November 15, 2012 - Issue 9

The Beacon

Student Newspaper of Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts North Adams, Mass.

For more content, visit online at: theonlinebeacon.com Volume 76 ◆ Issue 9

Th u r s d ay, N o v e m b e r 1 5 , 2 0 1 2

Students uncover E.Coli in Hoosic River

By Nick Arena Staff Writer

Two Environmental Studies students located high levels of E. Coli in the Hoosic River and its connecting tributaries as part of an ongoing research project.

Juniors Richard Doucette and Felipe Avila sampled over 80 sites along the river and its connecting streams throughout the summer to locate the source of E. Coli, a fecal bacteria.

“We knew that there was E. Coli in the river from previous samplings that other people have done, but the source of the E. Coli wasn’t established specifically,” Avila said.

“What our project consisted of was finding exactly where the E. Coli was coming from.”

The pair sampled sites in the Hoosic River watershed throughout Northern Berkshire County.

“The pollution that we’ve identified for the most part comes from two sources: it’s either a ruptured sewer system, so a ruptured sewer pipe that’s normally leaking into a storm water system, or it’s [from] cattle, agriculture,” Doucette said.

After the sampling process was complete, the two began to work with the municipalities where the sources were located in creating solutions for the problems.

“We started working with the communities in August, but that’s where the main focus of our work is at this point,” Doucette said.

According to Doucette and Avila,

the difficulty solving the problem depends on the source of the bacteria. For example, a burst sewage pipe can be repaired by the city’s Department of Public Works (DPW), with less difficulty than with an agricultural issue.

“It’s a lot harder to remedy agricultural sources, because in the Clean Water Act (a federal law) agriculture is exempt from a lot of the laws, ” Doucette said.

Environmental Studies Professor Elena Traister originally conceived the project and has been working on it since long before Doucette and Avila became involved.

“My master’s research was looking at E. Coli concentrations and fluctuations in this area and that’s ultimately what connected me with some of the staff at [the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection] who were interested in some of my results, because of some of the work that they were doing,” Traister said.

She worked with students over the past few years to plan the project and write grant proposals to submit to the Berkshire Regional Planning Commission (BRPC), which then submitted the grant to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

The EPA funded it through the DEP. “Not only does [BRPC] have expertise in the logistics of this kind of grant, and managing it, and reporting on it,” she said. “They also have the expertise that goes into phase two of this grant. The region-

Former Senator George Mitchell addresses College

Photo by Jack Guerino/Beacon staff

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College’s self-study underway Self-assessment necessary for re-accreditation process

By Nick Arena Staff Writer

For the full story, see page 2

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Photo courtesy of Felipe Avila

Felipe Avila tests the E. Coli levels of the water at a site in Cheshire, Mass. al planning commission has some coming to a close, Traister said.

Team at the Freight Yard Pub, in additional funds that can be used Doucette and Avila will be pre- North Adams. for working with the municipalities senting the information they gathAll of the information has been on trying to engineer solutions to ered at Williams College and Green passed onto the municipalities afsome of these problems.”

Drinks, a monthly meeting of the fected by the spread of E. Coli and MCLA’s part in the project is Berkshire Environmental Action will become public knowledge.

The College has entered the final year of preparation for a visit from the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC) next year.

According to Cynthia Brown, vice president of Academic Affairs, the in-depth look at the College’s performance is at least a two-year long process.

“It takes 18 to 24 months to do the whole process, self-study to team visit,” Brown said.

The process involves measuring 11 different broad-area standards that encompass the entirety of the institution, she added. Each standard has its own committee comprised of students, faculty, and administration.

“Within each of those broad areas are a number of specific things,” she said. “Everything from the quality of our faculty and programs, to the

services that we offer to students, to how we setup our governance, what our missions is and are we able to carry out our mission, what are our resources, our technical resources, our physical resources, our financial resources, and so on.”

The process itself is not simply an accreditation with the NEASC, it is a way for the school to reflect on what it is currently doing and what it can do to improve, said Celia Norcross, director of Student Development and Activities.

“The biggest advantage is that this type of process allows the institution to really look at itself and not feel like they’re going to get an A, or a B, or a C, or a D, you know, a passing grade of sorts,” Norcross said.

She added that the self-study process is an excellent way for students, faculty, and administration to learn about what is happening on campus and to learn about different departments.

“It really is a community based

Former Senator talks foreign relations

Women’s basketball gears up for season

SAC starts planning for Spring Concert

George Mitchell’s lecture touched upon conflicts in other countries

Team looks to develop chemistry and adapt new style of play

SAC members discuss the process of choosing a band

News, page 2

Sports, page 6

Arts & Entertainment, page 8

Photo by Takeya Lee/Beacon staff

Cynthia Brown, vice president of Academic Affairs. self-reflection,” she said. “Which is very valuable because you don’t get the opportunity very often to hear what people in other departments are thinking about your department, or thinking about your programs.”

SELF STUDY, continued on page 4

News Sports Arts & Entertainment Campus Comment Fun & Games Photo Essay

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News

Thursday, November 15, 2012

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Obama seeks Clubs seek more van options for transportation

By Amy Cubello solutions to Staff Writer tax increases Associted Press

WASHINGTON (AP) _ President Barack Obama on Friday signaled willingness to compromise with Republicans, declaring he was not “wedded to every detail’’ of his approach to prevent a looming set of automatic tax hikes and budgets cuts that threaten to erase millions of jobs and push the U.S. back into an economic recession.

But the president insisted his reelection gave him a mandate to raise taxes on wealthier Americans.

The changes, widely characterized as a dangerous “fiscal cliff ’’ set to kick in Jan. 1, include a series of expiring tax cuts that were approved in the George W. Bush administration. The other half of the problem is a set of punitive across-the-board spending cuts, looming only because partisan panel of lawmakers failed to reach a debt deal.

Put together, they could mean the loss of roughly 3 million jobs.

“The majority of Americans agree with my approach,’’ said Obama, brimming with apparent confidence in his first White House statement since securing a second term.

Speaker John Boehner insisted that raising tax rates as Obama wants “will destroy jobs in America.’’

Obama invited the top four leaders of Congress to the White House next week for talks.

