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Volleyball starts Meet the student in the viral video that league play with a one everyone on campus to two record in the WCC. is talking about. Page 15 Page 10
V O LU M E
97
| ISSUE
5
Greek life focuses on hazing prevention A week of activities sponsored by Greek life aims to bring awareness to hazing culture. Kayan Tara
Asst. News Editor @LALoyolan
Hazing Prevention Week is being recognized this year through a series of activities, such as a viewing of Dateline NBC and wearing red in support of hazing prevention. Schools and colleges across the nation celebrate National Hazing Prevention Week (NHPW), where organizations and individuals raise awareness about issues concerning hazing annually from Sept. 24 to Sept. 28. The week began at LMU with a Sorority and Fraternity Life (SFL) Open Mic Night, co-sponsored with Mane Entertainment, on Monday, Sept. 24, where a member of the InterFraternity Council (IFC) Executive Board spoke about hazing prevention. SFL’s night at women’s volleyball, “Let’s SPIKE hazing out of our vocabulary!” took place the evening of Tuesday, Sept. 25. A viewing of an NBC Dateline episode, “The College Fraternity Crisis,” will take place Wednesday, Sept. 26 at 6:30 p.m. in Malone 306. This will be followed by a roundtable discussion facilitated by a member of Kappa Alpha Theta and a member of the Collegiate Panhellenic Council (CPC) Executive Board, according to Lauren Anderson, a senior political science major and the president of the CPC. Students are encouraged to wear red in support of hazing prevention on Thursday, Sept. 27.
Hazing Prevention Week calls for students to start a dialogue about the importance of changing cultures in their student clubs and organizations, making room instead for “healthier spaces where members can gain a sense of belonging for the right reasons,” Larry Daves, the program coordinator of Sorority & Fraternity Life Student Leadership & Development, said. “Coming from the South, I was very skeptical of joining Greek life because of the horror stories you hear about hazing. It wasn’t until I came to LMU [that] I realized how welcoming and inclusive the whole process was here,” Tri Delta member Lillian Schreiner, a junior theatre arts major, said. “I think fear of hazing deters a lot of good people from joining organizations such as Greek life. This week is very important to promote and raise awareness about organizations at LMU.” The Sorority & Fraternity Life community at LMU, according to Anderson, recognized hazing to be a national issue, taking measures to prevent hazing on campus. “In any organization hazing can be an issue, which includes all registered student organizations, athletic teams, business fraternities and even workplace environments,” Anderson said. “National Hazing Prevention Week is an important platform to share that hazing is a problem happening nationally in many student groups and is very prevalent [in] Greek-Lettered Organizations,” Daves said. “Simply dismissing the topic does not call attention to this national issue plaguing Greek-Lettered Organizations. Hazing isn’t exclusive to Greek-Lettered Organizations, it can happen in any group where there is a power-differential.” See Hazing | Page 2
SpaceX inspired students
New initative on campus to get students voting
SpaceX COO Gwynne Shotwell encouraged students to pursue aerospace careers.
“Let your vote roar” campaign aims to increase participation among students in the election.
Isabella Murillo Asst. News Editor @LALoyolan
Kayla Brogan News Editor @LALoyolan
LMU is making it easier for students to be engaged political participants. The California midterm election is quickly approaching. Any student can visit the voting table set up on the Palm Walk this week from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. to “let their vote Roar.” Students will recieve incentives such as LMU gear, when they register to vote at the table. The initiative is headed by Briana Maturi, director of LMU Cares, and she hopes to engage students and get them excited to participate in the election. LMU partnered with TurboVote, where students can find their registration status, register if needed, sign up to get their absentee ballot and sign up for notifications related to the election. Mateo Valles-Quintana, a freshman economics major, said he is registered and knows exactly where his polling center is. “We have a fresh perspective, we are wellinformed; if you’re 18 and you’re going to vote, it’s probably because you have an interest in it,” said Valles-Quintana. He added that he believes LMU offers plenty of opportunities to get politically involved See Voting | Page 3
Alex Farrell | Loyolan
Alumni returned to the bluff this weekend This year’s Alumni weekend saw 2,500 people registered for the weekend. It started with a ‘Yoga and mimosas on the Bluff’ event on on Saturday, Sept. 22, and continued until Sunday, Sept. 23. Other events included an alumni basketball tournament, the alumni barbeque and the Marian service organization’s 15th anniversary.
The president and Chief Operating Officer of SpaceX spoke on the development and future of the aerospace industry.Gwynne Shotwell visited LMU and encouraged the over 300 students in attendance to be confident in their exploration of the industry. Over 400 students RSVP’d for the event online, causing the online reservation form to close. The Life Sciences Building Auditorium capacity maxes out at 271, causing attendees who came after to livestream the event from another Seaver classroom. After an hour of networking between students and employees in various engineering fields, Shotwell gave a presentation followed by a Q&A. The event, held in the Life Sciences Building Auditorium on Friday, Sept. 21, was a part of the Seaver College of Science and Engineering’s spotlight series: “Seaver Spotlight: An Evening with SpaceX President Gwynne Shotwell.” It ended with a dinner and reception for all visitors and students. “I went to the SpaceX event because as a female bio major, seeing a strong female president such as Gwynne Shotwell running such a renowned company as SpaceX enticed See Space | Page 3
NEWS
laloyolan.com Page 2
Students weighed in on the importance of Hazing Prevention Week Hazing from Page 1
CPC, IFC and the Order of Omega (Greek Honor Society) are collaborating with the LMU Sorority and Fraternity Life Office on a schedule of events for National Hazing Prevention Week. There will be a video on hazing prevention, showcasing the events from the week that will be released next Monday, Oct. 1, according to Anderson. “I didn’t even know hazing prevention week was a thing that LMU does. I guess
it is good that they have this week to raise awareness,” Nathan Rivas, a junior history major, said. “I really hope it does help raise awareness, because sometimes I feel like it doesn’t have an effect on our outlook on hazing, as it’s going to happen regardless.” LMU Panhellenic follows the policies in accordance with the university community standards regarding hazing, the National Panhellenic Conference (NPC) Statement and policies regarding
hazing and state and federal laws, according to Anderson. Hazing prevention week is important for all students on campus, according to Grace Wroblewski, a junior theatre arts major, who is not affiliated with Greek life or other organizations that might experience issues of hazing. “It is important students feel safe exploring Greek life and other organizations and without feeling like they are putting themselves at risk in
any way. My advice to anyone going through recruitment is to just be aware and mindful of their surroundings, and to speak up if they see something happening that makes them or anyone else uncomfortable.” The Loyolan reached out to several sororities and fraternities within Greek life, as well as the athletic department, who shared their zero tolerance policy on hazing.
