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THE STUDENT NEWSPAPER OF MANHATTAN COLLEGE | SINCE 1924
Volume CVIII, Issue 6
NEW YORK, OCTOBER 17, 2023
Manhattan College Freshman Held at Knifepoint in Van Cortlandt Park
Pride Center Opens
MC Pride Center offically opens it doors with a welcome ceremony open to students and professors. ANGELINA PEREZ/THE QUADRANGLE
Guest Professor Yong Sup Song Presents Lecture on Hwarangdo and Moral AI Emmanouel Sofillas Staff Writer
Yong Sup Song, Ph.D., traveled all the way from Youngnam Theological University in South Korea to give an eye-opening lecture on the development of moral artificial intelligence at Manhattan College. Song’s focus was not on the existential crisis of robots replacing humans. Rather, it focused on having a symbiotic relationship and coexisting with artificial intelligence, particularly using a unique ancient Korean military code called “Hwarangdo.”
IN NEWS:
Song highlighted the importance of Hwarangdo as a means to give artificial intelligence its moral backbone. “Artificial intelligence at the level of children should learn and nurture specific virtues that we are intended to have,” Song said. “The idea and stories of Hwarangdo should contribute to the development of prosocial moral artificial intelligence by providing virtues and various Korean cultural and religious traditions, regional values, and virtues found in Hwarangdo.” Robert Geraci, Ph.D., professor of religious studies at Manhattan College and colleague of Song, offered his out-
IN FEATURES:
MC Student Held at MC Pride Center Knife Point Opens on pg. 3 on pg. 5
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look on the lecture while connecting it with his knowledge of artificial intelligence. “We’ve been writing papers on how to integrate global values into the development of technology, and our particular focus is on the development of ethical artificial intelligence,” Geraci said. “His approach is theological, from a Christian perspective, while mine is secular, drawing on the tools and methods of religious studies. Together, we believe that we can leverage a global perspective to help shape the design ethos of artificial intelligence.” Additionally, Geraci shared __________________________ CONTINUED ON PAGE 3
Mack Olmsted
Asst. Arts & Entertainment Editor It was a typical Wednesday for Manhattan College freshman Patrick Fox as he was going through his routine of taking a jog on the Empire State Trail in Van Cortlandt Park. Suddenly, Fox noticed an unusual black dirt bike speed past him, the driver dressed from head to toe in black. In an instant, the driver turned around and seized hold of Fox’s neck, taking out a sharp object to his face, and threatening the student to give up his phone. “It was something sharp,” Fox said. “It was something he could have used as a weapon. So at that point, I gave the phone to him and he just stood, I stood there for a couple of seconds and he said, “keep moving” so I just kept going.” After Fox complied and gave his phone to the mugger, he ran back towards the college, but before he reached campus, he found two individuals who helped him to call the police. The NYPD reportedly chased an individual in Yonkers who fit the mugger’s description. While it is unknown if the individual was arrested, the NYPD is complying with Fox to help the investigation. Fellow teammate and senior at Manhattan College, Brendan Chan, mentioned that this experience changed his perception of the Riverdale neighborhood.
“I wouldn’t expect anything like this to happen,” Chan said. “I got a little enraged just thinking ‘how could this happen?’ I know that this isn’t the safest neighborhood relatively, compared to the rest of the city. I think this is a safer area, being in Riverdale… Unfortunately, this happens, it can happen to anyone. So everyone should be careful.” Fox’s father, John Fox, was shocked to hear his son’s story. John Fox said that Patrick’s mother was shaken up, but after all was said and done, the family still appreciated the Riverdale community. “My concern was for his safety. I didn’t expect it in the broad daylight like that,” Fox’s father said. “You’re gonna have some bad eggs everywhere. It stinks, but it’s just part of life. You just have to have a heightened awareness of what your surroundings are.” Patrick Fox spoke about his perception of the Riverdale community since beginning his college career this past August. “It’s definitely different,” said Fox. “I didn’t think of Van Cortlandt Park as the safest place ever, but I definitely think of it more cautiously now.” John Fox wanted people of the Riverdale community to learn a lesson from his son’s experience. He mentioned that it’s always safer to go out in groups or with another individual. “I’m most proud of how he __________________________ CONTINUED ON PAGE 3
IN A&E:
IN SPORTS:
Rainbow Jaspers Create Art for Pride Center on pg. 8
Jasper Games of the Week on pg. 10
News
OCTOBER 17, 2023
Volume CVIII, Issue 6 OCTOBER 17, 2023
The Editorial Board
Jocelyn Visnov Editor-in-Chief Kyla Guilfoil Managing Editor
Lauren Raziano Multimedia Editor
Angelina Persaud News Editor
Grace Cardinal Asst. News Editor
Angelica Niedermeyer Features Editor
Angelina Perez Asst. Features Editor
Karen Flores Arts & Entertainment Editor
Mack Olmsted Asst. Arts & Entertainment Editor
Isaiah Rosario Sports Editor
Andrew Mannion Asst. Sports Editors
Adrianne Hutto Production Editor Rebecca Kranich Social Media Editor Zoe DeFazio Angelina Perez Web Editors
Ivy Jaep Maizy Swift Asst. Production Editors Mary Haley Asst. Social Media Editor Nicholas Gilewicz Faculty Advisor
About The Quadrangle A tradition since 1924, The Quadrangle is a news or ganization run by the students of Manhattan College. We strive to cover news around campus and the greater community, publishing weekly in print and daily online. Our goal is always accuracy, relevancy and professionalism. The opinions expressed in The Quadrangle are those of the individual writer and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Editorial Board, the College or the student body.
Join The Quadrangle The Quadrangle’s staff holds weekly open meetings on Tuesdays at 4 p.m. in Kelly Commons Room 412. All are welcome to come and join the club.
Connect with The Quadrangle mcquad.org @mcquad @mcquad mcquad
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LETTER from the EDITOR Dear Readers, I hope you’ve successfully made it though midterm exams! It’s hard to believe we’re already at the midway point in the semester. If your miderm grades did not turn out like you had hoped, please remember we’ve got some talented tutors at the CAS who are ready to help you achieve your academic goals and boost your GPA. Congratulations to all of the senior students who were inducted into Epsilon Sigma Pi Honor Society this past weekend! Thank you to the staff and administrators who organized the event and got up to speak, it was a lovely ceremony. Be on the lookout for fall events coming up in the next few weeks to help students and members of the surrounding community celebrate Spooky Season! Be on the look out for more information on events like KDP’s Safe Halloween and Scatterbomb’s Halloween show titled “Scatterbomb Goes Grave Robbing.” Remember to subscribe to The JasperJist if you haven’t already so that you can recieve The Quadrangle in your inbox each week! I’ve placed the QR code you can scan to subscribe below. Enjoy Issue 6! We’ll see you next week!
