Los Angeles LOYOLAN The
Kikka Sushi makes its debut as LMU's new favorite Asian dining option. Page 9
September 4, 2019
W W W. L A L O Y O L A N . C O M
EDQ Find us @LALoyolan
Your Home. Your Voice. Your News. EST. 1921 V O LU M E
98
| ISSUE 2
Lip Sync and Stroll Off raised $14,000 for charities
Photo: Maeve Sullivan | Loyolan
Delta Zeta and Alpha Chi Omega pose after being announced as winners of the competition. At the annual lip sync competition, sororities and fraternities competed for a cash prize for charities of their choice. Over $14,000 was raised, according to organizer Aisea Odencrantz, senior finance major. Delta Zeta and Alpha Chi Omega tied for first place for the sorority competition. Delta Sig won first for fraternities and Alpha Kappa Alpha won the stroll off competition.
T-Pain announced to headline Fallapalooza T-Pain will be appealing to students' desire for "nostalgia," according to ASLMU organizer. Isabella Murillo News Editor @LALoyolan
American rapper and singer T-Pain will be headlining Fallapalooza on Sept. 29. ASLMU announced the headliner on Aug. 31 after the annual Lip Sync and Stroll Off event. "In the past, the artist has always had to perform a clean show, but we have decided this year to let T-Pain have full creative liberty," said Maddy Situmeang, a senior communication studies major and chief programming officer for ASLMU. "This is an awesome step for LMU and I am really excited to see how the crowd enjoys everything we have planned." Award-winning musician T-Pain is known for his hit songs "I'm Sprung," "I'm 'N Luv (Wit a Stripper)," "Buy U a Drank (Shawty Snappin')," "Bartender," "Can't Believe It" and "5 O'Clock," according to Billboard. Last year, the performers for Fallapalooza were Jeremih and London Holmes, better known by his stage name
London on Da Track, as previously reported on by the Loyolan. "I like T-Pain. I think it will be really fun and different," said Kelly Miller, a senior economics major. Situmeang explained how the process of choosing a headliner included putting out a survey to the student body and collecting the results to see who the students wanted. After students showed a desire for someone from the rap and hip hop genre, ASLMU narrowed down their choices based on budget, likability and what would be appropriate for a Jesuit university. "Also, T-Pain just has so many bangers. How could you not want to see him?" said Situmeang. Situmeang also explained that T-Pain proposed a "2000s/nostalgia" theme that fit well with the festival this year. The openers for the fall festival will include a student musician, chosen through the traditional singer-songwriter competition hosted by Mane Entertainment. Another musician that has yet to be announced, according to Situmeang. Eva Enriquez, a senior double major in animation and English, said she has never been to Fallapalooza, but will go this year because of the chosen headliner. "I love T-Pain ... He's got a banging voice," said Enriquez.
ASLMU is also searching for student artists interested in displaying their work, creating art installations and selling their merchandise. People interested are encouraged to apply by emailing aslmu.programming@lmu.edu.
"We are really trying to get more student involvement this year in every aspect," said Situmeang. For more stories, head to laloyolan.com, or find us on social media @LALoyolan.
via Wikimedia Commons
Since his career launched with his debut album "Rappa Ternt Sanga," T-Pain has won two Grammys and is a 13-time nominee. He will be performing at Sunken Gardens on Sept. 29.
NEWS
Page 2
6
BURNING QUESTIONS
This week, news intern Grace McCauley sat down with Mitchell Crawford, a freshman entrepreneurship major with 1.2 million followers on TikTok, about social media and adjusting to campus life.
How did you become “TikTok Famous”?
So, I started about three months ago. One of my friends told me, “Alright, Mitchell, you’ve gotta download TikTok,” and I’m thinking “No! It’s too cringey, it’s too young,” but [then I said] “Fine!” So I spent about two weeks or so just watching and getting obsessed with TikTok and loving it so much. My first couple [videos] were just kind of stupid, silly, I was just that basic TikTok person. Then, I was like, “Maybe I’ll try once in a while.” So, I made one video that did well ... it got over a million views. So I was like, “Okay, we’re doing something here.”
1
2
What drew you to TikTok?
I had always kind of been into acting a little bit, but I had never wanted to pursue it as a career. I knew I had creativity, but I never knew how to express it. So, I finally found something that fit me. It’s such a fun app, I love creating and I’m happy to be in the position I am with a fanbase and everything else.
How fast did this happen? How has this affected your relationships?
3
I graduated high school with 15,000 followers on TikTok. At that point it was weird, but really throughout the summer was when I really had time ... I actually lost a couple of friends due to TikTok. Followers do something to people and they kind of look at you differently ... I’ve gotten people that recognize me from TikTok. It’s a little bit fun, and I can’t complain because this is what I do, but [it gives me social anxiety] ... With friends now, it’s hard when I get introduced as a TikTok person because then they see me differently. But, it’s really awesome when it’s an actual genuine person who doesn’t really care.
