MINARET UNIVERSITY OF TAMPA’S NEWS SOURCE SINCE 1933
THE Vo l u m e
81
Number
5
•
October
2,
2014
•
ut.minaret@gmail.com
Medical Marijuana on
Florida’s Ballot
•
theminaretonline.com
By THERESA STANTON News Writer
Florida voters will soon decide whether medical marijuana should be a legal option for treatment. If approved, the state could become the first southeastern state to approve medicinal marijuana on Nov. 4. Under the proposed second amendment, there are nine specific medical conditions that will claim medical marijuana as a form of treatment, including cancer, glaucoma, HIV, AIDS, hepatitis C, ALS, Crohn’s disease, Parkinson’s disease and multiple sclerosis. The counter argument is medical legalization could lead to a loophole because physicians will also be able to prescribe marijuana for patients if they determine it could help those claiming to have minor ailments such as muscle spasms, neck pain, back pain and those with menstrual cramps. In Florida, 58 percent of viewers supported the use of medical marijuana, according to a statewide poll done by Fox13. Vanessa Guzman, a freshman nursing major, has read several stories about the positive effects of marijuana including helping increasing the appetites of sick patients. “I think for certain things [marijuana] is fine but I think recreational marijuana and medical marijuana are two different extremes,” Guzman said. To MARIJUANA Page 4
Senior Cancer Survivor Encourages Donor Registration
See NEWS Page 5
Gay and Lesbian Film Festival Celebrates 25 Years See A&E Page 7
Belgium Grants Murderer’s Euthanasia Request See OPINION Page 11
Coach’s Corner: Men’s Soccer Coach Adrian Bush See SPORTS Page 20
Exit Third Base Line:
The Captain Finishes Career At Fenway By JORDAN LLANES
Asst. Sports Editor
Class act. One of the best to ever play the position. A legend in Yankee lore. Mr. November. The Captain. The number of phrases used to characterize Derek Jeter seem to have no limits. The man known as “The Captain” is stepping away from the game of baseball after two decades as the starting shortstop of the most storied franchise in Major League Baseball: the New York Yankees. It will definitely be an odd sight when the Yankees take the field next season without No.2. But for a player who has given the Yankees, the MLB and the game of baseball everything, this end is a well deserved one. The MLB, not the Yankees, will miss his presence the most. During Jeter’s 20 year career, the league faced arguably its biggest battle: the Steroid Era. Most of the league’s most prolific power hitters and pitchers, including Sammy Sosa, Mark McGwire, Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens, either faced allegations or were confirmed to be using performance enhancing drugs. In addition to Clemens, another superstar teammate of Jeter’s, Alex Rodriguez, also faced multiple accusations and confirmations of steroid use. It was rather fitting that A-Rod didn’t play a
James DiBianco/Flickr
Jeter’s last game was on Sept. 28. He leaves behind a legacy for his fans that can never be replaced.
single game with “The Captain” during Jeter’s historic final campaign. Jeter gave the MLB a clean face when it needed him the most. There is a reason why he is widely regarded as a class act. Even fans of the Yankees’ most hated rival, the Red Sox, begrudgingly respect him. Just take a look at how Red Sox Nation treated him during his
last series at Fenway this past weekend. Chants of “Der-ek Je-ter!” filled the Boston air as the crowd roared when he gave them the final curtain call of his legendary career after being removed following an RBI infield single in the third inning of Sunday’s season finale. To JETER Page 18
M
OCTOBER 2 2014 | THE MINARET
MINARET
2
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Mia Glatter
mia.glatter@theminaretonline.com
MANAGING EDITOR Lauren Richey
lauren.richey@theminaretonline.com
ART DIRECTOR
Justine Parks justine.parks@theminaretonline.com
NEWS + FEATURES
Katherine Lavacca, Editor
katherine.lavacca@theminaretonline.com
Zoe Fowler, Asst. Editor
zoe.fowler@theminaretonline.com
ARTS + ENTERTAINMENT Jackie Braje, Editor
jacquelyn.braje@theminaretonline.com
Selene San Felice, Asst. Editor
selene.sanfelice@theminaretonline.com
OPINION
Richard Whitaker, Editor
richard.whitaker@theminaretonline.com
Avery Twible, Asst. Editor
avery.twible@theminaretonline.com
SPORTS
Phil Novotny, Editor
philip.novotny@theminaretonline.com
Jordan Llanes, Asst. Editor
jordan.llanes@theminaretonline.com
MULTIMEDIA
Doha Madani, Editor
doha.madani@theminaretonline.com
Savanna Blackerby, Asst. Editor
savanna.blackerby@theminaretonline.com
PHOTOGRAPHY Casey Budd, Editor
casey.budd@theminaretonline.com
ADVISER
Tiffini Theisen
ttheisen@ut.edu
COPY EDITORS
Khadijah Khan, Head Copy Editor khadijah.khan@theminaretonline.com
Tess Sheets, Copy Editor
tess.sheets@theminaretonline.com
Caitlin Malone, Copy Editor
caitlin.malone@theminaretonline.com
STAFF WRITERS Kai Miller Madison Irwin Dominick Falco Sammi Brennan
COLUMNISTS Marcus Mitchell Griffin Guinta Terry Preston Liz Rockett
MORE INFORMATION THE MINARET is a weekly student-run publication at the University of Tampa. Letters to the Editor may be sent to editor@ theminaretonline.com. To reach THE MINARET call 813.257.3636. Your first two copies of THE MINARET are free. Each additional copy is $1.00
Spartans are Spartans are POETIC
NEWS + FEATURES
By THERESA STANTON
News Writer
Curled up on her couch with a pencil and a yellow legal pad, Erica Dawson starts to brainstorm some ideas for her next poetry piece. She is free from distractions and in her element. In the background Nina Simone’s song “Feelin’ Good” softly plays as she jots down a few lines. Assortments of sticky notes from things she saw, heard, thought and dreamt about remain close by. Simone’s voice picks up, “It’s a new dawn, it’s a new day, it’s a new life for me. And I’m feelin’ good.” Dawson grabs her laptop and starts typing. “For me, creativity means being open and willing to explore anything that comes into my mind and then taking the time to express it in some way, shape, or form,” Dawson said. “As a writer, I don’t censor myself. If I think it, it’s fair game for a poem.” As a child, Dawson’s mother used to read the poem “Paul Revere’s Ride” by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow to her. Dawson recalled her favorite lines: “A phantom skip, with each mast and spar across the moon, like a prison-bar, and a huge black hulk, that was magnified by its own reflection in the tide.” “I love the image of that massive ship taking over everything, even the sky.” Dawson said. “It seemed so magical.” After hearing this piece, Dawson decided she wanted to write stories with the same rhyme and meter. Another poet who influenced her was Edgar Allen Poe. Since Dawson grew up outside of Baltimore, the poem “Raven” holds a special place in her heart. At a young age, church remained another influence to her writing. As a kid she wrote much smaller poems to the rhythms of church hymns like “Amazing Grace.” Many of Dawson’s early work mimic the stylistic form of traditional hymns. In “God Girl” from the collection Big-Eyed Afraid she displays the major influence the church had on her decision to be christened once and baptized twice. “A lot of the new poems I’m working on now ask questions about what I believe in terms of religion and what I don’t believe, and how it’s changed over time,” Dawson said. When she was a college student, a professor introduced her to Merrill who wrote one of her favorite poems, “Morning Exercise.” The line in the poem “I did things on a mat to make me flexible,” made Dawson realize that not all poetry has to be about life, or death or existence, but it can be about everyday aspects of life. In 2006, Dawson received the Anthony Hecht Poetry prize for her collection of poems in “Big-Eyed
“
Ellis Catalan The Minaret
Afraid.” The winner receives $3,000 and is published in Waywiser Press. Within the same year she also won the Academy of American Poets Prize, which is given to college students. It was for a small collection of poems, “the nickname poems,” which later on became part of her first book, BigEyed Afraid. As a national winner she received $25,000. Dawson’s use of jazzy and smooth styled rhythm in Big-Eyed Afraid makes her style unique. In her book, Dawson explores the issues of race, sex and social pressure to illustrate how one perceives themselves and the world around them. Dawson explores several forms of poetry including rondeau, ballades and rhyme royals to help showcase her stylistic abilities. After winning the Hecht prize she remembered spending hours staring at the wall as the feeling of shock set in. In disbelief she kept expecting someone to reveal it was all an elaborate punked scheme. It wasn’t until the next day that she decided to tell her parents the exciting news. “It felt crazy. Honestly, it still feels crazy,” Dawson said. “I was competing against my fellow Ohio State poets for the Academy prize. I respected all of them and their work so much. So I was crazy flattered and honored to win.” While earning her PhD. from the University of Cincinnati, she wrote her second book The Small Blades Hurt. In the book, Dawson delves into her past, retelling her journey from Maryland, to the South, Midwest and back. As a contemporary poet she uses musical rhythm and vivid images to describe themes of love and the past and present. Now, teaching and traveling makes
For me, creativity means being open and willing to explore anything that comes into my mind and then taking the time to express it in some way, shape, or form.
it difficult for Dawson to compose poetry everyday, but this doesn’t stop her from writing. Each week she makes time for two or three poetry writing sessions. “I sometimes don’t ever show certain poems to anyone, ever, but I still give myself the chance to write them,” Dawson said. “In that way, creativity is a kind of freedom.” Many of her works, including “OCD” draws from personal experiences. In the poem she paid particular attention to details: “And I walk through the public park breaking the thong of my flip flop, limping in strong heat while the proletariat of honey-suckle limps along.” “I suffered from Obsessive Compulsive Disorder for a real long time and had to do a lot of work to recover from the symptoms,” Dawson said. Now she continues to write without having to worry about OCD. Whether a painter, photographer, or poet, criticism is something that every artist at one point endures. On the Internet, Dawson had one of the poems she wrote called “disgusting” by a blogger. “All art is supposed to affect people, right?” Dawson said. “I like it when people have a gut response to what I do.” Dawson however thought it was “cool” because, “you’ve got to really get under someone’s skin to disgust them.” During college her poems on cats and family members received the most criticism. Four or five years ago when Dawson was told her work was too “slangy” and “too street” she responded by saying “I got even more ‘street.” Free verse is something that “scares the crap” out of her as a writer. However, as a teacher or a reader she does not mind examining these types of poems. “I have to employ some kind of consistent meter and usually some kind of rhyme scheme,” Dawson said. “It just feels right to me that way. It feels claustrophobic for some writers. It feels natural to me.” For those aspiring Dawson offers this advice: “Read as much as you can. Write as much as you can. Then read even more. Then write more. And never stop.” Theresa Stanton can be reached at theresa.stanton@spartans.ut.edu
THE MINARET | OCTOBER 2 2014
NEWS + FEATURES
Howard Johnson to Be Renamed The Barrymore By KRISTA BYRD
News Writer
Students residing at the Howard Johnson, or the “HoJo” as it is widely known, may begin to notice some changes underway. The Howard Johnson became the Barrymore Hotel, as of Sept. 1, causing some students to question the future of their living situation. “We are getting ready to spend about $1 million on the ground floor with all new food and beverage options, with a lot of exciting things still happening,” said Larry Collier, the Director of Operations for H.I. Development. These ground floor changes will likely have the most impact for University of Tampa students. “It’s gonna be different because everyone is so used to saying Ho Jo, and now we aren’t going to be able to say Ho Jo anymore,” said freshman and undeclared major Anna Zoumaras. The Howard Johnson was never intended to stay the Howard Johnson for long, according to Collier. What was supposed to be a four year agreement for the H.I. Development property to be a Howard Johnson became seven years. The project to upgrade the hotel and become the Barrymore has been in the works for two years and upgrades are still underway. “We have continued to upgrade this property non-stop since 2006,” Collier said. With millions of dollars in changes and a new name, the hotel will be getting some upgrades. While most of these changes will not affect students,
the food and beverage changes will excite anyone that lives in or frequents the hotel. Collier also notes that the change of the hotel name will not mean any changes in rules or day-to-day operations, aside from the shuttle that takes UT students to and from campus. “Just make sure you get on the Barrymore shuttle, don’t stand and wait around for the Howard Johnson shuttle,” Collier said. “The name change just seems like its going to be the biggest change,” said freshman and criminology major Kayla Brown. Despite the name change the relationship between the hotel and the university will remain the same. After the flood in Austin Hall, the hotel was able to make some rooms available to help alleviate some of the chaos with housing. The Barrymore has been working with ResLife to assist with any moves and changes that have been made due to the flood. The hotel is still currently in the contracting phase, so some information, like all of the new dining options, could not yet be shared. “The University of Tampa does such a great job with enrollment and they continue to have plans to expand, and they continue to grow,” Collier said. “We don’t see anything in the near future that would exclude us from doing business with the University of Tampa unless UT just maxes out. It’s been a fantastic partnership for about the last 15 years.” Students at the Barrymore can
“
Daniel Diasgranados The Minaret The shuttles that pick up students have recently changed to The Barrymore Hotel Tampa Riverwalk shuttles.
Just make sure you get on the Barrymore shuttle, don’t stand and wait around for the Howard Johnson shuttle.
continue to expect life and business as usual, and the hotel staff can continue to expect to see UT students every day. “We enjoy having [students]. They bring a great feel and vibe to
INFORMATION
POLICE BEAT Reports compiled by Zoe Fowler
Welcome to My House Party On September 22, TPD responded to an open house party where UT students were identified.
Bike Thief Needs to Be Stopped On September 22, a student reported his bicycle stolen from near Martinez.
Disaster Averted On September 25, water was found leaking down a wall in the ResCom building. Facilities were notified and responded.
Secret Admirer? On September 26, a student reported receiving an item from an unknown person.
Model Citizen Final Destination On September 25, a student reported On September 27, a tree branch fell damaging another vehicle while and damaged a car window. attempting to park.