Jocelyn Visnov
Sincerely,
Editor-in-Chief
News
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THE QUADRANGLE
Manhattan College Freshman Held at Knifepoint in Van Cortlandt Park __________________________ CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1
handled it, he is safe now so thank God for that,” John Fox said. Peter DeCaro, director of Public Safety, had a message for Manhattan College students. “Manhattan College is still located in one of the safest areas in both the Bronx and within all of NYC,” DeCaro
wrote in a statement to The Quadrangle. “We maintain an excellent working relationship with the NYPD 50th Precinct, which provides police service to our campus. Staying safe is something we all need to be very focused on these days. Always remain alert and be aware of your surroundings, whether you are on campus or traveling off campus.” DeCaro made a list of ways to keep yourself safe when going off campus including: keep your head up and don’t be pre-
occupied with cell phones or other electronic devices, try to avoid isolated areas, travel in well-lighted areas and avoid shortcuts (alleyways, parking lots, etc.), be aware of where campus blue-light emergency call boxes are located and if someone makes you feel uncomfortable or unsafe call 911. If you ever feel unsafe on or around campus you can contact the 24-hour emergency line for Public Safety, 718-862-7333, or if in danger, always call 911 first.
The Empire State Trail, where Manhattan College Freshman Patrick Fox was mugged. EMPIRESTATETRAIL.NY.GOV/COURTESY
Guest Professor Yong Sup Song Presents Lecture on Hwarangdo and Moral AI
__________________________ CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1
his optimistic view of the lecture’s impact on students at the college. “He notes the importance of such practices in developing a keen appreciation for life among ancient warriors,” Geraci said. “It is my hope that these discussions will lead students to understand and appreciate the need for broad cultural learning and the shaping of our future in a shared vision of human, and maybe even robot, flourishing.”
Carmen Bendezu, a psychology student at Manhattan College, was particularly affected by the lecture’s discussion of moral artificial intelligence, which can inadvertently perpetuate discrimination and inequality. “It was an eye-opener to see how artificial intelligence systems can potentially replace humans if they are not regulated with the correct moral code,” Bendezu said. “It’s incredible how one lecture can have such a transformative impact.” Song ended his lecture by offering the audience an inter-
esting perspective on an ideal society, showing a video of robots playfully dancing in the background and making his final remarks on the lecture. “I dream of robots and humans dancing together one day in the future, singing and dancing collectively with humans in mountains and rivers,” Song said. “Wouldn’t such robots be closer to a prosocial moral AI than AI in the labs? Wouldn’t it be cool and amazing, exciting and surprising for us to imagine such Hwarangdo artificial intelligence robots that play together with us?”
Yong Sup Song, Ph.D. traveled all the way from South Korea. @MANHATTAN.EDU/COURTESY
News
OCTOBER 17, 2023
CMSA’s Off-Campus Trips Make a Return After Being Suspended During COVID
Jill Tuthill Staff Writer
Manhattan College’s Campus Ministry and Social Action has been thriving with a myriad of events throughout the year, including faith-centered excursions that go as far as the Dominican Republic. While these trips were temporarily suspended during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, they have since made a return to CMSA’s regularly scheduled events. The L.O.V.E. trips are immersive social justice experiences that only take place a few times a year during the college’s breaks and intersessions. The goal of these trips is to learn about social justice issues and do service work in the places that need it. Participants dedicate an hour a week during the semester before their trip to learn about the nature of the issues that they might encounter in order to best prepare them for their work. These include issues such as immigration, violence, housing and homelessness. Brother Daniel Gardner, FSC, former interim president of the college and current executive director of the CMSA, explained that before the pandemic CMSA held five or six L.O.V.E. trips a year. In 2022, there was only one, while this year there will be three. According to Gardner, the
CMSA is hoping to get the L.O.V.E. trips back to the level and frequency that they were at pre-pandemic. Gardner explained that the selection process for the location of the excursion is based on a rotation of a collection of sites that have worked well for the participants in the past. Two of the sites for this year are Lasallian youth ministries: the trip to El Paso, TX and the trip to Chicago. He spoke about what the day to day life looks like for a participant of a L.O.V.E. trip. “You cook for yourself and you generally are living in an open dorm environment,” Gardner said. “The meals are plentiful and the places are safe. But you don’t have all the comforts of your home or your dorm room.” Conor Reidy, assistant director of CMSA, spoke about the individual experience of L.O.V.E trip participants. “This experience is a lot about identity: looking at your own identity and how your identity shapes the way in which you enter into spaces and view the world,” Reidy said. “It’s very deeply self reflective in that way for the social justice aspect.” Social justice is the central theme throughout the trips. Gardner wanted to make it clear that the focus of the trips is not about the students themselves, but the experience of being immersed in the life of
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Manhattan College’s Campus Ministry and Social Action has been thriving with a myriad of events throughout the year, including faith-centered excursions that go as far as the Dominican Republic. CONOR REIDY/COURTESY the people that they visit. In this way, these experiences, primarily, are dialogical. “We are very deliberate in the fact that these retreats are not students from Manhattan College going to swoop in to save people,” Gardner said. “It’s a collaborative kind of environment, and that sometimes brings us outside of our comfort zone.” Michaela Scully, junior sound studies and communication major, was a student social action intern at the CMSA during her freshman and sophomore years and participated in one of the L.O.V.E. trips to El Paso, TX this past March. Scully also attended one of the Lasallian In Faith Togeth-
L.O.V.E. trips are immersive social justice experiences that only take place a few times a year during the college’s breaks and intersessions. CONOR REIDY/COURTESY
er, or “L.I.F.T” retreats. She agreed that the emphasis of these trips is on experiencing different cultures and lifestyles outside of what students may be used to. “There’s less emphasis on the volunteer aspect of it and more on being able to put yourself in someone else’s shoes and understand where they’re coming from,” Scully said. Reidy has been on every retreat since the beginning of his time at the college, with the exception of the women’s only retreats. According to him, these trips are opportunities for students to get off campus and reflect on their lives or vocations, connect with their community, God and themselves and have space to rejuvenate from the wear and tear of college life. The retreats range from one to three days long with a certain focus attached to them that colors the overall theme of the retreat. Past themes include homesickness for college students, post-graduation reflection for the college’s seniors and women’s experiences and identity. Scully acted as a trip leader in a women’s retreat. According to her, the student leaders themselves create some of the activities that take place during the retreats. Scully declined to comment on the specific activities that she participated in during the retreat in order to preserve the surprise for those that may choose to go, but she was happy to talk generally about her experience and recommends the trip to anyone considering it. “It was really impactful,”
Scully said. “It was just nice to bond with a group of your peers…it’s a really good opportunity to expand your perspective on social justice, both in the world and in the community, and also to just be more involved on campus in general.” These trips are an excellent opportunity for college students to forward their spiritual health and development, according to Gardner. In addition, Gardner expressed that these experiences can help students strengthen their identities as students within a Lasallian institution, experience a common purpose among fellow students, and feel encouragement and solidarity with them. Reidy wanted to note that the value in these trips is based on the reciprocal relationship between participant and experience and is equal to the amount that a participant invests in it. “We don’t want people to go into these experiences and then become disappointed because they didn’t have a life changing experience,” Reidy said. “You get out of it what you put into it, so going into it with very high expectations can come with some disappointment.” As they increase back to pre-pandemic frequency, L.O.V.E. and L.I.F.T. trips are great ways to get involved with the CMSA, but they are still only two of many. Others include Bible study, meditation, holy hours, retreats, Saturday service projects, weekly service projects, and many other activities.
