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Vol. 89, Issue 13 | Feb. 28 - Mar. 2, 2011
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THE MIAMI HURRICANE
From worst to first STEVEN LEVY // The Miami Hurricane
CHEER: Sophomore Morgan Stroman celebrates with teammates and fans on the court after Thursday night’s victory over Florida State at the BUC.
Canes finish regular season at the top of the conference BY ERNESTO SUAREZ | SPORTS EDITOR
J
ust one year ago, the Hurricane women’s basketball program sat at the bottom of the ACC, and though the team had plenty of potential, it hadn’t yet found its way onto the court. After defeating Georgia Tech (21-9, 9-5 ACC) on Sunday afternoon, the Canes completed the first part of their incredible turnaround. Riquna Williams exploded with 32 points and Selina Archer contributed 8 points and four rebounds off the bench as Miami (26-3, 12-2 ACC) took down the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets, 70-59. The win gives the Canes at least a share of first place in the ACC, and if Duke loses
at home to North Carolina, Miami would have first place to themselves. “We don’t care, we won this thing,” said head coach Katie Meier after the game. “Whether we’re tied or by ourselves, we’re worst to first.” In the final game to be played inside of Georgia Tech’s Alexander Memorial Coliseum, both teams kept it close throughout the first half. After Miami opened the game with a 16-8 lead, Georgia Tech closed the gap with 9 straight points and the teams exchanged leads five times over the rest of the half. Miami ended the half up just one, leading 30-29.
SEE BASKETBALL, PAGE 10
VOLUNTEER FEVER UM STUDENTS ARE MOST LIKELY TO JOIN PEACE CORPS PAGE 3
FEEL THE HEAT THE MIAMI WEATHER WARRANTS BEING OUTDOORS PAGE 6
COMIC CON FUN FROM R2-D2 TO SPIDER-MAN, SUPERHEROES COME ALIVE PAGE 7
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Bike ride brings back memories Natasha’s Ride raises awareness
Check out what’s exclusively available at TheMiamiHurricane. com.
BY MIRANDA COLEMAN CONTRIBUTING NEWS WRITER
Early Saturday morning, dozens of people gathered in the University of Miami School of Law courtyard, bikes and helmets in hand, ready to ride in honor of a former student who died in 2010. The memorial, titled Natasha’s Ride, was held in honor of third-year law student Natasha Pettigrew, who was struck and killed by a car last September while on her bike training for a triathlon. Pettigrew had taken a leave of absence to run as a senatorial candidate in Maryland with the Maryland Green Party. The event was held in conjunction with the South Florida Bike Coalition, the Black Law Students Association, the Children Youth and Law Clinic, OUTLaw and the HOPE Public Interest Resource Center. “Since bike safety and being healthy and in shape was really important to her, in her celebration of her life she would want people to be out doing the things she loved to do,” said Lauren Ferguson, a friend of Pettigrew’s. “She was all of our good friend; it’s tough losing someone who’s so young.” Natasha’s Ride lasted 45 minutes and took bikers through downtown Miami, Vizcaya, the Grove, Coral Gables and in front of Pettigrew’s house, reflecting her own daily ride to campus.
Missed Saturday’s men’s basketball game? Be sure to read Darci Miller’s recap of the game.
STEVEN LEVY // The Miami Hurricane
A RIDE TO REMEMBER: Two participants in Natasha’s Ride, a memorial for former law student Natasha Pettigrew, prepare for the 45-minute trek around Miami on Saturday morning. About 45 people participated in the event. “Everyone who wanted to come out and ride was able to participate,” said Brian Sperger, another friend of Pettigrew’s and the main organizer of the ride. A fund was created in Pettigrew’s honor and riders were asked to make donations. All donations will go to bike safety programs throughout MiamiDade County. Kennis Henry, Pettigrew’s mother, flew down from Maryland to attend the memorial
event. “Natasha is somewhere looking down right now with so much joy and a great big smile,” Henry said. Henry is currently campaigning for a bill in Maryland to protect bicyclists and impose stricter penalties for drivers who injure them. She recently started a petition on change.org and currently has 4,500 signatures. “[Natasha’s] big concern was road safety,” Henry said. “Drivers think the roads belong to them but their inability to
share just shows total ignorance and a lot of selfishness on the drivers’ part.” Ferguson, along with many others, hopes to see Natasha’s Ride become an annual event. “Natasha made such a great impact on this university and the Miami community, so I think it’s really important that we continue to honor her legacy here,” she said. Miranda Coleman may be contacted at mcoleman@themiamihurricane. com.
