we makes us who we are. don’t do “real service” and therefore aren’t The women in Gryphon Circle are the deserving of our titles. I, of course, dis- sole reason I am still at LMU. They’ve agree with these claims, pushed me to think outbut I don’t think that side of my comfort zone. trying to refute them will They’ve opened my eyes I could serve at my do much good. to my own prejudicI can totally see how placement if I weren’t in es. They’ve carried me someone could think times I found it Gryphon Circle. It’s about through badly of service orgs, esdifficult to stand. They’ve pecially if he or she has the people. The people I encouraged me as a leadever felt ostracized by or serve, yes, but more the er. They’ve called me excluded from them. On out when I’ve failed. I’ve behalf of the Service Or- people I serve with – my shared my soul with some ganization Council, I am of these women – somefellow Gryphons. deeply sorry if anyone thing I never thought I’d has ever felt that way, ever do – and they still because that is never our accept me for who I am – intention. insecurities, quirks, failures and all.

But I don’t want to focus on recruitment, Our three pillars are friendship, love and and I don’t want to focus on denying service. This means we strive to befriend, people from our orgs because that shades love and serve everyone, no matter his or what we’re really about. Ask any E-board her age, status, race, sexuality, gender or member of any organization and they will anything else we wrongly use to define tell you one of the hardest things about people. We’re not perfect; in fact, we’re recruitment is denying people. We would far from it, but we make a sincere effort to much rather focus on the friendships reach out.

Every service organization’s mission has to do with reaching outside of our group and ourselves. We strive to be men and women for and with others by serving others, and our communities help us do that.

Being in a service org is not just about doing service, and it’s definitely not about doing service to feel good or to say you did.

Of course, there are some times that an individual may feel that way – I know I catch myself being prideful quite frequently – but as a whole, service orgs are more than that. They’re about having a community that gives you the strength and opportunity to do service while keeping you humble and accountable.

It’s unfortunate that recruitment brings out the worst in service orgs. But please, as recruitment comes to an end, remember that service orgs are not the only way to do service and they’re not the only places to find community at LMU. There are so many amazing families to join here on campus.

Service orgs are only some of them.

This is the opinion of Allison Croley, a junior English major from Danville, Calif. Tweet comments to @LoyolanOpinion or email acroley@theloyolan.com.

EACTIONS ONLINE COMMENTS I apologize for any condescension you have ever experienced and as with all things in As a service organization member and a previous E-board life, no person's actions can reflect on us all. That being said, isn't our breath better saved to member, I am very saddened that the service organization condemn acts of injustice than criticize our allies in the fight? community has left this impression on anyone at LMU. I am proud As the previous commentator stated, some of these charges have validity. However, the to be a part of a service organization; I am proud to represent generalizations and demonization of service organizations seems far from productive.

LMU when I go every week to serve meals and have conversaI've heard it said before that service organization members benefit more from their membertions with men and women who are homeless in Venice; I am ship than those who do service, and in several ways I'm inclined to agree. I know that having proud when I go and walk dogs at a no-kill pet homeless shelter this community has given me purpose, drive and hope that I deeply needed. However, the (and yes, this is service!); I am proud of educating LMU students fundamental problem with phrasing the concern in a who-benefits-more kind of way is the about Domestic Violence Awareness. Our service may seem small assumption of an us/them serving mentality. As my dear John Green puts it, "There is no them, at times, but we do it with consistency and passion. My philosoonly facets of us." This is something I hear echoed in the Ignatian motto of "men and women phy is, one bag of trash picked up is one less pile of trash that with and for others" and that I see played out in the commitment of other orgs to various issues ends up in the oceans ... you don't have to change the world and service placements. Yes we benefit, but not in the ways you seem to imagine. drastically to truly be making a difference.