World stocks mostly fell Friday as fears persisted over the “fiscal cliff ’’ that’s seen as a big threat to the economic recovery. On Wall Street, stocks managed a small rally. The Dow was up about 30 points when Boehner started talking and about 80 points shortly after.

Then Obama said he would not accept any approach to federal deficit reduction that doesn’t ask the wealthy to pay more in taxes. A spokesman later said Obama would veto legislation extending tax cuts for families making $250,000 or more.

The CBO analysis says the looming combination of automatic tax increases and spending cuts would cut the massive U.S. deficit by $503 billion through next September, but that the fiscal austerity would cause the economy to shrink by 0.5 percent next year and cost millions of jobs.

About 60 percent of voters said in exit polls Tuesday that taxes should increase, either for everyone or those making over $250,000.

Obama says he is willing to talk about changes to government funded medical insurance for the poor and elderly, earning him the ire of the left. Boehner says he will accept raising tax revenue and not just slashing spending, although he insists it must be done by reworking the tax code, not raising rates. The framework, at least, is there for a broad deal on taxes.

The president gave in to Republican demands to extend the cuts across the board in 2010, but he ran for re-election on a pledge to allow the rates to increase on families making more than $250,000 a year.

The national debt now stands above $16 trillion. The government borrowed about 31 cents of every dollar it spent in 2012.

Clubs are having difficulties renting school vans for trips.

According to Public Safety, only two vans can be rented out at a time. This causes problems for clubs like the Allegrettos, a club composed of 50 students.

Safety issues, travel times, and availability of van drivers are factors in deciding if a club’s request for vans will be granted.

“Student Development has been working with our campus Transportation Advisory Committee to determine guidelines that can assist students execute safe travel plans when participating in college sanctioned trips,” said Celia Norcross, director of Student Development.

She explained that if there are more than 24 students in a club

Photo by Jess Gamari/Beacon staff

School vans are stationed in the Public Safety parking lot. looking for transportation, they should seek other options such as renting a bus. Unfortunately, this comes at a heavy cost to clubs.

Melody Rolph, a junior and member of Allegretto, said renting

a bus would put a huge deficit in their budget.

“Our budget as a club on campus is not enough for us to rent commercial vans, which we have researched cost at least $50 an hour,”

Rolph said. “If we were to travel for a day with our Gospel group (composed of both singers and a band) we would use our entire budget on one trip.”

VANS, continued on page 3

Former Senator talks foreign relations, democracy

By Ryan Flynn Staff Writer

Former Maine Senator George Mitchell addressed the North Adams and MCLA communities emphasizing on the number of important issues ranging from international conflicts in foreign countries to the importance of democracy on Thursday, Nov. 8.

Mitchell was quick to say how important peace and democracy in other countries is, as he was formerly the U.S. Special Envoy for peace in the Middle East and Northern Ireland.

“There is now urgency for conflict resolution in this world for many,” he said.

Mitchell used the on-going Israeli-Palestinian conflict as his platform. He noted that an immediate resolution would be incredibly difficult, as there is a longenduring hostility between the two groups that won’t end easily.

“It’s a daunting challenge to make peace between not only leaders, but two peoples,” he said.

While he noted that our country should do all it can to end this

struggle, he said peace cannot be forced.

“A solution cannot be proposed externally,” he said.

Going further into the conflict, Mitchell acknowledged how dangerous the situation is and said Americans should be very aware of its cost.

“If the conflict continues both sides face a highly dangerous future,” he said.

As much as Mitchell warned the audience how serious the IsraeliPalestinian conflict is, he did show hope for resolution.

“I believe this conflict can be and will be ended,” he said.

Political Science Professor Anthony Daly emphasized how important Mitchell’s discussion on this topic was.

“The conflict between Israelis and Palestinians is so important because the Middle East is an area of vital concern for the United States,” he said. “The importance of oil in the region is certainly part of America’s interest, but it is also one of the most volatile regions in the world, and a conflict there can easily spread.”

Mitchell also discussed America

as a country, and how the nation should not take its pride from brute military power.

“For too many people, power is seen as the primary or exclusive example of power in the world,” he said.

As opposed to militarism, Mitchell noted what makes America a great country is the freedom offered and enforced. He drove home the point that the country’s citizens must not discriminate against immigrants, who want, what he said, Americans sometimes take for granted: freedom.

“Almost all of us are Americans by a form of accident,” he said. “These people are American by free will.”

Mitchell concluded his thoughts on America, with a powerful statement regarding how the country should conduct itself in order for it to continue to grow and flourish as it has in the past couple hundreds of years.

“Our challenge is to conduct ourselves so in 100 years, people will still want to come here,” he said. “Not because we have bigger and better missiles, but because in America they have a chance.”

During his time in the Senate

Mitchell was known for his bi-partisanship, which was demonstrated throughout his speech. Daly said this made him a great choice for the lecture.

“He stressed the need for cooperation between the Democrats and Republicans. In his time in the Senate, he was trusted and respected by both parties, so he has credibility on these issues.”

Several students were also impressed by Mitchell’s emphasis on compromise.

“I’m really glad because I realized not all politicians support militarism as a means,” said Griffin Thayer, a junior.

As Mitchell received an outstanding applause, Daly said the powerful speech was a perfect example of why these lectures demonstrate the College’s growth.

“These lectures are an example of what a remarkable education is available at this public liberal arts college,” he said. “Students have opportunities to hear from and even interact with figures who have had a powerful influence in shaping our world, such as George Mitchell, David Plouffe, and Robert Gates.”

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3 Bike share program likely to continue into spring News

Thursday, November 15, 2012

By Marc Latour Staff Writer

Photo by Jess Gamari/Beacon staff

Student clubs are unable to rent out more than two vans at a time.

Clubs seek more van options VANS, continued from page 2 Although there is no written policy stating a group cannot rent out more than two vans at one time, Public Safety and Celia Norcross, who grant clubs permission to rent vans, tell students this is because of safety reasons and lack of vans for other clubs to use during the same time frame.

“We want to have as many people as we can in our group, but in order to go on great trips and have great performances, we need transportation…[W]e understand why this has become an issue, but we believe that if MCLA wants to branch out and expose its students to new experiences, we need transportation options that support our needs,” Rolph said.