What opportunities have you gotten from TikTok? TikTok actually invited me to the VMAs [Video Music Awards] to walk the red carpet. Ironically, it was [during] LMU’s orientation day and the first day of class. It was one of the hardest no’s I’ve had to hear from my mom and dad, but I did see their point. I couldn’t imagine not only starting off my educational career on the wrong foot but also my social career. Coming to LMU a week late, setting up your dorm and then immediately going to class ... like, that would be so weird. Just coming in a week late and I’m like “that kid who went to the VMAs” — it just wouldn’t have gone over well. So, even though it was a really cool opportunity [I had to turn it down].
4
How did you decide to come to LMU? I was obsessed with Pepperdine! It’s where “Zoey 101” was filmed and it’s in Malibu. I told my college counselor [I was visiting Pepperdine] and he said, “While you’re there I’m going to want you to check out LMU.” So, on the way to the airport we saw LMU and we went in and we did a campus tour and that hit it. Of course it was a beautiful campus, but I felt good about the academics [and] the student vibe was much better than Pepperdine. It was more active, more lively. So, I put it in the back of my head and after all of my college searches I was like “This is it, how could I say no?”
5
What are you looking forward to most at LMU this year? I think it would be really cool to create a social media club. I don’t know who I’d talk to about that, but [I] am definitely going to try to find some people to arrange that. I’d love to learn more about marketing [myself], marketing in general, advertising and kind of helping that social media career. I mean I’ve liked things before, but social media is such a passion. I love making people laugh. I love meeting other creators. I love [collaborating]. I love traveling. I hate desks, like I hate 9 to 5. [Social media] is just perfect for me. The only thing is, it’s unreliable and that’s why I’m here at LMU to get a little stable cushion. I couldn’t be happier where I am.
6
Want to read even more questions with Crawford? Check them out at laloyolan.com.
EDQ Find us @LALoyolan
laloyolan.com
editor’s pick Hannon displays first edition Mark Twain EDQ
Find us @LALoyolan
laloyolan.com
Page 3
Photo: Alyssa Reece | Loyolan
William H. Hannon Library’s fall 2019 exhibition, titled “Roughing It: How Mark Twain Made the West,” displays the first edition text and illustrations from Twain’s semi-autobiographical work, “Roughing It” (1872). The exhibition, which opened on Aug. 19, is on display in the Terrance L. Mahan, S.J. Gallery on the third floor of the library. It runs through Dec. 13.
OPINION
Page 4
EDQ Find us @LALoyolan
Our international students will not be silenced EDITORIAL STAFF Editor-in-Chief Managing Editor Managing Editor News Editor Asst. News Editor Asst. News Editor News Intern Opinion Editor Opinion Intern Opinion Intern Life+Arts Editor Sports Editor Asst. Sports Editor Asst. Sports Editor Sports Intern Sports Intern Bluff Editor Asst. Bluff Editor Copy Chief Copy Editor Copy Editor Copy Editor Copy Editor Copy Editor Copy Editor Digital Editor Asst. Digital Editor Asst. Digital Editor Digital Intern Digital Intern Design Editor Design Intern Design Intern Design Intern Cartoon Editor Staff Cartoonist Staff Cartoonist Cartoon Intern Cartoon Intern Photo Editor Asst. Photo Editor Asst. Photo Editor Photo Intern Photo Intern Video News Producer Video Producer Video Producer Video Producer Video Intern Video Intern
Jacob Cornblatt Shannon Tormey Kayan Tara Isabella Murillo Molly Jean Box Sofia Hathorn Grace McCauley Phillip Nieto Sally Dean Cristobal Spielmann Sammi Su Miles Thomas Jameson O’Neil Alexander Hutton Zach Johnson Nicholas Rossi Andrew Dazé Jordan Boaz Megan Leberknight Lucie Bolzan Carly Holm Caleb Sng Sara Romano Elizabeth McCoy Erin Ambrose Jack Noble Adrian Leung Gigi Toma Darissa Pham Anastasia Glushneva Jessie Glassberg Alena Copeland Aurora Schnurr Michaela Galeski Christian Boggs Ellen Na Lianlen Joy Distor Jacob Johanson Harrison Klein Alyssa Reece Maeve Sullivan Owen Markham Gülen Çelik Gloria Ndilula Cassie Esparza Kayla Austefjord Austin Good Brooks Lalley Maddie Cindrich Ellis Senger
The case of a Harvard international student, Ismail B. Ajjawi, being detained, interrogated and denied entry into the United States stunned many last week. As a university where 10.3% of the student population is international, this is an issue we cannot afford to ignore. International students around the country are left afraid and confused, many worrying about going home for the holidays if it means they might be held and questioned when reentering the United States. When Ajjawi, a Palestinian from Tyre, Lebanon, arrived in Boston, he was questioned by U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers for hours. The officers proceeded to search his phone and laptop, according to a statement Ajjawi provided to the Harvard Crimson. Ajjawi was among several other international students who were also questioned by immigration officers. Ajjawi stated that he was not only questioned about his religion and religious practices, but also questioned regarding the social media posts of his friends. While Ajjawi had not posted anything political himself, the immigration officers interrogated him about his friends’ posts that had “political points of view that oppose the U.S.” Ajjawi alleged. Ajjawi was able to enter the United States 10 days after having his visa revoked, with the help of lawyers, Harvard staff and AMIDEAST, the scholarship organization who is sponsoring his education, according to the Harvard Crimson. Nevertheless, this case is an example of what is becoming a more common reality for international students in the United States, according to the New York Times. As more students from countries around