BRAIN FAIR LOOKING FOR VOLUNTEERS
CONNECTING AND TRANSPORTING MIAMI
The University of Miami and the Miami Science Museum are looking for volunteers for their 2011 Brain Fair, which will be held on March 19 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Miami Science Museum. For more information and to volunteer, visit themiamiproject.org/brainfair and e-mail the completed volunteering form to brainfair@med.miami.edu.
The UM School of Architecture, Miami’s Green Mobility Network and transitmiami.com will present Connecting Miami, a two-day event to promote bicycling. A lecture will be held March 25 in the Jorge M. Perez Architecture Center Glasgow Hall at 6:30 p.m. and will feature the Executive Director of Transportation Alternatives Paul Steely White. It is
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THE MIAMI HURRICANE
Already missing SportsFest? Check out Eddie Maudlin’s cartoon. Read Sari Libbin’s article on how Ultra lost its exclusivity contract with Swedish House Mafia. Check out Sarah B. Pilchick’s film review about “Unknown.” Missed the Wellness Center’s grand opening after the expansion? Watch Steve Pierre’s video tour with Tony Musto.
NEWS BRIEFS
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Want to know more about the Debate Team? Read Alexandra Valenzuela’s profile.
February 28 - March 2, 2011
free and open to the public, but seating is limited. A bike ride, sponsored by the Green Mobility Network, will be held March 26 and will begin at the University Metrorail Station at 10 a.m. The ride is called the “Tweed Ride” and cyclists are encouraged to wear “old-timey” apparel. Please RSVP for the bike ride on Green Mobility Network’s Facebook page or on greenmobilitynetwork.org. Alysha Khan may be contacted at akhan@ themiamihurricane.com.
Got something to say? Give us a ShoutOut. Subscribe for the e-mail edition of the newspaper at themiamihurricane. com/subscribe.
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RESEARCH AT THE U
Spanish speakers in Miami are decreasing Claims contradicted by UM research statistics BY JONATHAN LEBOWITZ CONTRIBUTING NEWS WRITER
COURTESY EDWARD STEVEN PERRY
FROM STUDENT TO VOLUNTEER: UM alumnus Tim McNaught (second from left) cooks dinner with his host family in Azerbaijan in the Middle East while in the Peace Corps in 2010. After graduation, many alumni choose to volunteer.
Graduates choose Peace Corps UM alumni prefer volunteer work BY JONATHAN BORGE SENIOR NEWS WRITER
Come March, Steve Root, a recent UM alumnus, will trek across the world to begin his 27-month journey as a Peace Corps volunteer. Root has been assigned to Kyrgyzstan in central Asia, where he will live with a host family and teach English at a local school. Root is only one of several recently accepted UM alumni who have chosen the Peace Corps as their postgraduation plan. “It will be incredibly rewarding to experience life from a new perspective,” Root said. In early February, UM was ranked No. 21 among the Peace Corps’ “Top Peace Corps Volunteer Producing Colleges and Universities.” The rankings represent the university’s strong inclination towards volunteerism and
interest in public service over traditional post-graduation options like graduate school or the work force. “I really wanted to travel and volunteer when I got out of school. When I studied abroad I decided that I wanted to travel a lot more, and the Peace Corps was the perfect opportunity for me to volunteer and travel at the same time, so it was perfect,” Root said. Root claims it took approximately seven months to begin paperwork, go through medical clearance and hear a final decision about his application. Accepted applicants are notified about three or four months before a designated departure date is set and are given a welcome letter with details about their assignment and country of service. Immediately following her own graduation, UM President Donna E. Shalala served as a Peace Corps volunteer in Iran in the 1960s, teaching English in a local school. “I applied to law school and I applied to graduate school. I had a couple of job offers from newspapers; I was
going to be a journalist. I laid them all out on my bed in college and decided that the greatest adventure would be joining the Peace Corps,” Shalala said. “I think the Peace Corps made me a citizen of the world. It made me comfortable in any difficult job.” The university’s diversity is a strengthening quality that inspires students to help others and apply for service. “I think the diversity of our campus makes the students far more able to go abroad and be a Peace Corps volunteer. They’ve learned to live with people from different backgrounds and they’ve learned from different cultures,” Shalala said. On March 8, Shalala will join other returned Peace Corps volunteers in the McLamore Executive Education Center at the School of Business Administration to discuss their personal experiences, the application process and the benefits of volunteering. Jonathan Borge may be contacted at jborge@themiamihurricane.com.