College is undeniably a place of preparation and learning. Seeing L.A. from the perspecI do agree that service organizations do have a strong social tive of a homeless man in Boyle Heights or an elementary school kid in Gardena prepares me component, but that in no way detracts from our love and dedicato view each stranger as a part of my us and not a them. Friendship is one of the byproducts tion to our focus, being service. As a previous E-board member I of service for which I make no apologies. also would like to state that during recruitment we handle appliDoes our service radically change the world? No. But surely that is not an argument for cants with respect and take our job very seriously. We truly do inaction. look for the people that will be committed most to service and will On the charge of exclusivity, this is undeniable. It’s an unfortunate numbers game that CSA help our organization grow. I do wish more applicants could be attempts to address at the best pace it can by adding orgs and other service opportunities. But accepted. It is a very difficult process and it weighs very heavily the "cool kid" scenario could not be further from the truth. Ask any E-board member currently on us when we are not able to accept more members. I do tearing their hair out over who needs this supportive community more. Service organizations believe the author of this article does make a valid point -- service cannot be exponentially big, nor can they be universally open for membership. We make a does not have to be done through service organizations. There is commitment to hold one another accountable and can only do that for so many members. so much opportunity at LMU and in the broader community to get Many of the most committed, intelligent and thoughtful people I have met at LMU have no involved. Service organizations are great, but they are just one service organization affiliation and I am well aware of it. Ignatians is not a title I use to brag, avenue! it’s the name of the group I need to keep me committed and passionate. Each person should find what they need. I encourage you to find a way to collaborate with an org and see what Username: Andrea you think. Many events are open to the entire campus and conversation benefits from diverse perspectives.

Username: Emmelinemarie Editor’s note: Online comments have been edited for grammar.

laloyolan.com Page 8

life+arts

Theater & Gender issues take ‘Drive’ an emotional center stage in ‘Alice’ rollercoaster of a play Twin

Despite skepticism, “Alice in Bed” impresses with its powerful approach to tough subject matter.

Susannah Keane Asst. Life+Arts Editor @LoyolanArts

I was apprehensive as I entered the Barnelle Theatre to see “Alice in Bed.” In high school, I’d been forced to read Henry James’ turgid tome “The Ambassadors,” and I could only assume that any work based on the writings of his sister would be equally tortuous and mind-numbing.

“Alice in Bed,” however, was quite different than I had expected. It was powerful.

The play is based on the life and writings of Alice James, the younger sister of the famous novelist Henry James and the acclaimed psychologist William James.

She is best known for the diary she kept, which was published posthumously.

“Alice in Bed” is a play that everyone should see. It deals with difficult concepts like depression and mental illness without ever becoming preachy or trying to present an easy, condescending solution. It is not a fun play, but it challenges its audience to think about things that most people naturally shy away from. For that it should be acclaimed.

plays

The production told the story of Alice’s life through a series of brief snapshots of her thoughts and struggles at different stages of her life, from childhood to shortly before she died. With distressing clarity, it portrayed the emotional and physical illness that she lived with all her life, from her childhood dreams of suicide, to her mental instability and the paralysis of her legs as a grown woman.

It addressed her relationship with her brilliant academic and male-dominated family and the relentless solitude that her gender and condition left her. However, throughout her short, troubled life, Alice’s mind was as sharp and inquisitive as her brothers’ and it was there that she found solace from the harsh realities of her life.

“Alice in Bed” is running on alternating days with “How I Learned to Drive” in the Barnelle Theatre, with its final two performances on Feb. 20 and 22 at 8 p.m.

This is the opinion of Susannah Keane, a freshman screenwriting major from Metuchen, New Jersey.

Tweet comments to @LoyolanArts, or email cjames@theloyolan.com.

For more of Keane’s review of “Alice in Bed,” visit laloyolan.com.

“Alice in Bed”

“How I Learned to Drive” is an enjoyable yet heavy play that follows a teenager and her uncle.