Police Graphic by Guerra Quintanilla, Spartan Graphic by Orun Bhuiyan
3
”
our hotel,” Collier said. “I have to honestly say that I think the students get better and better every year.” Krista Byrd can be reached at krista.byrd@spartans.ut.edu
STUDENT GOVERNMENT Homecoming Homecoming festivities will begin Monday Oct 13 with a flag football tournament. Homecoming festivities include the Mr. and Ms. Spartan paegent, casino night and a movie night featuring Maleficent. Organizations should be registered on Orgsync before Friday at Pi Beta Phi midnight. Join Pi Beta Phi for fun activities and meet the sisters. For more information, see the sisters tabeling in Vaughn this week. United Nations Day United Nations day will take place on Oct. 24 from noon to 4 p.m. For more information or to register your organization email benjamin. white@spartans.ut.edu.
Get on the Ball Zeta Beta Tau signature event will be on Oct. 3 members will be around campus gathering signatures on a giant beach ball. Every signature earns a donation for the Children’s Cancer Center.
4 OCTOBER 2 2014 | THE MINARET
NEWS + FEATURES
Medicinal marijuana to be on ballot in sunshine state From MARIJUANA Page 1 The Florida Cannabis Coalition issued a statement that “Legal medical Cannabis in Florida means opportunity. Jobs will be created. New businesses will be born.” The group is also working toward assisting start up medical marijuana businesses by providing those who are interested with information on networking, licensing, marketing strategies, accounting, legality and brand building. The organization has already held events at the Hard Rock Casino in Hollywood, FL and at The Cuban Club in Tampa. At the events viewers paid $249, to hear from cannabis business owners, medicinal weed activists, and patients. Those attending the event were allowed pitch their business plan and then the best pitchers were connected with investors. Lee Hoke, a professor of economics at UT for 29 years, has taught labor economics, microeconomics and managerial economics.
“I don’t see this as critical to the Florida economy one way or another because it’s already in the economy now, it’s just underground. I don’t see it having an impact on employment, or incomes, or wages,” Hoke said. Another huge issue to consider is the amount of prisoners serving jail time for distribution and possession. A first degree misdemeanor, or possession of less than 20 grams, results in a one year sentence and up to $1,000 in fines, according to Florida drug possession laws. For purchasing, or possessing more than 20 grams offenders can face five years in prison and $5,000 in fines. If an offender is found with 25 plants or more, they are forced to serve 15 years in jail and pay $10,000. “We are not going to win a war on drugs,” Hoke said. “You will never hear the president of the United States or the governor of the state of Florida say ‘we have won the war on drugs.’ So to fight a war knowing you’re never going to win is close to the definition of insanity.”
There are more than 214,365 inmates in federal prison, according to the Federal Bureau of Prisons. In 2013 the BOP found that 28,106 inmates were arrested for primary marijuana offenses. “We have way too many people in prison [for] engaging in activities which could be legalized,” Hoke said. “How many people wouldn’t have a record; it’s all just tragic.” Colorado and Washington are the two states that allow both recreational use and medical use. In addition, there are 21 states that allow only medical use. “Prohibition [in response] to the war and raising the drinking age to 21 didn’t work, so I don’t know what we are doing,” Hoke said. “There is a misunderstanding of what we wish the world was like and what the world is really like. We just need to create rules that align the interests of the people.” Although the amendment does not discuss the sale of medical marijuana to minors, the regulation will probably
mimic states that require parental consent according to Tampa Bay’s article “Florida’s medical marijuana proposal: Five things to know about Amendment 2”. If passed, the amendment will become effective on Jan. 6, 2015. Within six months, Florida’s Department of Health will be required to carry out its rules and regulations for growing and selling. Licensed growers and cannabis selling centers will be called “Medical Treatment Centers.” Those wishing to sell or grow will not be able to do so without a license. The organization will also be given nine months to issue marijuana cards. “I think it will drive the price of marijuana down,” Hoke said. “I think it will deprive criminals of a lot of income. I think it would allow us to spend our state resources on other things other than arresting people for selling or using marijuana.” Theresa Stanton can be reached at theresa.stanton@spartans.ut.edu
Renter’s Insurance:
What You Need to Know and Why It’s Important By CLAIRE JACK News Writer
In the aftermath of the recent Austin flood, students are asking the same question: What about my ruined stuff? Many students don’t know what to do or who to contact about personal belongings ruined in incidents like floods or theft. An accurate count of all damages from the flood has not been released at this time, but many students had personal belongings ruined due to the water. Jessica Smith, a freshman and management major, was aware UT was not responsible but voiced concern about damaged property. “Yes, I knew about UT’s lack of responsibility. I feel that the recent case was not a typical one. The responsibility belongs to the Austin residents that broke the pipe not UT. I personally did not have anything damaged, but I have friends that did. I believe that their items should be taken care of due to the fact that this wasn’t a natural disaster, but was the result of a lack in responsibility,” Smith said. In a recent survey conducted by The Minaret it was discovered that only 34 percent of students know that UT does not include renter’s insurance in their housing agreement. 65 percent of students thought that UT covered their personal property. A similar flood happened last semester in Straz where students’ property was also damaged. In the FAQ section of the university’s site, the question, “How do I insure my personal belongings?” is answered in the Residence Life section. UT’s response is, “Since UT is not responsible for loss or damage to personal property from any cause, we recommend that you check to see if your belongings are covered under your family’s homeowners insurance policy. If this is not the case, you may wish to buy renter’s insurance, which is reasonably priced. For more
information on rental insurance, please visit www.nssi.com.” In the same survey students were asked if they knew what renter’s insurance was, 65 percent of students said they simply did not know what it was. Only 34 percent of students said they know, without a doubt, what renter’s insurance is. Most major insurance companies such as, Geico, All-State, State Farm and E-surance offer renter’s insurance at reasonable costs. UT recommends the National Student Services Incorporated (NSSI) for student insurance needs. Depending on your level of coverage NSSI can cover for fire, floods and thefts at reasonable prices especially for students living on campus. Renter’s insurance is necessary to have because even if a landlord has insurance on the building that does not mean his tenants’ personal belongings are insured. The landlord’s policy does not cover any of his tenants’ personal belongings in case of fire, flood or theft according to Geico.com. “I have renter’s insurance. I live in an apartment complex off campus that requires renter’s insurance. It’s only $10 a month and I think it is well worth it because you never know what can happen,” said Marisa Quaresimo, junior and veterinarian major. In the survey, students were asked if they had renter’s insurance, 91 percent of students said they did not have renter’s insurance. Only eight percent of students have renter’s insurance and have their personal property covered. “After the Austin flood I am definitely considering getting renter’s insurance. I think it is a smart thing to have because I do not have the money to replace all of my personal property unexpectedly,” said Patrick Coyle, sophomore and nursing major. Claire Jack can be reached at claire.jack@spartans.ut.edu
Do you have renter’s insurance?
Do you know what renter’s insurance is?
Did you know UT doesn’t include renter’s insurance in the housing agreement?
Graphic courtesy of Wendy French
NEWS + FEATURES
THE MINARET | OCTOBER 2 2014
5
Senior Cancer Survivor Encourages Donor Registration
By KAI MILLER A&E Writer
To what extent would you be willing to go to save the life of a complete stranger? For UT senior and communication major Alex Herenstein, no measure is too impractical or extreme. Two weeks ago, Herenstein befriended Alex Tung, a California native diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML). Tung is expected to live only three months if he does not find a bone marrow donor soon. On Sept. 26, Herenstein launched the #SaveAlexTung initiative, an effort to spread awareness about Acute Myeloid Leukemia and the importance of being placed on the bone marrow donor registry. “I believe that life is a gift,” Herenstein said. “You can’t really control things you just have to live.” As an AML cancer survivor, 22-yearold Herenstein felt inclined to share Tung’s story through several social media outlets such as Facebook and Instagram in hopes that it would go viral. Herenstein was first diagnosed with AML in 2008 and received a successful bone marrow transplant from his brother. Seven out of 10 patients diagnosed with leukemia do not have a matching donor in their family, according to BeTheMatch.org. In Tung’s case this is true. Since being diagnosed with AML in June, Tung’s search for a bone marrow donor has been rather difficult considering his ancestry. A patient’s likelihood of finding a matching bone marrow donor or cord blood unit on Be The Match Registry ranges from 76 percent to 97 percent depending on race and ethnicity. This is due to the fact that the markers used in matching potential donors are inherited, thus patients are more likely to match someone from their own ancestry. As a Chinese-American, Tung is 16 percent less
Kai Miller The Minaret
Alex Herenstein let friends take turns shaving his head in Morsani Hall to raise awareness about AML.
likely of finding a match in comparison to a patient who is Caucasian that has a 97 percent chance of being matched to a donor. These disparate statistics prompted Herenstein to spread the word about the need for a more diverse donor registry. “Alex deserves to live just as I deserve to live,” Herenstein said. “It’s not fair how people who are ethnically diverse have a lower chance of surviving purely because they are not white.”
On Sept. 26, Herenstein jump started the #SaveAlexTung campaign. He had several of his friends shave his head in Morsani’s common room on the second floor. The purpose of shaving his head was to display solidarity with cancer patients who undergo chemotherapy. Junior and international studies major Alexandra Small, a close friend of Herenstein’s, has been supportive of his efforts to get more people to join the
bone marrow donor registry since last semester; when he hosted a donor drive in conjunction with Be The Match. “I think it’s extremely important for people to be aware of this,” Small said. “He’s worked really hard to get it more around this campus.” Despite his efforts, Herenstein said many people opt out of joining the donor registry due to miseducation regarding the donor process. Contrary to popular belief, not all donations require a surgical procedure. There are two methods of donation: bone marrow and peripheral blood stem cells (PBSC). The latter is a nonsurgical procedure as simple as donating blood, and is the most common way to donate. Although Herenstein’s main goal is to get more people to join the donor registry, he is more concerned with educating others about AML and having #SaveAlexTung go viral. “If you don’t want to sign up on the registry, you don’t have to,” Herenstein said. “I believe you have to give people the knowledge and teach them and then people can make their own decisions.” Since shaving his head, Herenstein has created a YouTube video showing his support for Tung and asked fellow UT students to share the video on their Facebook pages. Additionally, Herenstein has asked students to take photos with him and post it to their Instagram accounts along with the hashtag #SaveAlexTung. “UT is so diverse,” Herenstein said. “We have the power to show that if we can come together as a community then you can have people that spread a message around the country and even around the world just by sharing knowledge and spreading awareness.” Kai Miller can be reached at kai. miller@spartans.ut.edu
6 OCTOBER 2 2014 | THE MINARET
DIVERSIONS
ON CAMPUS
OFF CAMPUS
OCTOBER 3
OCTOBER 6
OCTOBER 2
OCTOBER 5
Carnival Freak Show
Minaret General Meeting
Rock the Park
Sweetfields Corn Maze
OCTOBER 4
OCTOBER 7
OCTOBER 3
Partake in various festivities like hay rides, a pumpkin patch, and a life-sized five-acre labyrinth of corn guided by clues and riddles. The event will take place at Sweetfield Farm for $9.50. OCTOBER 7
Hiking Series: Day 2
AMA Meeting
Machine in the Ghost
The Eve of Jackie
OCTOBER 8
OCTOBER 4
Attorney Greg Kehoe
This Filthy World
Head to Martinez Athletic Center for an American Horror Story: Freak Show themed party with games, free food, and raffle prizes from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
The second journey of Campus Recreation’s five-part hiking series will be headed to Little Manatee River State Park. Forms can be picked up at the McNiff Fitness Center front desk and the fee is $5. OCTOBER 4
Volleyball vs. Florida Tech
Join The Minaret editors at the weekly interest meetings to get involved every Monday at 7:30 p.m. in Vaughn 212.
American Marketing Association weekly meetings are held every Tuesday at 5 p.m. in Walker Hall 408 from 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Get your artsy-fartsy on with a group art exhibition inspired by computer software. The work will be displayed at Kirk Ke Wang Art Space on Florida Ave. with free admission.
Broadway veteran Chester Gregory will pay homage to rock n’ roll Hall of Famer Jackie Wilson, recreating his final performance before he collapsed on stage in 1984. The event will take place at the Palladium Theater in St. Pete with tickets OCTOBER 7
Filthier & Dirtier: Filmmaker John Waters will perform his one-man show and also be presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award from TIGLFF in honor of 50 years in queer cinema. The event takes place at 6:30 and prices range from $33- $43.
St. Vincent
OCTOBER 9
OCTOBER 5
OCTOBER 8
Law School Fair
Rise Against
Painting Classes
Support your Lady Spartans in the Martinez Fitness Center from 4:00 p.m. 6:00 p.m. Tickets are free with a UT ID and general admission is $5.
Kehoe, former member of the Iraqi Special Tribunal-- the ad hoc court formed to prosecute Saddam Hussein-- will speak on his experiences in Reeves Theater from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
OCTOBER 4
Men’s Soccer vs. Palm Beach The game against Palm Beach Atlantic will take place at the Pepin Stadium from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Tickets are free with a UT ID and general admission is $5.
Enjoy free live music from various local bands on the first Thursday of every month at Curtis Hixon Park starting at 6:30. Furry friends are also welcome.
Venture to Plant Hall from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. to meet with representatives from up to 60 different law schools from around the country. The event is co-sponsored by Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity.
Picture
of the
Former 97X Next Big Thing headliners will perform their hard rock set at the Jannus Live courtyard. Prices range from $32.50- $35.
WEEK
Enjoy the musical stylings of indie-rock soloist Annie Clark, better known as St. Vincent, on tour with her latest self-titled album at the Beacham. Prices range from $25- $40.
The Wandering Eye art gallery in Ybor City will be hosting art classes weekly through October. This week’s class teaches attendees how to create mosaicstyle cigar boxes. For more information contact eyelovepainting@gmail.com
CONTACT US Want to include your event on our diversions page? Email the details to ut.minaret@gmail.com.
The Minaret
@theminaret
@minaret
The Minaret Photo by Liz MacLean
Sykes Chapel hosted the first performance of the PNC Concert Series conducted by Haig Mardirosian, the Dean of UT’s College of Arts and Letters.