Nearly 60 percent of Miami-Dade County residents declared Spanish as their first language in the 2000 Census. And while many people unfamiliar with the Miami area say the presence of Spanish in Miami is increasing, research conducted within the University of Miami’s Department of Modern Languages suggests otherwise. “While Spanish can certainly be heard more frequently than English in many communities of Miami-Dade County, the fact is most second- and third-generation Hispanic-Americans rarely speak it with each other,” said Andrew Lynch, a professor of Spanish and Latin American studies and the director of the Spanish heritage language program. In his research, Lynch has observed how use of the Spanish language is changing across three generations of Cuban Americans. His conclusions have revealed that there is a significant cross-generational decline of the language occurring in Miami and that fourth- and fifth-generation Cuban Americans are likely to speak little Spanish, if any at all. “The situation in Miami is rather paradoxical- on the one hand, Miami is by far the most bilingual city in the nation and a center for Latin American commerce, entertainment and mass media, but on the other hand, U.S.-born Hispanics are growing up without having to formally learn or speak much Spanish,” Lynch said. While his research does reveal a substantial trend occurring in Miami-Dade County, it confirms the fact that students in the United States are lagging far behind their European and Asian counterparts when it comes to learning how to speak more than one language fluently. “I do not think multilingual education and cultural acceptance is emphasized enough for the globalized world we seem to be emerging into,” said sophomore Tiara Morrison, who is majoring in anthropology and minoring in modern languages. Spanish greatly contributes to the unique culture that encompasses life in Miami, but the reality is, with such an influx of new immigrants to Miami from places outside of Latin America, the number of Spanish speakers may be on the decline, further demonstrating why multilingual education is so critical for students of the 21st century. Research at the U is a new bimonthly column devoted to informing students of research happening on our campus. Jonathan Lebowitz may be contacted at jlebowitz@ themiamihurricane.com.
February 28 - March 2, 2011
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ADRIANNE D’ANGELO // Photo Editor BATTER UP: Members of Kappa Kappa Gamma compete in the second annual WishMaker’s celebrity softball tournament on Saturday afternoon.
Celebrities pitch in with Wish Upon a U WishMakers, UM orgs support Make-A-Wish BY KATTIE MALDONADO CONTRIBUTING NEWS WRITER
Celebrities and University of Miami organizations made wishes come true by playing softball on Saturday. The University of Miami WishMakers, participating UM organizations and celebrities filled Ponce De Leon Middle School’s field for the final Wish Upon a U Week event, the Swing for the Wishes Celebrity Softball Tournament. After a series of fundraising events, 12 of 18 teams made it out on the field that day, each accompanied by one celebrity figure to play softball. UM President Donna E. Shalala threw out the first pitch of the game. Other celebrity participants included former Hurricane star and current Minnesota Vikings player Bryant McKinnie, Atlanta Falcons defensive lineman Jamal Anderson, Arizona Cardinals kicker Jay Feely, Miami Dolphins Pro Bowl long snapper John Denney, Miami Dolphins kicker Brandon Fields and Indianapolis Colts Najeh Davenport, also a former Hurricane. “We all get to have fun on a great day in support of a good cause. It’s great to be here,” Fields said. 4
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During Wish Upon a U Week, teams were encouraged to attend a fashion show, take pictures for a photo contest, make banners, dine at Taco Rico and purchase Wayfarer Sunglasses. Registered teams were allotted points based on attendance and participation in these activities, as well as for funds raised. All proceeds were donated to MakeA-Wish, a national foundation that grants wishes to children suffering from life-threatening diseases. “It’s great that everyone attended, that the celebrities could make it over here to play with the teams,” said Jonathan Schrader, founder and president of UM WishMakers. “Seeing everyone having a good time is rewarding.” The winner of this year’s Swing for the Wishes Celebrity Softball Tournament was Phi Delta Theta. UM Wishmakers’ next celebrity event, the “When the Stars Align” concert, is tentatively scheduled for May 6. Members are working on gathering today’s top artists to perform at the BankUnited Center. Proceeds from ticket sales will also be donated to the Make-A-Wish foundation and Children’s Miracle Network. “We want to make it as big as Y100’s Jingle Ball,” Schrader said. Kattie Maldonado may be contacted at kmaldonado@themiamihurricane.com.