NEWS
laloyolan.com Page 3
“I fell in love with mechanical engineering” SpaceX from Page 1
such a renowned company as SpaceX enticed me to go,” said Emily Jensen, a sophomore biology major. “I thoroughly enjoyed the presentation. I thought she was a wonderful and powerful speaker and the things SpaceX [are]doing is absolutely amazing.” The keynote speech started with an introduction by the Seaver College of Science and Engineering Dean Tina Choe, before Shotwell introduced herself and told a story of how
she became an engineer. “[One] day, I listened to some extraordinary women engineers, but I fell in love with mechanical engineering. [The mechanical engineer] was smart — incredibly smart. She was by far the best spoken, she was the best dressed, and her shoes were great. So that day I said I’m gonna be a mechanical engineer and I never wavered from the path,” said Shotwell. “But the reason I like to tell that story ... it is how a 15-year-old, or maybe it was 16-year-old, [thinks]. So I
think what we want to do is talk about what we do and serve as role models or just examples of a career path that some people would never consider.” Shotwell went on to show videos explaining SpaceX, a rising aerospace manufacturer and space transportation services company in Hawthorne, CA, founded by Tesla CEO Elon Musk. “We’re a company founded for one purpose and that was basically to build space transportation systems capable enough, reliable enough and
inexpensive enough,” said Shotwell after showing a video about the company. “They’re still expensive, but relatively inexpensive enough to take people beyond lower earth orbit.” Shotwell explained her history in the aerospace industry, starting with her time at the Aerospace Corporation before joining SpaceX in September of 2002, the year it was founded. “I won’t forget when Elon was interviewing me … he kept talking about Mars. I thought ‘you’re crazy, absolutely crazy,’
to think about, in this time period, putting people on these spaceships and [taking] them to Mars,” Shotwell said. “But I have to tell you, in the 16 years that I’ve worked at SpaceX … it’s a normal part of conversation at SpaceX. Everyday.” “The SpaceX keynote was a mind-opening experience for me,” Ben Golan, a freshman mechanical engineering major, said. “It really made me interested in the possible future developments in space travel.”
via Andrea Montes de Oca, Isabella Murillo and Michael Rea
SpaceX president and COO Gwynne Shotwell gave a speech on her experience at the company and answered questions from students before meeting them at the Seaver reception. On the left, Andrea Mortes de Oca (right) poses with Shotwell (left) and on the right Michael Rea (left) poses with Shotwell and Claire Leon (middle) , director of LMU systems engineering program.
Initiative to improve voter registration reaches campus Voting from Page 1
through seminars and resources through the political science department. Voting participation among all age groups has seen a decrease since the 1960s, according to the New York Times. Student voting registration has risen slightly since 2012; however, voter participation among those
already registered rose by three percent in 2016, according to a Tufts report of U.S. college and university student voting report. Pew research reported that young voters, who made up 53 percent of the electorate but were unlikely to vote in November. “We are educated and are able to make good decisions. We are the future of the country. The
decisions we make in the polls are going to directly impact us,” Maya Cooper, a senior sociology major, said. “I am able to participate in an intelligent discourse with students at LMU.” Caroline Iglesias, a sophomore political science major, said she worked at her polling center her senior year of high school. “Depending on how involved an
individual student is, the school presents plenty of opportunities to be involved,” said Iglesias adding that the rules and regulations we are voting on are going to directly impact us. Students who study social sciences voted at higher rates than those who study STEM majors. Additionally, in both elections, women voted at seven percentage
points higher, according to the Tufts Report. With the growing budget crisis, and increasing environmental concerns, millennials are going to be the ones affected in the long run, according to Michael Genovese, a professor of political science and president of Global Policy Institute at LMU, as previously reported by the Loyolan.
Page 5
Letter from the
SOCIAL JUSTICE EDITOR
Readers, Welcome to the Social Justice page of the Loyolan. Our section has recently hired some new staff, adopted new missions and established smoother procedures. We’d like to officially introduce ourselves to you. What the social justice page is about: The Social Justice page is one of the many sections of the Loyolan. It was first established by alumna Karis Addo-Quaye ('18) in 2017. The main purpose of this page is to present a space and a platform for all peoples to speak upon all issues social justice related — whether that's through graphic design, opinion pieces, news articles, etc. We prioritize contributing relevant, responsible and accurate information to the community by delving into the campus and surrounding community through first-hand accounts. In addition, we pride ourselves on valuing diverse voices and uplift the voices of underrepresented and oppressed peoples. We encourage constructive conversation and hope to lead with the Jesuit mentality of pursuing social justice through faith and service. Who runs the social justice page? Currently, the Social Justice page is led by Robyn De Leon, sophomore English and Spanish double major, with the committed assistance of interns Raven Yamamoto, sophomore journalism major, and Isabella Lucero, sophomore communications studies major. How do you matter? The Loyolan would not function without the committed readership of the audience and the same can be said for the Social Justice section. Social justice is defined as a concept that touches on the humanity of people and the nature of society. The key foundation behind social justice is hearing everyone's voice, which is why we encourage contributors who want to bring awareness to important issues and/or promote certain movements and topics. If you are interested in contributing, email the Social Justice editor at bdeleon6@theloyolan.com. - Robyn De Leon
Robyn De Leon
Jason Munoz | Loyolan
Raven Yamamoto
via Sophie Hoefle
Isabella Lucero
via Monique Reyes