The vans are not solely for club use. It is hard for clubs to reserve the vans for specified trips because the vans are for campus-

wide use.

“These are not sole property of the clubs and must be shared. Often times such a high number of vehicles were not even available for use by one club for their requested date and time,” Norcross said.

A committee is looking into this issue because they know students/ clubs are having difficulties finding a way to their destinations.

The Student Government Association (SGA) is also involved with this van issue and encourages students to get their travel details in order and submit a statement on how many vans the club needs to rent three-to-four weeks before the trip takes place.

If any issues occur or clubs with more than 24 students wish to rent vans, Norcross is advising clubs to get in contact with her so each party could come to a decision and help clubs receive the transportation necessary to enable smooth travels.

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Pilot term three ends without crashing. The College’s bike share program will likely return in the spring, according to Jason Brown, coordinator of the bike share program.

“We pitched this program to different departments and organizations,” Brown said.

Dean of Students Charlotte Degen, the Outdoors club, the Environuts, Gallery 51, Residential Programs and Services, The Coca-Cola Company, and the President’s office were among the several organizations who dedicated part of their budgets to help launch the program.

“This was a really important way to go about it, because the entire campus was investing in the program,” Brown said. “It showed them the campus was invested in the program’s success.”

The program pitches generated nine bikes for the program, according to Degen.

“We are very pleased with the bike share program,” she said.

The first pilot lasted two weeks in May, the second happened over the summer, and the final pilot occurred this fall.

“We’re trying to get a full idea of how [the program] will work,” Degen said. She added, students have been looking at ways to strengthen it.

The program is looking into offering informational presentations before the bike share returns in the spring, Brown said.

“We’d like to run safety classes.

People have requested a class on how to ride a bike,” Degen said.

The program is also looking to strengthen bike safety awareness, she said. “We do ask everyone to wear a helmet.”

Brown said the bike share will return once the weather conditions from the winter clear up and the streets are safer.

“It takes some time to clean up after the winter,” he said. “When

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the weather gets better, and the streets are clear, we’ll probably bring the bikes back.”

Brown estimated that the program will return toward the end of April.

“People are constantly asking about them. Students enjoy the opportunity to check out bikes for free,” he said. “The program has been immensely successful.”

Bikes were checked out over 90 times during the first two weeks of running.

“People are constantly asking about them.

Students enjoy the opportunity to check out bikes for free.”

- Jason Brown Many bikes have been brought back with issues ranging from popped tires to bent rims. Brown said taking bikes out of service to fix them has slowed the rental process.

“When the bike is broken, it’s broken. It’s going to take time to fix,” Brown said. “I’m not a bike mechanic, but I’ve learned a lot.”

Brown discouraged students attempting to fix any issues themselves, as the program will not have any knowledge of the potential problem.

Degen also urged students to take care of the bikes as well.

“Maintaining the program is less expensive without careless wear on the bikes,” she said. “Love the bikes, these are Trailblazer bikes.”

The program hopes to have a web-based rental system in place very soon. Students have been confused by seeing bikes on the rack outside the library, even though none are available to rent, according to Degen.

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Jason Brown is a coordinator of the bike share program.

“They have no way of knowing without walking in and asking,” she said.

The web-based system may include an application for the program. The Computer Science department is currently looking into its development.

According to Brown, creating a cycling club could reduce funding concerns. Brown said he would work with anyone interested in creating it. After a year of successful operation, the club would be eligible for funding from the Student Government Association.

Brown works as a coordinator for the program in the Center for Service, out of the Student Affairs Department, where the program has received major support.

The program is hinging on student feedback right now, Brown said.

“We need it to make sense for us to bring them back,” he added.

“The program has no budget.

We’re encouraging anyone with feedback to email bikeshare@ mcla.edu (Bike Share Email on FirstClass).”

Questions can be directed to Jason Brown, Katherine Russell, or Spencer Moser via FirstClass, for more information.

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News

Thursday, November 15, 2012

Congratulations to the Spring 2013 Beacon Staff Editor-in-Chief Aya Lanzoni Managing Editor Nick Arena Senior News Editor Ryan Flynn

Arts & Entertainment Editor Shannen Adamites

College’s self-study process underway Process to examine 11 different institutional standards

SELF STUDY, continued from page 1 Jason Brown, Student Government Association (SGA) President, is one of the students working on the governance standard committee.

“We’re assessing how we do business as usual and what it is we do right now.

That piece is called the appraisal,” he said.

“There are two things we’re looking at: our description, how we described how we did things from the last accreditation process and we’re revising that for what we’re doing now. Then there’s this appraisal piece

which is, is it effective? What pieces that we currently use are most effective, and what does it look like in action.”

The final step in the governance selfevaluation will determine how effectively everything works in action, he added.

He described how the College’s system of governance makes the self-study process a very effective medium for students to get involved with how the campus is currently operating.

“Our system of governance makes provisions for consideration of student views and judgment in those matters, which

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students have a direct and reasonable interest,” he said.

Cynthia Brown said the College will have a final document released next semester.

“In the spring, we will have a very good draft of the self-study completed, and then that will be vetted. There will be community opportunities to vet that,” she said.

There will be copies available to students and the campus community to add to and make comments on before the final NEASC visit next November.

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Sports

Thursday, November 15, 2012

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Kaylyn Smith: A new face in athletics

By Andrew Hodgson Sports Editor

Every year Midnight Madness is an event used to energize students and prepare them for the upcoming basketball season.

Who was this year’s emcee announcing activities and leading the crowd in cheers? None other than the assistant to the athletic director, Kaylyn Smith.

Most athletic interns would cringe at emceeing a massive student event. Smith thrived on the opportunity.

“The thing I benefited the most from is the opportunity to connect with students,” she said.

Smith was hired over the summer by the College after it was awarded a scholarship by the NCAA. The NCAA Division III Ethnic Minority and Women’s Internship Grant is the full title of the two-year stipend the College received. It pays for Smith’s salary.

Being an employee of the College and the NCAA gives Smith two-fold responsibility.

She is the jack of all trades in the athletic department. She organizes promotions, prepares budgets, and of course, shmoozes with the students.