Allison Gallo Contributor

@LoyolanArts

To call “How I Learned to Drive” an emotional rollercoaster would be a severe understatement. Paula Vogel’s Pulitzer Prize-winning play premiered Feb. 13 at the Barnelle Theatre under the direction of theatre arts professor Timothey Fitzgerald.

The play focuses on the relationship between the teenage protagonist, Li’l Bit, and her aunt’s husband, Uncle Peck. The audience learns of Li’l Bit’s experiences with her uncle through a series of flashbacks. The playwright uses the driving lessons Uncle Peck gives Li’l Bit as metaphors for incest and pedophilia, two of the most controversial topics tackled in the play.

The cast is comprised of only five actors, portraying twice the number of roles. The play effectively engages the audience by using the thrust stage and breaking the fourth wall as the characters speak directly to the audience. While a few of the actors appeared stiff and perhaps uncomfortable at first, they quickly transitioned and proved to be emotionally invested in their characters. The

“How I learned to drive”

role of Li’l Bit is played by the outstanding junior theatre arts major Keeley Miller, who combines humor, angst, compassion and forgiveness to create a character who struggles throughout the play, but prevails in the end.

Vogel’s play is set in rural 1960 Maryland and the mise-en-scene accurately reflects this. The set is simplistic, with one platform that is rotated and dressed to serve as various items including, but not limited to, a car and a bed. At times, the sparse use of props, costumes and set dressings is a bit distracting but, overall, this allows for the audience to focus on the actors’ performance. The director is successful in creating dimension on a small stage through blocking and the use of the downstage area for additional set pieces. All of these elements allow the audience to enter the world of the characters and feel every emotion.

Performances will continue at the Barnelle Theatre in the Foley Building on Feb. 19 and 21 at 8 p.m.

This is the opinion of Allison Gallo, a freshman film production major from Scotch Plains, NJ. Tweet comments to @LoyolanArts, or email cjames@theloyolan.com.

For more of Gallo’s review of “How I Learned to Drive,” visit laloyolan.com.

Center for Accounting Ethics, Governance, and the Public Interest Distinguished Speaker Series

NOBLE VOCATION OR NEW IDOLATRY? Business Leadership Lessons from Pope Francis

Chris Lowney chairs the board of Catholic Health Initiatives, one of the nation’s largest healthcare/hospital systems. He is a one-time Jesuit seminarian who later served as a managing director of J.P. Morgan in New York, Tokyo, Singapore and London. Lowney is the author of four books, including Heroic Leadership, Heroic Living and A Vanished World. His latest work, Pope Francis: Why He Leads the Way He Leads, explores the Pope’s leadership approach and draws crucial life lessons for the rest of us.

Monday, February 24 7:15 p.m.

Hilton 100

life+arts

laloyolan.com Page 9

Be informed about the food you eat Julia’s McQuery Julia McQuade Life+Arts Intern @juliaGmcquade

P

eople often look at me strangely when I say that my dream is to have a chicken coop in my backyard. Yes, I love animals, but my chicken coop dream isn’t to reenact some “Little House on the Prairie” fantasy; it’s because I’d like to know where the eggs that I eat come from and how the chickens are treated in the process.

I’ve been a vegetarian since I was seven years old. While I don’t eat any meat and I’m not a huge fan of dairy, eggs are a big part of my diet, though they don’t leave me feeling guilt-free. I consider myself a fairly educated person on the food industry and am not pretending that just because I don’t eat meat means that the rest of my diet is completely humane.

Being a vegetarian, I feel much more connected to my food; I like to know what exactly it is that I’m putting into my body. I realized at an early age that the actions I take, specifically in what I choose to buy and eat, have very real consequences — something that I feel most people aren’t very in tune with.

My mother comes from an agricultural family. We own citrus ranches, our cousins have a cattle

ranch and my grandfather always had an enviable garden full of every vegetable and herb imaginable.

I grew up loving the outdoors in the garden with him at his house, or in the little vegetable garden at our house with my mother. I was able to watch the cycle of the seasons, of a growing life.