the world find themselves being denied student visas or experiencing longer delays in receiving visas than ever before, we must consider what this means for a democratic America, which was founded on the ideals of free speech and freedom of expression. Our university prides itself on the encouragement of learning for all, and it would be a great loss if we were not to have as high of an international student population as we currently do. International students bring unique perspectives and strengths to institutions of higher education. Unfortunately, the current U.S. administration makes the potential of a growing and blossoming international student population unsustainable. Furthermore, these heightened security checks, especially in the case of Ajjawi being questioned about his friends’ social media posts, lead us to question whether we can be held accountable for the actions and words of those surrounding us. It is a troubling time for international students, who now have to consider not only what they post on social media when it comes to politics, but also whether they should remain friends on social media with those who post political messages that might be critical of the current administration in the United States. While it is hard to know how to protect our international student population, we know that we cannot and will not be bystanders as Americans, immigrants and international students alike are silenced and suppressed by the current administration. The Loyolan will continue to report on issues concerning international students and advocate for their rights, especially when they are unable to do so themselves.
“It would be a great loss if we were not to have as high of an international student population as we currently do.”
laloyolan.com
Board Editorial Jacob Cornblatt Editor-in-Chief
Shannon Tormey Managing Editor
Board Editorials represent the voice of the Loyolan. They are written in collaboration by the Executive Editorial Board.
Sustainability is not enough anymore Speck and Spielmann
BUSINESS STAFF Business Manager Advertising Manager Business Coordinator Ad Designer Ad Intern Business Intern
Gia Lee Hayden Regalado Duc Vo Juliane Johnson Matthew Hendrickson Lauren Rechner
Distribution Manager Petros Hadjikyracou Distribution Intern Matthew Hendrickson Distribution Intern Mirabella Efstratis Student Media Coordinator Veronica Manz Director of Student Media Tom Nelson
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.
The Los Angeles Loyolan is a member of the Associated Collegiate Press and the California College Media Association.
Cristobal Spielmann
Sustainability, as defined by the EPA, means, “to create and maintain the conditions under which humans and
nature can exist in productive harmony to support present and future generations.” See Greener Campus | Page 5
Opinion Intern @LALoyolan
O
ur university always seems to paint itself as a green school, and that’s not without receipts. We ranked 19th on the Sierra Club’s Cool Schools 2018 list, which celebrates schools with good environmental practices. We’ve invested thousands of dollars into solar power to reduce our carbon footprint and we have our recycling program that recylces over 75% of our waste. All of these accomplishments are amazing. As I’ve written previously at the Loyolan about flooding infrastructure on campus and the impact of the new East Quad buildings, I believe LMU can always do more to ensure it lives up to the model of a green school. Rather than focusing on fixes to green initiatives by this administration, it’s time to look beyond that — toward our student culture. If LMU students really care about the environment, we need to be thinking globally. The fatal flaw I see when it comes to our green activity on campus is that it usually ends at local sustainability.
Jacob Johanson | Loyolan
LMU ranks high nationally when it comes to environmental sustainability. However, if we are going to fight for the Amazon rainforest, we need to move past sustainability.
OPINION
EDQ
Find us @LALoyolan
laloyolan.com
Page 5
Appreciating the U.S. after studying in Balkans Smiling Sally Sally Dean
Opinion Intern @LALoyolan
T
his summer I had the amazing opportunity to study abroad with LMU. I was able to have experiences that reshaped my worldview and exposed me to different ways of thinking. After this experience, I am more appreciative of the United States. The structure of the government here is unique and stable no matter who is currently in power. I cannot say the same about the government structure of Bosnia and Herzegovina (commonly referred to as Bosnia). Its inherent instability has led me to cherish my country’s government. The LMU Summer in Croatia program was five weeks, and we took two classes for eight credits. To be completely honest, I wasn’t that excited or even nervous to fly alone to a foreign country and live there for over a month. I thought of the program as a way to earn more credits and maybe get some cool life experiences. But after living through the program in its entirety, I realized I was misguided in my thoughts. On May 31, I hopped on a nine hour flight to Istanbul and then I made a connection to reach my final destination of Zagreb, Croatia. We lived in Zagreb for about two weeks and took a philosophy class called Narrative and Identity, while also learning about the history of Croatia and former Yugoslavia. The next destination was a weekend trip exploring Bosnia. We stayed in Sarajevo, Bosnia for about three days. I learned about the Yugoslav Wars in the 1990s that shaped
Jacob Johanson | Loyolan
Studying abroad allowed me to see life from a new perspective. I gained a different appriecation for the U.S. governments structure after seeing a foreign attempt at democracy.
