The Miami Hurricane -- April 12, 2010

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The Miami

Vol. 88, Issue 20 | April 12 - April 14, 2010

HURRICANE STUDENT NEWSPAPER OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI IN CORAL GABLES, FLORIDA, SINCE 1929

Will host the Clinton Global Initiative next month, making UM only the third university to host the event

Opened in January 2003 after 18 months of construction CANNOT BOOK AN EVENT THE DAY OF OR THE DAY BEFORE A WOMEN’S OR MEN’S BASKETBALL GAME

WHAT CANNOT BUY AN ACT / MUST RECRUIT THE ACT THROUGH A PROMOTER

Launched the North American tours of Green Day, Kanye West, The Fray and Audioslave

the BUC? SEEBUC, BUC,PAGE PAGE3 X SEE

Hosted the presidential debates in 2004 and 2008

THE BEST MID-SIZED VENUE IN THE WORLD

CANNOT SELL ALCOHOL

CANNOT BOOK AN EVENT DURING A BASEBALL GAME DUE TO TRAFFIC MUNICIPALITY CONCERNS

according to Pollstar, a worldwide concert industry trade magazine

- STAGE - FLOOR - UPPER - LOWER

THERE’S HOPE FOR OBAMA

LITTLE BITS OF BLISS

CANES DROP THE BALL

THE PAST 448 DAYS HAVE REALLY BEEN SOMETHING SPECIAL PAGE 5

NEW FROZEN YOGURT SHOP CONVENIENT AND DELICIOUS PAGE 7

MIAMI FALLS TO VIRGINIA TECH IN TWO OUT OF THREE GAMES PAGE 9

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Self-taught singer follows her dream Sophomore balances chemistry and guitar

BY ANTONELLA STELLUTO CONTRIBUTING NEWS WRITER

UM sophomore Kailey Billings proves that it’s not necessary to be a tennis pro to hit the Sony Ericsson Open. Billings’ talent, which does not exactly include a racquet and tennis ball, has put her on the stage for two consecutive years.

“Last year... my sorority sister... had an internship with the Sony Ericsson Open. I didn’t even know she knew I was a musician, but she gave my information to the booking and entertainment people,” she said. “I randomly got a message from them asking me to perform, and it was an awesome surprise and honor.”

Born and raised in Orlando, Billings is a UM student majoring in biology and is on the pre-med track.

She defines music not as her hobby, but as her one and only passion.

“I decided not to study music because I wanted to have a backup plan in case my music career never happens,” Billings said. “I wanted a degree that I could use to make a living.”

Billings’ talent, vocal sounds and style, which is pop with some soul, folk and rock influences, are little by little opening the doors of success within the music field.

“I have heard Kailey perform at two different programs this year and she never ceases to amaze me,” junior Melanie Di Pietro said.

But Billings’ talent goes beyond singing. Her musical skills range from songwriting to playing the guitar and piano, instruments she has played for the past six years.

“She is a great songwriter and musician with an awesome control of the stage- a very natural performer,” junior Natasha Broad said.

Role models such as Jason Mraz and Jewel, as well as some other alternative musicians, have deeply influenced Billings as a singer, but it was No Doubt’s album “Tragic Kingdom” that truly inspired her to pursue a music career.

“The music and Gwen Stefani’s presence totally blew my mind,” Billings said. “I had been singing for a while already but around that time, I decided that I wanted to be the front woman of a band one day.”

This self-taught artist has found a way to incorporate music into her education, fitting in at least one music elective course into her schedule each semester.

“The only ‘training’ I am in now is a vocal techniques for nonmajors class that I’m taking just for fun,” Billings said. “It’s great that I can fit that in along with major requirements like organic chemistry.”

Among her future plans, Billings has made the firm decision

Check out a photo slideshow by Cayla Nimmo featuring the culmination of I-Week.

The Wellness Center can be a place for learning and fun. Patrick H. Todd explains why.