My name is Robyn De Leon and I am a sophomore English and Spanish double major; I am the editor of the section. I am also a member of the service organization, Sursum Corda, and a California native. My favorite color is the in-between of baby pink and lilac blue. I'm left-handed and I have a cat and a dog who I would die for, without a doubt. In regards to social justice, some of the causes that I am passionate about are the struggles within the LGBTQA+ community and the Afro-Latinx community, as I am a part of both. Initially, I joined the Loyolan because of my love for writing and my desire to experience the true journey of journalism. Through the process, I have come to realize the power writing and social media have in society to influence awareness and equality. My goal for this year, as well as my responsibility, is to encourage and facilitate discussion within our campus and use my position to fairly offer a safe space for all people to share their thoughts, experiences and grievances. xoxo, Robyn Aloha e LMU, My name is Raven Yamamoto and I’m a first-generation college student from Kahului, Maui, Hawaii pursuing a degree in journalism. Outside of class, I am an active member of Agapé, a service organization dedicated to ending the stigma against mental health here at LMU. I joined the Loyolan, specifically the Social Justice section, because I believe in the power of the press to raise awareness about issues affecting various communities, especially those represented right here on campus. I am most passionate about issues surrounding people of color, women and those who identify as LGBTQ+, as each of these communities represent significant parts of my intersectional identity. However, my eagerness to learn and educate myself about social justice topics both related and not related to me is what drives my desire to contribute to our campus newspaper. As a part of the Social Justice section, my goal is to be an active part in promoting conversation about why social justice issues matter on campus. Writing for the Loyolan will allow me to further integrate myself into LMU’s diverse community, enabling me to uncover stories that deserve to be heard and amplify the voices behind them. I am both humbled and empowered by the opportunity, and I hope to serve my fellow Lions well during my time here at the Loyolan. Mahalo, Raven Hello! My name is Isabella Lucero, but most people call me Bella. I’m so excited to be an intern for the Social Justice section of the Loyolan. I am a sophomore communication studies major and political science minor. I was born and raised in San Jose, CA, but I now consider L.A. my home. Social justice has been an area that I have been passionate about for as long as I can remember. I’m excited to bring awareness of different social justice issues to the Bluff, as well as discuss issues that students on campus are passionate about. I enjoy not only advocating for social justice issues, but being actively involved, especially in the community. On campus, I’m involved in a variety of different organizations such as Latino Student Union, Ignatians Service Organization, MEChA de LMU, Resilience and El Espejo. I can’t wait to deliver you the freshest social justice news this upcoming year! Look out for it! Ta ta for now, Bella Graphic: Allie Crawford | Loyolan
OPINION
laloyolan.com Page 6
Board Editorial Kellie Chudzinski Editor-in-Chief
Sami Leung
Managing Editor
Emily Rawson Managing Editor
Board Editorials represent the voice of the Loyolan. They are written in collaboration by the Executive Editorial Board.
Do more than just vote There have been few elections in which one or both members of the parties have tried to emphasize the election’s importance for the future of the country. The 2 018 midterm elections are a couple weeks away and we all need to do our part. Voter turnout in the midterm elections is always significantly lower than the general election. With the majority up for grabs in both houses of Congress, it has never been more important for everyone to get involved. Our generation has the numbers and could be the most powerful voter demographic if we show up. According to FactTank, we are about to surpass the Baby Boomer generation as the largest living adult generation, and those numbers matter. LMU is sponsoring its own initiative to get students out and voting with the “Let Your Vote Roar” project that aims to get students registered, informed and voting. Democracy is at the heart of American society. We’ve all heard this since grade school, but only 64 percent of the U.S. population who is eligible to vote was registered to vote in 2016. According to the Pew Research Center, millennials cast 21 million fewer votes in the last midterm elections than the other adult generations, even though millennials make up over 50 percent of the voting population. The idea of heading into an election with a political culture that is already hateful and toxic can be daunting. However, the upcoming midterm election provides an opportunity for students to come together and have their voices be heard. These elections will determine what our Congress and states’ governments will look like for at least the next two years as we reach the halfway point in Trump’s presidency. Voting allows us to play a part in these elections and to put those who will fight for our causes in power.
California’s elections will determine the new governor as well as the secretary of state, attorney general, 20 even-numbered State Senate district members, 80 State Assembly members, 53 members to the United States House of Representatives and one member to the United States Senate, according to a previous article in the Loyolan. The current majority in Congress lies with the Republicans. However, according to Politifact, the standing president’s party tends to lose seats during the midterm elections. Since 1862, the president’s party has lost an average of 32 seats in the House and more than two seats in the Senate per midterm election. This year, these openings could allow for a shift of power away from the Republican majority and provide Democrats the opportunity to limit President Donald Trump’s power. Companies such as American Eagle, Walmart, Cosmopolitan, HBO and even Beyonce’s On The Run II Tour have been trying to engage the younger population in voting by partnering with nonprofit voting companies, such as HeadCount and Rock the Vote. They hope to shift the culture of voting away from apathy and get as many people in the younger generation to vote as possible. Crooked Media established Vote Save America, a website where voters can go to check their registration and find ways to get involved. There are phone banking, canvassing and other volunteer opportunities available to get involved in the election and help others too. If you don’t speak up on the issues that matter to you, who will? If you don’t vote in this coming election, then when? The time to act is now. Maybe exams and classes seem overwhelming, but voting will determine the future society that you and your peers will graduate into. We will live with the ramifications if we do not vote and fight for what we believe in for the rest of our lives.
“The time to act is now.”