On top of all her responsibilities at the College, she also is given a stipend by the NCAA to attend conferences and help gain more insight about athletic administration, crucial skills Smith will need to one day run an atheltic program herself.

Smith grew up in a family of

athletes. The daughter of a high school athletic director in upstate New York, her and her five siblings all played sports through high school and college.

“It was kind of in the genes,” Smith said of her early immersion into athletics.

She played both field hockey and basketball at Western New England College (WNEC) before tearing her ACL. After the injury Smith had to give up field hockey but continued to play basketball.

Smith was emerging as a student leader.

During her time at WNEC she not only played sports, she also was an orientation leader, the Student Activities Council president, and a first-year seminar assistant as well.

“When I graduated [in 2010] my superlative was ‘social butterfly’ I created my own lane,” Smith said.

The next stop on Smith’s journey was Springfield College.

Smith was contemplating a career like most recently undergraduates, and the decision was easy. Sports were her passion in life so why not make a career of it?

She graduated from Springfield with a Master’s degree in athletic administration in May 2012 and faced the problem that all students graduating must, what now?

A professor at Springfield told Smith that MCLA was hiring an athletic administration assistant.

The timing couldn’t have been better.

Smith graduated just as the College received the NCAA

5

Photo by Andrew Hodgson/ Beacon staff New athletic administration intern Kaylyn Smith.

grant, and now she is a staple of the athletic department.

Smith fell in love with the College, herself having been a Division III athlete and can relate to the student athletes.

“I had such a good experience as a Division III athlete, I know what they go through every day,”

she said.

Smith prefers the dynamic of Division III athletics to the commoditized money-grab that is Division I athletics. Athletes at the Division III level play because they want to win, not because they are on scholarships and have to do the bidding of their institution.

Smith said Division III really focuses on student athletes instead of just athletes.

It makes sense that Smith likes situations that allow her new opportunities. After all, how many adminstrative assistants get to run around a gym during Midnight Madness?

The Sports Desk: The NBA season promises to be full of excitement, panic and the manic eyes of the country tune in to the sideshow that is the Los Angeles Lakers

Andrew Hodgson Sports Editor

T

he 2012-2013 NBA Season has barely even started and already the drama center of the world is putting out media fodder like only Los Angeles could do.

The Lakers started the season at a wretched 1-4 and proved themselves as the ultimate kneejerk reactors, firing head coach Mike Brown.

Yesterday, former Knicks coach Mike D’Antoni made a long, arduous flight from New York to L.A., to take the reins of a team with enough talent to keep him drawing up new offensive sets for the next decade. D’Antoni is famous for his prowess at creating prolific offenses, and infamous for his teams’ ineptitudes on defense.

Nevertheless he has proven to be successful in the regular season.

Remember the span from 2004 to 2007 when D’Antoni (and

now Laker Steve Nash) created a dominant offense on the Phoenix Suns? He is one of the only coaches to finish first or second in a conference for three years and not reach the finals.

That doesn’t bode well in L.A., this is Phil Jackson country, where the only indication of Laker success is bling. Without that, D’Antoni will be out the door just like Mike Brown. In truth no coach is going to satisfy the Lakers for a year or two, Phil Jackson’s tenure is too close. Every man who tries to coach that team will have Phil’s legacy, and the Laker dedication to his ways, hanging over their head.

Here’s the thing about the Lakers. They are an eggs-in-onebasket team. They know that Kobe Bryant, Meta World Peace (formerly the affable Ron Artest), and Steve Nash are all on ticking clocks. Any coach they put in place will be under the directive to bring home a championship while Kobe is still around, so this year or the next is preferable.

Meanwhile, back in New York, D’Antoni’s former team,

the Knicks, are undefeated this season and sit atop the East at 5-0.

It is the first time they have started out with five wins in a row since the 1993-94 season. They haven’t had an easy first five games either.

Most recently they bested the defending champion Miami Heat, as well as the west powerhouse Dallas Mavericks. The season is young but it looks like the Knicks have surpassed the Celtics as the David to the Heat’s Goliath.

With a pretty soft next couple games coming up, the Knicks are going to set the pace in the east for the next month if not longer.

A huge reason for the Knicks success is the ability of their role players to help on offense. Tyson Chandler, the defensive rock of the Knick’s defense, has been contributing on offense, averaging 9.8 points and 7.2 rebounds a game. Both Chandler and prolific scorer Carmelo Anthony clearly benefited from the Olympic Games, both players started on the gold medal team this past summer.

Around the corner, the inaugural season of the Brooklyn

Nets averted disaster when the wrath of Hurricane Sandy left their new arena in Brooklyn almost untouched.

The Nets sit at 4-2, led by point guard Deron Williams.

Considering the team hasn’t been together for very long, they are showing a spark that might ignite for them later in the season. The roster includes unproven players like Kris Humphries (of marrying and divorcing Kim Kardashian fame) and Tyshawn Taylor.

Mixing in a group of veterans like Gerald Wallace and Joe Johnson to help the group come together might be a recipe for success in Brooklyn. but with the powerhouse Knicks next door, we are seeing the creation of a crosstown rivalry that might be the highlight of the East for years to come.

Unfortunately Celtics fans, the team has some good young components, but I think the Celtics are going to find themselves outclassed in an Eastern conference that includes the super-team Miami Heat, the up-and-coming teams in New

York, and a Chicago team that sits idle while they wait for Derrick Rose to recover from a knee injury.

The broken record comes around again, and like the last four or five years, the Celtics are old. Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett can’t play the minutes they used to. Ray Allen was absorbed into the evil empire in Miami, and Kendrick Perkins is long gone. They may have drafted great young prospects like JD Sullinger and Fab Melo. Courtney Lee and Jason Terry will round out the Celtics three-point game. But the NBA is leaning toward speedy teams that run the floor. The only way the Celtics could hope to keep up will be Rondo’s ability to push the ball in transition. But here’s how the playoffs will go C’s fans.

We will be too slow, too old, and not deep enough. Same old song and dance.

So much is already going on surrounding the NBA that this is going to be an action-packed NBA season. And who knows, maybe the Celtics can pull off a miracle in May.

6

Sports

Thursday, November 15, 2012

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Cross-country ends season at NCAA

By Chris Oxholm

Senior captain Brittany Galipeau pushes through to the finish line.