the Balkan region into what it is today. Bosnia’s current governmental structure is a product of the end of the war. After the violence ended, the United States stepped in to try and create peace and democracy for Bosnia and Serbia through the General Framework Agreement for Peace in Bosnia and Herzegovina, also know as the Dayton Agreement or the Dayton Accords. The Accords created the governmental structure for Bosnia and made what I consider one of the most complex democracies ever. Bosnia has two entities within its government: the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Republika Srpska. Each region has its own local
government systems with a united federal government. There are three presidents—one for each major ethnic/ religious group (Serbian, Croatian and Bosniaks)—along with a House of Representatives and a House of the Peoples. To put it bluntly, The Bosnian government is a mess. The Dayton Accords were only a short-term solution, according to Oliver P. Richmond and Jason Franks in their book “Liberal Peace Transitions.” If the country wants to continue without war, changes need to be made to sustain long-term peace. Although I am not in a position to instigate change in Bosnia, what I can do is appreciate the government of my own
country. As of right now, I am not a fan of who is in the White House and the choices he is making for our country. Even with my disdain for the man of the hour, I have been able to recognize the power of the structure of our government. The Constitution is solid. When Trump says he wants to end birthright citizenship, he can’t do it because the 14th Amendment protects that right. The president is unable to amend the Constitution alone, showing that there are checks on his power. The Founding Fathers created a constitution that protects the rights of American citizens and made a strong foundation for government. Even though there are times I disagree with the Constitution, I am more cognizant of the privilege I have to speak out about injustice. The First Amendment gives me the right to speak my mind and the rest of the Bill of Rights defines my civic and political rights. As an American, I can vote for whomever I choose, not necessarily the candidate who represents my ethnicity. I have my grievances with the U.S. federal government and the people in power, but they won’t be in office forever. Studying abroad has altered my worldview. I saw things that changed my view of the United States for better. I learned about the wounds of war that happened two decades ago and how people still cope with the trauma and maintain the fight for peace.
This is the opinion of Sally Dean, a sophomore political science major from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Tweet comments @LALoyolan, or email editor@ theloyolan.com.
Student culture has to be green-focused Greener Campus from Page 4
Sustainability, obviously, is a vital aspect of environmental action and LMU has certainly done a lot to reach that goal. But when we box ourselves into this mindset of watching out for our own garbage and making sure our individual impacts are as close to zero as possible, we can miss out on the big picture of environmental destruction—even when it’s on campus. Local sustainability is just one part of becoming an ecoconscious citizen. It’s not enough to make sure you have the right to a clean and green home; it’s fighting to make sure your neighbor has those rights, too. Over the past few months, that fight has become more relevant than ever. “The Amazon for years has been neglected, by their own Brazilian population and its government,” explained Maria Beatriz Avinte Freire,
a sophomore film and television production major from Manaus, Brazil. “The difference about the Bolsonaro administration is its total lack of care or interest [in] it.” Jair Bolsonaro is the far-right president of Brazil, and he has been most responsible for the current damage being done to the Amazon. Since his administration began, Bolsonaro has robbed protections for indigenous peoples’ lands and handed over power to the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Food Supply. Bolsonaro also fired the head of the National Institute for Space Research for defending deforestation data.Bolsonaro has been nothing if not destructive. Our commitment needs to go beyond social media posts raising awareness about the issue. This means actually becoming a green school,
fighting for it every chance we have.
This is the opinion of Cristobal Spielmann, a sophomore environmental science major from Brentwood, Tennessee. Tweet comments @ LALoyolan, or email editor@theloyolan.
To read the full article by Spielmann, go to LALoyolan.com/opinion.
EDQ Find us @LALoyolan
Page 6
laloyolan.com
By Ellen Na, staff cartoonist
Darn Things Kids SAy
GALLOWS
By Harrison Klein, staff cartoonist
UNNECESSARY JAPES
2017 Classic!
By Cameron Woodard, former staff cartoonist
Check out more Loyolan cartoons online now! Visit LALoyolan.com/cartoons and catch up on your favorites!