Empathy is essential in our narcissistic society Myers for Hire
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Alex Myers
Asst. Opinion Editor @LALoyolan
BUSINESS STAFF
I
n the age of selfies and online selfpromotion, it’s no surprise that narcissism is a huge problem in our current generation. The American Psychological Association reported on a study done by The National Institutes of Health, which found that 9.4 percent of Americans in their 20s had experienced Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD), compared to only 3.2 percent of people over 65. This increase in narcissism shouldn’t be shocking when older generations have criticized millennials for being self-absorbed, but what exactly is causing us to appear narcissistic? Think back to freshman year when you were forced to sit in a crowded gym with your whole grade to listen to a couple of guest speakers. Being the confused freshman that you were, you eagerly listened to what your future professors had to say —and there stood one common message: perform. You were told that it’s okay to fail at times, but with the promise of eventual greatness — something larger than life. Would following the curriculum of a degree program accomplish this? Certainly not. This subconsciously fueled a fear of under-performing within you and your peers, but I could argue it’s a fear that has been ingrained in us since childhood. A fear of being ordinary plagues college campuses due to our performance-based
Advertising Manager Hayden Regalado Asst. Business Managers Alena Copeland Nicole Castro Distribution Manager Petros Hadjikyracou Distribution Leah Daniel Student Media Coordinator Veronica Manz Director of Student Media Tom Nelson Ad designer Juliane Johnson
Abby Pollak | Loyolan
Society overpraises children’s success which can lead to narcissistic tendencies in young adults. culture. This is what author/psychologist Brené Brown, a research professor at the University of Houston, has labeled the root of our generation’s narcissism problem. When a child feels inferior because there is such a great emphasis on out-performing their peers, they will become self-absorbed to compensate for an overwhelming feeling of inferiority. The Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America attributed high levels of narcissism to parental overvaluation. The study described how parents overvalue their kid’s success and condition them to believe that they’re superior to others,
entitled to more than they truly deserve. This evidently inflates egos and leads to a higher rate of self-absorption in our generation. It was even more apparent when I first arrived at LMU, meeting people who could only socialize by talking about their accomplishments as if they were a walking LinkedIn page. In my own high school experience, kids in my grade learned how to truly despise each other due to peer envy, especially during those stressful couple months of college applications. See Youth Narcissism | Page 7
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OPINION
laloyolan.com Page 7
We need to combat our narcissism with empathy Youth Narcissism from Page 6
One student erased another student’s personal statement essay to USC because she wanted to be the only person from my small high school to apply to that university. This level of competition drove me mad as I saw a lack of empathy from the people in my grade grow by the years. Unfortunately, it’s no surprise that we’ve all been affected by narcissism in a certain way due to our environment. At LMU, the lack of empathy is growing because of our performance-based culture. Even LMU, a liberal arts college, is not immune to this culture. If you look at LMU’s Career and Professional Development page, it only shows pictures of students working at big companies that they can name drop, like Google. But is this really a problem when narcissism can be beneficial at times, especially when it comes to getting a highranking job? It can give people the self-esteem they need to succeed in life and it contributes to self-preservation. However, narcissism can’t be overlooked when addressing its lack of empathy. Going to a Jesuit college means that empathy and social justice are at the forefront of your education, but that message is squandered if we are not aware of how our own tendencies can distract us from reaching our greatest potential. So here are some ways that I believe can help everyone learn how to be less selfabsorbed. The first thing you should do is get rid of the emotional junk food; write down factors that are feeding any unhealthy self-obsession. Make a list of what opinions you should disregard, both positive and negative; and see how you compare yourself to others. Do you think you’re better than a friend or co-worker due to your competitive work/school environment? Do you think poorly of yourself because of what someone said to you? If so, learn how to ignore those thoughts because too much of that mindset will harm your mental health. Secondly, take a break from social media. Use it to learn and communicate, never for selfpromotion. You can’t help but feel inadequate when you’re looking at the best version of everyone you know on social
media; keeping this harmful habit only creates a stronger sense of inferiority, which is the backbone of narcissism. A study from Western Illinois University found a strong correlation between people who scored high on the Narcissistic Personality Inventory questionnaire and people who tend to have more friends on Facebook, tag themselves in photos and more frequently update their statuses. Stop trying to post what you’re doing on your Instagram or Snapchat story, because the reality is, no one cares as much as you think and you’re trying to fill a void in you that manifests more narcissistic tendencies. Instead, lean towards empathy. This brings me to my last tip: Aim to be more empathetic on a daily basis. Try to understand someone based on where they’re coming from and recognize their struggles. I catch many people I vent to say, “Oh yeah, I can relate,” when in reality they can’t. However, we’ve been conditioned to only understand people by how they relate to us, rather than respecting the person as an individual, independent of our own experience. The next time you’re lending a listening ear to a friend, affirm to them that everything will be fine, but don’t jump to a whole other level by claiming you share that experience. Even when it comes to daily gossip, try to look at the way you’re gossiping about another person and ask yourself if you’re really stepping in their shoes and understanding where they’re coming from. Chances are you’re not, and you’re not giving that person the respect they deserve. With this information, I hope you will understand that if you feel like people cannot relate to you, it’s not your fault — it’s your parents’. But with all jokes aside, narcissism and empathy can be balanced once we recognize that our upbringing and modern-day environment can encourage us to be self-absorbed and not empathic towards others. Life is more than just your accomplishments, it’s about loving and respecting others, even when it means curbing your own ego.
“Narcissism can’t be overlooked.”
This is the opinion of Alex Myers, a senior French and philosophy major from Edmond, Oklahoma. Tweet comments @LALoyolan, or email jlee@theloyolan.com.
OPINION
laloyolan.com Page 8
SFTV needs more schooling about the industry Tommy Boy Thomas Richmond Asst. Bluff Editor
T
@LALoyolan
he cavalry isn’t coming.” That statement opened Mark Duplass’ nowfamous keynote speech at the 2015 SXSW festival. Duplass’ words were meant for the audience to put to rest any dreams of lucky breaks happening, but I see another crowd apt for hearing this: every SFTV student during first-year orientation. Three weeks ago, I opened an email promoting the LMU’s Business of Film Certificate. It was a dream come true, exactly what I was clamoring for and part of why I picked up a business minor: An existing comprehensive course on the film and entertainment industry, except it’s not really for film students. In my blind joy, I trampled past the red flags laid in the fine print. To apply, you would need to already have an undergraduate degree, five years experience in film production and a script or film treatment already in hand.