Sports Writer

Photo by Jess Gamari/ Beacon staff

Sophomore Ryan Walters completes the first loop.

Both the Men’s and Women’s Cross-country teams competed in this year’s NCAA Regional tournament in Westfield. The women finished the tournament in 47th place, while the men came in 30th.

The NCAA Regionals [National College Athletic Association] is a very large tournament consisting of around 50 teams and more than 350 individual runners.

This was the last meet for both teams for the rest of the season. Even though the individual teams placed lower in the results of the tournament, both were able to meet some team goals.

“At regionals we placed 47 out of 51 teams, which was really exciting for our team,” Danielle Sylvester said of the women’s team. “We did not come in last and we beat two of the MASCAC [Massachusetts State College Athletic Conference] teams.”

Sylvester finished the race at 28:22 along with teammate Claire Simmons, who ran in at 28:07. The two had the fastest times for the women’s team.

Amherst’s Keri Lambert won the individual competition and MIT won the team honors award at the women’s tournament.

Amherst College won the overall tournament with a score of 44, and Sam Haney, a senior at Tufts University, clutched the individual first place at 26:22 minutes.

The women look forward to their next season. As somewhat of a young team,

Photos by Jess Gamari/ Beacon staff

they have some building room, Sylvester said.

“We are not actually losing any runners next year which is really nice,” she said. “But we are hoping to gain a few more.”

The runners are getting ready for the next season.

Although it’s a long way off, training is essential to the team.

“Mostly I look forward to running and racing again and improving from this past season,” Sylvester said.

“But I have to say, this season everyone worked real hard. We had a few injuries but we've all come back from them.”

For the men, runner Anthony Cancilla got the highest place for MCLA, 94th, at 28:59 minutes. Keith Desilets was the second Trailblazer to finish at 30:28.

Sophomore Claire Simmons.

Season preview: women’s basketball

By Maciel Estrella Sports Writer

Beacon Archive

The Trailblazers will be without standout forward Jen Wehner this season.

While the Women’s Basketball team lost a few players, it has also gained three new members.

Freshman Mariah Brown, and sophomores Olivia Repula and Kathleen Nguyen, joined the team for their first season.

Team Captain Lucy Tremblay, a senior, said the new additions must adapt their playing style to the team’s.

“The team chemistry is really good,” she said. “The new players have adjusted to the way we play; we have gained three great players.”

The new players are just as excited to show off what they can do on the court to ensure success this season.

“I’m looking forward to proving myself,” Repula said. “I want to learn as much as I can from my teammates this season.”

Last spring, the team represented the College in the MASCAC All-Academic Team Release. Seventeen student athletes from MCLA were named to the spring All-Academic team out of 437 students honored by Commissioner Angela Baumann.

The Women’s Basketball team wants to keep the triumphant spirit alive this season by incorporating new ways to play together.

“With us losing our tall players last year, our game techniques are going to be different,” said Johanna Miner, a senior. “We are smaller but faster, and we’re excited to show everyone our new talent.”

Tremblay said the new team will do great things this season, and that they are all excited to show off their fresh talent.

“We’re playing a new style of basketball,” she said. “And I think we are going to be very successful.”

The women’s team plays its first game of the season Thursday, Nov. 15 at 5:30 p.m. against Daniel Webster College in the Campus Center Gym.

Thursday, November 15, 2012

Arts & Entertainment

theonlinebeacon.com

Yorick brings Shakespeare to life at Night of Scenes

Photo by Siyun Wu/Beacon staff

The cast of ‘Much Ado About Nothing’ eavesdrops behind trees.

By Michael Feloni A&E Writer

Students and families gathered to watch Yorick’s “Night of Scenes: A Night of Shakespearean Mishaps” in Church Street Center last Friday and Saturday night.

“It’s a collection of Shakespearean scenes themed around the idea of mishaps, with scenes from “Twelfth Night”, “Much Ado About Nothing”, “Cymbeline”, “Merry Wives of Windsor”, and “Comedy of Errors,” Jon Kinney, actor and director for Yorick, said. “There are six scenes, each with a different director or co-director.”

Each of the six acts lasted

roughly seven to ten minutes with four minute introductions in between with the directors.

The minimalist set and modernday attire for the actors gave a very unintimidating approach to Shakespeare for those attending, specifically those unfamiliar or fearful of Early Modern English dialogue and text.

During many of the scenes, including Act II scene ii of “Much Ado About Nothing” directed by Amanda Olsen, the characters went out into the audience and interacted while they gave fulllength monologues in full Shakespearean persona.

“They’re all about people being mistaken for other people, things going wrong, and lots of confusion,” Mary Marcil, Yorick Presi-

7

Photo by Siyun Wu/Beacon staff

Jon Kinney and Kyle Serino fight for love in ‘The Merry Wives of Windsor.’ dent, director, and emcee for the Night of Scenes, said. “Each of them is absolutely hysterical.”

The sets took up the entire stage at Church Street Center and included trees and baskets.

The acts were filled with witty innuendo and awkward situations gone awry. In a scene from the play, “Cymbeline”, actor Cory Flood as Jachimo, actually stored his entire body in a small trunk amongst a set including a human-sized stuffed bear named Sergeant McCuddles.

“I loved all of them “ Martha Pratt, a sophomore, “They were really funny.”

A Moment with Mary Marcil Students, directors, and actors

spent hours upon hours preparing their skills to produce the short five to ten minute scenes for the production. Mary Marcil has all the dirt on what goes on backstage and in rehearsal.

“It was all student-directed and people had a great time,” Marcil said about Yoricks’ production.

“Directors got to focus on the text as well as working with their casts.”

Marcil also had a lot to say about her time working with the cast and production team.

“For me, it was so much fun to be on stage again, because I am usually the one behind the scenes,” Marcil said. “I got to dress up and play a part that I love, and work with people that I respect and have seen grow as

talented people.”

Marcil continued to describe the purpose and hopes for “Night of Scenes.” It started as a project to provide an opportunity to direct, as well as just to get involved.

“I have met some wonderful friends through this process, and I was really delighted with how much fun it was to put on as a show,” Marcil said as she thought back to the weeks of tech rehearsals and practices and surprisingly low stress level, “at least as far as shows go.”

