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In a released affidavit, a parent admitted to asking to get his son into LMU. Isabella Murillo News Editor @LALoyolan
Among the many parents accused of taking part in a nationwide college admissions scam, Douglas Hodge, former CEO of Pimco, was wire-tapped and found to have paid to get two of his kids into USC and one into Georgetown University, as well as trying to get his fourth child into LMU. In the affidavit released by the Boston Herald, Hodge paid more than $500,000 in bribes to secure his kids' admissions into top universities, framing them as athletic recruits for sports they never played. Rick Singer, who worked for two college
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counseling firms, was at the head of the college admissions scandal. Eventually, he agreed to talk to clients while the FBI listened through wiretap, in order to get a reduced sentence. "People who mainly rely on merit cannot compete with people who are able to bribe up to 500k," Abby Koehler, a junior marketing major said. The OC Weekly published the conversations Singer had with clients recorded. In one conversation, Hodge talked with Singer about getting his fourth child into LMU. "So LMU, when we went down the last time—and this is where, you know, this is the [Singer] magic at work—I remember you saying, 'Well, listen, if you want LMU and you want to commit to LMU, let me know. Because, you know, this is one of the schools where you have
developed relationships,'" said Hodge in the recording. "And we can get it done," Singer said. "Like, LMU is my first choice. Because once you go to bat for him ... that’s pretty much a done deal, right?" said Hodge. "Correct, yeah," Singer said. Singer gave verbal confirmation that he had developed relationships at LMU and could get Hodge's son admitted. In a viral YouTube video called "I went to school with Olivia Jade...the real problem," YouTuber Harlow Brooks talked about her experiences at Marymount High School in Brentwood, without mentioning the name of the high school, and how it was wellknown that students could get in through fraudulent acts. "You hear a lot of stuff about, you know, 'Oh, my dad just bought a building at LMU so I don't have to worry about getting in,'"
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said Brooks. "That's not something that's uncommon, and I feel like we've all known that there's a lot of schools that are 'pay to play.'" In an email, President Snyder said that while LMU was referenced "incidentally" in court documents, "neither the university, nor its employees, have been accused of any wrongdoing." Snyder further stated that the University has no knowledge of any "fraudulent or unlawful behaviors" concerning admissions. Despite this, LMU has enlisted Holland & Knight, a national law firm, to review its admissions policies. Snyder ended the message by claiming that the University will take appropriate measures if the firm uncovers any misconduct or areas for improvement. Faculty and students received this message via email on March 22.
University registrar Kathy Reed announces retirement A valuable member of the community, Reed has worked for the University for 43 years. Austin Woods
Asst. News Editor @LALoyolan
Kathy Reed, the University registrar, recently announced her retirement after a long commitment of working at LMU, as she wants to spend more time living her life outside of the University. “As I approached retirement age, I started considering my options,” Reed said. “Friends and family are retiring and are off doing amazing things. I want to do the same while I am in good health and
have the energy to do what I want to do.” Reed has been connected to LMU for a number of years, as she is an alumna of the University. She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in English and a teaching credential. “When I was preparing to take the SAT ... I selected Loyola University of Los Angeles—[this was prior to the merger between Loyola University and Marymount college]—as the testing site,” she said. “I walked up the stairs to Seaver 200 and paused and looked out over campus. I decided this was where I needed to be … My time as a student was phenomenal.” After graduating, Reed decided that she wanted to begin her master’s program. Upon learning that there was an opening
in what was then known as computing services, she applied and was hired. Now, after working at the University for so many years, Reed is immensely grateful for everything she has learned and experienced through her time as the registrar. “Forty-three years carry too many individual memories to be able to decipher favorites,” she said. “I will say it has always been about the people, [including the] students, faculty and staff, who have made this time so awesome.” According to Reed, the most valuable lesson she’s taken away from her time at LMU, including her time as a student, is that the “people matter.” “Each person matters,” she said. “Each
interaction with each person matters and you need to bring your best game to every encounter. Meet people where they are and figure out how to collaborate. The best answers are rarely the easiest answers.” While she is looking forward to her retirement, Reed said she will miss the LMU community. “I will miss the people and the place,” she said. “I will not miss the traffic on the 105.” Jeffrey Seeger, associate registrar for academic records, has worked with Reed for 35 years. Seeger said he is sad to see her go, as he thinks of her more as a friend than a boss. See Reed | Page 3
Campus celebrates Holi festival
Owen Markham | Loyolan
ASLMU, Ethnic and Intercultural Services, the Residence Hall Association, South Asian Students Association and Office for International Student Services hosted Holi celebration, the festival of colors and love, on March 22.
Gloria Santillan | Loyolan
Kathy Reed has not only worked for LMU for 43 years but also completed her undergraduate degree here. "I will miss the people and the place," said Reed.
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Coworkers reflect on Reed’s legacy Reed from Page 1
“She has a terrific life of her own outside of LMU so it doesn’t surprise me that she wants to devote herself full-time to that,” Seeger said. “She has an incredible spirit that keeps her moving forward. I’m sad, as I’m sure everyone in the office is. [Her retirement] is very hard.”
“I don’t think she’ll ever actually leave [LMU]. She’ll always be connected here.” Seeger said that one of Reed’s most outstanding qualities as the University registrar has been her ability to seamlessly move between working with large systems and smaller individual cases. “The large picture is important because that’s when you’re looking at what we call enterprise systems,” Seeger said. “These aren’t just student records —they’re things like admissions, student accounts and financial aid. Those are huge systems. And then we add on things like PROWL and Degree Works and so on. All of that takes a tremendous amount of work. You can also find her at her desk dealing with individual cases of students who want one thing or another.”
In the context of the entire LMU community, Seeger said that Reed has always been notable for her care for students. “That’s always what drives Kathy,” he said. “It’s all about the students. She’s always ensuring that the student is number one.” Robert Nitsos, associate registrar for student records systems, echoed this sentiment. “She has real love for the University,” Nitsos said. “She really cares about the students, faculty and staff. She values the University and its mission, and I think she exemplifies that every day in the office.” Nitsos has worked with Reed for 20 years. He said that her tremendous ability to lead stems largely from the fact that she is an alumna, as this enhances her perspective on things. Reed’s extensive knowledge of LMU’s history and past policies and procedures especially contribute to her leadership skills, according to Nitsos. Nitsos said that he is sad to see Reed go, but he believes that her legacy as an important member of the LMU community will always remain. “I don’t think she’ll ever actually leave [LMU],” he said. “She’ll always be connected here.”
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Snyder’s admissions review sets example
Board Editorial Jacob Cornblatt Editor-in-Chief
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Board Editorials represent the voice of the Loyolan. They are written in collaboration by the Executive Editorial Board.