Even though they are just plants, seeing how something can grow from a seed or tiny little plant to full term has always given me a sense of pride in what I can grow and use in my cooking. But this is a rarity nowadays, especially in the city where land is an expensive commodity that is slowly being developed away.

I believe that it is this upbringing and the lessons that my mother and grandfather taught me growing up that instilled my desire to know where my food is coming from and to want a relationship with the things that I put in my body.

My boyfriend and I were discussing how I am going to raise my children to be vegetarian.

When they are older and if they decide that they want to live their lives differently, they can choose to do so. However, I will never support an industry that I know to be one of the most inhumane, dangerous, unhealthy and disgusting industries in the world.

It is responsible for both human and animal suffering.

I will never “sugar-coat” for my kids the fact that their actions have serious repercussions,

Flickr Creative Commons

Julia McQuade addresses the moral and physical benefits of being a vegetarian and encourages readers to be aware and buy locally. something that I feel many people every day that most people aren’t aren’t always conscious about. We aware of how their actions could live in a very disconnected reality potentially hurt or help other befrom much of the world, and I see ings on the planet — or just in an-

What did you do for Valentine’s Day this year? Most likely, you binge-watched “House of Cards.”

Netflix’s first original series premiered it second season on Feb. 14 and people have marathoned it like no other. The show, starring Kevin Spacey and Robin Wright, follows a corrupt Congressman as he moves up the political ladder to become the most powerful person in Washington D.C.

Down 1. Current Head Coach of the Minnesota Timberwolves 2. ______, current voice of Velma in the Scooby-Doo franchise, earned a degree in cultural anthropology from LMU 3. Current pitcher for the Los Angeles Angels who also pitched for the Texas Rangers from 2005 to 2011 5. Host of The Voice who attended LMU on a golf scholarship

Check your answers at laloyolan.com/puzzles

Netflix

Ellen Page comes out in emotional speech The “Juno” star came out at the Time to Thrive conference this past Friday. In an eight minute speech that went viral, Page spoke about how she was scared to be out. “I suffered for years because I was scared to be out. My spirit suffered, my mental health suffered and my relationships suffered,” said Page. “And I’m standing here today, with all of you, on the other side of all that pain.”

Page will next be seen in “X-Men: Days of Future Past.”

“Beetlejuice 2” is coming in summer 2015 Looks like someone said “Beetlejuice” three times. Tim Burton is teaming back up again with Michael Keaton for “Beetlejuice 2.” The original film came out in 1988. By the time the sequel comes out in the summer of 2015, there will be 27 years between the two films. That’s quite a while since Beetlejuice has been in the world of the living.

- Christopher James, Life+Arts editor Graphic: Patrick Josten | Loyolan

This is the opinion of Julia McQuade, a sophomore communication studies major from Los Angeles, Calif. Tweet comments to @LoyolanArts, or email jmcquade@theloyolan.com.

Crossword Puzzle: LMU Alumni

People Are Talking About “House of Cards” premieres on Valentine’s Day

other city. As consumers, we are all powerful. Money is power and anyone who says differently is unrealistic.

I urge the consumers at LMU to take a few minutes in your day to look into where you spend your money. Whether it is going to the farmer’s market to buy produce, buying meat at a local butcher shop that cares about how the animals were raised and slaughtered or looking into a local, sustainable small business instead of a megashopping center like Wal-Mart, we all have the power to support business practices that we find admirable. To end with a quote

by Thích Nhat Hanh, a Buddhist monk, “If we stop consuming, they will stop producing. Only collective awakening can create enough determination for action.”

Across 4. Lawyer who graduated from LMU in 1959 and LMU School of Law in 1962 whose clients include O.J. Simpson and Michael Jackson 6. Current and longest serving mayor of Pasadena, California 7. Author of this year’s Common Book who received his M.A. in English from LMU 8. ______, co-founder of the Vons supermarket chain, earned a law degree from LMU 9. Current bass player for rock band Queens of the Stone Age 10. Actress who attended LMU and appeared in That ‘70s Show and Black Swan

Grab a free Iggy basketball hoop at the LMU vs. Pepperdine men’s basketball game this Thursday at 8pm!