THE MINARET | OCTOBER 2 2014
ARTS + ENTERTAINMENT
7
Gay and Lesbian Film Festival Celebrates 25 Years
By KELLY FITZGERALD
Arts + Entertainment Writer
Tampa Bay will soon become a bit more fabulous. 2014 marks the twenty-fifth anniversary of the Tampa International Gay and Lesbian Film Festival (TIGLFF). Organizers promise that this milestone will be “extra special” with prominent guests, such as John Waters (director of Hairspray and Pink Flamingos) and David Au (director of closing night’s Eat with Me), to add flavor to the events. Films have been selected to highlight politics, arts and societal changes currently affecting the international LGBTQ community. TIGLFF opens on Oct. 3 and closes on Oct. 11. The majority of screenings will be held at the Tampa Theatre, a highly respected venue located in the heart of downtown Tampa. St. Pete’s freeFall Theatre and Museum of Fine Arts will also host a few select screenings. TIGLFF began in 1989 as a threeday festival associated with Tampa’s gay pride celebrations. In 1999, the festival became its own entity under the direction of Friends of the Festival Inc., a non-profit organization dedicated to the continued success of TIGLFF. The festival has been growing ever since. This year’s lineup includes plenty of domestic and several local films while also paying homage to both the international orientation of the festival and to a variety of LGBT issues. Countries represented range from Australia to Finland, Brazil to Russia,
By KAI MILLER
Venezuela to Morocco and many places in between. Taken as a whole, the festival paints a vivid portrait of the struggles and triumphs faced by LGBT communities across the globe. To get an idea of what’s offered this year, some highlights include: Kumu Hina, Hawaii, Oct. 4 at 12:20 p.m. Kumu Hina chronicles the adult life of Hina Wong-Kalu, who is a Hawaiian native, teacher, and mahu, or “person in the middle.” Kumu Hina is a documentary but unfolds like a drama, detailing a Hawaiian mentality and culture rarely filmed and presented to non-Hawaiian audiences. Of Girls and Horses, Germany, Oct. 5 at 6:45 p.m. Troubled youth meets upper class privilege on a horse ranch in northern Germany. Alex, a 16-year-old misfit and drop-out, is sent to a remote horse ranch to have a chance to get her life back together. While there she meets Kathy, who is on vacation with her own horse. The girls’ summer friendship develops into a romance, portrayed sweetly and realistically. Of Girls and Horses underlines the coming-of-age experience in a scenic rural setting. My Straight Son (Azul Y No Tan Rosa), Venezuela, Oct. 7 at 9:15 p.m. This film diverges from the typical Venezuelan film themes of poverty and crime to explore the father-son relationship. Armando, who is straight, visits his father, Diego, while Diego’s same-sex partner is in a coma after a being attacked because of his sexual orientation. In the context of a homophobic society, Diego and Armando must adapt to each other’s lifestyle
and come to terms with the painful confusing conception, the film gives a consequences of discrimination. fresh perspective on modern parenting. 52 Tuesdays, Australia, Oct. 9 at Kelly Fitzgerald can be reached at Kelly. 7:30 p.m. 52 Tuesdays was filmed every fitzgerald@spartans.ut.edu. Tuesday, only once a week for a year. Interested persons can buy tickets The film features non-professional actors in advance or the day of the show at portraying the story of a teenage girl the Tampa Theater and freeFall box coming to grips with her mother and their offices. Tickets and prices are relationship after her mother announces also available at tiglff.com. plans for a gender transition. This film has already won multiple international awards, including the Best Directing Award in World Cinema Dramatic at the Sundance Film Festival, for its raw authenticity and unique filming style. Appropriate Behavior, USA, Oct. 10 at 6:50 p.m. Shirin is a bisexual young woman with Iranian heritage living in New York. Appropriate Behavior recounts Shirin’s story as she breaks up with her girlfriend, comes out to her immigrant parents, and seeks her slice of “hipster heaven.” This film is semi-autobiographical and charmingly scripted. 20 Lies, 4 Parents, and A Little Egg, Netherlands, Oct. 11 at 12:05 p.m. Dylan, a rebellious teenager with two moms, goes to live with his biological father after fighting with his mothers. His father is married to a businessman, who is upset with both Dylan’s existence and his disruptive behavior. As Dylan navigates John Waters/ Flickr.com the reality of his John Waters, a veteran director in LGBTQ film, will make a guest appearance. four parents and
Behind the Unsigned: Robert Gatsby
Arts + Entertainment Writer
Tampa’s rap scene is the Bay’s best kept secret. Amidst all of the arts and culture Tampa Bay has to offer, its growing hip-hop community can easily go unnoticed. However, key players in Tampa’s music scene like lyricist and producer, Robert “Gatsby” Ferdinand aim to bring more light to Florida’s budding rap scene with a sound that rivals the southern stereotype. Gatsby was first introduced to music through his father’s love for soul, but he would later go on to be classically trained as a violinist during his years in middle school. His current sound can be best described as a cluster of his musical history. “I get a lot of inspiration from alternative rock music and a little bit of jazz,” Gatsby said. Prior to dabbling in hip-hop, at the age of 15 Gatsby formed an alternative rock group titled Poetically Inclined. The eventual disbanding of the group led Gatsby to try his hand at rapping. Inspired by Kanye West’s Late Registration, Gatsby began rhyming at the age of 16. In 2010, the Tampa native took things a step further and started West Egg, a rap collective comprised of local emcees. By November of 2012, Gatsby released his first major project The Blue Tape which gained him notoriety throughout the Tampa Bay area. Although Gatsby’s sophomore album, The Red Tape is what he describes as an “aesthetically pleasing
album” and gave him even further leverage throughout Tampa Bay his latest effort, Starship Jericho, is what he hopes his listeners will appreciate most. “[Starship Jericho] is more of an introspection,” Gatsby said. “I have been a lot more personal on a lot of the songs.” Gatsby drew from his personal life to serve as the inspiration for his third installment. During the making of Starship Jericho, Gatsby’s mother underwent her third round of chemotherapy, a topic he discusses more in detail on track nine, “Problems Money Can Buy.” “I think I tried to encapsulate a lot of things,” he said. “I really wanted to remember this time.” Throughout the 11-track body of work, Gatsby delves deep as he touches on topics like race, religion, suicide, and money. The single “Problems Money Can Buy” discusses our inherit obsession with wealth and what it can provide as well as the costly consequences of losing it. “The album has things that people will gravitate to for anthems,” Gatsby said. The bass driven track “Man of the City” is a prime example of this and serves as a follow up to “Testify”, a major highlight of The Red Tape. “I want people to latch on to different things and be able to relate them to their own life,” he said. With a renewed sense of his image and artistry, Gatsby chose to step outside of the box in order to create Starship Jericho. In contrast to his
previous projects, Starship Jerchio consists of only one guest appearance from Shawn Chrys, a California artist who has collaborated with Timbaland, and features an eclectic blend of instrumental backdrops produced by WRATHMATICS, A$AP Ty Beats and longtime collaborator Santos. “I want
songs to take lives of their own,” Gatsby said. “So, I made a much more diverse album.” Starship Jericho is slated to make its debut November 9. It will be available for download online at gatsby813.com. Kai Miller can be reached at Kai. miller@theminaretonline.com.
Robert Gatsby/ Facebook.com
Robert “Gatsby” Ferdinand, a local and upcoming rapper, will release Starship Jericho on Nov. 9.
8 OCTOBER 2 2014 | THE MINARET
ARTS + ENTERTAINMENT
Rebelution Plays Reggae Rise Up Festival
By JUSTINE PARKS Art Director
Santa Barbara natives Rebelution performed at the Raymond James Stadium this past weekend for the Reggae Rise Up Festival. Rebelution’s drummer, Wesley Finley, gave a few words about the band’s new album, Count Me In, and their upcoming tour. Minaret: What inspired you to start playing and making music? Finley: We all lived in Isla Vista, a college community adjacent to the University of California at Santa Barbara, and there were bands constantly playing house shows. Once we got together and developed some covers we too joined the scene. We slowly worked in original songs and the rest is history. Minaret: How did you guys meet? Can you describe your chemistry on and off stage? Finley: We met each other one by one through the music scene and through music classes at school. We have all lived with one another at some point, and still do when we’re on the tour bus, so we consider ourselves close friends that have been through an incredible journey together. Essentially we’re a band of brothers. Minaret: How did you learn how to play music? Were you classically trained or self-taught? Finley: I learned percussion through school and did wind ensemble music through college, but when it came to applying that knowledge to the drumset, I was self-taught. Each show you play teaches you something about yourself and your instrument, so you could say we’re learning a lot! Minaret: Who would you consider your greatest musical influences? Finely: By far my greatest influence is the drummer Dino Campanella from his work with Dredg and recently Crosses. His energy and musical decisions are truly something to bear witness to, and I treat every show I see him in like going to church. I also appreciate Abe Cunningham from Deftones and Riley Breckenridge from Thrice in their similar ability to balance heavy grooves with varying tempos. Minaret: You’ve been together
“
since 2004, what would you consider your biggest accomplishment since then? What are your long term goals during your career? Finely: Headlining our hometown venue at the Santa Barbara Bowl and selling it out was a big milestone for us, having started in the streets of Isla Vista ten years ago. We feel like we’re at the top of the mountain yet are strangely still climbing. The future will look something like the last couple of years for us, playing big venues and putting out the best records we can while staying true to ourselves. We will be exploring more international territories as well. Minaret: What is your favorite song to perform? Finley: That’s an answer that is constantly changing with each new album we put out. Currently that song for me is Count Me In. It’s just a feel good song with a fun groove, and it’s the title track so usually people know it and respond to it. Minaret: What is your favorite part of being in a band/touring? Finley: Easily, it would be the opportunity to travel to places I would
not have otherwise been able to. We’ve played in all but a few of the fifty states and I know I never would have accomplished that in my life were it not for touring. My other favorite part is that it’s generally an honest living – people pay their hard-earned money to see and hear us play our instruments and what you see is what you get. Minaret: A lot of your songs have serious meanings behind them like, “Against the Grain” and “Change The System” where do get the ideas for these songs? Personal experience? Finley: I don’t think it’s personal experience so much as a desire to see positive change in the world. There are enough songs on the topic of love, and we have our fair share as well, but there is a need for songs that target a broader scope. Minaret: Does Rebelution have anything new in the works? Finley: We have a European tour coming up in November, which will be good for us, and I’m sure we’ll be working on some new material going into the new year. Justine Parks can be reached at Justine.parks@theminaretonline.com.
We consider ourselves close friends that have been through an incredible journey together. Essentially we’re a band of brothers. - Wesley Finley, drummer for Rebelution
Photo by Emma Benitez
Tampa hosted its first Reggae Rise Up at the Raymond James Stadium on Sept. 27 featuring ZionI, Steel Pulse, Collie Buddz, Ballyhoo, and headliner Rebelution.
ARTS + ENTERTAINMENT
THE MINARET | OCTOBER 2 2014
Alt-J Premieres Second Album This is All Yours By MADISON KAZAR
Arts + Entertainment Writer
Here’s to round number two for AltJ; After making waves with their hit song “Breezeblocks” in May 2012, the band has supplied their eager listeners with a brand new album and they did not disappoint. Their first album, An Awesome Wave, is definitely a tough one to top, but they got pretty close to doing
just that with This is All Yours. The England native band, whose debut album was awarded the Barclaycard Mercury Prize, released their latest album This is All Yours on Sept. 22. Their newest album (much like their last) opens with a computer produced instrumental introduction which successfully establishes a soothing and peaceful tone for the songs that follow. The intro sets the stage for
Alt-J/ weknowthedj.com
Alt-J’s sophomore album This Is All Yours, released on Sept. 22, offers some souldful tracks.
the journey courtesy of Joe Newman’s captivating vocals. Alt-J formulated a trio of songs, “Arrival in Nara”, “Nara”, and “Leaving Nara” all revolving around the Japanese city of Nara. These three songs are also similar in the fact that they possess a sound so relaxing they paint the city as a garden one could easily mediate in. Through these songs, Alt-J transports the listener to a place where worries cease to exist. Venturing from the soulful tracks of their previous album, the band picks up the beat with a tune designed to groove, “Left Hand Free”, which will compel any listener to tap and hum along. They keep the tempo up with “Hunger of the Pine”, featuring Miley Cyrus who was a surprising collaboration choice, but proved to be a very wise one. The tune begins just as peaceful as the rest and picks up with Miley’s hauntingly beautiful vocals that were well contrasted with those of Alt-J’s lead singer Joe Newman. A song that is most akin to the content of their previous album, “Every Other Freckle”, possesses rather strange lyrics, such as “I’m gonna bed into you like a cat beds into a beanbag.” But if the album did not contain strange lyrics there’s no way it could be an AltJ album. Taking almost a folk-sounding approach, “Pusher” carries a far more mellow and acoustic tune. Being the only real love song on the album, the lyrics encompass the process of waiting
9
for the love of your life and how every relationship needs the balance of a “pusher” and a “puller”. The band even explores the depths of love and loss saying: “The idea of life without company fell suddenly. It crashed through the ceiling on me, and pinned me to the pine and layer upon layer of hope and doubt will crush bones to oil in time.” Fully embodying their newly developed sound, track number nine “Warm Foothills”, presents an eclectic and diverse tone with the transition and mixture of four extremely different voices. These vocals alternate throughout the song then join together to form a harmonious chorus. “Lovely Day” explores the depths of more new territory for Alt-J as they incorporate more of a fast paced beat enhanced by lyrics that are equally as upbeat as the tune. The lyrics, “When I look at you I know it is going to be a lovely day” definitely incorporate a more sentimental side that we did not see often with their previous album. Branching out with This is All Yours, Alt-J, provided the listener with a mellow and tranquil sound. Through these songs the Indie band transports the listener to a peaceful realm, now exploring a more personal avenue. Although they ventured far from their first album lyrically, the band still managed to stay true to their sound. Old or new, Alt-J continues to impress. Madison Kazar can be reached at Madison.Kazar@spartans.ut.edu.
