Los Angeles Loyolan January 16th, 2014

.

ME O .

H ICE UR YO R VO S. W U YO R NE U YO

w w w. l a l o y o l a n . c o m

LI

Los Angeles LOYOLAN

TS +AR FE S

Jan u

6, 2014 y1 r a

The

Est. 1921

Two Loyolan writers appreciate feminist values in “Frozen.”

Page 8

RTS PO

Women’s basketball uses its recent win against Pepperdine to boost morale.

Page 12

V o LU M E

92

| ISSUE

23

Bonin Hannon fire chars apartment requests back gate restriction The councilman has asked LMU to limit pedestrian access from Loyola Boulevard.

Zaneta Pereira

Incoming Editor in Chief @zanyzaneta

LMU received a letter from L.A. City Councilman Mike Bonin last fall that requested the University restrict pedestrian access to the gated entrance on Loyola Boulevard.

According to Associate Vice President of Administration Services Mike Wong, LMU has “agreed to evaluate the request and look at some physical designs as well as the effect on the LMU community.” The request is currently being reviewed by a team led by Wong and including representatives from Facilities Management, the Department of Public Safety and Community Relations.

Feedback on the request will be solicited from students, faculty and staff “over the next several weeks,” Wong said.

An important aspect of the request that Bonin stressed in an email to the Loyolan is that it does not call for the closure of the gate. “I have not asked LMU to consider closing the gate or eliminating pedestrian access to the gate; I have asked them to consider restricting it,” he said. “It is a significant difference. I have specifically requested they implement a key card system so employees and students who live nearby would have the opportunity to access the gate as pedestrians. That has been a consistent, repeated and integral part of my request to the University.”

See Back Gate | Page 2

via Student Housing

The Department of Student Housing gave 11 students the opportunity to relocate after an electrical fire broke out in a second-story unit in Hannon Apartments on Dec. 7. While the room was heavily burnt and showed both smoke and water damage, most furniture remained intact.

Public Safety implements additional safety measures following on-campus fire.

Allie Heck

Managing Editor @allieheck1

This week ushered in another new semester. Throughout the weekend many students trickled back onto campus, unpacking their winter break necessities, settling back into their already comfortable rooms and hugging their loved ones goodbye for another few months.

But for a handful of Hannon apartment residents whose rooms suffered smoke and water damage, the fire that broke out in a second-story apartment on Dec. 7 at 8:40

Student on ‘The Sing-Off’

p.m. meant adjusting to a new home on campus this week.

“Eleven residents were offered relocation from three apartments, including the apartment where the fire took place and the apartments directly above and below,” said Director of Student Housing Steven Nygaard.

According to sophomore communication studies major Caroline Moran, a Hannon resident in an apartment directly below the fire that suffered both smoke and water damage, she was able to move back in on the Thursday of finals week.

“LMU was a bit disorganized at first, but we were offered living accommodations in the Del Rey study rooms and were given money on our OneCards for food since we all don’t have meal plans,” said Moran.

Two of LMU’s own Department of Public Safety (DPS) officers were the first on the

Kevin O’Keeffe Editor in Chief

@kevinpokeeffe

Kevin Halladay-Glynn | Loyolan

See Fire | Page 3

SEIU files for election

Adjunct faculty on campus are taking their fight for a union to the national stage.

Freshman English major Kiana Parker, an employee at the Lion’s Den, sang her heart out on the winter TV show “The Sing-Off.” Parker’s high school a cappella group, Vocal Rush, finished third in the competition. Turn to Page 7 to check out Asst. Life+Arts Editor Mary Grace Cerni’s feature article on Parker.

scene of the fire in the apartment, helping with evacuation and containment after an anonymous female caller tipped them off regarding the stench of smoke coming from the area, according to DPS Chief Hampton Cantrell. Both of these officers had to be treated on scene for smoke inhalation, their involvement reminding the community about DPS’s dedication and purpose here on campus.

With the new semester and the new year well underway, DPS is continuing with its ongoing “Safety First” campaign, which was instituted to help engender an understanding between DPS and the student body regarding the goals and reasons for its presence on campus, according to Cantrell.

“It is our effort to educate students and others in the LMU community about what

The Service Employees International Union (SEIU) has filed for an election that many are calling the first big step towards adjunct faculty at LMU forming a union. In fact, SEIU filed for the election twice.

In a quirk of the unionization process that the Loyolan first reported on last November, SEIU submitted a petition for a vote of LMU’s adjunct faculty on two separate occasions. Should the vote pass, a union would be established on campus for part-time faculty. But the double filing has caused some confusion.

According to Dr. Arik Greenberg, a parttime theological studies professor at LMU, the purpose of second filing was to allow time to amass more support among adjunct faculty. SEIU’s second filing comes from “a place of strength, not weakness,” Greenberg said. However, Greenberg alleged, “Whether it was an accidental misunderstanding or a deliberate tactic … some members of the administration put out the word that SEIU

had to refile” – a markedly different position than what Greenberg reported.

Terrence Long, a representative for SEIU, couldn’t explain the need to refile when he spoke with the Loyolan. A request for clarification was not responded to by print deadline.

The double filing confusion represents a greater shift in tone the unionization battle has taken since November, starting with the negative reception for Vice President and Provost Joseph Hellige’s letter to part-time faculty in November and coming to a head as the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) prepares to set the terms for the vote.

Hellige’s letter offered information about SEIU’s movements on campus at the time, including clarifying that the LMU Contingent Faculty Network (CFN), a group of adjuncts passionate about improving conditions for non-tenure track faculty on campus, were responsible for bringing SEIU to campus, not LMU administrators.

Greenberg described some faculty who felt “immediately galvanized” after receiving Hellige’s letter. “There were some people who did perceive it as a tacit, undercurrent threat,” he added.

Greenberg also took issue with Hellige’s representation of signing a union support card as an authorization for “the union to See Union | Page 3

.

ME .

HO UR OICE .

O V Y UR NEWS O Y UR YO

laloyolan.com

Page 2

LMU considers proposal for back gate to be restricted

Back Gate from Page 1

According to Nate Kaplan, L.A. City Council’s deputy district director for Westchester and Playa del Rey, the request was born out of discussions during Neighborhood Advisory Committee meetings.

The committee, which was formed as part of LMU’s 20-year Master Plan, consists of representatives from the University, the local neighborhood council, Bonin’s office and other community members.