COURTESY ANTONELLA STELLUTO

GUITAR GIRL: Kailey Billings is a pre-med student and musician. to go after her music career. Once she graduates from college, Billings plans to spend a year in Los Angeles or Nashville and really go for it. Her ultimate goal is to be signed in five

years, release an album and tour the United States and Europe.

Antonella Stelluto may be contacted at astelluto@themiamihurricane.com.

Jui-Jitsu offers an unusual workout Dojo tailored to UM students

BY COLLEEN DOURNEY STAFF NEWS WRITER

There’s a new way to work out in Miami. Gracie Barra, a dojo, or training facility, that features classes occasionally taught by famed Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) fighter Georges St. Pierre, is now reaching out to UM students with the help of a senior management class.

Gracie Barra has been offering Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu training classes for about a year and a half now.

In this time, participation has been limited, with virtually no UM student involvement.

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Manager of Gracie Barra Tony Martinez enlisted the help of a UM entrepreneurial class at the beginning of this semester.

There are four members of the class which have been formulating an overall marketing plan for the dojo involving marketing strategies, business models and consulting them along the way.

Ryan Ceresani is a member of the class and immediately had ideas for the dojo.

“The people that run Gracie Barra are great. They are so passionate and really good at what they do, but passion doesn’t always translate as great business strategy. That’s why we’re here to help them out,” Ceresani said.

Part of the business strategy that the class has developed is creat-

THE MIAMI HURRICANE

Check out what’s exclusively available at TheMiamiHurricane. com.

ing awareness of the dojo. In order to do this, they have organized a demonstration to be held at the Rock on Thursday, April 15 at 12 p.m.

Fighters from the Gracie Barra dojo will be showing off their skills in an effort to attract students for various reasons.

“Jiu-Jitsu is really great for anyone. It can be viewed as a self-defense class or just a new way to work out and work on strength training,” said Drew Kapreck, a member of the management class.

So far, the class has been doing things such as talking to potential clients, setting schedules for meetings, and developing work plans for Gracie Barra.

The management class is looking to create discounts for students, as well as semester-long training

April 12 - April 14, 2010

plans with the dojo.

Colleen Dourney may be contacted at cdourney@themiamihurricane.com.

IF YOU GO Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu demonstrations Thursday, 12 p.m. on the Rock

For more information check out the demonstration on the Rock Thursday or the Gracie Barra Web site at www.gbmiami.com.

Matt Rosen’s latest cartoon illustrates why you should try out for the cheerleading squad.

Jimmy Buffett visits the Frost School of Music for a lecture this Thursday. Nancy Oben has the details.

Debora Rubi recaps this weekend’s conference road men’s tennis matches.

Subscribe for the e-mail edition of the newspaper at www. themiamihurricane. com/subscribe.

CORRECTIONS In the April 8 issue Lornalyn Castillo’s name was incorrectly spelled, and while she was born and raised in Hawaii, she is not of Hawaiian descent.

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What students want, the BUC doesn’t have quality show becomes bleak.

While athletic scheduling detracts from available dates for shows and concerts, the prohibition that hampers him most is the building’s no alcohol policy.

BY STEPHANIE GENUARDI NO BOOZE, NO BRUCE CONTRIBUTING NEWS WRITER When the facility first opened in 2003, Robin Williams. Bruce Springsteen. Lady the university and the City of Coral Gables Gaga. The Black Eyed Peas. established operational regulations, one of Believe it or not, the BankUnited Center which prohibits the sale of alcohol.

(BUC) has booked all these artists, but upon In October 2005, Bruce Springsteen was learning of the venue’s regulations, they took scheduled to play at the BankAtlantic Center in their acts elsewhere.

Sunrise. When Hurricane Wilma damaged the “I think if someone I really liked was venue’s roof, the notion of the legendary Bruce playing at the BUC, I’d find a way to go,” senior playing at the BUC became a reality. The concert Ivan Rocha said. “But I don’t remember any was only hours away, but when Springsteen got shows at the BUC that I’ve wanted to go to.” wind of the fact that no alcohol would be sold, he Whether it’s the BUC’s inability to retain cancelled. Robin Williams, Lady Gaga, Jimmy big talent or simply a lack of student interest, Buffet and Elton John canceled for the same the seats of the BUC, ranked the best mid-sized reason. venue in the world by an international trade It is not for college shows that McGrew magazine, are often empty. wishes the alcohol policy would be altered but “I believe the for those shows targeting BUC is a good venue, an older demographic, such BUC QUICK FACTS but I feel it’s both as the Feb. 13 KC & The underutilized and Sunshine Band concert.