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Winning design used for opera set Plans come to life in architecture elective BY THANIA POTOSME CONTRIBUTING NEWS WRITER
After a semester of diligent designing, senior Simone Meeks finally has the chance to bring her designs to life for the Albert Herring opera next week at the Frost School of Music. Meeks is the second winner to have her stage set design develop through the Design/Build Program. This elective course offered by the School of Architecture is based on a competitive environment among the students to design and have the opportunity to build the winning piece. “This is a program that demands a lot of initiative,” professor Jean-Francois Lejeune said. “The designs were developed and evaluated during the fall semester during the first portion of the Design/Build Program, and the winning piece is now being worked on by four students that are assisting Meeks in creating the stage sets.” The second portion of the Design/ Build program has given Meeks and the four students assisting her a lot of hands-on experience. “We have to take many things into consideration- the precise measurements and the assembling of the pieces are some of the key things in having those sets ready on time,” Meeks said. The location of the Albert Herring opera at Gusman Hall has also posed a chal-
lenge, since it hosts many different events throughout the semester, giving Meeks and the students a limited amount of time to evaluate the space where they will be placing the sets. “We only have 24 hours to set up the sets before they are going to debut in the opera, so we try to help Simone throughout the entire process, including purchasing the materials needed to stay on budget,” said Fatima Almomen, Meeks’ classmate. Meeks’ stage set for the opera implements recycled and borrowed materials to accomplish her design, including some furniture. The set will be constructed exclusively for the Albert Herring opera and the materials used will follow tradition and be recycled for future use in other School of Architecture projects. Thania Potosme may be contacted at tpotosme@ themiamihurricane.com.
IF YOU GO WHAT: Albert Herring opera WHERE: Gusman Hall, Frost School of Music WHEN: Thurs-Sat at 8 p.m., Sun at 3 p.m. COST: $20 general admission, $10 UM faculty and staff and $5 students and seniors
RENDERING COURTESY SIMONE MEEKS DREAM REALIZED: As a member of the Design/Build Program, Simone Meeks is constructing her rendering of a set designed for the Albert Herring opera. February 28 - March 2, 2011
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What movie are you most looking forward to watching in theaters?
JAVIER FARINAS SENIOR “The new ‘X-Men’ movie”
DAMIAN HERNANDEZ SOPHOMORE “‘Red Riding Hood’”
Evan Peskin, Senior Columnist
STAFF EDITORIAL
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Diversity promotes enrichment White? Check. Black or African American? Check. Asian? Check. Today, many young Americans are identifying themselves as more than one race. According to The New York Times, “young adults of mixed backgrounds are rejecting color lines that have defined Americans for generations in favor of a much more fluid sense of identity.” When the government first allowed people to mark off more than one race in the 2000 U.S. Census, the results disclosed that there were about seven million multiracial people living in our country. Due to the demographic shift caused by immigration and intermarriage, multiracial Americans have become the country’s fastest growing population segment. In fact, college students include the largest group of mixed-race people. Many colleges, such as the University of Maryland, have created student organizations like the Multiracial and Biracial Student Association to unite the multicultural population of the university. With this in mind, we wonder not only how this demographic shift will change our country, but also how it will affect the diversity within our campus.
As an institution that currently consists of a variety of races, ethnicities, languages and faiths, UM has done a remarkable job in promoting a multicultural environment and recruiting diverse students over the years. We have become one of the most diverse campuses in the nation, and students find this to be one of the perks of attending UM. In fact, about half of our student population is Hispanic, Asian-American or African American, and about one in eight students are international students. The number of students with mixed backgrounds at UM is increasing. We believe that this new demographic shift does not only increase race and class interaction on our campus, but also reflects the increasingly diverse face of our nation. Being in a multicultural city can only enrich students’ college experiences as they come to understand different cultures. The growth of the multiracial population will not only blend races together, but will also create an environment that affirms and celebrates diversity on campus and in the community.
The Miami
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While we’re laying out in the sunshine, they’re shoveling feet of snow from their driveways.
Founded 1929 An Associated Collegiate Press Hall of Fame Newspaper NEWSROOM: 305-284-2016 BUSINESS OFFICE: 305-284-4401 FAX: 305-284-4404 For advertising rates call 305-284-4401 or fax 305-284-4404. EDITOR IN CHIEF Christina De Nicola
BUSINESS MANAGER Jacob Crows
MANAGING EDITOR Laura Edwins
PRODUCTION MANAGER Isabel Gonzalez
ART DIRECTOR Brittney Bomnin
ADVERTISING EDITOR Demi Rafuls
NEWS EDITOR Lindsay Brown PHOTO EDITORS Adrianne D’Angelo Marlena Skrobe SPORTS EDITOR Ernesto Suarez
PUBLIC RELATIONS James Borchers ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT Maria Jamed
EDGE EDITOR Amanda Gomez
ACCOUNT REPS Misha Mayeur Brian Schuman Jack Whaley
OPINION EDITOR Kyli Singh
WEBMASTER Amith Ravindar
COPY CHIEF Alexa Lopez
GRADUATE ASSISTANT Nick Maslow
ONLINE EDITOR Steve Pierre ASST. NEWS EDITORS Alysha Khan Alexandra Leon ASST. SPORTS EDITOR Darci Miller DESIGNERS Carlos Mella Demi Rafuls
FINANCIAL ADVISER Robert DuBord FACULTY ADVISER Bob Radziewicz COPY EDITORS Heather Carney Spencer Dandes Stephanie Parra
Editorials represent the majority view of The Miami Hurricane editorial board. To reach a member of the staff visit themiamihurricane.com’s contact page.