“When the University reinstated parking fees last January … we had a lot of people show up to our meetings very angry about the fact that there was no longer any parking in the neighborhood,” Kaplan said, adding that “they were drawing a correlation between the parking fees being instituted and faculty and students

parking in the neighborhood.”

The idea of restricting pedestrian access to the back gate to only those who live within walking distance of the University was developed as what Kaplan called “a sort of out-of-the-box idea.”

Kaplan did note that an alternative strategy of a permit system was being considered, noting that “permit parking is on the table … but we haven’t heard of anybody interested in doing that in the area or initiating the process even to get permit parking.”

According to Bonin’s email, “The University has created a parking crisis in the neighborhood.

To mitigate that problem, the University is singularly focused on a permit parking system that many neighbors find burdensome and insufficient. I am trying

very hard to help the University develop alternatives to the parking crisis that do not burden neighborhood residents further.”

Ultimately, both Kaplan and Bonin stressed the commitment of their office to working with LMU to develop a solution to the parking issue. Kaplan also said that, if the plan of restricting access to the back gates is accepted by LMU, the Council office would be happy to help with the design and logistics of the plan.

While this option is being explored, the Council office is still open to exploring other solutions.

“I welcome any and all constructive suggestions – and hope the university will begin to present them accurately and consider them in good faith,” he said.

This issue, interim News editor Ali Swenson sits down to talk with Marianne Williamson about her political campaign to represent California’s 33rd district in Congress.

How long have you lived in California’s 33rd congressional district?

1

Because of the gerrymandering that occurred two years ago, I am actually outside the district by a technicality by three blocks and constitutionally, that’s fine. You don’t have to live in the district.

2

What do you think you can bring to the district in Congress?

When people send their congressional representatives to Washington, they’re sending them there not only to get something but in order to contribute something. So this is not just about what I can do for the voters, but also what I, as representing the people of this district, can do for this country.

3

If you are to be elected, in what specific ways will you carry out this change?

I will seek to add my voice and add my energy and add whatever power one congressperson can wield to efforts already happening in Congress to move towards a constitutional amendment that outlaws the undue influence of money on our political functioning.

4

Why is it important for LMU students to keep up with this congressional election and to tune into what’s going on in Congress in general?

First of all, because you’re American citizens. The second answer is that students are ground zero in the corporate assault on democracy today. The average student in the United States graduates from college with $30,000 of loan debt. Now this didn’t just happen out of nowhere. This happened because the government took away the government subsidies that used to be there.

5

What advice would you have for students who are interested in political careers?

Get on it.

6

What skills have you learned from your profession as an author that you’re going to bring into your political career?

I believe that we should lead our lives from the heart.

There is so much unnecessary suffering created in this country and around the world by reckless and irresponsible policies perpetrated by the U.S. government that if I have the honor of becoming part of that government, it will never stray far from my attention.

Why would you say that this congressional race in particular is important for students to pay attention to?

Graphic: Sydney Franz: information compiled by interim News editor Ali Swenson

For the Record

In the Oct. 30, 2013 article "Students donate hair in support of Pantene Beautiful Lengths and St. Baldrick's Foundations" and the Nov. 5, 2012 article "CSW hosts annual film festival and fundraiser," both by Casey Kidwell, multiple statements lacked attribution or were under-attributed. Both articles have been updated online to properly attribute the statements.

For the people of District 33, it should certainly be important, simply because the House of Representatives is your first interface with your federal government. It’s extremely important.

7

the rest of Marianne MORE Read Williamson’s interview at laloyolan.com.

QUESTIONS

news

laloyolan.com Page 3

Hannon fire prompts policy changes and training Fire from Page 1

Public Safety does, particularly as it pertains to why we stop people and ask for OneCards, or why we may ticket somebody,” said Cantrell.

At times when emergency situations like fires aren’t happening, DPS takes on the role of law enforcement, helping to keep students and LMU community members safe on a daily basis.

“It is an effort to reduce anxiety and tension between students and Public Safety, and we’re still going to try to really get out there and talk to students,” said Cantrell.

While the department is using this emergency and the new year to continue to help create a better dynamic within

the community, DPS also took specific lessons from the fire in Hannon.

“Of course, there are things we could do better,” said Cantrell. “One of the things we did identify is just having a better training protocol.”

Between directing the fire trucks to the specific location, evacuating the students in surrounding areas and attempting to temporarily contain the flames, the incident required cooperation and organization on everyone’s behalf. The fire in the Hannon apartments brought to light the difficulties of coordination between DPS, Student Housing and the Los Angeles Fire Department, according to Cantrell.

“When you debrief and look

Election key step to unionization Union from Page 1

represent the signer in dealing with the employer, here, the university, concerning wages, hours and working conditions.”

“It erroneously represented the union support card as if it were the equivalent of signing a power of attorney statement,” Greenberg said.

For his part, in a statement emailed to the Loyolan this past Monday, Hellige said, “As of this time, we do not know whether or when such an election might take place or exactly who would be included.”

He continued, “At LMU, our part-time faculty colleagues have always been important partners in accomplishing our academic mission of educating leaders who can transform the world. As such, we prefer that we continue to work directly and collaboratively with them.”

So far, the battle over unionization, which Greenberg called a great civil rights issue,

has so far been primarily fought between faculty and administration. But Kate Perl, a sophomore history major, feels passionate about the cause.

Perl said she sees the stress among part-time professors and has “ranted” about it with faculty members like Anna Harrison, a professor of theological studies, in the past.

“As a student, I obviously don’t have any legislative power,” Perl said. But “anything that goes against the administration, I’m down for.”

The next step is for NLRB to determine the “scope and date” of the election, according to Long. Once that’s decided, Greenberg said he’s expecting the best.

“I do believe that the union supporters will win that election. We’re going to work our absolute hardest to get out the vote,” he said. “In my opinion, this is the best possible thing for LMU.”

Classifieds Employment Management-Entry Level Los Angeles company looking for new managers for training, sales, and marketing roles. E-mail resume to lahr@ ailla.com.

Mother’s helper needed within walking distance to LMU. Mon-Thurs 5-8pm, flexible. Dishes, laundry, misc house duties, babysitting. Ideal candidate must be organized, reliable, good with children.

Proposed rate is $10 per hour, no meals. Call Shirley at (310) 462-2063 Part time job Light private duty care for disabled patient; $12/hour; flexible around student schedule; contact 323-753-7130

For Rent LMUHomes.com (Village Home) Wonderful 4

bedroom, 2 bath home, two blocks from campus - great for 5 students! Welcoming front patio, remodeled granite kitchen & bathrooms, hardwood floors, fireplace, laundry room, breakfast nook, central AC & heating. Corner house with endless green lawn, spacious backyard with patio, plus 2 car garage.