T
he college admissions scandal has taken the news by storm for the past few weeks, and it seems far from over. The L.A. Times published an article on Sunday pondering a mystery $6.5 million bribe, and on Monday, Dr. Dre was called out for donating $70 million to USC before his daughter’s acceptance. The Loyolan is proud to note that LMU is finally doing something about the scandal by seeking to confirm that the University has acted within LMU policies. This is a spectacular step by the University — for it both acknowledges the far reaching implications of the college admissions scandal and sets an example for other universities to follow. In a letter to the LMU community, President Timothy Law Snyder stated that the University has no knowledge of “fraudulent or unlawful behaviors surrounding student admissions. Nevertheless, we seek to confirm that we have acted ... in the spirit of the mission.” The University has hired a national law firm, Holland and Knight, to conduct a review of the University’s admission policies and practices in order to uncover any possible misconduct. The cheating scandal demonstrates the ways in which money can be abused by those in power, as discussed in a Loyolan opinion article published last week. The scandal did not merely uncover the problems with a select group of schools or individuals: it detailed a systematic inadequacy in the admissions process. By hiring an external council to determine if LMU has the same problems, Snyder’s actions send a clear
message to other schools: it is time to deconstruct the power of wealth in college admissions. It is unclear what—if anything—this investigation will uncover, and we hope that the University will share the findings with us. In the event that something does turn up, we as students have the right to be angry. However, we should also be appreciative that the University is attempting to solve any problems it may have. Structural problems that are a part of any given system (such as legal ways to improve applicants’ chances of being accepted, like donating large sums of money) are difficult to combat. More importantly, they will never go away automatically. Taking active measures, like LMU has, are one of the only ways to protect the reputation and fairness of the U.S. educational system. California, the state where the scandal hit hardest, is also actively looking for ways to solve this problem. This problem of inequality in college admissions is not going to be resolved any time soon. Luckily, however, the public is more aware of the issue than ever. If we—along with the media and our politicians—continue to express outrage over deficiencies in higher education, we will be heard. LMU’s recent move is evidence of this. However, universities should not stop here, but work towards greater changes in the education system as a whole. With more action like LMU’s, the admissions process can become a holistic, honest and fair part of the educational system in this country.
“Taking active measures like LMU has are one of the only ways to protect the reputation and fairness of the U.S. educational system.”
Understanding our own implicit biases Sami Says Sami Leung Senior Editor @LALoyolan
E
veryone has biases, it’s inherent in our interactions. We all develop thoughts and stereotypes about people as we grow up, and many of them are useful and help us navigate social situations. However, some biases can be negative and harmful. LMU’s Implicit Bias Initiative (IBI), launched in Oct. 2016, focuses on helping members of the LMU community recognize their own implicit biases and uses this knowledge to promote a more diverse and open environment. In a society where explicit prejudice may be less common, implicit bias is an increasingly important topic. While keeping the positives of implicit bias workshops in mind, implicit biases shouldn’t be interpreted as the primary motivator for someone’s behavior. Implicit bias awareness should be used to fight our own ignorance, not as a way to be hyper-aware of racism or prejudice in every interaction. Implicit bias is usually defined as an unconscious attitude or preference that can affect our decisions, opinions and how we treat people. It’s a universal experience, coined by psychologists Mahzarin Banaji and Anthony Greenwald in 1995, though
it has recently come to more national awareness as an explanation for racial micro-aggressions and police shootings of white officers against black people. If implicit bias is subconscious, as some say, how can you even know it exists? While the inexplicit nature of implicit bias makes it difficult to study, there is a growing body of research on the existence of implicit bias. For example, a study done on implicit bias and behavior showed that implicit anti-
black bias in white people was correlated with less generosity towards black people. “The idea that non-conscious processes influence us at this point is well— established,” said Adam Fingerhut, a professor in the psychology department who is one of the leaders of LMU’s implicit bias workshops. “Definitively, nonconscious priming affects both attitudes and behaviors.” See Implicit bias | Page 8
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LOYOLAN EDITORIAL POLICY The Los Angeles Loyolan, a student-run campus organization, publishes a 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 offcampus 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.
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Implicit bias affects our perception of people before we know them. Without even knowing it exists, it can shape your world view.
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OPINION
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Students need to get better news habits Speck and Spielmann Cristobal Spielmann Opinion Intern @LALoyolan
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he Economist published an article on March 14 titled, “Japan says transgender people must be sterilized.” The article discussed a Supreme Court case in Japan that deemed requiring sterilization surgery for transgender individuals to be constitutional, and the response of liberal Japanese activists and municipalities defended transgender rights. However, that was not the impression many got when The Economist’s Twitter account posted the article with the caption, “Should transgender people be sterilized before they are recognized?” which was the attention-grabbing lead question in the article. The account soon realized its mistake, pulled the tweet and reposted the article in its intended context. This tragic incident brings to light an issue many students at LMU need to combat: how to become better consumers of the news. Like many students, I unfortunately get most of my news from social media, mainly Twitter. Of the 21 fellow students in the University Honors Program I contacted, 13
said the most common way they got their news was social media. “A lot of the times, Twitter is where I get my information,” said freshman communications major, Yazmine Ocampo. “Whenever people find out things it’s usually through Twitter.”
On the one hand, the advent of social media as a news source can help deliver important information at the fastest speed possible, and the reports from every-day people at the site of a protest or parade bring first-person accounts center-stage without the need for a national platform.
@TheEconomist via Twitter
An earlier now deleted tweet made by The Economist earlier this month shows irresponsible titling aimed to be shared on social media.