Opened in Jan. 2003 after 18 underappreciated by Older community months of construction most of the student members do not want to body,” senior Alex First basketball game: UM come to a venue where they Kramer said. faces off against UNC on Jan. can’t drink, and “promoters G e n e r a l are looking for additional 4, 2003 Manager of the revenuestreams,”explained First concert: Coldplay BankUnited Center, McGrew. “Beer and wine performs Jan. 22, 2003 Patrick McGrew, are where sales go up.” would love nothing The no alcohol policy more than to have more students at the BUC, hinders the facility’s ability to compete with but he often feels his hands are tied. other venues in South Florida. Hard Rock Live, “There are a lot of politically charged for instance, can anticipate nearly $91 from barriers,” he said of the numerous contractual their patrons in food, gaming and drinks alone, obligations he and his staff face when booking estimated McGrew. This enables Hard Rock to an event. buy big shows and attract big artists.

For instance, the BUC cannot book an UM administrator Gavarrete said that the event the day of or the day before a women’s or university recognizes that the no alcohol policy men’s basketball game or during a baseball game thwarts the BankUnited Center’s capacity to due to traffic municipality concerns. The BUC compete and thus seeks to amend the policy. does not book boxing events due to a Faculty “Now that the BUC has been in operation Senate resolution urging the administration to for seven years, we find that it would be a discontinue such events. The venue must use good thing [to have alcohol] for the older a promoter to book performances rather than demographic,” Gavarette said. purchasing them directly. And lastly, the BUC She explained that the university has cannot sell alcohol. reached out to Coral Gables requesting that According to Associate Vice President of the city approve a new proposal to sell beer and Campus Planning and Development Janette wine for community events, not for basketball Gavarrete, the BUC’s primary purpose is to games or events targeting a younger audience, serve students through athletics and academics, however. but she explained that McGrew was hired to NO RISK, NO JAY-Z “offset the cost of the center through community Another hindering prohibition is that entertainment events.” The venue cost the the BankUnited Center is a “no risk” facility.

University $50,139,000 to build.

Because the student activity fee does not finance The above restrictions, however, often the BankUnited Center, the BUC does not have hamper McGrew’s money-making efforts. the capability to go out and buy a big, expensive According to McGrew, the most popular act. touring time for artists is during the spring. With Instead, it must employ a national promoter 35 home basketball games between the men’s to book an act appropriate and plausible in price and women’s teams, 35 additional practice days, for the venue. It is the artist and/or promoter that potential NIT tournament dates and 36 home determine the ticket price, which renders the baseball games, the prospect of booking a high- BUC incapable of offering student discounts.

No alcohol allowed at the typically empty venue

COURTESY ALLISON DOBIN

SINGING THE BLUES: Grammy winner John Mayer performed at the BankUnited Center in January 2007. Later that same year, The Fray also performed.

“Jay-Z doesn’t make sense in this building,” McGrew said of the rap superstar who requests $550,000 minimum for each show or 90 percent of the proceeds. McGrew explained how the BUC simply doesn’t have that kind of money and noted that student ticket prices would be astronomical if they tried to reach his asking price.

McGrew, who has organized 2,600 events during his career, said the BankUnited Center is the smallest building he’s ever run and also his favorite. McGrew clearly likes the challenge.

And a challenge it is.

“We have to give them [the students] reason to come, but even if we do, they still don’t come,” he said.

NO STUDENTS AT THE BUC With a licensed seating capacity near 8,000, attendance at the BankUnited Center for the 2010 men’s basketball season averaged around 4,700. For the women’s team, who made it all April 12 - April 14, 2010

the way to the NIT finals, attendance averaged a dismal 781.