PLENTY of parking (8 cars).

Includes all appliances, and gardener. Walk to class! Located at 7251 West 80th Street, Avail May 2014, $4195 (310) 890-8770 LMUHomes.com

Misc.

84 degrees and ice hockey in Los Angeles? Welcome back the #12 LIONS to the ICE as they seek to improve their rankings by beating #8 San Jose State U on Saturday, 18-January @ 5:45 PM at the Skating Edge in Harbor City. www.lmuicehockey.com #golions #lmuicehockey @lmuicehockey

at what you could do better in any situation, typically it kind of boils down to communication,” said DPS Assistant Chief Patricia Coffelt.

There was a “supplemental fire safety training led by Public Safety” to teach everyone what exactly to expect in a situation

like this, according to Nygaard.

In addition, updated policies were sent to LMU students from the Student Housing Office, outlining and reinforcing changes and important measures that should be taken.

The fire alarms sounded in the Hannon apartments yet again on

the evening of Jan. 12, this time due to an accidental activation while replacing one of the covers on the pull station, according to Nygaard. Resident advisors and directors were quick to direct the students where to go, many of whom had to march to the same refuge area not too long ago.

Graduate School of Theology

Master of Arts in Youth Ministry

Doug Fields, M.Div. Author / Youth Leader

Jim Burns, Ph.D. Author / Speaker

Powerful. Flexible. Practical.

Azusa Pacific’s biblically centered Master of Arts in Youth Ministry (MAYM) program prepares men and women for the specialized field of youth and family ministry.

Learn from leading experts Study under thought leaders in youth and family ministry, such as Jim Burns, Doug Fields, and Mark DeVries.

Flexible format Choose from online courses and one-week summer intensives, or a traditional classroom setting.

Hands-on experience Intentional integration of academic and experiential components enhances learning and advances your career.

For more information on the MAYM program, contact the Graduate Center at (626) 815-4564 or gradadmissions@apu.edu, or visit apu.edu/maym/.

Other degree programs offered: D.Min. | M.Div. | Pastoral Studies, M.A. | (Theological Studies), M.A. 14924

SPORTS

E

LION

Board Editorial Kevin O’Keeffe Editor in Chief

Allie Heck

Managing Editor

Dan Raffety

Managing Editor

Tyler Barnett Design Director

Michael Busse Copy Chief

Zaneta Pereira

Incoming Editor in Chief

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

S

DE

TORIAL NT V I

E

! &?

E

S

DI

TORIAL

S

SPORTS

U

DI

W

opinion LION

T

SPORTS

! &?

laloyolan.com

S

Page 5

Restricting access to back gates likely to create problems LION

SPORTS

I

t’s no secret that LMU’s relationship with its on campus, parking in the neighborhood behind Westchester neighbors has been fraught with the back gates and walking to the front entrance tension over the past few years. Residents will be one of the only possibilities. have voiced frustration with students parking In fact, it is more likely that carrying out the on the streets, and some students have reported proposition would likely have adverse effects. hostility from residents. At last, the neighbors If a student without access to the back gates have proposed a solution to resolve the conflict: wanted to walk or bicycle off campus, they As reported in today’s article “Bonin requests would be forced to use the main gates on Lincoln back gate restriction,” L.A. City Councilman Boulevard. Lincoln is easily the most bustling Mike Bonin has requested that the University street in Westchester, so pedestrians would be restrict pedestrian access at the back gates. at risk. Pedestrian and bicycle accidents could However, this restriction seems neither potentially increase and the safety of walkers, practical nor constructive. A committee at joggers and cyclists would be at risk.

LMU is currently reviewing the proposal from Students or faculty who previously walked Bonin, looking at designs down the street to grab lunch at and soon will be collecting Through a continued T2 Tacos would now be forced to feedback from students, staff civil conversation, a drive. Also, with many student and faculty. It is likely that they residences outside the back gates parking solution will frequently hosting parties, there will run into problems with the be reached eventually. is a regular stream of students neighborhood’s suggestion.

First of all, the logistics of who walk back from these parties This just isn’t it. restricting access would inhibit because they’ve been drinking. the project. The idea would give pedestrian While drinking and walking is dangerous enough, access only to those who live within walking restricting the back gates for pedestrians could, distance from campus. Would students and in fact, encourage drunk driving. staff living off campus have to compromise their All this said, it is commendable that this privacy and register their homes? How would it suggestion came in the form of a written proposal be determined what exactly “walking distance” from Councilman Bonin. It is refreshing to see is? Even if these logistical hurdles could be the conversation has turned to solutions. It overcome, the benefits of implementation would is a vast improvement over the name-calling not be worth the cost, especially considering that and angry notes of last fall. Hopefully, such the revenue-building parking permits are what diplomacy on behalf of both the neighborhood led to the tensions in the first place. and the committee at LMU is a sign of good Even with restricted access, parking in the things to come. neighborhood may still be frustratingly scarce.

Through a continued civil conversation, a Students could still walk to the front gates, and if parking solution will be reached eventually. This it is not possible for a student to pay for parking just isn’t it.

Beware of the BuzzFeed blitz Eliana Sheriff Contributor

@LoyolanOpinion

A

s we enter 2014, it’s clear that the majority of the younger generation receives news through trending sources on social media, rather than traditional news outlets. BuzzFeed in particular is specifically geared toward a younger audience, with sections such as LOL, Win, OMG and Fail. With catchy topics mirroring Internet slang and flashy pictures, BuzzFeed is addictive, like many other social media sites.

That doesn’t make it good.

According to an article from NBC News from July 2012, the United States spent 121 billion minutes on social media sites that month, which they averaged to 388 minutes – or 6-1/2 hours – per person.

It seems calling it addictive is an understatement. I first encountered BuzzFeed through a shared link on Facebook, and was immediately hooked. One of the most attractive elements of BuzzFeed is the crafty article titles that draw people into the piece, promising to reveal “19 Absolutely Necessary Products for Lazy People.” That specific and totally real article has 1,000 Facebook shares, 3,000 Facebook likes and has been tweeted 326 times.

We are seeing a shift into the future of news, especially given its popularity with the younger, up-and-coming generation. I think that viral media and this style of concise, entertaining news, like “listicles,” will inevitably prevail. It seems that people’s attention spans have shrunken, and traditional news outlets are not fast-paced enough for the current readership.