Features
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THE QUADRANGLE
MC Pride Center Opening Falls on National Coming Out Day Angelina Perez Asst. Features Editor/Web EditorWriter National Coming Out Day occurs every year on Oct. 11 and raises awareness regarding the LGBTQ+ community and promotes a safe and inclusive environment for all individuals. The Manhattan College Pride Center saw this as the perfect opportunity for last Wednesday’s grand opening. The Quadrangle had the opportunity to talk with Jack Tiede, sophomore civil engineering major, who volunteers at the center alongside faculty and other students at MC. “I volunteer here once a week on Tuesdays,” Tiede said. “This center is a great space for queer people on campus, especially for commuters who might find it hard to find somewhere to connect to the LGBTQ+ community.” As students step into the center on the third floor of Kelly Commons, art works of rainbow butterflies in the shape of a heart alongside the wall welcome them inside. Neighbors with the Women and Gender Research Center, the center is home to a library located in the
corner of the space filled with books involving the LGBTQIA+ community from their triumphant history to romance. “The books in the library are donated primarily by alumni and faculty at the school,” Tiede said while showing The Quadrangle and a few of his friends his favorite books on the shelves. “That is something I wish I had when I was in middle school. It definitely would have made such a big difference for me. A lot of what I know about myself is through reading.” Tiede emphasizes the importance of the center being a place of common ground for everyone, not just those from the LGBTQ community. They have snacks, tea and coffee on standby for everyone and anyone who wants to stop by and just hang out. “While the space is called the pride center, it is for everybody,” Tiede said.“I have invited a lot of my straight friends to attend this event and they showed up and connected with other people. You don’t have to be gay to do that.” Analia Santana, a junior communication major with a concentration in media production and a digital media art
Professor Tiffany French and Dr. Rocco Mzarinaccio are the cofounders of the Pride Center. ANGELINA PEREZ / COURTESY
Alumni visited the opening of the pride center. ANGELINA PEREZ /THE QUADRANGLE minor, is the current president of the Rainbow Jaspers here on campus and spoke during the opening alongside Rocco Marinaccio, Ph.D., and Tiffany French, co-directors of the new center. “The pride center and the rainbow jaspers are two separate things,” said Santana. “So the center is for everyone, but focuses more on queer students, and then Rainbow Jasper’s is a student club that organizes all kinds of activities and events for students. The Rainbow Jaspers are not the only organization that can use the center’s space. If Fuerza Latina, BSU or even the crochet club to name a few groups on campus, wanted to host an event here, they could always use the pride center.” Rocco Marinaccio, Ph.D., is an English professor here at MC as well as an alumnus from the class of 1981 who explained the importance of a safe community for LGBTQ+ members to Ronald Grey Ph.D. and Brother Daniel Gardner in the administration department during a ten-month-long process. “Tiffany and I started realizing the need for a place for visibility for support where we
could be together as students, faculty, employees and alums and just learn from each other and be visible to each other and to the institution at large.” Marinaccio explained. Commuters will now have another space in Kelly Commons filled with diversity alongside the WGRC and the Multicultural Center. “I think building a community of staff establishing visibility for queer students on campus is really important, especially for commuters,” Marinaccio told The Quadrangle. “A lot of commuters don’t necessarily have communities or homes to go back to where they feel safe, or where they’re out yet. So, a place where they can be out and build community is important.” Marianccio explains the need for MC to have a welcoming space for those who are a part of the LBTQIA+ community beyond the pride center and throughout the classrooms and campus. “It’s important to feel that you’re in a space where everybody, whether they’re queer like you or not, is welcoming and accepting of you,” said Marinaccio. “I think we have a pretty tolerant campus, but
there are also moments of intolerance. And you know, there are people who have experiences, in classrooms, in the dorms, in athletic facilities and so on where there’s homophobia expressed, whether intentionally or inadvertently by bad jokes and microaggressions. And that’s a lot for people to endure, especially young people who are still figuring themselves out and don’t know how to respond to things.” Marinaccio and the rest of the pride center’s faculty of staff and students have open arms to everyone here at MC and encourage them to stop by during office hours. “Don’t be shy,” said Marinaccio. “Don’t be afraid. Don’t hesitate. We’re here. And you will get a welcome.” Anybody interested in joining the pride center mailing list, volunteering or both can email pridecenter@manhattan. edu. The center is located in Kelly room 3.04, and keep an eye out for an email when the library is opened and ready for checkout.
Editor’s note: Karen Flores, Arts and Entertainment Editor conducted interviews.