“
to go into that side or not.” Screenwriting professor Marilyn Beker warned against not knowing the facts of the industry before entering the field as she said, “What you don’t want to do is spend four
“What you don’t want to do is spend four years going in a direction... you realize ‘oh my god, I shouldn’t have been in that direction’.” years going in a direction that when you come out, you realize ‘Oh my god, I shouldn’t have been in that direction.’” The fall 2018 semester sees
business skills needed in the entertainment industry. However, classes in the pathway aren’t set in stone and are set by the faculty facilitator. According to Matthew Mills, SFTV’s assistant director of student and alumni relations, these courses are intentionally kept small and experimental to replicate these trial courses on a larger level based on student demand. There we have it: how future curriculum will be made available is up in the air, and passionate student input can be a decisive factor. To all first-years, seriously consider a second major or minor in business while your schedules still allow it. Strive to take as many internships as you can get academic credit for. Fill up every entertainment pathways, workshops and career programming event announced, and then appeal for overflow seating. Show your overwhelming demand, as I’ve seen and felt, to make changes. Keep on top of the trades. Attend every industry paneled talk or mixer you can get tickets for. Consume every book, article, podcast and interview by professionals discussing not just our craft,
Christian Boggs | Loyolan
Professors agree that students would be more prepared for the industry with more business education Rajski’s transition but how they navigated the This is not to suggest the Peggy everyday business practices nationally, highly ranked SFTV from the head of NYU Tisch’s producing program to the SFTV that make our craft possible. is giving out shoddy educations dean. One of her key emphases Ask questions, too, because you or that we are incapable of is expanding SFTV’s producing never know who may be a wealth learning outside of a classroom environment. We consistently track, beginning with the hiring of information on how to get of professor Margaret Murphy, past the next gatekeeper. draw high caliber talent for our instructors and guest who built up television showspeakers. SFTV majors compete running curriculum at UCLA. Murphy, who currently teaches in noteworthy festivals and later go on to land respectable an upper-division producing seminar class, noted that jobs few others are as qualified Rajski’s interest in producing for. I only worry that these accomplishments have SFTV courses was “one of the reasons feel pressured to address certain I’m here.” However, resolving the lack shortcomings in our program. of producing courses is not Conversations I had with the same as addressing the lack SFTV students confirmed my of classes focused on present thoughts: A basic understanding . of the entertainment industry industry practices, especially if the former is reserved for itself should be included only film production majors. in a complete film school And so I repeat, it falls on us education. The school’s strong While I entirely support Rajski’s encouragement in taking outside push for more producing, I still to be the cavalry — to attract firmly believe there should be at support with our enterprising internships is certainly worth applauding, but there’s no the very least a semester-long initiative and not expect to just be handed what we want. We guarantee what legal or business business elective. The closest course that is are not on our own, but we are knowledge one learns on the job. offered is the Entertainment not about to be rescued either if Besides, we only stand to benefit from additional instruction Pathways modules that take we do not rise. within a structured environment. place over five or six sessions, and is a condensed version As film production professor and “Ella Enchanted” director of the classes offered by the Classes such This is the opinion of Thomas Richmond, Thomas O’Haver said, “Any certificate. as Building Your Freelance a film production major from Convington, knowledge of the business side Washington. Tweet comments to of the film industry is going to Business in Film & Television @LALoyolan or email jlee@theloyolan.com provide students with be beneficial whether you want
“It falls on us to be the calvary... and not expect to just be handed what we want ”
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By Abby Pollak, Staff Cartoonist
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Meet star of viral Yes Theory YouTube video Kourtnei Neely went viral when Yes Theory gave her dorm room a makeover. Ally Boulas
Asst. Life+Arts Editor @allyroseboulas
“What’s the kindest thing anyone has ever done for you?” is definitely a loaded question. But for dozens of Lions last week, it was a question they had to consider when a team of content creators for the YouTube channel Yes Theory interviewed students on campus. For one student in particular, sophomore psychology major Kourtnei Neely, it changed the course of her semester for the better. Yes Theory, according to their website, is a team of friends who “bonded over the idea that life is best lived outside of your comfort zone.” They have a channel with over 2.4 million subscribers, have made 246 videos and started their own clothing line — not to mention that on Tuesday, Sept. 25, they’re bungee jumping out of a helicopter with Will Smith. “It’s move-in week at universities all over the U.S. and because that can be a scary time for a lot of students, we knew we had to do something about it,” their video, titled, “Pimping Stranger’s College Dorm Room,” explains. Their solution? Surprising a student with a complete dorm room makeover. “The catch is we’re going to select the student based on an act of kindness that they did which truly impacted someone else’s day,” they explain in the video. And once they found
via Yes Theory
Sophomore Kourtnei Neely is awestruck at her apartment makeover. YouTube channel Yes Theory came to LMU and asked students the kindest thing anyone had done for them since the year began, offering a complete room makeover to a good samaritan mentioned. junior dance major Reagan Ricossa — who recommended Neely — their search was over. For Neely, the makeover was a complete surprise — she didn’t even remember making Ricossa dinner, which was the act of kindness that scored her the dorm room upgrade. “I just gave her the dinner and forgot about it, and she thanked me for it and told me it was great, and so I just went on with my daily life and totally forgot I’d done it,” Neely said. “When [the Yes Theory team] came up and told me that they’d gone to my friend Reagan and asked what the kindest thing anyone had done for her was I just went, ‘What have I done for Reagan that was nice?” “I remember being so stressed out about
that dinner,” Neely said. “I love to cook, and I’m really good at it. Reagan knows I’m really good at it, but it was the second week of school and I didn’t have an abundance of groceries.” She had absolutely no idea that a quick dinner for a busy friend would result in something like this. “I didn’t even think about that, it was not the first thing that popped into my head.” Nevertheless, Neely made the most of the opportunity. “[Gracie, from Yes Theory] asked what my style was like and what did I enjoy, and I have literally never decorated in my entire life. My room has been the same since I was 12,” said Neely. “I didn’t know I had an aesthetic until I walked into that room and realized this is exactly what I would do for myself.”
The makeover wasn’t without its roadblocks. One being a race against time for the Yes Theory team. “They texted me at 10 a.m. and told me that it was going to take them a lot longer than expected — which I found out later on was because he couldn’t put the table together, so all of that was taking forever,” Neely explained. “At 7 p.m. they texted me saying if I could come at midnight.” And even after the clock struck twelve, small adjustments had to be made to make Neely’s apartment ready for both her and the camera. “They literally had me stand outside for a good ten or fifteen minutes because he wanted to make sure that everything was ready and that everything’s set up right and the trash is gone,” said Neely. “We spoke for two whole minutes just discussing how I should walk in.” Another of the drawbacks has become infamous, both on campus and in the video’s comment section — the holes drilled into Neely’s wall. “So funny fact, my friend Reagan told them that the only thing they can’t do is drill holes in the wall,” Neely said. “So I went to my RA and I said ‘Hey, on the off chance that there are now holes in my wall — not because I did them — what do I do?’” But her reaction was completely genuine, despite the cameras (and the drilled holes). “I was literally so excited,” Neely said. “It was an experience I didn’t know I needed. I didn’t know I needed the domino of things that happened to me that weekend to happen because now I’m in a much better place and it’s such a great time to be alive for me.” And if she could sum it all up in a single word? “The word would be surreal,” she said.