Perk’s Donut Bar Serves Gourmet Breakfast Classics By BOBBY GELTER
Arts + Entertainment Writer
Perk’s Donut Bar not only provides the perfect combination of the traditional coffee and donut, but actually allows customers to completely customize their order. This small authentic bakery has a very serene atmosphere, allowing the customer an ideal breakfast (or lunch or dinner, since Perk’s is open into the evening). The baby blue walls and upbeat alternative music that plays throughout the restaurant give Perk’s a perfect good morning feel. All donuts are designed precisely by the customer’s choice of glazes or icings, toppings and drizzles. Customers can enjoy a single donut or boxes of larger amounts ($7.25 per half dozen or $12.95 per dozen). Also available is Buddy Brew Coffee, which the customer can enjoy in many variations- lattes, espresso, cappuccino, etc. For a traditional glazed donut with rainbow sprinkles and a donut with peanut butter icing and chocolate drizzle, the total is less than $3.00. The employee then diligently glazes, ices, sprinkles and drizzles the donuts, taking no longer than two minutes. The whole process is done behind a glass counter, and it is very evident that the employees are trained to design intricate and clean-looking donuts. Two professional-looking bakery goods are then packaged in front of the customer.
The peanut butter icing donut tastes fresh rather than a stale grocery store donut. The peanut butter icing is formed in a hard shell on the donut, but when it touches the mouth, it softens and melts into a perfectly warm peanut butter taste. The actual donut tastes like a funnel cake-fried, doughy and delicious. After about half of the first donut I’m almost full, which is an indication that customers do not need to purchase too many donuts to feel satisfied. The second donut, with traditional glaze and rainbow sprinkles, is absolutely mouth-watering and satisfying. Perk’s Donut Bar not only provides a delicious version of the classic coffee and donut combo, but also serves as a comfortable, peaceful eating environment. Bobby Gelter can be reached at Bobby.gelter@spartans.ut.edu.
Photos by Alexandra Martin
Perk’s Donut Bar is located at 2109 S Dale Mabry Highway and opens every day at 7:00 a.m.
10 OCTOBER 2 2014 | THE MINARET
ARTS + ENTERTAINMENT
Alicia Keys Sparks Social Change with “We Are Here” By KAI MILLER
aid group; Equal Justice Initiative, which combats racial inequity in the criminal justice system; the Future Project, which Alicia Keys is using her musical talents empowers high school students in America; to do more than just a carry note these Girl Rising, which supports girls’ education days. The 15-time Grammy award winner around the world; Keep a Child Alive, which aims to bring about peace within the global helps children affected by H.I.V. and AIDS; community with her recently debuted Moms Rising, which supports universal single “We Are Here.” The song reflects prekindergarten, maternal leaves and tighter the rise of social issues that have dominated gun laws; Oxfam, which fights global headlines within the past few months, from poverty; Partners in Health, which tackles the shooting of Michael Brown to the toll in disease worldwide; the Trevor Project, which Gaza and Syria. prevents suicide among gay and lesbian youths; the Trayvon Martin Foundation, which fights racial profiling; and War Child, which supports children in conflict areas. In an effort to jump-start the campaign, Keys has put her money where her hashtag is. She has donated one million dollars to be dispersed among the 12 groups she supports and has asked her fans to show their support by posting causes they are passionate about on social media along with the hashtag #WeAreHere. To further spread her message, Keys went to her Instagram account to share a nude photograph of herself with a peace sign painted on her bare baby bump. “It’s time to get people’s attention,” she told The New York Times. “People won’t be able to ignore this visual.” The “We Are Here” movement has already garnered support from other celebrities. Pharrell WIlliams, Kelly Rowland, Jennifer Lopez, and Madonna also took to social media to help spread awareness about Keys’ cause as well as dozens of other high-profile musicians, actors, and artists. We Are Here/ Flickr.com UT junior and Co-President of Alicia Keys has donated one million dollars to be divided between 12 different social activism groups. P.E.A.C.E., Bekha Vigil feels Alicia Key’s Arts + Entertainment Writer
“I’ve always felt like I can be a voice for the voiceless,” Keys told the Washington Post. The singer/songwriter was prompted by images of Gaza on social media and the #BringOurGirlsBack campaign to generate a movement of her own that would channel her fans to be more proactive about social justice. “I want to gather an army,” Keys told Nicholas Krist of of The New York Times. Through the “We Are Here” movement Keys is encouraging her fans to support 12 different social activism groups: All Out, a gay rights organization; CARE, the
Actor on the Rise: Dane Dehaan The Aliens which was awarded “Play of the Year” in The New York Times. That same Arts + Entertainment Writer year, he made his film debut in the war-drama With one film currently in theaters, Life Amigo alongside Chris Cooper (American After Beth, and three more in production, Beauty) who he would later reunite with in Dane Dehaan is an actor specializing in dark The Amazing Spiderman 2. He then landed his depondent rolls. His troubled characters appear most known, recurring role as the character in several genres, ranging from sci-fi to drama Jesse on the Emmy-award winning television to romance. series In Treatment. The show revolves around At the age of five, Dehaan was already a psychotherapist seeking guidance from his seeking opportunities to act. His parents offered old therapist who he has not seen for ten years. to find him an agent so he could begin a career Dehaan’s performance as Jesse was proclaimed in acting, but he decided he wanted to study the a “revolutionary breakthrough” by Variety and craft first. In his teens, he made several short “brilliant” by the Chicago Sun-Times. films. He was vice president of his theater class In 2012, Dehaan surprised audiences with in high school and starred in every production. his major role as Andrew, a bullied teenager After graduating from the University of North who gets superpowers after a rare discovery, in Carolina School of Arts in 2008, Dehaan began the shaky-cam sci-fi thriller Chronicle. the journey to his stardom. Dehaan quickly found his niche playing He received an Obie Award in 2010 for his dark and tormented characters. These roles performance in the Off-Broadway production include playing the troubled son of an infamous robber in The Place Beyond the Pines (2012), the disturbed poet Lucien Carr in Kill Your Darlings (2013), and his twisted portrayal as the Green Goblin in The Amazing Spiderman 2 (2014). On imdb.com, Dehaan is quoted saying, “Comic-book movies are where my childhood fantasies meet my adulthood acting fantasies. I really, truly started acting by playing superheroes in my backyard.” Currently, his starring role in Life After Beth follows this pattern of dark characters. In the romantic horror flick, Dehaan’s character Zach finds his recently deceased girlfriend, played by Aubrey Plaza (Parks and Recreation), somehow resurrected after falling victim to a fatal snake bite. He soon notices that she is different than the way she was before, with a craving for a little something more than just Zach’s love. Life After Beth was released on Aug. 15 and is still playing in select theaters. Sammi Brennan can be reached at Dane Dehaan Flickr.com Dane Dehaan will be starring in Life After Beth. Samantha.brennan@spartans.ut.edu. By SAMMI BRENNAN
initiative is a great way to get students more engaged in social activism especially within the Tampa Bay community. “I like that it not only exposes you to the problems, but also people that are really working towards the solution.” Much like the “We Are Here” movement, P.E.A.C.E offers everyone within the UT community an array of opportunities to get more involved with organizations that tackle social issues within the Tampa Bay area. P.E.A.C.E. also offers an Alternative Breaks program that deals with issues outside of the Tampa Bay community. “We utilize [the Alternative Breaks Program] to really push people outside of their comfort zone,” Vigil said. “And, to really take an in-depth look at how these social issues are impacting the region, state, or even the country,” she added. One of the main issues Vigil feels intimidates students from becoming involved in social activism is being overwhelmed by the problem at hand. “Something that bogs down a lot of people as far as social justice or social movements is that they feel what they do won’t actually make a difference,” she said. Similarly to the WeAreHereMovement.com interface, P.E.A.C.E.’s online portal found on Orgsync, provides students with a list of events for the semester along with information regarding the hosting organization and how students’ efforts support a particular cause. “I think that education is a really good component of getting people engaged. So that they know how to make the best difference and be really instrumental in the change.” Kai Miller can be reached at Kai. miller@theminaretonline.com.
OPINION
THE MINARET | OCTOBER 2 2014
11
Belgium Grants Murderer’s Euthanasia
By SAMANTHA ALLEN Opinion Writer
Frank Van Den Bleeken is the first prisoner ever to be granted euthanasia under Belgian law this past week. Euthanasia was implemented into Belgian law for the terminally ill in 2002, but curiously Belgium, as well as the entire European Union, does not have the death penalty. Van Den Bleeken, who was convicted of rape and murder nearly 30 years ago, requested euthanasia because of an apparent lack of psychological counseling, as reported by NPR. Instead of making treatment a top priority, Belgium is showing a horrible example by allowing a prisoner to be euthanized. For the terminally ill, euthanasia can be a humane way to allow a person or prisoner’s suffering to end, however, when it comes to mental illness there is not enough effort put into finding out which treatment options work. Psychiatrists rely too heavily on medicating mentally ill individuals and not enough time on cognitive behavioral therapy. Van Den Bleeken, who recognizes his condition as a mental illness, is“suffering unbearably,” according to his lawyer Jos Vander Velpen. Vander Velpen went on to explain that Van Den Bleeken “has clearly said that he didn’t want to leave prison
because he didn’t want to risk creating further victims.” His condition has been deemed “incurable,” according to prison psychologists. It was this news that convinced the Justice Ministry to approve Van Den Bleeken’s request for euthanasia, as BBC News states in an earlier article, after having been denied initially in 2011 on the grounds of exhausting every other treatment option first. Euthanasia is widely accepted in Belgium as a form of relief for the terminally ill. Van Den Bleeken’s verdict has caused great debate over whether mental illness should be considered. The president of Belgium’s Right to Die Association, Jacqueline Herremans, gave her thoughts on the situation, saying “The position that we have regarding a patient, detained or not, with a cancer is totally different from the position we have regarding what we can’t see, meaning a psychiatric disorder.” She goes on to point out that “as a human” he has “the right to demand euthanasia.” Many, including family members of Van Den Bleeken’s victims, are distraught by his request for euthanasia being accepted. Two sisters of one of Van Den Bleeken’s victims, requesting to only be referred to as Annie and Liliane, were quoted by the Dutch daily Algemeen Dagblad saying “All those commissions,
doctors and experts concerned about the wellbeing of the murderer of our sister. Nobody has ever shown us that much attention.” This criticism has also been made of media outlets in the past. There is not enough support for the victims of violent crimes in the media, just as there is not enough support for the mentally ill. The fixation is instead on mass-murderers and the ratings their stories create. Many mass killers misrepresent mental illness, which creates stigma. Many believe that the mentally ill are predominantly perpetrators of violent crimes, however, studies show that the mentally ill are more likely to be the victims of violent crime, according to The American Journal of Public Health. This stigma about mental illness creates violence and prevents the ill from seeking treatment. There needs to be a greater emphasis on informing the public on what mental illness is, instead of carelessly writing off a murderer’s actions as being out of his control. It has been made abundantly clear that in Belgium, as well as other countries including the United States, there is not enough regard for the treatment of mental illness. There were 4.9 million adults in the United States with mental illness who were unable to seek treatment, according to 2011 National Survey on Drug Use and Health: Mental Health Findings. 50
percent said that they “could not afford therapy” while 16.2 percent said they “could not find therapy.” It is terrible to think that the only solution to mental illness is euthanasia, and by granting Van Den Bleeken the right to assisted suicide, that may be the message Belgium is sending. In Belgium’s attempt to be humane, they may have inadvertently created a situation in which euthanasia is the precedent over treatment. Carine Brochier of the Institute of Bioethics in Brussels strongly opposes euthanasia, said “this is a great failure of psychiatric care and the prison system in Belgium altogether.” If the granted euthanization of Van Den Bleeken has taught us anything, it should be that mental health care should be a bigger priority, not only in Belgium, but here in the United States as well. Media outlets need to take more responsibility for how they report mental health issues. Instead of spreading misinformation and creating a stigma, media outlets need to contribute to the support of mental health by educating the public on mental illness. People need to know that their situations are not hopeless, euthanasia for the mentally ill will only accomplish greater strife for our society. Samantha Allen can be reached at samantha.allen@spartans.ut.edu
Special Needs Girl Used As Bait By School; Brutally Raped in School Bathroom
By LIZ ROCKETT Opinion Columnist
In January of 2010, the faculty at Sparkman Middle School in Alabama decided to use one of their 14 year-old female special needs students as bait in order to catch a 16 year old male student who was thought to be a sexual predator, according to CNN. The plan took a turn for the worst when the boy took the girl to a different bathroom than the faculty had previously planned resulting in the girls’ rape when they could not intervene. The family filed a federal lawsuit, and the Department of Justice and the U.S. Department of Education filed an amicus brief--a legal argument offered to the court by someone who is not a party to the case--just last week supporting their case. The victim and her family have chosen to remain anonymous at this time. June Simpson, a teacher’s aide at the middle school prompted the girl to agree to meet the boy after he had allegedly proposed that she meet him in the bathroom for sex so she and other faculty could catch him in the
“
act, according to NY Daily News. The boy had coerced several other females in the past, and had been involved in a total of 15 violent and sex-related incidents of misconduct. While I’m sure that Simpson had good intentions, putting a student at risk is not appropriate or professional by any means. However, the girl agreed to the plan, as well as Vice Principal Dunaway who apparently did not suggest any alternatives, reported CNN. I am interested to know how the administrators and the faculty involved in the plan thought that using a young girl who qualifies for special education classes as bait would be a good idea in the first place. Vice Principal, Jeanne Dunaway of the Alabama school, who knew about the plan beforehand, said that the girl was responsible for herself once she entered the bathroom, according to CNN. That statement is ridiculous-- this girl was a victim of rape. Rape victims cannot control a forced sexual act. If this situation wasn’t already wrong, none of the administration or faculty are being punished in any way for using a
The boy had coerced several other females in the past, and had been involved in a total of 15 violent and sex-related incidents.