Features
OCTOBER 17, 2023
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Meet the Manhattan College Alumni Society Isaiah Rosario Sports Editor
Manhattan College alumni come together to represent former Jaspers and advocate for current students through its long standing alumni society. The alumni society at MC was founded in 1869 and is the oldest catholic alumni society in the United States. According to the constitution of the alumni society, its purpose is to promote the general welfare of the college and to develop an active and enduring interest in all the affairs of the college. The alumni society’s love for the college and its peers could be dated back to the 1980s, when the U.S. was in a recession. The society was able to put together organized seminars for alumni and students to help them seek employment. In 2023, it continues to do that with events such as the career fair and the mentorship program. “The mentoring program and the job fair are two important events that I plan on participating in whenever possible,” Bill Harkins, a member of the
class of 1967 said. “Since I have an apartment in the Bronx, I am able to go to most of the events that are held at the college.” Additionally, the alumni society plays an important role in inducting people into the athletic hall of fame. The 44th induction ceremony of the Athletic Hall of Fame takes place on Nov. 11., which helps recognize many of the great athletes of MC. Harkins serves on the selection committee which is responsible for inducting former athletes into the Athletic Hall of Fame. He stated that the Athletic Hall of Fame is an important way of recognizing alumni who have made a significant contribution to the college through their athletic endeavors. The current president of the alumni society is Robert Colletti, a member of the class of 1991. Each president of the Alumni Society has a term of three years. His main goal during his tenure is to make sure that there is awareness for the alumni society. One of the main goals for the alumni society is to make sure people understand the value of creating a better college. “15 years ago, I started at-
tending the quarterly meetings and I’ve built wonderful relationships and opportunities because of the alumni society. For example, speaking to students at the school at various events and participating in different events. It’s been beneficial to my personal life, both from a social and professional perspective,” Colletti said. Michael F. McEneny, a member of the class of 1953, stated that his friends were able to keep in touch about the college and its activities during his time away from school which ultimately led him to the alumni society. “I was involved in various groups while I was a student at Manhattan in 1953,” McEneny said. “When I graduated, I was drafted on November 19th, out of law school, and came back. While I was away, many of my friends and classmates wrote to me and kept me involved and up to date.” The alumni society is also involved with the awarding of the Joseph J. Gunn Alumni Medal. The Gunn Media is awarded to a graduating senior who has made the most significant contribution to Manhattan College during their undergraduate
years. The award’s recipient is someone who prioritizes excellence, leadership and service. This medal is considered one of the most prestigious awards that is given to seniors. The alumni society will continue to allow students and alumni to connect and share their love for the school. The majority of alumni see great value in joining the alumni society. “Whether it’s for current students, or whether it’s for much older alums, the alum-
ni society is about building a strong community, it’s also good for networking and giving back,” Colletti said. “There are many alumni events throughout the course of the year that I’m not sure alumni are fully aware of. Attending some of those events and getting to know your fellow alums is important. For younger alums, it could lead to letters of recommendation, internships and even jobs. That’s part of the value of the alumni society.”
Manhattan College Alumni Society Alumni Reunion June 2022.
ALUMNI.MANHATTAN.EDU/COURTESY
Guest Lecturers Present “Spaghetti Sissies: Queering Italian American Studies” Grace Cardinal Asst. News Editor
In a thought-provoking event, guest lecturers Julia Heim, Ph.D., and Sole Anatrone, Ph.D. led a discussion based on their book “Spaghetti Sissies: Queering Italian American Studies.” The event revolved around a discussion of how queer identities and Italian-American ones can co-exist in the modern world and how they are represented in audio and television media. Both lecturers identify as queer Italian-Americans and were excited for the opportunity to share their perspectives with students from all backgrounds. Heim, a lecturer at the University of Pennsylvania school of arts and sciences, explained that the book she helped cowrite didn’t read as a traditional academic work. It was important to them to include the testimonies of real people who had to navigate the intersection of queerness, Italian-American identity and everything that comes in between. “We decided to incorporate the personal reflections from queer identifying Italian-Americans working within media to stress that these studies and these representations are actually about and affect real people,” Heim said. Heim explained that one of the main reasons she and Anatrone, an assistant professor of Italian studies at Vas-
sar College, were inspired to write the book together from their own personal experiences of each having one parent who immigrated and one from America, yet both failing to understand how the identity of Italian-American fit them. “The consequences of having an Italian-American identity be so culturally determined by mediated representations is very personal for us, it’s one of the driving forces that led us to start working on the book,” Heim said. “Both of us have a parent who immigrated to the U.S. from Italy. As a result of this, we’ve lived our Italianness as one part of our identity and our Americanness as another, never understanding the ways that the identity of Italian-American ever applied to us.” Both Heim and Anatrone spoke to the lack of representation of queerness in audio and visual media of both the queer and Italian-American experience. “We never saw anyone who lived or acted or identified as we do reflected in these representations,where were the queer people? We wanted to know,” said Heim. “This is precisely the power of representation… the meaning we have given a specific identity, our identity, has been formed through the lens of American media, this siloed vision of identity caricature and stereotypes and reproduced for an American audience with such discursive power as to convince us of our
own belonging.” Anatrone concurred with Heim’s comments, explaining how the lines between stereotypes and culture have become blurred. “This is really about the consequences, the effects of media representation for a whole group of people,” said Anatrone. “Stereotypes became, in some cases, mistaken for and indistinguishable from cultural values and markers, blurring the distinction between the stereotype and the culture, both for non-Italians looking in and for members of the Italian-American community itself.” Anatrone went on to emphasize the importance of people from all cultural backgrounds being able to recognize and identify with those of a shared identity in modern media. “In order to exist within a society, you have to recognize yourself, you have to be able to understand yourself and see yourself,” said Anatrone. “This [stereotypes] can be comical and reassuring. We do in fact, have loud family gatherings around food. We talk with our hands a lot. But it can also be dangerous and alienating particularly when it comes to queer folk who do not fit within the deeply binarized gender roles and hyper heterosexuality that have come to represent the [Italian] culture.” Anatrone presented food for thought for future media scholars and consumers of the
Student’s hanging out at English Meet & Greet photographed by Dr. Bridget Chalk.
