The Minaret

The Editor Says Goodbye to Four-Year Minaret Career

Pg. 14

MINARET

Asst. Editor Bids Farewell to Second Family, The Minaret

UNIVERSITY OF TAMPA’S NEWS SOURCE SINCE 1933

THE

Vol. 76 No. 28

Pg. 14

April 30, 2010 ut.minaret@gmail.com theminaretonline.com

Concert Canceled

Rain or Shine Spring Concert Shut Down Due to Severe Lightning

UT’s 128th Commencement to Honor 1,144 Graduates

By CARA MARZILLI News Reporter

Three attendees of Party in the Park run to the Plant Hall verandah as the storm suddenly picked up.

Kara Wall/The Minaret

By DANIEL FEINGOLD TAMPA - After much excitement and anticipation, Party in the Park 2010 was canceled due to the severe rain and thunderstorms that hit the Tampa Bay area last Sunday evening.

Since the end of the semester is here, another concert cannot be rescheduled.

Katie Kerins, music chair for Student Productions, began planning the concert upon her arrival after summer break. Kerins reserved Plant Park for the weekend of April 25, which she said was the only weekend that was available.

Besides the fact that the school year is drawing to a close, Slightly Stoopid has its own schedule to keep up with.

Kerins said it just wasn’t possible to arrange for another show this year.

“I was planning this since the first week we got back to school, so it was really hard to have it not work out,” Kerins said.

On the morning of the concert, Kerins checked the weather forecast and did not expect a storm of such magnitude.

“At 8 a.m. when we checked the weather, there was like a 40

percent chance of rain that night and it didn’t say anything about severe storms, so we took the precautions in case of the rain,” said Kerins.

Concert organizers had tarps and tents readily available.

Media Services and Student Productions did have a backup plan established in case a situation arose.

Had the event been moved elsewhere, the secondary location was to be the Martinez Sports Center.

However, Rachel Rollo, coordinator of Student Programs and

Events explained that setting up for the concert in a different location needed to begin at 8 a.m. on Sunday at the earliest.

“If we knew that there were gonna be storms that severe in advanced, we would’ve had to make the changes long before Sunday,” Rollo said.

Kerins said that Student Productions would be willing to schedule 20/20 Boulevard and Daniel B. Marshall, the bands that were slated to open for Slightly Stoopid, for a performance at the beginning of next school year.

[See 7]

ACLU Raises Awareness About Torture in Interrogation

By KYLE BENNETT Sports Editor

TAMPA - The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) brought its Reckoning with Torture program to The University of Tampa on April 22 to raise awareness about the unlawful interrogation techniques used by many nations, including the United States of America.

Reckoning with Torture is a collection of memos and personal testimonies gathered from the War on Terror.

These are documented personal testimonies from prisoners detained by U.S. custody.

The excerpts explain, in detail, the tactics used by military personal during the War on Terror.

Abu Zubaydah was in United States custody and held at a secret CIA prison.

His personal testimony is included in a report by International Committee for the Red Cross

ACLU speaks to students and faculty.

Scott Silvestro/The Minaret

about the treatment he underwent while detained in U.S. custody.

UT student Eric Zelter read Zubaydah's testimony.

Walling is a torture technique used by these interrogators, according to the report from Zubaydah.

According to the ACLU wall-

ing is using a flexible false wall (usually plywood) to promote a bounce affect to cut down on the physical bruises left on the victim.

According to ACLU the prisoners are slammed into the wall.

The neck is supported by a rolled towel to prevent whiplash

and permanent injury to the prisoner.

Another technique described in the testimony is waterboarding.

During waterboarding the individual is tied to an inclined bench, and a towel is placed over his or her eyes and face.

Water is poured onto the cloth, cutting off the victims air supply, giving the affect that the victim is drowning which causes extreme mental stress and permanent disorders according to the ACLU. The ACLU, as stated on its website, is “Our nation's guardian of liberty, working daily in courts, legislatures and communities to defend and preserve the individual rights and liberties guaranteed to all people in this country by the Constitution and laws of the United States.”

For more information visit www.aclufl.org.

Kyle can be reached at kbennett@ut.edu.

TAMPA - On Saturday, May 8 the University of Tampa’s 128th commencement will honor 1,144 graduates, including 913 bachelor’s degree candidates and 231 graduate degree candidates graduates.

This is the second record breaking year in a row that the St. Pete Times forum will house more than 1,000 graduates.

This year’s commencement speaker is Rashid Skaf, a ‘92 UT alumnus. Skaf is the current president and CEO of AMX, a Texasbased firm that develops tailored solutions to meet the evolving technological needs of customers in a variety of industries.

UT senior Paige Williams, of Apollo Beach, Fla., will introduce the speaker.

A marketing major, Williams ran cross country for UT for four years and competed in the national championships in both cross country and track.

Williams was also named an Academic All-American.

UT Senior Bryan Cormier, of Fitchburg, Mass., will issue the student challenge.

Graduating with a bachelor’s [See 4]

NEWS

2 Printing Changes Instituted for Fall Semester

4 Freshman Wins Bikes for Campus

ARTS + ENTERTAINMENT 9 Cartoonist Draws His Final Panel 9 20/20 Boulevard Reacts to Stoopid Weather

COMMENTARY

12 When Yesterdays Lead to Goodbyes 13 Sometimes Silence is Best

SPORTS

18 Tennis Signs High School Standout 19 May Sports Calendar

M

MINARET

2 APRIL 30 2010 | THE MINARET

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF + NEWS EDITOR Charlie Hambos

charlie.hambos@gmail.com

ASST. EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Mel Steiner

mel.c.steiner@gmail.com

A+E EDITOR Mike Trobiano

minaret.arts@gmail.com

COMMENTARY EDITOR Derrick Austin

minaret.commentary@gmail.com

SPORTS EDITOR Kyle Bennett

minaret.sports@gmail.com

ONLINE EDITOR Alex Vera

minaret.online@gmail.com

HEAD PHOTOGRAPHER Abby Sanford

abbster50@aol.com

ADVERTISING MANAGER

NEWS

Printing Changes to be Instituted at UT for Fall

By JEFFREY PALMER News Reporter

The fall semester will be marked by a number of crucial changes to computer lab printing at the University of Tampa.

Not only will color printers be installed in each of the major computer facilities in Vaughn, Sykes and Jaeb, but a page limit will be imposed on students making use of campus printers.

Although a concrete figure for this limit has yet to be determined, a reasonable cap will be established from data collected at the end of this semester.

The purpose of this new policy is not to punish students, explained computer lab coordinator Jennifer Jamison, but to encourage responsibility and maintain healthy school expenditures.

“The creation of a limit is meant to encourage sustainability on campus, as well as to prevent abuse.” said Jamison.

Under this new policy, the printing quota will be handled in a similar manner to that of UT Spartan dollars for meal plans.

At the beginning of each semester students will be afforded a set amount of money to spend on printing over the course of their studies.

Each page printed will be deducted from that sum, with black and white pages costing $0.10 and color pages $0.50.

Additional pages will be purchased through an online transaction with a debit or credit card.

Leftover lab dollars will not be transferable from semester to semester.

“The objective is that students who do not print excessively will have enough free pages to meet their needs each semester,” Jamison said.

To date, a staggering total of 1,600,407 pages have been printed since the beginning of the semester.

Stephen Koch/The Minaret

Starting in the fall, students will be able to print in color on campus but under the page limit imposition.

Students who contributed a thousand pages or more to this figure were contacted via email just before spring break.

One of these students, sophomore Thomas Lizza, expressed his concern over the new policy.

“I understand some people abuse the free printing in the labs

Graduating Senior Accepted into Top International Business School

Zoe LeCain

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ADVISER

Stephanie Tripp, PhD. stripp@ut.edu

COPY EDITORS Heather Gromley Laura Theobald

By SARAH GOTTLIEB News Reporter

REPORTERS

Jeffrey Palmer Mandy Erfourth Sarah Gottlieb Coryn Doncaster

STAFF WRITERS

Zach Fraser, A&E Brenton Burkett, Sports Ryan Burkett, Sports Daniel Feingold, Sports

COLUMNISTS

John Jacobs Heather Gromley

Javier Cumerma ‘10 was recently accepted into the Thunderbird School of Global Management.

One University of Tampa student set to graduate next week recently found out he was accepted to the Thunderbird School of Global Management, the number one international business school in the world.

Javier Cumerma was shocked when he got the news.

“I was so pessimistic about [getting in] that when I saw the acceptance email that said ‘Thun-

CREATIVE/DESIGN

Emilse Alvarado, Layout Max Roberts, Illustrator Austin Daniels, Cartoonist Scott Silvestro, Photographer Kara Wall, Photographer Kenny Quirk, Ad Designer You can reach The Minaret directly at 813.257.3636 The Minaret is a weekly student-run publication of the University of Tampa.

As a student organization, The Minaret invites all students to take part in its production. Inquiries and comments may be sent to ut.minaret@gmail.com Visit theminaretonline.com for up-to-the-minute information on top stories and breaking news.

Your first two copies of The Minaret are free. Each additional copy is $1.00.

and bump up the cost of cartridges and paper, but a university should have to deal with those kind of expenses,” he said.

“It’s not like any of us are coming to school and using the facilities for free anyway.”

Jeffrey can be reached at jpalmer@ut.edu.

By Cara Fetzer

Holiday bust At 4 p.m. on April 20, security responded to the fourth floor of Austin Hall in reference to a complaint about marijuana. The students were referred to the judicial board.

Wrecks in West On April 22, security responded to the second floor of West Parking Garage in reference to a motor vehicle accident.

Vandalizing villains A student complained that someone vandalized his car while parked in West Parking Garage on April 24.

Again?

A student reported a motor vehicle accident on the second floor of Thomas Parking Garage on April 24.

derbird congratulations’ I thought, ‘what are they congratulating me for, sending an application but not getting in?’” he said.

Cumerma, an international business and finance double major with a concentration in economics, believes it is his experience abroad that impressed Thunderbird.

“My application was only different because I worked in an international environment as an undergraduate,” he said.

“Whenever I had a break I was always working. I was always doing something related to my degree.”

Cumerma worked for Max Worldwide, an apparel manufacturer.

He spent one winter break in Europe, recruiting studios for the company in Brussels, Amsterdam and Paris.

Over one summer break, he worked in New York doing quality control functions and designing an international label for one of the products.

In addition to Cumerma’s international business experience, he has also helped his father’s business grow.

Cumerma developed a formal business strategy and worked on advertising for his father’s meat store.

Cumerma says he would like to work as a corporate sustainability manager, a job he said is currently growing.

“A job like this,” Cumerma said, “focuses on giving back to community instead of the big corporate image, which is stealing money from people.”

Only a small percentage of Thunderbird’s student population is from America. All of the classes have a global perspective.

“Every class is international. Sustainability is sustainability around the world,” Cumerma

said.

“While [at UT] you could take a multinational finance class, over there every class is multinational.”

While Cumerma is excited that he got in to such a high-ranked school, he is still weighing his options.

He’s waiting to hear back from seven other programs he applied to, including three in the Philadelphia area, where his brother and sister both live.

Should Cumerma attend Thunderbird, he will pursue two Master’s degrees.

The masters in global management would take a year and a half to complete. Then he would be required to work outside of Thunderbird for a year.

After completing work, he would automatically be eligible to return for his masters of business administration.

Cumerma said his parents were “so happy” to learn of his acceptance to Thunderbird.

Previously, though, Cumerma’s parents might not have been thrilled about him going to Arizona (where Thunderbird is located).

Four years ago, they didn’t want him to attend New York University because they thought it was too far from their Palm Beach home.

“They’re a lot more open minded now that [my brother] traveled.

He went to France to do his masters” Cumerma said.

“So now I’m allowed to leave Florida. Now New York is not far.

France is far.”

Throughout his UT career, Cumerma has made a point of applying his international experiences to his studies.

“Every time I go to class I’m thinking about his company and I’m thinking about the companies I’ve worked for and how to apply it,” he said.