Now delivering on and off campus from 11am-10pm Let us cater your next event! Call for details and discounts.

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sports

laloyolan.com Page 10

The ups and downs of Sochi 2014 Mo’ Lympics Mo Haley

Design Intern @molympics

T

he Sochi Winter Olympics have been filled with ups and downs, happy tears and sad tears and emotional 2 a.m. that-Visa-commercial-is-socute tears (maybe that’s just me).

As the games come to an end, and my thumbs cramp from livetweeting, I have decided on the best and worst moments of the Sochi games.

Best Moments 1. The Dreaded Wu-tang Snowboarder

Swedish skier Henrik Harlaut didn’t win any medals and he didn’t perform any never-donein-the-history-of-this-sport

tricks. Henrik Harlaut is on this list because he is the most hilariously awesome human in these Olympics. He has really long, thick, dreaded hair that flies around and hits him in the face when he’s airborne. His pants fell down during his race. While waiting on his score, Harlaut noticed the camera and threw up his Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle gloves into the classic ‘90s W yelling, “Wu-Tang is for the children.” This man deserves a gold medal in flawlessness.

2. U.S. Hockey win

Although it wasn’t a game that determined the medal, the USA versus Russia hockey game was one to remember. The U.S.Russian rivalry began in 1980, when the United States beat the Soviet Olympic team in the “Miracle on Ice,” prompting fighting spirits between the countries in hockey ever since.

Regulation finished in a 2-2 tie, so they went into overtime. This resulted in a tie, so they went into a shootout. After an either round shootout, USA won – thanks to the St. Louis Blues player T.J Oshie.

Worst moments 1. The Rotten Tomato

Snowboarding legend Shaun White ended his Sochi chapter without a medal, finishing in fourth place. White struggled this season with an injury after

Associated Press

Swedish skier Henrik Harlaut didn’t win any medals in Sochi, but his style and wardrobe malfunction while racing earn him a medal in life. trying to land a new trick and hitting the edge of the half pipe.

He was also nervous going into Sochi. He dropped out of one of his events, the snowboard slope style, to concentrate on half pipe competition. Conditions for the half pipe were poor – slushy and puddled at the bottom – which caused problems for many of the athletes, but I think the real root of his medal-less finish is the lack of his wild carrot top.

turned into the five Olympic rings and were to shoot out fireworks and bring the international spirit and the “oohs” and “ahhhs.” Instead, only four opened, leaving the top right snowflake just hanging.

Additionally, no fireworks went off. A little symbolic, if you ask me. Apparently, on Russian TV, this fluke was absent – they used footage from the rehearsal where all went as planned.

2. Fifth ring malfunction

This is the opinion of Mo Haley, a freshman communication studies major from Salt Lake City, Utah. Tweet comments to @LoyolanSports, or email mhaley@theloyolan.com.

At the opening ceremonies, there was to be a spectacular moment when five snowflakes

LION SPORTS

laloyolan.com Page 11

Shanahan leads Lions LMU hosts rival

Track from Page 12

13th in NCAA Track and Field Preliminary Round.

Strum’s performance at the Husky Classic could be a sign of improvement and help him reach his goal of going to Nationals.

“Last year he was the first guy left out of the national meet,” Guerrero said. “It’s nice to know that he’s ahead of where he was this time last year because it bodes well for moving forward.”

At the Husky Classic, Strum placed first in his heat with a time of 8:08.77 in the men’s 3,000-meter, while last year he ran a time of 8:10.22 at the same event.

“It gives me a lot of confidence going into the season. I ran the same exact meet last year, and I ran 8:10. And this time I ran 8:08 so I PR’d this race,” said Strum.