I personally think that this shift is detrimental to society. While I may be biased, as I lean towards the more traditional type of newsgathering, I think that the rise in popularity of shorter, bolder and easierto-read material is dumbing us down.

Since we have become a society of Face-

The Los Angeles

LOYOLAN EDITORIAL STAFF Editor in Chief Managing Editor Managing Editor Design Director Copy Chief Incoming Editor in Chief Interim News Editor Asst. News Editor Opinion Editor Asst. Opinion Editor Asst. Opinion Editor Life+Arts Editor Asst. LIfe+Arts Editor Asst. Life+Arts Editor Life+Arts Intern Sports Editor Asst. Sports Editor Asst. Sports Editor Sports Intern Copy Editor Copy Editor Copy Editor Copy Editor Copy Editor Copy Editor Copy Editor Designer Designer Design Intern Design Intern Cartoon Editor Photo Editor Asst. Photo Editor Staff Photographer Staff Photographer Staff Photographer Web Editor Asst. Web Editor Asst. Web Editor Digital Intern

Kevin O’Keeffe Allie Heck Dan Raffety Tyler Barnett Michael Busse Zaneta Pereira Ali Swenson Julia Sacco Chelsea Chenelle Eddie Estrada Devin Feldman Christopher James Mary Grace Cerni Susannah Keane Julia McQuade Kevin Cacabelos Sam Borsos Jack Sullivan Karen Ruiz Carly Barnhill Ryan Johnson Kellyn Kawaguchi Chanel Mucci Kaitlin Perata KiMi Robinson Lauren Slack Sydney Franz Mercedes Pericas Mo Haley Patrick Josten Jackson Turcotte Kevin Halladay-Glynn Caroline Burt Talia Baugnon Josh Kuroda Emilia Shelton Kailey Strachan Janine Leano Ian Lecklitner Kassandra Velasquez

BUSINESS STAFF Business Director Asst. Business Manager Business Intern Ad Sales Representative Advertising Intern Advertising Intern Ad Designer HR Coordinator Office Assistant Distribution Manager Distributor

Harrison Geron Charles Riley Rebecca Liaw Sabrina Budhrani Chloe Garcia Wilson Parnell Callie Douthit Sarah Kodama Katrina Liu Dan Raffety Moriah Grant

Director of Student Media Tom Nelson

LOYOLAN EDITORIAL POLICY Tyler Barnett | Loyolan

bookers and Tweeters, many news stations are trying to keep up with the speed of information. With the Internet, news can go viral in seconds and keep web-surfers informed quicker than any broadcast or print news source. According to QuantCast, last month BuzzFeed had 193,781,600 visits as of January 13. It is also ranked #13 among the hottest sites, following closely behind Twitter and Yahoo. Ten years ago, if someone were told they’d be spending on average six hours a month on social media outlets, they couldn’t even fathom the idea. Now, with Facebook and YouTube celebrating their widespread success as advertising revenue piles up by the hour, BuzzFeed is just another site for people to spend countless hours scrolling through. To make matters worse, BuzzFeed is very user-oriented.

It seems that after you finish reading one article, another one shows up below that is

almost perfectly attuned to your interests, making you feel like you must click on it, and so the cycle begins.

The spread of social media is so popular that even my dad, who is in his 60s, has a Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Snapchat. He has more social media accounts than I do. Although not every parent fits this mold, it’s clear that social media isn’t limited to the younger generation, but it is the younger generation that will continue to fuel its fire in the future.

This is the opinion of Eliana Sheriff, a senior English major from Manhattan Beach, Calif.

Tweet comments to @LoyolanOpinion, or email cchenelle@theloyolan.com.

To read an alternate take on BuzzFeed, read Asst. Opinion Editor Devin Feldman’s article, only at laloyolan.com.

The Los Angeles Loyolan, a student-run campus organization, publishes a twice weekly newspaper for the greater LMU community. The first copy is free of charge. Additional copies are $1 each. Paid, mailed subscriptions can be purchased through the Business department.

The Loyolan accepts unsolicited letters from students, faculty, staff and alumni, and press releases from on-campus and off-campus organizations, but cannot guarantee publication.

The Loyolan reserves the right to edit or reject all submissions, including advertisements, articles or other contributions it deems objectionable. The Loyolan does not print consecutive articles by the same author that repeat/refute the initial arguments.

Opinions and ideas expressed in the Loyolan are those of individual authors, artists and student editors and are not those of Loyola Marymount University, its Board of Trustees, its student body or of newspaper advertisers. Board Editorials are unsigned and reflect the opinions of the Executive Editorial Board. Guest editorials are by invitation of the Executive Editorial Board and reflect the views of the author.

All advertisements are subject to the current rates and policies in the most recent Advertising Rates and Information materials.

The Los Angeles Loyolan is a member of the Associated Collegiate Press and the California College Media Association.

opinion

laloyolan.com Page 6

A solution to help you keep your resolution Chenelle Nº5

Chelsea Chenelle Opinion Editor

A

@LoyolanOpinion

s soon as the ball drops in Times Square on New Year’s Eve, everyone starts talking about New Year’s resolutions. We want to lose weight, save money or see the world. We all promise to make the new year the best one ever. However, almost as soon as these resolutions are made, the jokes roll in about how quickly they will be forgotten and given up on.

This cynical humor comes with no shortage of supporting evidence. Who hasn’t witnessed the crowded gyms of January slowly ebb back into their pre-New Year capacity.

According to an article on Forbes.com, a University of Scranton study suggests only eight percent of people accomplish their lofty New Year’s goals.

You would think that we would want to combat the negative reputation of resolutions by sticking to our plans, but instead, our plans and ideas fall by the wayside. What are we doing wrong?

Part of the problem comes from the resolutions we make.

When you commit to a weight loss plan or a diet, it is easy to use the excuse that life got in the way, valid as it may be. Telling ourselves that this is the year we

travel Europe is also unrealistic, unless last year’s resolution was saving money for the trip. It’s great to shoot for the stars, but it is better to take baby steps on your way up.

Another part of our inability to follow through with our resolutions is the way we approach them. We are a culture of instant gratification. Be it refreshing Facebook or making mashed potatoes in minutes, we have grown so accustomed to getting what we want when we want it. This philosophy inevitably gets applied to resolutions. When we don’t lose 10 pounds within the month of January, we get discouraged and give up rather than giving our body the time it needs.