Cumerma thanks professor Koutroumanis, who he said helped provide him with recommendations.

Cumerma said he will make his decision about where to attend school by the end of May.

NEWS

THE MINARET | APRIL 30 2010

3

In Digital Era, Bulletin Boards Remain Crucial Part of Communication

By AMANDA PRICE Journalism I

“You there! I bet you're creative.”

So it reads on Vaughn Center's second floor bulletin board at the University of Tampa.

Posts ranging from Latino Bible studies to the Spring Dance Concert scatter the board.

The poet searching for creativity presented blank lines for students to write three-word phrases, hoping to find a subtitle for his or her piece.

Bible study attendance may increase, but not necessarily due to the bulletin board.

In today's world of multifaceted communication, students can find information from a variety of sources.

Facebook groups and events are a simple way to stay informed. Who doesn't have a profile these days?

If the Internet were to shut down, students would need to turn to the old-fashioned bulletin board for academic and social news.

In an era of text messaging and Facebook, this one relic of the past still endures.

Cheryl Chernoff at the Office of Student Leadership and Engagement (OSLE) oversees publications of the type posted on the boards. They must be endorsed by a student organization and “cannot promote alcohol or smoking,” Chernoff warned.

Not all bulletin posts are directly related to a campus group, like the one for Hertz car rental.

Student government decided to back up the rental service. Announcements can also be “approved as a courtesy to the community,” said Chernoff. Babysitting falls under this category.

No student can casually tack an employer's restaurant menu or a band's concert dates to the board.

Fliers are run by OSLE for permission to advertise. Student groups are penalized Right Right across across the the riverriver fromfrom UT UT

Tel Tel 813-463-1999 813-463-1999 FaxFax 813-463-1996 813-463-1996

for posting without authorization.

Chernoff explains the consequences with no apparent leeway or sympathy.

After an initial warning, there is a suspension from advertising without approval that lasts for 30 days. The third strike is a 60-day suspension.

Rules pertaining to the bulletin board may be strict, but diverse material covers its surface.

A V.W. Cabriolet convertible is $3,500 for any takers.

Jeans are needed as donations for homeless teens.

How many students mill around the photograph of the convertible while considering their bank accounts or mentally count the pairs of jeans in their dorm?

The bulletin board is not flashy and is not the best means of catching attention.

Sophomore Resident Assistant Chelsea Michelson describes her hallway's board as “aesthetically pleasing” and says the best approach to creating a bulletin is to “grab their attention first” before getting into detail.

Her neighboring resident sophomore Michael Weber was asked about the second floor bulletin board.

“I don't even look at them. I don't know what you're talking about,” he said slowly, as if completely lost. Which, in a way, he is.

“The only thing that comes to mind is the TV with the weather on it,” he admitted.

Weber speaks of the television screen by the elevators on the first floor of Vaughn.

Other students recognized those as well.

Perhaps, in the end, technology will win

the battle against written word.

The screen Abby Sanford/The Minaret flashes images of dining specials and guest speakers, interactive communication among students is more feasible than on the somewhat dated bulletin board.

Opportunities can be taken in with a sweeping glance.

“You could be here” is a bold statement on a Campus Movie Fest poster with flashing bulbs and red carpet.

Free pool in the Spartan Club promoted Random Acts of Kindness week.

Metropolitan Ministries wants volunteers.

“I usually take pictures of fliers with my phone because I'm not going to remember,” said Michelson.

Busy students do not take the time to view the boards and some, of course, do not know where to find them.

The average college student finds plenty of time to check their Facebook ten times

per day.

Unlimited text messages fly among friends.

But when it comes to discovering oncampus events, students might check their email or, more likely simply miss out.

“The things that I looked at most are what's going on around campus,” said sophomore Elaine Thornton.

Most campus events can be found online.

Students post off-campus housing options on the bulletin board that could take hours to find on craigslist. It is a matter of standing before the board at the right time to find a post that peaks genuine interest.

Students rely on technology for so many aspects of their lives. The internet is an excellent means of on-campus communication, but the bulletin board still deserves a look. How else would students know that "Ryan" repairs cracked iPhone screens?

Without a glance at the old-fashioned, yet relatable, college bulletin board, students are less aware.

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4 APRIL 30 2010 | THE MINARET Commencement Ceremony Set

Charlie Hambos/The Minaret

NEWS [From Front] degree in history, Cormier was a member of the American Red Cross Disaster Relief Team and served in Louisiana and Mississippi following Hurricane Katrina. After graduating, he will enter a master’s program for administration of higher education at Suffolk University in Boston.

The 2009 Esse Quam Videri Award will be awarded to Thomas A. Meachum ’81, MBA ‘93. Meachum has served on the board of directors for Tampa Alpha, UT’s local alumni chapter, since 1993 and has helped raise more than $200,000 for the University at various Tampa Alpha activities.

April (Gillespie) Jones ’04 will receive the 2010 Young Alumnus Award. She has been on the National Alumni Association since shortly after graduation and is now the vice president of financial affairs for them.

Graduation will take place on Saturday, May 8 at 10 a.m. in the St. Pete Times forum, and the event is free and open to the public although seating is limited.

Last year’s graduates eagerly await receiving their diplomas.

Freshman Wins ‘Bikes for a Better U’

By JOSH NAPIER News Reporter

One of The University of Tampa’s own won General Mills’ “Bikes for A Better U” grand prize sweepstakes, donating 15 brand new Cycle Force bikes to the university.

Kealy McNeal, a freshman Marine Science major was attending the Pirate Fest festivities with friends this past January when she came upon pamphlets advertising to “win bikes for your university.”

According to McNeal, she filled out the pamMcNeal phlet and forgot all about it.

That is, until last week, when she was informed by the president of “Bikes for A Better U” that she was the grandprize winner.

“I’ve never won anything, so I’m excited that I get to give this back to UT,” McNeal said.

“The bikes are being delivered this summer and will be available for student use this fall semester.”

These bikes will allow UT to establish their first ever bicycle-sharing program to help students that may not have vehicles to get around campus and the city easier.

Abby Sanford/The Minaret

High fuel costs and environmentally friendly alternatives are also motives for colleges to establish bicycle-sharing programs.

The storage location and renting method of the bikes are still unknown. Members of the Office of Student Leadership and Engagement and Student Government will be meeting up this summer to determine how the bikes will best benefit students, said Stephanie Russell Holz, associate dean of students.

Josh can be reached at janapier@ ut.edu.

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6 APRIL 30 2010 | THE MINARET

Diversions FOR RELEASE MAY 2, 2010

THE TV CROSSWORD

by Jacqueline E. Mathews

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47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54

ACROSS Actor Rifkin Tit for __ Actress Mia __ Gorilla Actress McClanahan Bleachers level Brief life history Manufactured __ Garrett; role on “The Facts of Life�

Actor on “Law & Order�

Poisonous snake Actor McKellen Judd Hirsch’s role on “Numb3rs�

Role on “Alice�

Fruit spread Newsmagazine show host “Please Don’t __ the Daisies� “Old MacDonald had a farm, E, __, O. And on that farm there...�

Actress Barbara “Not __ Stranger�; Sinatra movie __ West “The __�; Wolf Blitzer’s series “It’s __, Mad, Mad, Mad World�

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 15 18 19 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 30 31

Solution to Last Week’s Puzzle

32 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45

(c) 2010 Tribune Media Services, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Top tracks

DOWN Harmon __; lead role on “JAG�

Mayberry resident __ lights; marquee borders “Lady and the __�; Disney film German car Smaller Isaac or Howard Verdi opera Payment to a landlord Smell __; suspect trickery Barker and Bell __ Marie Hupp “Road to __�; Crosby/Hope film “Ice __�; hit animated film Actor Nicholas __ Linkletter How Miss Piggy refers to herself Role on “The Beverly Hillbillies� “Car 54, Where __ You?� “The __ from U.N.C.L.E.�

One of the Simpsons “__ a Salesman�; Frederic March film from an Arthur Miller play Change directions Review the books Mr. Amsterdam Sothern or Jillian Shepard and Elliott “__ old cowhand from the Rio...�

Danny DeVito sitcom Actress __ Skye “__ and Again�

Woodwind instrument “Scenes from a __�; Midler film

( ) Last week’s ranking in top five

Nothin’ on You s " O "

(1) 1

OMG ‡ 8VKHU

(5) 2

Break Your Heart s 4AIO #RUZ

(2) 3

Your Love Is My Drug s +E HA

(4) 4

Hey, Soul Sister s 4RAIN

(3) 5

United Kingdom

Good Times 5ROO 'HHS

OMG s 5SHER

(2) 1

Once s $IANA 6ICKERS

(1) 2

Until You Were Gone ‡ &KLSPXQN

(3) 3

I Need You Tonight ‡ 3URIHVVRU *UHHQ

(5) 5

She Said ‡ 3ODQ %

4

Spain

Hope for Haiti Now 9DULRXV $UWLVWV

Sick of Love ‡ 5REHUW 5DPLUH]

(1) 1

Stereo Love s %DWARD -AYA 6IKA *IGULINA

(2) 2

TiK ToK s +E HA

(3) 3

Bad Romance s ,ADY 'A'A El Run Run ‡ (VWRSD Source: iTunes

Horoscopes

By Linda C Black / Tribune Media Services

Aries (March 21-April 19) Party hearty tonight! Social activities focus on recreation and romance. There’s more creative energy at play than you know what to do with.

Taurus (April 20-May 20) Creativity is your most valuable commodity.

Assert your willpower to work magic with family at a social activity and in your private space.

United States

Glee: The Music Glee Cast

A red dragon fly is caught pausing for a brief moment before flight in Plant Park.

Brass instrument Org. for the Lakers & the Knicks Ankle-length skirt “__ Life to Live�

Denver’s state: abbr.

Fit of anger Tina __ Long, slimy fish

Week ending April 27, 2010

#1 Album

Scott Silvestro / The Minaret

4 (4) 5 Š 2010 MCT

Gemini (May 21-June 21) Expand your mind to encompass the creative thought that emerges from a dream. Capture its mystical essence and use it to mend something.

Cancer (June 22-July 22) Recent efforts pan out beautifully for everyone. Make sure everyone gets a share of the credit. Champagne toasts all around!

Leo (July 23-Aug. 22) Subconscious creativity is bubbling like mad. Use whatever ideas arise to perfect your message or create a new platform.

Opportunities pop up everywhere.

Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) Apply your will to bringing romance into every activity today. Group members are on the same wavelength. Go public for greater effect.

Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) Others provide more creative ideas than you can manage. Take notes for later. It will be worth it.

Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) Everything’s coming up roses, at work and at play. Cooperation is a given, because everyone wants to get off early today. Take advantage of the moment.

Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) Throwing money at a problem today might actually work. Start low in negotiations and work up to a comfortable limit.

Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) Every effort feels successful. Every song has perfect harmony. And everything you touch turns to gold. Go ahead and push your luck.

Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18) Get together with a friend to brainstorm new ideas. Let the creative sparks fly! Take copious notes and review periodically.

Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) This could be one of your best days in recent times. You’re in the zone to get practical matters taken care of with extra time for fun.

ARTS + ENTERTAINMENT

Arts + Entertainment

THE MINARET | APRIL 30 2010

7

Slightly Canceled - Party in the Park Rained Out [From Front]

“Definitely the very beginning of next year. I would love to have them at one of our events that we already have planned because I definitely think that they should get that opportunity,” said Kerins.

Students began having their cards swiped when the park opened at 7 p.m. on Sunday.

According to Rollo, they stopped letting people in at 7:18 p.m. and told people to go to Plant Hall.

With hundreds of students waiting in Plant Hall for a decision to be made, official word was received at approximately 7:45 p.m. that the concert had been canceled.

“We were all checking our phones, checking the weather, seeing if it looked like it was going to just move quickly and go over us or if it was going to stay,” Rollo said.

Rollo also said that the rain was not the issue when deciding whether or not to cancel the show, but it was the lightning that struck over the UT campus that was important.

“We wouldn’t have had to kick people out if it was just rain,” Rollo said. “It was a rain or shine show.”