YouNiversity: soak up the Miami sun LEAH MACHLIN FRESHMAN “‘The King’s Speech’”
HILLARY TIESLINK SOPHOMORE “Harry Potter 7 Part 2” Speak Up answers are edited for clarity, brevity and accuracy. Check out video Speak Ups at themiamihurricane.com. Compiled by
Ji-Wah Ng
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very student here knows someone who has been enduring the freezing cold weather that’s hit our nation hard in the past few weeks. While we’re laying out in the sunshine, they’re shoveling feet of snow from their driveways. We’re putEVAN PESKIN ting on sandals, sunglasses SENIOR and shorts while they’re donCOLUMNIST ning hoodies, parkas, gloves and boots. We walk to class and see nothing but gorgeous co-eds tanning, rubbing themselves down with lotion in the cutest little bikinis… Sorry, I zoned out. What was I talking about? Regardless, we are the lucky few that get to live in a tropical paradise. Even so, there are far too many students out there who spend their Saturdays walking around their bedrooms, their bathrooms and their kitchens, but never even gaze out the window to see how cloud-free the sky is. What a waste! People like that deserve
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to go to a university in the far north and finally grasp what a below-zero wind chill is like. So how does one come to appreciate the fantastic city we live in? You can do something simple, like going running along the beach or reading under a palm tree on the green rather than in the library. Maybe you can be daring and do something truly life-changing, like skydiving over South Beach or going down to Key West for a weekend. The culinary experience of such a diverse city is something that often goes overlooked. Besides all the authentic Latin cuisine that springs up everywhere around Miami, the food trucks local to this sprawling metropolis, like Latin Burger and Yellow Submarine, are unique, delicious and can easily be tracked on Twitter. The bottom line is that you should make the most of your time here. Don’t spend too large a percentage of it festering under buzzing f luorescent lighting. Go out and live! Viva Miami! Evan Peskin is a junior majoring in pre-med psychology. He may be contacted at epeskin@ themiamihurricane.com.
©2011 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. LETTER POLICY The Miami Hurricane encourages all readers to voice their opinions on issues related to the university or in response to any report published in The Hurricane. 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. ADVERTISING POLICY The Miami Hurricane’s business office is located at 1306 Stanford Drive, Norman A. Whitten University Center, Room 221B, Coral Gables, FL 33124-6922. The Miami Hurricane is published on Mondays and Thursdays during the university’s fall and spring academic terms. Newspapers are distributed free of charge on the Coral Gables campus, the School of Medicine and at several off-campus locations. DEADLINES All ads must be received, cash with copy, in The Miami Hurricane business office, Whitten University Center, Room 221B, by noon Tuesday for Thursday’s issue and by noon Friday for the Monday issue. SUBSCRIPTIONS The Miami Hurricane is available for subscription at the rate of $50 per year. AFFILIATIONS The Miami Hurricane is a member of the Associated Collegiate Press, Columbia Scholastic Press Assoc. and Florida College Press Assoc.
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Looking to get your movie fix? Check out the Miami International Film Festival, coming to Miami Beach Friday- March 13. See the latest and greatest in world cinema. Visit miamifilmfestival.com for more
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makes its Miami debut BY JESSICA HODDER AND HENRY POTTER CONTRIBUTING EDGE WRITERS
JESSICA HODDER // The Miami Hurricane RAVING RABBITS: “The Raving Rabbits” perform at the Miami Comic Con Saturday and Sunday. The rabbits were originally characters in the video game “Rayman.” They are members of the 3000 Brigade, a show troupe that performs for crowds.
JESSICA HODDER // The Miami Hurricane GEEKING OUT: Miami’s first Comic Con was this past weekend.