This past February, Pat Forde of ESPN. com ranked Miami as the worst town for ACC basketball.

McGrew attributes the scanty attendance to what he likes to term “The South Beach Effect.”

“There are so many distractions here. In Durham, N.C., there’s not a lot to do,” he said.

Following a 64-62 UM win over Georgia Tech on Feb. 10, “you should have taken a picture of the student section while we beat a ranked team during a home game. It was empty.

Where are all the true fans?” senior Carter Stanton said.

Stephanie Genuardi may be contacted at sgenuardi@ themiamihurricane.com.

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Greeks give back to community DIG IT: Junior Gesislaine “Gesy” De Souza, a sister of Delta Gamma, volunteers at Morningside Elementary School on Saturday during Greek Earth Day. Greek Earth Day was open to all of the fraternities and sororities, although not all of them participated. The Greek community arrived at Morningside Elementary on four filled buses around 11 a.m.

They worked throughout the day planting flowers, shrubs and trees to beautify the multiple courtyards of the school. The school paid for the plants and received free labor from the Greek community.

ADRIENNE D’ANGELO // The Miami Hurricane

Don’t forget to vote for the Best of Miami at www.themiamihurricane.com.

Voting ends on April 22 and the winners will be announced in the April 29 issue.

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April 12 - April 14, 2010

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OPINION

“

The Miami

Hopefully, America will choose to capitalize on success in November and elect Democrats who can keep the trend going.

HURRICANE

”

-Tony Parets, Contributing Columnist

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Why not have alcohol at the BUC? Due to a Coral Gables city ordinance, alcohol is not allowed to be served at the BankUnited Center. Yet students can purchase alcohol at Sun Life Stadium, which is at least a 30-minute drive from campus.

The BankUnited Center is nestled right on the edge of campus and easily within walking distance from all the dormitories. Potentially dangerous behavior, like drinking and driving, is much less likely at this venue.

The university is always trying to develop a more campus-

EDITOR IN CHIEF Chelsea Matiash

want to get trashed at these events, they do not need the BUC to assist them.

Our campus is lucky enough to have the BUC, voted one of the best mid-size venues in the country.

It’s embarrassing to have this jewel and to have such low attendance at basketball games and other events.

We should be promoting the BUC to make the sporting events and concerts there more attractive.

oriented experience and is constantly promoting events. Serving alcohol would allow big name acts like Bruce Springsteen to come to this venue, which would enhance campus life and make it more enjoyable.

One of the main arguments for not serving alcohol at the BUC, rowdy crowds, would not be an issue. Generally speaking, concessions at sports venues are overpriced. College students will not look at this opportunity as a time to get wasted.

Furthermore, if students

Editorials represent the majority view of The Miami Hurricane editorial staff.

Keep the Democrats strong in November f you aren’t a member of the mainstream media, you probably expressed confusion last year during all the exTONY PARETS citement about CONTRIBUTING “Obama’s First COLUMNIST 100 Days in Office.” Like me, you probably thought this number seemed a bit random and certainly not enough to start judging a four or eight-year presidency by.

Sure, during that time Obama ended torture, approved funding for stem cell research, relaxed restrictions on Cuba, made it easier for women to fight pay discrimination, etc.- but there was nothing useful for voters to do with this information.

There were no other races approaching, and the presidential election was so recent and polarizing that few impressions could likely be swayed in any case.

I

ALEXIS DE SÈVE Sophomore “Ursula.”

ANDRES ESCOBAR Alumnus “Cruella de Vil!”

TYLER GROSSO Freshman “Captain Hook.”

Check out video Speak Ups at themaimihurricane.com.

Speak Up answers are edited for clarity, brevity and accuracy. compiled by

Kyli Singh

But today, Barack Obama’s 448th day in office, things are slightly different. Some Democrats have grown disillusioned with him, and some Republicans even seem to have acknowledged that he might not be an extraterrestrial. In any case the 2010 Congressional elections are fast approaching, a good reason for everyone to start reevaluating.