minor as bait. In fact, Vice Principal Dunaway has been promoted to Principal at a nearby elementary school, as reported by CNN. The faculty and administration should be held responsible for what happened to the girl considering they thought it would be a good idea to use one of their own students as bait. A plan such as this one has the potential to be extremely dangerous, as proven by the rape of this young girl. Instead of doing something to prevent a situation like this in the future, the administration suspended the boy for five days and then sent him to an alternative school where he remained all of 20 days before returning. Instead of labeling his misconduct as rape, they called it “inappropriate touching a female in boys’ bathroom,” according to CNN. It doesn’t make sense that the administration didn’t do more to discipline the boy even though they were completely aware that he had a history of sexual misconduct. Despite the girl’s evident trauma both physically and mentally, as well as the 15 prior sex-related incidents the boy has been involved in, the second Vice Principal-Vice Principal Terrell--had the nerve to say that she was unaware of whether or not the girl consented to the assault, as reported by CNN. To me, it seems as though the administration is attempting to use the girl as a scapegoat, and cover up what they did wrong, which was allow her to be used as bait in the first place. Sultan Alsaadi, a senior accounting major at UT believes that the administration should definitely be held responsible and stated that this incident is due to a lack of competence
by both the teachers and administration. “Teachers are supposed to play a second role as a parent in school,” Alsaadi said, “ and for them to do that I feel like it doesn’t reflect on the ideals of teachers.” Alsaadi stressed that using this girl as bait was a terrible idea which made everyone involved look untrustworthy. Alsaadi disagreed with Vice Principal Terrell’s comment about saying that the girl was responsible for herself when she entered the bathroom. “On campus faculty has authority over you. The kid’s parents leave their kids under the responsibility of the teachers,” Alsaadi said, who also felt that the boy’s long list of previous incidents related to sexual misconduct were reason enough to believe that he had committed rape. “I feel like the government should get involved. I feel like if nothing was to happen to him, the community shouldn’t keep quiet about it, especially the parents of the children,” Alsaadi said. This whole situation could have been avoided if the administration had recognized that the boy was a danger to the students. Administrators at a middle school should be much more concerned about the safety of their students. It does not seem right that a school with children as young as 10 and 11 years old would allow a student who has been involved in so much misconduct continue to attend. There should not have been 15 separate incidents of sexual misconduct by one student. As the trial goes on, hopefully the law prevails and this administration is punished for how this girl was treated in their school. Liz Rockett can be reached at elizabeth.rockett@spartans.ut.edu
12 OCTOBER 2 2014 | THE MINARET
OPINION
Master It It’s not too early to plan ahead! Boost your career credentials with a graduate degree from UT: • 4+1 MBA (combined B.S./MBA) • MBA (seven concentrations) • M.S. in Accounting • M.S. in Finance • M.S. in Marketing • Certificates in Nonprofit Management, Accounting and Business Administration
• M.S. in Exercise and Nutrition Science • M.S. in Nursing • M.S. in Instructional Design and Technology • Master of Education • MFA in Creative Writing
U.S. News & World Report ranks UT as a top-tier school for master’s degrees in the South. The Sykes College of Business has been named one of the best business schools in the world by The Princeton Review for the last nine years, and is accredited by AACSB International, an honor shared by only 6 percent of business schools.
All programs accepting applications now! Request more information at www.ut.edu/gradinfo or call (813) 258-7409.
Join our community online!
THE MINARET | OCTOBER 2 2014
OPINION
13
Paula Deen’s Latest Apology Just a Publicity Stunt By REBECCA TURNER Opinion Writer
It’s been fifteen months since television chef Paula Deen was dropped by most of her sponsors after having admitted to using a racial slur in the past. The court case surrounding the incident was later dismissed, receiving little attention — much like Deen after the fact. That is until this past week, when Deen returned to the Today show, for the first time since her recklessly emotional 2013 interview with Lauer, to apologize. She also announced the launch of her new network, the Paula Deen Network, as a public relations maneuver in that same interview last week with Matt Lauer. In the interview, Deen claimed that she now understands the power of words and how they affect those around her. She told Lauer “My words hurt people. They disappointed people, and quite frankly I disappointed myself,” along with similar sentiments, according to Time Magazine. She seems genuine and thoughtful in the video footage, and her words seem wise, lacking their usual histrionic flair. This contradicts the Paula Deen in her tearful 2013 interview with Lauer where she claimed that she shouldn’t have been fired. It seems strange that she would do an aboutface for this recent interview, with her claims of now understanding the power of words and not previously. However, it has been nearly a year and a half since the incident, so for her to change her mind about the incident isn’t entirely out of the question, though to change so drastically is questionable at best. Deen didn’t stop with just a thoughtful apology. Later in the show, her new ventures were also discussed. The Paula Deen Network is set to launch
as an online subscription-based website where viewers will be able to watch all of her old content, which was purchased by Deen from the Food Network for an undisclosed amount, and varied new content as well, according to Yahoo! News. The network sounds enticing, especially to those who already enjoy Deen’s old programming. Her motives were not just to share her recipes and her love of cooking, but rather were to greedily take advantage of her situation and angle for a self-initiated catapult back into the world of televised cooking. Thus we reach the paradigm shift in this seemingly lovely story. While Deen’s words seem genuine and wise, the timing is also suspicious. Deen most likely meant her words when speaking with Lauer last week. The scandal was about something she had said years ago, before she knew what impact the words could have — both on the people she said them to and retroactively, herself. However, she timed this interview as a PR stunt to boost her ratings before her network debuts. Deen lost many sponsorships after the 2013 scandal including those from QVC, Target, Walmart, J.C. Penney, Sears, Home Depot, and The Food Network, according to WREG News. Deen definitely deserved to be penalized for what she said, especially given that she is a public figure, even a celebrity. She is at fault for her poor vocabulary choice, but shouldn’t be forced out of something she loves because of one poor choice. It shouldn’t define how the world sees her indefinitely. Deen lost a lot of respect in her field. This interview with Lauer was a move to gain a little bit of that respect back. University of Tampa junior journalism major, Kyetra Bryant, doesn’t “think it
Nirvana News/ YouTube
Paula Deen returns to the Today Show to promote The Paula Deen Network.
is 100 percent sincere” because Deen is “probably now trying to get those sponsorships back” via “damage control” in order to regain her image. Despite this ploy to get her name back out there in a positive light, Deen already had a large group backing her. The supporters include many fans on a website called “WeSupportPaulaDeen. com” as well as business representation through Najafi Media. The latter funded Paula Deen Ventures with 20 million dollars for the butter-loving chef to invest in her business, as reported by WREG News. After spending some time out of the public eye to understand what she did wrong, beginning her own network is a logical move with monetary gain at hand. It was definitely a good decision on Deen’s part to begin her own network, but it would have served her better to ‘know the power of words’ long before the network announcement. Even with the ill-conceived joint discussion
Deen’s image will certainly improve with her apology. With the money and fan support, public opinion was her last venture needed before re-launch and so she went on the Today show to achieve this missing puzzle-piece. While the main goal of Paula Deen’s interview with Lauer was to better the opportunity for success of her new company, it was not the only reason. Deen did own up to her faults in the interview with the wisdom that can only come from error. She realized that she had made a mistake, but likely held off formal statement until this venture was underway. Deen is a decent human being who made a serious error which cost her status. With this interview, Deen accepted her faults and launched herself back onto the path of prosperity. Now, we just wait and hope she can hold on to it this time around. Rebecca Turner can be reached at rebecca.turner@spartans.ut.edu
Sexual Harassment Victim Speaks out Against Assailant By EMILY SILVERMAN Opinion Writer
Sexual harassment has become so commonplace in our society because attackers don’t receive any repercussionswe fool ourselves into believing it is harmless and unimportant, so predators feel comfortable attacking, women feel uncomfortable reporting, and the cycle continues. A group of guys making lewd comments to a bartender, maybe even grabbing her butt, is common and sometimes even expected behavior. While most people are aware that rape is a crime, many fail to consider less extreme cases of sexual harassment, like subtle touches and sexual remarks, to fall in the same category. This misguided way of thinking leads to a major problem. By treating cases of minor sexual harassment like they’re not a big deal, we both encourage predators to harass women and discourage victims from reporting their attacks- let alone speaking out publicly about them. Fortunately, some do choose to take action and in doing so bring much needed attention to the issue, inspiring others to speak out as well. One such woman, Laura Ramadei, was recently sexually harassed by a customer at the New York restaurant where she works as a bartender, according to The Huffington Post. The accused customer both touched her butt without her permission and made a rude, sexual comment. This time, however, a victim chose to
let her voice be heard. Ramadei posted an “open letter” to her Facebook profile, where she called out her attacker by name, Brian Lederman and shamed him for what he did to her. She also used her letter as a means of education, hoping Lederman would “learn something about how hurtful and upsetting a small comment or gesture might be. Or at the very least, maybe a Facebook passerby will read this and more deeply consider how they treat women, how they treat servers, and/or how they treat people in general,” according to The Huffington Post. Ramadei’s letter forces readers to think about how the act and what affects their actions are capable of having. Viral posts like this one can be used as important weapons in the fight to end rape-culture, as they empower victims to take a stand. Right here in Tampa, women are experiencing the same subtle encounters with sexual harassers as Ramadei. UT sophomore and pre-law student, Dani Johnson, is one such woman. Working as a server at a club in Ybor City for the past year, Johnson has witnessed and been involved in numerous instances of sexual harassment by clubgoers. She explained that customers will sometimes touch the servers and will make sexual comments “all the time, especially when there’s heavy drinking involved. A lot of the guys see the workers as an easy opportunity because they know we have to remain professional.” Men take advantage of the fact that it is difficult for a woman to fully retaliate while she is supposed to be
working and making her customers happy. Add in poor judgment resulting from alcohol consumption, and the knowledge that potential consequences are doubtful and employees are in serious danger of sexual harassment. Far too often victims of sexual assault feel their attack was not serious enough for
them to do anything about it. The silence that is created allows men to continue harassing without ever being punished for it. Women like Ramadei are taking a stand against the rape-culture and for women everywhere by speaking out against their attackers. Emily Silverman can be reached at emily.silverman@spartans.ut.edu
14 OCTOBER 2 2014 | THE MINARET
OPINION
SEX AND LOVE COLUMN
Gay Party Organizer in Tel Aviv Crosses Line with ISIS Advertisements By TERRY PRESTON Opinion Columnist
For some, fear is a turn on. The internet is loaded with graphic sexual material related to hardcore intercourse, home invasions, and even sexual predators. While there is a demand for such content, there is an unspoken line of appropriateness for it (however thin the line may be). In Tel Aviv, this line has been crossed. A party organizer has released advertisements that feature an over-sexualized representation of the international terrorist organization, ISIS. According to Buzzfeed, Drek, a popular organizer of gay parties in Tel Aviv, Israel, incorporated images associated with ISIS execution videos in his recent ads for an upcoming social event. The photos include a man that is seated wearing an orange jumpsuit, almost identical to those worn in ISIS’ gruesome execution videos. Standing above the man is another man, who is scantily-clad and placing his hand on the jumpsuit man’s shoulder. In a second photo, a muscular man in nothing but tight briefs is waving a flag next to text that reads, “Drekistan at the Haoman,” promoting the party and its hosting club. The party’s planner told Ynetnews, an Israeli news source, that he was only staying current. “We are trying to react to current events,” said Drek. “We have been doing it for a number of years, but we reject violence in any form and that includes the (execution) videos intended to scare the world.” This is where Drek crosses the line—placing an artfully sculpted man in the same orange jumpsuit is no more tasteful than Urban Outfitter’s recent Kent State blood-splattered sweaters (or literally anything that Urban Outfitters has ever done). What Drek has done is placed a sense of sexuality and nonchalance on a global conflict. There is a significant difference between staying culturally relevant and being disrespectful or tasteless. Drek’s advertisements are a mockery, and downplay the sum of one of the world’s greatest fears. Above all, the photographs sexualize terrorism, turning a commonly held and incredibly real nightmare into a target of sexual fantasy. Americans are no longer afforded the luxury of feeling safe. Israelis do not feel safe. Palestinians do not feel safe. The world does not feel safe—terrorism is a threat that affects all nations, and the solution to this problem is not boner-inducing photographs plastered across the internet. “I personally believe it is both disgusting and obviously very tasteless,” said Brian, a senior advertising and public relations major who asked to only be identified by his first name. “I believe it is also insensitive to the family of Steven Sotloff who holds Israeli citizenship.” Israeli’s have taken to Drek’s Facebook page to report their disgust with the advertisements. The comments section beneath the photos are flooding with statements such as “sick,” “tasteless,” and “disgusting.” Many believe that the images reflect a negative light on their country, and that it is an inappropriate attempt at making light of a major crisis. Citizens of Israel aren’t the only
“
Ynetnews/ Facebook, Graphic by Cristiano Zoucas
Gay party organizer, Drek, in Tel Aviv parodied recent ISIS beheadings by using models to reenact the situation in their underwear.