JESSICA HODDER // The Miami Hurricane COMIC ICON: Storm troopers were a common sight. February 28 - March 2, 2011
A maze of booths and swarms of costumed fans occupied the Miami Airport Convention Center this weekend. Amid the professional wrestlers, remote-controlled R2-D2s and Renaissance crafters, the sense of unity was palpable- this was Comic Con. Hundreds attended the first-ever Comic Con in Miami, organized by Wizard World. It was a prime venue for showcasing the viral comic culture. The new Miami comic convention focused on the sharing and distribution of creativity through comic books, graphic novels and pop culture. It is an event for publishers, dealers, exhibitors, creators and fans to share their interests and generally geek out. The usual suspects were represented at the convention, including Marvel, DC and Dark Horse, but there were also underdog contenders present, such as the independent Hound Comics based out of New York. Hound Comics’ “Brimstone and the Borderhounds” panel featured the world premiere of its animated series, a counterpart to the comic. In addition to the panels, guest celebrities, photo ops and truckloads of comicbook paraphernalia at the Miami Comic Con, there were also fan organizations present. Among them were R2 4Kids, an organization that gives back to the community through science fiction-related projects like recreating iconic staples such as the 1960s Batmobile and R2D2 replicas. Even if you aren’t currently mourning the death of Marvel’s Johnny Storm, “The Human Torch” of the Fantastic Four, Miami’s Comic Con was entertaining for all who love culture and the visual arts. Jessica Hodder may be contacted at jhodder@themiamihurricane.com and Henry Potter may be contacted at hpotter@themiamihurricane.com. THE MIAMI HURRICANE
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Matisyahu to perform acoustic set March 10 BY ALEXA LOPEZ OF THE STAFF
Selling out concerts is the norm for artists like Lady Gaga, Taylor Swift and Jay-Z. But one reggae sensation which doesn’t fit the mold has steadily topped charts and sold out concerts time after time. On March 10, the popular Hasidic Jewish musician Matisyahu will perform at the BankUnited Center’s Fieldhouse. Sponsored by Hurricane Productions, Matisyahu will host an acoustic session followed by a discussion and a question-and-answer period. “Instead of just a concert, Matisyahu really interacts with the audience in a more intimate setting and tells his story,” said freshman Allison Novack, co-chair of Special Events, the HP committee organizing the event. “Matisyahu attracts a targeted audience of not only Jews from the university, but people who enjoy different styles of music. His mix of sounds with both Hebrew and English brings a whole new edge to the table.” For almost seven years, the unique sounds of Matisyahu, born Matthew Miller from suburban New York, have transcended trends. Matisyahu (Mah-tis-YA-hoo)
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simultaneously combines distinct genres such as reggae, pop-rock, hip-hop, ska-inspired new wave and acoustic folk tied with creative and emotional lyrics about Judaism as well as secular issues. “I’ll be playing songs from my whole catalog and maybe one or two new ones,” Matisyahu said. “It’s acoustic so it’s really more about the beatbox, guitar and vocalsstripped back and a bit raw. It’s kind of like sitting down at a party and just hanging with the crowd in a laid-back vibe.” Implanting meaningful, familiar themes into his songs, Matisyahu is known for moving audiences worldwide with his musical messages of peace, hope and understanding, according to a press release. And though most of Matisyahu’s lyrics are undoubtedly influenced by religion, his music has had the ability to connect people regardless of affiliation. “I actually just saw his acoustic performance at the Arsht Performing Arts Center in Miami and it was unbelievable,” sophomore Jordan Magid said. “Matisyahu is a special representative of the Jewish community because he is there to teach listeners that all people have music in common. Although he may appear different on the
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surface, he has the same passion for art that everybody else does.” Matisyahu, who has been performing since he was very young, is looking forward to playing at UM because he can “relate to kids at that age searching for meaning in their lives, their identity, etc.” “When the audience and myself are transported into the moment, it’s an unparalleled experience,” Matisyahu said. “[Music] gives life and love in a way that for me nothing else could. I guess I had no choice but to ‘get into it’ or it got into me.” Alexa Lopez may be contacted at alopez@ themiamihurricane.com.
IF YOU GO WHERE: BUC Fieldhouse WHEN: 7 p.m. March 10 Tickets are free for UM students and can be picked up with a Cane Card starting Monday at the UC TicketMaster.
COURTESY EPISODE PHIVE
MAZEL TOV: Matisyahu performs songs from his new album, “Live at Stubb’s Vol. II,” in Austin.