“To know I can run that fast without real track training yet is a confidence booster for me right now.”

Freshman Danielle Shanahan placed 10th in her heat in the 3000-meter, with a time of 9:51.50. In her first collegiate track meet, Shanahan’s potential was put on display. Only two other female runners in LMU history have posted faster times than Shanahan’s sub-10 time.

This past fall, Shanahan was named West Coast Conference Freshman Runner of the Year in cross country. However, these high achievements aren’t distracting Shanahan from her short-term goals for her LMU career.

“I want to compete at the highest level I can possibly compete,” Shanahan said. “It’s a lot different from high school,

because everywhere you look, there’s always someone running good or running fast. It’s a great environment to try to work to get up to the top.”

Sophomore Kelli Sugimoto, junior Grace Graham-Zamudio and sophomore Lyndsey Mull placed 16th, 17th and 18th respectively, in the same heat as Shanahan with times of 9:58.44, 10:11.24 and 10:13.30.

The team will continue the start of its season this Saturday at the West Coast Quadrangular in Orinda, Calif.

“We want to get all of the runners to nationals and then NCAA Championships,” Guerrero said. “Realistically, we’re looking to improve and get better as a program, and sending kids to those championship meets is what we want to do.”

Pepperdine

Josh Kuroda | Loyolan

Men’s basketball (11-16, 3-12 West Coast Conference) hosts Pepperdine University (14-13, 7-8 WCC) at 8 p.m. on Thursday at Gersten Pavilion. Senior guard Anthony Ireland is averaging 18.6 points, 3.9 rebounds and 5.4 assists per game for LMU. Read game coverage online at laloyolan.com/sports.

LMU Athletics

Freshman Danielle Shanahan leads the LMU after an impressive cross-country season. Shanahan was named West Coast Conference (WCC) Freshman of the Year last fall after finishing 15th at the WCC Championships.

For the Record In the Feb. 13 edition of the Loyolan, a photo on Page 10 was credited to Al Tipon. Charles Pannunzio took the photo.

Free Mini Hoop Giveaway! *

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sports LIONBITES M. BASKETBALL Senior guard Anthony Ireland (right) passed Forrest McKenzie for third all-time on LMU’s career scoring list during LMU Athletics his team’s 86-67 loss to Gonzaga University last Saturday. Ireland has 2,077 career points with three regular season games remaining along with at least one West Coast Conference tournament game. LMU (11-16, 3-12 WCC) hosts rival Pepperdine University (7-8, 14-13) on Thursday night at 8 p.m. in Gersten Pavilion.

SCORES UPDATE W. TENNIS

LION

4-3 W

BASEBALL

4-0 L

SOFTBALL

vs. UC Irvine

SPORTS

M. TENNIS

vs. Pepperdine

9-2 L

at San Diego St.

2-0 L at UCLA

Follow us on Twitter @loyolansports for up-to-date scores.

Page 12

LOS ANGELES LOYOLAN | February 20, 2014 | laloyolan.com

Ramirez breaks assist record

BASEBALL The Lions (2-2) fell 9-2 to San Diego State University on Tuesday. LMU led 2-0 headed into the sixth inning, but the Aztecs’ offense erupted, scoring six runs off junior reliever Brandon Horth and senior reliever Bret Dahlson. The Lions host the University of Oregon for a three-game series this weekend.

Caroline Burt | Loyolan

For daily LION BITES, like Loyolan Sports on Facebook and visit laloyolan.com/sports.

Women’s basketball senior point guard Hazel Ramirez made history last night by breaking the all-time assist record at LMU. With 450 total assists as of last night, Ramirez surpassed 1992-96 player Marlee Webb’s record of 441 career assists against the University of San Diego.

LMU (8-18, 5-10 WCC) fell 87-74 to the Toreros. Read the complete game story at laloyolan.com/sports.