Along with the time invested by Kerins and the members of Student Productions, a portion of tuition fees went towards staging the event.

“I know people are gonna be concerned about it, but we really didn’t have a choice,” said Kerins.

Though the bands were all paid for their time, Kerins said that Student Productions did save money by not having

to keep security and EMTs on the clock any longer.

She said that as far as money not being wasted, there was nothing more that the concert staff could have done.

Kerins acknowledged how upset students must be over the cancellation.

Additionally, she said that with all of the time spent by Student Productions and the concert board to make the event possible, it is just as disappointing for them to see Party in the Park 2010 be canceled almost immediately after it got underway.

“After setting up all day and seeing it come together, we were so excited,” said Kerins.

“Then when it started down-pouring like that, it was really upsetting.”

Likewise, Rollo expressed how much time and effort everybody put into making the Spring Concert come to fruition.

“I think that what people may not understand is how the Student Productions board and concert board are probably 100 times even more disappointed than the rest of the student body,” said Rollo.

“It was not a decision that was easy to make, nor one that we wanted to make.”

Kerins wanted the student body to know that Slightly Stoopid was excited to play for their UT audience, and were also unhappy at the cancellation of the show.

“They were really, really looking forward to playing and so I think that’s something that everybody should know, is that they were upset that we had to cancel it too,” Kerins said.

Charlie Hambos also contributed to this report.

Daniel Feingold can be reached at dfeingold@ut.edu.

Maxine Rice/The Minaret

Soggy students receive free Tijuana Flats on the front verandah of Plant Hall.

Abby Sanford/The Minaret

Concert goers wait for the rain to pass on Sunday at SP’s Party in the Park.

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8 APRIL 30 2010 | THE MINARET

ARTS + ENTERTAINMENT

Music Columnist Writes His Final Note

By ZACH FRASER

Arts + Entertainment Music Reviewer

Kara Wall/The Minaret

I had a lot of things in mind that I wanted to accomplish when I came to college. I wanted to maintain an excellent G.P.A., play all four years as an athlete and make great friends.

None of these goals ever included writing for the school paper.

The Minaret and I stumbled upon each other my freshman year. I was nervous and skeptical, and it’s safe to say the whole thing had the makings of great love story from the start.

I was required, in my Eng101 class, to submit a piece of writing to a newspaper.

I felt that sending something to The Minaret as opposed to another local paper would make the rejection much easier to

S

an part

accept. But then I got the call.

“We want you to write the music section for The Minaret,” the person on the phone said.

Humbled and a little dumbfounded, I weighed my options and did what I always do in a situation like this: I called my mom and dad.

Let’s get one thing straight. My parents and I share an unusually open relationship.

This was not a “Do what you want sweetie,” or an “I support you and whatever you decide, Zach” kind of conversation.

No, this was a blunt “You need to do this, Zach” conversation. Thanks Mom and Dad, that’s exactly why I love you so much.

In retrospect, I don’t think The Minaret really understood what they were getting themselves into.

My music biases and my nearly pretentious attitude with music can only be described...well, with words that really can’t be printed in this paper.

Nonetheless, I ended up writing the music section here for four years, and now, here I am, writing my farewell.

The Minaret opened a lot of doors for me and has given me some of my fondest college memories.

For that I’d like to thank Charlie Hambos, Mel Steiner and Mike Trobiano.

The three of you have each been my arts and entertainment editors at different times in my career, and you have all equally been great.

I know I’m not always the easiest to deal with, so I thank you, for your patience.

As I sit here writing my last article, I can’t help but reminisce about my college years and the people that made them so great.

The memories I have formed with the

soccer team will forever be some of my best.

Driving throughout the night to the next game, practicing in the blistering heat, and just being together is what I will always remember and I would like to thank Daniel Bergstrand, Chris O’Brien and Clete “The Gweet” Goddard specifically.

Although they have already graduated, I can’t finish this article without mentioning Lee Inglis, Greg Tweedly and Mike Dill.

These three are some of the greatest friends and I thank them for that. (What is this a Grammy speech?)

Finally, this college career could not have been the same without my girlfriend Lauren Moon.

I successfully grabbed the most beautiful girl on campus, and I know this.

You deserve an Olympic gold for putting up with me, but you’ll just have to settle for my love.

It saddens me to have to finish writing this chapter in my life as I move onto different endeavors out in the real world.

I hope for nothing but the best for UT, the men’s soccer team and The Minaret and I hope my little brothers Cole and Connor will be blessed with the same great experiences you gave me.

I’ll leave you with my favorite quote of all time, written by Richard Russo: “Lives are like rivers... eventually they go where they must... not where we want them to.”

NY Artist Shares His Work

Laura Theobald/The Minaret

Visiting artist Steven Assael paints graduating senior Hannah Hudson in front of a small gatheing of art students Tuesday evening.

!

S

al i c e p

Your guide to the upcoming flicks hitting theatres this weekend.

“Furry Vengence” Rated: PG Time: 92 minutes Genre: Comedy When developers begin construction on an animal sanctuary, a fight between man and beast ensues.

“A Nightmare on Elm Street” Rated: R Time: 97 minutes Genre: Horror After five friends have the same frightening dream, they soon discover their dreams are real.

“The Good Heart” Rated: PG-13 Time: 98 minutes Genre: Drama A grungy New York bar owner who is on the verge of giving up on life takes a homeless man in.

ARTS + ENTERTAINMENT

THE MINARET | APRIL 30 2010

Urban and Twit Artist Draws His Final Panel

By AUSTIN DANIELS

Arts + Entertainment Contributer

Photo courtesy of Austin Daniels

I don’t know where to begin. I truly can’t comprehend the fact that I have completed the last panels of the Urban and Twit comic strip series.

It seems like yesterday that I was sitting through meetings with Steve Knauss, the then editor-in-chief, and drawing up concepts for the strip.

Now that the series has come to a close (for now) I thought it would be appropriate to say farewell by talking a little bit about U&T. When I was a sophomore, I realized that I hadn’t gotten very involved in school. Freshman year had been a little overwhelming for me.

I had just come down from Connecticut and was trying to become acclimated to the Tampa environment.I joined the radio and liked it, and realized I wanted to be more involved in the university.

I remember picking up a copy of The Minaret and noticing that they did not have a comic strip.

Like Ronald Reagan, that was the first thing I always flipped to when reading a newspaper, so I emailed Steve and inquired about it.

He replied and said that starting one would be a great idea, so I met up with him and the Commentary Editor Simos Farrell and we began discussing the project.

The only concept we had was to make fun of the school; both Steve and Simos were so excited about the project that they gave me the creative freedom to do what I wanted.

Thus began the real brainstorming process. When I left the meeting, I started thinking that I wanted to do a “buddy” comic.

I wanted to pair a regular UT student with some fantastic creature that would pick on him.

My original concept for the student-character Urban never really changed, but the fantastic creature changed in size.

Yes, Twit’s original drawings had him standing at half the size of Urban, but in an effort to make him look less like a pet, I made Twit slightly taller than Urban.

Before I knew it, I had my two characters. However, I had no names.

I knew I wanted to pair up a two-syllable name with a one-syllable name (I think I have Starsky and Hutch

syndrome) and I wanted them to bear the letters “UT.” Make sense now? That’s how Urban and Twit were born.

As I said, Urban and Twit were originally going to be UT students, but due to the fact that I was running out of material during the first few weeks, I kicked them off campus and decided to give them jobs in the one other thing I was involved in: radio.

The radio world opened up a whole new slew of material I could comment on. In addition to observational humor, I was making fun of the blue guy from Oprah, Tiger Woods and the Grinch.

My favorite was when I made the comic about Sarah Palin. When it hit the internet, it was the source of some political controversy through the comment feed.

The radio opened the doors for the secondary characters that appeared in last week’s comic.

Allison was Urban’s girlfriend, whose name I based off of somebody I knew in high school. The General Manager Mr. Fulluvit was a mix between a general manager at a radio station I interned for and Dr. Klaww from Inspector Gadget.

Mike from 66.6 “The Tool” was based off of one of the brothers in my fraternity, with whom I have a friendly rivalry.

But let’s get back to the stars themselves. Aside from Urban’s tall hair, Urban and Twit are like the two sides of myself.

Urban says the things that I would actually say and Twit says the things that I would like to say.

Occasionally a little bit of Twit comes out of me, but these are most often the times I get in trouble.

And did I forget to mention that Twit has the best fashion sense?

Whether or not you’re an avid U&T enthusiast, I want to thank you for reading my comic strip.

Every week I’ve put thought and time into creating something funny, and whenever I get a text or Facebook message from somebody saying they enjoyed this week’s comic, I know this venture was more than worthwhile.

I would also like to thank The Minaret, its readers, my friends and family and everybody who has supported me throughout the last few years.

As much as it saddens us that U&T has come to a close, be on the lookout. I have an optimistic feeling that they might make a comeback someday.

Photo courtesy of Austin Daniels

20/20 Boulevard Reacts to Stoopid Weather

By KADIE HAYWARD

Arts + Entertainment Contributer

The University of Tampa’s budding band, 20/20 Boulevard faced a big disappointment on Sunday when the Party in the Park 2010 was canceled due to inclement weather.

The band, formed in October of 2009, had been looking forward to opening up for Slightly Stoopid since their victory at Battle of the Bands.

They were “surprised and somewhat caught off-guard” when they were announced as the winners and saw the prospect of opening for the popular band as an “amazing opportunity.”

Senior and drummer Victor Quinones was “really looking

forward to the crowd response more than anything.”

The four had been working on some new material and had hoped to showcase it in front of the large audience expected for the concert.

Fans of 20/20 shared in the bands disappointment on Sunday, when they showed up wearing their newly printed band shirts.

Amber Miller, sister of lead guitarist, Keith Miller, explained that “the boys are not just bandmates, they are brothers. 20/20 is giving them opportunities and responsibilities they never had before.” Though disappointed with the outcome on Sunday, she said she “can’t wait to see what happens next.”

The band is looking forward to upcoming shows and encourage fans to check out their Facebook page “20/20 Boulevard” for performance dates, pictures, and updates.

Photo courtesy of 20/20 Boulevard

9

Urban and Twit

by Austin Daniels

10 APRIL 30 2010 | THE MINARET

COMMENTARY

Commentary Editorial: Almost Eight Decades Reporting Change at UT

Isadora Duncan

Mikhail Baryshnikov

Camellias

Bromelias

Paper Lanterns

Oil Lamps

Leopards

Panthers

Summer

Finals

Procrastination

Procrastination

Cerberus

Medusa

On May 8, 1,144 students will graduate from the University of Tampa. For most of them so many things have happened and changed since those early days.

The student body has grown immensely, as only 800 students graduated in Spring 2006.

One thing that is still on the minds of students is the economy.

These last four years have been challenging to say the least. The national unemployment rate in 2006 was 4.6 percent and the rate in 2009 was 9.3 percent and forget about 2010.

The campus landscape has changed immensely since the seniors began here at UT. Kennedy Place, later known as Frank P. Urso M.D. Hall, opened for upperclassmen students. One year later, Stadium Center opened for incoming freshman and added seven new food venues to the Cafe, Rathskellar and Spartan Club that were there before.

This year alone we have will have the addition of a new Cass Annex and a new Health Center

that will finally be able to handle the demand of the growing student population.

We can’t forget the Sykes Center for Faith and Values, which was merely a commuter parking lot four years ago. It will be completely finished by December 2010. Hopefully, students will come to realize that this is a great addition to the campus and not just a useless structure which should be parking.

Academically speaking, on July 1, 2007 the all-encompassing College of Liberal Arts and Sciences at UT became three different colleges: College of Natural and Health Sciences; College of Social Sciences, Mathematics and Education; and College of Arts and Letters. Don’t forget the John Sykes College of Business.

In 2006, the parking situation was a lot different. Freshman in 2006 probably remember that the West Parking Garage never really filled past the fourth floor, but now students have to go to the

sixth to find any open spots.