Before the curtain came down, Marcil left the audience with three immortal bid-thee-adieu’s: “Godgigoden, God give you goodnight, and so goodnight unto you all.”

‘Invisible Cities’ appear at Mass MoCA

Photos by Jack Guerino/Beacon staff

Members of the Mass MoCA book club come together in its first official meeting in the ‘Invisible Cities’ exhibit in one of MoCA’s main gallery halls.

To read the full ‘Invisible Cities’ article by Haley Costen, see page 8

8

Thursday, November 15, 2012

Arts & Entertainment

theonlinebeacon.com

SAC discusses process of choosing the spring concert Shannen Adamites A&E Writer

Spring is a very exciting time at the College: warm weather, sunshine, and the highly anticipated Student Activities Council (SAC) spring concert.

The concert is a part of SAC’s annual “Spring Fling Week.”

Much like “Freak Week,” with events like a trip to a haunted Jiminy Peak, scary movies in Venable Gym, and “Spooky Sundaes,” the entire week is devoted to a plethora of springtime fun.

“Our biggest events are ‘Spring Fling Day,’ formally known as ‘Community Day,’ and obviously the concert,” said Saturday Night Spotlight Chair, Tess Favini. “The concert tickets are inexpensive, and every other event is free. There’s always something for everyone.”

Because the concert is such a huge event, planning starts in the fall after “Freak Week” concludes.

“First, we table for voting for the music genre,” said Concerts Chair, Dan O’Connell. “Once we find that out, we start checking out bands that fit that genre.

This year, pop/rock won.”

O’Connell said he goes through

an agency called Concert Ideas.

The main booking agent then gives O’Connell a list of around 15 bands of the genre of choice that fit budget guidelines.

“A lot of people ask why we can’t get really big-name, mainstream bands and artists to perform here,” he said. “They’re simply far too expensive for SAC’s concert budget.”

According to O’Connell, Green Day costs around $500,000, the SAC concert budget is $31,000.

During a meeting, SAC members narrowed down the list of 15 to six after hearing previews of each band.

Once this is accomplished, the smaller list is taken to tabling for students to cast their vote for the next spring concert feature.

This year’s main contenders are Hellogoodbye, Anberlin, The Maine, We The Kings, Say Anything and Secondhand Serenade.

The winner will be revealed during the spring semester.

A theme for the show is also chosen, followed by even more tabling for ticket sales a few weeks before the concert. Last year, tickets were $5, and “Go Big or Go Home/Get Your Beard On” themed t-shirts were also available.

“To promote ‘Go Big or Go

Home’ we made cut-out beards for Four Year Strong [one of last year’s headliner’s],” said Special Events Chair, Allie Conlon.

“Then for Mayday Parade, [the other headliner], we made cookies with umbrellas and hearts on them.”

O’Connell, along with former Concerts Chair, Ken Borter, helped organize and set up for Four Year Strong and Mayday Parade’s performance.

O’Connell said Borter was in charge of contacting various companies for printing the t-shirts, and getting information regarding sound, lights, and staging.

On top of the technical aspects, SAC also provided food, lodging, and other provisions as requested by the bands. “[Borter] basically taught me everything I needed to know for this year,” O’Connell said.

O’Connell, Conlon, and Favini encourage people to vote for their band choice, as well as to contact them via FirstClass with any questions regarding the concert or SAC in general.

SAC hosts open meetings every Friday at 3:15 p.m. in Conference Room 324A on the third floor of the Campus Center.

Photo by Kayla Degnan/Beacon staff

Concert Chair Dan O’Connell counts votes for the spring concert.

Inspiration for Invisible Cities exhibit at MoCA

Photo by Jack Guerino/Beacon staff

Invisible Cities book club meets to discuss works of fiction related to the exhibit.

Haley Costen A&E Writer

A crowd of readers and art viewers gathered to discuss Italo Calvino’s book “Invisible Cities” and MassMoCA’s exhibition in its first official book club meeting on Thursday, Nov. 8.

“Cities have always been a vehicle for people’s ideas and explorations,” Susan Cross, curator of the exhibit, said to the 30 or so people gathered on the upper floor of MoCA.

Art Professor Melanie Mowinski was among the book club, with a friend and fellow art teacher, Adrienne Gale, who taught at the University of Pennsylvania and in Venice, a crucial city to the novel.

Gale owns a letterpress gallery in her home of Hartford, Conn., and created a work of art inspired by the novel.

“It’s one of my favorite books,” said Gale, who spoke at the College in 2010 and addressed the importance of art installation

and how to plan as an artist.

Mowinski was encouraged by Gale to read the book and taught it in her advanced art lab class.

Students were assigned to choose a city or a plan and make a visual design of it.

“It was their favorite,” Mowinski said. “They loved it!”

Mowinski said students created three-dimensional works, realistic paintings, abstract paintings, and even an artist book.

Cross organized the event, and

led the group through the eerily empty, but warmly lit second floor as she analyzed different works and connected them to Calvino’s novel.

Viewers sampled cheese and sipped red wine, asking an occasional question or two about a piece and giving their own opinions on the text as Cross explained the inspiration behind the vastly different art pieces.

Sopheap Pich, a Cambodian refugee who came to the U.S. and attended UMass Amherst, was among the “Invisible Cities” artists.

His piece, “Compound” is a tall, basket-like complex made from bamboo and rattan that is meant to look like the Cambodian city of Phnom Penh. According to the exhibit guide, “the work’s transparency reflects the artist’s hope for a more transparent society.”

Meanwhile, North Adams artist, Mary Lum, featured a series of colorful paintings, “Untitled 1-6”.

These were inspired by collages she made while living in Paris.

Cross pointed out that none of the pieces showed iconic images people often associate with the city, such as the Eiffel Tower or the Louvre. Instead, she illustrated abstract images of the details of the city, such as windows and passages.

“You cannot say that one aspect of the city is truer than the other,” Cross said, quoting a passage from Calvino’s novel in relation to Lum’s work.

Slovenian artist Miha Strukelj’s

wall drawing “The Melting Pot,” which covered an enormous stretch of wall, borrowed images from Brooklyn, Queens, Vienna, and the capitol of the artist’s home city, Ljubljana.