Unfortunately, a reliance on social media has more than enough downsides. As the Washington Post highlights, the business of journalism isn’t just making sure people click on eye-catching articles, it’s sharing articles writers know people will like. Shareable articles, ones ripe for spreading on social media with quippy headlines and attractive topics, can draw more media traffic from demographics that will consistently share a site’s content. That can give way to explicitly catering to those audiences on social media rather than reporting what needs to be said. This explains why fake news thrives online — fake news is absurdly shareable. “Sometimes it needs to be spread, especially if it’s something really important,” said Ocampo. “But I guess it could be a bad thing because your instinct is to just retweet it rather than talk about the issue.” These shareable issues can often blur the line for readers trying to understand if an article is an analysis/opinion piece or a news story, and can lead to people consuming only one or two sources that satisfy their own biases. “I like to think I can [tell the difference],” said freshman electrical engineering and computer science major, Ian Green. “But I think most people say that and can’t.” See Headlines | Page 8
OPINION
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Implicit bias awareness can promote relationships Implicit bias from Page 6
Also, several ways of measuring someone’s implicit bias have already been developed and shown to be effective. Perhaps the most famous is Benaji and Greenwald’s Project Implicit, conducted through Harvard, where you can go and have your implicit bias against a variety of groups—including race, skin tone, gender, weight and religion—tested. LMU’s IBI continues this dialogue on our campus with workshops first for faculty and staff, and now for students as well. Most recently, the President’s Leadership Development Retreat on implicit bias held an event titled “Did They Really Just Say That?! Being an Active Bystander,” on March 21. Psychology professors Nora Murphy and Fingerhut have also led implicit bias retreats for professors since Fall 2016, according to the LMU website, that first focuses on identifying implicit biases before discussing how to mitigate this bias at “individual and structural levels.” “That’s the great paradox of implicit bias: it is nonconscious and yet we are asking people to become aware of their biases. It is not an easy thing to do,” Fingerhut said. “At the same time, I think there are moments where what is implicit and non-conscious becomes more explicit ... where you catch yourself thinking a stereotype or catch yourself making an assumption.” After the workshop, most participants said that they
agreed that participating in the retreat had increased their “motivation to learn more about [their] own implicit bias,” according to a survey taken at the end of
“If the discrimination of your minority status—whether it’s your gender, sexuality, race, disability, or other— has been made the focus of your interactions, it can be hard to simply enjoy social connections.” one of the workshops. Clearly, training in implicit biases can have a positive effect in making people more aware of their unconscious misconceptions and stereotypes. However, implicit biases should not dominate your thinking. Give yourself and others grace in recognizing these biases and attempt to consciously adjust the stereotypes as they come into your conscious mind. Fingerhut suggested that if you catch yourself falling
into a negative assumption about someone, consciously think of a “counter stereotype,” or someone who is not representative of this group. Looking for negative behavior is not a good way to promote positive relationships. Don’t allow thoughts of implicit bias to cloud your interactions with people. Instead, try to give people the benefit of the doubt. A key aspect of implicit bias is that it can unintentionally guide our actions. Think about asking for more information to understand the reasoning behind their comment. Any offense could be unintentional. Maybe they’ve had a bad day, something that has nothing to do with you. And if they were truly being ignorant, use this to start a discussion and try to give them a second chance. The challenge of confronting our implicit biases is a great self-improvement strategy and can lead to more open discussions about our own shortcomings. LMU’s IBI is doing a great job of developing this discussion on campus and they should continue holding more implicit bias-focused events on campus. I hope, though, that you’re mindful and merciful on where you apply this newfound knowledge.
This is the opinion of Sami Leung, a senior psychology major from Cerritos, California. Tweet comments to @LAloyolan or email comments to editor@theloyolan.com.
Headlines are not the whole story, read further Headlines from Page 7
Legitimate subscription-based news sources like The New York Times and Chicago Tribune are being mislabeled as fake in favor of advertising share-based news sources like The Daily Wire and The Daily Caller, which can fall into a habit of making blatantly false stories to satisfy their consumers. This is before mentioning the massive economic hardships newspapers have gone through as a result of social media, essentially delivering the news for free. Total revenue for U.S. newspapers went from around $55 trillion in 2007 to an estimated $27 trillion in 2017. Reliable news cannot survive in this environment. So, what can a student at LMU do to end a poor news-diet? The best and most effective way to end a reliance on clickbait would be to purchase a subscription to a local and/or national newspaper publication you trust to fact-
check information and correct mistakes. Not only are you making a conscious decision as a consumer to support more trust-worthy media, but you’re also able to engage with topics on a more comprehensive level than you would with those with 280 characters. Try to read or subscribe to a source with a different point of view than your own, if only to see what the other side is arguing, but also be free to keep your own opinions and try not to fall into an extremist wormhole just on the other side. Just because you’re reading National Affairs or The Nation does not mean you have to now start tweeting out Breitbart or Natural News articles. Take advantage of resources on campus like the Hannon Library to better improve your network of sources from the 24/7 news cycle with archives and research preserved for the betterment of education. Look into opportunities the library holds like the recent
Wikipedia edit-a-thon to improve sourcing and representation for one of the most important resources of the modern age. Lastly, be sure to read the meat of an article before you share it with everyone
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Your comprehensive guide to public farting Let one go and enjoy a newfound appreciation for the art of fart. Jackson Walker Fellow Farter
Ladies and gentlemen, the time has come to talk about the silent killer that plagues our day-to-day existence. Kids who got an F in art know what I’m talking about. That’s right; farts. More specifically, farting and not owning up to it.
Jacob Johanson | Loyolan
Only when you have passed the first three levels are you ready to fart in the distribution center elevator.
Now, you may be reading this article thinking, “What the blithering biscuit is this buffoon going on about, I don’t fart, I am a perfect specimen simply incapable of such a detestable bodily function.” News flash: pediatricians across the nation have labeled fart-denial “an epidemic.” People deny their farting practices because it’s socially taboo, but they don’t understand the health risks involved. High blood pressure, arthritis, ADHD and thrombosis of the thumbs are possible consequences for deniers should they remain stuck in their ways. Luckily, fart acceptance is a skill, just like dancing or riding a bike, and can be practiced daily. The following are excellent settings to develop your fart game. 3. On the Way to Class. You’re merrily walking to your class whistling “Puff the Magic Dragon” when suddenly, the urge strikes. You feel it building up like a pressure cooker, but you don’t want to let it out amongst the hordes of students
walking along the U-Hall bridge for fear of causing them to suffer from a sudden and inexplicable case of acute asthma. Don’t worry, they won’t. Perform the ‘crop-dusting technique’. Yes, your imagination is serving you well. This technique is exceptionally handy as it allows for a quick getaway from the crime scene. Once you have reached a safe distance from the incident, smile ,you cheeky monkey — you did it! 2. During a Test. You’re in the middle of your sociology mid-term, and boom, it just comes out. This one wasn’t a slow burner, but a very audible phenomenon that would impress even the loudest trumpet player this side of the Mississippi River. Immediately, all you see are 30 disgusted faces staring at you. It’s very tempting to stay quiet or apologize, but then you’d be giving them what they want. Instead, return their hostile glances with a whimsical smile, Luna Lovegood style. Say something weird like “Oops, Horton hears a Poo,” to sufficiently diffuse the situation.
1. In the Library. You’re in the thicket of the first floor computers. You know it’s coming because you’ve made it a New Year’s resolution to be more in tune and accept your farts, so you let Jesus take the wheel and there she blows. Now is not the time to cower in your cloud of odorous shame. Stand up, slam the desk with your fists, and say “‘Twas me who dealt it!” Those around you will admire your courage and probably want to be friends. Give it a go, I met a chap named Charlie using this method of dealing with farts and we’re good friends to this very day. Follow these steps and you’re on your way to cultivating a warmer relationship with your farts. The Bluff advises you to practice in the gym because well, everybody farts in the gym — it’s a fact of life. Anywhere is fair game for toot tutorials. As a matter of fact, while I was writing this sentence I did the ol’ two cheek sneak. Go figure.