individuals affected by the negative images. The gay community suffers from poor representation and negative reflection. It is a common misconception that gays tend to oversexualize every single aspect of life, turning comments into sex puns and finding the most vulgar way to describe any feeling, person, place, etc. If we are to steer away from the concept of only being able to describe emotions in relation to sexual feelings (e.g. “Oh my god, this brunch is like an orgasm in my mouth”) then we as a group cannot afford to have someone creating wet dreams out of symbols of brutality. “Drek’s comments about staying culturally relevant aren’t true,” said Connor West, a junior writing major at UT. “It’s simply an excuse to get around the fact that he has no respect for the victims of the incident.” Drek’s focus on tragedy is similar to a recent incident in America, in which the Boston Bomber was placed on the cover of Rolling Stone Magazine. The presence of this criminal and terrorist on the front page of a popular magazine led many to argue that Rolling Stone was casting a sense of celebrity upon the Bomber, leaving his image in the position previously held by popular musicians and other celebrities. This act by Rolling Stone also glorified a national tragedy, and focused more significantly on the terrorist’s identity than on the destruction he created. Citizens of the world today are
Americans are no longer afforded the luxury of feeling safe. Israelis do not feel safe. Palestinians do not feel safe. The world does not feel safe
obsessed with negativity. As said in television, “if it bleeds, it leads.” As a result, news stations cover murders, robberies and other acts of crime more intensely than positive news stories. Television show after television show centers on deranged serial killers, cops taking down rapists and crime lords, and specialists analyzing what it is that makes a psychopath. It is with this information that it is almost plausible that Drek believed himself to be “culturally relevant” rather than sick-- almost. What our television shows and movies understand, that Drek does not, is that there is a line of appropriateness within the media. We do not make jokes about 9/11, and any visual arts associated with it are both tasteful and respectful. What the party’s
”
advertisements do not understand are two very important elements: 1. There is very much such thing as “too soon.” While the wounds from ISIS are still fresh and still looming, it is not appropriate to represent them in any fashion other than respect, and 2. There is nothing sexy about murder. There is such a thing as too far. Drek should be apologizing for his actions rather than defending his case with “cultural relevance.” There is a difference between referencing pop culture and representing terrorism. With what our and other countries have fought against to defend themselves from its constant threats, terrorism belongs on our minds but never in our bedrooms. Terry Preston can be reached at terrence.preston@spartans.ut.edu
THE MINARET | OCTOBER 2 2014
OPINION
15
Scotland Votes “NO” On Independence From UK By CAMERON GILDEA Opinion Writer
adding “It is not like a divorce where military forces would have decreased Across the pond in Scotland, you are dividing up a CD collection, drastically to only about 20,000 citizens went to the polls to answer a this is something very different.” active duty soldiers according to The simple yet crucial question: “Should The shared military power of the Guardian. This number is miniscule Scotland be an independent country?” United Kingdom would have also compared to the 500,000 active duty On September 18, the citizens of separated. This was a very sensitive soldiers the United Kingdom has. In Scotland turned out in record numbers topic in debates leading up to the vote today’s world, where violence seems and ultimately voted “No” with a majority vote of 55 percent, according to the BBC. Upon first learning the results of the poll, scenes of the Academy Award winning film Braveheart began playing in my mind. I began to think about how disappointed Sir William Wallace would be if he were alive today. Wallace sacrificed his life in an attempt to gain Scottish independence from the British rule in the early 14th century. Surely he would disapprove of his people’s decision to remain within the United Kingdom. After coming to my modern senses, however, I realized how much was actually at stake in the decision of the Scottish people and why they voted, “No.” In today’s modern era, there is a lot of legality involved in a union between countries like the United Kingdom. A “Yes” vote would have had significant and complex changes the justified sinner/ flickr Scotland recently voted “NO” on whether or not they would claim independence from Great Britain. to the Scotland’s economy and government. Economically, the currency of because the implications of a divided inevitable, a strong standing army is Scotland would have likely been military would be detrimental to a necessity. If Scotland were to have changed from the current British Scotland. British Defense Secretary voted “Yes,” they would have still Pound Sterling. Gordon Osborne, the Lord Robertson told the Scotsman remained reliant on the protection that Treasury Chancellor of England, stated newspaper in an interview that to Britain provides, but I’m not sure the in an interview with the BBC that it “pretend Scotland would be defended English would still be willing to help was “highly unlikely that Scotland will by any British soldiers after a ‘Yes’ its neighbor if violence arose. be allowed to keep using the currency vote is a dangerous fiction.” If a Frances Coppola, a finance [Pound] if independence is declared,” “Yes” vote occurred, Scotland’s contributor for Forbes, also states
there were no established plans on how the Scottish government would have handled these issues if they did become independent. “Scotland was nowhere near ready for independence. The Scottish government did nothing whatsoever to prepare for a solo flight” Coppola states. This lack of planning could have done serious adverse impact to Scotland’s already established government and economy. It is clear why the Scottish people voted “No.” There were too many risks and not enough rewards at the time of the vote. Although this vote may not have passed, an independent Scotland is still plausible in the future. According to Coppola, the majority of the 55 percent who voted “No” are elders, and the majority of the 45 percent who voted “Yes” are youth. If this goes to vote again in twenty five years, I think the result would be different. I firmly believe that we will see an independent Scotland in our lifetime. The timing was not right for this vote, it was rushed and needed far more thought in order to be successful. When a planned approach from the pro-independence party does come forth, I think it is possible the majority will vote for independence. Scotland’s youth are already in favor of independence and will eventually become the majority. Although William Wallace may be turning over in his grave right now, he should remain confident that his ideology may still become a reality. Cameron Gildea can be reached at cameron.gildea@spartans.ut.edu
UW-Milwaukee TKE Chapter Devised Date Rape System By OLIVIA REEB Opinion Writer
Three women and a man were hospitalized after being drugged in a Tau Kappa Epsilon (TKE) fraternity party at the University of Wisconsin- Milwaukee, raising concerns about the safety of these parties and the possibility of becoming unconsciously drugged. It’s absolutely disgusting to drug someone at a party. Just because date rape drugs make the victim forget what happens, doesn’t mean that the victim won’t realize that something is wrong. However, a party-goer’s main concern at a party should not be avoiding being drugged, it should be that host’s responsibility to keep drugs out of their guest’s drinks. This TKE chapter is being investigated after being accused of color coding females at their house party based on whether or not they were going to be given Rohypnol, according to The Huffington Post. The drug is more commonly called “roofies” or “the date rape drug.” A red x on a female student’s hand symbolized that she was going to be roofied. Three women and a man were hospitalized because of the incident. All three women had a red x on their hands and the man claimed to have drank out of a cup that belonged to one of the females, according to The Huffington Post. All of the mixed vodka drinks seemed cloudy and were mixed behind the bar out of sight, claimed partygoers. One woman that was given the date rape drugs at the party claimed that
she had a “weird feeling” before blacking out just over 30 minutes after being given the drink, according to The Daily Mail. Unsurprisingly, the fraternity investigated for sexual assault three times last year as well, according to nymag.com. Drugging multiple women is a despicable thing to do because several people are affected by a horrible, possibly life altering, act. On top of being dreadful enough people to drug women, the fraternity members of TKE were also stupid enough to think that they could get away with it. However, the president of this chapter, Thomas Kreinbring, has been arrested on charges of possession of a prescription drug without a perscription and keeping a drug house, according to The Huffington Post. This example isn’t just an isolated incident. Getting drugged at a party is a serious issue, even here at UT. When asked about the possibility of being drugged at a party, Jake Racaniella, a senior sociology major at UT responded, “Yes, at house parties they’ll throw in all sorts of drugs.” Racaniella said, “I’ve stopped going to house parties altogether to avoid getting drugged.” However, the President of UT’s chapter of TKE would like to point out, “The title “TKE” will always be attached to this incident and no amount of begging will ever remove my letters from it. The fact that I’m asked what happened at UW-M makes me realize that I will need to work overtime to ensure the UT community sees the positive aspects of TKE through
grades, leadership, brotherhood, and community involvement. I can’t change what happened, but I will ensure that no such incident is ever committed by TKE here. We are currently looking to educate other organizations on the effects of one poor decision on local, national, and international communities.” His statement proves that although bad things have happened in another chapter of TKE, not every chapter would do such horrible things. A few tips to prevent being drugged are to pour your own drinks or watch your drinks as they’re poured and don’t leave your drink unattended. Always have a buddy, don’t drink anything if you don’t know what it is and watch to see if the frat boys are drinking the jungle juice. If they’re avoiding it, you probably should too. A new idea for a nail polish called Undercover Colors that can allegedly prevent date-rape has been developed by four students from North Carolina State University. This new product is supposed to change colors in the presence of Rohypnol, Xanax and GHB, according to The Washington Post. A woman will be able to stir her drink with her finger to tell whether or not the drink has been tampered with. It seems like a decent idea to avoid getting drugged at parties. But it’s important to point out that this nail polish has not been created yet. The product is only a prototype right now, and the creators are not sure when it will be available to the public, according
to Newsweek. There are also concerns about the implications that it’s a woman’s subjection to ward off potential rapists. This anti-date rape nail polish places the burden of avoiding drugs on women. Undercover Colors is just another “precaution” that can be used against women on a review board that will ask questions, such as “What were you wearing?” “How drunk were you?” “Were you ‘asking for it’?” Giving women more options to avoid being date raped just gives them more reasons to be blamed for being sexually assaulted. It’s unfair that the responsibility to avoid rape has been placed on women and potential victims rather than on possible perpetrators. It’s also unfair that anti-rape nail polish is going to be marketed strictly for women. Men can be drugged unknowingly as well. Making a product that is undeniably geared towards women insinuates that only women are vulnerable enough to be drugged. Getting drugged is a terrifying possibility. The incident regarding colorcoding and drugging women at the UWMilwaukee TKE fraternity is a disgusting example of how relevant getting drugged really is. There are precautions that can be taken such as watching your drink, or considering future products like Undercover Colors. However, it should not be a woman’s responsibility to avoid getting drugged. It should be a host’s responsibility not to drug their guests. Olivia Reeb can be reached at olivia. reeb@spartans.ut.edu
16 OCTOBER 2 2014 | THE MINARET
SPORTS NHL Teams To Watch For The 2014-2015 Season
By PHIL NOVOTNY Sports Editor
It seems like just yesterday when the Los Angeles Kings defenseman Alec Martinez netted the game-winning goal against the New York Rangers to clinch their second Stanley Cup championship in three years. Now that October has arrived, a new season of hockey is right around the corner and not a moment too soon. Here are four teams to keep an eye on this coming season. Montreal Canadiens: The Habs are coming off of a season that exceeded expectations. Montreal upset the Boston Bruins in the Eastern Conference Semifinals after defeating them 3-1 in Game Seven. However, the momentum did not carry over for the Habs as they fell to the Rangers in the Eastern Conference Finals. With that said, the Canadiens are looking to come back with vengeance. Montreal is anchored by goalie Carey Price, who was the reason for why the Canadiens were one round away from the Stanley Cup Final. Also, they added some depth to the roster after signing center Manny Malhotra and trading for right wing P.A Parenteau. Yet, Montreal will need stars P.K Subban and Max Pacioretty to take their game to the next level if the Canadiens want to make it to the Stanley Cup Final. Pittsburgh Penguins: Sidney Crosby is the name fans first think of when they refer to the Pittsburgh Penguins. In addition to Crosby, the pens have a solid nucleus that consists
of center Evgeni Malkin and left wing Chris Kunitz, their roster depth is a cause for concern. Pittsburgh lost some key components to their roster such as forward Jussi Jokinen, defenseman Brooks Orpik, and forward James Neal via trade. Even with the lack of depth, the Pens are going to have to rely on goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury. Fleury has been known for being shaky come playoff time and last year was no exception. Fleury’s performance will determine how far Pittsburgh goes this season. St. Louis Blues: After surrendering a 2-0 series lead in the first round of the playoffs to the Chicago Blackhawks, the Blues will have something to prove this season. In fact, the Blues struck gold in free agency when they signed top free agent center Paul Stastny to a four year deal. Even though the Blues added the 25 goal scorer, the Blues still have problems behind the pipes. The Blues lost goalies Jaroslav Halak and Ryan Miller to free agency, which leaves the starting role to Brian Elliott, who has major shoes to fill. Also, look for left wing Alexander Steen and right wing T.J Oshie to be major contributors along with Stastny. Overall, fans should expect some type of playoff hockey in St. Louis. Dallas Stars: A dark horse team to look out for is the Dallas Stars. In a tough Western Conference, the eighth seed took the number one seed Anaheim Ducks to six games in the first round of the playoffs last season. This young group is led by left
Clyde/Flickr St.Louis Blues winger T.J Oshie looks to continue his rapid rise to stardom following last season.
wing Jamie Benn. Benn scored a career high 34 goals in 81 regular season games last year. The supporting cast behind Benn is also impressive making up of centers Tyler Seguin, Rich Peverley, and newly acquired Jason Spezza. The depth at the center position will make the Stars a legitimate contender which makes for an easier playoff matchup come April. Do not be
surprised if you see the Stars take a giant leap in 2014. The stage is set and the refs are almost ready to drop the puck on what seems to be another great season. Watch out for these teams to either sink or swim in the quest for Lord’s Stanley Cup. Phil Novotny can be reached at philip. novotny@theminaretonline.com
NFL Attempts To Put Troubled September Behind It
By DOMINICK FALCO Sports Writer
The NFL has always been at the forefront of social progress. They have worked toward the future and changed with the times in a positive manner. However, this September seems like the NFL has taken a step back due to the multiple scandals that has tarnished their reputation. This is the first time that the NFL has seemed out of place. The league has been so well-run under commissioner Roger Goodell, but now some major flaws in the system are being revealed. The all-knowing and powerful Goodell is now looking like a confused school boy who just learned about his manhood. With nowhere left to turn, it seemed like the NFL’s commissioner was going to step up and take responsibility for his mistakes when he called for a press conference on Sept. 19. It turned out that this wasn’t the case. In fact, he did everything he could to not put the blame on himself, but it seemed like that is all he could do during the press conference with answers like, “I disappointed myself. I disappointed the NFL. I disappointed our fans,” and “I got it wrong on a number of levels.” Goodell never bothered to explain why he was wrong. There was still the situation of Ray Rice’s video tape that the league apparently never received, along with the cases of Adrian Peterson, Ray McDonald and Greg Hardy that have not yet been resolved. The one thing that came out of this 45 minute charade was the plan of the league working on a new personal conduct policy.