NATALIE SCHMITT/ THE QUADRANGLE
media alike. “We have to ask ourselves: what is our unique identity as LGBTQ Italian and Sicilian Americans?” Anatrone said. “How have we found a place for ourselves in today’s Italian Sicilian-American community and in our families? How do we make the media and the country look at us as more than the characters on Jersey Shore or The Sopranos? How should movies and TV depict us? How would you depict us?” Junior physics and philosophy major Lara Celik spoke about the modern-day vision of the intersectionality of identity, and how the current generation seems to have a greater understanding and acceptance of various identities. “I think in our generation, we are more than ever aware that people can identify as
multiple things,” said Celik. “A lot of us [current students] will probably go into media. Those of us that do— we can spread the message that we can change the system and dive into these multiple identities and actually have representation for everybody, and that will create a more inclusive and engaging environment.” Celik presented a call to action: as a society, we can learn from identifying with more than one group or identity. “We should engage more with intersectionality,” Celik said. “I think it’s really significant that we can’t just be a woman or just be American, but that we are a myriad of complexities and identities. And that’s okay. We don’t have to be just one thing.”
OCTOBER 17, 2023
Arts & Entertainment
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Manhattan’s Got Talent: Students Show Out for the MC Talent Show Barbara Vasquez Staff Writer
The Manhattan College talent show hosted by Resident Life and the Communication Club proved to be a place to allow Jaspers to show off their talents. With a sizable turnout, eight amazing performances and an impressive art show, it was a must-see event. The winner of the art show was able to have their art displayed on the 5th floor of Thomas Hall, while the grand prize for the 8 performers was a flat screen T.V. Among the performers was a rapper, multiple singers and piano players, all bringing something unique to the show for the audience to enjoy. Laura Mojica, residential success coordinator here at MC, wanted to put the show together for students to have the opportunity to create something for themselves- something for students, by students. “I was really happy to see the turnout and glad to see it was something that students wanted.” Mojica expressed. “I was happy to give them an opportunity to show everyone what they got.” Colin Ratner, president of the Communication Club and judge at the show, also spoke about the show’s purpose, explaining that he wanted the
show to give students a creative outlet and bring the MC community together for the night. “So many kids here in Manhattan get swept under the rug with their talents and skills and what they can bring to the table... God knows we don’t do enough shows for the artists, or the [MC] Players, or whoever it may be, so being able to tap in on that and give them a chance to really show off their talents is something I’m always trying to do,” said Ratner. Ratner and Mojica’s hopes for the show’s impact were successful, as testified by audience member Prudence. “There was a big sense of community… I felt like I was a part of something.” The Comm club has hosted the talent show in the past, but this year’s collaboration with Res Life really made the show a spectacle. There was a performance for everyone with the 8 acts, though winner Layla Luciano was a unanimous choice among judges and audience members alike. Prior to the talent show, however, Luciano fell ill and wasn’t sure if she would be able to pull through. “I had a different song at first, ‘Speechless,’ from the live-action Aladdin, and then the day before the dress rehearsal I sang it and I was just
like ‘oh my god.’” Luciano said. “My voice was so raspy, and my nerves always get the best of me so I was shaking, and it was shaking my vocal chords. I knew I had to change it.” Luciano landed on “She Used to Be Mine,” from the musical “Waitress,” instead, and left everybody enamored with her voice. “Layla just blew my socks off, to say the least. She really embodied what it means to have a talent and show it off.” Ratner noted. “Knowing what she went through, being sick that week and switching up her song, and still killing it. I just knew she had to be the winner.” When the acts were called onto stage at the end of the show for the announcement of the winner, the whole audience began chanting Luciano’s name. When asked about her reaction to the support, Luciano shared her thoughts. “I tried to be humble but at the same time, sometimes you just have to own it. I was like okay, this is my time.” Though the majority of the show was a success, there were some qualms to be had about the advertisement. Many who participated felt that there was barely any time to spread the word before auditions and the actual show. “All the advertising kind of got delayed. It wasn’t anyone’s fault, we just weren’t ready un-
MC student shines during their performance at the talent show. SAGE CLARKE / COURTESY til that week I guess. It snuck up on us.” Ratner said. “We can always do a better job of marketing and getting the word out there. But I was still very happy with the turnout.” Cornelia Eboh, an LCA at Res Life agreed and said she hopes to help improve the marketing done for events such as these. “I feel like not that many people even knew it was going on, but that [marketing] is something that we can work on internally and we’re actually actively working on at Res Life,” Eboh expressed. Despite these slight mishaps on the marketing front, the talent show was incredibly successful, and there are hopes of it returning during the spring semester.
“I’ve had a few students ask ‘are you going to do it again?’ and I’m like ‘if you want me too!’” Mojica says. “As long as Comm club is willing to do it again in the spring I see no issue with doing that.” Luciano had her own fears about being in the show but she hopes people who want to show off their talents join the next talent show “The T.V. [prize] was definitely a happy part, but I think overall it helped me realize that I can do anything I put my mind to. Even if I’m scared, I just have to do it because I don’t want to have any regrets later.” she said. “I always say ‘just do it’ because you never know what’s going to happen.”
Rainbow Jaspers Spread their Wings with New Artwork in the Pride Center Jocelyn Visnov Editor-in-Chief
Manhattan College’s LGBTQ+ student group, the Rainbow Jaspers, invited students to participate in an art night to help decorate the Pride Center prior to its grand opening event. Attendees gathered in the Pride Center to enjoy music and light refreshments while creating rainbow butterflies out of construction paper. A tutorial for how to properly fold the construction paper and create the butterflies was provided by junior Analia Santana, who currently serves as President of the Rainbow Jaspers. “Overall, like our goal was to become together, make coffee or hot chocolate and just do activities like this together, right?” Santana said. “Because the Pride Center is open for everyone, and the Rainbow Jaspers can use it whenever they
need to.” Santana organized the event so that anyone who wished to participate had the opportunity to come in and help add some color to the walls of the Pride Center. “So this is really like our first event and I’m actually really proud of it because it’s about what we want the Pride Center to be,” Santana said. “It’s a place where people can come and learn about queer culture and just exist as a person and feel safe.” Nayelis Minaya, a junior who serves as treasurer of the Rainbow Jaspers, explained the significance of the butterfly amongst the LGBTQ+ community. “So we chose butterflies because we felt as though it was an easy option and on top of that, butterflies are usually known for growth and evolution,” she said. “And I feel a lot of LGBT members go through that point in their lives.” Santana also explained
how she feels the butterfly is the perfect analogy for finding yourself in the queer community. “A caterpillar goes into a cocoon and emerges as something beautiful,” she said. “Almost every single LGBTQ+ person is like that. They were one thing, then they took however long it took to like, built themselves into what they’re actually meant to be. Whatever that is, if you’re trans or bi or gay or lesbian, whatever it is, like everyone has a butterfly story where they were one thing, and then created something new and beautiful.” The faculty advisors for the Pride Center include Dr. Rocco Marinaccio and Tiffany French, who help staff the Pride Center and coordinate with students. Previously, the Pride Center held a book drive so that students could have access to books and educational resources that are inclusive and include LGBTQ+ representation.