Clothing changes you can sink your teeth into #Extrameatyyum is a hashtag that has enough sustenance to feed the world. Andrew Dazé XXM
Summer is coming in hot. The only way to beat the heat is to look hotter than it feels. What better way to feel better than sporting some new outfits? This is the exact conversation that is happening in clothing board rooms all across America. They ask, “How can we move more material?” and they’ve come up with a devilish way to trick us. To stay ahead of the corporate curve, go to the store and buy something in your size. Next, head home and compare what you just purchased to something you’ve owned for a while. You guessed it, they won’t be the same size. Many companies are switching up the sizing charts on us domestically to push body positivity and drive sales. It
is common knowledge that obesity rates are increasing, and no one wants to buy clothes every year going from a medium to a large. To prevent this unfavorable situation, a new size has been introduced: extra medium has hit the shelves in the first quarter of 2019. This new size is taking the place of large and bumping large up to extra large. Zara Chief Marketing Officer Zoro Zuru says, “You people are getting fatter and fatter and the negative association with getting fat is making clothing harder to sell. So we tricked you!” This change has sparked an outcry for body acceptance. The hashtag #extrameatyyum has blown up all across social media demanding true-to-size fitting. Sammithy Jennings, spokesperson for the Extra Meaty Yum organization said, “We are tired of being lied to. Tell us how it is and we can decide for ourselves what and how to buy as well as it should fit.” Are you for extra medium or extra meaty yum? I for one love something I can sink my teeth into. Like a good story.
Ellen Na | Loyolan
“Clothing labels don’t mean anything anymore, do they, sir?”
The Bluff is a humorous and satirical section published in the Loyolan. All quotes attributed to real figures are completely fabricated; persons otherwise mentioned are completely fictional.
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life+arts
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Laband showcases senior artists On campus art gallery spotlights graduating seniors and their projects. Donna Borges Life+Arts Intern @donnaborgess
The senior graphic design thesis exhibition, “Unexplored,” is open at the Thomas P. Kelly Jr. Student Art Gallery and features art projects by twelve graduating seniors. The exhibit is a consummation of what senior graphic design students have learned while attending LMU. The show opened this past Friday, March 22. According to LMU alumnus and adjunct professor Samir Naimi, each project focuses on a social issue that the artist is passionate about. Through extensive research, the students further educated themselves about these topics. They brought these discoveries and ideas to life using graphic design to share their chosen social issues with the public. The gallery opened with presentations by the students about their art and the research surrounding it. Echo Yang, a sophomore finance major and studio arts minor, attended the presentation to support her friend Yue Wang, whose art is featured in the gallery. “Everyone put [in] a lot of effort and did an amazing job. I heard that some of the students stayed up until 3 a.m. to finish setting up,” Yang said. The topics of the projects vary, including coping with anxiety, the importance of pollinators to our ecosystem and the stereotypes that Americans hold against people and cultures from the Middle East.
Daniel Akavi, a senior graphic design major, created “The Absurdity of Anxiety,” a project that tackles the subject of coping with an anxiety disorder. His goal was to show how anxiety makes one think that something unreasonable could possibly occur in real life. His research proves just how relevant his project is and how it can have an impact on gallery visitors. According to his abstract, “Anxiety disorder affects 40 million adults in the U.S. alone. Of that number, only 36.9 percent receive any professional treatment.” Aurora Occelli, a senior graphic design major, chose to focus on the important role that pollinators play in our ecosystems. She takes a look at how pesticides are harming pollinators and “inadvertently destroying our crops, our food supply and our future.” According to her abstract, “One out of every three bites of food we consume exists because of winged farming aids, such as bees, birds and butterflies.” Kuwaiti international student and senior graphic design major Mariam Alnahedh decided to look into the stereotypes that Americans hold against people from the Middle East, specifically people from Kuwait. She wants to educate Americans about the people of Kuwait by comparing what Americans thought about Kuwaitis and what Kuwaitis thought of themselves. “I learned that people back home really are offended by the thoughts of people in the U.S. — the stereotypes being applied to several countries rather than just one person is cruel,” Alnahedh said. She decided that her project should be “something big, bold and in Arabic. I created both the English and Arabic type by myself throughout the year and I’m
happy that several people have thought about speaking to me about my process while keeping an open mind,” said Alnahedh. The name “Unexplored” came from the students of the course, who also branded and planned the gallery. Naimi expressed that his own experience having gone through the thesis process as an LMU student proved invaluable while advising the students. “I provided them with guidance throughout the process,” Naimi said. “To me, ‘Unexplored’ is opening up doors to other parts of the world, to show people the Middle East through a different
lens. Exploring the unexplored: the normal, daily life of people in Kuwait. We chose that name because it’s ambiguous enough to work with, yet specific enough to apply to each project,” said Alnahedh about what the name means to her. The show is open to the public and closes at 5 p.m. on Friday, March 29. To learn more about the students and read the abstracts for their design projects, visit unexplored.lmu.build.
via Facebook
Senior graphic design students showcase their thesis projects in “Unexplored.” They all researched a significant social issue and created an art piece to bring them to life.
The Lair rolls out new changes this spring Sammi Side Up
Sammi Su
Life+Arts Intern @laloyolan
As the first signs of spring appear, many of us have seen some notable changes within the Lair, from new decor to a new and updated menu. Last week, we saw the appearance of two pop-up spots: “Shrimp Boil” on Tuesday and “Malone Market” on Wednesday. This Monday, we were treated to chicken and waffles. Now all these pop-up events have left many of us relatively confused as we all wonder what else there is to expect. What has been happening to the Lair?
To address the confusion and criticism against on-campus food, we reached out to Sodexo to find out what’s really going on with all the changes in the Lair. Dana Massimiani—the director of operations for Sodexo—listed three of the biggest concerns received from student feedback including “food fatigue,” a lack of new selections and a lack of classic items/comfort foods. After six months of similar items on the menu, the common reaction is food fatigue, which Massimiani said is one of the major things he has to pay attention to when making decisions. He also addressed that his other goal is to “create an atmosphere that’s more conducive to a positive experience … [through] some positively reinforced messaging,
so now when you walk in the Lair, it says ‘Smile,’ ‘It’s gonna be a great day!’ or ‘Welcome!’” Joan Chang, Sodexo Unit Marketing Specialist, added that over the winter break, Bose speakers were installed into the dining spaces to dull out the lively bustle of the Lair and create a better ambiance to improve the overall experience. Some other changes that were implemented include the added pop-up services, like themed meals and themed community tables. Inspired by the concept of the Boston Market, “Malone Market” is a once-a-week event. Sprouts, once the vegan section, is now split into a part-vegan, partnon-vegan dining spot, serving more classic dishes such as tri-tip, mashed potatoes and mac n’ cheese.
Sammi Su | Loyolan
The Lair is the main dining hall on campus and Sodexo is working to update it based on student feedback.