It is as if we forget that we have the whole year. Going into a goal with determination and drive is necessary, but we have to maintain that drive all year long instead of burning ourselves out by Valentine’s Day. However, New Year’s resolutions can be really positive. While the calendar year may be arbitrary in its construction, there is something symbolic about the calendar reading “January 1.” I firmly believe that it’s the perfect time for new beginnings and a time to change the things that we hated about the previous year, as long as those things are within our control. But we need a new understanding of what makes a good, plausible resolution.

Instead of focusing on the

Tyler Barnett | Loyolan

physical, such as our physique or our bank account, we should strive to change the non-tangible elements of our lives. For example, instead of giving ourselves a goal weight, we should vow to be more conscious about the food that goes into our bodies. We can make this the year we read more books or open ourselves up to new things. We could set our sights on the other side of the world and disappoint our-

selves when we don’t make it, or we could plan a road trip to the Grand Canyon and feel that tinge of satisfaction when we get there.

Life can’t get in the way of making better decisions. When we fall behind on the promises we made to ourselves, it’s easier to get back in the swing of things if the disappointment is less severe.

With the power of resolutions comes the responsibility of fol-

low through. Statistics indicate that is something we are clearly not very good at. Instead of apathetically sitting back and cracking jokes about how resolutions always fail, I think it is time to commit to resolutions that have a fighting chance. This will be a great year – we just need a workThis is the opinion of Chelsea Chenelle, a junior art history major from San Diego, Calif.

Tweet comments to @LoyolanOpinion, or email cchenelle@theloyolan.com.

LMU vs ST. MARY’S

Men’s Basketball Watch Party

life+arts Kiana Parker soared beside her illustrious a cappella group.

Mary Grace Cerni Asst. Life+Arts Editor @LoyolanArts

Few teens enter college having already made waves in the world, but freshman English major Kiana Parker is one of them.

Before the age of 18, Parker was chosen to be part of one of the most highly regarded high school a cappella groups in the country, Vocal Rush. She then competed with the group on NBC’s a cappella competition show, “The Sing-Off,” this past summer for a season that finally aired this past December.

“We knew we could make history once we got on the show,” said Parker.

Parker was right, because Vocal Rush is the only high school group in the history of “The Sing-Off” to ever make it to the finals.

Even though she missed the first

two weeks of freshman year and had to drop her first year seminar class because of “The Sing-Off,” Parker said being on the show was one of her most rewarding experiences. Parker’s transition to LMU was also eased by the kindness of her Desmond Hall floor mates.

“When I came back, all my hall, third floor Desmond, made this poster that said, ‘Welcome Home Kiana’ and they put it on my door,” said Parker. “They were all so sweet when I came. I also was assigned a random roommate, and I love her to death.”

The journey leading up to Parker’s success with Vocal Rush was a long and challenging one, but it all started with Parker’s undying passion for performing.

Parker grew up in Oakland as the daughter of non-musical parents, but had a desire to join theater when she was young.

“My dad can hold a couple of notes,” said Parker. “But I don’t really know where I got [my talent] from.”

The first time she did musical theater, Parker played a major role as “the granddaughter” in a

laloyolan.com Page 7

STUDENT FEATURE Kevin Halladay-Glynn | Loyolan

Although she is leaving LMU to pursue singing as a career, freshman English major Kiana Parker says she will always remember the people that have made her experience at LMU worthwhile, including her Lion’s Den coworkers. production of Cinderella by the African-American Shakespeare Company. After Cinderella,

NBC

Parker, second from left, holds the spotlight during Vocal Rush’s powerful performance of Bonnie Tyler’s “Holding Out for a Hero” on NBC’s a capella competition show “The Sing-Off.” The group placed third overall in the final.

Crossword Puzzle: Martin Luther King, Jr. Day

Across 5. King entered ______ College in Georgia at the age of 15 7. King was standing on the ______ in front of his room at the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, Tennessee when he was assassinated 9. Martin Luther King, Jr. delivered his famous ______ speech on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial 10. Congress passed the holiday legislation in this year 11. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day is observed on the ______ Monday in January

Down 1. First state to adopt Martin Luther King, Jr. Day as a state holiday in 1973 2. King recieved the ______ Prize in 1964 3. The holiday legislation was signed into law by President Ronald ______ 4. King’s age when he was assassinated 6. In 2014, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day falls on January ______ 8. City in Georgia in which Martin Luther King, Jr. was born

Check your answers at laloyolan.com/puzzles

Parker found that she was happiest in the spotlight, and decided that she wanted to dedicate her life to performing.

Years later, Parker was accepted to the prestigious Oakland School for the Arts (OSA). During Parker’s second year at OSA, Lisa Forkish, an OSA music faculty member, and former director of the a cappella group that the film “Pitch Perfect” was based on, founded Vocal Rush.

According to Parker, everyone wanted a spot on Vocal Rush, and she decided to audition her junior year. Unfortunately, Parker didn’t make it.

“My nerves got the best of me.

After I didn’t get in the first time, I really tried to practice singing in front of people,” Parker said. “It’s a big deal to be in Vocal Rush, the lead ensemble.”

A year later, Parker earned a spot on Vocal Rush, and since then the group has won the 2013 International Championships of High School A Cappella, performed for President Obama and competed on “The Sing-Off.” The reason Parker entered LMU as an English major is because she had ruled out singing as a career in the 10th grade, but since “The Sing-Off,” Parker has been inspired to make a life change.

“You always get told that you won’t make it in the music in-

dustry unless you’re on par with Beyoncé, but on “The Sing-Off,” I met small working artists who are able to make a living off of performing—I gained a great perspective and I learned that I could actually do this.”

As of now, Parker plans to take a leave of absence from LMU in a few weeks time and apply to art schools on the East Coast.

“Coming to LMU has made me realize what I want to do in life,” she said. “I love the campus and the people, I just need to think of where I need to be to help me pursue my dreams.”

According to Parker, leaving her Desmond Hall floor mates and her coworkers at the Lion’s Den will be the most difficult part of leaving, but singing is a top priority.

“I want to cultivate who I am as an artist and tap into everything I’m passionate about,” Parker said. “Just because conventional wisdom says you have to pay attention to safe, practical goals doesn’t mean I will. I don’t want to be a practical person. I hope I’m happy and not practical.”

To see a video of “Vocal Rush” performing, visit laloyolan.com.

life+arts

laloyolan.com Page 8

‘Frozen’ both a feminine and feminist fairy tale Kevin (KO): “It was so different in a lot of ways than previous Disney princess films.”