The Rainbow Jaspers posted the final photo of the new artwork to their Instagram. @MC_LGTBQ/COURTESY Santana noted that the Rainbow Jaspers will soon be searching for more artwork to decorate the walls of the Pride Center as well. Radion, a junior and the vice president of the Rainbow Jaspers, also helped to organize the event and hopes to continue creating a welcoming and safe space in the Pride Center. “My general role at the Pride Center is just to create an atmosphere of community
amongst people both through events and just making sure that if someone does come in [to visit the Pride Center] that is part of the queer community, I can be here to talk to them.” Anyone is welcome into the Pride Center, it is located in Kelly Commons 3.04. For information about any events hosted, follow their Instagram @mc_pride_center.
OCTOBER 17, 2023
Arts & Entertainment
THE QUADRANGLE
A Window To The Soul: Film Screened On Campus Presents A Diverse Depiction Of Jesus Brooke DellaRocco and Anna Segota Staff Writers
Manhattan College’s religion department recently screened a pride-inspired documentary, “Wonderfully Made: LGBTQ + R(eligion)”, which dove into the relationship between the LGBTQ community and the Catholic Church. Students and faculty alike gathered in Hayden 100 to witness the representation of communities often repressed in certain religious teachings in the movie. With creator and director Mark McDermott present for the screening, the film followed the central purpose of portraying Jesus through different races, genders and sexualities, with a Q&A following at the conclusion. Bryan Massingale, a leader in the field of theological ethics and an activist for social justice, voiced his opinions on the catholic vision in the documentary. “Our imaginations form who we are, and if we can’t imagine ourselves in the image of God then that does irreparable spiritual harm to us,” Massingale said. “As a black man,
for example, when I walk into a church and all I see are white angels, light statues of Mary and white statues of Joseph, I’m not included in that story.” McDermott and his husband’s relationship is one of the driving forces behind the film. McDermott was raised Catholic, while his husband was Jewish, and they observed the lack of iconography that included diverse bodies. When they first screened the film in 2022, McDermott received a lot of backlash from the Catholic community among others, but it was not the first time that he had encountered this response. “About two years ago, we did a little, very little teaser on social media,” McDermott said. “In two weeks we were the subject of 36 negative articles, including Church Militant.” The documentary team reached out to anti-LGBTQ voices in the community when constructing the film, however, none would participate due to the polarizing nature. As a result, the film was not establishing an argument, but rather showcasing the realities of certain individuals’ lives and experiences. “We decided there’s enough negativity out there,
that we could just find online,” McDermott said. “...We were very purposefully respectful… So what we decided to do instead is a film in three parts, three half hours. The first two are a little more critical, maybe even darker, and the final third, we flip that around. That was how we decided to more subtly argue or let the words speak for themselves.” Many Manhattan College students attended the screening, and during the Q&A panel following the film, were able to express how it had impacted them; their thoughts and emotions, as well as questions to the director that illuminated his process. One MC student expressed his depiction of Jesus and the potential for development that he hopes to experience. “I personally have always thought of Jesus as a figure that sort of transcends the basic ideas we have as binary, it’s a universal thing,” he said. “You know you get to a church in another continent, they’re gonna look like the people that are from that continent. And in the same way, Jesus was never an overtly sexual figure. So it makes sense that Jesus could be evolved.” As a Catholic institution, Manhattan College needs to
Religious/LGBTQ film is screened on campus. GOOGLE / COURTESY have open discussions with people of all backgrounds participating in faith. This is essential due to our Lassalian values, which encourage education for all, regardless of what they identify as. The positive impact the film had on students, especially ones that are underrepresented in Catholic schools, was overwhelmingly apparent. Another MC student men-
tioned his connection to the film and its vulnerability stating, “I want to say that this film was very touching and the art was very beautiful. I know it’s gonna anger a lot of people, [but] that’s not what I’m worried about because at the end of the day, that will bring attention to your film, which I think everybody should see.” note: some sources wished to remain anonymous
Sound Studies Professor To Be Inducted to the Buffalo Music Hall of Fame Adrianne Hutto Production Editor
Do you really know everything about your professors? Do they have exciting experience outside of the classroom you’d never expect? Suzanne Thorpe is a sound studies professor at Manhattan College but she also played the electro-acoustic flute, composed and produced for the band Mercury Rev in the ‘90s. A band which is now being inducted into the Buffalo Music Hall of Fame. “We all went to school together. Most of us at the University of Buffalo. And even
though it’s a huge school, sometimes, like people find each other,” Eric Fischer, Mercury Rev’s former tour manager, said of the band’s founding. The group met while they were all working for their college’s radio and bonded over their shared passion for a specific sound of music. Their first album was recorded as their bass player’s student project while he was studying to become a recording engineer. “So we would drive down to Virginia, it was only 45 minutes or an hour away from Buffalo, and we would record our album in the off hours,” said Thorpe.“Which means going into
Mercury Rev met in college and after graduation reunited to tour together. SPOTIFY/COURTESY
the studio around 10 p.m. and not leaving until about three or 4 a.m. and that’s how we recorded our first album.” Then, the group graduated and went their separate ways. Two years later in 1997, Fischer was hosting fabulous parties for bands on his boat in the Manhattan docks when he noticed a group of familiar faces. “They told me that the record was going to come out in England and they asked me if I would want to come and be the sound engineer,” Fischer said. He then toured with the band for six years. Shortly after the band’s new album came out under Columbia Records, they played in the Reading Festival on the main stage, considered one of the most exclusive slots a young band could have. “They killed it,” Fischer said. “And their career just sprung from that.” Both Thorpe and Fischer speak fondly of their time on tour. Playing sets all over the world and even opening for Bob Dyland at one time. Mercury Rev’s music is a mesmerizing blend of dreamy, psychedelic, and ethereal soundscapes. Their distinctive sound is characterized by lush, swirling orchestration and hazy guitars that invite listeners on a
Suzanne Thorpe and the band Mercury Rev are being inducted into the Buffalo Music Hall of Fame. YOUTUBEMUSIC/COURTESY sonic journey that is both emotionally evocative and sonically adventurous. “It’s a 90s kind of aesthetic that emerged where lyrics were less important, but big washes of sounds were very important,” Thorpe said of the band’s unique sound. “We fall in between alternative music genres and the shoegaze genre.” Now, years after their popularity the band is being recognized by the Buffalo Music Hall of Fame for their contribution to the history of Buffalo’s music scene. Tom Lorentz, the vice president of the Buffalo Music Hall of Fame and Nomination chairperson, expresses their excitement and pride to be inducting Mercury Rev into the class of
2023. “Their musical accomplishments and dedication to staying true to who they are as songwriters and performers speaks volumes,” Lorentz said via email. “Their legions of fans are proof of the mark they have made in music history. The WNY music community salutes their talent and determination to remain a mainstay in modern music.” Fischer praises the band, joking that all the other bands he has worked with have gotten back together and that gives him hope that he will see Mercury Rev play together once again. Mercury Rev is available to play on all streaming sites.