Seven movies to see this October Just Jacob Jacob Cornblatt Life+Arts Editor @jacobcornblatt
O
ctober is the greatest month of the year for film in America. It is the prime month for studios to release
their films: Toronto, Venice and Telluride Film Festivals have come to a close, the Academy Awards are around the corner and the weather — everywhere but L.A. — is getting colder. Because of this, deciding what to see can be tricky, so here are my two cents on what six films to devote two hours to in the coming weeks. “The Hate U Give,” in
theaters October 4. A film about police brutality, political protests and white privilege in the United States. All from the perspective of a 17-year-old girl. Amandla Stenberg (Rue from “The Hunger Games”) leads the film, which has received ubiquitous praise from critics since its premiere. “First Man,” in theaters October 12. Say what you will
about him, but it’s hard to deny that director Damien Chazelle is talented. His first three films (“Guy and Madeline on a Park Bench,” “Whiplash” and “La La Land”) were all the talk of the town when they came out, and his new film, a biopic of Neil Armstrong, will be no exception. The film is sure to be a tour-deforce in tension and adrenaline, and it should certainly be seen in a theater. “The Kindergarten Teacher,” streaming on October 12. Maggie Gyllenhaal stars in this Netflix remake of the Israeli film “Haganenet,” which tells the story of a kindergarten teacher who becomes obsessed with one of the children in her class after realizing he may be a child prodigy. The remake is reportedly better than the original — a major compliment, since the original is great. “Can You Ever Forgive Me?” in theaters October 19. Melissa McCarthy is finally taking the plunge into drama, playing a truly pathetic writer who resorts to forging letters by deceased authors in order to pay the bills. Directed by Marielle Heller (“Diary of a Teenage Girl”), this little-known true story has been called both hysterical and depressing, both in positive contexts. Heller’s last film was an unforgettable character piece, and this one looks like it will be, too. “The Guilty,” in theaters October 19. Since its premiere at Sundance, this has been many film fans’ most anticipated movie of the year. All taking place in one room, a German police officer
must deal with a call concerning a kidnapped woman; in a race against time, he must use his wit and emotion to stop a heinous crime. “Halloween,” in theaters October 19. Michael Myers is back, and apparently he’s good again. Jason Blum, the hero of the horror genre, bought the rights to the “Halloween” franchise years ago, and finally, audiences get to enjoy the result. In an attempt to both revitalize and conclude the series, Jamie Lee Curtis returns as a vengeful Laurie Strode, out to murder Michael for the last time. If it’s as scary as viewers say, “Halloween” is going to be the movie of the month. “Burning,” in theaters October 26. Lee Chang-dong (“Poetry,” “Secret Sunshine”) is one of South Korea’s great filmmakers right now, releasing masterpiece after masterpiece — and according to critics, it sounds like “Burning” is going to be another one. The film is about a part-time worker asked to watch his friend’s cat, but needless to say, there will be more to the story than that. These seven films are not to be missed in the coming month. If you want to be ready for Oscar season, get your head start now.
This is the opinion of Jacob Cornblatt, a sophomore film production major from Gaithersburg, MD. Tweet comments to @ jacobcornblatt or email comments to jcornblatt@theloyolan.com.
life+arts
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Street Style: Ketino Christopher ‘Less’ is a must-read Always Ally Alexandra Boulas Asst. Life+Arts Editor @allyroseboulas
I’m known for my combat boots because they have become a huge staple in my closet. AB: Any style tips? KC: My biggest style tips are:
Jacob Cornblatt Life+Arts Editor @jacobcornblatt
I
had the chance to talk to senior finance major, theatre arts minor and style icon Ketino Christopher about her fashion influences, her favorite pieces and what makes her look so unique. Ally Boulas (AB): How would you describe your personal style? Ketino Christopher (KC): I would say my personal style most of the time is dark/edgy with an L.A. influence, though my style changes day to day. For me, my fashion has a direct correlation to how I am feeling in the moment. AB: Do you have any fashion eras you take inspiration from? KC: I would say my fashion is inspired mostly by the time we are currently living in. However, I absolutely loved the style in the ‘20s/’30s and ‘50s/’60s. AB: Any fashion icons? KC: Honestly, my fashion icon is my mother. We don’t have the same style but she was the one who taught me the importance of fashion and how to actually pair clothes together into a cohesive outfit. Sometimes I laugh at what she buys thinking that it will never work and she proves me wrong all the time. AB: What’s one piece of clothing you own that you can’t live without? KC: My combat boots! I feel like
Just Jacob
1.) You have to feel confident in what you’re wearing. 2.) Pay attention to the proportions. 3.) You don’t have to buy expensive clothes to look great.
O
via Ketino Christopher
Senior Ketino Christopher’s fashion is “dark/edgy with an L.A. influence.” Her outfits are a form of personal expression for her, so her style evolves.
f all the books that flew off the shelves of boardwalk bookstores this summer, none have the literary merit or biting comedy of Andrew Sean Greer’s “Less.” The Pulitzer Prize winning novel follows Arthur Less, a semisuccessful novelist who is having a truly awful couple of weeks. His ex-boyfriend is marrying another man, his bank account is quickly draining and he is turning 50. Life is taking a turn in the wrong direction for poor Arthur Less, so to avoid his problems, he decides to take a trip around the world: He will do an interview in Mexico, accept an award in Italy, teach a class in Germany, see a friend in France, tour in Morocco, write in India and review food in Japan. The trip will prove to be a satirically soul-searching adventure, rich with comedy and tragedy. From the first page, Greer’s writing style is captivatingly stylistic. His prose manages to keep Diablo Cody-esque dialogue grounded in reality, while remaining witty and quotable. He writes scenes in almost a stream of consciousness, yet no word feels wasted. The style is easily the best part of the novel — any problems I have with the narrative
are cancelled out by Greer’s ability to write. When it comes to creating characters, the author shows off his ludic creativity. Greer builds the neurotic Arthur Less through both Less’ outlook on others and others’ outlook on Less. Despite Less not being the narrator (the narrator is an unknown character for most of the story), Greer writes as if we are seeing the world through Less’ eyes. This gives the unique impression of someone retelling a story, hyperbolizing without realizing it; there are levels of removal from Less’ story, which benefits the themes and writing style. The only flaw in “Less” is its episodic nature. Each chapter is — for all intents and purposes — a new story. Some of these stories are spectacular, but some are difficult to sit through. As a cohesive novel, “Less” can only be as great as its weakest link, and a few of the links here (Mexico and Germany, particularly) are weak. They feel like nothing more than quick romances, reiterating what we already know about the characters. Overall, however, “Less” is a joy to read. It is endlessly funny and wholly memorable.
This is the opinion of Jacob Cornblatt, a sophomore film production major from Gaithersburg, MD. Tweet comments to @ jacobcornblatt or email comments to jcornblatt@theloyolan.com.