Meanwhile, North Adams artist, Kim Faler, related her work “Untitled (99 44/100% pure),” of stud walls made of soap, to the fabric and history of North Adams, according to the booklet on “Invisible Cities.”

Cross explained that as the soap bends with time, the viewer cannot tell if the city is crumbling or if it is being constructed.

The discussion following the gallery viewing was led by Gage McWeeny, an English professor at Williams College who taught the book in his conceptual writing class.

He voiced his opinions of the book in between jokes, encouraging the group to drink more wine. He also posed questions such as what exactly makes a city a city, whether it’s the tourists or the citizens who appreciate cities the most.

While the meeting was more of an analysis of art and literature by two professionals than an actual book club gathering, art and literature critics alike left with smiling faces with copies of “Invisible Cities” tucked firmly to their chests.

“I am so pleased by how many people came,” Cross said as the group filtered out of the gallery.

“I think it’s good to look at two disciplines and how they intersect.”

Thursday, November 15, 2012

9 The Allegrettos continue to grow Arts & Entertainment

theonlinebeacon.com

Tano Holmes A&E Editor

Hemp and our economy

M

arijuana has been officially legalized in Colorado and Washington for the first time in our lifetime, and it is past time to evaluate the huge economic possibilities that the commercial hemp plant, which has been made illegal by association, can provide.

Americans now have a distinct head start over the rest of the world in an industry that can provide billions of dollars to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

It is clear that Americans want a better economy, as it was the number one concern about America in every major media outlet’s poll, and now we have a possibility to do it.

Hemp oil is a renewable resource that can fuel cars and create energy. While it is not a completely green energy source (no pun intended,) hemp biofuel releases half the amount of carbon monoxide of diesel fuel.

Henry Ford advocated the usage of hemp biodiesel for his cars before marijuana prohibition came into effect.

He once said, “Why use up the forests which were centuries in the making and the mines which required ages to lay down, if we can get the equivalent of forest and mineral products in the annual growth of the hemp fields?”

Hemp pulp can also be processed into paper, and is far more superior in essentially every way compared to wood pulp. One acre of hemp yields four times more pulp than evergreen trees, the most used wood for paper.

Hemp’s cellulose levels are almost three times that of wood.

This allows for a more durable and long lasting paper. Finally, hemp is ready to harvest in four months as opposed to the decades it takes for trees to reach maturity.

Hemp fiber is exceptionally strong, and can be used to make a variety of things, including clothing and rope. Recently, it has been converted into building materials, like pressed wood and concrete.

Finally, hemp seeds are exceptionally nutritious. They can be consumed and used in a variety of ways: eaten whole, converted to oil, or turned into flour. They provide complete proteins and are a great source of amino acids, while being exceptionally low in starch and sugar.

As Founding Father and former U.S. president, Thomas Jefferson, once said, “Hemp is of first necessity to the wealth and protection of the country.”

Beacon archives

The Allegrettos perform during an acapella concert in the Church Street Center in April.

By Aya Lanzoni A&E Writer Since winter 2009, the Allegrettos have been taking the stage from the very beginning with their soulful and inspiring acapellas and gospel music.

Originally known as the Hoosings, singing carols around the holidays, the Allegrettos grew from a few founding members to almost 60 members today.

During that winter, senior Jay Cottle asked at an advisory board meeting if they would like to sponsor a caroling group for the holidays. It was approved, and he sought out nine other freshmen at the time.

According to Cottle, they rehearsed in closets and in the Hoosac Hall lobby and after a month, performed in the Centennial Room, Berkshire Towers, Hoosac Hall, and the North Adams Housing Authority.

“After the success of the Hoosings, we decided to take it a step further and perform more genres aside from Christmas, and to open it up to other students as well,” Cottle said.

“We changed the name because we wouldn’t be based in Hoosac anymore and we wanted a name that would be inclusive to anyone who planned to join.”

Jackie Coughlin, a senior, was not originally a part of the Hoosings, but has been a member for three years.

“I first became an Allegretto my freshman year, before they were an official club,” Coughlin said. “We rehearsed in closets, and kitchens. Jay would cook,

and we would all sing and riff along with him. It was so much fun. We felt like such underdogs, working towards the common goal of being respected and accepted on campus.”

The founding members petitioned the Student Government Association to become an official club on campus. However, the Hoosings were not the first acapella group on campus, as some of the Hoosings were in the Voices of Unity.

“During the second semester of our freshman year there was a reshuffling of the leadership in Voices Of Unity that would have left the leadership of that club to be the same as the proposed leadership of the Allegrettos,” Cottle said. “We could have simply just kept the name and constitution but there were changes we wanted to make, so we changed the name of the group, wrote an entirely different constitution, and became the Allegrettos.”

Since the beginning, the Allegrettos have worked hard with other clubs, each other, and the community to become a highly respected club on campus.

According to their mission statement, the purpose of the Allegrettos is “to challenge its members in all aspects of performance, from learning vocals to developing a visually stimulating and entertaining performance to a variety of audience members. It also enriches the community by performing varying genres of music which therefore provides a sense of other musical cultures.”

The Allegrettos are wellknown for their powerhouse vocals and unique take on acapella and gospel music. The group has opened for Craig Harris, The Sweetback Sisters, Blitz the Ambassador, Regina Carter, and recently, The Spirit of Johnny Cash.

“With me personally, I associate the ‘Grettos with pushing myself, as there are things I would still not be able to do if people like Jay hadn’t pushed me,” said Jon Kinney, a senior.

Senior Mary Marcil feels similarly.

“I am in this group because I love singing, and I realized that I am sad when I don’t sing,” Marcil said. “And this is a group full of people who feel that way too.”

The group strives to deliver sounds that have no flats, to avoid sharps, and to create the perfect harmony. They focus on “complex vocals, rock solid technique, emotive nuances, and power.” In 3 short years the Allegrettos grew from a 10 person Christmas caroling group, to a 56 member, awardwinning ensemble, Cottle said.

In the 2011-2012 school year, the Allegrettos won club of the year. “[It] was fantastic because we thought that the work we were trying to do was finally being recognized,” Cottle said.

This year, the ‘Grettos have decided to step it up a notch.