Additional dishes that are being added to the standard list of items include vegetable paella and stuffed eggplants, straying away from the daily enchiladas and staple items at the vegan station. Recently, the Lair installed new displays, including a mood board that lists featured items on the menu and an up-to-date calendar of all the food offerings for the month. The color-changing mood board is by the condiments table in the center of the dining space and the added tablet is installed on the pillar between the two checkout locations in the Lair. This calendar listing of the full menu is also accessible through the Bite by Sodexo app (access code on LMU dining social media). In addition to the new decor and options, starting this month, the Lair provides seasonal fruits in addition to the usual produce. Through the use of surveys, Massimiani and the rest of the staff are addressing other complaints,
such as the opening of too many sandwich shops on campus, the fate of community table and how to provide efficient and quality service in the Lair. Starting this month, the Lair is providing seasonal fruits (i.e. blueberries and strawberries) that will be available along with the existing selection of fresh produce. Furthermore, until the end of the semester, Massimiani noted that there will be a new item added to the Lair menu every day, mostly in relation to the calendar and events pertaining to the specific date. To make your voice heard, the Lair is now accepting feedback through their social media, direct text messaging system, website and an anonymous comment box at the entrance of the Lair.
This is the opinion of Sammi Su, a freshman marketing major from West Covina, CA. Tweet comments to @laloyolan or email comments to aboulas@theloyolan.
Sammi Su | Loyolan
Seasonal blueberries and strawberries are now available in the Lair.
life+arts
Preview Day 2019
laloyolan.com
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Disney D-Lish Sammi Side Up
Sammi Su
Life+Arts Intern @laloyolan
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Resource Fair A showcase of LMU’s clubs and organizations
Sunday, April 14, 2:30–4:30 p.m. Show incoming students what Lion pride is all about! In order to attend, you must register your club with Jonna German: jonna.german@lmu.edu Please register by April 3. Sponsored by Undergraduate Admission
arlier this year, Disney introduced a new line of merchandise featuring some of their park’s most coveted food items, from donut ear headbands to Dole-Whip-shaped purses to pizza socks. Labeled under the “D-Lish” collection, here are six things to watch out for the next time you visit Disneyland: 6. Disney Food Icon Coasters Shaped like Mickey Mouse and colorfully decorated, these themed coasters are a must-have for any Disney fan that loves the awesome food choices in the Disney parks. 5.Disney Parks Food Icon String Lights Whether you live in a dorm or apartment, these string lights are a fun addition to the room decor. They showing off that Disney love with a chain of blue Mickey Mouse and yellow Dole Whip lights. Small and convenient, these lights are sure to brighten up your day when you walk into your room. 4. Scented Food Pillow Can’t get enough of the soft, scented Ufufies? Fear not— in addition to the soft Ufufy collection, Disney has now added a new collection of plushies that is entirely food-themed, including a delicious-looking Mickey Mouse bar plush that consistently gives off a soft chocolate-y perfume.
3. “You Had Me At Pizza” T-shirt “You Had Me at Pizza” is the thing you need to show off your true love for pizza. This cute Minnie Mouse Pizza t-shirt is one of many pizza-themed items at the parks, and it comes in an actual pizza box to complete the pizza experience. 2. Pineapple Swirl Bag The Dole Whip is one of the most-loved food items of the Disney parks, and now Disney has added a series of Dole Whipthemed items to their collection. One of those items is a miniature Dole Whip-shaped crossbody bag. Vibrantly colored and topped with a miniature tiki umbrella, the purse is a must-have for Dole Whip fans. 1. Donut Ears Headband Last on the list are donut ears headbands. Disney is well-known for producing a comprehensive set of themed ear headbands, and starting in 2019, they will be offering a new variation. To fully immerse into the Disney fandom, what better way is there than to top it off with a donut ear headband? All these items are available in select parks only at the moment, but there are rumors that Disney will still be adding to the collection as the year continues, so keep your eyes open.
This is the opinion of Sammi Su, a freshman marketing major from West Covina, CA. Tweet comments to @twitter or email comments to aboulas@theloyolan.
life+arts
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Amoeba to move out of iconic store Electric Emma
Emma Averill Life+Arts Intern @laloyolan
A
fter years of being in limbo, Amoeba Music, an iconic Hollywood record store, is leaving its current space for a slightly smaller one nearby. In 2015, Amoeba Hollywood sold their property for a reported $34 million to a holding company associated with GPI Companies. The store was able to lease the location back for a couple of years, but ultimately the company plans to replace the record store with a residential apartment building over 20 stories high. Buzz of this news filtered all throughout the internet, and long-time fans of Amoeba feared this could be the end. But in 2017, Amoeba put rumors to rest with a Facebook post ensuring that the store will not leave L.A., but is “now in a position where [Amoeba] may have to change locations in the coming years.” On March 14, 2019, the Los Angeles City Planning Commission voted to reject an appeal to halt the project, moving forward plans for the store’s relocation.
vxlu via Flickr
Amoeba Music’s location in Hollywood, where it has been since 2001. The store sells media of all kinds. Luckily for music fans, Amoeba won’t leave Hollywood. In fact, the branch hopes to only have to move a block or so away. And, following Amoeba Berkeley, the new Hollywood location will seek permits to open a smallbusiness marijuana dispensary. Still, this move is a big deal for local music lovers, since so much of a record store’s appeal comes from the space itself. It’s
not uncommon for people to head to Amoeba and spend hours in the store, browsing records alongside others equally as passionate about music. Julia Hilbert, a freshman film and television production major, especially loved exploring Amoeba. “I left with so much new music,” she told me. “The store has such a diverse selection of music and an overall lovely vibe.”
Amoeba Music is the world’s largest independent record store with locations in Berkeley, San Francisco and Hollywood. Since opening its doors in the ‘90s, Amoeba has served as a paradise for music lovers ready to shop for vinyl records, CDs, DVDs, books and other music and pop culture merchandise. Amoeba also hosts free live performances and record release
parties. The store even holds local concert ticket giveaways on their Twitter account. Amoeba Music’s Hollywood location opened its doors in 2001. Stretching an entire city block on Sunset Boulevard, Amoeba Hollywood is the largest independent music store in the world. As a big fan of both Amoeba and historic architecture, I’m sad to see the location go. From the glowing neon Amoeba Music sign on the storefront to the giant mural on the side of the building to their massive corner location on Sunset Boulevard, this nearly 20-yearold building captures the essence of Hollywood architecture. However, I’m confident that Amoeba is aware of the importance of their space, and that the new location won’t disappoint. As best put by their Facebook post, “Amoeba is defined by WHO we are not WHERE we are.” So, if you don’t get the chance to say goodbye to this old location, know that the Amoeba community will surely live on.
This is the opinion of Emma Averill, a freshman civil engineering major from Porter Ranch, CA. Tweet comments to @LALoyolan or email comments to aboulas@theloyolan.com.