Divas in the Cold Kellyn Kawaguchi & Kevin O’Keeffe Loyolan Staff

@kellyguchi | @kevinpokeeffe

I

f you haven’t seen Disney’s new animated hit “Frozen,” you’re missing out on not only one of the best films of last year, but one of the most significant feminist films of any year.

Yes, “Frozen.” The one with the snowman on the poster. The movie is a lot more than just that snowman, though. It features bold female lead characters in princesses Elsa (voiced by Broadway great Idina Menzel) and Anna (Kristen Bell), bombastic music that works on multiple levels and a plot that subverts every Disney convention you’ve come to know and love.

“Frozen” is not your typical love story. It’s also not your typical Disney animated musical. What could have been just another piece of magical fluff is instead a beautiful feminist work that should be required viewing for all young girls who think love is just around the corner. We loved the movie so much, we couldn’t help gabbing about it over Twitter, which led to this conversation. Spoilers ahead for those who haven’t seen the film. So go see it, then read this!

dren.

KO: And male children, predominantly.

KK: Do you notice that recently Disney has been putting out a lot of gender-neutral titles? “Tangled,” “Frozen” and “Brave.”

KO: Right. It’s not princess titles anymore. They would never name this “Princesses Elsa and Anna.” I think, if they had tried harder, they could have come up with something more feminine.

Because the movie is both feminine and feminist, and I don’t think they need to shy away from that.

Photo: Disney; Graphic: Mercedes Pericas | Loyolan

Disney’s latest hit, “Frozen,” is more than the average children’s movie, as it deals with many feminist issues.

The film redefines the concept of true love by showing a different alternative to the typical Disney ending.

We started off by discussing the film’s ending. Anna is dying, needing to be saved by an act of true love. However, her supposed true love, Hans, whom she met and fell for in the course of one day, turns out to be a villain. Hans tries to kill her sister, Elsa, and Anna saves her, only at that point saving herself from the curse. The act of true love isn’t a kiss from a man, but a self-sacrifice for a sister.

Kellyn Kawaguchi (KK): What’s cool is that everybody watching the movie thinks that’s where it’s going to end; that Anna is going to be saved by true love’s kiss. Even the audience thinks that. And then you realize: True love doesn’t have to be defined by a man. Or even romantic love.

Kevin O’Keeffe (KO): I kept

thinking the really cool way for the movie to end would be for it to be about the sisters. But I pushed it out of my mind, thinking there was no chance. And then they did it. It was really sensational.

Then there was the music, which is in a league of its own, particularly Elsa’s standout song, “Let It Go.”

Speaking of the promotional trailer, we took some issue with the marketing of the film, which brought silly-looking snowman sidekick Olaf (Josh Gad) to the forefront over its female protagonists.

KO: It’s a really interesting, almost pro-gay anthem.

KK: Someone was mentioning that to me. It’s kind of like a coming out, accepting yourself and being free. And you don’t see Elsa with a partner at the end, after all.

KO: I really like that character, because she easily could have been a villain.

KO: Is it too hard for Disney, even when they have this incredible, feminist work, to present that too strongly?

KK: It’s a four-quadrant film.

You have kids, teenagers, parents and older folks who can watch this movie and get something from it.

But who are you going to sell to, ultimately? It’s Disney. It’s for chil-

1. “American Psycho” (2000) Loved seeing Christian Bale as an overweight yet charming con artist in “American Hustle?” Go watch him play a handsome and sadistic Lothario in “American Psycho,” an adaptation of Bret Easton Ellis’ seminal novel. Delving into the dark underbelly of the Wall Street world (with much more blood and guts than “The Wolf of Wall Street”), the film is bleak, shocking and insanely entertaining.

It’s not for the faint of heart, but is definitely a good recommendation for the heartless.

Lionsgate

2. “Amelie” (2001) This French romcom perfected the “manic pixie dream girl” with the character of Amélie. However, rather than being a plot device, she is the quirky yet strong-willed protagonist in one of the most delightful films to grace the streaming service.

Audrey Tatou is pitch perfect as the title character.

Once done, you only wish there were more adventures with Amelie for you to follow along with. You’ll laugh, you’ll swoon, you’ll buy a one-way ticket to France to try your luck at love.

Miramax

3. “Thelma & Louise” (1991)

MGM

KK: When I saw the trailer, I thought she was gonna be the villain. But she’s just misunderstood.

Girl power has never been so powerful and fun as it was in Ridley Scott’s landmark film “Thelma & Louise.” Two gal pals hit the road for a weekend of fun, only to kill a man who tried to rape them.

On the run from the law, both women finally let loose as they embark on an unforgettable adventure. Susan Sarandon and Genna Davis have great chemistry. The film also features one of Brad Pitt’s first roles. Grab your BFF, pop some popcorn, pour some wine and have a perfect Netflix night.

-Christopher James, Life+Arts editor Graphic: Mercedes Pericas | Loyolan

Despite the gender-bland marketing, the film is a huge hit (to the tune of over $300 million), and for good reason – the movie is fantastic, and it’s also hugely important.

The film is the only one in the history of the Disney princess franchise that leads the audience to the outright conclusion that a bond of true love can be felt between family members and not just romantic interests.

KO: What I really appreciated about it was that it was so different in a lot of ways than previous Disney princess films. For a young girl, six or seven years old, the message of “true love takes time” is so important to see.

These are the opinions of Kellyn Kawaguchi, a senior English major from Irvine, Calif., and Kevin O’Keeffe, a senior screenwriting major from Austin, Texas.

Tweet comments to @LoyolanArts, or email kokeeffe@theloyolan.com and kkawaguchi@theloyolan.com.

sports

laloyolan.com Page 9

Seahawks are clear favorites at home KC at the Bat from Page 12

people from Seattle and San Francisco who just realized that their hometown teams are playing an important game this Sunday.

Most of all, I’m writing this for my mother, who asked me last month if Shaun Alexander was still on the Seahawks.

First, you need to know the coaches dislike each other. It all started in their Pac-10 days in 2009 when Harbaugh’s Stanford Cardinal went for a two-point conversion despite holding a huge lead against Pete Carroll’s USC Trojans squad.

During the post-game handshake, Carroll said to Harbaugh, “What’s your deal?”

Carroll became the Seahawks’ coach in 2010, with Harbaugh becoming the 49ers head coach in 2011. Since then, the 49ers have held a 4-2 record over the Seahawks.