As if one press conference was not enough, just days later, a press conference was called by Baltimore Ravens owner Steve Bisciotti. This was just another man in power trying to get out of the hot seat by throwing someone else under the bus. During his time on stage, Bisciotti took a lot of heat for the organization’s handling of Rice. Bisciotti did a good job of answering the questions about his handling of Rice, but he also did his fair share of deflecting. The Ravens’ owner blamed the NFL for their lack of aggressiveness in their investigation of the Rice situation and questioned their attempts in obtaining the video that caused Rice to be indefinitely suspended. Not much was accomplished in either of these press conferences and not many important questions were answered. All this showed was how well these men can speak to a crowd and how shrewd the high powers of the NFL can really be. Before now, Goodell and the league executives always seemed to be on the ball but this lack of judgment and repeated mistakes are leaving a stain on “the shield.” There is the big question that is still to be determined: where does the NFL go from here? Expect for changes to come. It is a given that there will be a new personal conduct policy on the horizon, but what will come from that? Look for Goodell to lose some of his power as a result of his former gaffes. Also, look for the league to become more transparent with their policies, and especially, their investigative findings. The NFL has always preached
Keith Allison/ Flickr
Ravens owner Steve Bisciotti has taken a fair amount of criticism of his handling of the Ray Rice scandal.
transparency with teams, and it is time for the them to do the same. New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees spoke to the media about his thoughts on what a new system should look like: “Too many times, I’d say especially over the last few years, a punishment’s been handed down and nobody has really seen the evidence except for those in the league office -- supposedly,” Brees said. “So decisions were made in kind of a, ‘Hey, trust us’ way. But did the public see any of the facts? Did the accused see any of the facts? In most cases, no.” Brees was also joined by teammate Zach Strief, who serves as the Saints’ union representative, in the discussion about Goodell and the league. “There needs to be a
system of checks and balances in place and I think there needs to be transparency in how that all goes down. I’m tired of this veil of secrecy behind it. You get stuck in a situation where nobody has a clue what’s going on, you deal with assumptions, and it’s a circus,” Strief said. Goodell is not perfect and neither is the league, but it will be easier for the public and the players to forgive them if there is transparency. The NFL needs to change from its “unilateral” system if they want to improve in the future. September has been the toughest in recent memory and will not be the last struggle the league will go through, but this will result in a better league. Dominick Falco can be reched at dominick.falco@spartans.ut.edu
SPORTS
THE MINARET | OCTOBER 2 2014
17
DeGrom Leads NL Rookie Of The Year Chase
By CONNOR ANTHONY Sports Writer
The 2013 National League Rookie of the Year award race became one of the most exciting races in recent history. Not only were the top two candidates the youngest players in the league, but they were also both Cuban. Yasiel Puig and Jose Fernandez (of the Dodgers and Marlins, respectively) captivated the baseball world with their skills. Puig made his debut June 3 and threw out a runner from right field at first base to end the game. Between the great throws, clutch hitting and unforgettable bat flips; Puig became ESPN’s favorite new athlete. Jose Fernandez, all 21years of him became an absolutely dominating pitcher, leading the league in hits per nine innings (5.8) and finished with a 2.16 ERA. Fernandez ended up winning Rookie of the Year with arguably the greatest rookie season ever. However, the 2014 season was very weak on the National League front. Cincinnati Reds center fielder Billy Hamilton was the early favorite to take home the honors. Hamilton drew national attention in 2012 while in the minor leagues when he racked up a jaw dropping 155 stolen bases between AA and AAA. While groomed as a shortstop, scouts and front office personnel pointed to his weak defense as a defect once he came to the major leagues, eventually leading him to his current position in center field. After a season in which he helped the Reds to a spot in the Wild Card
Game, it was assumed that he could be the leadoff man for a potentially strong Cincinnati lineup. Well, that didn’t happen, as the Reds floundered under first year manager Bryan Price. Regardless, New York Mets starter Jacob DeGrom emerged onto the scene and ended up pitching well enough to give Mets fans a hope for the future. DeGrom posted a 9-6 record with a 2.63 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and 147 strikeouts in 140 innings. DeGrom will add to the Mets’ rebuilding plans once aligned with a healthy Matt Harvey, an up and coming Zack Wheeler and Noah Syndergaard to possibly give the Mets one of the best pitching rotations in all of major league baseball for years to come. Hamilton was the favorite to take home the award before DeGrom came onto the scene and became one of the most exciting pitchers to watch until he was shut down for the season. While both of these candidates have posted less than eye-popping statistics for their rookie years, the voting will still only end in favor of one. Hamilton is currently tied for second in the majors with steals at 56.. Also, Hamilton currently has six home runs and 48 RBIs, which is low but an exemption because of his usual spot as a leadoff hitter. In addition, he is hitting .250 and with an abysmal .292 on base percentage (OBP). An OBP of less than .300 is nearly unacceptable for a major league player, but even more so for a leadoff hitter, whose primary job is to get on base. Though Hamilton has eight triples, he has also been caught stealing 23 times or 29 percent of the time, a
slgckgc/Flickr Mets starter Jacob DeGrom has quickly became a steady force in a homegrown
number he will have to thoroughly cut down. Hamilton sadly won’t be the one taking home this piece of hardware. Though DeGrom was called up later in the season and was only able to make 22 starts, he has proved himself as the 2014 National League Rookie of the Year. DeGrom had a pretty impressive rookie year and will also get help from nearly no opposition. While it would have been interesting to see a full season of DeGrom and the potential that he could display, it’s understandable why the Mets shut him down due to the fact that fans do not want a repeat of what happened to Harvey last
season. Harvey needed Tommy John Surgery after tearing his UCL in his elbow which ended his 2013 season and sidelined him for all of the 2014 campaign as well. After the weekend is over and the Baseball Writers’ Association of America (BBWAA) cast their votes, Jacob DeGrom should and will be taking the ROY honors home with him. Once Harvey comes back healthy next year and Syndergaard finally makes his major league debut, the Mets will be able to be able to make themselves relevant in the city that never sleeps. Connor Anthony can be reached connor.anthony@spartans.ut.edu
White Sox Slugger Abreu Is AL ROY Front Runner
There are some rookies that put solid seasons together but were Sports Writer just an injury or slump away from Unlike many of the other award seriously challenging Abreu for the watches in Major League Baseball, the Rookie of the Year. A perfect example American League Rookie of the Year is pitcher Masahiro Tanaka of the award seems to be an easy call. New York Yankees. Jose Abreu of the Chicago White Sox Tanaka was 12-4 with a 2.51 ERA has emerged as one of the best hitting and 135 strikeouts to only 19 walks to first basemen in not only the American start the season. Unfortunately, he hurt League, but in all of Major League his elbow right before the All-Star break Baseball. Upon entering the league, and has not pitched since. some speculated Abreu didn’t deserve a If he stayed healthy, he would have chance at the award because he already been in the conversation for both the played professional baseball for five Rookie of the Year and Cy Young years in Cuban Serie Nacional. While in awards. He attempted to come back a bit Cuba, he set a home run record in 2010too early and re-aggravated his elbow 2011 and was named the league’s Most during a rehab throwing season that stalled his return. He returned during the Yankees’ final series against Boston at Fenway, but struggled in his lone start. The Japanese import allowed five run and was pulled less than two innings into his start. There is another rookie pitcher wearing the Yankee pinstripes that had a promising season that went somewhat unnoticed. Reliever Dellin Betances has emerged as the most intimidating reliever in baseball this season. The 6-foot-8 rookie sports a fastball that regularly hits 99 mph. He leads all relievers in innings (83), strikeouts (125), and WAR (2.9). His 1.41 ERA has been one of the few stabilities to the Yanks’ roster this Dustin Mosler/Flickr season. He will most likely not get the Chicago first baseman Jose Abreu has been a revalation during his first season in the states. award because voters are often reluctant By JAMES BELLUSCIO
Valuable Player. After signing a six-year contract with the White Sox worth $68 million, he has proven to be worth every penny. At the All-Star Break, Abreu had a .292 batting average with 73 RBIs and a league leading 29 home runs. During the season, he was named both AL Player of the Month and AL Rookie of the Month in April and July. That was the first time in history a player won both awards in the same month twice in one season. This season, Abreu is hitting .317 with 36 home runs and 107 RBI. Add in the league’s best slugging percentage (.590), and you’ve got an easy call for Rookie of the Year, regardless of already playing professional ball.
to give relief pitchers awards due to how unpopular the position is. The rest of the possibilities, barring a catastrophic meltdown from Abreu, simply do not have enough time or statistics to make their case. Yordano Ventura of the Kansas City Royals has the second fastest baseball this season, which averages just over 96 mph. He is 12-9 with a 3.25 ERA and has 134 strikeouts in 158 innings this season. That is a very impressive stat line for any pitcher, let alone a rookie. But Abreu had MVP like numbers, and 12 wins is not enough to win the award. Another pitcher that deserves a mention is the Blue Jays’ Marcus Stroman. Stroman has been very effective with a 3.07 ERA since moving into the rotation in late May. But, he simply did not pitch enough to beat out Abreu. Abreu’s bat and strong defense set him apart from a pitcher-heavy field in the American League. Unlike the National League’s rookie class, which can be considered weak to say the least, the AL was strong this year. At the very least, it’s safe to assume we have four future stars in Abreu. Tanaka, Betances and Ventura. And the best part about the four of them? They are all foreign born players, which speaks to how strong baseball has become as a global brand. Tomorrow’s stars will only to continue and perpetuate that brand. James Belluscio can be reached at james.belluscio@spartans.ut.edu
18 OCTOBER 2 2014 | THE MINARET
SPORTS
Keith Allison/Flickr, Salina Canizales/Flickr Orioles Designated Hitter Nelson Cruz and Dodgers Right Fielder Yasiel Puig look to lead their teams towards another World Series title after an impressive 2014 regular season.
2014 MLB Postseason Could Be One For The Ages
By GRIFFIN GUINTA Sports Columnist
American League Matchups Detroit Tigers vs. Baltimore Orioles The Tigers are only two years removed from a World Series thrashing at the hands of the Giants, but this time, they return to the playoffs with arguably the best arms factory in all of baseball. Manager Brad Ausmus will have a tough time selecting which four guys he wants starting from his arsenal of weapons, but ultimately the four-man rotation should look something like this: the past three AL Cy Young Award winners in Max Scherzer, David Price, Justin Verlander and a vastly improved Rick Porcello. The Orioles, meanwhile, have a solid pitching staff held intact by the likes of Chris Tillman and Miguel Gonzalez, but their true strength lies in their potent offense. The O’s ranked sixth in the league in total offense this year, scoring a whopping 209 home runs as a team. Of those 209 bombs, Nelson Cruz, Chris Davis, and Adam Jones were responsible for 94. Baltimore will go as far as their offense takes them in this series. The Verdict: Detroit seems to have Baltimore figured out, winning five out of six regular season games against the O’s this season. Additionally, it’s hard to argue against a team with reigning MVP Miguel Cabrera and three former Cy Young Winners. Detroit Wins 3-2.
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim vs. Kansas City Royals There hasn’t been a hotter team than the Angels in all of baseball. After a neck and neck divisional race with Oakland, the Halos completely pulled away (helped by a sudden A’s collapse) and nearly won 100 games this year. That being said, regular season achievements don’t matter in the playoffs and the Angels will have to be on their guard against whichever Wild Card team they play. If it’s the Royals, expect a balanced attack with electric pitching and a serviceable offense. Don’t expect Kansas City to attempt to outmuscle the likes of the surprising Matt Shoemaker and perennial playoff stalwart Jered Weaver, though. The Royals don’t have a single player on their roster that eclipsed 20 home runs this year (Alex Gordon was the closest with 19). Nonetheless, KC’s starting pitching trio of James Shields, Jason Vargas, and Yordano Ventura should give their offense a chance no matter what. If it’s the A’s, rivalry plays a huge factor here. The A’s are out for blood after surrendering their gaping lead in the AL West and will relish the chance to boot their southern neighbors out of the postseason. Financially speaking, this is a classic example of a David vs. Goliath scenario. Crafty A’s general manager Billy Beane would love to prove that money is not his object by having his $83 million payroll team knock off the team that invested $240
million into Albert Pujols (and have a $155 million payroll this year). Enticing matchups between the A’s duo of Samardzija/Lester and Angels’ hurlers Weaver/Shoemaker will make this series a fun one to watch. The Verdict: The Angels simply have too much star power for Kansas City to handle and should be able to swiftly defeat them with home field advantage. If history indicates anything, the Angels shouldn’t take any team lightly, as they haven’t made a World Series appearance since 2002.Angels Win 3-1. National League St.Louis Cardinals vs. Los Angeles Dodgers Surprise, surprise, the Cardinals and Dodgers meet once again in the playoffs. Dodgers owner Magic Johnson was edged by a bird yet again after his billion dollar investment Dodgers dropped the NLCS 4-2 to St. Louis last year. This time, expect things to be vastly different. It’s easy to overrate the Dodgers in any situation, but they’ve looked more poised than ever this season. St. Louis is always bound to surprise in any playoff scenario, but this might be the year the Dodgers finally take the next step. It’s hard to see the Cards getting past Cy Young favorite Clayton Kershaw (21-3, 1.77 ERA), especially given catcher Yadier Molina’s injury bitten year. The Verdict: Los Angeles has invested an exorbitant amount of money into this team and will finally reap the fruits of their spending spree. St. Louis has proved they’re a different team in the playoffs (winning the World Series
in 2011 and appearing in it last year), but the Dodgers will pull through. If anything else, they’ll do it for longtime broadcaster Vin Scully. Dodgers win 3-2. Washington Nationals vs. San Francisco Giants/ Pittsburgh Pirates Venue Information Hats off to the Nationals for finally circumventing their annual midseason choke to make the playoffs (as a number one seed, no less.) It’s been a long time coming for the Nationals, who always have a contending team that never gets to show its merit past September. It won’t be easy regardless of which team they face, as Pittsburgh and San Francisco have every reason to believe they belong in the World Series. San Francisco, as you might recall, won it all in 2010 and 2012. (If patterns suggest anything, they’re a lock to win it all in 2014.) The Buccos are probably just happy to be in the playoffs after a shaky start and are playing for all of Pittsburgh, a city without a World Series since 1979. Regardless of who wins the Wild Card matchup, defeating Washington’s top ranked pitching staff will be a hefty task. The Verdict: Washington may be inexperienced, but they are the best team overall of the three teams listed. San Francisco might get farther than Pittsburgh, but at the end of the day the Nationals should at least make it past the first round. If PIT…Nationals Win 3-1 If SF.... Nationals Win 3-2. Griffin Guinta can be reached at griffin. guinta@spartans.ut.edu
Jeter’s final season filled with legendary moments
From JETER Page 1
This season has been a swan song filled with highlights for the Yankee captain. From his climb up the latter of the all-time hits list (he finished with 3,465, good enough for sixth) to his fine performance in his ninth and final All-Star Game (where he went 2-for-2 and was voted a starter by the fans), Jeter gave his fans a final season to remember. But his finale at new Yankee Stadium, which is already being dubbed by some of the Bronx faithful as “The House That Jeter Built,” was the storybook ending that many of us expected from him. The Yankees were up against the divisionwinning Orioles, a team that had caused a lot of great battles early in the Captain’s career. Bottom of the ninth inning, and the game was tied 5-5. Teammate and friend Ichiro Suzuki was on second base, and Jeter came up to the plate. The crowd fell silent as Jeter came up and worked the count to 1-2. But when he ripped an Evan Meek pitch into right field, the stadium erupted with a noise so loud that it definitely registered on the Richter scale. A walk-off RBI single gave the Yankees