SFTV tightens security Breakast at BBCM SFTV rolls out additional security measures to keep students safe. Cormac Dolezal
Asst. Life+Arts Editor @cormacdolezal
In order to create a safer work space at night, LMU’s School of Film and Television is in the process of rolling out extra security measures, such as locking doors earlier, having student workers stay later and installing a card reader at the front of the building. This change comes as a result of a growing anxiety from film students who do a majority of their work alone at night. “There was a general feeling from female students that they were not safe in the basement when they were editing because there wasn’t a lot of people around ... there was nothing that happened, it was just an issue that was brought to our attention,” said Ken Ornstein, head of production administration at SFTV. A meeting between SFTV faculty and Public Safety resulted in several changes that have already been put in effect. After 11 p.m. the only access to the Communication and Fine Arts building will be through the front entrance, and the loading dock will be locked at midnight.
There’s also a general focus on increasing positive traffic within the film school, especially at night. Public Safety will continue patrol sweeps of the building starting at 10 p.m., and two student workers will be working in the basement until 10 p.m., Monday through Friday. “We are also improving on a space for students to hang out [in the basement] to encourage students to be down there as opposed to the lobby,” Ornstein said. A card reader will be installed at the front of the film school and the loading walk-in door. Only students and faculty within the school will be given card access in an effort to cut down on unwanted traffic. There is also a plan to install a security lock with an alarm that will be added to the double door in the Communication and Fine Arts hallway between the lobby and the stages. Students seem generally pleased with the school’s active role in introducing these new safety measures. However, the fact that we have to be so cautious in the first place can be displeasing. “It’s wise for LMU to prioritize the protection of their equipment and the safety of their students,” said Emma Forthofer, sophomore film and television production major. “It’s just disappointing that they have to now go to these lengths to do so.”
via LMU Communications
SFTV has decided to enact new safety measures to protect the students and school.
DJ Donna
Donna Borges Life+Arts Intern @donnaborgess
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love breakfast burritos, and I’ve been on an informal hunt for the best one in Southern California. A few weeks ago on a rainy afternoon, I went to The Butcher, The Baker, and The Cappuccino Maker (The BBCM) on Sunset Blvd. to celebrate my roommate’s birthday. The menu featured a variety of breakfast foods, including their popular Banana Foster French Toast and Ricotta Pancakes — but I was pleasantly surprised to see that the menu also offered a breakfast burrito and a BBCM Latte, which features a colorful weblike floral design. The interior of the cafe is sleek and simple with white walls and white marble tables. There was a pop of color with the bright yellow booths that line the walls, which added an upscale, elegant look. Although it was raining when I visited the cafe, BBCM usually offers outdoor seating on their tiled courtyard patio with string lights hanging over the tables. This was not your classic diner breakfast burrito. This was an L.A. style, more health-focused breakfast burrito. It came complete with scrambled eggs, chickenapple sausage, kale, cheese and avocado wrapped up in a whole wheat tortilla and was served with what might have been the best rosemary potatoes I have ever had in my life. The BBCM Cafe defines their menu as, “offering modern California cuisine with European influences.” With the addition of avocado and kale in the burrito, the typical California influence is clear. At first, I was a little hesitant about the
idea of the kale in a breakfast burrito. But the kale worked well with the overall flavor and contrasted with the heaviness of the eggs and sausage. While the burrito impressed me, the much-anticipated BBCM Latte was a little disappointing. While the color and design on top of the latte was as beautiful as I had expected, the flavor was lacking. I ordered a vanilla latte but I really didn’t get a strong vanilla taste at all. I also didn’t care for the flavor of the espresso itself, which was a little too bitter and lacked depth. I would give the breakfast burrito eight out of 10 stars — because of the unique approach to the mix of flavors. If I had to rate the latte it would probably get four out of 10 stars, mostly for the aesthetic — not for the flavor. This is the opinion of Donna Borges, a sophomore marketing major from Rancho Cucamonga, CA. Tweet comments to @donnaborgess or email comments to aboulas@theloyolan.com.
via Donna Borges
BBCM Cafe’s breakfast burrito and colorful latte, which wasn’t quite up to par.
life+arts
‘Us’ is no ‘Get Out’ Cormac ‘n Cheese
Cormac Dolezal
Asst. Life+Arts Editor @cormacdolezal
F
ollowing his debut Oscar-winning film “Get Out,” the expectations for Jordan Peele’s new movie “Us” could not have been higher. Unfortunately for Peele and audiences, however, “Us” fails to meet the bar set by its predecessor. “Us” begins with a seemingly regular family vacationing at their Santa Cruz beach house. However, upon the arrival of their own murderous doppelgangers wearing red jumpsuits and brandishing large scissors, the family vacation quickly turns into a family nightmare. Oscar winner Lupita Nyong’o plays the mother of the family while Winston Duke, Shahadi Wright Joseph and Evan Alex play the father, sister and brother, respectively. Each family member also plays their own doubles as well. With the establishment of likable characters as well as some inspired cinematography from Mike Gioulakis, the film starts off really strong. However, after the initial home invasion from the family’s doppelgängers, “Us” struggles with its tone and pacing. Having spent a large portion of his career in sketch comedy, Jordan Peele is no stranger to making people laugh, and the comedy at the beginning of the film is well suited. However, once everything starts going wrong, it becomes pretty jarring to cut from a close up of a sobbing Nyong’o fearing for her children’s lives to the family joking about their kill counts of the day. Walking the line between comedy and horror isn't an easy thing to do; where
“Get Out” succeeded in this regard, “Us” ultimately failed. There's also an extremely present issue of stakes in this movie. The evil family’s initial attack is captivating but afterward, there's very little tension. You never feel like the family is ever in any particular danger, and the plot becomes so convoluted that it’s hard to be scared when you’re just trying to figure out what’s going on. Generally, there's very little horror in this horror movie, and it will be interesting to see if, like “Get Out,” the general perception of the film’s genre changes from horror to thriller.
“The biggest issue with this film ultimatly results from the plot itself.” The biggest issue with this film ultimatly results from the plot itself. As the movie progresses, the circumstances become harder and harder to follow, and it seems as if the film is riddled with plot holes. “Us” isn't a bad film. The acting is really strong and there are some really great moments. There's just a general lack of clarity of what is being said. While “Get Out” was extremely layered and rich with subtext, “Us” seems to glance over topics, such as consumerism and class, without really saying anything. Jordan Peele is quickly becoming one of the biggest filmmakers in the industry, and I have no doubt that he will continue to make truly important films in the future. “Us” just wasn't one of them. [Rating: C-] This is the opinion of Cormac Dolezal, a sophomore film and television production major from Woodbury, MN. Tweet comments to @cormacdolezal or email comments to aboulas@theloyolan.com.