When I think of Harbaugh, I think of a stone-faced guy who is mean to the media. In a recent San Jose Mercury column by Tim Kawakami, Harbaugh said, “I’m moody and complicated.” When I think of Carroll, I think of his signature sideline smirk and his pure happiness as he’d jump up and down while his USC teams trampled through the Pac-10 in the mid-2000s.

Both coaches have personalities and some ego, so don’t be surprised if one of them has a few choice words for the other during the postgame proceedings.

You’ll also need to know about the quarterbacks. At the most

basic level, they are similar types of players. The Seahawks’ Russell Wilson is in his second season, while the 49ers’ Colin Kaepernick is in his third season. Both are young dual-threat quarterbacks that can run and pass the football. Wilson and Kaepernick combined for 1,063 rushing yards in the regular season.

Both are arguably two of the most exciting players in the league because of their ability to leave the pocket and make plays with their feet.

Off the field, the two teams’ rabid fan bases have engaged each other in some playful ways. A small group of Seahawks fans pooled together over $1,800 to fly a banner reading, “GO HAWKS-12” for 15 minutes during the Seahawks-49ers regular season game in early December.

In response, near the end of December, Niners fans raised over $7,000 to put up a digital billboard 27 miles south of downtown Seattle.

The billboard depicted five Super Bowl trophies with the text, “GOT LOMBARDIS?” One of these fan bases will wake up heartbroken on Monday.

Which will it be? I’d try to help, but remember that I’m from Seattle, so this prediction is biased.

The Seahawks are 16-1 at home since 2011. Additionally, the 49ers have suffered their two worst losses to the Seahawks at CenturyLink Field.

You don’t have to be a genius to figure out why the Seahawks are favored by the three points, despite the fact that the 49ers have won eight straight games – including a

19-17 victory over the Seahawks.

At home, Seattle beat San Francisco 29-3 in week three in September. In 2012, the Seahawks beat the 49ers 42-13.

In a Sports Illustrated column on Thursday, Tampa Bay quarterback Mike Glennon said playing at CenturyLink Field “feels like

there’s someone with a megaphone screaming in your ear. Only it seems more amplified than a megaphone.”

In fact, the team’s crowd, also known as the 12th man, set the Guinness World Record for loudest outdoor stadium at 137.6 decibels.

Seattle fans should start planning their Super Bowl parties – I don’t

think there’s any way this team will lose at home, especially when it’s for all the marbles.

This is the opinion of Kevin Cacabelos, a senior history and Spanish double major from Seattle, Wash. Tweet comments to @LoyolanSports, or email kcacabelos@theloyolan.com.

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

Need pizza for an on-campus event?

Watching a movie at home?

Busy studying?

We Deliver!

sports

laloyolan.com Page 10

Taylor’s 27 points help lead to victory

LIKE LION SPORTS

W. Bball from Page 12

LOYOLAN SPORTS

O N FACE B OOK

working towards something; it’s always nice to have some success.”

Without Johnson in the starting lineup, the team needed a player to step in and help take control of the game, and that’s exactly what happened; sophomore wing Sophie Taylor put up a careerhigh 27 points and added eight rebounds and three blocks on defense. Taylor is the first player in the program to score 25 or more points in a game since 2013 graduate forward Alex Cowling put up 25 points against UC Santa Barbara in 2012. Senior point guard Hazel Ramirez stepped up as well, with the second double double of her career.

“It was great. Before the game, our coach talked about how Deanna was injured and that someone needed to step up,” junior guard Taylor Anderson said. “I think it came naturally to both of them. They just took the shots that were open and made it happen. I’m proud of them, and the whole team.”

The Lions played an impressive game, shooting almost 47 percent as a team and out-rebounding the Waves 39 to 37. LMU also made the most of Pepperdine’s mistakes, scoring 14 points off of the Wave’s 12 turnovers. Despite losing a few conference games by four points, the Lions rejuvenated to get an important road game against their rivals.

“Those games that we lost

Talia Baugnon | Loyolan

Sophomore guard Sophie Taylor scored 27 points for the Lions against Pepperdine University, her career best. The Lions won 76-64. we weren’t playing our best basketball,” junior forward Emily Ben-Jumbo said. “You can either look at it negatively or you can see the positive in it. With that being said, we have a long way to go.

It’s exciting to be close in those games, but this time we’re going to start pulling them out and having them on our side.”

Next up, the Lions face the University of the Pacific (8-8, 3-3) tonight at 7 p.m. in Stockton, Calif. This is the first year that the team is in the WCC, after

competing in the Big West Conference in previous years.

The Tigers are on a two-game winning streak that the Lions are looking to halt.

“LMU doesn’t focus on the other team that much,” BenJumbo said. “We play our game.

If we play our game, we expect to win. We don’t change anything depending on who we’re going to play, unless it’s a necessity. By focusing on us and working on what we need to do, we’re going to pull out a win.”

LION SPORTS

laloyolan.com Page 11

WCC teams evenly matched this year

Kevin Halladay-Glynn | Loyolan

Freshman forward Gabe Levin has been an important part of the men’s basketball team so far this season. Levin averages 31.1 minutes and 11.4 points per game. With an undefeated home record of 5-0 so far, the Lions take on the University of Portland tonight at 7 p.m. in Gersten Pavilion in hopes to improve their overall 1-4 West Coast Conference schedule.

Raff’s Rap from Page 12

And guess who’s coming to the bluff on Saturday? None other than those Bulldogs, who were embarrassed by the men in purple.

Although the Lions are confident playing in the friendly confines of Gersten Pavilion, this short two-game series brings more danger for a team that is up to its knees in deep water and spent the majority of the season on a plane or bus rather than its own locker room.

“We’ve played five games at home and 13 on the road. I don’t know if another team in the country has done that,” said Head Coach Max Good, who is known more for his passion and exuberance than his ability to keep calm under pressure.

But there stood the calm and collected head coach directing practice, congratulating his team on a good effort and setting his sights on the future, rather than dwelling on what could have been.

He didn’t make excuses for his team’s performance on the road and made it very clear that if his team made a few more free throws they could have beaten Santa Clara. They played well

“at times” against San Diego and they played 30 minutes of good basketball against BYU. “We could easily be 3-3,” said Good.

“But we are 2-4, and there’s a big difference between 3-3 and 2-4.”

In talking with not only Good, but a number of the players as well, WCC teams have recognized the Lions’ strengths and have made an effort to limit production. Good called both freshman forward Gabe Levin and freshman guard Evan Payne “victims of scouting.” Teams are putting their best big man or multiple men to eliminate Levin on the glass and are clogging the lane when Payne has the ball.