EDQ Find us @LALoyolan
laloyolan.com
Page 7
Canceled study abroad trip actually blessing in disguise LMU’s cancelled study abroad trip changed lives in an unexpected way. Jordan Boaz Happily Homeless
After a secret meeting of top campus officials regarding LMU’s CASA de la Mateada study abroad program to Argentina, they made a tragic discovery — CASA was no longer making them a million dollar profit each. Deciding it was no longer worth their time, they pulled the program merely days before the students were prepared to set off. Of course, they blamed the program’s ending on “safety” and decided to send the students off to Mexico, a place with a significantly higher
homicide rate than Argentina, according to nationmaster.com. A few of the students, however, chose not to meet the end of their lives in Mexico, deciding instead to brave Los Angeles and its impending super-earthquake. For those students, this canceled trip has been a blessing in disguise. Take Lauren Denver, a sophomore Argentinian Studies major. At first it seemed as though the consequences of the cancellation—unemployment, homelessness, a sharp (sharp) increase in the semester’s costs and an inability to take relevant classes—were problematic. Now, she realizes that they were actually the key ingredients to enrich her life. Take unemployment and an increase in the semester’s
costs. It helped her become great at money management. She told the Bluff, “Now, when I want to buy something like food or medicine, I have to stop and think, ‘is this really something I need right now?’ The answer is usually yes, and I can’t afford it anyway — but at least I think about it. I feel like that’s a good money management skill.” As for homelessness, Denver has once again found the silver lining. “I always had a bed before this,” she said. “I think I got too comfortable. But sleeping out on the L.A. streets with all the people who try to give you drugs and ask if they can escort you back home to your cardboard box, well, it has really put me out of my comfort zone. It’s been
Ellen Na | Loyolan
Lauren Denver lives under a cardboard because of LMU’s decision to cancel her study abroad. However, she has managed to find the bright side.
a great growth opportunity.” Despite all this, Denver is still planning on continuing her education, but her major is on hold for the time being. “All the classes that would have fulfilled requirements were
full. So, instead, I’m taking the leftovers. Who knows? Maybe I’ll be really good at Organic Chemistry 470. I failed basic chem in high school, but I’ve gotten better at bowling since then, so you never know.”
Mothers take action with anti-⋀AX movement Brother or mother, you’re going to get paddled. Both bring tears. Andrew Dazé
Has All His Shots
Harrison Klein | Loyolan
Güd Form came home excited to show his new tattoo and lifestyle. His mother is now one of many to join the ranks of anti-⋀AXers.
Misinformation has given birth to a new movement among American mothers. Anti-fraternity mothers, aka Anti-⋀AXers, are blaming the Greek system for turning their baby boys into hedonistic, addict-prone men. “The first day of rush marked the beginning of the blight,” sobbed Ms. In Form, mother of LMU sophomore Güd Form. Ms. In Form recalled the first time Güd came home for Thanksgiving break. “When my good little Güd left for college, he and I used to do so much together. Now he avoids eye contact and talks about beer bongs and babes.” Ms. In Form is a frequent visitor of the website anti-⋀ AXers.com and goes by the username Ms. In Form Nation. She reveres the website for being a “place for like-
minded mothers to share our stories and block out any naysayers.” Dr. Soshi Oligee, professor of sociology, argues that these changes are normal. “This is perfectly normal behavior for young men experiencing independence from their parents for the first time, they grow out of these habits within four years,” Dr. Oligee says. She leads a team of graduate students driven by the quest to stop the Anti-⋀ AXers and Ms. In Form Nation. The group’s top priority is the deconstruction of the echo chamber that is Anti- ⋀ AXers.com. “We hope to teach these mothers that their boys are following normal growth patterns and that reading something online does not make it fact.” The Anti-⋀ AXers will be bringing their agenda to campus this month. Next Tuesday they will have their Anti-⋀ AXer bake sale, but do not be deceived. While their homemade cookies may be delicious, their message stems from misinformation and Ms. In Form Nation.
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.
Page 8
life+arts
EDQ Find us @LALoyolan
laloyolan.com
Greek Life fundraised through dance
Photos: Maeve Sullivan | Loyolan
LMU Greek Life participated in their annual Lip Sync and Stroll Off event on Aug. 31. Each sorority and fraternity, both cultural and social, performed dances centered around a theme. This year’s theme was Fright Night. Pictured left: Stroll Off winners Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority members; top middle: members of Sigma Chi fraternity; top right: members of Alpha Chi Omega sorority; right middle: members of Delta Gamma sorority; bottom right: members of Sigma Lambda Beta fraternity.
life+arts
EDQ Find us @LALoyolan
laloyolan.com
Page 9
Goodbye 1788, welcome Kikka Sushi Although it is still uncertain whether or not they will be able to keep up the momentum, I’m glad that we now have a new Asian cuisine option on campus that won’t disappoint. If you’re ever in the area around dinnertime, feel free to drop by Kikka, which opens only in the evenings. They are open from 5 p.m. to 1 a.m. on weekdays and untill 2 a.m. on weekends.