Instead of resting up on their vocals, they decided to expand and find even more strength in numbers. They added new members to their gospel band, as well as having a group of

students do sign language during some of the songs: a tradition among most Protestant churches.

The club also joined forces with Harlequin, the College’s musical theater club, to create Calliope’s Umbrella. According to Cottle, Calliope’s Umbrella is a master class series that consists of bringing in faculty members and guest presenters to make the musicians better vocalists, as well as having music professors mentor the directors, and finally bring in various initiatives to better educate the local community.

“So far we’ve worked with MCLA Presents! to have a master class with international music artist Belo, worked with Harlequin to co-produce a musical where all proceeds raised went towards the creation of a scholarship at the Barrington Stage Company to learn the fundamentals of musical theater, and were lucky enough to speak with the original composer and lyricist of the show,” Cottle said.

Throughout the semester, the Allegrettos have been appearing everywhere on and off campus.

Last spring, they performed for the Council of Public Liberal Arts Colleges Undergraduate Research Conference.

This semester, they participated in the Williams College Gospel Choirs’ first fall concert and have auditioned the gospel choir to be a part of the 3rd season of the PBS competition Together in Song, and the A Cappella section has applied for the International Championship of A Cappella, otherwise known as ICCA.

10

Campus Comment

Thursday, November 15, 2012

theonlinebeacon.com

What are you doing for Thanksgiving break?

“I will be spending time with my family, especially my cousins who are coming back from college as well.”

“I am just planning to hang out with my family and friends and eat a lot of food.”

- Jasmin Figueroa, 2016

- Jeffrey Orgeat, 2015

The Beacon The Beacon is published Thursdays during the academic year and is distributed free to the College community. The Beacon is funded by the Student Government Association, the English/Communications department and from ad revenues.

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“I plan to visit my family during Thanksgiving break. I am excited to visit my two grandmothers and eat a lot of cultural food. I will also party very much since it is many of my family members’ birthdays.”

“I plan on going to see my family and friends. I’m looking forward to enjoying some delicious Caribbean food.”

- Ricardo Leon, 2015

“I will be going to New York City with my friend. I will do some shopping but I will also tour around and possibly visit the Statue of Liberty. Also, I would like to make a stop in China Town and have some Chinese food.”

- Shadea Blyther, 2016

“I am planning on visiting New York City for the first time during the Thanksgiving break. I am looking forward to seeing the Thanksgiving parade in New York as well as do as much shopping as possible.”

- Zizhe Pan, 2014

- Yang Liu, 2013

Compiled by Dennise Carranza/Beacon staff

FINANCIAL AID ANNOUCEMENT START YOUR SCHOLARSHIP SEARCH NOW! -Visit www.fastweb.com for free scholarship searches.

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NEVER PAY FOR SCHOLARSHIP SEARCHES! YOU CAN FIND ANY INFORMATION FOR FREE. Scholarship Opportunity The Samuel Huntington Public Service Award Provides a $10,000 stipend for a graduating college senior to pursue one year of public service anywhere in the world.

Applications due by January, 18th 2013.

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Thursday, November 15, 2012

Fun & Games

theonlinebeacon.com

The realization of all Fine and Performing Arts majors

11

Cartoon by Jackie Coughlin

It’s Thanksgiving! We- We- Wegon’ have a good time!

Weekly Horoscopes Aries: March 21-April 19 You are bursting at the seams with terrific energy – so make the most of it! If you’re not out there mixing it up with people and shaking up expectations, you just don’t feel right.

Taurus: April 20-May 20 Don’t trust your first impressions today – you may be taken in by smooth talk or fancy clothes. Ask probing questions and make sure your natural skepticism is front and center all day.

Gemini: May 21-June 21 Your closest friends – or maybe business partners – are surprising you with their great energy today. Make sure you match them, which shouldn’t be too hard. Your life together is sure to get better!

Cancer: June 22-July22 Treat yourself to something sweet – you deserve it, of course! You may want to keep it private, or someone close may feel like upping the ante. Who knows where that arms race could lead?

Leo: July 23-Aug. 22 You are almost curt today in the way you use your words and at least one person is sure to feel offended. Let them – your personal energy is too great to worry about such things. Apologize tomorrow.

Virgo: Aug. 23-Sept. 22 You need to up the ante somewhat today – so take that risk! You may not feel totally comfortable, and it may not even pay off, but the energy boost you get from the gamble is worth the price.

Libra: Sept. 23-Oct. 22 You are even more expressive than usual today – so make the most of this great energy and see if you can tell that one special hottie how you feel. You could also shower your friends with love!

Scorpio: Oct. 23-Nov. 21 You need to believe in yourself today – your instincts are strong, and they can be trusted. If you’re having a hard time feeling confident, just look in the mirror and see what’s going on behind your eyes.

Sagittarius: Nov. 22-Dec. 21 Your terrific energy puts you in a great mood – and one that’s at least a little infectious! Even those around you who are down and depressed should cheer up a bit in your presence.

Capricorn: Dec. 22-Jan. 19 Force yourself to focus today – you need to discipline yourself if you want to get anything done. Things are getting kind of weird around your workplace or home, but that’s manageable.

Aquarius: Jan. 20-Feb. 18 Try to reach out to someone new – socializing is prominent right now, and you can expand your social circles in a good way if you go for it. This could lead to a new job or a new love!

Puzzle courtesy of http://puzzlemaker.discoveryeducation.com/ Meme thanks to PatoMuzik’s “It’s Thanksgiving,” by Nicole Westbrook

Pisces: Feb. 19-March 20 There is just no speaking with some people today – especially your boss, or others in a position of power over you. It’s a good time to just smile and nod and wait for them to figure it out on their own.

Horoscopes courtesy of Yahoo.com

12

Thursday, November 15, 2012

Photo Essay

theonlinebeacon.com

Junior James Hunter passes the ball to a teammate during the first scrimmage of the season.

Trailblazer’s first season scrimmage Photos by Siyun Wu Trailblazers fight to gain possession of the ball during opening tip off.

Junior Kenny Suggs defends the ball.

Junior Kenny Suggs makes a slam dunk against Norwich players.

Sophomore Mike Muller goes for the three.

Freshman Paul Maurice dribbles down the court.