Good was confident that his players would adjust and said that Payne needs to improve on his mid-range shooting, rather than always driving in the lane.

When Good talked to Levin, Levin didn’t talk about scouting.

He said bluntly: “I just have to be better. I have to work harder.”

Another important note is that the WCC as a whole is better than it has been in a long time from top to bottom.

“I’m not sure you will see a last [placed team] beat a first,” said Good. “But anything else is possible in this conference.”

Good noted that the level

of competition has risen significantly in the WCC, with no team far off from the rest. All the clubs have winning overall records, which, according to Good, has not been the case in a long time.

“There are no easy wins in our league this year,” said Good. “Bill Greer said when he took over at

San Diego, ‘There were about six wins a year just by showing up.’

There are none of those now,” said Good.

But instead of focusing on the negatives of his team, Good was upbeat; he smiled and stood there calmly. He thanked his players for an effort-filled practice and is confident he

will keep LMU’s home winning streak alive.

No tension necessary.

This is the opinion of Dan Raffety, a senior communication studies major from Eagle Rock, Calif. Tweet comments to @LoyolanSports, or email draffety@theloyolan.com.

sports LIONBITES VOLLEYBALL USA Volleyball announced on Wednesday that LMU senior volleyball players Betsi Metter (left) and Kathleen Luft LMU Athletics were selected to participate in the U.S. Women’s National Team training block beginning on Jan. 27. LMU Head Coach Tom Black currently serves as an assistant coach for the National Team.

W. TENNIS Freshman Lauri Mueller enters the spring season at No. 97 in the Intercollegiate Tennis Association women’s single rankings. Mueller, LMU Athletics a native of Heidelberg, Germany, competed in tournaments throughout Europe before her arrival at LMU.

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

SCORES UPDATE M. BBALL

LION

91-68 L at BYU

SPORTS

74-67 L

at San Diego

W. BBALL

76-64 W

at Pepperdine

69-65 L

vs. Santa Clara

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

Page 12

LOS ANGELES LOYOLAN | January 16, 2014 | laloyolan.com

LMU notches first WCC win

Talia Baugnon | Loyolan

Sophomore wing Chelsea Barnes (right) attempts a shot in a game from earlier this season. Barnes and her teammates hope to use their win against Pepperdine last weekend to give them momentum to compete in the remaining West Coast Conference games.

Women’s basketball (4-12, 1-4 WCC) beat Pepperdine 76-64 last Saturday in Malibu.

Sam Borsos

Asst. Sports Editor

Coast Highway (PCH) rival Pepperdine University on the road to end a dry spell of five straight losses.

“We’ve had some really tough games, really tough losses, really close games,” Head Coach Charity Elliott said. “It’s always nice for women’s basketball to be doing their part in the PCH Cup. Combine that with getting the win on the road, it was a definite confidence booster.”

The Lions have struggled at the start of conference play. First, the Lions dropped games against WCC competitors Brigham Young University (BYU) and the

University of San Diego (USD) right off the bat, putting them in a 0-2 hole. Next came two tough consecutive four-point losses.

Then, starting sophomore guard Deanna Johnson – who averages 20 minutes and 9 points a game – was injured and unable to play in the Pepperdine game. Despite all of these setbacks, the Lions earned a 76-64 victory over the Waves.

“I think this team has done a good job of continuing to work through adversity,” Elliott said. “You’ve been pushing and

The NFL’s biggest rivalry Men’s basketball not panicking @sborsos13

Breaking a five-game losing streak on the road is sweet. Doing it against your rival team is even sweeter. The women’s basketball team (4-12, 1-4) did this last Saturday, Jan. 11, by defeating Pacific

KC at the Bat

Raff’s Rap

Kevin Cacabelos

Dan Raffety

Sports Editor

Managing Editor

@KevinCacabelos

I

despise San Francisco 49ers fans. It’s not personal, but I’ll just see my Bay-Area friends in a different light for a few hours come Sunday at 3:30 p.m.

Due to Los Angeles’ lack of an NFL team, I suspect more than a few LMU students will be watching the NFC Championship game between the 49ers and Seattle Seahawks with intense interest.

In my four years at LMU, the Bay Area sports fan has been the most well-represented group outside of the predominate Los Angeles sports fan group.

After the L.A. and Bay Area fan bases, Seattle is probably the third-most represented fan base on the Bluff. After all, LMU’s largest out-of-state student population comes from Washington state.

This column is not for the hardcore fans. If you’ve been following one of these teams this season, you already know that 49ers Head Coach Jim Harbaugh is in his third straight NFC Championship game.

If you’re a hardcore Seahawks fan, you can probably tell me quarterback Russell Wilson’s biography without skipping a beat, including the fact that he visits Seattle’s Children Hospital every week during the season.

This column is for my roommate Antony, who is more interested in playing Clash of Clans on his iPhone than watching SportsCenter. This column is for all those See KC at the Bat | Page 9

See W. Bball | Page 10

@DanRaffety

A

nytime a team loses four games in a row, one might expect the tension to be high the following week in practice. But for the LMU men’s basketball team, the attitude is anything but panicked.

The Lions began the break on a high note, beating Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and La Sierra University, and then defeated Brigham Young Univeresity (BYU) and the University of San Diego to start conference play 2-0. But playing four conference games in the first week got to the traveling team that has only played five home games this entire season.

The team lost to both the University of San Francisco and Santa Clara University on the road. The Lions didn’t make a single 3-pointer in the city by the bay, and missed too many free throws against the Broncos.

Despite the Lions’ Jekyll-and-Hyde performance over the last eight games, the struggling squad still has a chance to finish in the top half of the standings in the ever-competitive West Cost Conference (WCC).

The Lions face the University of Portland Pilots tonight in a showdown at 7 p.m. in Gersten Pavilion, which could be a swing game for the remainder of the season. If the Lions win, they have necessary momentum. If they lose, they are three games below .500 in the

Kevin Halladay-Glynn | Loyolan

Senior point guard Anthony Ireland (left) drives to the basket in an earlier game. Ireland has shouldered the scoring load with opposing defenses focusing on freshman guard Evan Payne. conference, which would complicate plans to finish in the top half of the WCC at season’s end.

The Lions haven’t lost yet at home in five games, but they face off against a team that traveled to then No. 1 Michigan State

University early in the season and not only put up a competitive game against the mighty Spartans, but followed the performance up with a win over Gonzaga University in Portland on Saturday night.

See Raff’s Rap | Page 11