Strum No. 10 Lions ready for GCC ready for big season Women’s water polo (5-3) enters its first season in the new Golden Coast Conference.

Jack Sullivan

Asst. Sports Editor @JackSull2

LMU men’s and women’s track and field opened its season at the Husky Classic last weekend.

Karen Ruiz Sports Intern

@LoyolanSports

The Lions’ track season began last weekend at the University of Washington’s Husky Classic in Seattle, Wash. The results could hint at a successful spring for the LMU men’s and women’s track teams.

Though the Lions primarily run outdoors, the team used last weekend’s indoor track and field meet to get up and running for the season.

“It’s a fun thing. We don’t technically sponsor the sport of indoor track and field. Doing this kind of meet gives us a sense of confidence going into the season,” said Head Coach Scott Guerrero.

“We just want to see where we are and just compete. Introducing kids to that higher level where some of the top teams from the country gives them more experience and comfort going into the season.”

In the last stretch of the 2012-13 season, redshirt junior Weston Strum almost became the first LMU male to make it to the NCAA Championships but was just one place away from qualifying. The top 12 runners would move on, but Strum placed See Track | Page 11

The women’s water polo team is off to a 5-3 start with three wins against ranked opponents, including a win over No. 6 UC San Diego.

The Lions have joined a new conference this season – the Golden Coast Conference, which includes seven universities: Azusa Pacific University, California Baptist University, Fresno Pacific University, San Diego State University, Santa Clara University, University of the Pacific and LMU. Last season, the Lions were members of the Western Water Polo Association.

Ranked No. 11 in the country, the Lions attribute their success to the team’s leadership. Redshirt senior driver Erin Manke is one of those leaders.

“I feel like I have been a leader since freshman year,” Manke said. “It just comes naturally to me.”

In 92 games, Manke has scored 129 goals and logged 136 assists. Manke also holds the LMU record for most assists in a season with 56.

“Being a leftie is my biggest strength,” Manke said. “I am able to see the field more open and I am able to make the passes across the pool to the strong side. I like to set up my team.”

The Lions are also led by junior utility player Mackenzie Beck.

“My biggest strength is my leadership and my utility-ness,” Beck said. “I can play almost any position except for goalie. They can put me wherever they want, and I can match up on any player.”

On offense, Beck has averaged over a goal per game since she joined the team in 2012.

“My team definitely helps with scoring,” Beck said. “They set me up well and give me

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Junior utility Mackenzie Beck leads the Lions with nine steals this season through five games. Beck earned second team All-Western Water Polo Association honors in 2013. the right passes. I just want to score to help my team win.”

These players’ effort does not go unnoticed by the coaching staff.

“Erin Manke is one of the best natural leaders I have ever had the pleasure to coach,” said Assitant Coach Marty Matthies.

The Lions’ roster is more youthful this season, with the team debuting six freshmen. The team will depend on its three seniors to show the ropes to the team’s young talent.

“Though this team may be young, it does not take away from the skill of the team,” Manke said.

“It is probably one of the more fun teams that I have worked with in a really long time,” said Matthies.

Head Coach Kyle Witt begins his fifth season as LMU’s Head Coach. Earlier this month, Witt earned his 100th career win when the Lions beat No. 16 UC Santa

Barbara 10-7.

“Coach Witt is pretty laid back as a coach,” Matthies said. “He expects accountability, but he is not a big yeller. He demands a lot from his team, but not in a way that demeans anyone.”

The team will compete in the UC Irvine Invitational this weekend, their first tournament of the season, where the team will face Cal State University Northridge on Saturday.

Some players on the team have a lot more to look forward to beyond competing this weekend. “The UCI Invite is a really fun tournament,” Beck said. “Most of us, including myself, are from the Orange County area. Besides playing in the tournament, we get to hang out with our family.”

After this weekend, the Lions will play nonconference opponents such as UCLA, Stanford University and the University of Hawaii in the coming weeks.