By far Obama’s greatest accomplishment has been health care reform, but making fewer headlines was the landmark student loan reform that streamlines the process for students while saving the country tens of billions of dollars. Within the next few days, Obama made history again by signing the most comprehensive nuclear arms reduction treaty with Russia in decades.

More revealing than any of this, are the indicators of the country’s overall economic health.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, monthly job losses steadily moved from positive hiring in December 2007 to 800,000 jobs

lost in January 2009. In the equivalent amount of time since Obama took office, the losses have tapered off back into growth. During that same overall period, every major stock index steadily lost value but has now been consistently gaining since the election.

I don’t claim that any president single-handedly controls such factors, but our country is currently moving in the right direction and that is too obvious to ignore. Hopefully, America will choose to capitalize on success in November and elect Democrats who can keep the trend going.

Along those lines I again invite you to attend our next Campus Young and College Democrats meeting this Tuesday at 8 p.m. in LC 180, where we will be holding our executive board elections for next year. Please send any questions to umiamidems@gmail.com.

Tony Parets is a second-year law student.

He may be contacted at tparets@ themiamihurricane.com.

POLL RESULTS: How do you feel about a road going through the arboretum?

It took my soul

I love trees

39%

32%

Yes to less traffic What’s an arboretum?

17%

12%

Total Voters: 59

WHAT’S THE BEST EVENT YOU’VE SEEN AT THE BUC? TAKE OUR POLL AT THEMIAMIHURRICANE.COM. April 12 - April 14, 2010

BUSINESS MANAGER Jessica Jurick

MANAGING EDITOR Christina De Nicola

WEBMASTER Brian Schlansky COPY CHIEF Laura Edwins

ART DIRECTOR Felipe Lobon

COPY EDITORS Amanda Gomez Alexandra Leon Alexa Lopez Kyli Singh

NEWS EDITOR Ramon Galiana PHOTO EDITOR Brittney Bomnin SPORTS EDITOR Justin Antweil

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EDGE EDITOR Danielle Kaslow

PUBLIC RELATIONS Jacob Crows

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To reach a member of the staff visit themiamihurricane.com’s contact page. ©2010 University of Miami The Miami Hurricane is published semi-weekly during the regular academic year and is edited and produced by undergraduate students at the University of Miami.

The publication does not necessarily represent the views and opinions of advertisers or the university’s trustees, faculty or administration. Unsigned editorials represent the opinion of The Hurricane’s Editorial Board.

Commentaries, letters and cartoons represent only the views of their respective authors. The newsroom and business office of The Hurricane are located in the Norman A. Whitten University Center, Room 221.

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Letters to the editor may be submitted typed or handwritten (please make your handwriting legible) to the Whitten University Center, Room 221, or mailed to P.O. Box 248132, Coral Gables, FL, 33124-6922. Letters, with a suggested length of 300 words, must be signed and include a copy of your student ID card, phone number and year in school.

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edge

Get in touch with your musical side!

Check out the South Florida Jazz Divas and Gold Coast Jazz Society Band on Wednesday at 7:45 p.m. at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts for $12.

Tasty treats

across the street

BY KELLY BURNS CONTRIBUTING EDGE WRITER

If you’re looking for a light frozen treat after a long day of classes but are unwilling to pack on the pounds, opt for a healthier choice at self-serve frozen yogurt store, My Yogurt Bliss.

Conveniently located across from UM on U.S. 1, My Yogurt Bliss treats guests to a buffet-style yogurt bar in which the flavors change daily and the toppings never cease to entice.

When you walk into the store, grab a 16-ounce container that you can fill with frozen yogurt, mixing and matching flavors and choosing any toppings you wish. The cost is determined by the weight of the container, priced at 48 cents an ounce.

My Yogurt Bliss offers an extensive number of selections in comparison to other local choices, like Yogen Früz and Yogurbella, and presents the opportunity to prepare your own dessert. It offers 10 different flavors, ranging from conventional choices such as vanilla or strawberry, to daring flavors such as cake batter or red velvet.