the win, and Jeter’s fellow Bronx Bombers mobbed him on the field as the atmosphere was filled with cries of jubilation. It was an ending straight out of a fairy tale, and a moment that just had to happen. For all of Jeter’s struggles this season (including his 0-for-24 streak at the plate that he snapped against the Rays on September 17), that moment made all of the rough stretches worth it. It is a moment that will not only be etched in Yankee legend, but in the history books of Major League Baseball as well. Try as they might, the Yankees will never be able to truly replace Jeter. He was a transcendent talent at one of the hardest defensive positions (shortstop) in baseball. But he was also much more than that. Jeter’s style of play and leadership have spread throughout the world of sports. Arizona Cardinals receiver Larry Fitzgerald talked to Sports Illustrated’s Peter King about one of the highlights in the Captain’s career, and the lesson learned afterward. “My favorite Derek Jeter moment happened July 2004 in the 12th inning of a tie game versus the rival Red Sox. Jeter tracks a fly off the bat of Trot Nixon, makes
a sensational catch and dives head-first into the stands. The Yankees won the game in 13 innings. Jeter’s postgame comments were classic: ‘I always play hard and lead by example. That’s my job.’ That moment stuck with me as I headed into my first NFL training camp,” Fitzgerald said. Legendary players inspire other great talents to follow their lead. Jeter is basically a lock as a first ballot Hall of Famer. Based on his career trajectory, it looks like Fitzgerald has a solid chance to join him, albeit in the NFL. Of course, playing with a collection of superstars and eclectic personalities has forged Jeter into the charismatic leader he has become. From Mariano Rivera to ARod, Jeter has led these men by his tireless, winning attitude on the field, and mostly quiet life off of it. So now that Derek Jeter is leaving baseball behind, where does the sport turn to replace him? Much like the Yankees above, the league simply cannot. The Captain’s hard nosed style of play, pearly white smile, ability to lead by example, and be a global face for the MLB is something that cannot be replaced by one type of player. He is the
last true icon for arguably the world’s most recognizable sports franchise. All we can do is follow his example. Dallas Cowboys coach Jason Garrett said it best: “I can’t tell you how much I love him. A couple of years ago, in spring training, I had a chance to spend 30 minutes with him. I wanted to talk to him about leadership, and about empowering some of our players to be leaders. He told me something I knew all along, but coming from him, it just meant more. It was words to the effect of, Leadership is more about what I do, not what I say. You don’t tell people you’ve got to run out every ground ball. You just run out every ground ball. I always liked what John Madden said about him the most: ‘Derek Jeter’s one of those guys you pick first. Then you decide what sport you’re playing,’” Garrett told King. Thus ends the career of the Captain. Even though Jeter will no longer be playing the game that made him who he is today, his impact will always be felt for generations to come. Jordan Llanes can be reached at jordan. llanes@theminaretonline.com
SPORTS
THE MINARET | OCTOBER 2 2014
19
Sophomore Striker Martin Spearheads Spartan Offense By ANDREW STAMAS Sports Writer
Sophomore forward Chelsea Martin has played a key role in the Spartans’ successful start to their season. The UT women’s soccer team has had a great start to their season so far. With a record of 7-0-2, the Spartans are currently ranked thirteenth in the nation. They also occupy first place in the Sunshine State Conference. Their current goal differential is an astonishing +33, as they have scored 35 goals in their first nine games, while only conceding two. “The team has bonded very well together this year. We took a slightly smaller squad eliminating fringe players who in the past have been hurtful to the mood within the team. The feedback we’ve received is that this year’s team get along well with each other. We have taken away the borders of each academic class and made them aware that we are all one. The returning players came back with strong belief that we can succeed and the incoming players have caught onto their drive,” said head coach Gerry Lucey. Like Coach Lucey, Martin also believes that her team’s bonding has contributed to their good results. “We have great chemistry this year. I think everyone is wanting to work harder and fight harder. We’ve gotten off to a good start with that” she said. Martin also believes that her team has even more to offer. She said “I think we could work on communication out on the field. We also need to work on strength and
aggression on the field to win tackles.” A local girl from nearby Bradenton, Martin has made a large impact on this team during her time here so far. “I feel that I have the heart and desire to want to be here. I have a positive attitude and always try to stay as positive as I can” said Martin. When asked about Chelsea, Coach Lucey was quick to praise her. He said “Chelsea has been a valuable member of the team over the past couple of seasons. She has worked her way into a starting position and has been pretty much ever present this season. Chelsea is an attack minded player who has the technical quality to beat players off the dribble and see the best options available. She still has a long way to go in her development and hopefully we will be able to help her achieve those goals.” Those goals are something that Martin is keen on achieving. “Personally, I want to get stronger and fight harder” were her words. The team also has big goals for the remainder of the season. “[Our goal is] to win a national championship. I feel like this is the year, because we have a lot of potential,” Martin explained. Coach Lucey also added “We just want to keep on improving individually and once we accomplish that goal we will become far better collectively. We have a lot of room for improvement and hopefully the players will continue to strive to reach their team and individual targets.” Andrew Stamas can be reached at andrew.stamas@theminaretonline.com
Photo Courtesy of Tom Kolbe and Rashaad Long/The Minaret Chelsea Martin’s performance has been paramount for the women’s soccer team’s success in 2014.
Men’s And Women’s Cross Country Team Off To Roaring Start And Look To Continue Momentum in 2014
By GRANT PAWLAK Sports Writer
The men and women’s cross country team has had a phenomenal start to the season, with the women’s team placing first in all three meets including the University of South Florida open. Also, the men’s team started the season strong, placing third in their opening meet and following it up with a second and fourth place finish in their next two meets at the UT Early Bird Classic and the UF Invite, respectively. In fact, the USF open saw the women’s team place five runners in the top-10 including a first place win by junior Chantalle Blundell along with sophomore Claudia Cancello, junior Danielle Kissel, freshman Aislinn Sroczynski and Marissa Yovetich. Overall, the men’s team finished strong in the race with sophomore Lars Benner coming in at seventeenth place followed by freshman Joey Maus, sophomore Cory Munsch and junior Tyler Blackburn among other Spartan runners. The UT Early Bird Classic saw more success for the Spartans with Blundell leading UT with a fourthplace finish and a time of 19:25.20. Her teammate Kissel finished 10 seconds later with C. Cancello finishing next. The Spartans placed seven runners in the top-20 including runners Aislinn Sroczynski, sophomore Brianna Jackson and freshman Kayla Sullivan.
Five runners from the men’s team were able to place in the top 20 as well including Benner leading the Spartans with an eleventh place finish. Benner was followed by Tyler Blackburn, sophomore Brendan McGonagle and freshman Mitch Arnold. “We hope to continue improving, and our top three girls on the team know how to push each other,” said Chantalle Blundell. “I think we were stronger than we were last year, so hopefully that will push us to do well
in conference and regionals.” The UF Invite saw the women’s team take their third straight victory with three of the Spartans finishing in the top five. Leading the Spartans was Blundell finishing the 5K with a time of 18:20.05, followed by Kissel (18:32.91) and C. Cancello (18:39.25.) The Spartans also had three more runners place in the top-20 including Spartans Elaina Cancello, Aislinn Sroczynski and Rachel Higgins.
Photo courtesy of Tom Kolbe
The men’s and women’s cross country team looks to continue their dominance in 2014.
“I think the team is doing really well so far. We have some good freshmen that could definitely make their way up if they continue training and improving,” said sophomore Ariana Sotorpolis. “We also have the runners who are coming back who are doing really well and have been training all summer. We definitely want to make it to nationals, and rank among the top teams.” The men’s team was led by Benner with a twentieth place finish coming in with a time of 26:11.34.Benner was then followed by Blackburn, Maus and Munsch. “I feel the strongest area of this team is team spirit, we have great cocaptains, who are great leaders,”said Head Coach Jarrett Slaven. “They help keep the other kids focused, and maintained on their workouts while also making it fun. There’s a lot of team bonding and spirit. But when it comes to weak areas we have to get really strong, we need to have the girls placing fourth through seventh move up in order to do well at conference and regionals.” The men’s amd women’s cross country team has six more meets left in their season. The Spartans are far from the end of their season, but if their past performance is any indication to the future, they will look to have a promising year in 2014. Grant Pawlak can be reached at grant.pawlak@spartans.ut.edu
20 OCTOBER 2 2014 | THE MINARET
SPORTS
Coach’s Corner: Men’s Soccer Coach Adrian Bush
Photo courtesy of Tom Kolbe
Men’s soccer coach Adrian Bush achieved his 100th victory last week against West Alabama. By ED KERNER Sports Writer
The men’s soccer team squared off against the No.21 West Alabama Tigers in what would be a memorable day. The Spartans marched in with a solid 3-1-1 record versus the Tigers’ equally comparable 3-2 record. The game started off slowly with West Alabama putting plenty of pressure on the goal. The first breakthrough came in the thirtieth minute with senior Andrew Clare scoring his first goal of the season by a great assist from senior Craig Laird.
Just one minute later, junior Nikolai Hammer hammered home the second goal for the Spartans with a beautiful assist from senior Daniel Barboto. The Spartans offense was clicking on all cylinders as they outshot West Alabama 18-9 that day. A major part of the offense was senior Alex Knaggs who had four of our 18 shots on goal. But it wasn’t just the offense that shined on Sunday, freshman goalkeeper Zak Downes was perfect in goal with four fantastic saves on the afternoon. As the game ended by a score of 2-0, the Spartans walked away with
another well-deserved win. But Coach Bush had a bigger reason to celebrate. Bush had earned his one hundredth win, a feat that has only been reached twice in the history of The University of Tampa. Bush has been a part of Spartan athletics since his playing career began with the Spartans in 1990, and captioned the Spartans to the 1994 NCAA National Championship. He was awarded the 1994 Adidas National Player of the Year honor for his outstanding play. Bush was a four-time All-south region and All-SSC performer, as well as the first Spartan soccer player to be inducted into the Sunshine State Conference Hall of Fame in 2002. After a short stint as an assistant coach with the Spartans, as well as coaching various teams in the area, Bush became head coach for the 2005 season. He started out his coaching career earning seven, eight, and 13 wins in his first three seasons as head coach respectively. In Bush’s fourth season, he struck gold, leading the team to an 18-41 record, as well as reaching the Final Four of the NCAA tournament. His next season was just as amazing achieving a 17-3-1 record while reaching the Quarterfinals of the NCAA tournament.
Every season seems to be a winner for Bush and he continues to turn out great players from the programs. Over a four year span Bush watched four of his players get selected in a professional soccer draft. When asked about recent performances, Bush said “The focus these past few weeks has been tempo and looking to be more efficient with the final product.” Bush says he has noticed a significant increase in consistency with the overall product. Talking about the win, Bush said, “Our senior leadership has been outstanding with the six seniors, they have done a good job of making sure the new players understand the importance of these games.” What is a team without a coach? Every team needs a coach no matter what level of sport you are playing. Whether it’s recreational, middle school, college, professional, or even intramural competition. Overall, you need a coach to give you guidance and keep you organized to lead you to victory. Usually a coach has plenty of playing experience and has a vast knowledge of the ins and outs of the sport. Without one, a team will be lost. Ed Kerner can be reached at edward.kerner@spartans.ut.edu
Men’s Soccer Team Motivated By Previous Winning Streak Moving Forward By REGINA GONZALEZ Sports Writer
The men’s soccer team had an outstanding three-game winning streak these past two weeks. They shutout West Florida University, West Alabama University and defeated Florida Southern College. Despite the inclement downpour on Sept. 19, the Spartans’ defense kept the West Florida Argonauts from scoring while they managed to connect two goals in the first half by junior Chris Cambell in the eighteenth minute and by freshman Monty Berrow in the forty-first minute, bringing the final score of 2-0. Freshman goalkeeper Zak Downes aided the team in their success with seven saves. The men then took their motivation with them on the field to their next game on Sept. 21 as they defeated West Alabama 20, giving Head Coach Adrian Bush his hundredth career victory at the university. “I don’t share this award alone, it is shared with the hardworking staff and players and as our hundredth win, it’s great, but now we need to focus on our next win,” Bush said. The men’s team did succeed in winning their next game when they defeated Florida Southern College this past Wednesday, September 24. Freshman Bay Downing put the Spartans on the scoreboard scoring the first goal of the game and his first of the season in the twenty-first minute, assisted by seniors Andrew Clare and Craig Laird. As Florida Southern brought the score to 1-1 in the thirty-fifth minute, Tampa retaliated as Campbell
scored in the beginning of the second half and freshman, Monty Berrow, finished off with a penalty kick in the seventy-first minute, giving the Spartans a 3-1 lead and ultimate sweep against another opponent. The win was a great achievement for the team. The Spartans lost to Florida Southern by giving up a penalty kick and two red cards, stirring up a shaky stage of undisciplined games to come after that. “Our biggest focus since Sunday heading into the same opponent from this time last year was discipline. If they can stay disciplined, they can do some dynamite things,” Bush said. Senior Kevin Knowles agreed they came in more prepared this season than last. “We knew that they were strong coming from the flanks and their best two offensive players were the fast guys outwide. We focused on overloading the sides so they would have a tough time coming down. We made it difficult for them so we could play our game, create chances and score,” Knowles said. In their game against Florida Southern, the Spartans played the most efficient game of their season so far and maintained a consistent performance to help guide their success. “We haven’t just been winning, we’ve been playing efficiently because we’ve been playing as a team,” said senior Craig Laird. If you can’t conceive you can’t lose and we are buzzed about what we have achieved together.” The chemistry and overall depth of the team has been key as they have worked well together in their last few games. With
Alex Jackson/The Minaret
The men’s soccer team is motivated by their previous performance in the past week.
six new starters, Knowles described the freshmen “as the best group they’ve had yet.” Bush added that this year’s roster is “the deepest team I’ve had in my nine years of coaching. Everyone on this team can play and we have a very good vibe with the group, it is all bought into group success and playing for each other. We’re doing great but we have a long way to go, if we can continue to grow each game, were a team that’s going to be there in the end.”
As the Spartans prepare to take on Lynn College in Boca Raton on Sept. 27, they are pumped with the current success they have had, and will be using that motivation to guide the future of their season. “I feel great to have won these last two games against regional opponents. The coaches have prepared us physically and mentally so that it carries over onto the field. All we can do is give it our best,” Clare said. Regina Gonzalez can be reached at regina.gonzalez2@spartans.ut.edu