Sammi Side Up Sammi Su
Life+Arts Editor @sammi_susu
A
s we say our goodbyes to 1788 Sandwich Bar near the first year residence halls, eyes are now on Pizza Hut’s new neighbor, Kikka Sushi. This fall, Kikka Sushi opened up with the motto, “Sushi Made Daily.” At first look, I thought it wasn’t any different from Lair sushi, and like my peers, I was greatly disappointed at the change. However, much to my surprise, when I saw the menu, there wasn’t just sushi. They also offer teriyaki bowls, rice bowls, various types of noodles, poke and a couple of vegetarianfriendly selections. Personally, I was lured in by the mention of poke, since it’s one of my favorite food items. While it does lack the variety of selections you could get at a traditional Japanese restaurant or at a location specifically selling poke, there are still at least three protein options and a good number of vegetables.
“I’m glad that we now have a new Asian cuisine option on campus that won’t disappoint.” Whether it be a midnight craving for a poke bowl, rice bowl or grab-and-go sushi, Kikka is ready to take your order. This is the opinion of Sammi Su, a sophomore marketing major from West Covina, CA. Tweet comments to @sammi_susu or email comments to ssu@theloyolan.com.
Photo: Sammi Su | Loyolan
Kikka’s salmon poke bowl is one of three poke options offered. Kikka Sushi is the perfect place to satisfy your late night cravings, since it is conveniently located by the Pizza Hut in Founder’s Pavillion.
Trivia from tour guides Jordan from Bluff Jordan Boaz
L
Asst. Bluff Editor @LAloyolan
MU tour guides have seen it all, from highachieving prospective students to those who are just here to climb the trees. The job entails marketing and people-pleasing, but is well-loved among the students who lead tours. Riley McCoy, a sophomore political science and economics double major, said guiding tours is “the best job on the planet. You just get to talk to people and make connections with them, and try to show them a place that they can potentially see as their home one day.” She loves the role she gets to play in students’ college decisions, especially when they end up choosing LMU.
Those leading tours are taught to know LMU inside and out. They are trained to be honest, but not negative when sharing school information. As a rule of thumb, Comer said they “try to make [LMU] sound really fun and delightful.” These are some interesting facts commonly shared on tours: • University Hall was not previously home to a hangar. It was headquarters for the Howard Hughes and Raytheon corporation. If the building were flipped vertically, it would be 73 stories high. • LMU legend has it that underneath campus lies tunnels that only graduating seniors are allowed to access. • According to Comer, the Life Sciences Building generates 20% of the campus’ energy through its solar panels. • Students are thrown into Foley Fountain by friends at midnight on their first birthdays on campus.
“LMU legend has it that underneath campus lies tunnels that only graduating seniors are allowed to access.” The job can be a humorous one. Amelia Comer, sophomore theatre arts and psychology double major and tour guide, shared her most notable experiences. Once, a student casually mentioned during a tour that she “wants to dissect” one of the bunnies in the freshman area. She continued to inquire about LMU’s dissection process, including which animals are involved. More than once Comer has been asked by a prospective student if they can climb the trees. Some even ask about carpet colors inside the dorms. One time a student inquired about what major she should apply for to quickly reach her dream job: a CEO. “I don’t want to do the other jobs. Just be a CEO,” she told Comer. Some families believe tour guides have a say in admissions, which Comer and McCoy both assure is false.
•
Rains Hall is believed to be haunted, and in the Del Reys you can allegedly hear footsteps at night. One history class at LMU is even diving into this topic, according to Comer. • Dominos accepts the LMU meal plan upon request and several nearby locations accept LMU Flexi Dollars. Tours are a fun (or funny) time for everyone involved. If you are interested in learning more about LMU, consider tagging along. If not, wave hello to the tour guides you pass. They love it.
For more life+arts stories, head to laloyolan.com, or find us on social media @LALoyolan.