Topping selections are just as diverse with over 40 choices, including brownie and cheese-

cake pieces, cereal, candy, sprinkles, peanuts and hot fudge. Or one can enjoy a healthier treat, topping the dish with fresh fruit.

My Yogurt Bliss, which opened earlier this semester, is already a staple in many students’ routines.

“I go to My Yogurt Bliss at least once a week, although sometimes more,” junior Danielle Watkins said. “My favorite flavor is the original and I top mine with cheesecake, strawberries and blueberries.”

The seating is limited, but this doesn’t pose a problem as many yogurt-goers purchase and leave.

However, around 7 p.m. each day, the line for yogurt stretches to the back door; it’s the busiest time of the night.

If you’re ready to experience the bliss, the shop is open from 11 a.m. until 11 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and until 12 a.m. on Friday and Saturday.

Whether you prefer your yogurt sweet or tart, low in calories or loaded with sugar, My Yogurt Bliss has something for everyone.

Kelly Burns can be reached at kburns@ themiamihurricane.com.

My Yogurt Bliss

WHERE: 1554 South Dixie Highway (on U.S. 1 across from UM, between Subway and the AT&T store) HOURS OF OPERATION: Sun.- Thurs.: 11 a.m.- 11 p.m.; Fri. and Sat.: 11 a.m.- 12 a.m.

COST: 48 cents an ounce

BRITTNEY BOMNIN // Photo Editor PARADISE FROST: Sophomore Lane Carico takes a break from serving volleyballs for some soft serve at My Yogurt Bliss. The self-serve yogurt shop is located across U.S. 1 from UM.

April 12 - April 14, 2010

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Polish director finds success early on

COURTESY BART BABINSKI PHOTOGRAPHY

LIGHTS, CAMERA, ACTION: Agnieszka Wojtowicz-Vosloo directs on the set of “After.Life.”

BY CAREY GOLDENBERG SENIOR EDGE WRITER

Polish film director and writer Agnieszka Wojtowicz-Vosloo boldly broke into the world of film with her first feature, “After.Life,” shortly after finishing her undergraduate degree from NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts

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THE MIAMI HURRICANE

in 2004. Through perseverance and passion for her art, Wojtowicz-Vosloo had the opportunity to feature her short film “Pâté” at the Sundance Festival and to make this feature film, starring acclaimed actors Liam Neeson, Christina Ricci and Justin Long.

The psychological horror film tells the dark fate of Anna (Ricci) who awakens after a

April 12 - April 14, 2010

car accident to find local funeral director Eliot Deacon (Neeson) preparing her body for her funeral. Still feeling very much alive, she tries to escape with the help of her boyfriend, Paul (Long) before she crosses to the other side.

Wojtowicz-Vosloo's love of film began in her home town of Warsaw, Poland.

“I loved all arts- photography, painting, choreography- and film was the most natural art form that combined all of the other ones,” she said.

Wanting to experience cinema in the United States, Wojtowicz-Vosloo began her study of film at New York University. -At NYU, she was assigned a project to make a short film; she chose to portray a dark story of an apocalyptic world and what happens to people’s psyche when they are faced with extreme challenges. When faced with doubt from her professors for attempting such a difficult topic for a first film, she decided to carry on. “[The film was] very visual,” WojtowiczVosloo said. “The big challenge was creating this apocalyptic world, which involved me being very resourceful with the budget of an average college student.”

Her hard work paid off, when her film was accepted to Sundance she received the Feuille d'Or at the Beverly Hills Film Festival and she won NYU’s prestigious Wasserman Award.

As part of the Wasserman Award, she was flown to LA to meet producers and agents,

where Wojtowicz-Vosloo found her agent in her second year of college.

Her agent later sent the script of “After.

Life” to the actors’ agents and when they approved it, the actors themselves read the script and decided whether they wanted to play the role or not. Luckily, Neeson, Ricci and Long all accepted their respective roles and began collaborating with Wojtowicz-Vosloo. With only 25 days to shoot the film, she enjoyed learning the actors’ different methods and personalities. “[I am often inspired by] darker things that are in our psyche,” Wojtowicz-Vosloo said. “It comes from the world I live in, but I love to take something and give it its own twist and spin. Every religion, every philosophy says what happens when we die, but we won’t know until it happens.”