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SPORTS
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Brothers join forces on club rugby team Rugby from Page 20
For the Scharberg brothers, this is the first year they have been able to play on the same team. During their years in high school that they both played rugby, Eric was on the junior varsity team while Jeff played for varsity. What first got Jeff involved with the LMU rugby team his freshman year was the sense of community and kinship it offered. During his sophomore year, he took on the role of corookie captain alongside Mason. They were responsible for helping with the recruitment of new players and maintaining that environment. “In many ways [as a co-rookie captain], you act like a big brother to [the team]. I’m a team leader and I see myself as a big brother to a lot of these people, and now it’s my younger brother too,” said Jeff. When Quinn and Eric joined the team earlier this year, they felt immediately embraced by the team. “Straight off the bat, I felt like one of the guys,” Eric said. Another freshman on the rugby team, Comer Wadzeck, said that having the two pairs of brothers helps connect the group as a whole. “Being brand new this season to rugby, [and] never having
played it before, I was pretty anxious,” said Wadzeck. “But having brothers on the team, the junior-freshman gap gets bridged a little bit, and you instantly become a part of the family.” Near the end of the season, Mason suffered an injury. During the recovery process, Quinn helped his brother in any way he could. “My younger brother was there every step of the way,” said Mason. “[Quinn] really made sure that none of my day-to-day life was interfered with too much.” Almost a week later, Quinn also suffered an injury. As Mason put it, he was able to return the favor of care and support for his younger brother. “His [injury]ended up happening [about] a week after mine. So, right when I started to recover, he got a pretty bad one too,” said Mason. “I had to go ahead and return the favor [nearly] instantly, which I found kind of funny and perfect.” Regarding how their brotherly bond affects them on the field, Mason said that the chemistry of growing up together helps them connect during a game. “I also definitely get a lot more upset when people hit him,” said Mason. To Quinn, the entire team is made up of a band of brothers. “You need to be able to trust absolutely everyone on the field,” Quinn said. “You get knocked
via Jeff Scharberg
via Quinn Willrich
Mason and Quinn Willrich (left) and Jeff and Eric Scharberg (right) are two pairs of brothers playing on the rugby team this year. to the ground and you have to really trust that your teammate will run over there and help you out and be in the right position
for you, to sacrifice himself as well in order for the whole team to be successful.” Jeff shared the same sentiment.
“The best way to define it is brotherhood — and this one also happens to be made up of blood brothers,” Jeff said.
B-ball best team since 1990 and should be an encouraging sign to the athletic department and to students that LMU basketball is not dead. This team is not the 1990 team, featuring a top 25 ranking and trip to the NCAA tournament regional finals, but this team was never expected to be. Instead, they exceeded expectations, becoming LMU’s best basketball team since Hank Gathers and Bo Kimble laced up their shoes at Gersten Pavilion. It is unfortunate that not as many Lion fans could be in attendance in what could have been this historic
Ohara Riffel | Loyolan
Junior center Mattias Markusson (14) has been one of the Lions’ biggest contributers this season, recording 27 blocks overall this season. Basketball from Page 20
Markusson’s size has been elemental all season long, as his 10.3 points per game rank second on the team and his 6.3 rebounds rank first. Along with his size being a factor on the offensive end with scoring and rebounding, his defense has contributed to one of the best defenses in all of college basketball. Markusson’s 27 blocks on the season rank most on the team. One of the Lions’ defensive stars was Joe Quintana, whose pesky defense was able to account for three steals in the tournament win over Brown. Quintana trails only Batemon on total steals for this season, as Batemon has been the Lions’ lead on both ends of the court. However, the leader and primary star of the Lions defense was the
always dependable senior guard Jeffery McClendon. McClendon, who also tied Quintana for the team lead in steals with three in Monday’s game, has been an excellent defender for the Lions for much of his career at LMU, often times taking on the most difficult assignments on defense this season. McClendon’s ability to make winning hustle plays, dive for loose balls and make key plays on defense has helped the Lions maintain the 62.7 point average they have held their opponents to all season long. Grabbing 22 wins and a semifinals trip in the CBI tournament might not sound like an outstanding achievement when the rest of America is watching basketball powerhouses duke it out in March Madness, but what LMU has achieved this season is historic
“That’s the main motto to go with: win or go home.” team’s final home game. If the program can find ways to replace the offensive production from Batemon as long as his and McClendon’s defensive contributions, this could be the start of new era in LMU basketball, heading up instead of down and ready to compete rather than rebuild. “We know it’s win or go home. [If] we lose, our season is done and we don’t want to end our season yet,” said Batemon. “That’s the main motto to go with: win or go home.” This is the opinion of Miles Thomas, a sophomore Communications major from Hermosa Beach, CA. Tweet comments to @LALoyolan ot email comments to mthomas@theloyolan.com.
SPORTS
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Sogard’s family contributes to his success Sogard from Page 19
Alyssa Reece | Loyolan
Shortstop Nick Sogard prepares to make a throw in a win over Pacific on Friday, Mar. 22. Sogard grew up in a baseball family, with four of his relatives having played professionally.
While Sogard makes it clear that his family hasn’t placed any unwanted pressure on him to play baseball, he acknowledged the benefits that have come with their careers. “My dad and I were always throwing the ball around the house or in the backyard,” he said. “Baseball was always on TV as well. We all love it as a family, so it’s definitely a big part of our lives. I’ve definitely learned a lot from being around so many people that have had success playing this game ... And to get some quality information from people that do it at a high level has definitely helped me be a better player.” Sogard appears to have taken whatever advice his family has given him as he continues to improve every year at the plate. This season, Sogard’s .315 batting average is tied for first on the team, his onbase percentage of .407 is the second-best on the team and his slugging percentage is third-best on the team at .370. Sogard’s 10 stolen bases also rank first in the WCC. Despite the shortstop’s achievements on the field, one will be hard pressed to find him boasting about his achievements. In fact, when asked about his personal success on the field this season, Sogard immediately responded by speaking of the team’s success this season as a whole, a testament to his character and his status as a leader on the team. “We’ve been playing well. We’re always
looking for ways to improve, but I think we’re going be a tough group that’s going be able to win a lot of games going forward,” he said. Through the first half of his junior season, Sogard has already tied his career high in doubles with five. Sogard is also only one stolen base away from matching last year’s total, with 29 games still left to play. Furthermore, he was named to the preseason all-conference team by Perfect Game, a prestigious online baseball magazine and is still managing to exceed all expectations. When asked about why he plays the sport, it was evident that it’s not because of the influence of his family, or the influence of anyone else. “It’s what I love to do,” he said. Sogard and the rest of the LMU baseball team will take on the University of Portland on the road in a WCC matchup this weekend, beginning on March 29. Friday’s first pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m. and the game will be available to watch on the WCC website.