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Sports
THE QUADRANGLE
Manhattan’s Marquee Non-Conference for 2023-24 Isaiah Rosario Sports Editor
Manhattan’s marquee matchups for the 2023-24 season are like no other this year. Both the men’s and women’s teams have plenty of games that you will not want to miss this year. Manhattan’s men’s basketball team will face both of the previous NCAA Tournament champions, the University of Kansas on Nov. 10 and the University of Connecticut on Nov. 24. These powerhouse matchups are nothing to be afraid of for the Jaspers as they will use these games to make sure their name is known across the country. “We’re coming in every day, just like they are, we’re putting in the same work,” senior guard and forward Logan Padgett said. “We’re going there to win … we’re not backing down from anyone. A lot of people don’t think that we’re going to be great this year, but I think those are two of the perfect games to prove we’re actu-
ally here, we’re going to earn our respect.” On the women’s side, they face two tough matchups in New York City, Fordham University on Nov. 16 and St. Johns University on Nov. 19. “One game I definitely circled is St. John’s,” senior captain Jade Blagrove said. “I think they’re a really good team, they made it to the NCAA tournament last year and it’s a local team too, so it’s some type of rivalry between the New York City teams … I think this will definitely be a game where we can show what we got. Even though we are the underdogs, it is a great position to be in, nobody is expecting us to do anything and it makes it even more fun to show people what we can do.” When creating the non-conference schedule, coaches often look for teams that could challenge them and give them good competition and opportunities to grow. The women’s team has three back-to-back-toback matches against trophied athletic schools, Fordham, St. John’s and Bryant. Head coach Heather Vulin
created a non-conference schedule that would benefit the team down the road in MAAC play. Her primary focus was to find teams who have a similar play style to the tougher teams in the MAAC. “We normally try to do an aggressive non-conference,” Vulin said. “We’re not looking to play teams and try to be 9-0, because we play the sisters of the poor. We’re trying to play teams that are similar to the upper-level teams in the MAAC, that help prepare us. I’m really excited about the schedule that we put together.” A school’s non-conference schedule creates a new level of competitiveness as you face opponents that you rarely face, which involves preparation, and the desire to be better every day to beat these teams. “Every single day has to be an environment where it’s about getting better; it’s the growth mindset,” men’s head coach John Gallagher said. “When you have a growth mindset, every day is an opportunity to get better, whether it’s the non-conference, whether it’s MAAC play, they don’t dif-
The women’s team opens up their non-conference schedule on Nov. 6 at home against Central Connecticut State University. GOJASPERS/COURTESY fer, and your approach never differs. It’s something that I think our program prides itself on, whether it’s a Tuesday in October, or Championship Saturday in March, the approach is the same every day.” With the first year at the helm, coach Gallagher looks forward to implementing a simple philosophy for his student-athletes heading into non-conference play, do the right thing and be on time. “The philosophy behind that is we try to keep it simple,” Gallagher said. “We try to re-
cruit great student-athletes that are gonna represent Manhattan College in a first-class manner. When you recruit to that motto, it attracts people who are here for the right reason. I think we’ve gotten off to a good start, and something that I think my staff and players should be proud of.” The women’s team opens up their non-conference schedule on Nov. 6 at home against Central Connecticut State University. The men’s team opens up their non-conference schedule at Bryant University on Nov. 6.
Women’s Rowing Team Faces Major Changes in Upcoming Year Mack Olmsted and Makenzie Swift
Asst. Arts & Entertainment Editor and Asst. Production Editor Manhattan College’s women’s rowing team is transitioning from their Division I NCAA status to club status by the end
of the academic year. Losing D1 status is not the only change the team is going through. They will no longer have their boathouse and equipment and now share their utilities with the men’s rowing team. In addition to sharing equipment and training facilities, the men and women practice together under the same coach.
Manhattan College’s women’s rowing team to face changes. GOJASPER/COURTESY
While it may seem like these changes are yet another victim of the college’s budget cuts, it surprisingly was not the case for the team. The athletics department has been discussing transitioning the team to club status since last year. This academic year, the team will still have their D1 status. They are still competing, but not at the usual macro level with the NCAA. “You want to have a good team to go out,” said the President of Athletics Irma Garcia. “I think every team you give every opportunity to compete at a division one level, the highest level, you want to be able to put your best foot forward. Unfortunately, I think right now they’re getting the same quality as last year, you know, the uniforms, and it’s still getting to compete a certain routine. I just want to make sure the young ladies have the best quality moving forward.” The intercollegiate status is not the only change that women’s rowing is going through as they now share
practice with the men’s team. “We have a whole new team atmosphere, practicing every day with the [women] and it is so beneficial to be able to get on the water with them and really push each other to be better,” men’s rower, Nicholas Dimassimo said. “That’s what every day of practice is. It’s a fantastic group. I truly believe that we are much stronger together than apart.” For the women, these aspects of the transition that they are going through are a taste of what the future holds for the team. In addition to sharing practice, the team is under new coaching and shares their practice with the men. This outcome has allowed for the men’s and women’s teams to become more unified. “Collectively, we are under the coaching of Mr. Mike Ward coach Ward, a veteran in the rowing game,” Diamassimo said. “So much experience he provides us with so much value through his experience and being an overall fantastic coach. He breaks down the sport of
rowing in a holistic way and really just does not skip over the fundamentals that’s what we focus on. will largely benefit from his teaching from his coaching.” MC rowing alumna Shannon Gleba believes that the women’s team should stay a D1 sport, and shared her thoughts about the transition the college plans for the team. “There’s a lot of girls who work really hard on that team,” Gleba said. “I mean, we were up at four o’clock in the morning every day and I feel disappointed that women going forward are not going to have that opportunity to compete at the division one level.” Gleba and the athletics department hope that more interest in the women’s rowing team will grow, as more members will be necessary for competing. “I would hope they can rebuild numbers and get people interested again,” Gleba said. “I hope they can regain that Division One status.”