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the number of spots the women’s basketball team moved up in the ACC standings from last year
24
runs scored over the past three games for the baseball team, double the total of the first three
BASEBALL
Canes take second straight series Fundamentally sound play needed at Florida BY ADAM BERGER SENIOR SPORTS WRITER
The Hurricanes won their second consecutive three-game series this weekend at Alex Rodriguez Park at Mark Light Field, but baseball wasn’t the only thing on the team’s mind while facing Appalachian State. Word spread quickly on Saturday that head coach Jim Morris underwent surgery to remove his gall bladder after suffering from stomach pain for much of the past week. “For me there’s something missing when he’s not around,” assistant head coach J.D. Arteaga said. “It doesn’t feel the same.” Morris did not travel with the team to face Florida Atlantic University on Wednesday night and had to leave Thursday’s game, the first in the series against Appalachian State, early due to discomfort. He did not return for the remainder of the weekend. “He’s doing better,” said Arteaga following Saturday’s game. “He’s been resting all day so I’m sure he’s dying to get back out here.” As for the series itself, Miami won two out of three games but at times looked undisciplined both on the field and at the plate. On Thursday night, true freshman Bryan Radziewski earned his first collegiate victory in a 6-3 game, striking out seven batters in the process. He allowed three runs, none of which were earned, but was only able to go five innings because poor fielding extended some of his innings. “We’re not going to be perfect. It’s part of the game,” said Radzwieski, in reference to Miami’s four errors. “I can’t let that affect me.” On Friday night, the Canes weren’t as fortunate in a 7-5 loss. Miami couldn’t overcome it’s miscues, particularly in the top of the fourth inning when a series of wild pitches, passed balls and errors allowed Appalachian State to score three runs. “We’re giving games away. We’ve got to learn how to win,” Arteaga said. “[I’m] waiting for these guys to figure it out, because it’s going to be a special team once we do.” Sophomore E.J. Encinosa took the loss,
STEVEN LEVY // The Miami Hurricane WHEELS AND DEALS: Sophomore right-hander Eric Whaley pitched seven scoreless innings Saturday afternoon as Miami beat Appalachian State 10-0. Miami won two out of three games in the series, but at times looked undisciplined. while Miami native Lawrence Pardo earned the victory for the Mountaineers. During Saturday afternoon’s rubber match, Miami played arguably its most complete game of the season. Sophomore Eric Whaley was superb, throwing 86 pitches over seven scoreless innings in a 10-0 rout. The Canes were also flawless in the field, committing no errors. “It was a relief to play nine innings… we put all aspects of the game together, offensively, defensively and pitching,” Arteaga
said. “This game’s fun when you do things the right way.” Miami will need to continue to play fundamentally sound baseball heading into next weekend’s series against the Florida Gators, who are the top-ranked team in the nation. “We’re definitely going into that [series] ready to play… all of us from last year, we remember what happened,” Whaley said, mindful of Florida’s Super Regionals victory over Miami last season. “They knocked us out and we definitely want to get back at February 28 - March 2, 2011
them and be on the top of our game.” While Arteaga acknowledged that it would be tough for Morris to return for the Canes’ midweek contest at USF, he didn’t rule the veteran coach out for the Florida series. “Knowing him I’d say yes… especially going to Gainesville,” Arteaga said. “I’d say he’d be there.” Adam Berger may be contacted at aberger@ themiamihurricane.com. THE MIAMI HURRICANE
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SPORTS COMMENTARY
Hocutt leaves Miami for Texas Tech, creates uncertainty It’s not you, it’s me. This, in short, is what Kirby Hocutt told the University of Miami on Friday. He abandoned his position here as athletic director in favor of the same title at Texas Tech. A surprised AUSTEN GREGERSON administration and fan SPORTS base are left to wonder COLUMNIST about his motives, our future and what the hell just happened. There had been no publicized courtship between Hocutt and the Big 12 school, not a single indication that his heart was anywhere other than South Florida. But within days of the initial reports, barely over three years after he was introduced as Paul Dee’s replacement, Miami found itself without an athletic director. Hocutt is the only person who knows his true reasons for leaving, but that doesn’t mean outsiders haven’t started speculating. Suggestions of possible tension be-
tween Hocutt and Donna Shalala or even major athletic booster Paul DiMare have already arisen, but the likelihood of either being factual is shaky. Why would Shalala have problems with the person she trusted enough to fire a football coach, one who had basically performed to her standards? And why would DiMare, who provides boatloads of cash to the program, have beef with the man who just made the Al Golden hire he fully supported? While it does nothing to appease our love for drama, the easiest and cleanest reason for HOCUTT why Hocutt left, that he’s a Texas guy who wanted a Texas gig, probably has the most clout. If that is indeed the case, comparing Lubbock, Texas to Miami is not worth the energy I’m exerting typing this and certainly not the time you’re taking to read this. Moving on.