SPORTS
laloyolan.com Page 19
Nick Sogard: baseball in the bloodlines Shortstop goes down same path as family members before him. Zach Johnson Sports Intern @LALoyolan
Junior shortstop Nick Sogard has been an impactful player on LMU’s baseball team since his freshman year, when he started in 20 games. Since then, Sogard has been a staple in LMU’s lineup, starting 53 of 55 games his
sophomore year and all 23 of the Lions’ games so far this spring. While most people know of his success on the field, not many know how deep the game of baseball is ingrained in his family history. Sogard
is fortunate enough to have professional baseball players on each side of his family. His mother has two brothers who played in the major leagues and his father has two nephews who played professionally. Many Los Angeles Dodgers fans might recognize the names of Sogard’s uncles on his mother’s side: Steve and Dave Sax, who played together with the Los Angeles Dodgers in the ‘80s. Steve played 14 seasons in the big leagues from 1981-1994 as a second baseman, splitting his time between the Dodgers, Yankees, White Sox and Athletics organizations. He was a fivetime All-Star, won the World Series twice, won the Rookie of the Year Award in 1982 and a Silver Slugger award in 1986. Dave was a catcher who played parts of six seasons in the majors between the Dodgers and Red Sox from 1982-1987. On his father’s side, Sogard’s cousins also spent time in the major leagues. Alex Sogard played six seasons in the minor leagues with the Houston Astros and Arizona Diamondbacks organizations before retiring in 2015. Alex was named the head coach of the Wright State University baseball team in July 2018, taking over a program
with three NCAA tournament appearances in the last five years. Eric Sogard is currently in the Toronto Blue Jays spring training camp, trying to win a roster spot, but was a fan favorite for the Oakland Athletics during their 2013 and 2014 postseason appearances. Eric has appeared in a total of 584 games at the major league level so far, and has managed to find himself on a major league roster almost every year since 2010 due to his versatility and ability to put the ball in play. While some would think that having a family with ties to baseball would put pressure on Sogard to succeed, he says that all motivation has come directly from himself. “As far as living around the game, I wouldn’t say that affects my drive to play,” he said. “I’m driven to play as well as I can and push myself to be the best player I can be because it’s something that I’m passionate about. I wouldn’t say my drive to play comes from anywhere except from myself.”
See Sogard | Page 18
SPORTS
SCORES UPDATE 3-2 W
SOFTBALL
LION
vs. Cal Baptist
SPORTS
3-2 W
BASEBALL
vs. Washington State
5-0 W
Beach Volleyball
vs. Oregon
Basketball
81-63 W
vs. Brown
Follow us on Twitter @laloyolan for up-to-date scores.
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LOS ANGELES LOYOLAN | March 27, 2019 | laloyolan.com
Men's basketball makes history in CBI Miles per Hour Miles Thomas Sports Editor @LALoyolan
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he Lions (22-11 overall, 8-8 WCC) punched their ticket to the semifinals of the College Basketball Invitational (CBI) on Monday night with an 81-63 win over Brown. The team will advance to face South Florida in a battle to reach the CBI Championships. This victory is the 22nd win for the team and doubles the amount of wins from last season. This is the first season with a winning record in eight years for LMU. This win also gave the Lions the most wins in a season since the 1990 team, famously led by Hank Gathers and Bo Kimble. Hank’s House welcomed the Lions back on Monday night with 657 in attendance to watch the Lions carry on their postseason run. The game, like much of this season, was led by the stellar Lions’ defense and the scoring prowess of senior guard James Batemon. Batemon’s 21 points led all scorers in the game and included four three pointers, five assists and two steals in the winning effort. Last season’s disappointments fueled the team to come out this season and prove they could make an impact at LMU. Batemon in particular mentioned how last season’s struggles helped the team perform better this season. “It shows the long journey we took,” said Batemon. “We had to struggle last year in order to succeed this year.” The defense has been the team’s focal point and it was once again on display, forcing Brown to commit 20 turnovers in the game, with the Lions scoring 35 points
off the forced turnovers. Although solid in the first half, it was the second half where the Lions' defense came alive. In the second half, LMU was able to hold Brown to only 41 percent shooting from the field and 27 percent from the threepoint range. With the Lions now in the semifinals of the CBI, the team is one of only 28 Division I National Collegiate Athletics Association (NCAA) basketball teams out of 351 still playing in postseason play right now. While not as prestigious a tournament as the NCAA tournament which occurs at the same time, this is a great accomplishment for a team that won 11 games only a season ago and a program that had not achieved a winning season in eight years. “It means a lot to play this far because with me being a senior, I’m not ready for it to be over,” said Batemon. “We’re just glad we got a second chance to play in the postseason and make the most of it.” The last time LMU had a winning record at the end of the season was in 2012, when the team finished 21-13. The 2012 team also finished fourth in the WCC and experienced a quarterfinals loss in the CollegeInsider. com Postseason Tournament. The Lions' success this season is in large part due to the talent displayed on the roster, along with the stellar defense the coaching staff have built with this team. Along with Batemon, the Lions also include key contributions on the offensive end from junior center and seven footer Mattias Markusson and freshman guard/ forward Dameane Douglas. Markusson was the hero of the previous tournament game, converting the layup, drawing a foul and making the free throw in the final 31 seconds for the one point triumph over Cal Baptist. See Basketball | Page 17
via LMU Athletics
Senior guard James Batemon (5) was the top scorer in LMU's win over Brown on Monday night, scoring 21 points and shooting 4-8 from three point range.
Family ties rugby team together Club team bonded by pair of brothers this season. Molly Box
Asst. News Editor @LALoyolan Around springtime their sophomore year, Mason Willrich and Jeff Scharberg were talking about rugby — the sport they have both played since high school. They quickly realized that the following year, both of their younger brothers would be coming to LMU and joining them on the rugby team. Mason and Quinn Willrich are one of the two pairs of brothers that now play alongside each other on the LMU club rugby team. The bonds and brotherly love of the team run deep, especially for the Willriches. Mason and Quinn had previously played together on their high school rugby team, an experience Quinn attributes to his older brother's influence. “I don’t think I would have ever started playing rugby if it wasn’t for him,” Quinn said. Since Quinn joined the team, playing rugby is no longer just a cathartic exercise for Mason. Practice and tournaments have
turned into time the brothers get to spend together. “It’s easy—despite being siblings that [go] to the same college—to let the [different] parts of being a college student sort of drag you away from one another," said Mason. "This is something that we both have in common, so I really cherish it for having dedicated time together.” Of the time they’ve spent together as teammates at LMU, one of Quinn’s favorite memories took place during the fourth game of a tournament located at Cal State Long Beach. During the game, he and his brother worked together on the field and ended up scoring a try — a score worth five points, similar to a touchdown in American football. “That link between us was a great feeling,” said Quinn of the success. For Eric Scharberg and his older brother Jeff, the bond between them also makes itself known on the field. “Our play styles fit with each other,” Eric said. “I’m the big guy — I want to use my size. And Jeffrey is kind of sneaky and an aggressive player.” See Rugby | Page 17