SPORTS
EDQ Find us @LALoyolan
laloyolan.com
Page 11
Men’s water polo has high hopes for new season Returners and new players are expected to contribute to the nationally ranked team. Alex Hutton
Asst. Sports Editor @LALoyolan
Entering a new season, the coaches and players for the men’s water polo team expect to accomplish big things in the pool. They believe that they can improve on last season’s result and exceed their third place standing in the Western Water Polo Association (WWPA) preseason coaches poll. They also hope to win the conference altogether. “We’ve got to get back into the mindset that we’re going to compete for [the conference championship] every year,” head coach John Loughran said. “It’s an exciting time. I think this group has a ton of potential and we’re getting better every practice.” The Lions believe that offense will be their main strength this season. They return their top two scorers from last year in sophomore attacker Blazo Mitrovic, who scored 76 goals, and redshirt junior defender Alexandros Athymaritis, who scored 46. However, Loughran is excited about the supporting players. “We have strong players in Blazo [Mitrovic] and Alex [Athymaritis], so they’re going to be covered,” he said. “Our role players are going to have to be able to produce.” The team is also attempting to fill the hole created by the graduation of last year’s primary center, Dayne Jagga. This season will likely feature multiple centers in the rotation for the
Ultimate
The team gained club sport status and prepares to take on other schools. Nick Rossi Sports Intern @LALoyolan
Club ultimate frisbee will be making its debut at LMU this year as a competitive club team. Recently, ultimate frisbee has seen a great surge on campus. The club had over 190 students who were interested in the team at LMU’s annual EXP Fest, according to the women’s team captain, senior screenwriting and economics double major Macy McKeegan. Additionally, ultimate frisbee will also be returning to this year’s lineup of Campus Recreation’s intramural offerings. McKeegan admitted the school was initially hesitant to officially transition ultimate frisbee from a club to a competitive club team, but there was so much push from the student body that the Campus Recreation department was eventually convinced. The ultimate frisbee community found its legs at LMU through philosophy professor William Britt, who used to invite his students to join him in playing pickup games on Fridays, according to junior electrical engineering and computer science double major Kyle Cullinane and
Photo: Alyssa Reece | Loyolan
Senior attacker Austin Clark plays defense in a 2018 match. He and several other LMU men’s water polo players expect to contend for, if not win, the conference title.
Lions, with Loughran planning to give junior Jack Baumgardner, junior Scott Thomas and freshman Connor Settem time at the position. Settem is one of many new players for LMU. The roster features seven freshmen and two redshirt freshmen. The team also brought in junior attacker David Carrasco from Spain to help bolster the offense. Athymaritis, who is a veteran leader for the Lions, expressed optimism about the new players and stated that he likes what they give the team. “We have a lot of young guys on the team, so that brings a lot of energy,” he said. “The young guys are hungry.” The weeks leading up to the start of the season are a time for incoming players
frisbee
junior computer science major Tommy Bennett, both of whom are currently on the team. The makeshift team began every weekend by throwing the frisbee around on Hannon Field, scrimmaging one another. The number of players joining the games steadily grew over the years, creating the possibility of an organized team. One student who has been central to this jump is a screenwriting graduate student and experienced frisbee player, Luke Hart-Moynihan. Hart-Moynihan received his undergraduate degree from the College of William & Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia and is originally from Annapolis, Maryland. Growing up on the East Coast, he played ultimate frisbee, or “ultimate,” as it’s commonly referred to, in both high school and college. Speaking to his own playing experience, Hart-Moyniham described the competitiveness and popularity of ultimate back home on the East Coast. “I had played club ultimate in undergrad. There’s a massive structure that exists out there that is pretty highly competitive,” said HartMoynihan. “They [William and Mary] had about 80 people showing up and only 20 spots on the team. They also had an entire B-team— about 100
to integrate themselves into the team. Loughran stressed the importance of developing chemistry between new and established players. “We’re getting guys learning how to work together, understanding each other’s tendencies, and that’s been a big part of our preseason,” he said. While all of the new players will go through the process of transitioning to college water polo, none of them are making a bigger leap than Carrasco. The Barcelona native has been playing overseas for years and is looking forward to his first season of American water polo — a game very different from the European style of play. Carrasco noted how the European style of play
team
turns
was faster than in the United States. The offensive veterans are looking forward to playing with Carrasco and his up-tempo approach to the game. “I’d like to have more counterattack opportunities with David,” said senior attacker Austin Clark, who led the team in assists last season. “He’s really fast. I’ve got to match his speed [and] find a way to get faster.” The offense looks strong between Carrasco, the freshmen and the returners, meaning that the question marks lie with the defensive facet of the game. Loughran is aware that the team’s defense could make or break their season. “We have to be the best defensive team in the conference if we want to compete for a conference title,” he said. “That goes from goaltending to team defense to individual defense.” The Lions hope to use defense to create offense. They want to excel at counterattacking and they know that an aggressive style of defense will be a major factor in their success. “We’re working on a lot of [counterattacks],” Clark said. “We’re also really focusing on playing some strong press defense.” The team has a long season ahead, but their attitude is one of optimism and hope that capturing their first WWPA crown since 2010 would be just the beginning. “We’re trying to win conference and then keep going from there,” Athymaritis said. LMU’s season begins on Saturday, Sept. 7 at 12:30 p.m. at the UC San Diego Triton Invitational in La Jolla, when the Lions take on the California Golden Bears.