Carey Goldenberg may be contacted at cgoldenberg@ themiamihurricane.com.

After.Life Starring: Liam Neeson, Christina Ricci and Justin Long Directed By: Agnieszka Wojtowicz-Vosloo MPAA Rating: R

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SPORTS

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number on SportsCenter’s top 10 plays for Zeke DeVoss after his spectacular catch

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number of hits on the weekend for Yasmani Grandal

BASEBALL

Canes drop weekend series to Hokies Miami loses despite unforgettable play

BY CAMRON GHORBI CONTRIBUTING SPORTS WRITER

For the first time since the series against the University of Florida, the Hurricanes were tested against a ranked team.

The No. 9 Miami Hurricanes suffered two close losses to No. 25 Virginia Tech this weekend, dropping their first road series of the year in disappointing fashion at English Field in Blacksburg, Va. The Hurricanes (23-9, 11-4) had leads in both games they lost.

Cruising through his first five innings in the series opener, starter Chris Hernandez endured a meltdown in the sixth inning that would prove costly in an eventual 9-7 loss. After a three-run home run from junior outfielder Chris Pelaez keyed a big top half of the sixth for the Canes, the junior lefty departed after allowing four hits and four runs in the bottom half of the inning.

Despite a twelve-hit showing from the offense, Miami batters could not bail out the typically reliable Hurricane bullpen, which allowed four runs in relief. Junior catcher Yasmani Grandal was perfect at the plate, finishing 4-for4 with two runs scored in the loss.

The Hurricanes’ line-up continued to fire on all cylinders Saturday afternoon, and a shutdown performance from lefty Eric Erickson proved too much for the Hokies (23-11, 8-7) to handle.

The Canes smacked four home runs on the day, including two two-run shots from Grandal and another from Pelaez, in a 9-2 rout. Erickson threw seven brilliant innings on the mound, allowing only four hits while striking out five.

Despite the offensive barrage

and the quality start from the junior lefty, the most impressive performance of the day came from freshman centerfielder Zeke DeVoss.

A breathtaking grab in the fourth inning from DeVoss earned him the No. 1 spot on ESPN SportsCenter’s Top 10 plays.

Tracking down a hard hit f ly ball from Hokie shortstop Tim Smalling, DeVoss leapt towards the center field wall with glove outstretched to make what was unquestionably the most impressive catch of the season.

At the plate, DeVoss helped to key the offensive outpour with a 2-for-4 performance, including a three-run home run and four RBI. Looking for a win to clinch the series on Sunday afternoon, the Canes had the misfortune of running into Hokie righty and probable first-round MLB Draft selection Jesse Hahn. The junior baff led Canes’ hitters throughout his seven innings of work, finishing with nine strikeouts and only four hits allowed in the Hokies’ 4-2 win.

Senior righty Jason Santana, one of the team’s most pleasant surprises as a third starter, had another solid outing for the Hurricanes. The Miami native allowed only three earned runs in his six innings of work, but the more dominant combination of Hahn and closer Ben Rowan ended the Canes’ chances at a third straight road series win.

The Canes’ return to action Wednesday with a midweek showdown against Florida Gulf Coast in Fort Myers before a crucial home series against No. 20 North Carolina. As always, all Hurricane baseball games can be heard on 90.5 WVUM The Voice.

Camron Ghorbi may be contacted at cghorbi@themiamihurricane.com.

NIELS GÖRAN BLUME // SPPS

SMOKING THE HOKIES: Redshirt junior left-hander Eric Erickson pitches during Saturday’s 9-2 victory over the Virginia Tech Hokies. He went seven innings and allowed one earned run.

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SWIMMING

Early mornings and endless laps give team an edge Low turnout for these hard-working athletes

BY MICHELLE SALOM CONTRIBUTING SPORTS WRITER

COURTESY UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI ATHLETICS

MAKING WAVES: Freshman Kayla Smith swims freestyle. Swimmers practice twice a day and are considered some of the hardest working athletes at UM.