The Post Office was relocated during the summer of 2008 to Riverside Center. The old Post Office was transformed into the current Registrar’s office with ceiling-high glass walls.

Last summer, UT bought the land where the Valencia Garden Restaurant sat and where the interim health center now functions. Almost a year later and still no long-term plans have been made, but they did open a lot for commuter students.

Many notables visited UT in the last four years. In 2008, Senator John McCain came twice and the Today Show went live in front of Plant Hall. This semester, President Barack Obama came to UT to hold a town-hall meeting and announce the construction of the new high-speed rail.

Here at The Minaret, we have witnessed these changes. The publication has been watching for over 77 years and will continue to thrive as the next year begins.

Pop Culture Creates Unrealistic Expectations About Sex

By HEATHER GROMLEY Love Columnist

As my last article in The Minaret, and the end of my reign writing the “love column,” I need to thank some pretty amazing people. First of all to the staff of The Minaret, it has been an honor to work with all of you these past two years and I have enjoyed writing and being Head Copy Editor of sports and commentary.

You will all go on to do wonderful things with the paper and in your individual futures, thanks for the late night memories.

To my readers and fabulous AXO sisters, thanks for reading my column and commenting on them, it means a lot to know people actually read what I wrote. And to Guiles, my online critic, thank you for your weekly feedback, and for the record I write as many words as needed for space and to my editor’s liking.

For my last article I thought I should go out with “a bang,” literally, let’s talk about about sex

and love.

With so many products, positions and media centered around sex, we have to think, do we all have time for so much sex?

Sex and The City is one of my favorite TV shows and I will be seeing the second movie opening night. My friends and I seem to fall into one of the characters, I of course being Carrie.

But even though the show is based around four women’s friendship and fashion, they have what I believe to be an abnormally busy sex life. Seriously, is everyone having this much sex, is there something in the water and if so where can I get some?

But with shows like Sex and The City and all of the “reality” love shows on VH1, no wonder our society is so wrapped up on sex. Now I know sex is important for the advancement (or possibly the downfall) of society, as children are produced, and there is the obvious pleasure aspect, but has sex just become sex now?

I like to think sex comes with love. I know in our society that is not always the case and if you support one night stands, that’s up to you and I hope it works out for you. I am also by no means discouraging you from having sex, I’m asking what ever happened to

love and sex, two entities that used to be seen together?

Whether you wait for marriage or not is up to you, I believe you can love someone and not be in a position to marry them.

Now the other day as I walked back from McNiff there were three guys walking towards me. The two closest to me were talking quite loudly about a “skank” and they threw around her name like it was no big deal. Now the conversation went something like this.

Guy 1, “Dude, she’s such a skank.”

Guy 2, “She’s not a skank, she just has sex, a lot.”

Guy 1, “Yeah that’s true I guess, but she has sex with a lot of people.”

Guy 2, “Whatever, she’s hot.”

During this time guy 3 does not look up and I have been wondering what he might have been thinking. Now these guys were speaking extremely loudly as I heard them over my workout playlist, and I was tempted to turn around and follow them to know how they resolved this issue of “skankiness.” I assume they settled this discussion and went to pump some iron.

What I heard startled me, wow, these are our future leaders and sadly, their vote counts as

much as mine in the next election.

Now I know I joke with my girlfriends about sex and boys a lot, but I don’t think I would ever be talking loudly about someone in public like that.

The thing is though, most of my friends and I don’t just have sex to have sex. Now once again, everyone has needs, but seriously, if someone can’t be in a relationship for more than a week without having sex, there is a problem. You’re putting things places when you don’t even know your partner ’s middle name, favorite movie or may not even be their Facebook friend.

Patti Stanger from The Millionaire Matchmaker has a rule that her clients are not allowed to have sex until they are in a monogamous relationship. And she said in one of her episodes that girls have sex because they think the guy will want a relationship, give her presents or in the end, love them. I agree with Patti.

There is also the comfort factor, I think casual sex is a product of people being lonely or needing to feel a connection with someone. Alcohol doesn’t help the situation either.

I guess I never thought that sex would become so casual, I suppose I’m still in my Disney movie princess mindset.

And the whole idea of “friends with benefits,” I don’t think it works. Either way someone is going to get emotionally involved and when you finally end it, it usually ruins the friend part.

Though I think sex can be glamorous when produced with a camera crew, makeup artist and personal trainer, the reality is sex should be something you love with someone you love.

If you are comfortable and honest with your partner, sex should be a wonderful thing. There is no reason why you shouldn’t be safe and there is no reason why you can’t have some fun with products or positions.

So for now, Patti and I will have to agree that sex is great, but in a monogamous relationship.

And even if everyone on TV is having sex all the time, remember you don’t have to.

Find the healthy sex life that fits you and you partner, avoid saying someone is a “skank” so casually (aka get some class), be safe and have some fun.

And like I’ve been saying all semester long, love yourself, love your family, love your friends, love someone else and love your passions. Love is wonderful. The End. Heather Gromley can be reached at

11

THE MINARET | APRIL 30 2010

COMMENTARY

Down to Earth: Islamic Faith Is All-Embracing

By CAROLINA MEDELLIN Columnist

Surfing the web recently I found a testimony of a Muslim girl in France of Algerian origin, who was denied by her parents to marry a man because, even though he was a Muslim, he was black. This is not the only case like that that I’ve heard, but it keeps surprising me. And I think it raises the question about how Islam views different races.

In my last article I addressed how Muslims could be from different cultural backgrounds and ethnicity. Something sad about some Muslims today, is that they pay sometimes more attention to the origin of a person rather than to the Faith.

Centuries before the racial question was addressed in other parts of the world, Islam came with a message of unity for everyone despite the race. In fact, the Holy Quran, chapter 30 verse 22, mentions how all the differences of colors and languages come from God, and we are therefore all creatures of a same creator: “And among His Signs is the creation of the heavens and the earth, and the variations in your languages and your colours: verily in that are Signs for those who know.”

This same idea is repeated in chapter 49, verse 13, where it is stated that all human beings have the same origin, and that we shouldn’t make any difference between Muslims. It also shows how to the eyes of God all men and women are equal.

“We created you from a single

pair of a male and a female, and made you into nations and tribes, that ye may know each other, not that ye may despise each other. Verily the most honoured of you in the sight of Allah is the most righteous of you. And Allah has full knowledge and is well acquainted with all things.”

One of the things I find the most fascinating about Islam is how much importance is given to the religiosity of a person rather to external factors such as skin color.

Bilal, the first muezzin (the one who performs the call to prayer) in the time of the Prophet Mohammed (peace be upon him) was a black slave freed by one of his companions. Bilal was known by his beautiful voice, and that was the reason why the Prophet chose him among others. This shows how he wasn’t evaluated according to the color of his skin, but according to his capacities.

In one occasion, one of the followers of the Prophet, Abu Dharr, had a disagreement with Bilal, and called him “son of a Black woman.” The Prophet, who was there and heard that, told him: “That is too much, Abu Dharr. He who has a white mother has no advantage which makes him better than the son of a black mother.” Abu Dharr then was so sorry that he put his head to the ground, refusing to get up until Bilal had put his foot over it. (AlMubarak) This Hadith shows how the Prophet made clear there was no superiority among races.

Another well-known Hadith and that for me is the most wonderful in which concerns the racial issue, is this one: “An Arab is no better than a non-Arab. In return, a non-Arab is no better than an Arab. A red raced man is not better than a black one except in piety. Mankind are all Adam’s children and Adam was created

rogiro / Flickr

No matter race, ethnicity or gender Islam embraces everyone.

out of clay.” Some Muslims seem to forget that it’s not our origin but the way we practice our Faith that makes us different to the eyes of God. Discrimination in Islam based on race should not occur, and even though it happens nowadays, it has nothing to do with the religion. The biggest proof of this comes with the Hajj or pilgrimage to the holy city of Mecca. Muhammad Ali, the American boxer who converted to Islam, described it with these words: “The Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca was an exhilarating experience to see people belonging to different colours, races and nationalities, kings, heads of states and ordinary men from very poor countries all clad in two simple white sheets praying to God without any sense of either pride or inferiority. It was a practical

manifestation of the concept of equally in Islam.”

In Islam, all men and women are equal to the eyes of God, despite their origin, nationality, color of skin, or any other difference they can have among each other.

In Islam all that matters is your Faith.

Most people judge Islam without really studying it. Some of the issues that the “West” started worrying about in the last centuries has already been addressed in the Holy Quran and by the Prophet (peace be upon him) such as racism and women’s rights.

Islam is much more than what we see on the TV or in the newspapers, it’s even more than what I could have written about during this past semester.

It’s always easier to judge than it is to sit down and research.

We usually don’t like our views to be challenged, but it can be beneficial.

We tend to judge Islam by the behavior that some Muslims can have, however, as everywhere, they will always be good and bad examples. There is much more depth in Islam that what many want to believe, and the more I learn about it, the more I feel proud of being a Muslim.

No matter what your beliefs are, it is always important knowing about other religions, and being open to accept the differences and understand them.

Thank you to those of you who supported me this semester. Thank you also to those who challenged me. Challenge is important when you really want to learn.

Carolina Medellin can be reached at colaya@ut.edu.

Spring Semester Challenges

By NARISA IMPRASERT Columnist

This is the semester I almost pulled a Sylvia Plath. From mental breakdowns to matters of the heart, I resembled a vulnerable child trying to muster up the strength to attend class five days a week.

But I feel like this year was merciless to us all. You either drank yourself silly for that temporary release or fell asleep in the library twice a week. And the “nightlife” on this campus made that gradual transition from drunken girls stumbling in the courtyard at 2 a.m. to dozens of smokers on study breaks. Procrastination was not taken lightly and the professors seemed to step up their A-game.

This was a time that I finally felt truly challenged both mentally and physically.

Time management served as a major issue, but the intellectual hurdles really pushed me to the limit. Each obstacle, each assignment, made me realize why I’m here.

I feel like these kinds of realizations are essential to life. They are mere stepping stones to justifying my existence and explaining the importance of education.

As cheesy and crazy as it sounds, I’m thankful for how ruthless my workload has become.

Every day I ran around campus with my hemp backpack stuffed with novels and notebooks and ten clenched toes clinging to my flip flops.

But as soon as I crawled back to my room, and succumbed to the closing of my eyes around 4 a.m., I felt great. I felt like I accomplished something and did everything I had to do. Like I wasn’t just some vapid waste of existence procrastinating in life by attending college.

On numerous occasions I found myself intensively scribbling in my moleskin throughout the day. Wishful thinking is assuming they were creative lines for my writing, but instead massive amounts of to-do-lists.

Lists became my newest form of organization because simple planners could not fit my daily engagements. Each plan had to be arranged in order of importance and without writing every aspect of my day I’d forget everything and anything.

All my friends know that I have the memory of a goldfish. The three seconds to swim around the bowl is equivalent to the time it takes for me to forget I had homework. Basically, this semester has been brutal and sleep did not come easy with all-nighters being a part of my daily agenda.

How this happened I will never know, but to show you where I’m at right now, I still cannot find the right side to my favorite pair of sandals and I lost my precious Zippo.

However, thanks to my unhealthy addiction to caffeine and allowing sleep to abandon my list of priorities, I have managed to keep up.

I have managed to keep my head out of Sylvia’s oven and I am actually looking forward to the fall. My workload will increase tremendously and my room will be twice the size—so all I have to say is thank goodness for housekeeping and bring on the learning!

Narisa Imprasert can be reached at nimprasert@ut.edu.

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12 APRIL 30 2010 | THE MINARET

COMMENTARY

Two Years at UT Prove to Be a Miraculous Journey

By AMADU WILTSHIRE Columnist

With my time at UT at an end, I can say that the ups, the downs, the laughs, the cries, the battles and yes the sweet victories have all contributed to the fashioning of an individual who has once again moved against the tide and done it in fine style.

I remember coming to The United States of America just about two years ago with ten dollars and a suit case not knowing where I was going or how I was even going to pay for school fees. I must admit it was extremely frightening venturing into the unknown to begin a new chapter in my life.