competitive
via Lilly O’Brien
LMU ultimate frisbee players pose after a practice at Drollinger Field. After many years of being a casual non-competitive club, the team is now an official, competitive club sport.
people on that campus play competitive travel ultimate.” Having this experience, Hart-Moynihan set out to give LMU’s ultimate community a similar competitive foundation. He has acted as one of the club’s leaders, facilitating its meetings and using his experience to show LMU students the ropes of ultimate. The graduate student has a genuine passion for the growth of the game at LMU and hopes the club team will stick around for years to come. “I just try to get people to show up, have fun and learn things. But now, the structures are much more
self-propagating. The point is to develop a program that lasts for a long time and makes connections between people when they’re here; and then beyond here that makes connections for people in the local community, the regional community and even internationally.” Outside of the sport itself, a big part of what draws students to ultimate is the community. Members of the club team will point to the inherent upbeat and welcoming environment of the sport as one of its major draws. Ultimate frisbee as a sport is well known for its
positivity, fostering a space which allows for a unique blend of competitiveness and friendliness. Cullinane touched upon the character of the game and what attracted him along with so many others to the new rendition of the club at LMU. “There was a group of guys at my high school who would play pickup. They were the nicest people. There’s something around the environment of the sport of ultimate frisbee that draws in people who have good hearts and just want to be competitive,” he said.
SCORES UPDATE W. Soccer Volleyball
W W W. L A L O Y O L A N . C O M
0-3 L
vs. Penn State
3-1 W
vs. App State
Volleyball M. Soccer
0-3 L
at Arizona 1-2 L vs. Virginia Tech
LION SPORTS
SPORTS
EDQ Find us @LALoyolan
Your Home. Your Voice. Your News. EST. 1921
September 4, 2019
Page 12
Choate enters year as new head baseball coach Coach Choate outlines his goals for the upcoming season and coaching philosophy. Zach Johnson Sports Intern @LALoyolan
Following a 2019 season that culminated in the LMU baseball team's first NCAA tournament appearance since 2000, as well as the first WCC tournament victory in LMU history, the Lions welcomed Nathan Choate as their new head coach. After 11 seasons at the helm of the LMU baseball program, previous head coach Jason Gill elected to accept a position as head coach at the University of Southern California, leading the Lions to select Choate as his successor. According to LMU Athletics, Coach Choate joined the Lions during the summer of 2018 as an assistant coach, placing an emphasis on the pitching staff as well as recruiting new players. Choate’s dedication to the pitching staff led to breakout years for pitchers such as former Lions Codie Paiva and Nick Frasso, whose strong performances this past season aided the team’s success. Furthermore, under Choate’s influence, the 2019 Lion’s pitching staff saw its notable improvements, with the team lowering its collective ERA from 5.12 in 2018 to 3.50 in 2019. Both Paiva and Frasso benefited from Coach Choate’s tutelage, with Paiva being drafted in the 22nd round of the
via LMU Athletics
Nathan Choate (left) speaks with former infielder Nick Sogard during a game last season. Choate takes over from previous head coach Jason Gill, who moved on to USC.
2019 MLB draft by the Miami Marlins and Frasso being named to the USA Collegiate National Team. However, when mentioning the players, coach Choate’s team philosophy became evident. “Both players were great guys who were extremely team-oriented, and their team-oriented attitudes eventually paid off individually.” While Choate has always specialized in pitching, his new role has placed him in a position where pitching, offense and
defense are now all under his supervision. When asked about taking over the LMU program on the heels of a successful season, Choate seemed unsatisfied by the results of the previous season. “We had an opportunity to go all the way this [past] season. We were in a position to win a few critical games, and we just couldn’t get it done," said Choate. "This season, we’ve lost a few key guys, but we’ve also got a lot of guys [who were] instrumental to
our team coming back, and we’re all hungry to get back out there and show everyone what we can do.” While coach Choate emphasized the importance of improvement, he also recognized the prestige of playing in an NCAA tournament. “That was pretty fun playing in that kind of playoff environment," said Choate. "It was also really cool to see all our fans behind our dugout supporting us. I just remember looking up above the dugout, and seeing a sea of kids wearing LMU gear.” When asked about his style of coaching, Choate emphasized accountability. “That means that for me, personally, I need to get the players to believe in me.” Choate certainly values leadership by example, regardless of player/coach differences. For players to buy into the program, they need to believe that the coaches are bought in too. With the Lions losing only four graduating seniors, the team is in a strong position to compete and defend their WCC title. Coach Choate will need to find a way to make up for the loss of staff ace Codie Paiva and starting shortstop Nick Sogard, but the emergence of rising seniors Trevin Esquerra and Josh Agnew, as well as junior Nick Frasso, during the 2019 season provides the Lions with hope for sustainable success. The Lions' season begins in the spring of 2020, with the team’s eyes set on a return to the NCAA tournament.