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Swimming is a world-renowned sport that has numerous amount of fans and followers, but here at UM swimming is not viewed as a popular sport and doesn’t receive support from a strong fan base.

The women on the swim team are some of the most hard-working athletes at UM and all their dedication does not get recognized. Sophomore Roxy Meyer, who specializes in backstroke, is very passionate about her sport.

“Swimming is a solitary sport that requires an athlete to dedicate a lot of time and effort into practicing, both in the pool and out,” Meyer said. “It seems as if people don’t take our sport seriously and fail to recognize the amount of dedication that is involved to achieve success at this level.

I feel that if we had more supporters at meets, it would serve as a huge motivation for our team and I think it would boost our individual performances tremendously.”

The University of Miami offers 15 varsity sports, including swimming, which are easily accessible to the student body.

Not only are the games minutes away from where classes are, but students also get in for free with their Cane Cards.

The women’s swim team trains for hours. They work every muscle in their body and never complain, giving them the endurance most athletes only dream about. “[Other UM athletes] can’t compete with us,” sophomore swimmer Taylor Grenda said. “If they were to swim a 500yard long course, it would take them three hours. We are the hardest working team at UM.” Their schedule is demanding. Their practice schedule runs every morning before classes, from 5:45 to 7:30 a.m., and every afternoon from 2:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., depending on how much they get done.

“Basically [swimming is] a full time job, [which] most people don’t realize,” Simpson said. “Some people go to school and complain about 8 a.m. classes, but we’ve been up for three hours already.”

Michelle Salom may be contacted at msalom@ themiamihurricane.com.

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dear ...

Dear V: My fiancée swings both ways...

Dear Right Teamer, , Dear V, My fiancée that I am in love with has recently expressed to me that she is bisexual. We have joked about how we are attracted to the same girls, but jokes have started to make me feel insecure, even though I am very sexually experienced. I am open-minded and very sexually liberal myself, but the fear of losing her to someone I can’t compete with has me worried. I want her to experience that side of herself, but in a controlled environment where I can supervise. Still, there is a side of me that wonders if she is truly happy, knowing that there is a hunger that I can’t satisfy.

Player for the Right Team

First of all, bravo to you for being so supportive of your wife-to-be. A lot of men would be much less sensitive to this subject, and I think it’s great that you are making things work between you in this new situation.

If you love her as much as you say, I’m sure things will work out just fine for you two.

That being said, I understand how even with your liberal attitude, this can be a difficult new challenge to deal with. Dating in college is hard enough without discovering your lover swings both ways. I think it’s important to remember this: she chose to date you, she’s engaged to you, she clearly wants to be with YOU. Just because she’s also attracted to girls, doesn’t mean she going to go running off with one in the middle of the night.

There are plenty of happily married couples out there where one partner is straight, the other bisexual; there is no reason this can’t work for you too.

If you’re really open to letting her play some for the other team (supervised, as you said), go for it.

I think a play-date with another lady-friend would not only help your fiancée experience her new desires, but also show her how much you care and how supportive you are of her new discovery.

While she may be missing out on some things by being in a monogamous relationship with you, I doubt she’s unhappy. She wouldn’t have said yes to a marriage proposal if she thought she wanted to be with a woman instead of you. Stay in the game, support her and you’ll both be on the winning team.

Best, V Have a question for V? Hit up DearV@themiamihurricane. com.

GOT AN ACHY, BREAKY HEART? WRITE TO DEARV@THEMIAMIHURRICANE.COM FOR ADVICE.

SUMMER IN MAINE Males and Females.

Meet new friends! Travel!

Teach your favorite activity.

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ELECTRIC SCOOTER No insurance/registration needed.

Inexpensive to own & operate assembled/delivery/ guaranty.

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June to August. Residential.

Enjoy our website. Apply online.

TRIPP LAKE CAMP for Girls: 1-800-997-4347 www.tripplakecamp.com April 12 - April 14, 2010

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