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Rent-a-parent program to ease stresses LMU finds a way to take independent living away from college life. Andrew Dazé
Little Orphan Andy School often comes with a lot of unpredictable stresses. Here at LMU, we have various outlets and programs to help manage student’s stress. From therapy dogs and goats to yoga at sunrise on the Bluff, stress has melted away for a large portion of the student body. However, we are excited to introduce the newest form of stress relief for the homesick homebodies on campus. Students are invited to try the new Rent-a-Parent program and
browse through our parent catalog. LMU offers parents of all gender, race and class. Moms with glasses, dads with mustaches, step-dads with good looks and step-moms who just don’t know how to cook. Being away from home has never felt so much like being at home. Each our parents come with talents, abilities and skills such as but not limited to: tossing the ball in the yard, keeping your living area smelling like home, cooked goods and fatherly/motherly advice. In this program, each parent is an actual parent, and LMU prides itself on recycling parents that are recent “empty nesters.” We find that the fresher they are from the parenting game, the more apt they are to take on an ‘adopted’ student. Each session begins and ends with pecks on the cheek. Please
report lip-kissers to the program head immediately; notes and concerns can be stated in the online sign-ups. There is no refund for a disliked rented parent, as we find that this is more of an authentic dynamic than if you were to actually enjoy your time with your parent. There is a user friendly rating system for your parent, the best of which will be promoted to an upcoming program this spring. We will be expanding our reach from rent-a-parent to renta-grandparent program. Our geriatric experts are in the process of vetting hundreds of senile parents of parents for those not as close to their next generation. Please get them while supplies last.
Being a parent is often a thankless job, now at least you get a sign.
Applications to soon include competitive games Administration clamps down on its problem of being too popular. Jordan Boaz
Proud Non-participant
This prospective business major is going places, possibly the ER.
LMU’s class of 2022 had more applicants than ever before, making the decision process all the more difficult for the Office of Undergraduate Admissions. They have decided that applications will no longer suffice in narrowing down applicants: the decisions are becoming nearly impossible to make. For the class of 2023, applications will only be the first part of a three step process into admission at LMU. After applications, a pool of the prospective students will be interviewed, but the process won’t end there. Those who make it through both the application
THE BLUFF’S
CONVOS ON C AMPUS
process and interview will then be flown out to Los Angeles to compete in high-intensity matches. Only the top 20 percent of participants in these games will receive admission into the university. Though not all the details have been finalized by Admissions, we do know some things for sure. “The matches will include trivia on LMU,” said Dr. Sir-man, the head of the department. “If they don’t know this school up and down, they don’t deserve to come here.” Additionally, matches will include push-up competitions, campus-wide hide-n-seek, joke battles and T-shirt designing contests. Students will also be timed while they climb to the top of a palm tree. These contests will all take place in Sunken Garden. After this round of battles, students will be taken into The Lair. The goal is to try as much
of the food as possible without once making a face at the taste. “If they don’t love our top-notch cafeteria food, they’re out,” said The Lair’s head chef. The class of 2022 is relieved that they did not have to compete in these games for admission. “I stole an essay from the Internet, made up a resume and had my mom fill out my application. A recently admitted first-year said, “I paid $600 for someone to take my SAT. Too bad next year’s students will actually have to try.” Clearly, all current and past students are lucky to have made the cut — but future students will need much more than luck. Next year, be prepared to welcome a new class of treeclimbing, Lair-loving students with endless amounts of LMU knowledge. And be grateful that you didn’t have to earn your admission into LMU by doing push-ups on Regents Terrace.
3:45 P.M. A girl and her friend heading towards the laundry room with her dirty clothes in hand.
LISTENING TO THE BEAT OF THE STREET I enjoy visiting Freshmanland on my slow days. I find the youths entertaining. I gorge myself on a Pizza Hut pizza as I immediately regret my life choices. The land of freshmen, once a sanctuary to me, is now a petting zoo — they bite.
“My mom bought me so many tide pods, I’m not even going to need my meal-plan.”
4:05 P.M. Now a defeated little lady with a black eye and arm-sling approached on her phone. She told the receiver of her call,
3:00 P.M. I sat on one of the round tables outside the former Mein Bowl and tried to charge my phone so I could look preoccupied while eavesdropping. The table chargers never work. I sat unoccupied.
“I fell off my bed again last night. Lofting it was not the move.” She hobbled away.
4:20 P.M. 3:30 P.M.
A bunny rabbit hoped across the lawn in front of me as two guys exited Del Rey South.
Here came a live one. An unproportioned freshman approached my table. I tried to dodge his glaring eye contact but he insistently remarked,
One of them remarked, “Dude, is it just me, or do you see a bunny?” Now, I don’t know which one was tripping here because the buddy of the bunny spotter confidently replied,
“I got a Porsche from my parents for completing the first three weeks.”
“No man, there’s no bunny — you’re losing it.”
He made a honk-honk motion with his hands as he walked away.
The bunny stopped and judged them. As the freshman hopped away I took it as my time to depart because, at that point, I literally couldn’t even.