Like video footage I can remember my

first day on the campus being overwhelmed by the sight of plant hall as the Minarets were being kissed by willows which hung from the trees which stood next to it as if they were the guards of honor, complementing the building like Knights of the Round Table. To this very day I am still in love with that architectural treasure which has stood as a symbol for The University of Tampa.

Miracles never stopped occurring while I was at this institution from day one to the present. I remember arriving late to check in at this school due to bad weather. Thus, all of the offices which checked in students were closed, this allowed me to get the keys to my room from my then R.A. without having to show financial clearance (mind you , I did not have financial clearance). The following weeks really tested my faith as I would constantly sneak into the back of the class to sit and be a part of what was being though , as I was dropped from classes due to the fact that I simply could not afford to pay the school fees at the time. I kept a very low profile as I continued to search for jobs

on and off campus to ensure that my school fees were paid. I did every imaginable job from working in a department store, to super markets and doing on campus jobs, yes I bit the bullet and did it the legal way, because I just didn’t want to make my mother feel ashamed and I was not going to live up to the stereotypes which this society has placed on the African American race. Many days I went without many of the things which I have been accustomed to having and I realized how precious the many things which I took for granted really are. Nonetheless in the face of all of the adversity, I studied every day and I worked hard to ensure that I got good grades and that I achieved my objective of earning my bachelors degree to further my academic career.

My mother would always say when God can’t come he will send an angel, and trust me I have met many angels during my tenure at the University of Tampa. During my English 101 class I could not afford the text, lecturer found out my situation and provided me with a text. This also happened

in many of my other classes. Trust me when I say I am extremely grateful to all of the lecturers who assisted me on my quest for academic excellence.

Besides the member of the faculty and staff, I would admit that I have been extremely blessed to have been marinated in the melting pot of spices at this school.

I have made friends from all over the globe spanning the Caribbean, Asia, The Middle East, North America, Europe and Africa. Being in this mosaic allowed me to broaden my perspective pertaining to culture, education, religion, sexuality and I have experienced the true essence of what it means to be a human. I have been able to learn to tolerate beauty in diversity.

As my final week approaches and the last papers are written and the last exams as taken. I can truly stand and say the Spartan spirit emanates throughout this school in many forms and that I am extremely blessed to have been a part of it.

Amadu Wiltshire can be reached at awiltshire@ut.edu.

All Those “Yesterdays” Lead To Senior Year

By NICOLE ROBINSON Columnist

Yesterday I was lugging things that I would never use into Vaughn Center. On the “high side” of the floor I met some of the craziest people I will probably ever meet.

The same people who earned the honor of being the only floor where an entire side got written up with the exception of my roommate and I (watch what fb photos you post).

I remember Kanye West’s song “Stronger” booming from the girl’s room across the hall. The same girls I would have

my first Ybor experience. How I remember that night with a chuckle and sigh of relief that I lived to tell the tale. I was a little scared, being one of a few early arrival students in some weird club that sounded like it was named after a fish. I recall climbing up an impossible amount of stairs to the rooftop and finally getting a glimpse of the skyline that would continue to take my breath away for years to come.

It was yesterday when I was snapped out of my awe by screeches from the girls down the hall for us to go. I remember thinking how I was going to get them back alive when one of them fell down the steps on a drunken stupor and the other almost wandering off with some Ybor stranger who grabbed her arm. I vowed that night never to go back to Ybor and then returning the next week. Hell I remember when Ybor was more popular than the Kennedy could ever dream of being and its slow fall from grace

among the UT crowd.

I remember the seminars telling us how we would drop dead if we consumed alcohol. The mandatory floor meetings, actually being scared of my RA and following “quiet hour” rules. Meeting my first good friend in the brand new Stadium Center that only allowed upperclassmen as residents. I remember walking straight from Stadium Center back to their room on a straight path without construction sights or tow trucks.

Yesterday I’m sure was when my chemistry professor told stories of his days back in public university and flying airplanes in his spare time. Yesterday I had a roommate intervention because my roommate’s air tank was keeping everyone up. Yesterday she cried because I closed the fridge door to hard. Yesterday I was crying to my father at 3:00 a.m. saying I wanted to go home and be with my sisters because

I couldn’t sleep in my loud freshmen dorm when I had an 8:00 a.m. calculus test in a few hours.

Just as clearly as if it were happening now I see the girl who would sit in a beach chair outside Smiley singing boisterously with huge headphones that were connected to nothing. Yesterday I made friends that I will cherish forever. Yesterday when I got my first kiss at the age of 19. Yesterday I laughed, yesterday I cried, yesterday I swore to never give my heart away, yesterday I was stabbed in the back by someone I held dear yesterday when we reconciled a while as Asher Roth’s new song “I Love College” played on my computer. Yesterday, last week I’m sure, close friends have come and gone from my life. Today I realized that I’m suddenly at the verge of being a college senior . But as for tomorrow….

Nicole Robinson can be reached at nrobinson@ut.edu.

Dire Job Market Offers Graduates Hidden Chances to Find Life’s True Calling

By DIANE DREHER

The Santa Clara Writer, MCT

This spring 16 million college graduates will face a job market with nearly 10 percent unemployment and more than 7 million people out of work. Finding a job, any job, will be challenging. Yet, paradoxically, this challenge offers a hidden opportunity to pursue a meaningful life, not merely a livelihood.

In stronger economic times, many graduates made hasty career decisions, picking the high-paying or prestigious job offered by recruiters at college job fairs without reflecting on their own strengths and values.

By taking that first job, they would jump onto a career track, only to wake up years later realizing they’d been living somebody else’s life.

Today’s challenging job market gives

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graduates time: time to focus on their strengths, ask important questions, and anchor their work to their deepest values.

Used wisely, this time can enrich their futures with discernment practices often ignored during times of job abundance.

Of course, we must all find work to support ourselves, but since work occupies nearly half our waking hours, it should mean more than a paycheck. Research shows that people who find meaning in their work are happier and healthier, able to see new possibilities and make it through difficult times. Psychiatrist Viktor Frankl even found that a sense of meaning gave people the strength to survive in a Nazi concentration camp while others lost hope and died.

Finding meaningful work in these turbulent times takes strategic planning.

By balancing purpose with practicality, graduates can make this time work for them.

I recommend three key strategies.

One, don’t panic. Stress and anxiety only sabotage us.

Neuroscientists have learned that fear shuts down our capacity for long-range planning, impulse control, creativity, and problem-solving skills needed to meet the current challenge. Reduce stress by reflecting on your values, which a recent UCLA study found lowers cortisol levels and strengthens our immune systems. Then begin a daily stress management practice: exercise, meditate, stay connected with friends.

Two, build positive momentum by discovering your strengths. Recent Gallup studies have found that most people dwell on their weaknesses, but when we focus on our strengths, we are happier, healthier, and more successful. Ask “What am I good at? What do I love to do?” Reflect on what brings you joy, take a personal inventory at the college career center, or find your “signature strengths” with the VIA-IS survey on www.authentichappiness.org.

Michael Hogue / MCTCampus

Graduates look everywhere but within for jobs.

Three, make a plan. Short term: get a temporary job to pay the bills through the college career center but don’t give up on your dreams. Chart a direction that combines your strengths and values and set a specific “stretch” goal you could reach in six months. Map out three steps to your goal you might join a professional organization, do volunteer work, get advice from alumni, find an internship, or arrange an information interview in your field.

Then think strategically: come up with one possible roadblock and back-up plan for each step what you’ll do if that step doesn’t work out. Maintain your motivation: see yourself achieving your goal, remember a time when you overcame a challenge, and tell yourself, “I can do this, too.”

Finally, keep your eyes and ears open.

Learn from the process and build on your plan. If something doesn’t work out, try something else but keep moving forward.

As Ralph Waldo Emerson once said, “This time, like all times, is a very good one, if we but know what to do with it.”

COMMENTARY

THE MINARET | APRIL 30 2010

Freedom of Speech: Sometimes Silence Is Best

By PHILIPPA HATENDI Columnist

Who’s been told “If you don’t have anything positive to say, don’t say anything at all.”

I know I have, especially by people who don’t know I’m being sarcastic.

But that made me think about a lot of things, like perceptions of positivity. Everyone’s view of what is positive in terms of speech is different, but even with those differentiating views concerning the positive shouldn’t we have freedom to speak anyway?

I mean, because if freedom of speech was barred by the fact that people thought what you were saying was negative no one would ever say anything! Besides that, revolutions, independence, and justice were forged by people being able to exercise their ability to speak freely.

In all honesty though, I do understand the idea of trying to add more positive things to the world and though one never wants to limit freedom of speech it seems as though we must in order to prevent it from being taken advantage of.

Sometimes, people don’t use the freedom of speech that we have in our society in order to transmit a positive message into the world. The fact that speech is so defenseless against the people who use it is the reason why it becomes an instrument that serves to fulfill other people’s

purposes—especially when they are negative.

But this is the case with all things of power, religion, politics, love, money they are all to be sacrificed to human intention because they cannot defend themselves or the way they are used. Look at the news every day, look at the society around you, how people use words to devalue each other and throw criticism and hatred.

Whoever said “Sticks and stones can break my bones, but words can never hurt me” should have reversed it to “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will always hurt me.”

We all know the power of speech is what causes us to elect the leaders we choose to lead our countries like we selected Obama.

It is what we use to declare love to the people close to us, what allows us to pass our thoughts into the world and educate others.

But speech is also what allows us to be seduced into idolizing the wrong people like how we are still ensnared by Hitler’s words; it is what we use to declare war, hurt those we love and what we use to break our enemies’ back. I remember a few years back, a word was attached to Islam that word was “Terrorist”; and they stuck a bomb in Mohamed’s (PBUH) turban and called it freedom of expression.

I remember a few years back when the words “Tutsi” and “Hutu” were used to separate the peoples of a nation, and one of the most horrific genocides of modern time happened. Words have so much power so much more than we give them credit for.

So my suggestion is this, forget positive and negative perceptions,

13

Dean Hollingsworth / MCTCampus

The right to freedom of speech should not be used for hate speech.

perception in itself can be blurred by all sorts of things.

Just focus on sending out a message into the world that’s going to mean something to somebody, send out a message that’s going to be the catalyst to changing the world for the good of all mankind the way Gandhi, Guevara, Luther

and Theresa did. Don’t use your freedom to hurt others, to bring them down, to scare them, to persecute them, or make them feel like fools for what they hold closest to their hearts.

A world without free speech would most certainly be bad, but a world where free speech used to

bring only misery is most certainly worse. I believe words were given such power because they were meant to be beacons of light, that’s why they call it freedom of speech because speech is supposed to bring freedom to all who hear it.

Philippa Hatendi can be reached at phatendi@ut.edu.

Columnist “Clears” Haze Around Marijuana Use

By JOHN JACOBS Columnist

Due to the recent heightened security and investigation on the use of marijuana by students at UT, I was inspired to learn more about why so many students chose to use the illegal substance.

People are quick to shoot down the idea of marijuana being legalized when they themselves don’t know the full extent of its effects or the experience people may have on it. The easiest way to help people understand why so many college students continue to use it is to go through an average experience after smoking marijuana.

Let’s say you decided to smoke weed around 2 p.m. one day. Immediately after you smoke you’ll start watching TV for a while and realize that TV can be really scary especially the news.

You realize that the news always reports on things like earthquakes, hurricanes and other natural disasters to the point where you actually feel a sense of panic and believe the world is coming to an end. Then you realize you’ve been watching the movie “2012” and you laugh for the next ten minutes straight until you don’t remember what you’re laughing at anymore and start believing that you’re watching the news again and it’s really scary.

After watching TV for a few more hours and finding deeper

meaning in everything especially children’s cartoons, The Matrix trilogy and Geico commercials, you’ll realize that you need to go to Walmart to get food. As you start walking to Walmart you come up with the idea that sidewalks should be like those moving walkways in airports and truly believe you’ve just come up with the next greatest idea in history. As you’re walking and thinking about the logistics of how your idea would work and be applied you start imagining how famous you’re going to be until finally arriving at Walmart and forget what you were thinking about the whole walk, but you’re just happy you made it there so quickly (50 minutes).