Turnaround complete
As we begin to pry our narcissistic eyes away from the jet headed to West Texas and toward what this means for our teams, our future has only become more unstable. Al Golden will now work for someone who likely will have had no role in hiring him, which means he may have no reason to stick around if another job (see: Penn State) opens up. Frank Haith, the coach of an allegedly talented men’s basketball team, just found his last pillar of support crumble beneath him. Without Hocutt, Haith is left with alumni who don’t have his back and an apathetic fan base that has grown tired of watching under-performing teams play in half-full arenas. So as the new athletic director scans the resume of his basketball coach, one surprising run in the NIT and a myriad of losses (a few of them close!) to Duke won’t scream “cornerstone for success.” So just like the Nintendo character that bears his name, Kirby swallowed UM whole, took on its characteristics of calcu-
lated yet aggressive action, only to spit us out once the next opportunity presented itself. Hocutt is no more of a carpetbagger than any other professional administrator, coach or player, but that doesn’t change the impact of his decision. Miami, while trying to regain its identity in football and struggling to find any glory in men’s basketball, must now find somebody new to lead the charge. It’s not impossible, but without Kirby, it just got a lot tougher. Austen Gregerson may be contacted at agregerson@themiamihurricane.com.
Read more about Kirby Hocutt’s move in ERNESTO SUAREZ’S story at THEMIAMIHURRICANE. COM.
Tournament makes a racket
BASKETBALL FROM PAGE 1 Williams led the way in the first half with 13 points, but the real story of the half was Shenise Johnson’s struggles. Johnson, who has made a case for ACC Player of the Year considerations, got herself into foul trouble early, picking up two with more than 10 minutes left. She was held to two points and only played nine minutes in the first half. Enter Selina Archer. In taking over for Johnson, Archer scored six of her eight points in the first half and kept the game in check for the Hurricanes. “I love how all season people have just looked at Miami as a two-person team when we are so much more than that,” Meier said. After halftime, the Canes came out of the gates on a 12-3 run, which included 8 points by Williams, and Miami gained a 10-point lead with 10:45 left in the game. Johnson scored nine in the second half to give her 11 points total on the afternoon. “When she gets hot, no one can guard this young lady,” said Johnson of Williams. “I keep saying it, no one in the country can guard Riquna Williams. I love having her on my team. I wouldn’t want to play with anyone else in the country.” The Yellow Jackets were led by Tyaunna Marshall’s 15 points and 10 rebounds. Alex Montgomery had 13 points for Georgia Tech. “Georgia Tech is the toughest team in the league,” Meier said. “They’re as tough as nails. No one was going to give us anything. We had to go and get it.” With this win in the bag, Miami will now begin preparing for the ACC tournament, which starts on Thursday afternoon. The Canes have already earned a bye in the first round, so the earliest they will play is 11 a.m. Friday. Although Miami has already accomplished a lot by going worst-to-first in the ACC, don’t expect them to slow down just yet. This is a team on a mission, and coach Meier and her squad won’t be satisfied until they are at the top. “I love this team and I love just how versatile we are,” she said. “Miami, we’re bringing you home a championship.”
STEVEN LEVY // The Miami Hurricane WIND UP: Rhonda Rajsich (left) from the United States and Paola Longoria from Mexico play in the final match of the WPRO Tier 1 racquetball tournament. The competition was held at the Wellness Center from Friday to Sunday.
Ernesto Suarez may be contacted at esuarez@themiamihurricane.com. 10
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Slow down, Monica Lewinsky, slow down. I obviously do not know all the details of the situation, but it sounds like you have the “You’re in power, now I want you” syndrome. I mean, it happens. Do not be ashamed. We are genetically programmed to want people we know take care of us. And the prestige that goes along with it doesn’t hurt either. Miss Lewinsky herself pretty much caused the permanent tainting of Bill Clinton’s name. Not just any bitch gets a scandal named for her, after all. Shortly after her romp with Billy became public knowledge, he got impeached! Don’t be a groupie. I know rappers love them and all, but no offense to Mr. Mitchell (Brandon, you’re my homie)- he’s not exactly Lil’ Wayne. Don’t be one of those groupie hos that rappers make their money blowing about. Well, unless all of a sudden our lovely president starts spitting out rhymes... If you have suddenly found yourself longing for him, it’s not legit. On the other hand, if you have liked him for a time prior to his successes, it is a completely different story, and let me be the first to apologize for making any types of assumptions. I advise you to not let his new powerful posi-
tion deter you from attempting to pursue something you have been wanting. Some of the best advice I can give you is to show interest in things he is interested in. How about his platforms and what he wants to do for our university? That would be a great starting point. Show that you care about things he is passionate about; trust me, it will mean a lot to him. The most important thing though is to be true to you. It’s not worth your time to be someone you’re not. I think it is easy to see that he is a nice guy, so you probably don’t have anything to worry about. Continue being his friend and let things happen. If it’s meant to be it will develop into something more than just friendship. In the meantime don’t try to rush anything. I’m sure Brandon has a lot on his plate right now, exciting and nerve-wracking all at once. Let him get his new position down before you start bombarding him with your sex appeal. Bro can only handle so much at a time. With love, V Have a question for V? Hit up DearV@themiamihurricane. com.
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