By Amanda Nahin, Overheard LMyoU, Graphic: Kellie Chudzinski | Loyolan
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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SPORTS
SPORTS
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Volleyball starts WCC play with 1-2 record Volleyball drops two out of three of their first games in conference. Miles Thomas
Asst. Sports Editor @LALoyolan Following a 10-1 start to the season, their best since 2014, the women’s volleyball team entered their first three West Coast Conference (WCC) matches against Gonzaga (4-8 overall, 1-0 WCC), Portland (12-2, 0-2 WCC) and San Diego (5-7 overall, 2-1 WCC). Seeking their eighth straight victory, the Lions’ winning streak was snapped when they were defeated by Gonzaga in a 0-3 sweep on Thursday, the team’s first time getting swept this season. However, the team bounced back the following match against Portland in a 3-2 victory, splitting their opening two matches of conference play. The Lions now have an overall record of 11-2 and 1-1 in the WCC. They are tied for fourth place in the conference, currently behind BYU, Pepperdine and USF in the standings, respectively. The loss to Gonzaga saw the Bulldogs win with set scores of 25-21, 25-18 and 25-21. The team was out-produced in nearly every statistical category against the Bulldogs. Gonzaga had 44 kills compared to LMU’s 40, .297 hitting percentage compared to LMU’s
.219, 7.0 blocks compared to LMU’s 4.0 and 43 assists versus LMU’s 38 assists. The team also committed more errors than the Bulldogs, collecting 15 total errors compared to Gonzaga’s 11. Both LMU and Gonzaga served up two aces. Commenting on the team’s performance in the first game of conference play, head coach Aaron Mansfield spoke about the factors that led to the loss. “Gonzaga played a really nice match,” said Mansfield. “They slowed us down offensively and forced us to take some uncharacteristic swings. We didn’t do a great job resetting our focus after long rallies, which caused some scoring runs that seemed to be the difference in the match.” Getting back into their groove, the Lions went to Portland, Oregon and took down the Portland Pilots 3-2, with set scores of 25-22, 2516, 22-25, 22-25 and 15-13 in the victory. The Lions saw their offense improve with the team getting 69 kills compared to Portland’s 51, 69 assists over Portland’s 48 and a .306 hitting percentage as opposed to Portland’s .225. LMU, however, committed 21 errors, two more than Portland did, as well as getting out-blocked by the Pilots, trailing seven to nine in total blocks. “Our team stuck together, even when things got tough, which I’m really proud of them for,” Mansfield said of the team’s rebound victory. “Our outside
Emily Sullivan | Loyolan
Junior outside hitter Savannah Slattery (3) goes up to spike the ball in the most recent match against San Diego. Slattery leads the team in kills per set with 3.85 as her and the Lions went 1-1 in their recent WCC road trip. [hitters] were about as good as they have been all year which really made our offense tough to stop. Our team also did a nice job of executing our scouting report, which made Portland feel uncomfortable for periods of the match.” Junior setter Tess Reid continues to lead the nation in assists per set at 12.86 following the WCC opening matches. Reid racked up 34 and 59 total assists in eight sets played, averaging 11.62 assists per set over these two WCC matches. Senior middle blocker Emma Johnson’s impressive
hitting efficiency took a small step backward in the beginning of WCC competition, as the nation’s leader in hitting percentage at . 491 hit .400 against Gonzaga and .318 against Portland. Senior defensive specialist Kekai Whitford led the team in digs for both games with 19 and 15 in each game, an average of 4.25 digs per set. With the second-highest kills per set average in the nation at 15.74, the Lions only had 40 kills against Gonzaga, with senior opposite Sara Kovac being the only player with double-digit kills (11). In the win against Portland, the Lions had
three players with double-digit kills, led by junior outside hitter Bo Culo (25), followed by junior outside hitter Savannah Slattery (17) and Johnson (12). In their most recent game Tuesday night the team lost in four sets to San Diego. Stats were not available when the Loyolan went to print, Tuesday night. They will hit the road as they continue WCC play when they take on Santa Clara (5-8 overall, 0-1 WCC) on Thursday, Sept. 27 and San Francisco (8-4 overall, 1-0 WCC) on Saturday, Sept. 29.
SPORTS
SCORES UPDATE 3-1 L
VOLLEYBALL
LION
vs USD
SPORTS
M WATER POLO 15-8 W
vs. Air Force
M SOCCER
2-1 W
vs. CSUN
W SOCCER
2-2 T
at Long Beach State
Follow us on Twitter @laloyolan for up-to-date scores.
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LOS ANGELES LOYOLAN | September 26, 2018 | laloyolan.com
Students attend NBA Media day with Prof. Class interviewed LA Clippers about the upcoming season. Jermaine Johnson II Staff Writer @LALoyolan
Several students from LMU’s Sports Journalism class attended media day for the two Los Angeles based basketball teams, the Clippers and Lakers. Both teams held the events at their respective facilities. The students were led by their professor, Kristin Doidge, who was eager for them to have a valuable learning experience. “Media day is a great opportunity for student journalists to observe professionals doing what they do and a chance to actively participate themselves,” Doidge said. All 30 NBA teams opened their facilities to various media outlets on Tuesday, Sept. 24. The Clippers held their media day festivities at their training facility in Playa Vista, a few miles from LMU's campus. The press had the chance to interact with players and other front office personnel and ask questions about the upcoming season. Students had the opportunity to mingle with other journalists from outlets such as Fox Sports and the L.A. Observer. “I think the students had a blast listening to the questions posed by media and answers from the players, while being in the presence of legends such as Jerry West,” Doidge said. “It's a fantastic way to learn.”
The students took full advantage of the moment. Doidge explained that a few of them did research before the event so that they could be prepared with astute questions. “I was really impressed with the students and their insightful questions for the players during the press conference,” she said. “Their enthusiasm gives me great hope for the future of sports and journalism.” For some students, such as Loyolan Sports Editor Matt Rodriguez, this was their first ever opportunity to ask NBA players questions. “Seeing and talking to all the players and journalists was nerveracking,” said Rodriguez. “It was surreal seeing those guys up close rather than on a TV screen.” Aspiring to be a sports journalist, the senior political science major believed that the experience helped him realize that professional athletes are regular people, despite their popularity. The event also served as a good networking opportunity for Rodriguez to connect with more experienced journalists who are willing to serve as mentors. Media day was not entirely new for senior Kellie Miller as she has attended similar events in the past. However, this event allowed her to experience it in a different way. “I’ve been to media days before, but I’ve never been to a sports media day,” said Miller. “It was inspiring because everything I go to is hard news related, so this was cool to interact with players I watch.” She enjoyed hearing the
via Kristin Doidge
Pictured above are some of the students who attended media day, including senior communication studies major Kellie Miller (third from left). Miller said that this was very different to the media days that she has previously attended. questions that the different reporters asked. Miller is majoring in communications studies and minoring in journalism, with the goal of becoming an on-air television anchor. About six miles from the Clippers' facility, the Lakers held their media day in El Segundo. LMU senior Hunter Patterson was the lone student from the Sports Journalism class in attendance, and he was there on behalf of his internship with Spectrum SportsNet. The network owns broadcasting rights to the Lakers’ games that are not nationally televised and, the network played a big role in coordinating the event. The
Lakers' media day was one of the most popular around the league, as newcomer LeBron James addressed the press for the first time as a Laker. Patterson is a senior majoring in communications studies with minors in journalism and African-American studies. He is also a production intern for Spectrum SportsNet, and he helped facilitate the media's questions to the players. Although he hopes to one day be the one asking the questions, being able to assist in the production aspects of media day was still a beneficial experience for Patterson. “It was a great opportunity for me to see how things worked,
and to envision myself being able to do what I saw everyone else doing,” Patterson said. “It was also cool to be around someone as great as LeBron.” Immediately following media day, the Clippers boarded a plane to Hawaii. There, they will begin their preseason in a game against the Sydney Kings, an Australian team in the National Basketball League. The Clippers' regular season begins at home on Oct. 17 against the Denver Nuggets. The Lakers' preseason starts on Sunday, Sept. 30 against the Denver Nuggets. Their season opener will be Thursday, Oct. 18 in Portland against the Trailblazers.