You aimlessly wander up and down each isle grabbing things like beef jerky, M&M’s, chocolate donuts, grapes, 1 pound of sliced ham, vanilla ice cream, and a 2-liter of Dr. Pepper (because it’s really funny to you that this soda is a doctor). You stop in the cereal isle and stare at all of the boxes for a while until you realize that every cereal has a talking animal as a mascot. You start to wonder why in the cereal world all animals can talk and why they’re so good at providing the world with something to eat for breakfast. On you’re way to the checkout you see a rack of DVD’s for sale and stare at the box of “Aliens in the Attic” and wonder why such an obviously horrible movie was made that nobody’s going to buy. Then you think maybe they make it look so bad on purpose because in reality it’s the best movie ever and they don’t want a lot of people to see

Marijuana Policy Project, The Philadelphia Inquirer / MCTCampus

Only fourteen states have approved the medical use of marijuana, but others may join soon.

it, so you buy it on Blu-Ray. After scanning everything you bought the total comes to around $55 and you don’t even remember picking up half the stuff you end up walking out with. As you leave and head towards the parking lot you look around for ten minutes before remembering you didn’t drive there and begin your walk back.

On the walk back you manage to eat everything you bought until you’re just left with the “Aliens in the Attic” DVD and realize you don’t even own a Blu-Ray player to watch it with.

As you’re walking back you and a friend (who you forgot you were with until this very moment) get into deep conversations which always start with, “have you ever though about…” and always end with, “Wow, that’s so true.

It makes so much sense I can’t believe I’ve never looked at it that way! There’s so much the world doesn’t think about.”

After getting back to the dorm you listen to music on your computer for a solid hour and watch Youtube video’s of cats doing funny things until you eventually look out your dorm window and see the lights on the side of the modern art museum and know you need to get over there as soon as possible. You also stop and wonder how it got dark outside so quickly because in your head the whole process has only taken about thirty minutes so far. When you make it over to the museum the lights are so entrancing you figure this honestly has to be made for people who smoke, as four other random kids are randomly staring

at the lights drawing more and more people like moths to a porch light.

You finally come down off your high and realize it’s 12 a.m. and wonder where the last ten hours of your life has gone and begin recollecting everything you did through the day and start laughing about it.

The argument can be made that marijuana is much safer than alcohol and should be legal, however I can understand why it remains illegal (for now at least) because honestly imagine if everybody smoked weed on a daily basis, absolutely nothing would get done in the world.

But fast food restaurants would become the most profitable business in the world.

John Jacobs can be reached at jjacobs@ut.edu.

14 APRIL 30 2010 | THE MINARET

COMMENTARY

Assistant Editor of the Mel Steiner

By MEL STEINER

Assistant Editor-in-Chief

It was an early, fall Wednesday morning and I was running late to my 8:30 a.m. World Music class. I arrived to find only one spot left, in the first row in front of some Greek guy that looked like he hadn’t slept in years. His bloodshot eyes followed me to my seat.

Every Monday and Wednesday that semester, this scenario played out. And each time I thought to myself, “My God, just please don’t let me have to sit next to that guy.”

Little did I know, though, that guy would turn out to be my editor and one of my best friends. Charlie Hambos, for all the good times and for all the bad, I am so very blessed to have had the opportunity to be apart of your life. Thank you for all of the fights, the laughs, the drives, Starbucks runs, the tears and the talks. You’re an amazing leader with a beautiful heart. I will miss assisting you in and outside of our second home, The Minaret office. I’ll miss giving you Bank of America lollipops. I’ll miss our stick figure Post-Its. If I ever see a roach, fly or any other insect, you’ll be the first person I’ll call.

Because, let’s face it, we make an impeccable duo. If I could do it all over again, I wouldn’t change a damn thing. I love you.

I began my Mina-career as a music writer covering events for UT’s music department. Shortly after, I became Charlie’s assistant for Arts & Entertainment. When I took over the section as editor, I found a love for journalism. Until then, I had never realized that I could mix my music major with writing, and pursue it as a career.

Thanks to The Minaret, I found my niche and fell in love with music

journalism.

Now, as Assistant Editorin-Chief, I look back on the past few years spent in Vaughn 211 and think about how much my UT experience would have been different without my job here.

For one, I’d probably have a significantly higher GPA. I’d have always gone to my Wednesday classes. I’d have passed more Wednesday tests and quizzes. I’d be well rested. I would never know UT Security, Public Information or Tampa Police Department’s numbers by heart. I would have witnessed less crime and less injury. I would only be an attendee to campus and local events. I’d never have a byline. I’d never have my own office with my own fancy and programmed keyboard (thanks, Alex!). I’d probably never eat Domino’s, Five Guys or Rigatoni’s.

But when I think about all the lessons I’ve learned—journalistic, business, life—everything above is worth it. All the deadlines, all the Tuesday afternoons that turned into Wednesday mornings and even all the errors that still somehow make it to press (“Director of the Michael Bay”)—they’re all apart of The Minaret experience.

To the staff: you are all such wonderful people. Thank you for supporting my music endeavors.

Thank you for allowing me to be myself and accepting me through all the bad times. Thanks for teaching me how to not take life too seriously. Thank you for being my best friends. And thanks for understanding when I yell “BREAKING NEWS IT!” to never question my grammatical choice to convert nouns into verbs.

Alex Vera, you will do a fantastic job next year as editor.

You inspire me everyday. I will

Sarah Gottlieb / Facebook

Charlie Hambos, Sarah Gottlieb, Mel Steiner and Derrick Austin share a moment in The Minaret office.

miss our food runs in your BMW blasting Lady Gaga and Kelly Clarkson. Thank you for just being you. I have to ask though, now whenever I fall, who will pop out of nowhere sprinting with a “Wet Floor” sign?

To my replacement: Mike Trobiano. I can remember when you first came to the office when I was A&E editor. I thought, “Man that guy’s pants can’t get any tighter.” Boy was I wrong! But now as you take a step up, I have every faith that you will be a great leader. I’m so proud of you.

Derrick Austin, you are fabulous. Don’t ever doubt your heart and your talents. Last year I told you I would miss being able

to turn around and ask, “How’s Commentary?” because I was moving into the back office. Now, as I am officially a Minaret alumna, I will miss being able work with you each week. Thank you for all of the talks and all of the hugs. You are an amazing fairy godfather.

Dr. Tripp, thank you for taking on such a big role in the paper at such an awkward time for all of us.

I am so glad that I had the chance to work with you. You have been there for me so much outside of the office, even after only a few months. I cannot thank you enough for everything.

Kyle, I will miss you our professional banter that pretty much consists of calling each other

“dude” and “bro.” Laura, Cliff and Heather, thanks for putting up with all of the last-minute stories and editorials. Abby, thank you for being on call and so organized.

Mily, thank you for your patience and your drive. For everyone else who I probably missed, you have a dear place in my heart. You are my second family and I love you all.

Even though I’ll be just up the road in graduate school, life without our 20-page newspaper seems empty. And as I try to fill that void now, I look back and smile over my favorite part of UT, The Minaret.

Mel Steiner can be reached at mel.c.steiner@gmail.com.

The Person to Which the One Above was Assistant to

By CHARLIE HAMBOS Editor-in-Chief

I’ve always wanted to do this, so here we go: You know you work for The Minaret when you walk out of the Vaughn Center after deadline and the New York Times has already been delivered, the sun is already rising and Bob Ruday, dean of students is heading to his office.

You know you work for The Minaret when Wednesdays are a blur and before you know it Tuesday nights are here again.

You know you work for The Minaret when Tuesdays are your favorite days of the week. Maybe.

You know you work for The Minaret when you can’t leave the office even when you come in for a few minutes.

You know you work for The Minaret when everyday things become busy, need larger margins, more white space, definitely a picture or maybe a drop quote or something.

You know you work for The Minaret if you have at least spent a half-a-nights sleep on Peter’s couch in the “Online Office.”

Finally, I know I love The Minaret because ever since I stepped foot here at UT, I stepped foot into The Minaret and I have made the best friends, had the most fun and learned the most with all of them.

The Minaret is not just a student newspaper, we are a family

and we all have a common goal and that is to inform the UT community about what is happening on campus.

I started as a news reporter, became Arts and Entertainment editor, Assistant Editor-in-Chief and the Editor-in-Chief.

I had known Peter from the very beginning and it was an honor being his Assistant for that year.

Finally, when it came time for me to take the next logical step, it was a time I had been waiting for my entire college career.

My year has been great and I can’t believe it is over. I feel like I still need a year to accomplish what I wanted to accomplish.

Starting the year without Charles McKenzie was hard but I enjoyed my time as editor, nonetheless.

Dr. Tripp was there whenever we needed her. Thank you Dr. Tripp for standing up for us and for journalism. I will miss the long conference calls with various characters that somehow want to attack us.

Charles, thank you for making The Minaret my passion.

Peter, Steve and Victor, thank you for all being one of a kind. It was an honor passing on the legacy.

Mom, Dad, George and Joe, thanks for supporting me. Without you, I could not have done what I did.

Ellery, thank you for your unconditional support in my endeavors and for being a great friend.

Mel, what can I say, we did it.

I don’t know how, but we did it.

I’ll miss the arguments both real and fake and all the times when we made up for whatever happened and started anew. I’ll miss the BBMs early in the morning (like 10 a.m). It will be hard not seeing you in the office or making random noises, making fun of my clothing, hanging my keys on the wall (You still get me, every time), writing me post-it notes and spending time in the office and going to you with anything.

Alex, you’re like the assistant to everything. You would do anything at any time for the paper without a fight, usually. You made the online. You are the online. I didnt think that anyone could have more passion for The Minaret but you proved me wrong. I can’t wait to see what you and Mike have in store for The Minaret and I know that between the two of you, you will reach more of the UT students than I ever could. Mike, all I have to say is you better get used to staying in the office a little later and a little more often but I’ll miss the early Tuesday afternoons with you in the office, especially this semester. Kyle, I have seen you grow in great strides this semester and I expect to see your name high in the staff box next year. Derrick, thanks for putting up with me and just everything. Thank you for balancing your life with Quilt and giving us a little of your time and wisdom too. Abby, thanks for all of the photos. Especially for the

Charlie Hambos / Facebook

Charlie Hambos shows the office to a group of Cub Scouts during the weekend.

printing one in this issue. Sarah, you and I go back pretty far, thank you for laughing all the time and taking the crazy stories that I fear no one will take after you leave.

Daniel, I see a little bit of me in you. You have the passion, you have the skill. I expect to see your name high in the staff box in two years. J.J. thanks for coming over to the office to play. Laura, thanks for putting up with my procrastination. Zoe thanks for bringing in that cash money. J.P., thanks for leaving me this semester. I’ll miss the late night discussions on higher academia. Thank you to all of the staff members both present, past and future. You all have a special place in my heart and I am eternally grateful for you made UT experience the best.

To my professors, thank you for

being understanding and in support of my career with The Minaret. Dr. Blessing, thank you for being my first Psychology professor.

It has been an honor to be in your classroom and a pleasure to end my Psychology degree in Thinking Class. Dr. Hardin, thank you for supporting me all the way through and keeping me on the right path.

Dr. Fridy, thanks for keeping me awake in Politics of Identity on Wednesday nights when we were watching a movie and thanks for your wisdom in all of the classes that I have had with you.

Thank you Stephanie Russell Holz, Cheryl Chernoff, Gina Firth and Mike Gilmer for teaching me and supporting me.

It has been an honor to serve you, UT.

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THE MINARET | APRIL 30 2010

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16 APRIL 30 2010 | THE MINARET

SPORTS

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16 Baseball NCAA South Regional (campus sites) Softball NCAA South Regional (campus sites)

17

18

19

Baseball NCAA Finals (Cary, N.C.)

23

Baseball NCAA Finals (Cary, N.C.)