Sports
OCTOBER 15, 2023
Jasper Games of the Week
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Men’s Soccer: Manhattan added to its undefeated record in league play, as they deAndrew Mannion feated Fairfield 2-1 this Wednesday. Asst. Sports Editor The first goal of the game was scored by the Jaspers. It was netted by Ayoub Boumela after Sebastian Musu made a run down the field and was able to pass the ball over to Boumela and set him up for the shot. The Stags would then tie the game at 1 each after a 39th-minute equalWomen’s Volleyball: izer. After going into half-tied-up, the Jaspers came out and played an On a road trip up to Siena College, the Lady Jaspers had a aggressive offensive front. In the 51st minute, Musu found Tony Yehboah dominant performance over the Saints. This win breaks a four- who was able to race down the field and net Jasper’s second goal of the game losing streak for Manhattan. night. Great defense through the rest of the night led to the Jaspers gaining They won the match in straight sets and took early leads in all three games. The first set had the Jaspers and the Siants the win against Fairfield 2-1. Head Coach Jorden Scott had high praise for going back and forth to start the game. The Saints made a five- the team. “We learned a lot about ourselves tonight as a team and how connected point push to take a 15-12 lead, but from then on out, it was all we have to be when decisions go against us,” Scott said. “We played for 30 Jaspers. The Jaspers would end up winning the first set 25-21 minutes with a player down and found a togetherness and resilience that After comfortably winning the second set by a score of 21-23, will only make us stronger. I’m proud of how far we have come and I’m the Jaspers headed into the final set, which would prove to be excited about the journey ahead.” the closest of the game. The Saints had a strong performance Women’s Soccer: and took a lead that went as big as 5 points. The Jaspers were The Jaspers women’s soccer team fell to Fairfield 1-0 this past week. then able to rally a 9-2 run which snatched the lead back. The Fairfield would score the game’s only goal early, after going up 1-0 in Jaspers would end up winning the set 25-23 and the game in the 10th minute. That goal would prove to be the deciding point, as both straight sets. teams played spotless defense throughout the rest of the game. They then took on Quinnipiac this past Wednesday, where Margaret Brunk, the Jaspers goaltender, had an incredible game. She made nine saves on ten opportunities and kept the Jaspers in the game they fell to the Bobcats in straight sets of 13-25, 20-25, and 1525. Their best performance was in the second set, where they throughout. The Jaspers would have their chances to tie the game, but all maintained a lead throughout. However, a four-point run from were stopped by Fairfield’s defense. Brendan Lawler, the Jaspers head coach, is optimistic about future the Bobcats would switch the momentum and would eventually games for the team saying they had “Another great effort, but unforlead to a Bobcat victory. tunately not the result we were looking for. We are looking forward to getting back at it on Saturday.”
Men’s Soccer Continues to Bulldoze Through the MAAC Eoin Whelan Contributor
After coming off a 3-2 win over Marist, the Jaspers look to advance to 4-0 with an upcoming game against a tough Rider team in the MAAC play.
A few members of the soccer team spoke to the Quadrangle in regard to their undefeated title, it is safe to say that they are unfazed by the hot streak and hungry for a chance at the championship. Leading their efforts, Coach Foster spoke on their mindset,
After coming off a 3-2 win over Marist, the Jaspers look to advance to 4-0 with an upcoming game against a tough Rider team in the MAAC play. GOJASPER/COURTESY
as they are currently undefeated in MAAC play. “I don’t think our mindset has changed … we’re in a good place, were looking forward to continuing the winning record hopefully,” Foster said. Foster has more on his mind than just the team’s stats, acknowledging the adversities they endured throughout the season. Having to make swift adjustments from team injuries, many players were called to step up to the plate. Foster specifically highlighted players like David Medina, who have had to go above and beyond to help the team. “One of the toughest games of the season against Marist on the road, against one of the best players in the league, playing as a freshman midfielder,” Foster said. Coach Foster has a new objective after becoming the first team to advance six points in the MAAC. He now has his sights set on accumulating five wins for the home advantage in playoffs. “I spoke to the boys about the standards of the program and maintaining the highest level of standards, looking at
the ways we can get better, we have another big week, and this is going to be a great game on Saturday, hopefully, we get a good crowd out here from the campus so we can go 4-0,” Foster said. Senior transfer Sebastiano Musu has been the key offensive weapon for this team and has been lighting up each team he faces. “The team has helped me a lot to perform well, playing every single game with them, they help me a lot to grow up as a person and player,” Musu said. “Every practice and every game I try to be the best of myself so I can improve on the defensive and offensive area.” After transferring from Campbellsville University, in the spring of 2023, it’s natural to assume there is a necessary adjustment period to be made. Musu spoke highly of his teammates for helping him transition to college. “I’m so thankful to them because every day I am learning from them and improving myself a lot,” Musu said. Team Captain James Cotter showed full faith and optimism for his team as they head into
the back end of MAAC play. “We want to win the league, win the MAAC as well, and go to NCAA’s,” Cotter said. “The program has never done it before, and we wanna be the first ones to do it.” With the title of captain comes a lot of pressure and adversity. Cotter spoke to The Quadrangle about his transition to the role of captain. “It’s pretty easy … we got a lot of leaders here who help me out,” Cotter said. “We all know what we need to do”. We wrapped up by asking James what game he looks forward to this season the most, being his final year playing as a Jasper… he showed true tunnel vision by replying: “The MAAC final.” A week later, the Jaspers have finally achieved their goal of 5 wins, an entry to the playoffs, and remain undefeated in the MAAC. It is safe to say that the Jaspers are steamrolling through their competition and plan on carrying through with this winning streak. We’ll all look forward to what comes next for them with the upcoming game against the Niagara Purple Eagles.