24

30 31 Softball Softball NCAA Championships NCAA Championships (St. Joseph’s Mo.) (St. Joseph’s Mo.)

Track UCF Twilight

Rowing Dad Vail Regatta (Philadelphia)

6

Rowing Dad Vail Regatta (Philadelphia)

7

13 14 Baseball Baseball NCAA South Regional NCAA South Regional (campus sites) (campus sites) Track USF Invite Softball NCAA South Regional (campus sites) 20

25 26 27 Baseball Baseball Baseball NCAA Finals (Cary, NCAA Finals (Cary, NCAA Finals (Cary, N.C.) N.C.) N.C.) Track NCAA Championships Softball NCAA Championships (St. Joseph’s Mo.)

Rowing Dad Vail Regatta (Philadelphia)

1

8

15 Baseball NCAA South Regional (campus sites) Softball NCAA South Regional (campus sites)

21 22 Softball Softball NCAA Super Regional NCAA Super Regional (campus sites) (campus sites) Baseball NCAA Finals (Cary, N.C.) 28 Baseball NCAA Finals (Cary, N.C.) Track NCAA Championships Softball NCAA Championships (St. Joseph’s Mo.)

29 Baseball NCAA Finals (Cary, N.C.) Track NCAA Championships Softball NCAA Championships (St. Joseph’s Mo.)

17 Sports Enthusiast Gives Thanks to Those Who Helped Along the Way THE MINARET | APRIL 30 2010

SPORTS

By BRENTON BURKETT Sports Editor

One day in September 2009, my editor assigned me a story on our three men’s soccer coaches who once played here at UT. I introduced myself to coach Adrian Bush and began my interview.

We got to talking about Bush’s career, including the time he coached at my high school. Soon enough, it turned into a full-blown conversation. We ended up in a long discussion about one of his passions: professional wrestling.

We talked for more than 30 minutes. It reached far beyond typical cliche writer-coach talk. The resulting story was good enough that I sent it as a sample on graduate school applications.

That was a fun story, but there will be no more. The bittersweet end has finally arrived.

After transferring schools, changing my major and writing dozens of sports stories for The Minaret, I’m graduating and saying farewell to UT. In my year-and-a-half at UT and The Minaret, I encountered many great people and no bad seeds. I have countless people to thank for their help along this journey. Here are the notables: -Editor-in-Chief Charlie Hambos, who got me my job when I transferred to UT; -My first Editor-in-Chief, Peter Arrabal, who gave good pointers when I was new to the field; -Assistant Editor-in-Chief Mel Steiner, a joy to work with whenever I had the opportunity;

-Sports Editors Bobby Winsler and Kyle Bennett, for giving me direction when I was at a loss for a story; -Tom Kolbe and the sports information staff, without whom we would have no sports section; -Women’s basketball coach Tom Jessee, my first and most frequent interview subject, who always supplied useful quotes; -Adrian Bush, for giving me 30 minutes of his busy life for the best interview I’ve ever done; -Becky Vyzas, a fun final interview; -Every sport, coach and athlete I covered, thanks for your time; -My parents, for all of their support and for showing my stories to all of their friends; -All of our loyal readers, thanks for sticking with us and following

your Spartans; -And finally, my fellow sportswriters- you all helped make this sports section as strong as it is.

I had never taken a journalism class when I started at The Minaret. From start to finish, I believe my news writing knowledge improved tenfold. I got to watch UT’s best women’s basketball team ever, profile a former Major League Baseball player and cover a top-ranked soccer team. My experience here taught me valuable lessons I will carry over into my career.

Even though I spent just a short time at UT, I am a proud Tampa native and will always consider it home. I got my first job, my first internship and my first big breaks in this city and at this school. I have been through six schools over

Brenton Burkett

the last 17 years. I’ve never been more grateful to another one.

I will move on to a graduate program somewhere else, but one thing remains constant: I am a Tampa Spartan for life.

Happy trails to you, until we meet again.

Senior Sports Writer Bids Farewell to The Minaret Readers and Staff

By RYAN BURKETT Sports Editor

“Turn out the lights, the party’s over. They say that all good things must end. Call it a night, the party’s over. And tomorrow starts the same old thing again.”

Don Meredith sang those words many times during 1970s telecasts of ABC’s Monday Night Football. Now it’s time for me to turn out the lights, or more appropriately turn the page to a new

chapter in my life.

When I started at The Minaret in January 2009, I had never taken a journalism class. I was just starting in the field after transferring from The Art Institute of Tampa where I studied Web design for more than two years.

The Web design industry was not the business I thought it was, however. I’ll spare the details of my lack of artistic skill.

In late 2008, I was languishing and figuring out how to salvage an academic career that was clearly headed south.

After some searching, I decided to study my biggest passion since childhood: journalism and broadcasting.

I am now set to graduate with a B.A. in Communication and a minor in Journalism. I plan to attend the University of Central Florida’s graduate school this fall. How times have changed in 18 months.

Editor-in-Chief Charlie Ham-

bos, who was the Assistant Editorin-Chief at the time, got me my position as a sportswriter.

It was at The Minaret that I began to learn the ropes of journalism and hone my craft. My interview skills and writing ability were challenged like never before in my frequent efforts to get the story out on time. Let’s just say I’ve markedly improved since my first piece.

Now to my expressions of gratitude.

I would like to thank Charlie Hambos, who got me into the paper to begin with. I would also like to thank the two sports editors during my time here, Bobby Winsler and Kyle Bennett.

I’m sure I gave both of them quite a few heart attacks when deadlines drew near. Hats off to the entire editing and layout staff at The Minaret, as without them the paper wouldn’t be the awardwinner it is today.

My time as a sportswriter would not have been what it was without Tom Kolbe, UT’s Sports Information Director. Without his ability to book and chase down athletes and coaches, the paper’s sports coverage would be far from what it is.

Special thanks go out to the coaches and players I’ve covered at UT. Covering men’s basketball for the better part of two seasons provided me with a lot of good material week after week. Coach Schmidt and his crew work tirelessly to improve as a unit, so here’s to next season being better than the last one.

Volleyball was an amazing experience, as they were one of the top teams in the country last year and could win it all in 2010. Sitting in Coach Catanach’s office for 20 minutes while eating M&Ms and talking about the team’s rise through the ranks is the kind of experience a young journalist never

UT Remains No. 2 Nationally

You heard right!

Shorter session.

Longer vacation.

Following Sweep of Florida Southern

1

2

The UC San Diego Tritons (41-6) moved up to the No. 1 seed after a series sweep of conference opponent Cal State Dominguez Hills.

The University of Tampa Spartans (42-8) concluded its regular season after sweeping conference foe Florida Southern College.

3*

With five wins this past week, The Central Missouri University Mules (39-5) now have the most wins of any baseball program in Division I, II or III since 2000.

3*

The Southern Arkansas Muleriders (396) lost their No. 1 ranking after dropping their first series of the season at the hands of Delta State.

5

Following a three-game shellacking in which Tampa out scored them 37-11, the Florida Southern College Moccasins remain in the top five.

forgets.

The softball team has been my sole focus since the season began in February. Coach Kanter and her squad have done a good job supplying material. Certain players such as Jessica Tejas were instrumental in carrying my coverage of the team. Thanks for a good season.

In addition to them, I had the chance to write stories for swimming, golf and men’s soccer.

Thank you all too.

Finally, thanks to the readers of both our print and online editions. I hope you’ve enjoyed my stories as much as I enjoyed producing them.

While not getting the story or the source I was looking for is the most frustrating part of this job, getting good material and writing it on time is the most gratifying.

Goodbye and good luck, Minaret readers and staff. As always, go Spartans.

New! 2-Week MayTerm May 10-21

make it a

6-Week Sessions May 24 – July 1 July 6 – August 12 12-Week Session May 24 – August 12

More courses, flexible sessions and smaller classes let you earn credits your way in our summer sessions. for a complete schedule visit: /

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Office Of GrAduATe And cOnTinuinG STudieS 401 W. Kennedy Blvd. | Tampa, FL 33606-1490 | (813) 253-6249 | scs@ut.edu *Standings according to Ping! Baseball

18 APRIL 30 2010 | THE MINARET

SPORTS

[From Back]

Abby Sanford/The Minaret

Jared Simon finished the regular season as the team leader in RBI (57). He also had the teams best with 19 doubles.

Urso said.

Not only were Urso and the Spartans crowned the SSC Champions with their series win over FSC, but they also accomplished another feat.

With an overall record of 42-8, the Spartans have reached the 40 win mark for the 8th consecutive season.

For Coach Urso, reaching 40 wins provides a lot of insight into what the Spartan’s have been able to accomplish this season.

“When you the play the type of competition that we play, it’s not easy to hit 40 [wins]. It just says a lot for where our team’s at right now,” said Urso.

McKean, who was part of the Spartans’ last National Championship team back in 2007, attributes UT’s winning season to each individual player accepting his role on the team.

“I think everybody’s come to the point which they’ve understood their roles,” said McKean.

McKean also said that now all of his teammates are finding

their niche on the team, he gets the same type of feeling as he did when part of the National Championship squad.

“It’s very identical,” McKean said. “It’s kind of a calm feeling I have that maybe we have another shot at this thing.”

The NCAA South Regional Tournament gets underway May 13, which leaves the Spartans with a few idle weeks.

However, Urso has three exhibition games scheduled against some local community colleges with elite baseball programs.

After a week off for exams, the Spartans will play inter squad games.

As the days pass, the Spartans get closer to reaching another National Championship.

McKean said that if the Spartans can continue to play the way they did in the latest FSC series, then opposing teams better look out.

“If we play how we did this weekend, nobody can touch us,” McKean said.

Daniel Feingold can be reached at dfeingold@ut.edu.

High School Standout Set to Join UT

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and she felt rewarded for all of the hard work she had put in over the last years.

“I realize that junior tennis is another mind set and I’m looking forward to the challenge before me,” Fahrner said. “I hope to accomplish what it takes mentally to be a college tennis player as it can only improve my game, which will transform in positive results for the team.”

The tennis team is really gearing up for next season and Fahrn-

er is one of the four American additions to the team as the other two players are from Canada and the UK. Hopefully the new players will work well with the returning members to achieve a great season and Fahrner knows that she can be a part of that success.

“You can expect dedication, hard work, enthusiasm and loyalty for something that I really care about and want to succeed in.”

Fahrner said.

Many of you might know by now that this year’s UT Tennis team did not do so well.

But, the team lead by Head Coach Al DuFaux is ready to make the arrangements to come out stronger next season.

Part of that process is recruiting.

This year the University of Tampa’s tennis team will have a total of six new players and among those is Amber Fahrner a senior from Wiregrass Ranch HS in Wesley Chapel, FL. Fahrner, who played for coach Tommy Shaw while in high school, comes to the UT tennis program as one of the biggest promises for next season.

With honors that include allconference team, a SAC award and high school MVP for 3 years, Fahrner will enter UT bringing a lot of positive things along.

“I feel I can be a positive asset.

After playing in high school with my team, I understand working together for a common goal. After meeting the girls on the [UT] team I feel it is a great fit for me as all the girls are motivated and we all want success,” Fahrner said.

She showed no hesitation when asked why she picked UT out of all the other colleges that were trying to recruit her.

“I wanted a university that was close knit and personable. I wanted to play tennis for the Spartans and was very excited to get recruited. Playing for the Spartans was one of my main goals in attending the University of Tampa,” Fahrner said.

“Coach DuFaux was a major factor in my decision making as well. He made me feel welcomed and part of the team, and I am look forward to having him as a coach next year,” Fahrner said.

Fahrner explained how she was excited with all of the academic aspects UT has to offer as well, which makes her feel that she can accomplish the goals set out before her.

Being recruited by the UT tennis team was one of the most exciting experiences Fahrner has ever gone through.

She openly commented that it Photo Courtesy of Amber Fahrner was a feeling of accomplishment Amber Fahrner is a high-school senior committed to come to play for Tampa.

THE MINARET | APRIL 30 2010

SPORTS

19

UT Closes Out Regular Season By Hosting Rival Tritons

Andy Meng/Sports Information

Tejas leads the team with 12 RBI and is tied for the team best, two homeruns.

By RYAN BURKETT Sports Writer

The 2010 softball regular season is almost over and the NCAA South Regional Tournament is drawing near.

With three games remaining on the schedule, the Spartans stand at 20-17 overall with an 1110 mark in Sunshine State Conference play. UT ranks fourth out of

the nine teams in the conference.

The team saw its share of ups and downs over the course of the season. A rocky 2-3 start at the Eckerd Tournament turned into a 7-4 record after winning five of six games in a Clermont, Fla., tournament.

The Spartans were 9-8 when they went on a tear, winning nine of ten games from March 18 through April 1. Eight of the wins

were in conference play.

The roller coaster changed directions again when the winning streak morphed into six straight losses. The losing streak ended when UT took two out of three games from Florida Southern to remain ahead of the Moccasins in the conference.

“We weren’t doing too well in the beginning,” sophomore Becky Vyzas said. “Other than that I think we’ve been pretty good.”

Vyzas has put up more strong numbers in 2010 after a big freshman season. Despite an 0-11 weekend against Florida Southern, the star catcher leads UT with a .286 batting average and two home runs. Her defining moment this season was a walk-off grand slam against Lynn on March 20.

Injuries took their toll on the team as well. Vyzas missed 13 games with a wrist injury, while pitcher Deanna Henriott missed the entire season with a torn labrum in her hip. The latter injury put the pressure on Heather Van Landingham and Kari Walsh to carry the team on the mound.

“Heather doesn’t mind having the weight on her back,” UT Head Coach Leslie Kanter said. “Kari’s also done a good job this season.”

UT’s lineup saw significant

changes from 2009 with a combination of freshmen and transfer students filling holes left by last year’s seniors.

“We lost a lot of good hitters last year,” Kanter said of the team’s high turnover rate.

Four seniors will depart from the team after this season, including Van Landingham.

Van Landingham has pitched well with an increased workload in 2010, posting a 1.82 ERA in 23 starts.

Jessica Tejas also stepped up in her senior season, hitting .271 with two home runs and a teamhigh 14 walks. She credits her teammates and Coach Kanter for her success at UT. “Coach never stopped believ-

ing that when it was my turn, I would step up,” Tejas said. “Having that kind of confidence lasts much longer than seven innings.”

With regionals looming, Kanter says her team is prepared for the tournament.

“I don’t know what to expect, but I think they’re ready for the challenge,” Kanter said.

Kanter also has a positive outlook on the future of the team, saying they are capable of winning the conference title soon.

“I wouldn’t doubt that in the next couple of years we will be in the running,” Kanter said.

The Spartans close out the regular season at home Friday and Saturday with a three-game series against Eckerd College.

UT Softball Trailing in Conference Race School Rollins Nova Southeastern Barry Tampa Saint Leo Florida Southern Lynn Florida Tech Eckerd

SSC Record 20-1 16-5 13-11 11-10 9-12 10-14 7-14 8-16 5-16

Overall Record 41-4 41-15 31-23 20-17 22-28 26-22 24-28 21-27 15-32-1

Breakdown of Tampa’s Star Designated Hitter Mike Schwartz

By KYLE BENNETT Sports Editor

The 2009-2010 season featured many great performances from many great Spartans.

Mike Schwartz was however arguably the largest piece of Tampa’s conference championship puzzle.

Schwartz was named Sunshine State Conference Player of the Week.

The Tampa designated hitter led the Spartans in many categories: • .421 batting average • 11 Home runs • 70 Runs scored • 11 Hit by pitches • 117 Total bases • .597 Slugging percentage • 63 Walks (Single season record) • Only Spartan to start all 50 games.

The transfer student from Hillsborough Community College spent two years at The University of Tampa.

As a junior he was named Second-team all-SSC and was also declared a Jewish Sports Review Division II All-American.

The National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association also named him Division II secondteam All-South Region.

He was also named to the Daktronics second-team All-South Region and was once named SSC Player of the week.

Schwartz also led the team with 58 RBI, 14 home runs and was second on the team with a .653 slugging percentage.

The six-foot tall 215 pound Montville N.J., native has said to have high hopes of being drafted to play professional baseball.

Head Coach Joe Urso believes that Schwartz is a professional hitter and he will get the chance to

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play at the next level.

The Spartans are set to be the No. 2 seed in the South Regional Tournament, but have an outside chance of hosting it.

They will however need some help from other teams in the region to take down the No. 3 ranked Southern Arkansas Muleriders (according to Ping!).

During the series sweep over Florida Southern College Schwartz set a new school record by being hit in three different at-bats. The previous record was two, held by 12 different players.

The single season walk record was set just a season ago by Jose Jimenez at 55.

Schwartz topped that total, and then some ending the regular season with 63 total.

Jimenez is now within the Los Angleles Angles organization after being selected in the 47th round of the 2009 First-Year Player Draft (1,431 overall).

Abby Sanford/The Minaret Mike Schwartz helped lead Tampa to its 13th Sunshine State Conference Title.

[16]

4

The Record

Baseball [42-8, 20-3] May 13 vs. NCAA Sout Regional With a three-game sweep over the No. 3 ranked Florida Southern Moccasins, the Spartans kept the possibility open of hosting the South Regional Tournament.

At the very least, Tampa assured itself a No. 2 seed in the tournament and if the Southern Arkansas Muleriders stumble, Tampa will gladly take their place as hosts of the tournament.

Softball [20-17, 11-10] April 29 vs. Eckerd [1532-1, 5-16 ] 7 p.m.

Coach Kanter on Eckerd: “The last few weekends of the season are tough against these conference opponents. Everyone’s good.”

Jessica Tejas on Eckerd: “It should be an exciting series. We never want to lose.”

History: Tampa leads the all-time series 57-17. The teams met three times in 2009 with UT sweeping Eckerd.

Eckerd will bring with them a No. 9 SSC rank while Tampa holds a No. 4 ranking.

South Regionals The University of Tampa baseball and softball teams will be competing in the South Regional Tournaments in May. Should they continue to win the teams would advance to the NCAA Finals later in May. Also, the track team will be competing in the NCAA Championships in late May.

Shifting the Standings The University of Tampa baseball team remained at No. 2 in the latest Ping! Baseball online poll.

Tampa swept conference rival Florida Southern College while a new No. 1 team was named.

The Southern Arkansas Muleriders fell from No. 1 to being tied for No. 3 after losing its first series of the year.

SPORTS

[18]

UT Claims 13th SSC Title With a Sweep of FSC

By DANIEL FEINGOLD Asst. Sports Editor

Coming off a disappointing series loss, the Spartans’ baseball team looked to rebound with a series win against conference rivals Florida Southern College (FSC).

The Spartans took care of business at home with a sweep of the FSC Mocs, resulting in UT’s 8th SSC Championship since 2000.

Head Coach Joe Urso was very satisfied with the ending of the 2009 regular season and winning the conference title.

“To finish it off at home like we did, scoring the amount of runs we did on Friday night, and then pulling off a sweep, this means a lot,” said Urso. “[It] sends us into the tournament with some momentum, which is very important.”

It was momentum that the Spartans lacked entering the series with FSC, as they had dropped their previous weekend series to another conference opponent, Barry.

After a towering home run from lead-off man Tyler Cox on the first pitch, the Spartans coasted to a 25-6 victory over the Mocs in game one.

Urso said that the early home run served as a catalyst for the Spartan’s success throughout the rest of the evening.

“I just thought the way Tyler Cox led off that game, the very first pitch, to hit a home run like he did, just gave us a tremendous amount of confidence and momentum as we went through that ballgame and did so well,” said Urso.

While the Spartans did not score as many runs in the following two contests, they took the Saturday double header, and thus a series sweep of the Mocs.

Urso credited the sweep over FSC to the weekend’s starting pitchers for the Spartans, John Wiedenbauer, Josh Bowman and AJ Pinera, for their strong efforts.

“They just set the tone for us all weekend long. They were outstanding,” said Urso. “They located their spots [and] they got us deep into the ballgames.”

Spartan senior Brett McKean, the lone man on the roster who has been with UT’s baseball program all four years, serves as a role player and spot starter on the team.

However, with the second game of the Saturday double header potentially being the final home game of his collegiate career, Urso gave McKean the start in left field.

Making the most of the opportunity, McKean went 3-4 with 4 rbi and 2 runs.

McKean was appreciative and prideful of getting the start on the last day of the regular season.

“It was a great experience,” said McKean. “Especially on senior day to come in there, my last game at home if we don’t host [the regional tournament], and to do what I did, it was a great accomplishment.”

The Spartans are now set to compete for the NCAA South Regional Tournament, and have an outside chance of hosting the event.

Andy Meng/Sports Information

Brett McKean was one of twelve Spartans honored Saturday at senior day.

It will all come down to Southern Arkansas’ final week of conference play, who currently sit tied at the No. 3 spot in the national rankings, one behind UT. Regardless of their ranking, Coach Urso said that the tough opponents they face on a weekly basis during the regular season will

prepare the Spartans for the regional tournament.

“We attack the best teams in the country and I think that prepares us. We’re used to being in close games late and we know how to deal with the pressure late,” [See 18]

Backstop Backs Team Offensively and Defensively

By BRENTON BURKETT

the honor.

Vyzas missed the Spartans’ first 13 games in 2010 with a broBecky Vyzas can do many ken arm. things on a softball field. She can She came back strong, posting hit, field and bring a few laughs. a .339 average with 2 home runs As a fellow University of Tamthrough her first 21 games. pa player walked to the field, VyzThough she went hitless in a as joked, “I hate all my teammates, series against Florida Southern, especially that one.”

Vyzas still leads the team by bat“I’m a jokester,” Vyzas said. “I ting .286. like to keep everybody loose.”

Vyzas delivered the Spartans’ Another humorous Vyzas mobiggest hit of the season on March ment came when she couldn’t stop 20 against Lynn. laughing the first time she watched Down by three runs in the 7th inning, she stepped up with the bases loaded looking to extend the rally.

She launched a walk-off grand slam over the left field fence, a part of the UT ballpark almost nobody reaches.

“I was just looking to get a hit,” Vyzas said. “Everyone was counting on me to get that extra hit. I never expected to hit a grand slam, but I think it was due.”

With Vyzas behind the plate as the Spartans catcher, UT pitchers have allowed the second fewest runs in the Sunshine State Conference.

They credit her Andy Meng/Sports Information with some of their success.

In 24 games played Becky Vyzas has a .286 batting average and a team best three triples.

Sports Writer

herself bat on YouTube.

However, her opponents find facing Vyzas to be no laughing matter.

Her on-field production seems to match her spirit.

As a freshman, Vyzas quickly became the heart of UT’s softball team.

The Tampa native led the Spartans with a .386 average and 5 home runs.

Daktronics named her to its All-South Region second team, the only Tampa player to receive

Kari Walsh said she has a “great relationship” with her catcher and that Vyzas often keeps her in the game.

Heather Van Landingham said she is good at framing pitches, giving her extra strikes.

After making only three errors in 2009, Vyzas has thrown out 5 of 12 runners attempting to steal and maintains a perfect fielding percentage this year.

She has accomplished this despite not catching until she was 14.

Before that, she played baseball as a pitcher and second baseman.

Even with the strong numbers, Vyzas still believes she’s “not all the way back” from her arm injury.

She may be back to form by next season, for which she is optimistic.

“With the team we have, we can do well once we get more pitchers,” Vyzas said. “Heather will be leaving, but Deanna [Henriott] is coming back. I think we can make it a bit farther than we have. Hopefully we’ll get past regionals next year.”

Vyzas has two years left after this season.

She plans on continuing to hit, field and lighten spirits for the Spartans for as long as she’s eligible.

“I’ve been in love with UT since I was little,” Vyzas said. “My teammates are like family, like the sisters I never had.”

Brenton Burkett can be reached at bburkett@ut.edu.